The first week of October is over, marking the end of the first 5 weeks. We at EssentiallySports have compiled the rankings.

Teams with promise tanked while some have been flying despite their wings clipped. Here’s what has changed in October. The rankings also include different experts from CBS, NFL.com, PFT, and many others.

Let’s check the trends as we move towards the first half of the season.

32. New York Jets

The Jets remain at the bottom after Week 5, holding the 32nd spot in the UberRankings. Failures to register any turnover and inconsistent quarterback play continue to weigh heavily on their winless season. ES, NFL.com, and PFT and all others rank them at 32. Ball security and red-zone efficiency remain major concerns. Justin Fields’ return sparked hopes, but so far, it’s all talk, no show.

31. Miami Dolphins

With a 1-4 win-loss record after week 5, the Miami Dolphins are also struggling. Head coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat. CBS, The Athletic, and PFT rank them 29th, but we, along with ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Yahoo, list them at 30th rank. They haven’t suffered big losses except the season opener, so NFL.com still ranks them high at 26th. They were 17th after winning against NY Jets, but the loss has pushed them into the bottom-placed teams again.

30. Tennessee Titans

After registering their first win of the season, Tennessee climbed slightly from Week 4, now ranked 31. Their narrow 22-21 win provided hope, though offensive line protection and rushing consistency remain inconsistent. ES, Bleacher Report, and Yahoo hold them at 31, while CBS and PFT slot them at 29th. SI ranks them at 25th.

29. Las Vegas Raiders

Even Tom Brady needs to work harder on the Raiders. ES, The Athletic, Yahoo, ESPN, and Bleacher Report rank them 29th in the league. NFL.com doesn’t believe in their caliber, ranking them 31st, but FOX and CBS believe in their roster, giving them 27th position. Next week might give a jump as they face the Titans, a relatively easier opponent.

28. New York Giants

It took the Giants a rookie, Jaxson Dart, to get their first win after Russell ‘Mr. Unlimited’ Wilson failed to moonball the first 3 games. But week 5 gave Dart a reality check with 2 interceptions. ES and The Athletic slotted them at 27th, but NFL.com, SI, CBS, and PFT ranked them 28th. The highest came from Bleacher Report with a 25th rank. Their Uber Ranking dropped them from 25.1 to 28.1.

27. New Orleans Saints

The Saints dominated their week 5 matchup against the Giants with a 26-14 victory. It was their first week of the season, with their UberRankings jumping by 3.4 points. CBS ranks them lowest at 30th, ES ranks them 26th, while ESPN, Yahoo, PFT, and SI place them at 27. NFL.com is a bit more optimistic at 25, with FOX ranking New Orleans at 29.

26. Cleveland Browns

Except for the upset victory over the Packers, the Browns tasted their 4th defeat of the 2025 season. So, they slipped to 26th rank with a drop of 1.5 points. ES and The Athletic place them at 28, while NFL.com ranks them lowest at 29. ESPN, FOX, and CBS rank them 26. Yahoo sees potential in them, giving them the 24th rank. Bleacher Report placed them 27th among 32 teams.

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Since Joe Burrow got injured, the Cincinnati Bengals are sinking down the rabbit hole with 3rd consecutive loss of 2025. ES, The Athletic, ESPN, and CBS rank them 25th. But SI, FOX, and Bleacher Report kept them one slot up, at 24. Yahoo and PFT have placed them one rank down at 26th. But NFL.com has put them one more step below at 27th. With the arrival of Joe Flacco, they are expecting major changes.

24. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers climbed 4.7 points this week, ranked 24th in UberRankings after a strong Week 5 win over Miami. ES, NFL.com, ESPN, CBS, PFT, and The Athletic placed them at 24. Yahoo believes they are 25th, while Bleacher Report sees them at 26th. The best ranking came from SI at 23. But Bryce Young would like to continue his upward movement.

23. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona lost its 3rd consecutive game in week 5 and dropped 5 places to 23rd. Just like ES, Yahoo, ESPN, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, FOX, CBS, and PFT also rank them 23rd. SI ranked them lowest at 31, but The Athletic placed them one rank above at 22nd. Jonathan Gannon needs to punch their rivals in week 6.

22. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lost as the Texans ravaged them 44-10. They dropped 7.2 points, getting 22nd rank from ES, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, SI, FOX, CBS, PFT, and ESPN. Yahoo ranked them highest at 19, but The Athletic dropped their ranking even one step down to 23rd. Unless Lamar Jackson returns, things may go downhill more.

21. Chicago Bears

Chicago dropped 1.3 points this week, ranked 21 in UberRankings. ES and CBS placed them at 21, but ESPN, Yahoo, Bleacher Report, and The Athletic ranked them 20. NFL.com, FOX, and PFT had them better placed at 19, with SI highest at 18. Their bye week 5 means they will take their season forward with 2 back-to-back wins.

20. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys defeated the NY Jets with a 37-22, rising up by 1.9 points. ES, NFL.com, and PFT placed them at 20, with ESPN keeping them one rank down at 21. SI and CBS kept them higher at 19, while FOX ranked them highest at 16th. Dak Prescott has been leading them up front.

19. Houston Texans

The Texans have made their way back into the discussion with 2nd win of the 2025 season. They also jumped up 3.5 points, with ES and NFL.com ranking them 17th. ESPN, Yahoo, and CBS placed them at 18th, Bleacher Report, SI, and PFT slotted them at 21. CJ Stroud celebrated his birthday last week and hopes to continue this run.

18. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta dropped 0.4 points this week, ranked 18 in UberRankings. ES, The Athletic, and FOX see them at 18, with Yahoo and NFL.com ranking them lowest at 21. The highest came from PFT at 16, but SI and CBS also dropped them 2 places at 20, with 19 from ESPN. Their recent defensive adjustments are paying dividends.

17. Minnesota Vikings

London game victory finally got them more wins than losses. With a 3-2 record after week 5, the Vikings gained 0.8 points. We kept them at 19th, while ESPN, Yahoo, Bleacher Report, SI, and The Athletic placed them one rank above at 16th. The lowest came from FOX at 21; Yahoo and CBS ranked them 17, while PFT ranked them 18.

16. New England Patriots

It took a stunner from the Patriots to rank 16th in our UberRankings. Only ES and Yahoo placed them at 16, while ESPN, SI, FOX, and The Athletic ranked them 17th. CBS slotted them highest at 13th, but Bleacher Report disagreed, giving them the lowest ranking at 19. PFT is also optimistic about them, placing them 14th.

15. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers further crashed their momentum with their second loss. They dropped 6.5 points to 13.7. ES, NFL.com, FOX, and The Athletic ranked them 14th, with the lowest coming from ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS, and PFT at 15. SI showed too much hope at 8, while Yahoo stayed moderate at 13th place.

14. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were going strong until the Buccaneers defeated them by 38-35, forcing a drop of 3.5 points. ES kept them at 10, while Yahoo, Bleacher Report, CBS, and SI placed them at 14. The lowest came from FOX at 15. NFL.com showed optimism at 5, with ESPN keeping them 2 ranks above at 12.

13. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs also dropped 4.7 points with a 3-point loss against the Jaguars. ES and The Athletic ranked them 15th, with CBS placing them at 16 and PFT at 17. SI showed confidence at 3, with NFL.com and Bleacher Report at 12. ESPN and Yahoo slotted them at 10th place. Under Patrick Mahomes, they are having an unexpected rough stretch.

12. Washington Commanders

The comeback of Jayden Daniels brought good news as the Commanders registered their 3rd win of the season. They are placed 2nd in the NFC East. ES, Bleacher Report, and FOX placed them at 13, with the lowest rank by ESPN at 14. The highest came from NFL.com at 9. Yahoo, CBS, and PFT slotted them at 12.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

After the international victory under Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers are knocking on the door of the top 10. Only we kept them at 11, while ESPN, Yahoo, and The Athletic still need more from them, placing them at 13. The lowest came from Yahoo and NFL.com at 15. CBS showed confidence with a rank of 5.

