{"id":922610,"date":"2026-10-06T09:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T09:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/922610\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T09:38:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T09:38:18","slug":"nfl-power-rankings-week-5-chargers-and-texans-a-disaster-browns-climb-nine-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/922610\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Chargers and Texans a disaster, Browns climb nine spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our social team at CBS Sports HQ<\/a> did a video this week asking this question:<\/p>\n

Who’s the biggest disappointment, the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> or the Houston Texans<\/a>?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both teams are 0-4 and look like teams that will be watching come playoff time. Before the season, the Texans were a trendy pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl<\/a>, while many thought the Chargers would be livened up by having Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n

Instead, the first four weeks have been disasters for both teams. At 0-4, they have big problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Chargers’ offensive issues are a concern. The Texans’ supposedly dominant defense hasn’t been great either. They were being compared to the 1985 Chicago Bears<\/a> defense before the season, and yet the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> gutted them in their victory Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Chargers face a much tougher schedule the next four weeks \u2014 0-8 is possible, including a game vs. the Texans \u2014 while the Texans’ schedule does soften some.<\/p>\n

Houston is down to No. 26 in my Power Rankings this week, while the Chargers are down to 27, one behind them. The Los Angeles offense is a mess right now. Justin Herbert<\/a>, who still hasn’t won a playoff game, doesn’t look right in the McDaniel offense. It’s not like there are tons of options in the passing game, but he’s making some really bad throws.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for the Texans, the offense came alive against the Cowboys, but the defense wasn’t good. They can’t blame that one on C.J. Stroud<\/a>, who has played well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If I had to pick one of these two to turn it around, I would go with the Texans. But they are three games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> in the AFC South, which means the wild card is probably the only real playoff path.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two teams with such high hopes four weeks ago are now floundering and wondering if the season is over.<\/p>\n

\n Biggest Movers\n <\/p>\n

Rk<\/p>\n

Teams<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chg<\/p>\n

Rcrd<\/p>\n

1
\n \"team
\n 49ers
\n <\/a>
\n At 4-0, they are rolling, and beating good teams in the process. The defense came up big in the victory over the Broncos, which is a good sign. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

4-0-0<\/p>\n

2
\n \"team
\n Chiefs
\n <\/a>
\n They are 4-0, but they suffered some hits to the receiver position Sunday which are concerning. They have to reach out to Tyreek Hill. When will he be ready? <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

4-0-0<\/p>\n

3
\n \"team
\n Vikings
\n <\/a>
\n They are undefeated, but the offense still looks off. The defense is definitely carrying this team right now, but the offense has to pick it up. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

4-0-0<\/p>\n

4
\n \"team
\n Seahawks
\n <\/a>
\n They bounced back from their loss to the Commanders with a dominant showing against the Chargers. The defense, as usual, led them in the victory. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

5
\n \"team
\n Jaguars
\n <\/a>
\n They are a complete team on both sides of the ball. They can win with offense, but the defense is sneaky good and is second in scoring. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

6
\n \"team
\n Bills
\n <\/a>
\n Losing to the Patriots at home is not a good look for this team. They could have taken a real hold on the division, but let it get away as they face a tough one this week with the Rams. <\/p>\n

5<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

7
\n \"team
\n Ravens
\n <\/a>
\n Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury is a cloud over this team right now. Will he miss time? How much? <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

8
\n \"team
\n Bears
\n <\/a>
\n They just keep running it down the opposing team’s throats to key their 3-1 start. Winning games with backup quarterbacks is impressive and says how good their run game is this season. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

9
\n \"team
\n Rams
\n <\/a>
\n They were staring 1-3 in the face, but rallied to beat the Eagles. They took advantage of a banged-up Eagles team, which good teams do. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

10
\n \"team
\n Raiders
\n <\/a>
\n They lost for the first time Sunday, but they showed they are a good team by pushing the Chiefs. At 3-1, they are one of the surprise teams in the league. <\/p>\n

5<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

11
\n \"team
\n Broncos
\n <\/a>
\n Where is the offense? They looked lifeless in the loss to the 49ers. When does Sean Payton take over calling plays?<\/p>\n

5<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

12
\n \"team
\n Cowboys
\n <\/a>
\n That was a big-time victory on the road at Houston. The Cowboys offense lit up a good Texans defense, which shows they can play with anybody.<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

13
\n \"team
\n Eagles
\n <\/a>
\n They have so many injuries right now, but that’s no excuse for blowing the Rams game. The offense is bad as they head to London to play the Jaguars. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

