There are probably about 15 teams that deserve to be in the Top 10.

 

Five weeks into the NFL season, we’re starting to get a better feel for each team, even as parity reigns. After the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills lost Sunday, there are no longer any unbeatens. And after the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans won, there’s only one team left without a win: the New York Jets. So, seriously, doesn’t anyone want to win this thing this year? And how can anyone make sense of this weird week in a very strange season so far?

1. Detroit Lions (4-1)

Since their Week 1 humbling, the Lions have ripped off four straight wins, including a 37-24 victory against the Bengals in Week 5 that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. The team’s rushing attack didn’t prosper as effectively against the Bengals as expected, but the Lions still totaled 365 yards. Every team has a loss now. And while the Lions’ defeat in Week 1 wasn’t good, the last four weeks have been excellent. They’ve scored 52, 38, 34 and 37 points in the four wins. Given the Lions’ recent track record and how they’ve rebounded since Week 1, they deserve their turn at No. 1 this season.

2. Buffalo Bills (4-1)

The Bills were considered one of the best teams in football heading into Week 5, and a close 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots shouldn’t change that. Multiple turnovers plagued the offense for the first time since Week 10 of the 2024 season, and the defense allowed eight explosive pass plays. The Bills have played at less than their best for long stretches of four games. They came back against the Ravens and held off the Dolphins and Saints, but finally lost to the Patriots. They’re a good team. But they need to find more consistency.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Ah yes, we still wait for the 2025 Eagles to play a complete game.  And then there were none. Like the Bills, the Eagles dropped their first game of the season, losing 21-17 at home to the Denver Broncos. Week 5 was a strange offensive performance from the Eagles, who essentially abandoned their entire identity that saw them win a Super Bowl a year ago. They looked good vs. Denver before falling apart in the fourth quarter. A surprisingly pass-heavy offensive approach that ignored Saquon Barkley didn’t work, and the defense let up in the fourth quarter too. Now there’s real strife.

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)

The Colts are a few mental mistakes against the Rams from being the NFL’s only 5-0 team. After a painful loss to the Rams in Week 4, the Colts could have folded at the first sign of danger. Instead, they brushed themselves off and took their frustrations out on the Raiders in Week 5, dismantling them 40-6 while finding success in all three phases of the game. Nothing in their profile indicates this great start has been a fluke. Perhaps the relatively low ranking is skepticism on Daniel Jones maintaining this level all season.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)

What a performance from Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After five weeks and a 38-35 win on the road against the Seahawks, the Buccaneers are now 4-1 and, like it or not, there’s a conversation to be had that Baker Mayfield is the current MVP favorite. Baker Mayfield has 1,281 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception, with four game-winning drives already for a team that is tied for the best record in the NFL. Is everyone ready for a “Mayfield for MVP” conversation? Because it’s coming.

6. Denver Broncos (3-2)

Imagine the conversation about the Broncos if they won one or both road games against the Colts or Chargers. They lost with no time on the clock in each of those contests. A huge scalp for a Denver Broncos team still trying to find its place by handing the Eagles their first loss of the NFL season. The offense, buoyed by an excellent Courtland Sutton performance, did just enough, while the defense held the Philadelphia offense to just 17 points, sacking Jalen Hurts seven times. Their profile will grow after they became just the second team to beat the Eagles since September of 2024.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)

Call this one a signature win for the Jaguars, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars erased a 14-point deficit en route to victory, and as the season progresses, there’s more and more reason to have faith in this Jaguars operation. The Jaguars trailed 14-0 early and 28-24 with 1:45 to go against the reigning AFC champion Chiefs. It's not a game this franchise is used to winning. It's not a situation Trevor Lawrence has thrived in that often either. Maybe the Jaguars and Lawrence slayed some demons with the win.

8. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

The 49ers, without just about any impact on offense aside from Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams, just keep on finding ways to win. Their 26-23 overtime win over the Rams might be their most impressive yet. The idea that Mac Jones is a threat to Brock Purdy is ridiculous. Jones played well. The 49ers just gave Purdy a five-year, $265 million contract; they aren’t benching him because Jones had a couple of good games. But you’ll hear more about it if Purdy struggles.

9. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)

The Packers enjoyed an early bye week in Week 5 to end a quick spell of two games without a win. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Packers looked like a juggernaut on both sides of the ball. As of now, they’re a top-five team in EPA per play on offense, and 12th in EPA per play allowed on defense. That’s a potential sweet spot for a team capable of contending for a Super Bowl in 2025. The Packers weren’t great but check out the upcoming schedule: vs. Bengals, at Cardinals, at Steelers, vs. Panthers, vs. Eagles, at Giants. Other than the Eagles and maybe the Steelers, those should all be wins. If it’s not at least a 4-2 stretch, then worry about the Packers.

10. Los Angeles Rams (3-2)

A tough beat for the Rams, who entered Thursday night as overwhelming favorites against a battered and bruised 49ers team. 
There’s no way around it: That was a terrible loss for the Rams last week. It could end up being the difference in winning a division title. The Rams are 3-2, a top-10 team in EPA per play on both sides and remain a squad to watch closely down the road. The good news is Matthew Stafford, who threw for 389 yards, is looking as good as ever.