Racked & Stacked: Week 5

Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Pittsburgh take a bye, three team hope to scrap to get their first wins.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4–0) — Upside: Physical fronts + closing kick travel. Downsides: Slow starts • red-zone defense stress • occasional secondary miscomms.
2. Buffalo Bills (4–0) — Upside: Balanced offense, scripted-drive TDs. Downsides: Run fits spring leaks • penalty spikes • short-yard stalls.
3. Detroit Lions (3–1) — Upside: Bully-ball identity with timely explosives. Downsides: Coverage gives up chunks • flags at bad times • short-yardage variety.
4. Seattle Seahawks (3–1) — Upside: Defense speed + YAC playmakers. Downsides: Up-and-down run game • third-down streaks • health for key DB/RB.
5. San Francisco 49ers (3–1) — Upside: Clutch late; QB poise. Downsides: Run game bottled at times • third-quarter lulls • depth stress in spots.
6. Los Angeles Rams (3–1) — Upside: Staff finds late answers; WR room still dangerous. Downsides: Special-teams hiccups • secondary depth • red-zone finishing streaky.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (3–1) — Upside: When on-schedule, red-zone creativity pops. Downsides: Pass pro wobbles • soft spots in zone on money downs • letdown vs. NYG dents aura.
8. Indianapolis Colts (3–1) — Upside: Explosive, balanced offense through September. Downsides: Interior pressure leaks • DB miscomms • penalties in high-leverage spots.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (3–1) — Upside: Defense tightening; QB settling in. Downsides: Goal-to-go finishing • nickel run fits • backup OT vs. power.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–1) — Upside: Front seven travels; situational ball solid. Downsides: Pass-pro stress points • red-zone stalls • a few early tackling angles.
11. Green Bay Packers (2–1–1) — Week 5 bye — Upside: Young core + pass rush = tough out. Downsides: Drive-killing flags • short-yard push • turnover rash pops up.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (3–1) — Week 5 bye — Upside: Veteran D + closing drives (Ireland win). Downsides: Pass-pro stress • run game to salt wins • explosives allowed.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (2–2) — Upside: Defense keeps them in every game; Mahomes magic late. Downsides: WR availability churn • red-zone bog-downs • sporadic explosives allowed.
14. Denver Broncos (2–2) — Upside: Defense re-centered; on-schedule offense looked cleaner in Wk4. Downsides: Red-zone sputters • turnovers at bad times • WR depth reliability.
15. Minnesota Vikings (2–2) — Upside: QB late-game poise; explosive upside real. Downsides: Third-down droughts • run-fit inconsistency • protection vs. pressure.
16. Washington Commanders (2–2) — Upside: Defense carries long stretches. Downsides: Red-zone offense • third-down rate • edge run fits.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (2–2) — Upside: D can gut out tight games. Downsides: Explosives thin • late pass-pro strain • efficiency swings (and backup-QB stretch).
18. Dallas Cowboys (1–2–1) — Upside: Star power on D; ceiling intact. Downsides: Goal-line gaffes • drops at key moments • explosive-play defense vs. top QBs.
19. Baltimore Ravens (1–3) — Upside: Offense’s ceiling obvious despite skid. Downsides: Couldn’t finish vs. top foes • injuries mounting • late-game defense wilted.
20. Cleveland Browns (1–3) — Upside: Front can flip games. Downsides: Red-zone finishing • light run push at times • specials lack swing plays.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (1–3) — Upside: Second-half defensive adjustments showing up. Downsides: Ground game inefficient • early coverage miscomms • penalty drag.
22. Arizona Cardinals (2–2) — Upside: Physicality on the road; timely rushing. Downsides: Drive finishing • pass-pro vs. games/stunts • ST hiccups.
23. Chicago Bears (2–2) — Week 5 bye — Upside: Statement Wk3 blueprint is real. Downsides: Penalties still high • run-support variance • late-game composure tests remain.
24. Atlanta Falcons (2–2) — Week 5 bye — Upside: Scripted offense sparks; QB mobility. Downsides: Consistency after the script • RT injury fallout (Kaleb McGary) • few explosive runs.
25. New England Patriots (1–3) — Upside: Defense limits explosives; TE reliability. Downsides: Turnover spikes • run game stuck • OL issues cramp passing game.
26. Carolina Panthers (1–3) — Upside: Defensive speed; young skill flashes. Downsides: Third-down stalls • chunk runs allowed • limited deep passing.
27. Houston Texans (1–3) — Upside: Defense competitive vs. good offenses. Downsides: Costly late fumbles • pass-pro wobble vs. rush • scoring droughts.
28. New Orleans Saints (0–4) — Upside: Young DBs showing flashes. Downsides: 0–4 hole • inconsistent offense • couldn’t slow Buffalo’s surge.
29. Miami Dolphins (1–3) — Upside: Offense finally got rolling on MNF. Downsides: Tyreek Hill out for season (ACL/ligaments) • secondary stress points • penalty spikes.
30. New York Giants (1–3) — Upside: Massive Week-4 upset over Chargers—proof of concept. Downsides: Protection issues linger • thin explosives outside scheme • rookie volatility.
31. New York Jets (0–4) — Upside: Breece + Fields’ legs keep a floor. Downsides: 13 penalties and 3 TOs in MNF loss • no-takeaway streak • late collapses.
32. Tennessee Titans (0–4) — Upside: Defense keeps scores manageable. Downsides: Turnovers/sacks on money downs • clunky pass timing • little second-half punch.

Week 5 byes: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Steelers.