By Bill Seals - Fred Altieri
Sports Reporters - PFWA Members 

2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 05

Chargers Rebound, Rams Drop

 

October 6, 2022

Mike Nowak - LA Chargers

Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins (6) kicked 2 field goals, 4 extra points in win over Texans

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0): The Eagles still remain the only undefeated team in the NFL and statistically look like the best team in football. The Eagles second in total offensive yardage per game, second in scoring per game, third in defensive yardage allowed per game and first in turnover ratio. They are showing few weaknesses. Next: -5.5 at Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

2. Buffalo Bills (3-1): The Bills overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Ravens in nasty Baltimore weather, 23-20. Quarterback Josh Allen struggled in the weather but did run for 70 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Next: -14 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 2-1-1 – O/U: 1-3)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1): The Chiefs looked very good on the road in soundly defeating the Buccaneers, 41-31. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chiefs also ran for 189 yards behind one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. Next: -7 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Mon, Oct. 10 – O/U 51 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

4. Green Bay Packers (3-1): The Packers won their third consecutive game, but it was not an easy win. The Packers needed overtime to overcome the Patriots, 27-24, in Green Bay. The Packers ran wild on the ground, totaling 199 rushing yards. Next: -8.5 vs New York Giants Patriots - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-3)

5. Miami Dolphins (3-1): Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets as he continues to progress through the NFL's concussion protocol. In the loss to the Bengals, Tagovailoa was hurt in the second half of the Bengals game after his head hit the turf. He also appeared to suffer a concussion in the prior game against the Bills but was allowed to stay in the game. Next: -3 at New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

6. Dallas Cowboys (3-1): As would be expected from Cowboy fans, the talk of a Super Bowl championship has started among Cowboy fans after the Cowboys dispatched the Commanders, 25-10. They seem to forget that they are in the same division with the Eagles. Next: +4.5 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

7. Minnesota Vikings (3-1): The strength of the Vikings offense continues to be wide receiver Justin Jefferson and wide receiver Adam Thielen. Jefferson caught 10 passes for 147 yards and Thielen added 8 receptions for 72 yards in the Vikings victory over the Saints in London. Next: -7 vs Chicago Bears – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 2-2)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2): Through three games, the Bucs had only allowed only 27 total points. Then they ran into the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs put up 41 points on the scoreboard against the Bucs, proving that a good offensive football team can score on anyone on the NFL. Next: -9 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-3)

9. Baltimore Ravens (2-2): The nasty weather of Baltimore proved to be too much for even quarterback Lamar Jackson to conquer, as the Ravens fell to the Bills, 23-20. Jackson only threw for 144 yards and had two passes intercepted in his first subpar performance of the season. Next: -3 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 2-1-1 – O/U: 2-2)

10. San Francisco 49ers (2-2): The 49ers are a bit of an enigma, after pounding the Seahawks and Rams, while also losing to the Broncos and the Bears. One thing that is not an enigma is the 49ers defense, which is ranked #1 in the NFL in points allowed per game at 11.5 points per game. Next: -6.5 at Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 0-4)

11. Los Angeles Rams (2-2): The Rams cannot run the ball; the offensive line is struggling and the only receivers that quarterback Matthew Stafford trusts are wide receiver Cooper Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee. Of the 48 passes that Stafford threw in the loss to the 49ers, 19 were targeted at Kupp and 14 were targeted at Higbee. The Rams have become predictable on offense and are not able or willing to throw downfield. Next: -4.5 vs Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

12. New York Giants (3-1): Quarterback Daniel Jones used his legs on Sunday to lead the Giants to a 20-12 victory over the Bears. Jones rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. He only threw for 71 yards, so the running yardage was needed. His top target was former San Diego State rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger, who had 3 receptions for 23 yards. Next: +8.5 at Green Bay Packers – Sun, Oct. 9 - O/U 41.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2): The Jaguars found out that playing on the road against the Eagles is a little bit different than playing on the road versus the Chargers after a 29-21 loss in Philadelphia. We continue to believe that quarterback Trevor Lawrence's future is in a royal blue jersey. Next: -7 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 3-1)

14. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2): The good news is that the Chargers got a much-needed victory and that quarterback Justin Herbert, despite playing with a cracked rib cartilage, threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans. The bad news is the Chargers running game, which rushed for just 81 yards against the worst run defense in the NFL. Herbert leads the NFL in passing yardage with 1,250 yards. Next: -3 at Cleveland Browns, Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

15. Tennessee Titans (2-2): The Titans only had 243 yards in total offense, but won the turnover battle 3-0, which led to a 24-17 win over the Colts. The Titans are struggling, but a favorable schedule and the AFC South make it very possible for them to make another playoff appearance. Next: -2 at Washington Commanders - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 2-2)

16. Cleveland Browns (2-2): Despite the loss to the Falcons on Sunday, the Browns continue to run the ball well, as they are currently ranked 2nd in rushing yardage per game at 187.3 yards per game. Their next opponent is 31st in yards per carry allowed, which makes this weekend's opponent at home an inviting target. Next: +3 vs Los Angeles Chargers – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 3-1)

