VanFulpen’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 5

1. Baltimore Ravens (4-1) – The Ravens are playing very good football and their defense will be better when they get Ed Reed back.

2. Atlanta Falcons (4-1) – The Falcons are playing the best football in the NFC right now.

3. New York Jets (4-1) – The Jets defense is outstanding along with a very offense.

4. Chicago Bears (4-1) – The Bears ran the football and played great defense to beat the Panthers.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) – The Steelers are coming off their bye.

6. New England Patriots (3-1) – The Patriots are coming off their bye.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) – Tampa Bay was able to get a last second win against the Bengals.

8. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) – Their defense played well against the Colts but couldn’t get anything going on offense.

9. Indianapolis Colts (3-2) – The Colts where able to get a win despite only scoring one offensive touchdown.

10. New Orleans Saints (3-2) – Things are going go like they did last season for the Saints.

11. Green Bay Packers (3-2) – Quarterback Aaron Rogers might miss this Sunday game against the Dolphins, not a good thing for the Packers.

12. New York Giants (3-2) – Their defensive has shown up in this past two week, let see if they can keep it going.

13. Houston Texans (3-2) – They couldn’t get anything going on offense against the Giants.

14. Tennessee Titans (3-2) – Vince Young and Chris Johnson make the Titans go, and they helped them to a win over the Cowboys.

15. Washington Redskins (3-2) – Donovan McNabb has shown again that he can put a team on his back and carry them.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) – The Jaguars won back to back game and take on the Titans this Monday Night.

17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) – The Eagles found a way to beat the 49ers this past week.

18. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) – The Cardinals where able to beat the Saints.

19. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) – The Seahawks are coming off their bye.

20. Miami Dolphins (2-2) – The Dolphins are coming off their bye.

21. San Diego Chargers (2-3) – The Chargers have to start putting some wins together or they will be left out of the playoffs this year.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) – The Bengals have to get their offense going on their hopes of making the playoffs in back to back season might not be a reality.

23. Denver Broncos (2-3) – The injuries are starting to catch up with the Broncos.

24. St. Louis Rams (2-3) – The Rams got dominated by the Lions this past week.

25. Oakland Raiders (2-3) – The Raiders found a way to beat the Chargers with out much offense.

26. Minnesota Vikings (1-3) – Quarterback Brett Farve threw a bad interception to give the Jets the win on Monday Night.

27. Dallas Cowboys (1-3) – Things aren’t looking good for the Cowboys so far this season.

28. Detroit Lions (1-4) – The Lions had a nice win against the Rams and face the Giants this week.

29. Cleveland Browns (1-4) – Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy might be starting for the Browns this week.

30. San Francisco 49ers (0-5) – The 49ers can’t find a way to win a game so far this season.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-5) – It might be a long season for the Panthers.

32. Buffalo Bills (0-5) – The Bills will play hard this whole season but when it said and done they will be pick 1st in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Power Ranking Number 15: Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback Matt Ryan hopes to have a bounce back season this year and be able to stay healthy and lead the Falcons back to the playoffs. He has a good running game and good offensive weapons to be able to do that. Running back Michael Turner missing five due to an ankle injury and needs to stay healthy because he is the workhouse for the Falcons offense running the football and really helps out Ryan in the passing game with the play action. Wide receiver Roddy White and tight Tony Gonzalez are the two main weapons in the passing game that Ryan looks to get the ball to.

On defense, defensive end John Abraham provides the pass rush and he needs to return to the player he was in the 2008 season when he had 16.5 sacks not the player he was last year when he only had 5.5 sacks. The Falcons did improve the secondary by signing cornerback Dunta Robinson to a big time contract in the off-season and with that they hope it will improve the pressure on the quarterback. Outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was the Falcons first round pick and he should improve the overall defense and he is a good against the run and good in pass coverage.

The Falcons where able to get to 9-7 last season, but failed to make the playoffs, they are a good team with a solid coaching staff and expect this season to be more like the 2008 season then last year.