NFL Power Rankings: Week 4
Week four of the NFL season has come to an end, and it did not disappoint. Both teams that participated in the NFC Championship last year are each 1-3. The first place L.A Rams went into Arizona and beat a disappointing Cardinals team. Both the Jaguars and Bears picked up their first win, beating their division rivals. Drew Brees constructed another fourth quarter comeback, while the Bills gave New England their first shutout loss at home in over 8,000 days. The Steelers obliterated the Chiefs in LeVeon Bell’s return and The Minnesota Vikings shut down the game’s best trio of wide receivers. The Broncos keep dominating the AFC, being the only undefeated team in the conference. Doing so with the number one defense in the league. Yes, indeed it was a wild week four, but the fun is just beginning. Let’s see how each team stacks up against one and other.
1.) Denver Broncos
(4-0)
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
- Say hello to your new number one team in the NFL, and only undefeated team in the AFC. Not only did the Broncos defense shut down another team’s offense, but they won with rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch, who came in and replaced Trevor Siemian in the second quarter. Denver is poised for another great run.
2.) Minnesota Vikings:
(4-0)
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
- If you hadn’t figured out that Minnesota’s defense is the real deal, it is time for you to believe. Mike Zimmer’s squad dominated the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, 24-10. They held Odell Beckham to 3 catches racking up only 23 yards. While Sam Bradford now has four touchdowns on the year and no turnovers, playing well enough to keep the Vikings undefeated.
3.) New England Patriots
(3-1)
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- Well, it took a third string quarterback, dropped touchdown passes, and missed kicks for the Patriots to finally get beat. Rejoice Patriots fans, I would assume you know the main headline for next week. That’s right, your savior will return. Which means New England will stay in the top three. I’m also sure Brady is happy that he is coming back to the Cleveland Browns.
4.) Seattle Seahawks
(3-1)
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It seems as though the Seahawks are finally starting to put the pieces together, beating the Jets 27-17. Jimmy Graham has now had back to back weeks with 100+ yards, something we haven’t seen in a while, while the defense remains at the top of the NFL. This is all happening without a healthy Russel Wilson. When he is 100%, watch out NFC.
5.) Green Bay Packers
(2-1)
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The Green Bay Packers had their Bye Week and will face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.
6.) Philadelphia Eagles
(3-0)
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The Philadelphia Eagles had their Bye Week and will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions this Sunday.
7.) Pittsburgh Steelers
(3-1)
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I guess Mike Tomlin gave his team a little bit of a wakeup call. The Steelers absolutely demolished The Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, 43-14. LeVeon Bell had an impressive return racking up 178 total yards on 22 total carries. This is what analysts expected from the Steelers offense, not three points a game. Pittsburgh is poised to make a great stretch in the upcoming weeks. (Especially Sunday, against a banged up Jets secondary.)
8.) Oakland Raiders
(3-1)
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
What a game, and what a start to the season for the Oakland Raiders. Hats off to you Mr. Jack Del Rio. Oakland’s defense still remains suspect, but Derek Carr and Michael Crabtree are putting up an absolute show. Crabtree hauled in three touchdowns last Sunday helping Oakland pull one out in Baltimore, 28-27. Oakland will have to win its next two games (both divisional), to keep track with the first place Broncos, but so far so good.
9.) Atlanta Falcons
(3-1)
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Are we looking at the new NFC South Champion? Only time will tell, but Dan Quinn’s team looks dangerous….at least on the offensive side of the ball. Which is all they may actually need. Of course you can’t expect Matt Ryan to throw for 500+ yards every game, while Julio Jones hauls in 300 of them. If the defense can do just enough, The Falcons can ride MVP candidate (so far) Matt Ryan throughout the season in a weak NFC South.
10.) Dallas Cowboys
(3-1)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Another impressive win and performances by rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot. Prescott threw for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns while “Zeke” ran for 138 on only 23 carries. The road gets tougher for these young Cowboys coming up, their next three games are home against Cincinnati, visiting Green Bay, and home against Philadelphia. If Dallas can win those games, people will truly start to respect Dallas’s young squad.
11.) Cincinnati Bengals:
(2-2)
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Fear not Bengals fans, you will have a shot to get in to the top ten next week, mostly because the team right ahead of you is the team you so happen to play this Sunday. Andy Dalton and company put up a nice performance last Thursday, shutting down the Dolphins. The Bengals travel to Dallas this week in what should be a pretty good game. The Bengals need this next game to keep pace in a tough AFC North. The return of Tyler Eifert should also help Andy Dalton and the team’s redzone struggles.
12.) Baltimore Ravens:
(3-1)
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
I know what you Ravens fans are thinking; how is a team we are beating in the division higher than us in the rankings? Baltimore’s flaws are starting to unravel, and although the team’s 3-1 record looks impressive, it has not come easy. The team has just released running back Justin Forsett and is expecting a fourth round rookie to fill his role. I still love you Steve Smith, but I’m not sold on your offense entirely. Beat the Redskins next week and we will talk.
