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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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos smiles as he talks with strong safety Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders after a 16-10 Broncos win at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos smiles as he talks with strong safety Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders after a 16-10 Broncos win at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

. 3-1. . Denver Broncos. 5. team. 45

Most NFL head coaches would rather have Derek Carr over Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian. But it’s pretty obvious those same coaches would salivate over Denver’s defense.

Especially when compared to that of Oakland.

That Broncos defense held the vaunted Raiders offense to just 10 points at Sports Authority Field in Denver — a game with huge implications in the tough-fought AFC West.

Siemian was solid enough, throwing 179 yards worth of nearly mistake-free football — one touchdown against zero interceptions and a moderate 94.9 passer rating. And it was good to see running back C.J. Anderson taking advantage of a suspect Raiders defense.

We don’t have to worry about the Broncos defense, of course, which held Oakland’s ground game to just 24 yards.

The Broncos can relax with a Week 5 bye coming up, followed by winnable games against the Giants and Chargers in Weeks 6 and 7, respectively, before visiting the Chiefs in what promises to be an exciting contest to heavily impact the division in Week 8.