NFL NFL Power Rankings entering Week 4
Big trouble for some teams
What will the Bears and Broncos do for an encore after the stinkers in Week 3? The teams tied at the bottom of the Power Rankings will settle things at Soldier Field in Week 4. Unless the game winds up in a tie…
As we look ahead to all the action, here’s how all 32 teams stack up…
t-32. Denver Broncos (0-3, lost to Miami Dolphins)
Was there any doubt?
t-32. Chicago Bears (0-3, lost to Kansas City Chiefs)
The first tie in List Wire Power Rankings history is quite an unceremonious one.
30. Carolina Panthers (0-3, lost to Seattle Seahawks)
What does it say when your offense is in better hands with Andy Dalton than the player you drafted first overall, Bryce Young? The Alabama star missed the game with an injured ankle. The veteran at least was able to create some spark.
29. Minnesota Vikings (0-3, lost to Los Angeles Chargers)
The Vikings became the first team to win 13 games in a season, and go 0-3 the following one, since the 2012 New Orleans Saints. They are the eighth team overall to do it. Oh, and they were 11-0 in one-score games last season, and are now 0-3 in those contests in 2023.
28. New York Jets (1-2, lost to New England Patriots)
Fifteen losses in a row to one team earns you a spot near the bottom of the Power Rankings. If Robert Saleh continues to stick with Zach Wilson, he could be putting himself at risk. Sorry, this is his third season and he can’t bank on losing as the reason for Aaron Rodgers keeping him safe.
27. New York Giants (1-2, lost to San Francisco 49ers)
The Giants are 30 minutes from being winless. Okay, now the comeback against Arizona looks better. However, this team isn’t progressing.
26. Tennessee Titans (1-2, lost to Cleveland Browns)
The Titans went into Cleveland and faced a Browns team that was without Nick Chubb and had Deshaun Watson. Neither can be considered a plus, right? Ryan Tannehill threw for 104 yards. Derrick Henry rushed for 20. What is Mike Vrabel going to do?
25. Arizona Cardinals (1-2, defeated Dallas Cowboys)
Would have loved to move the Cardinals a bit higher but they did lose to Washington in the opening week of the season.
24. Washington Commanders (2-1, lost to Buffalo Bills)
Sam Howell found the Bills’ secondary to his liking, throwing 4 picks. This was a home game for Washington and it lost by 34. That’s tough.
23. Atlanta Falcons (2-1, lost to Detroit Lions)
The Atlanta offense was beyond quiet in Detroit. The defense did its job, holding the Lions to 20 points. However, this offense could be a problem, starting at quarterback.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2, lost to Pittsburgh Steelers)
How much longer will Josh McDaniels coach this team?
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2, lost to Houston Texans)
The Jaguars deserve this huge tumble after being blitzed by the Texans at home. Have they fallen in love with their headlines from 2022? Something is off for Doug Pederson’s team.
20. Houston Texans (1-2, defeated Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Texans may have the Offensive Rookie of the Year on their hands in C.J. Stroud. They went into Jacksonville and throttled the defending AFC South champions. Could this team be ahead of itself when it comes to growth?
19. Indianapolis Colts (2-1, defeated Baltimore Ravens)
The Ravens were depleted but the Colts still had to go to Baltimore and win. And win, they did. They are in first place in the AFC South. What happens when Anthony Richardson is ready to return? Gardner Minshew is playing solid football at QB.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2, defeated Minnesota Vikings)
There were more curious calls by Brandon Staley and one has to wonder if Kenneth Murray’s end zone interception didn’t save the analytics-obsessed coach from being on the firing line.
17. Los Angeles Rams (1-2, lost to Cincinnati Bengals)
The Rams’ offense is non-existent. The Bengals kept them in check and Sean McVay is below .500. This team isn’t a playoff contender,.
16. New England Patriots (1-2, beat the New York Jets)
Should it count anymore when Bill Belichick beats the Jets?
15. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2, defeated Los Angeles Rams)
Joe Burrow gutted it out with the injured calf. That will happen when you come into a home game 0-2 in a division like the AFC North. The Bengals played tough football and were able to gain a much-needed victory.
14. New Orleans Saints (2-1, lost to Green Bay Packers)
The defense needed to stand tall in the fourth after Derek Carr went out. Giving up 18 and losing by a point no matter who was at QB is tough to grasp.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1, lost to the Philadelphia Eagles)
The Bucs may be better than expected, but they weren’t able to keep up with the Eagles on their home field. That still should be good enough to compete in the weak NFC South.
12. Green Bay Packers (2-1, defeated New Orleans Saints)
A nice comeback with 18 points in the fourth quarter against a Saints team that deflated when Derek Carr was injured.
11. Cleveland Browns (2-1, defeated Tennessee Titans)
Not willing to be sold on the Browns simply because their quarterback is hard to, um, trust.
10. Dallas Cowboys (2-1, lost to Arizona Cardinals)
Let’s figure Dallas was still in shock from losing Trevon Diggs for the season. However, Dak Prescott throwing interceptions in the end zone brings back nightmares for fans of America’s Team.
9. Baltimore Ravens (2-1, lost to Indianapolis Colts)
The Ravens could have escaped with a victory over Indianapolis if Justin Tucker had only hit a 61-yard field goal. Baltimore has been ravaged by injuries and still had to be taken to OT for its first defeat. A strong team.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1, defeated Las Vegas Raiders)
The offense showed some life. The defense is always fierce. A questionable decision by the refs was almost costly. In the end, it was a solid road win for the Steelers.
7. Seattle Seahawks (2-1, defeated Carolina Panthers)
The hiccup in the opener is long forgotten. Seattle is going to be a tough team in the NFC. However, it likely will play for a wild-card spot because San Francisco is that darn good.
6. Detroit Lions (2-1, defeated Atlanta Falcons)
The Lions shook off the loss to Seattle in OT and shut down the Falcons. There will be teaching moments for Dan Campbell but the team is going to get there.
5. Buffalo Bills (2-1, defeated Washington Commanders)
How fascinating is Buffalo’s Week 4 matchup with Miami? (Incredibly.)
4. Miami Dolphins (3-0, crushed Denver Broncos)
Don’t expect the Fish to hang 70 on the Bills in Week 4. They would be satisfied if they could just take down their AFC East foes.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1, defeated Chicago Bears)
While everyone was focused on Taylor Swift, the Chiefs swiftly destroyed an inept Chicago squad.
2. San Francisco 49ers (3-0, defeated New York Giants)
The 49ers are rolling. Brock Purdy is 8-0 in the regular season as a starter. SF has won 13 in a row in the regular season. Kyle Shanahan just has to pray everyone remains healthy deep into the season.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0, defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jalen Hurts wears No. 1 and the Eagles continue to be No. 1 in the Power Rankings. Both sides of the ball, they are clicking!