17. Denver Broncos (2-2): The Broncos lost the game to the Raiders and more importantly, lost running back Javonte Williams for the season with an ACL injury and lost linebacker Randy Gregory for at least four weeks with a knee injury. Next: -3 vs Indianapolis Colts - Thu, Oct. 6 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2): Wide receiver Tee Higgins had a big night, catching seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in the victory over the Dolphins. Quarterback Joe Burrow, sacked 15 times in the first three games this season, was sacked just once in the victory. Next: +3 at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 0-4)

19. Atlanta Falcons (2-2): Running back Caleb Huntley, elevated from the practice squad for the Browns game, rushed 10 times for 56 yards and a touchdown in helping lead the Falcons to a 23-20 win over the Browns in Atlanta. Next: +9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48 (ATS: 4-0 – O/U: 3-1)

20. Arizona Cardinals (2-2): The Cardinals have been outscored in the first half of games, 66-16, but somehow have managed a 2-2 record for the season and are tied for first place in the NFC West, as all four teams have the same 2-2 record. The Cardinals will not want to get off to another slow start this week. Next: +5.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-2-1)

21. Seattle Seahawks (2-2): The Seahawks looked great offensively in Sunday's win over the Lions, 48-45 in Detroit. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, and the Seahawks never needed to use their punter in the game. Next: +5 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

22. New York Jets (2-2): The Jets intercepted Steeler quarterbacks four times in the 24-20 win at Pittsburgh. Former Ram and Raider safety Lamarcus Joyner had two interceptions and six tackles to lead the defense in the road victory. Next: +3 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

23. Chicago Bears (2-2): Former Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, known as "The Money Badger" with the Chargers, converted four of four field goal attempts this weekend for the Bears, as he provided all the scoring in the Bears loss. He was cut on Monday by the Bears, who just needed him for one game. Next: +7 at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44 (ATS: 1-2-1 – O/U: 1-3)

24. Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1): The Colts turned the ball over three times in the loss to the Titans. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown five interceptions in four games and fumbled nine times, losing three of them. The nine fumbles lead the NFL. Next: +3 at Denver Broncos – Thu, Oct. 6 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 0-4)

25. Detroit Lions (1-3): After four games, the Lions lead the NFL in scoring at 35 points per game and lead the NFL in offensive yardage per game at 436.8 yards per game. In the 48-45 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, the Lions were playing without their leading rusher and leading receiver, and it did not slow the offense down at all. Now, about that defense... Next: +3 at New England Patriots – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 4-0)

26. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3): The Raiders coaching brain trust, in desperate need of a victory, decided to go back to basics and give the ball to running back Josh Jacobs, who responded with 28 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs also caught 5 passes for 31 yards. Jacobs, a pro bowl running back in 2020, is on the last year of his rookie contract, which the Raiders brain trust decided against extending. Next: +7 at Kansas City Chiefs - Mon, Oct. 10 – O/U 51 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 2-1-1)

27. New England Patriots (1-3): With starting quarterback Mac Jones sidelined due to an ankle injury, the Patriots turned to backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, who then was knocked out of the game with a head injury in the first quarter. Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round draft pick out of Western Kentucky, made his NFL debut, and completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, helping to get the game to overtime before losing to the Packers. Next: -3 vs Detroit Lions – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-2-1 – O/U: 2-2)

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3): The Steelers are turning to rookie Kenny Pickett to start at quarterback this week. Pickett, a first-round draft pick for the Steelers out of the University of Pittsburgh, will hopefully provide a spark for a struggling Steeler offense. Next: +14 at Buffalo Bills – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 1-2-1 – O/U: 2-2)

29. New Orleans Saints (1-3): The Saints look like they have a star in rookie wide receiver Chris Olave, who played his high school football at Mission Hills in San Marcos, California. Olave, a first round pick out of Ohio State, has 21 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown in four games for the Saints. Next: -5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 2-2)

30. Washington Commanders (1-3): Head coach Ron Rivera is preaching patience after the Commanders fell to the Cowboys, 25-10. "I got to be realistic with what we have and what we're going to do," Rivera said. "Its not going to happen overnight." With Rivera in his third season as the Commanders head coach, we are sure that the fans will not be realistic with their expectations of Rivera. Next: +2 vs Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 2-2)

Brevin Townsell - LA Rams

Rams kicker Brevin Townsell (8) kicked 3 field goals in loss to 49ers

31. Houston Texans (0-3-1): Rookie running back Dameon Pierce became the latest running back to run freely through the Charger defense. Pierce rushed 14 times for 131 yards in the 34-24 loss to the Chargers. The highlight for Pierce was a 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. week and he faces a wounded Chargers team this week at home. Next: +7 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 44.4 (ATS: 2-1-1 – O/U: 2-2)

32. Carolina Panthers (1-3): Head coach Matt Rhule is 11-26 is the head coach of the Panthers, and even more interesting, he is 1-26 in games where the opposition scores at least 17 points. Expect to see Rhule coaching in college football next season. Nebraska, Arizona State, Colorado, and Wisconsin are all in the market for a new head coach and Rhule has had plenty of success at the college level. Next: +6.5 vs San Francisco 49ers- Sun, Oct. 9 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

 

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