The contenders are separating as the season heats up
Five weeks into the PML Season 4 campaign, the league hierarchy is beginning to take shape. A handful of teams have established themselves as legitimate Super Bowl threats, while others are already fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race.
At the top of the board, the Cleveland Browns continue to hold the league’s highest ELO rating after their championship run last season. But with several undefeated teams and rising contenders close behind, the race for the top spot is tightening quickly.
Let’s break down the Week 5 ELO Power Rankings.
🔝 Elite Tier
1️⃣ Browns (17-6 | 1751 ELO)
The defending champions remain the standard in PML. Cleveland continues to win games in multiple ways — dominant defense, efficient offense, and strong late-game execution.
2️⃣ Steelers (18-2 | 1713 ELO)
Pittsburgh has quietly built one of the most consistent teams in the league. Their physical defense and balanced offense make them a legitimate Super Bowl contender again.
3️⃣ Eagles (19-4 | 1688 ELO)
Despite a slight ELO drop, Philadelphia remains one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC. When their offense finds rhythm, they can overwhelm almost anyone.
4️⃣ Colts (20-3 | 1666 ELO)
Indianapolis continues to win at an elite level. Their consistency on both sides of the ball keeps them firmly in the AFC title conversation.
5️⃣ Bears (19-3 | 1665 ELO)
Chicago has emerged as one of the most complete teams in the NFC. A strong defense and explosive offense make them a nightmare matchup every week.
🔥 Rising Contenders
6️⃣ Giants (17-5 | 1651 ELO)
New York continues to surge up the rankings. Their recent ELO jump reflects strong performances and a rapidly improving roster.
7️⃣ Packers (15-6 | 1629 ELO)
Green Bay’s undefeated start has solidified them as one of the NFC’s biggest threats this season.
8️⃣ Raiders (14-7 | 1609 ELO)
Las Vegas remains one of the hottest teams in the league. Their aggressive offense and strong momentum keep them climbing.
⚖️ Middle of the Pack
9️⃣ Saints (11-9 | 1538 ELO)
New Orleans continues to hover around the playoff line, capable of beating anyone but still searching for consistency.
🔟 Chargers (11-10 | 1530 ELO)
A recent drop reflects some uneven performances, but the Chargers still have playoff potential.
11️⃣ 49ers (12-8 | 1524 ELO)
San Francisco remains competitive and dangerous, especially when their offense gets rolling.
12️⃣ Buccaneers (11-8 | 1521 ELO)
Tampa Bay is staying in the mix, but they’ll need more consistency to push into contender status.
13️⃣ Seahawks (8-11 | 1518 ELO)
Seattle’s offense has been explosive, helping them remain competitive despite some defensive struggles.
14️⃣ Broncos (9-12 | 1498 ELO)
Denver sits near the middle of the league with flashes of strong play but limited consistency.
15️⃣ Commanders (8-11 | 1493 ELO)
Washington remains competitive but needs stronger defensive performances to climb the rankings.
16️⃣ Rams (10-10 | 1489 ELO)
Los Angeles continues to hover around the playoff bubble.
17️⃣ Panthers (12-9 | 1485 ELO)
Carolina’s massive ELO jump shows they are trending upward and could surprise teams down the stretch.
⚠️ Teams Trying to Turn the Season Around
18️⃣ Cowboys
19️⃣ Chiefs
20️⃣ Dolphins
21️⃣ Jets
22️⃣ Ravens
These teams still have the talent to compete, but inconsistency and slow starts have pushed them down the rankings.
📉 Bottom Tier
23️⃣ Bills
Buffalo continues to struggle to maintain momentum week to week.
24️⃣ Vikings
A rough start has them fighting just to stay competitive.
25️⃣ Bengals
Offensive inconsistency has plagued Cincinnati early this season.
26️⃣ Lions
Detroit has shown flashes but continues to struggle defensively.
🛠 Rebuild Tier
27️⃣ Falcons
28️⃣ Jaguars
29️⃣ Patriots
30️⃣ Titans
31️⃣ Cardinals
32️⃣ Texans
These teams are clearly rebuilding and looking toward the future rather than immediate playoff contention.
🔥 Biggest Storylines This Week
Browns remain the team to beat
The defending champs still hold the league’s highest ELO rating.
Raiders and Giants continue to surge
Both teams have climbed quickly thanks to strong early season performances.
Panthers making a big jump
Carolina’s +39 ELO swing shows one of the biggest upward trends in the league.