13.) L.A Rams:
(3-1)
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The L.A Rams are in first place of the NFC West……what? That’s right, Jeff Fisher’s team went in to Arizona and knocked out The Cardinals (and Carson Palmer). L.A’s defense is no joke, arguably one of the most physical units in the game. If they can finally get Todd Gurley going, and Case Keenum can do just enough, could the Rams actually become playoff contenders?
14.) Houston Texans:
(3-1)
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Texans fans, do you want the good news or bad news first? Ok, the bad news: JJ Watt is out for the entire year. This means that Jadeveon Clowney, Devon Still, and Vince Wilfork will all need to step up to fill a ginormous hole. The good news is, you play in the AFC South, where 7 wins could win the entire division. Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller have yet to show what they are fully capable of… or have they?
15.) Buffalo Bills
(2-2)
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
You did it Bills fans! You beat New England at home for a huge division win. Yes, we are all aware of Tom Brady’s absence but hey, you have to play who’s in front of you, so I won’t be taking any credit away. Buffalo’s defensive unit is pretty solid, the questions that remain are IF the Bills passing attack can stay respected without wide receiver Sammy Watkins and if Tyrod Taylor can take the next step. If both questions are answered yes, the Bills could make a run this year for the playoffs, big if’s though.
16.) Kansas City Chiefs
(2-2)
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
That’s it, I am completely lost on what to think of the Chiefs. Last week, Kansas City’s defense was indescribably good, forcing eight turnovers and letting up only three points. Fast forward to this week and it was a “tad” worse. 43 points were given up last Sunday night including 29 in the first half. If only the good Chiefs could show up every week, but, as for now, they are not looking too hot. Andy Reid and his team have major work to do. The Jamal Charles return should help, but not on the defensive side of the ball.
17.) Washington Redskins:
(2-2)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins could very well be 0-4. The important thing is, is that they are not, they have two crucial wins in the last two weeks. The team has looked far less impressive than the expectations that were given to them in the beginning of the year. Skidding by New York the previous week, and being handed a victory by Cleveland this week, The Redskins will have to keep improving if they want to keep pace in a surprisingly tough NFC East.
18.) Arizona Cardinals:
(1-3)
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Are the Arizona Cardinals the biggest disappointment in the NFL? Surrounded by high expectations in the beginning of the year about trips of returning to the conference championship, Arizona has certainly not lived up to the hype. The team’s latest defeat came from a physical beat down at the hands of the L.A Rams. It doesn’t get any easier for the Cardinals either, having to turn around on a short week with an injured quarterback while traveling to San Francisco for Thursday night’s game. This is a must win if Bruce Arians and his team want to get back in to the playoff race.
19.) New York Giants:
(2-2)
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Not only have the Giants lost their last two games, but the injuries are starting to pile up as well, again. The Giants are down to their third string running back, and the wide receivers are not doing enough for them to win football games. The 200-million-dollar defense has only forced one turnover while registering a mere 4 sacks. Odell Beckham received another personal foul after a collision with cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The star wide receiver was also held to 23 yards on only 3 catches, both career lows. New York’s defense is also dead last in turnovers. The road does not get any easier for the Giants, their next four opponents have a combined record of 11-3 so far this year. It’s time for Manning and company to step up.
20.) Carolina Panthers:
(1-3)
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
If not the Cardinals, then the Panthers take the award for most disappointing team of 2016. Ron Rivera’s team has many questions. The offensive line is an absolute mess, the running game is nowhere to be found, Cam Newton is getting absolutely killed out there, and the defense is atrocious. Although it looks like the season is headed for disaster, The Panthers do still have the former MVP {That is, if he can even play week 5 (Concussion)}. If the offensive line can do just enough, just as last year, The Panthers can make a late surge and put together a nice string of games. If they can’t, it will be one of the more disappointing seasons for a team in recent history.
21.) New York Jets:
(1-3)
William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Ok Jets fans, it’s time to hit the panic button, big time. Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown one touchdown and nine interceptions over the last two weeks while Matt Forte has mustered together only 92 yards rushing in that same time span. You can’t win games throwing interceptions, especially in the fourth quarter. Granted, the last two defenses New York has played are respected, but if they want to make the playoffs, the team will have to find ways to win games. If the Jets want to make it back in to the AFC East race, Fitz and company will have to step up big time. “Fitztragic” has only beaten one (one!!!!) team over .500 in his time with the Jets. The weapons are there and the defense remains top ten, now it’s all about execution.
22.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
(1-3)
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
You would figure that promoting your offensive coordinator to head coach would increase the quarterback’s level of play, yet this is not the case for Tampa Bay. Jameis Winston has been one of the more disappointing storylines this year; turning the ball over more times (10) than his passing touchdowns (8). The good news is that they play in the NFC South, which is completely up for grabs right now. If Doug Martin can return healthy and the duo of Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson can produce, the Bucs can bounce right back into this division race.
