Culver City Observer -

2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 05

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0): The Chiefs are 4-0 for the fourth consecutive season. Outside of their game against the Chargers, they have looked in complete control in their games and they are the favorite to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Next: -13 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 56.5

2. Seattle Seahawks (4-0): The Seahawks do not blow you away with their performances, they just continue to outscore their opponents with their high-powered offense. After this week's game, the Seahawks have a five-game stretch with four of the five games versus division opponents, the one exception being a road contest at Buffalo. Next: -7 vs Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 57.5

3. Buffalo Bills (4-0): With back-to-back wins over the Rams and the Raiders, the Bills look like a playoff team. The question is, can they win in the playoffs? The next two weeks may answer that question, with the Titans on the road this week followed by a Thursday Night home game with the Chiefs. Next: N/A at Tennessee - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U N/A

4. Green Bay Packers (4-0): The Packers again played without star wide receiver Devante Adams and loss wide receiver Allen Lazard to a core-muscle injury for the next four to six weeks. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, three of them to tight end Robert Tonyan in the win over the Falcons, proving he can make anyone look good. Next: Bye - Following Week - N/A at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U N/A

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0): The Steelers remained unbeaten at 3-0 due to the cancellation of their game with the Titans. With the early use of their bye week, they will play for the next thirteen weeks, without a break. Next: -7 vs Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 44

6. Tennessee Titans (3-0): The Covid-19 outbreak on the Titans team forced the cancellation of their game with the Steelers. After a week off, according to head coach Mike Vrabel, "Everyone is ready to get back to work." Next: N/A vs Buffalo Bills – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U N/A

7. Baltimore Ravens (3-1): The Ravens are 3rd in the NFL in rushing yardage per game and 31st in passing yardage per game. If the Ravens are running the ball, they are difficult to beat. If you can slow their running game down or force them out of their running game by taking a large lead early, they can be beat. Next: -13 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 51

8. Los Angeles Rams (3-1): The Rams are 3-0 against the NFC East after an unimpressive win over the Giants. They will be crowned champions of the NFC East this weekend if they defeat the Washington Football team. With four of their first five games against the NFC East, can anyone really say they know how good the Rams are? Next: -7.5 at Washington Football Team - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 45

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1): Quarterback Tom Brady, at 43 years of age, threw five touchdown passes in a come-from-behind win over the Chargers. Unfortunately, the Bucs lost tight end O.J. Howard for the season with an Achilles injury. Howard caught one of the five touchdown passes from Brady in the game. Next: -4.5 at Chicago Bears - Thu, Oct. 8 – O/U 43.5

10. Indianapolis Colts (3-1): In the AFC, all eyes are on the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Steelers, and Titans as the teams to beat. A team to keep an eye on is the Colts, who have a terrific offensive line, a young star running back, an eight-time pro bowl quarterback and the top defense in the NFL. Next: -2 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 47

11. Cleveland Browns (3-1): The Brown knocked off the Cowboys 49-38, in a game that was not as close as the final score might indicate. The Browns held a 41-14 lead after three quarters. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. scored three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing, in the rout of the Cowboys. Next: +2 vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 47

12. Chicago Bears (3-1): The Bears limited offensive capability was no match for a tough Colts defense, as they fell 19-11. The highlight of the game was probably the trash talking that Bears linebacker Roquan Smith received from quarterback Philip Rivers, who let Smith know that he had just got beat on a key 12-yard run. It is good to see that Rivers has not changed. Next: +4.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Thu, Oct. 8 – O/U 43.5

13. New England Patriots (2-2): Without quarterback Cam Newton, the Pats had no chance against the Chiefs on the road. Newton missed the game due to a positive test for Covid-19. Backup signal callers Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer combined for four turnovers against the Chiefs. Next: -11 vs Denver Broncos – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 47.5

14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2): Through four games, quarterback Derek Carr has thrown for 273.8 yards per game, completed 73.6% of his passes, has 8 thrown for 8 touchdowns and has zero interceptions. On Sunday, Carr was missing both starting wide receivers and two starting offensive linemen. He has done a good job at quarterback considering the rash of injuries on offense. Next: +3 at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 56.5

15. New Orleans Saints (2-2): As if Covid-19 has not been enough to deal with, the Saints and the NFL are looking at a major hurricane that is expected to hit the New Orleans area late Thursday night and Friday. This game may end up being moved to another city. Next: -7.5 vs Los Angeles Chargers – Mon, Oct. 12 – O/U 51

16. Arizona Cardinals (2-2): Quarterback Kyler Murray completed 24 passes for just 133 yards passing on Sunday in the loss to the Panthers. Murray also led the Cardinals in rushing with 78 yards. The Cardinals need to get the ball down the field and need to establish a running attack that is not centered around their quarterback. Next: -7 at New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 47

