13. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2 LW 11)

Lee Russakoff's NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

It’s starting to feel like this may not be the year. As Troy Polamalu gets closer to returning, the Steelers learn that star defensive end Aaron Smith is done for the year. Aside from injuries, something’s not right with this team. Last year, Pittsburgh excelled at finishing games. This year, not so much. The Steelers gave up 14-point leads in both of their losses and threatened to give up even bigger leads in their last two wins. Steeltown needs to start taking the fourth quarter a bit more seriously if it is going to be a factor in the AFC … hell, forget the conference, the Steelers better get moving if they are going to hold on to the AFC North. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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32. St. Louis Ra... Did the ball really slip out of Kyle Boller’s, Steven Jackson’s and Daniel Fell’s hands, or did all three Rams “stars” make a call to my boy Sal at the Palms Casino before the game? I’m not forming an opinion until I see their phone bills. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
31. Tampa Bay Bu... Bad squad. Raheem Morris appears to be over his head. But Josh Johnson has some game. I like his swagger, I like his arm and I like his competitive fire. Now if only he got the chance to play on an NFL team. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
30. Oakland Raid... I’ll let Antonio Pierce take this one: "I do not like knocking teams. But … it felt like a scrimmage, like a practice. It felt like we were going against our offense (in a controlled setting) as far as the tempo. There was no vibe of trying or effort from the Raiders at all from a defensive standpoint against their offense. We're getting three-and-outs. You don't hear nobody (saying), 'Hey, let's go!' trying to pick the guys up, rallying them, getting guys fired up. There was nothing. It was quiet. A guy gets sacked or somebody gets beat, they just get up. It's not like there's yelling or no kind of (emotion) about the way they were playing. It was shocking to be out there in that game and get that kind of feeling." (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
29. Buffalo Bill... So the football team stinks. At least Thurman Thomas is back in one piece. An 8.5-foot wood carving of the former Bills RB was stolen this week, but thanks to the goodness of human nature, it has been returned. "We didn't steal it," the man who returned it said. "It was left in the middle of the parking lot, and it was burning. We believe we liberated it." When asked if he considered chopping it up for firewood, the thief liberator said, "That's not in my character. I realized that the proper thing was to bring it back. We took it because it was left in the middle of a parking lot, and it was burning." (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
28. Kansas City ... Give credit where credit is due. The Chiefs could have folded their tepee when Dallas took the lead. But Cassel and Co. marched down the field and forced overtime. Still, giving up 250 yards to Miles Austin? If I’m Todd Haley, I force Maurice Leggett to tattoo Austin’s jersey on his forehead. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
27. Washington R... The fact that the Redskins have faced five straight winless teams and they're still under .500 is not good. What’s worse? Both games they won could’ve easily been losses. It’s an embarrassment to the league that all the ‘Skins need to do to be 3-3 is beat K.C. at home. An absolute embarrassment. If ever the NFL needed a reason to implement relegation, this is Exhibit “A.” (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
26. Cleveland Br... I picked the Browns to beat Buffalo in an ugly game (despite the fact that they give up over 170 rushing yards per game – 170!!), but I didn’t think it would be that ugly. I just feel bad for all those people in Buffalo and Cleveland who had to sit through that. And then, watching Braylon go out on Monday and light it up? That had to hurt because it means two things: 1) He definitely wasn’t giving his all in Cleveland; and 2) both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson really stink. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
25. Tennessee Ti... What happened to the defense? Allowing 30+ points in three of the last four games? This team went 13-3 last year. It can’t just be Haynesworth. I refuse to believe it’s just Haynesworth. It’s not like that guy has made the Skins much better. And how did losing the big guy turn Tennessee Kerry Collins into New York Giants Kerry Collins overnight? 0-and-freaking-5 … I don’t get it. (AP Photo/John Russell)
24. Carolina Pan... Give Carolina credit; the Cats picked themselves up off the mat and rallied from a 17-2 deficit to win their first game of the year. With two very winnable home games on the schedule over the next two weeks, this team has a real shot at 3-3. I hope they get there. Carolina deserves to feel a little good about itself before it loses its next five games (@AZ, @N.O., ATL, MIA, @NYJ). (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
23. Detroit Lion... If you’re Jim Schwartz, and you have an emerging dynamic duo in Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, do you really risk either’s health in a season where the Lions are improving, but clearly not yet ready to make a playoff push? Or do you rest them both (and their ailing knees) this week at Green Bay (where Detroit is 0 for its last 17) and give them both two more weeks off (the Lions are on a bye in Week 7)? (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
