NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

In a year that has dragged on, with a new wave of bad news and struggles seemingly every week, the NFL season is still managing to fly by. That’s part of the reason that here at the end of Week 4 I’m only just getting around to doing my first Power Rankings. So let’s get straight into it.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

Is there really any question here? There is an inevitability to this team. An aura that surrounded the Patriots for so many years. The Chiefs' win over the Patriots wasn’t the most convincing if you look at the whole game, but when they have the ball on offense there is no doubt they can ultimately find a way to score whenever they need to. And they have a great defense, too.

2. Buffalo Bills (4-0)

I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I spent a long time wracking my brain trying to find a reason to not have the Bills as the second best team in the NFL, but alas, here we are. 2020, right? Seriously though, the defense is talented at every level and playing well, Stefon Diggs has elevated this offense immediately, and Josh Allen is balling. He may be the most improved player in the NFL and he is leading this team superbly.

3. Seattle Seahawks (4-0)

Speaking of a leader, Russell Wilson is a man possessed. Sure, the Seahawks defense is a little suspect, especially with Adams on the sidelines, but I don’t think it matters right now. Russell Wilson is playing so well and appears unflappable. What’s more, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett present one of the most challenging WR corps in the NFL for opposing defenses.

4. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

Despite the 3-1 record, the perception of the Ravens has certainly dropped since their Week 3 defeat to the Chiefs. The team’s weaknesses were loudly revealed, and this week’s game against Washington wasn’t nearly as reassuring as many expected it to be. But, the talent on this roster is undeniable, and a 2-2 start last year was hardly an indicator for future success.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

After a highly disappointing Week 1 performance, the Buccaneers have bounced back. They’re at a point now that there is no reason to believe Tom Brady isn’t the player he had been for the Patriots prior to 2019. The defense is fast, physical and aggressive, and I’m confident the offense will be able to make up for any mistakes. 

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)

We didn’t get to see the Steelers this week due to the Titans’ COVID breakout, but they have an excellent defense that could matchup with any offense, and with Big Ben back and healthy this offense will be able to come up big when they need it.

7. Green Bay Packers (4-0)

Health and depth is an issue on this team, and questions still linger about the defense – I wonder how they’ll match up with the best offenses. However, with Aaron Rodgers playing as well as he is, the offense getting it done with the weapons it has, and Aaron Jones playing like he is, this team will be a handful for everyone in the NFL.

8. New England Patriots (2-2)

With Cam Newton under center this is a dramatically different team than we saw on Monday night. The defense is still excellent – though they need to capitalize on the turnover opportunities they created against the Chiefs – and with Newton the offense becomes so much more versatile.

9. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

The Colts have the best defense in the NFL. They may not have the biggest names, but they play such sound football and they have players who fit and thrive in their system. The offense is the concern. The ground game is good, but Philip Rivers is so limited in his ability to move that the offense becomes limited in passing situations – T.Y. Hilton needs to get going, too. 

10. New Orleans Saints (2-2)

The Saints absolutely have the talent to win a Super Bowl, it comes down to the same old issue of performing to their ability. Drew Brees has shown signs of being the same old Brees over the last few weeks, and Alvin Kamara fully healthy is the best offensive weapon in the NFL. But they need more from their defense consistently and will obviously cherish having Michael Thomas back.

11. Tennessee Titans (3-0)

If not for COVID we would have a much better idea of how good this team really is. Their three wins have been unconvincing, and they haven’t exactly been against the best opponents. Like last year, this team may just be scrappy and play every team close, but we need to see them show their mettle against better teams before I can raise them higher.

12. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

Sunday’s game against the Giants wasn’t the prettiest, especially considering the post-game antics, but a win is a win and the Rams are 3-1. They obviously have a talented roster, and McVay has the offense moving the ball well through four weeks of the season. The Rams are bouncing back.

13. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

The 49ers have been absolutely ravaged by key injuries, but even so, this team clearly has immense talent and a coaching staff that is making up for their losses. Sunday’s loss to the Eagles wasn’t a great look, but when you consider Nick Mullens started, got benched for C.J. Beathard, and the team only lost by five? Once they get Jimmy Garoppolo and Richard Sherman back, this team will improve massively.

14. Cleveland Browns (3-1)

The Cleveland Browns (offense) may actually be as good as its pieces suggest it should be. Admittedly, their breakout performances have come against the Cowboys, Washington and the Bengals, but Kevin Stefanski is getting his pieces on the same page and in rhythm, and that’s dangerous.

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2)

Despite apparently not being able to follow the league’s COVID guidelines, the Raiders are clearly doing a lot right. Jon Gruden has made the Raiders a very competitive team. They’ve already beaten the Saints, they gave the Patriots a tough time for much of the game, and they were a tough defeat for the Bills. This team is very much a Wild Card contender.

