The NFC’s last two teams standing in the 2022 season had maintained that excellence through the first five weeks of the season. The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers seem destined for an NFC Championship game rematch as both started their years with five straight wins. On Sunday, both fell from the ranks of the undefeated when facing two of the AFC’s top defenses.
Losses to the Jets and Browns, respectively, paved the way for a new No. 1 to emerge, the fourth different team to hold the pole position in the 2023 season. There’s a crowd at the top, with five different teams now sporting similar 5-1 records. Who sits atop the rankings? Scroll to find out.
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) after a loss against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) causes New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) to fumble the ball in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) | Last Week: 20
Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; General view of a Atlanta Falcons helmet during warm ups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera watches the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts lay their helmets on the field as they stretch during mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston
Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sidelines during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate a touchdown pass to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets (3-3) | Last Week: 19
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is hit by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons as he throws during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Jun 11, 2019; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll answers questions during a press conference following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys (3-2) Will be updated after MNF | Last Week: 9
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) CeeDee Lamb #88 and Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warm up prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens (4-2) | Last Week: 7
Feb 1, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson poses for a photo after receiving the AP Most Valuable Player presented by Pizza Hut during the NFL Honors awards presentation at Adrienne Arsht Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (4-2) | Last Week: 6
Nov 28, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) | Last Week: 3
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (5-1) | Last Week: 5
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
San Francisco 49ers (5-1) | Last Week: 1
Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins (5-1) | Last Week: 4
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) against New England Patriots in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) | Last Week: 2
Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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