Niner Noise
FanSided

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

By Peter Panacy

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)
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) /
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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 01: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes against Jahleel Addae #37 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the NFL game the at StubHub Center on October 1, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 01: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes against Jahleel Addae #37 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the NFL game the at StubHub Center on October 1, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

. 3-1. . Philadelphia Eagles. 7. team. 54

The Eagles had to stave off a desperate comeback attempt on the road against the Chargers in Week 4. But that’s exactly what happened, and now Philadelphia finds itself sitting pretty atop the NFC East.

Again, who would have predicted that before 2017?

It helps when the Eagles offense seems to be clicking, gaining 454 yards on Sunday and with quarterback Carson Wentz continuing his maturation. Wentz didn’t have to be anything more than efficient — he was — going 17-of-31 for 242 yards and a touchdown.

But the bigger story was seeing running back LeGarrette Blount rush for 136 yards on 16 carries. That should help Philly’s offense become even more balanced.

The Eagles still have some question marks on defense, especially against the pass, but they’ve done an excellent job shutting down the run — third best in the NFL with 283 yards allowed here.

That stat should continue in the right direction, as the running-challenged Cardinals will be in town for Week 5.