After first win of season, here's where the Bengals sit across NFL power rankings

The Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) are finally clawing their way up the NFL power rankings after securing their first victory of the season against the Carolina Panthers (1-3).

Several outlets released their NFL power rankings lists Tuesday. The Kansas City Chiefs are the top team on multiple sites for the fourth consecutive week. The Minnesota Vikings have ping-ponged between the No. 1 and 2 spots on several lists as well. The Baltimore Ravens also surged in the rankings after their 25-10 win over the Buffalo Bills, who were ranked No. 2 across several sites for Week 4.

Here's where the Bengals rank on various NFL power rankings heading into Week 5. The number of spots the team jumped or fell is in parenthesis.

USA TODAY NFL Week 5 power rankings: No. 20 (🔺 4)

The Bengals have climbed four spots in USA TODAY's rankings, rising to No. 20 after beating the Panthers 34-24. Although Bengals running back Zack Moss secured the team's third touchdown of the game, giving Cincinnati a 21-14 lead at the end of the first half, NFL reporter Nate Davis wrote that Moss has averaged 2.97 seconds to reach the line of scrimmage. That mark is the fourth-slowest figure in the league and nearly a half-second longer than teammate Chase Brown (2.51), per Davis.

CBS Sports NFL Week 5 power rankings: No. 22 (🔺6)

The Bengals rose six spots in CBS Sports' rankings, with writer Pete Prisco stating that Cincinnati's first victory of the season was "big for this group."

"The defense still has major issues, but they are alive," he writes.

Yahoo Sports NFL power rankings: No. 19 (🔺 5)

The Bengals were previously ranked No. 24 by Yahoo Sports and rose to No. 19 this week. NFL and betting writer Frank Schwab says that while Cincinnati finally snagged a win before September ended, it "wasn't an impressive breakthrough performance."

"Up next for the Bengals is a home game against the Ravens, and that might be one Cincinnati needs to win," Schwab states.

ESPN power rankings: No. 24 (—)

The Bengals landed No. 24 on ESPN's official power rankings for the second consecutive week. According to reporter Ben Baby, one of Cincinnati's biggest issues is its defensive line, as he said it has been a "nonfactor."

"Cincinnati is 31st in the league in run stop win rate (28.5%) and in sacks per dropback (3.8%). Those two things are a major reason why the defense is one of the worst units in the league," Baby explained.

Baby also cited injuries sustained by defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins, Kris Jenkins Jr., BJ Hill and McKinnley Jackson as reasons for its low ranking.

"But despite the health issues, Cincinnati needs more production from its defensive front," he adds.

Sports Illustrated NFL power rankings: No. 16 (🔺 4)

The Bengals rose four spots on Sports Illustrated's NFL power rankings, landing at No. 16. Joe Burrow has had quite a few injuries and setbacks so far in his career, but reporter Conor Orr says he wondered if the quarterback has had to "make adjustments to keep him throwing the ball accurately and comfortably."

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where the Bengals are across various NFL power rankings