Week 4 NFL Power Rankings

Past Power Rankings: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3

Folks, we have a new #1! To top it off the Seahawks and the Broncos are not the highest ranking teams in their divisions! AND, the Raiders no longer own the cellar. In fact, they actually moved up TWO spots.

Let the Power Rankings commence!

1. Cincinnati Bengals , 3-0 (Last Week: 2) 1

At the beginning of this season, I would have never thought of putting the Bengals at #1. At this point, it’s the only logical choice. Took our Baltimore on the road, handled a Falcons team that came off of a big win against New Orleans, and then pummeled the Titans. Andy “The Red Rifle” Dalton is even catching TDs!

2. Philadelphia Eagles , 3-0 (Last Week: 3) 1

Second highest scoring offense in the NFL. Need I say more? Nick Foles’ 2013 campaign was no fluke, and he’s proving it. He’s thrown for nearly 1,000 yards in just three games. The 49ers must be ready at home if they want to slow this train down on Sunday.

3. Arizona Cardinals , 3-0 (Last Week: 5) 2

No Carson Palmer? No problem! Being down 14-6 at the half, the Cardinals shutout the 49ers in he second half and won 23-14. Michael Floyd has been phenomenal, racking up 252 yards on only 11 receptions. Yes folks, the Cardinals are for real!

4. Seattle Seahawks , 2-1 (Last Week: 7) 3

After a tough (and hot) loss to the Chargers, the Seahawks bounced back for the OT win over the Broncos. Now, they nearly gave the game away but this game was theirs from the beginning. There would be no way they would lose it. Russel Wilson put the team on his back and Marshawn Lynch finished for the kill.

5. San Diego Chargers , 2-1 (Last Week: 6) 1

You’re not reading this wrong. The Chargers are the highest ranked AFC West team. Despite losing Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead, and Melvin Ingram, the Chargers dominated the Bills. The offense at up clock with deep drives and the defense came up when it mattered. This team is 4th in points allowed and they claim the #10 defense.

6. Denver Broncos , 2-1 (Last Week: 1) 5

Tough loss to the Seahawks but Peyton Manning put on a clinic in the final minutes of the game. The one concern of this team, the defense. The offseason pick-ups were supposed to help significantly but the defense ranks #30 in the NFL. If they want the chance to get back to the Super Bowl, the defense needs to make vast improvements.

7. Carolina Panthers , 2-1 (Last Week: 4) 3

I didn’t see the loss to Pittsburgh coming. It seems like the loss of Greg Hardy made a big difference on the Panthers defense. Well, maybe it’s just coincidental. We’ll have to wait and see.

8. Chicago Bears  , 2-1 (Last Week: 12) 4

Very hard fought win vs the Jets. The Bears had a tough time on week 1, losing to the Bills but came back furiously against the 49ers. This win wasn’t pretty but it will have to do.

9. Baltimore Ravens , 2-1 (Last Week: 13) 4

So much drama and yet nothing seems to bother this Ravens team. They held strong and beat a Browns team that was coming off of a win against the Saints. The week before that, they made sure the Steelers called them “daddy”. Only loss came to the #1 team on this list.

10. Atlanta Falcons . 2-1 (Last Week: 14) 4

To say they embarrassed the Bucs would be an understatement. Offense is #1 in the NFL while the defense is nearly the opposite. The defense is putrid and can be a leading reason why this team doesn’t win 10+ games.

11. New Orleans Saints , 1-2 (Last Week: 15) 4

Despite winning just one game, the Saints aren’t just “any team”. They’ve lost very close games to teams that are attempting to prove themselves. As the #4 offense, they’re more than capable of winning games. It will be up to Rob Ryan to get his defense ready.

12. New England Patriots , 2-1 (Last Week: 10) 2

They won but it wasn’t pretty. That’s why they dropped. It was the defense that kept them in the game. Well… other than the fact that it was the Raiders. The Pats need to get it going or they won’t get so many breaks against tougher teams.

13. Indianapolis Colts , 1-2 (Last Week: 17) 4

Going up against the Jaguars, it was the chance for Andrew Luck and the Colts to gain some confidence. I’m sure a 44-17 rout did the trick. Andre Luck went 6-6 on for passes deeper than 20 yards downfield.

14. Buffalo Bills . 2-1 (Last Week: 8) 6

The Bills were favored to beat the Chargers at home. That didn’t go too well as Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins were shut down. The defense did what it could to shut down the Chargers offense, doing a great job in the second half but it was too late. To stay atop the AFC East with the Pats, they’ll be taking the Texans in Houston.

15. Detroit Lions , 2-1 (Last Week: 19) 4

Good win over the Packers for Matthew Stafford and the Lions. Their #1 defense held the Pack to 7 points. Their defense outscored the Packers, 9-7. Basically, the offense showed up to tack on 7 points.