23.) Jacksonville Jaguars:
(1-3)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last week coming in at 30, the Jaguars made themselves a very nice leap, almost out of the twenties. Blake Bortles finally had a decent day while throwing touchdowns to both Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. The defense looked impressive for most of the game, until Andrew Luck’s final seven minutes. But the Jags found a way to win, something they have not been able to accomplish in recent past. The AFC south is now up for grabs with all of Houston’s injuries starting to rack up. The question remains if the team will fire Gus Bradley or not, but the Jags just needs to focus solely on winning next week versus a very weak Chicago Bears team and keeping pace in their division.
24.) Detroit Lions:
(1-3)
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit is now becoming what many analysts thought they were in the beginning of the year: a team that has young talent, but many question marks. The Lions are now becoming used to losing close games in heartbreaking fashion. The last three games the team has played have all been winnable, only to fall short at the end. Losing to the Brian Hoyer led Bears will not move you up in these rankings, but most certainly down. If the Lions want to win, their tight ends have got to stay healthy, Golden Tate needs to step up and be the number one receiver he was projected to be, and the secondary has got to get it together. If not, Detroit will be in for a long, painful season.
25.) New Orleans Saints:
(1-3)
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, Drew Brees added on to his Hall of Fame resume by orchestrating a beautiful fourth quarter comeback in his first game back in San Diego versus his former team. The difference between this game and earlier games from this season though, is that the defense actually stepped up and made a play when it mattered. The Saints have young defensive backs, it would be nice to see them improve throughout the year and help Drew Brees and New Orleans’ explosive offense to compete in the NFC South. With Drew Brees, the Saints will always have a chance in games, it’s all about how the defense performs.
26.) Indianapolis Colts:
(1-3)
Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
What a killer for Indy Fans, just as you think your team has got it together, they let you down once again. The Colts are not a good football team, as they showed losing to Jacksonville last Sunday in London. They are wasting Andrew Luck, who has top five quarterback talent and who is currently in his prime years. Indianapolis desperately needs offensive line help; it also doesn’t help their cause using a running back who is in his 12th season. The defense is just plain bad, but could be worse. The team needs to ship off this year’s season and start from scratch if they want to succeed with one of the game’s best quarterback.
27.) San Diego Chargers:
(1-3)
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
There is a famous saying that bad teams always find a way to lose football games, this is the case with The San Diego Chargers. The most painful part about The Chargers is that they could be 3-1, and should be 3-1. Last Sunday’s epic collapse proved that the Chargers just don’t have what it takes to win games in this league. A team this beat up cannot be throwing away games like this, especially since only 14.3% of teams who start 1-3 make it to the playoffs. The road further ahead does not look as sunny as the team’s beautiful city does.
28.) Chicago Bears:
(1-3)
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Are the Bears actually better with Brian Hoyer than Jay Cutler? It certainly looked that way after Chicago’s 17-14 win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday. It seems like Brian Hoyer actually cares about wining, as for Jay Cutler who seems to not. The Bears don’t look like they will develop in to anything special this season, but there is hope. If the team can find a long term answer at quarterback, it could finally click. The Bears have young talent at the offensive skills position, it’s just a matter of who is at the helm under center.
29.) San Francisco 49ers:
(1-3)
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Yikes, The Chip Kelly effect has taken a negative turn. The Niners have dropped three straight now after shutting out L.A on opening night. What makes it even worse is that San Fran could have easily won last Sunday’s game. It’s finally time for the 49ers to bench quarterback Blaine Gabbert and start Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick’s talent far exceeds Gabbert’s, and has shown in the past that he knows how to win football games. The only question left is will Chip Kelly man up and make the proper adjustments, or refuse to like he has been known for in the past.
30.) Tennessee Titans:
(1-3)
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans hung around last Sunday against a decent Houston Texans team, that is until their special team’s unit ultimately let them down. The running game for Tennessee has been producing quite nicely, kudos to Derrick Henry and Demarco Murray. But Marcus Mariota still has produced lackluster numbers. It seems that Mariota has entered his sophomore slump, and by the looks of it, does not look like it will be getting better any time soon. If the Titans want to get back into the competition of the AFC South, then Mariota will need to take that next step forward, breaking out of his slump, and helping his offense with his shots downfield.
31.) Miami Dolphins:
(1-3)
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The Dolphins lone successful play last Thursday was a blown coverage on a deep pass to wide receiver Kenny Stills. The rest of the night, they looked like a complete abomination. Head Coach Adam Gase came in to the season with “quarterback guru” labels all around him. Yet, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has well under performed for what he is capable of. Arian Foster remains injured while the receivers can’t create any separation. Don’t get me wrong, there is talent on this team, it is just the team’s will to win. If the Dolphins want any chance of returning to the post season race, they need to fix their problems- fast.
32.) Cleveland Browns:
(0-4)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
For the third straight week, the Cleveland Browns have had a chance to win the game, and for the third straight week, they have blown it. On the upside, it seems Terrelle Pryor has established himself as a true number once receiver. The team was supposed to get Josh Gordon back this week, but the receiver checked himself back in to rehab and temporarily walked away from football. As it has been stated for years now, until the Browns find their answer at quarterback, they will not win games in the NFL.
Written By Thad Brown
Edited By Matthew Solof
