Our Week 5 NFL Power Rankings pit Green Bay against Kansas City at the top of the league.

We've reached the end of the unofficial first quarter of the 2017 NFL season, and two teams have gotten out of the gate a little faster than the rest in the race to Super Bowl LII.

One is obvious. The Chiefs haven't looked back after dusting the Super Bowl LI-champion Patriots in New England in Week 1 to remain the only undefeated team in the league after Week 4. Because it plays in the AFC and has beaten the best there (so far), Kansas City needs an early NFC opponent.

That team is Green Bay, the best overall of the 3-1 teams in that conference. The Packers have been playing well through injuries and still have the game's most transcendent quarterback.

REPORT CARDS: Grading each NFL team

Before we fast-forward to a Super Bowl I rematch, though, the competition remains stacked behind those powers.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

1. Kansas City Chiefs 4-0 (last week: 1)

Kareem Hunt has taken a talented offense into overdrive, and the defense keeps bringing it in key spots without its leader, Eric Berry. Coach Andy Reid might finally have his most special team.

This week: at Texans, which may decide offensive rookie of the year

2. Green Bay Packers 3-1 (last week: 4)

Aaron Rodgers is doing his major dealing while his two tackles have been hurt. He's throwing at a high volume and trying to make up for the weaknesses of a banged-up defense. Just imagine what will happen when the Packers get full health again.

This week: at Cowboys, a Texas shootout





3. Denver Broncos 3-1 (last week: 6)

Von Miller has the group dominant against the run again, and that has allowed the Broncos to tee off against the pass to feed their even bigger defensive strength. The complementary running of C.J. Anderson is in great shape.

This week: A bye, not much help for an already healthy roster

4. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1 (last week: 7)

Their defense has been terrific with their young nucleus, but it has yet to be tested by top QBs. That's why Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant need to rev up and put up big points now that Le'Veon Bell is rolling again.

This week: vs. Jaguars, another tough spot for their passing game

5. Atlanta Falcons 3-1 (last week: 2)

Matt Ryan is in a bit of a funk with the new offense and should welcome a chance for a passing tune-up with both Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu hurting. Coach Dan Quinn has to be pleased more with his young defenders, however.

This week: A bye, to help get Ryan right and Jones healthy

6. Detroit Lions 3-1 (last week: 9)

It was nice to win a road game without the fourth-quarter heroics of Matthew Stafford and on the strength of stingy defense and much-improved power running from Ameer Abdullah. The Lions are becoming a very complete and dangerous team.

This week: vs. Panthers, a feline-friendly matchup

WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS:

QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST



7. Carolina Panthers 3-1 (last week: 14)

Cam Newton got well all of a sudden against a putrid Patriots defense, which didn't do anything to make him uncomfortable. Now it's up to the defense to pick up the pieces post-Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

This week: at Lions, when Cam meets Staff

8. Los Angeles Rams 3-1 (last week: 17)

Sure, Jared Goff has been good, but Todd Gurley has been downright spectacular as a runner and a receiver. They'll need to keep playing and scoring like that, because they give up a ton of big pass plays and chunk runs to opponents, too.

This week: vs. Seahawks, a bigger challenge toward contention

9. Buffalo Bills 3-1 (last week: 19)

New coach Sean McDermott has not wasted time maximizing their defensive potential. And keeping the offense as simple as possible with Tyrod Taylor, LeSean McCoy and Charles Clay has worked because they haven't needed to do too much (yet).

This week: at Bengals, where their defense can stay hot





10. Philadelphia Eagles 3-1 (last week: 10)

Carson Wentz may get some help from a strong running game after all, as the combination of LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood look ideal. The Eagles will need to hold up somehow defensively as long as Fletcher Cox and Ronald Darby are out.

This week: vs. Cardinals, one for the NFC birds

11. New England Patriots 2-2 (last week: 3)

A defense led by Devin McCourty and Dont'a Hightower shouldn't be that lost under Matt Patricia and Bill Belichick. But this problem is going on four weeks. This would not be close to a .500 team without Brady.

Story continues