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Bengals Players Power Rankings: Week Five

The Cincinnati Bengals Player Power Rankings is a weekly ranking system that not only figures the best players on the team, but the players playing the best. Despite being out of their control, injuries and inactives are huge hits largely because they're not contributing. This week, we welcome one rookie to the rankings and another rookie into the top 15 players.

Rob Foldy-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire
Rank Player Last Week Change Notes
1

A.J. Green

1

--

A.J. Green is officially a unicorn. He's rare, majestic, and you'll never see one like him in Bengals stripes again. Enjoy.

2

Geno Atkins

3

+1

Geno Atkins had one of the best games of any player in the NFL last week. He'd be the top player on many team's rankings.

3

Andy Dalton

2

-1

Dalton and Atkins will probably flip-flop all season for the 2nd spot. This week, Dalton was very good down field and that's very promising in his development.

4

Andrew Whitworth

4

--

Whitworth has been good, but he's not dominating in the running game. He's in danger of dropping a few spots.

5

Andre Smith

6

+1

Andre Smith is a complete player now. He's one of the best right tackles in the NFL now.

6

Carlos Dunlap

5

-1

Dunlap didn't deserve to drop in rankings but when you only play 25 defensive snaps, it's hard to say that he made a huge impact on last week's game.

7

Reggie Nelson

7

--

Nelson had his best game of the season against his former team. Having Crocker on the field helped Nelson get back to last season's form.

8

Mike Nugent

8

--

Expect Nugent to make every kick he attempts. He's been great.

9

Jermaine Gresham

9

--

Two solid games in a row for Gresham. He's showing up as the 2nd option in the passing offense like the Bengals need him to be.

10

Andrew Hawkins

10

--

Andrew Hawkins makes one big play each week and this week he took a short 3rd down pass and turned it into a chunk play. He can do that regularly.

11

Adam Jones

16

+5

Adam Jones has only allowed 6 receptions this season. Not bad at all. He's playing very well at this point.

12

Leon Hall

11

-1

Hall has missed his 2nd straight week with a calf injury. The defense didn't need him last week but eventually they'll need somebody to play inside in nickel defense.

13

Michael Johnson

13

--

Johnson disappeared in the running game but picked up 5 pressures on Blaine Gabbert; two lead directly to sacks for Atkins.

14

Domata Peko

14

--

Peko finally made a play when he sacked Gabbert on the first play of the game. After that, he was pretty much just-there in his 29 snaps.

15

Kevin Zeitler

19

+4

Zeitler has greatly improved as a pass blocker since his Wisconsin days. Once he gets back to his power run blocking form, he'll be great. He's on his way.

16

Clint Boling

15

-1

Boling isn't a power player, but he's been precise in his blocking assignments; especially when pulling and getting top the 2nd level.

17

Manny Lawson

18

+1

Lawson has made a couple plays in each of the last couple weeks and that's been my biggest gripe with him. He's usually forgettable. He's the best LB on the team... for now.

18

Benjarvus Green-Ellis

12

-6

"The Law Firm" is lucky he's still on this list. He's been slow to the hole, won't run outside and hasn't broken a tackle since week one. Oh, and he's fumbled three times in two weeks!

19

Nate Clements

17

-2

Clements didn't play this week and Chris Crocker kind of took his place as the CB/S hybrid player. I almost put Terrance Newman in this place.

20

Vontaze Burfict

NR

--

Like all rookies will, Burfict enters this list at number 20 after a very impressive game in Jacksonville. He's improving every single week.

Just Missed the Cut: Terrance Newman, Jeff Faine, Armon Binns, Taylor Mays, Rey Maualuga.