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NFL Week 5 Power Rankings Roundup: Bengals gaining respect after first win

Slowly but surely the Bengals are clawing their way out of the bottom of the barrel. Check out where the Bengals are ranked around the web heading into Week 5.

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals recorded their first win of the season by defeating the Browns 31-7 in Cleveland. It also looks like the Bengals are receiving a little bit of respect from the national media after the victory. After many media outlets ranked the Bengals either near or at the bottom of the league last week, the Bengals are clawing their way out of the bottom of the barrel.

The team is still ranked pretty low, but there are signs that another win could put them near the middle of the pack. That would be nice to see, considering the start of the season.

Here are the power rankings for Week 5:

ESPN: 23

Cincinnati's three-loss start can't be blamed on its defense. The Bengals have allowed 16.8 points per game through four weeks, the third best in the NFL. The problem is the offense has scored a paltry 16.0 points per game.

Washington Post: 25

The Bengals have their first win — over the Browns. Now they’ll try to get their first win over a legitimate NFL team against the Bills on Sunday in Cincinnati.

Bleacher Report: 26

Look, the Cincinnati Bengals are the most talented 1-3 team in football...

Unfortunately, the Bengals don't get to pick on the Browns every week. We now need to see them put together a full four quarters versus a quality opponent.

Yahoo Sports: 24

Joe Mixon had 29 yards on 17 carries against a Browns defense that was missing three key pieces in the front seven. Everything else on Sunday was positive, and you have to believe Mixon will get it going. He’s too talented not to.

CBS Sports: 24

It's too bad they can't play the Browns every week. Andy Dalton has looked much better with Bill Lazor calling plays.

NFL.com: 26

Nick Vigil, Tyler Kroft and Clayton Fejedelem ... the hallowed names of football lore that ousted the mighty Browns of Cleveland, lifting the Bengals to their first victory of the campaign. That is an early glimpse into NFL Films' 2017 yearbook. Cincinnati dominated, although on the first drive, Bengals fans must've hollered Come on!!! when Andy Dalton was stripped on Cincy's first possession. Everyone and anyone turned the mojo around. Vigil made 12 tackles and had a sack. Kroft caught two touchdown passes. Fejedelem intercepted Deshone Kizer in Bengals territory. Hey, 1-3. #Whodey

Bengals Power Ranking Roundup

Site This Week Last Week Difference
Site This Week Last Week Difference
ESPN 23 25 2+
CBS 24 30 6+
NFL.com 26 30 4+
SB Nation 21 29 8+
Yahoo 24 30 6+
Washington Post 25 30 5+
Bleacher Report 26 30 4+
Average 24.14285714 29.14285714 5+