17. San Francisco 49ers (2-2): Quarterback Nick Mullins had an off night on Sunday against the Eagles and his performance cost the 49ers an opportunity to win a game they should have won. Tight End George Kittles returned from injury to catch 15 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown in the loss. Next: -8 vs Miami Dolphins – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 46.5

18. Carolina Panthers (2-2): The Panthers are 2-0 in the absence of star running back Christian McCaffrey due to a high ankle sprain. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw for 276 yards and passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in the victory. He seems to be fitting in well with Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady, who served in the same role with LSU last season. Next: +2.5 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 53.5

19. Los Angeles Chargers (1-3): The Chargers are a Darkhorse Super Bowl team...for 2021. The injuries are mounting, with five offensive starters and five defensive starters missing from last week's game in Tampa Bay. During the game, running back Austin Ekeler suffered a hamstring injury as well as a hyper extended knee injury, just adding to the Chargers' health woes. The highlight has been quarterback Justin Herbert, who looks like a budding star and is giving the Chargers fans hope for the future. Next: +7.5 at New Orleans Saints - Mon, Oct. 12 – O/U 51

20. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1): The Eagles won their first game of the season at San Francisco, which catapulted them into first place in the NFC East. This is clearly the weakest division in the NFL, but someone has got to win it and it just as well be the Eagles. Next: +7 at Pittsburgh Steelers Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 44

21. Dallas Cowboys (1-3): Quarterback Dak Prescott is putting up some crazy passing numbers through four games. Prescott is averaging 444 passing yards per game, which would shatter regular season passing records if he keeps it up. Unfortunately, the rest of the team is not keeping up with Prescott. Next: -9.5 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 54

22. Washington Football Team (1-3): Against the Ravens, running back Antonio Gibson rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 82 yards. He is beginning to look like the explosive playmaker the team thought they were getting when they drafted him in the third round. Next: +7.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 45

23. Miami Dolphins (1-3): With the Texans struggling to win a game, the future is bright for Dolphin fans. In 2019, Miami sent offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to Houston for a first-round pick in 2020, a first-round pick in 2021 and a second-round pick in 2021. With the Texans at 0-4, the Dolphins could end up with two Top Ten draft picks in 2021 and two high second round draft picks as well. Next: +8 at San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 46.5

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3): The Jaguars have lost three in a row and are back on track in the "Tanking for Trevor Sweepstakes." Jacksonville could be a good landing spot for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Besides some good young talent on the current Jags roster, the team has an extra draft pick in the first, second, fourth and fifth rounds of the 2021 draft. Next: +6 at Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 54.5

25. Minnesota Vikings (1-3): The Vikings won their first game with a balanced offensive attack in Houston. Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 16 of 22 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, Dalvin Cook rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, Adam Thielen caught eight passes for 114 yards and one touchdown, and rookie Justin Jefferson caught 4 passes for 103 yards. Next: +7 at Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 57.5

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2-1): The Bengals rode the running of Joe Mixon to their first victory of the season, a 33-26 win over the Jaguars. Mixon rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns and caught six passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. Next: +13 at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 51

27. Detroit Lions (1-3): The Lions went back to business as usual, jumping to an early 14-0 lead over the Saints, before giving up 35 unanswered points to the Saints. In their three losses, the Lions have blown a 17-point 4th quarter lead to the Bears, an 11-point first quarter lead to the Packers, and a 14-point first quarter lead to the Saints. Next: Bye - Following Week - N/A at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U N/A

28. Denver Broncos (1-3): Former Bose State quarterback Brett Rypien led the Broncos to victory in his first NFL Start. Rypien completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, along with three interceptions. Next: +11 at New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 47.5

29. Houston Texans (0-4): The Texans fired head coach Bill O'Brien after an 0-4 start. The trading of valuable draft assets to acquire left tackle Laremy Tunsil was a mistake and the trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for almost nothing in return made this an easy decision, especially after an 0-4 start. Next: -6 vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 54.5

30. New York Giants (0-4): The Giants rushed for 136 yards against the Rams, giving the team some hope that they might be able to run the ball in the future. Newly acquired running back Devonta Freeman had 11 carries for 33 yards and caught four passes for 35 yards. Next: +9.5 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 54

Jevone Moore

Chargers 4-year head coach Anthony Lynn: 5-11 combined record for first four weeks since 2017 season

31. New York Jets (0-4): The Jets are headed for a top five draft pick, maybe even the top pick. Quarterback Sam Darnold has not looked good this season, but the team around him is not very good, either. The possibility exists that the Jets could draft another quarterback next season, maybe even Clemson's Trevor Lawrence. Next: +7 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 47

32. Atlanta Falcons (0-4): The Falcons lost again, with opposing receivers running wide open and missed tackles on defense. This is a team with some talent that needs a coaching change, not during the season, but by the end of the season. Missed assignments and missed tackles are a sign that there needs to be a total house cleaning in this organization. Next: -2.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 53.5