The New York Giants have quickly become a team to watch in the NFC. On paper, it should be a mistake for them to lose Jackson Dart and top tight end Roger Brian Burns, but instead we’ve seen John Harbaugh turn this team into a winner with some swagger, now sitting atop the NFC East and watching the people around them.
It’s worth noting that two of those three wins came against the Cardinals and the Titans — but in the past, the Giants could never be trusted to close out games like this, especially when dealing with serious injuries. We haven’t seen this team at their best so far, but after a month in the league they are on the right side of the win column. Ahead of Week 5, the top 15 in our power rankings deserve a crack.
Here are the full rankings of all 32 teams, as well as their previous rankings and how they’ve changed since Week 4.
Biggest takeoff: New York Giants (+10)
The Giants are also passing the eye test now. That’s less about how beautiful their football is because it’s not often – but how the team carries itself on the sidelines. The biggest thing Harbaugh has done for New York is improve the locker room culture to the level of these players. to believe You can win any game under the guidance of the awesome Ted Lasso.
Biggest Fall: Detroit Lions (-6) and Washington Chiefs (-6)
This Lions defense is also, very, very bad. There was no denying that Bryce Young was playing. Sunday night footballHe’s playing out of his mind — but the Panthers were also without four offensive linemen as well as their No. 2 and No. 3 receivers (Jalen Coker and Xavier Leggett). Basically one good receiver, the Panthers cut off Detroit’s secondary using RPO, essentially setting up a blueprint for anyone looking to attack him. It’s getting harder and harder to see how the Lions will hang with the Bears in the NFC North.
As for commanders, this is a definite course correction. In the year They were bullish on their return to form in Washington in 2026, but there was nothing to show that they were worthy of belief. What’s more, the team is struggling against worse opponents as time goes on – and the injury bug is creeping in. It’s a shame, but this is shaping up to be another lost season for the team.
Team in question: Atlanta Falcons (No. 21)
Blowing the doors off the Panthers in Week 2 might be the best thing to happen to the Falcons this season. The team looks completely different following their divisional embarrassment, now boasting a solid all-around defense and an offense that can carry it to the finish line, despite lacking top-flight rebounds. There’s a lot to like about this team other than a shaky QB position, but overall, the Falcons look like a team that can compete in the NFC South and push into the top half of the league.