10. Denver Broncos

The Broncos rose 4.5 points, courtesy of their 3rd win of the season. ES kept them at 8, with NFL.com, CBS, PFT, and The Athletic ranked them 10. Yahoo had the highest at 6, with FOX keeping them lowest at 12. Both Bleacher Report and SI also ranked them at 11th place.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are flying with the 3-point win over the Chiefs. Trevor Lawrence’s stumble run ensured they rose 3.5 points in UberRankings. ES sees high potential, giving them a rank of 6, with the lowest coming from SI at 15. The Athletic was even more hopeful, giving them 5th place. Bleacher Report and FOX gave them 10, while ESPN placed them at 12.

8. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams also dropped 4.2 points alongside their Week 5 game. ES and The Athletic placed them at 9, with FOX keeping them at the best position at 6. Yahoo and CBS had them out of the top ten at 11, while ESPN, Bleacher Report, and PFT kept them in the top 10 at 8th place. They need more edge in their offense to climb up.

7. Green Bay Packers

The Packers are still trying to analyse their Xs and Os during their bye week 5. ES sees them at 11, while Yahoo, ESPN, FOX, and CBS place them at 7. SI ranked them lowest at 12, with the best coming from both NFL.com and Bleacher Report. Although Micah Parsons didn’t impress much against the Cowboys in week 4, they are a solid Super Bowl contender this year.

Jordan Love‘s predecessors, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, won a Super Bowl in their 6th season. Love has all the assets he needs to repeat the prophecy.

6. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are a lucky lot! Brock Purdy banged his toe, but Mac Jones stepped up. And boy, he is raking up wins. After winning their 4th game of the 2025 season, ES placed them at 7, with NFL.com ranking them lowest at 13. ESPN and The Athletic ranked them at 6th position. Bleacher Report and FOX had them best placed at 5. Yahoo and CBS kept them in the top 10 at 9. Kyle Shanahan needs to regulate the injury list to stay on the winning track otherwise, things could change soon.

5. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have held to first place in the AFC South. Shane Stewichen has pieced the offense and defense carefully. We, Yahoo, ESPN, and PFT kept them at 5th. SI had them lowest-placed at 9, with NFL.com keeping them 8th and Bleacher Report improving them one place to 7.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield has emerged as a tough quarterback, keeping the Buccaneers 4th in UberRankings. We, Yahoo, ESPN, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, and CBS agree with 4th rank, but The Athletic sees more promise, placing them at 2. SI still needs to see more, slotting them lowest at 5th, with FOX and PFT placing them even better at 3rd. The key to this team is in Mayfield’s hands.

3. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen had the Bills running until week 5 when the Patriots gave them a jolt. But they only dropped 0.8 points. ES, Yahoo, and ESPN placed them in 3rd place. The highest came from SI with 1st rank. NFL.com, Bleacher Report, and CBS placed them 3rd with FOX, PFT, and The Athletic dropping them lowest at 4.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The Super Bowl winners were also on a winning route until the Broncos upset them in week 5 by 4 points. As a result, the Eagles also dropped 1.5 points. ES, Yahoo, ESPN, and The Athletic placed them 3rd, with the lowest coming from SI at 4. NFL.com, Bleacher Report, FOX, CBS, and PFT still view them as solid contenders, keeping them at 2. They need to tackle the concerns building up inside the wide receivers, with AJ Brown wanting more ball.

1. Detroit Lions

Forget the season opener. The Lions have since kept their rivals at bay with dominant wins. They have scored more than 30 points in each of the four victories, gaining 1.9 points in UberRankings. It’s the main reason we, ESPN, Yahoo, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, FOX, CBS, PFT, and The Athletic have given them a first-place finish. The only exception is SI, keeping them a close second.

Don’t miss the full story about the Patriots quarterback. See why Drake Maye’s season could be just getting started!