NFL power rankings: Week 5 sees 49ers staying low, new team at No. 1

NFL power rankings: Week 5 sees 49ers stay low, a new team at No. 1

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after overtime of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

26 of 33

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions spins away from defender Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions. 8. team. 50. . 3-1.

The Lions may have benefited from not having to face Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford in Week 4, and a tough Minnesota defense certainly made things relatively difficult for the Lions offense.

Still, quarterback Sam Bradford and Co. went on the road in this hard-fought NFC North battle and came away with a 14-7 victory and a 3-1 record this season.

It’s nice to see the Lions employ a well-balanced offensive attack, even if the points don’t reflect it from this game. Running back Ameer Abdullah had 94 yards on the ground, which afforded Stafford the luxury of not having to put the offense on his shoulders.

More importantly, a budding Detroit defense forced three fumbles in the process, also indicating this unit could be the real deal this season.

We’ll see if that defense can maintain its poise heading into a tough Week 5 bout with the suddenly hot Panthers.