| 2008 Power Rankings: Week 5 |
| | RK (LW) | TEAM | REC | COMMENT |
 | 1 (2) | Giants | 3-0-0 | They took the NFC East lead without getting off the couch. With the Seahawks coming in, the Giants are staring at 4-0. (MM) |
 | 2 (4) | Titans | 4-0-0 | Hard to find fault with the franchise's first 4-0 start. But you have to take note that the teams they've beaten are 3-12 combined. The Titans are the only team that has played three home games. (PK) |
 | 3 (1) | Cowboys | 3-1-0 | We'll see if the loss to the Redskins is a wake-up call. The good news is Cincinnati, Arizona and St. Louis are next. (MM) |
 | 4 (6) | Bills | 4-0-0 | The Bills have overcome three straight fourth-quarter deficits to remain undefeated. Their opponents have a combined record of 4-11, but the Bills have been sensational when it matters most. (TG) |
 | 5 (5) | Steelers | 3-1-0 | The Steelers got back on track with a big win against Baltimore to solidify their spot as one of the AFC's best. (JW) |
 | 6 (15) | Redskins | 3-1-0 | Beating the Cowboys on their home turf has to count for something. Big game with Philly looms. (MM) |
 | 7 (10) | Panthers | 3-1-0 | Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad give the Panthers the best receiver duo since Muhammad's departure three years ago. (PY) |
 | 8 (9) | Chargers | 2-2-0 | The Chargers' win over Oakland wasn't pretty, but 25 points in the fourth quarter is a nice indication of what this team can do. (BW) |
 | 9 (3) | Eagles | 2-2-0 | The Eagles deserve a little grace for playing without Brian Westbrook, L.J. Smith and Shawn Andrews. They can't afford to lose at home to the Redskins. (MM) |
 | 10 (13) | Buccaneers | 3-1-0 | Brian Griese is 3-0 since taking over as starter. (PY) |
 | 11 (7) | Broncos | 3-1-0 | The Broncos will continue to slide down the rankings if their defense can't improve. Too much pressure is being put on the Denver offense. (BW) |
 | 12 (14) | Jaguars | 2-2-0 | Two consecutive late-game rallies, spurred by a precise David Garrard. They've officially survived the 0-2 start and losses to Tennessee and Buffalo don't look so bad. (PK) |
 | 13 (11) | Patriots | 2-1-0 | An eviscerating loss to the Dolphins in Week 3 gave the Patriots plenty to work on in their bye week. If they can't beat the 49ers on Sunday, prepare for panic to set in. (TG) |
 | 14 (17) | Ravens | 2-1-0 | There's nothing wrong with a 2-1 start. But the Ravens missed out on a chance to make a huge statement in Monday's road loss to Pittsburgh. (JW) |
 | 15 (8) | Packers | 2-2-0 | The Packers might have to start their backup quarterback for the first time in 16 years if Aaron Rodgers can't recover from a sprained shoulder. (KS) |
 | 16 (16) | Saints | 2-2-0 | Deuce McAllister is back to bring much-needed balance to the offense. (PY) |
 | 17 (12) | Colts | 1-2-0 | The Colts enjoyed a week off to help refocus and heal. But the best medicine could be the Texans, who've only beaten Indy once. (PK) |
 | 18 (20) | Bears | 2-2-0 | The Bears hope they turned the corner in defeating Philadelphia. One thing is for certain: They showed important versatility on offense. (KS) |
 | 19 (21) | Jets | 2-2-0 | Brett Favre's six-touchdown day breathes new life into the Jets heading into their bye week. But their defense ranks 28th on points allowed and 24th in yards allowed. (TG) |
 | 20 (18) | Cardinals | 2-2-0 | The pass protection must improve or Kurt Warner won't last. The Cards face a must-win vs. Buffalo. (MS) |
 | 21 (19) | Vikings | 1-3-0 | It doesn't get any easier this week at New Orleans on "Monday Night Football." (KS) |
 | 22 (22) | 49ers | 2-2-0 | J.T. O'Sullivan has taken 19 sacks in four games. Tough week for the Niners with the Pats coming off a bye. (MS) |
 | 23 (23) | Seahawks | 1-2-0 | The bye week allowed the Seahawks to get healthier at receiver. The defense must step up. (MS) |
 | 24 (24) | Falcons | 2-2-0 | The Falcons are beating bad teams and losing to good ones. They must keep Michael Turner running against the good ones. (PY) |
 | 25 (26) | Browns | 1-3-0 | The Battle of Ohio wasn't pretty. But the Browns finally got a win and have the bye week to try to get better. (JW) |
 | 26 (25) | Dolphins | 1-2-0 | The Dolphins shocked the NFL with a crazy romp over the Patriots in Week 3. If the Dolphins can follow up with a win at home over the Chargers, they would rekindle long-lost hopes in South Florida. (TG) |
 | 27 (27) | Texans | 0-3-0 | The Texans remain upbeat despite losing a game they should have won. They're ready for a full month at home in Reliant Stadium with the roof open. (PK) |
 | 28 (29) | Raiders | 1-3-0 | The Raiders may be a mess, but this team is playing hard. Good things will start to happen if that trend continues. (BW) |
 | 29 (31) | Chiefs | 1-3-0 | The Chiefs deserve a lot of credit for their big win over Denver. Many pundits thought they'd go 0-16. That is no longer a worry. (BW) |
 | 30 (28) | Bengals | 0-4-0 | This team wasn't good with Carson Palmer. Without him, it might be the worst team in the league. (JW) |
 | 31 (30) | Lions | 0-3-0 | Matt Millen's departure doesn't make them any better. At least not this year. (KS) |
 | 32 (32) | Rams | 0-4-0 | The Rams would be wise to give Marc Bulger another shot. Trent Green's not the long-term answer. (MS) |