Bears Blitz

NFL Power Rankings: Chicago Bears and 5 Teams Sure to Be Tested in Week 5

Published by Zach Kruse on October 4, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Looking ahead to Week 5 of the NFL schedule, these five teams face tough tests:

No. 19 Chicago Bears (at No. 4 Detroit Lions)

Fresh off two straight 20-point comebacks, the Lions are 4-0 and the talk of the NFL. They get their first Monday night home game in what seems like this generation. The crowd in Detroit is going to be hostile for the visiting Bears, who used Matt Forte (205 yards rushing) to get back to .500. The defending NFC North champions have a tough 60 minutes ahead of them to fight off the new guy in town.

No. 1 Green Bay Packers (at No. 18 Atlanta Falcons)

The Packers blew out the Falcons in the playoffs, but I wouldn’t expect a similar outcome this time around. While Atlanta has limped to just a 2-2 record, they’ve surely had this game circled on their schedule. They’ll be out for revenge, and emotion like that can be a powerful thing in the NFL. Add in a crowd that wants to see their Super Bowl hopefuls get back on the right side of .500, and you get the first real road test for the Packers.

No. 21 Philadelphia Eagles (at No. 9 Buffalo Bills)

The upstart Bills will be enough of a challenge, but the Eagles will be fighting more than the opposition on Sunday. They’ll be facing the fans of Philadelphia, who are getting restless after a 1-3 start, and maybe themselves, too. The Eagles continue to shoot themselves in the foot late in games. They need a win now more than ever, and that pressure is enough to make even the most talented of teams crumble. Huge point in the Eagles 2011 season on Sunday in Orchard Park, New York.

No. 6 Houston Texans (vs. No. 16 Oakland Raiders)

The Texans’ new 3-4 defense will get the NFL’s leading rusher on Sunday in Darren McFadden, which presents Wade Phillips a difficult challenge. The Raiders are no longer a push over either. If the Texans don’t play well on Sunday, there’s no question Oakland can go into Houston and leave with a win.

No. 10 Tennessee Titans (at No. 15 Pittsburgh Steelers)

There weren’t many people who envisioned the Titans being 3-1 to start the season, but that’s exactly where they are through four games. They passed the first big test of the season against the Ravens in Week 2, but they need to continue their winning ways against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is a wounded animal who looks vulnerable on offense. Still, the defense has the kind of talent and disruptive scheme to keep any offensive coordinator up at night. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has shined so far, has his biggest test on Sunday to date.

Full Week 5 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0)	17. New York Jets (2-2)
2. Detroit Lions (4-0)	18. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
3. New Orleans Saints (3-1)	19. Chicago Bears (2-2)
4. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)	20. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
5. New England Patriots (3-1)	21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)
6. Houston Texans (3-1)	22. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
7. San Diego Chargers (3-1)	23. Carolina Panthers (1-3)
8. New York Giants (3-1)	24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
9. Buffalo Bills (3-1)	25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
10. Tennessee Titans (3-1)	26. Denver Broncos (1-3)
11. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)	27. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
12. Washington Redskins (3-1)	28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)
13. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)	29. Indianapolis Colts (0-4)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)	30. Miami Dolphins (0-4)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)	31. St. Louis Rams (0-4)
16. Oakland Raiders (2-2)	32. Minnesota Vikings (0-4)