14
\n \"team
\n Bengals
\n <\/a>
\n At 2-2, they have injury concerns with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The offense is so much different if they aren’t around.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

15
\n \"team
\n Patriots
\n <\/a>
\n Give this group a ton of credit for bouncing back from a terrible loss against the Jaguars to beat the Bills on the road. Drake Maye pushed aside all the criticism to play well. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

16
\n \"team
\n Browns
\n <\/a>
\n Can you believe they are 3-1 and tied for first in the division? Who saw that coming? Not me. <\/p>\n

9<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

17
\n \"team
\n Giants
\n <\/a>
\n At 3-1, they lead the NFC East. John Harbaugh has already turned this thing around. Can it last with Jameis Winston?<\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

3-1-0<\/p>\n

18
\n \"team
\n Panthers
\n <\/a>
\n Bryce Young is earning himself a big payday. He was outstanding in the victory over the Lions Sunday night. <\/p>\n

8<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

19
\n \"team
\n Falcons
\n <\/a>
\n Getting Michael Penix back has really helped liven up the offense. Bijan Robinson is special and they are now 2-2 and have turned their season around. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

20
\n \"team
\n Lions
\n <\/a>
\n The defense is horrible. Even their good offense can’t overcome how bad they are right now. <\/p>\n

8<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

21
\n \"team
\n Steelers
\n <\/a>
\n Losing to the Browns on the road opens up the question about whether they can compete for a division title. They have to be more consistent on offense. <\/p>\n

8<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

22
\n \"team
\n Colts
\n <\/a>
\n At 2-2, they have righted things after opening 0-2. They wised up in the victory over the Commanders and gave the ball to Jonathan Taylor. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

23
\n \"team
\n Saints
\n <\/a>
\n After their 1-1 start, they’ve lost two straight home games to fall to 1-3. Atlanta beat them up badly on Monday night as injuries have taken their roster apart. <\/p>\n

5<\/p>\n

1-3-0<\/p>\n

24
\n \"team
\n Packers
\n <\/a>
\n It wasn’t pretty against the Bucs, especially with two bad turnovers, but they found a way. The heat is off Matt LaFleur for now but here come the dreaded Bears. <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2-2-0<\/p>\n

25
\n \"team
\n Cardinals
\n <\/a>
\n They are limited in a lot of ways, but they play hard and compete every week. But that’s not good enough and could lead to rookie Carson Beck playing at some point.<\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

1-3-0<\/p>\n

26
\n \"team
\n Texans
\n <\/a>
\n They’ve made the playoffs after opening 0-3. But this year it’s 0-4. Can they climb out from that hole to make the playoffs? Good luck. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0-4-0<\/p>\n

27
\n \"team
\n Chargers
\n <\/a>
\n Justin Herbert just doesn’t look good in their offense. He isn’t playing well, and the team is 0-4 because of it. Are they done? <\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

0-4-0<\/p>\n

28
\n \"team
\n Commanders
\n <\/a>
\n They better hope Jayden Daniels can play this week with that elbow brace. Or they might be forced to start rookie Athan Kaliakmanis against the Giants.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

1-3-0<\/p>\n

29
\n \"team
\n Jets
\n <\/a>
\n The offense didn’t get a lot of snaps against the Bears, but didn’t do much with what they got. The defense was mauled in the run game. That’s not a good look for either side. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

1-3-0<\/p>\n

30
\n \"team
\n Buccaneers
\n <\/a>
\n This team has to be one of the biggest disappointments so far. It’s only a matter of time before the calls for Todd Bowles’ job get louder. <\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0-4-0<\/p>\n

31
\n \"team
\n Titans
\n <\/a>
\n At 0-4, they have lost some close games. But that doesn’t mean a thing. Cam Ward was better against the Ravens – which is progress. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

0-4-0<\/p>\n

32
\n \"team
\n Dolphins
\n <\/a>
\n Their offense is so limited right now, which showed up against the Vikings. The defense actually played a solid game and kept them in it.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

0-4-0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Our social team at CBS Sports HQ did a video this week asking this question: Who’s the biggest…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":922611,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[436],"tags":[2216,49,48,1735,1724,1721,1737,1725,2219,2210,514,82],"class_list":["post-922610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-c-j-stroud","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-chicago-bears","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-houston-texans","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-justin-herbert","tag-los-angeles-chargers","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/922610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=922610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/922610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/922611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=922610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=922610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=922610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}