22. Jacksonville... Mike Sims-Walker is good. But he’s not 41-points good. The Jags could’ve suspended their entire starting 22, and they still shouldn’t have lost to Seattle 41-0. I know it’s a long flight, boys. But you have to show up and play. Getting beaten down like that just throws fuel on the these-guys-aren’t-mentally-tough-enough fire. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
21. Dallas Cowbo... Normally, I’d say any win in the NFL is a good win. But, ew. Ew. You can’t win in this league consistently if you don’t show up until the fourth quarter. I mean, if Maurice Leggett could tackle … or if the Chiefs special teams could block, the Cowboys lose that game by two scores. You’re over .500 going into the bye week, so the season could still be salvaged. But it’s going to take a much higher level of football for this team to live up to the big expectations in Big D. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
20. Houston Texa... I’ve given up trying to figure this team out. The Texans used to be up and down game to game … now it’s half to half. They’re the Katy Perry of the NFL. I’m up on them, and they play down. I’m cold on them, they get hot. I’m yes and they’re no. I mean come on guys, we used to laugh ‘bout nothing, now you’re plain boring. Houston has been this unpredictable for three years now … doesn’t seem like Gary Kubiak has changed much of anything. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
19. Seattle Seah... Where did that come from? Does Hasselbeck really make that much of a difference? What’s with this team? In Seattle’s two wins, the ‘Hawks outscored their opponents by a combined score of 69-0. In their three losses, they defense had more holes than a pair of Plaxico's sweatpants. With or without Mr. We’re Gonna Score, if the defense can’t stop the run consistently, Seattle ain't going nowhere (the double negative is there for "affect" -- it doesn't mean i think they're going somewhere). (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
18. Arizona Card... Hanging on by the skin of their teeth. But hey, every good defense needs a goal-line stand to galvanize it. Maybe that was Arizona’s. There are no free rides in the West this year. With Hasselbeck back and Mike Singletary barking, the Cards are going to have to earn it. Kurt Warner finally remembering Larry Fitzgerald is on his team is a good start. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
17. San Diego Ch... Well, Chargers fans, look at it this way: Norv Turner didn’t make any mistakes last week … This week, I’m guessing that changes. Denver comes to town riding a Patriot-win high. The AFC West was supposed to be a cakewalk for the Bolts. But right now, Denver looks like the better team, and it’s not that close. San Diego can start closing the gap by taking care of business at home. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
16. San Francisc... I’ll give the Niners a pass this once, they started smelling themselves a bit … and this isn’t a team that’s talented enough to smell itself (as evidenced by the worst loss at Candlestick in 42 years). But if Mike Singletary was really the tough guy he projects himself to be, Dre’ Bly would have been cut three days ago. Hot dogging it on your own 25? Really? After the WR you’re trying to outrun just burned you … badly? Cut him, Mike. Show the team it’s in the business of playing football, not the business of “entertaining” and “having fun.” (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
15. Green Bay Pa... Boy, the NFL really knows how to torture Green Bay. Let’s not just put the first Favre Bowl in Minnesota, let’s also give the Packers a bye week right after it. That way, when they lose, the entire area can sink into depression for a full two weeks. The Pack finally get back on the field hosting the Lions. But, be warned: Don’t take Detroit too lightly. The Lions are playing much better, and with Green Bay's pass rush (or lack thereof), the Packers can’t afford to look past anyone. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
14. Chicago Bear... With two castoffs – Ced Benson and Kyle Orton – looking all-world (Denver’s actually calling Orton a franchise quarterback), there’s extra pressure on Jay Cutler and Matt Forte to prove the Bears made the right choices. They have the perfect stage to do it Sunday night in Atlanta. Coming off a pummeling of San Fran, the Falcons could be vulnerable to a letdown. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
13. Pittsburgh S... It’s starting to feel like this may not be the year. As Troy Polamalu gets closer to returning, the Steelers learn that star defensive end Aaron Smith is done for the year. Aside from injuries, something’s not right with this team. Last year, Pittsburgh excelled at finishing games. This year, not so much. The Steelers gave up 14-point leads in both of their losses and threatened to give up even bigger leads in their last two wins. Steeltown needs to start taking the fourth quarter a bit more seriously if it is going to be a factor in the AFC … hell, forget the conference, the Steelers better get moving if they are going to hold on to the AFC North. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
12. New York Jet... So let me get this straight. Jets LB Calvin Pace finally returns after serving a four-game suspension for a doping ban, and somehow Chad Henne – the QB that lit up the Jets’ defense in the fourth quarter – is the joker? He’s a “second-year clown quarterback,” Pace said. “You have to give him credit, but our defense lost the game today.” That’s how you give him credit? By calling him a clown? He sure didn’t look like a clown completing 20-of-26 for 241 and two fourth-quarter TDs. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
11. Miami Dolphi... Why are the Dolphins the only ones who look good running the Wildcat? I guess it’s the same reason only Elvis could pull off the pompadour, why only Flavor Flav could get away with a giant clock around his neck and why eight-minute abs is so much better than seven-minute abs. Beware of imitations, folks. Nobody runs this thing like Ronnie Brown. Oh, and how good did Chad Henne look? (Apparently Dan Marino good.) (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
10. Baltimore Ra... You know what I hate? Victims. You know the people I’m talking about. The ones who are always fighting the world. The ones who can never catch a break. The ones who would’ve made something of themselves if it weren’t for a boss that hated them or a lover who spurned them or a parent who let them down. These Ravens are broaching victim territory. Let’s stop worrying about the referees and start winning one-on-one battles on the field. No ref left Andre Caldwell’s seam open with 22 second left. The ref didn’t miss any tackles on Ced Benson. No one’s picking on you. Go make plays. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
9. New England P... I’m not saying it’s time to panic – Mile High is a tough place to play, especially for Tom Brady, who is now 1-6 in his career vs. Denver, the only team with a winning record against Giselle’s boy toy – but it’s time to panic. Yes, this is a good team. But this is not 2007. The offense is struggling to make big plays and the defense is struggling to get off the field when it needs to. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)
8. Philadelphia ... It’s hard to learn too much from a home trouncing of Tampa, but here’s what I got out of the win: Jeremy Maclin looks like a player, Brian Westbrook looks like he’s done, Andy Reid looks like he’s putting a little extra mayo on his burgers, the Michael Vick experiment/Wildkitten looks like a failure and Jeremiah Trotter 2.0 looks like he’s a step slower – but I’ll give Trot a week or two to get his feet wet before I make a call on him. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
7. Atlanta Falco... Well, that was a thumping. Is Matt Ryan really this good? He’s putting up Peyton numbers, completing 66 percent of his passes, throwing seven TD passes against just two INTs and a 102.9 QB rating. But why did the Niners forget to cover Roddy White? 185 yards and two TDs in a half? That’s hard to do in a walk-through. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
6. Cincinnati Be... Everyone wants to talk about the reemergence of Cedric Benson and the clutchness of Carson Palmer. I want to talk about this offensive line. That was a good defense Cincy just beat. Benson doesn’t go for 120 on 27 carries (and become the first back in 40 games to run for 100 against Baltimore) without the grunts up front pushing people around. And Palmer doesn’t have time to wait for Andre Caldwell and Co. to get open if the O-line isn’t doing serious work. This team is starting to resemble the 2005 bunch … only it might be tougher. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
5. Denver Bronco... OK, I’m done judging this team based on offseason expectations. Brandon Marshall is a disruption? Yea, for other teams’ defenses. Brian Dawkins is too old? He’s not too old to blow up a receiver who dares run a crossing route at Mile High. Kyle Orton is a game manager at best? Well, maybe Denver’s better off with a guy who protects the ball. In the preseason, I freely admitted that I didn’t understand Josh McDaniels’ evil genius plan. But, I never said I was very smart. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)
4. Minnesota Vik... I kinda think Brett should go with the pink cleats from here on out. He can be the 2009 Billy “White Shoes.” Plus, the pink shoes can be the distinction between the Green Bay Brett Favre shuffle and the Minnesota Brett Favre shuffle. It’s hard not to beat the Rams in general, but when they serve you up four turnovers it’s damn near impossible. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
3. New Orleans S... Can’t ask for a better spot to prove you’re for real than at home against No. 1 team off of a bye. Pierre Thomas gives this team balance on offense and Darren Sharper/Gregg Williams apparently give it a formidable defense. That will be tested when the second-best Manning tries to pick the secondary apart throwing to the first-best Steve Smith. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
2. Indianapolis ... I’m starting to think Peyton could win in this league with the receiving corps from my B’nai Brith flag football team – Masada AZA (we were undefeated). Enjoy your bye week, fellas. Actually, enjoy back-to-back by weeks, fellas. I can’t decide which week will be easier, this week off or next week at the Rams. Hey, but everyone gets to play a few I-AA teams a year. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
1. New York Gian... There’s a lot of dismissive talk around the league of the 5-0 Broncos and the 4-1 Bengals regarding their respective schedules. The argument is neither team has played anyone, so we don’t know just how good they really are. Well, who have the Giants played? Dallas? Washington? New York’s cupcake schedule so far gets overlooked because the G-Men were supposed to be good. We’ll find out just how good they are Sunday. At New Orleans after the Saints’ bye week … doesn’t get much tougher than that in this league. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)