16. Carolina Panthers (2-2)

I honestly didn’t expect the Panthers to be 2-2 at this point, I thought they’d be worse. But, Matt Rhule is proving why he was so sought after as he has this team playing tough, competitive football, and their Sunday win over the Cardinals could be crucial when it comes to playoff tie-breakers.

17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Thanks to Kyler Murray’s exciting start to the season, and high expectations coming in, the Cardinals – and Murray – have been overrated this season. In reality they’re a mediocre team with a second year QB still going through growing pains. He must develop as a passer and the offense must use more vertical shots. He had 24 completions for 133 yards, the fewest yards ever with that many completions.  

18. Chicago Bears (3-1)

The Bears may be 3-1, but that record is far more flattering than it is representative. Against their best opponent of the season on Sunday, the Colts, the offense just looked horrible. The Colts have a great defense, but the Bears did not help themselves at all. I also don’t think it matters who’s playing QB, both will struggle.

19. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

The Vikings were a surprising 0-3 team, and they got the right opponent at the right time to bounce back and try to get their season back on track. With no preparation most of the week, and an early ejection for their defensive leader, the Vikings handled the Texans well. I expect them to right the ship somewhat behind Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1)

It seems incredible that the Eagles continue to struggle as significantly as they are with their players’ health and the depth of their roster. The receiver room is once again a mess and the o-line has already been pillaged. Wentz flashed on Sunday night, and they’re going to need a lot more from him. Luckily for them they’re in the worst division in football and could sneak into the playoffs with just seven wins.

21. Dallas Cowboys (1-3)

Oh my, this defense is so bad. Dak Prescott is on pace to throw for 6,760 yards because of it. I’m sure that pace will slow, but to be so bad on defense that 974 passing yards in two weeks is good enough for two losses is an incredible achievement. No matter how good the offense is, if the defense doesn’t improve, this will be a miserable season for Dallas. Bear in mind, if not for the Falcons' complete capitulation, this team would be 0-4.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)

If Tyrod Taylor returns from injury and is made the starter it will prove to be the defining moment of Anthony Lynn’s time in LA. Justin Herbert is a baller, and he absolutely deserves to be the starter for this team. Through three starts he has looked excellent. He is making big time throws every week and showing incredible toughness in the pocket for a rookie. He is the reason the Chargers are as high as they are.

23. Detroit Lions (1-3)

I have very little to describe the Lions. They’re just so ‘Lions’ – forgettable, bland, directionless. I’m a big fan of Matthew Stafford, but everything in Detroit is stale and it feels like they need to completely reset to get back to relevancy in the NFL.

24. Houston Texans (0-4)

Yesterday’s move to fire Bill O’Brien was the best move this team has made since drafting Deshaun Watson, and it isn’t particularly close. O’Brien gutted this team of some of its most influential talents, and gave up the team’s future too. This will be a bad team this year, but they have some pieces to win them some games.

25. Washington Football Team (1-3)

Dwayne Haskins is not the problem on this football team. The offense hasn’t been good, and that reflects badly on Haskins, but the issues are surrounding him. He has started just ten games in his career, he’s in his second offensive system, he had no recognizable offseason, and he has a young and limited offense. This team is rebuilding, but they have reasons to be optimistic on their roster.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2-1)

I’m not breaking ground here, but Joe Burrow is 'It'. He looks like a number one overall pick. He is poised and mature beyond his years. Unfortunately, his team is bad. AJ Green looks far away from the player he was, the o-line is horrible and the defense is, too.

27. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

The Dolphins managed to stay competitive against the Seahawks for far longer than I expected, which is a testament to the culture Brian Flores has produced despite their talent-poor roster and results on the field. However, though Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t playing badly, we have to expect to see Tua Tagovailoa soon.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)

The Jags are just about as bad as we expected them to be. After a promising Week 1 and 2 performance, the wheels have come off slightly. The defense on Sunday was horrendous, as Joe Mixon and Joe Burrow had their way all day. There are signs of hope, though, as young playmakers on offense are making their mark.  

29. Denver Broncos (1-3)

Many teams have had brutal injury luck, but the Broncos may have had the worst. They are without so many integral players. They may not have been very good anyway, but with players like Drew Lock, Von Miller, Jurrell Casey, Courtland Sutton, A.J. Bouye, Phillip Lindsay and Noah Fant all nursing injuries, this team has very little going for them.

30. Atlanta Falcons (0-4)

The Falcons shouldn’t be this bad. They have two of the most painful losses of the year to put an exclamation point on their 0-4 record. They have talented players, but Matt Ryan is past his best and the execution from the rest of the roster is not there.  

31. New York Giants (0-4)

Saquon Barkley’s injury was a death sentence for an already bad team. There really isn’t a lot to be optimistic about for the Giants, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them hold the number one overall pick.

32. New York Jets (0-4)

Perhaps the biggest threat to the Giants getting the first overall pick is their in-state rivals. The Jets are a really bad football team. There really isn’t anything else to add.