16. San Francisco 49ers , 1-2 (Last Week: 9) 7

The implosion of the 49ers is quite astounding. Their defense is great at #6 in the NFL but Colin Kaepernick has being playing “Tony Romo” since beating the man himself on week 1. Can’t blame the suspensions on this one because they’ve been on defense.

17. Green Bay Packers , 1-2 (Last Week: 11) 6

I picked the Packers to win the NFC North just because I didn’t think anybody else would be good enough to take down a “somewhat decent” Green Bay team. Well, I was wrong. BUT, I was right about the Packers being “somewhat decent”. To point this out, I’m SHOCKED that analysts didn’t foresee the Packers being mediocre for Aaron Rodgers’ standards.

18. Dallas Cowboys , 2-1 (Last Week: 21) 3

After the week 1 embarrassment, the Cowboys have taken out the Titans and came back from a 21-0 halftime deficit in St. Louis. DeMarco Murray is averaging of 5 yards/carry and the Romo/Bryant connection is looking stronger than ever. The Eagles may be 3-0 but this team (if they actually keep this going) will be one to watch out for.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers , 2-1 (Last Week: 23) 4

Most power rankings have the Steelers much higher on their lists. I’m not quite there yet. The win vs the Panthers may have been convincing but I’m not sold on their defense. Now, their running game has flourished tremendously. 264 rushing yards this last weekend boosted them up to the #5 offense in the NFL.

20. Kansas City Chiefs , 1-2 (Last Week: 26) 6

It seemed like it was all over for the Chiefs. Without Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs put up a valiant effort against the Broncos and put a beating down on Miami. Knile Davis is helping out quite a bit while the defense stopped the Dolphins 13/17 time on 3rd and 4th downs.

21. Miami Dolphins , 1-2 (Last Week: 16) 5

Strong week 1. It’s been downhill since then. Loss to the Bills and then followed by a loss to the Chiefs. Although early, the loss of Knowshon Moreno has proved costly. If Ryan Tannehill can’t get the ball rolling, then it may be time Miami moved from him.

22. New York Jets , 1-2 (Last Week: 18) 4

As bad as this team is, they haven’t gotten blown out. Currently, they sit at the #2 defense and #8 offense. But, they’re in the bottom half when it comes to scoring points. They can produce yardage but not what’s really needed to win games, points. If Geno Smith can help the team learn how to finish, then the Jets would have at least one more win so far.

23. Cleveland Browns , 1-2 (Last Week: 20) 3

Terrence West has been a great help for Brian Hoyer and the offense but the Browns lack one thing. Defense. #31 in the NFL doesn’t cut it if you just have a decent offense. The team has upside but need to utilize it.

24. New York Giants , 1-2 (Last Week: 30) 6

Ei Manning and Victor Cruz showed signs of life. They have some more to tweaking to do before they want to talk about competing with the division but it’s a start.

25. Houston Texans , 2-1 (Last Week: 22) 3

The Giants handled the Texans. I was hesitant to move the Texans so far up after week 2 and I think this weekend was a good indicator why I held back.

26. Minnesota Vikings , 1-2 (Last Week: 24) 2

Another team with a great week 1 but have fallen short since. Now, with Matt Cassel out, it’s Teddy Bridgewater time. It will be interesting, to say the least.

27. Washington Redskins , 1-2 (Last Week: 27)

The injury to Robert Griffin III was probably a blessing in disguise. The Redskins finally had a high scoring offense when Kirk Cousins came in. Sorry, RGIII, but injuries may have opened up a new era in DC.

28. Tennessee Titans , 1-2 (Last Week: 25) 3

Ken Whisenhunt is probably frustrated. After a convincing week 1 victory of the Chiefs, the Titans have been outscored 59-17 against the Cowboys and the Bengals.

29. St. Louis Rams , 1-2 (Last Week: 28) 1

Janoris Jenkins is a monster. A ball hawk. The future of this organization on the defensive side. Now, if only they could find the offensive version of Jenkins.

30. Oakland Raiders , 0-3 (Last Week: 32) 2

A decent effort against the Patriots and both the Jaguars and the Buccaneers getting blown up resulted in Oakland moving out of the cellar. The Raiders have the worst offense in the league. Period.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars , 0-3 (Last Week: 31)

The Jaguars are yet to show up to a game since putting a first half beatdown on the Eagles, just to fall WAY short.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers , 0,3 (Last Week: 29) 3

All I can say here is that Mike Glennon needs to be the full-time starter.

 

Biggest Movers:

Giants and Chiefs: 6

49ers: 7

 

Follow Alexandro on Twitter: @TheRealZatarain

 

Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports