San Francisco holds the top spot as Week 5 rankings shift
The NFL’s October 6, 2026, update keeps the 49ers and Chiefs at Nos. 1 and 2 while several teams move after Week 4.
The NFL published its Week 5 Power Rankings on October 6, 2026, following Week 4 of the season. San Francisco remained No. 1 and Kansas City stayed No. 2, while Seattle, Baltimore, Denver and Jacksonville each climbed one place.
The league’s report described a defense-focused Week 4: nine teams scored fewer than 20 points, and 11 of the 16 games ended with one-score margins.
49ers and Chiefs stay on top
San Francisco retained the top ranking after beating Denver. The NFL report credited Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle with helping revive the offense in the second half, while the defense delivered what the report called its strongest showing since Week 1.
Kansas City remained second after holding on for a win over Las Vegas. The report highlighted the Chiefs’ late, game-changing plays and their balanced offense.
Seattle and Baltimore rise
Seattle moved up one place to No. 3 after responding to its loss to Washington with a win over the Chargers. The Seahawks built a 27-6 lead before Los Angeles narrowed the gap late.
Baltimore also rose one spot, to No. 4. The Ravens led Tennessee 24-7 at halftime, and the Titans made it a one-score game after quarterback Lamar Jackson left with an ankle injury, according to the NFL report.
Jacksonville climbs as Buffalo falls
Denver moved up one place to No. 5, and Jacksonville rose one place to No. 6. The Jaguars earned a road win over Cincinnati after building a 10-point halftime lead; the report noted that Jacksonville committed 13 penalties.
Buffalo fell four places to No. 7. The NFL report criticized the Bills’ use of running back James Cook and their allowance of big plays against New England.
Quarter-mark shake-up
The NFL’s headline also identified Dallas and New England as teams rising at the quarter mark, and said unbeaten Minnesota had dropped out of the top 10. The supplied ranking excerpt does not give their exact positions.
Newsroom
The rankings reflect the NFL’s assessment after Week 4, with the league noting close finishes and lower-scoring games as defining features of the week.
Editorial transparency · How this story was created
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NFL
Official source · 06/10/2026 15:21
