NFL Power Rankings (After Week 4)
Week 3 didn't give us the Earth-shaking movement that goes with early NFL Power Rankings.
Week 4? That was a totally different subject altogether.
Week 4? That was a totally different subject altogether.
There was a big shake-up of the rankings, but nothing changes at the top with the New England Patriots playing the role of … well, the New England Patriots. The Eagles and Bears enter the Top 10 after most impressive triumphs.
Here's the rundown of my personal Top 10 NFL:
1. (1 last week) New England (4-0): As one NFL pundit put it, Bill Belichick is the NFL's best troller. You can build up a team's opponent against the Patriots and tell the world how great the quarterback is and the Patriots coach and his staff will find a way to make that person's life miserable. Josh Allen on Sunday: 13-of-28 passing, 153 yards, three interceptions.
2. (3): Kansas City (4-0): The Chiefs took the Lions' best punch and still came away with a victory. Patrick Mahomes didn't have a great game by any means, but 315 yards passing can be overlooked when the running game combines for three touchdowns. Chiefs carry on with their business.
3. (7): New Orleans (3-1): Sure, Drew Brees is out for a while, so the Saints' defense has taken it up another notch and proven to be just as important to what this team does going forward. They made the Cowboys turn the ball over three times and Ezekiel Elliott was held to 35 yards rushing on the night. As long as Teddy Bridgewater isn't giving games away like an auctioneer, these Saints will be just fine, thank you.
4. (4) Dallas (3-1): Though the Cowboys lost Sunday night, it was in New Orleans and the Saints proved to be a better team. The Cowboy defense didn't allow a touchdown -- just a bad break that a team that kicked four field goals won by two points, 12-10. Sure, it's not Drew Brees behind center, but the Cowboys represented themselves on that side of the ball.
5 (NEW) Philadelphia (2-2): These guys in the green are really good. Well, at least they are showing that now. Didn't seem that way in close losses to Atlanta and Detroit, but going to Lambeau Field, the Eagles found a way to take down previous No. 2 Green Bay, 34-27, a Carsen Wentz went for 160 yards passing and three TDs and Jordan Howard ran for 87 yards and two TDs. Finally, a signature win for the Eagles.
6 (2) Green Bay (3-1): Maybe the Packers were a little too highly ranked at No. 2. Philadelphia was able to run and throw all over the Packer defense, but in the end, it was an interception of Aaron Rodgers at the goal line by Nigel Bradham that sealed the 34-27 win for Philly.
7. (8) San Francisco (3-0): Though unbeaten and one of three unbeaten teams left, it's hard to move a team up any more than a point in the ranking when they get the bye week. But this Monday night should prove something to everyone tuning in -- the 2-2 and improving Browns come a-callin' to Levi's Stadium.
8. (6) Buffalo (3-1): Sure, Bill Belichick makes life miserable for opponents. But let's also give the Buffalo Bills some credit for hanging in there with a solid defensive effort against Tom Brady and that high-powered offense in a 17-10 loss. Off of the defensive effort, the Bills could've, maybe should've, won this game against the Super Bowl champions.
9. (NEW) Chicago (3-1): The Bears have expectedly rebounded from that opening night loss at home to the Packers. The Bears' defense has tightened up, giving up just four touchdowns in the last three games. And Chase Daniel did tremendous work in the backup role after Mitchell Trubisky was knocked out by the Vikings. Daniel finished 22-of-30 passing for 195 yards and a TD pass to Tarik Cohen. But that defense -- the Bears may just be warming up as the second quarter of the season begins.
10. (5) Los Angeles Rams (3-1): That Rams' effort, especially on defense, should leave them walking around with their tails between their legs as no Super Bowl participant -- not even a bad team the year after going to the Big Game -- gave up more points in a game than these Rams did against the average Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing Jameis Winston to have the game of his life in a 55-40 loss at home, no less. For anyone who thought the Rams may be the team to beat in the NFC, you should have doubt about that after this performance Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for coming (dropping out of the Top 10): Detroit (2-1-1), Baltimore (2-2).
2. (3): Kansas City (4-0): The Chiefs took the Lions' best punch and still came away with a victory. Patrick Mahomes didn't have a great game by any means, but 315 yards passing can be overlooked when the running game combines for three touchdowns. Chiefs carry on with their business.
3. (7): New Orleans (3-1): Sure, Drew Brees is out for a while, so the Saints' defense has taken it up another notch and proven to be just as important to what this team does going forward. They made the Cowboys turn the ball over three times and Ezekiel Elliott was held to 35 yards rushing on the night. As long as Teddy Bridgewater isn't giving games away like an auctioneer, these Saints will be just fine, thank you.
4. (4) Dallas (3-1): Though the Cowboys lost Sunday night, it was in New Orleans and the Saints proved to be a better team. The Cowboy defense didn't allow a touchdown -- just a bad break that a team that kicked four field goals won by two points, 12-10. Sure, it's not Drew Brees behind center, but the Cowboys represented themselves on that side of the ball.
5 (NEW) Philadelphia (2-2): These guys in the green are really good. Well, at least they are showing that now. Didn't seem that way in close losses to Atlanta and Detroit, but going to Lambeau Field, the Eagles found a way to take down previous No. 2 Green Bay, 34-27, a Carsen Wentz went for 160 yards passing and three TDs and Jordan Howard ran for 87 yards and two TDs. Finally, a signature win for the Eagles.
6 (2) Green Bay (3-1): Maybe the Packers were a little too highly ranked at No. 2. Philadelphia was able to run and throw all over the Packer defense, but in the end, it was an interception of Aaron Rodgers at the goal line by Nigel Bradham that sealed the 34-27 win for Philly.
7. (8) San Francisco (3-0): Though unbeaten and one of three unbeaten teams left, it's hard to move a team up any more than a point in the ranking when they get the bye week. But this Monday night should prove something to everyone tuning in -- the 2-2 and improving Browns come a-callin' to Levi's Stadium.
8. (6) Buffalo (3-1): Sure, Bill Belichick makes life miserable for opponents. But let's also give the Buffalo Bills some credit for hanging in there with a solid defensive effort against Tom Brady and that high-powered offense in a 17-10 loss. Off of the defensive effort, the Bills could've, maybe should've, won this game against the Super Bowl champions.
9. (NEW) Chicago (3-1): The Bears have expectedly rebounded from that opening night loss at home to the Packers. The Bears' defense has tightened up, giving up just four touchdowns in the last three games. And Chase Daniel did tremendous work in the backup role after Mitchell Trubisky was knocked out by the Vikings. Daniel finished 22-of-30 passing for 195 yards and a TD pass to Tarik Cohen. But that defense -- the Bears may just be warming up as the second quarter of the season begins.
10. (5) Los Angeles Rams (3-1): That Rams' effort, especially on defense, should leave them walking around with their tails between their legs as no Super Bowl participant -- not even a bad team the year after going to the Big Game -- gave up more points in a game than these Rams did against the average Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing Jameis Winston to have the game of his life in a 55-40 loss at home, no less. For anyone who thought the Rams may be the team to beat in the NFC, you should have doubt about that after this performance Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for coming (dropping out of the Top 10): Detroit (2-1-1), Baltimore (2-2).
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