NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

Yet another exciting week of NFL action and at the same, another week of shifting with my NFL Power Rankings. The shifts aren't nearly as dramatic as previous weeks though. That's because judging the teams is getting a lot easier as they become more consistent and get away from the sloppy play that comes with the beginning of a new season. There are still a few surprises among the 32 teams that I'm having a tough time believing but that's how it goes.

With the urging of my friend Luke, I have added an element to my power rankings that is probably long overdue. Instead of just going with my gut on Tuesday morning when I wake up, I will actually look back to the previous week and move teams as I see fit after that week's performance. It makes sense and while it makes for a bit more work/thinking than what I had been doing, it is something I think will make the power rankings better. Kudos Luke.
1. Indianapolis (4-0, Last Week: 2) - Everyone knows about the offense led by Peyton Manning. But watch out for this defense. They completely shut down Seattle's offense. Having a puss-rusher like Dwight Freeney helps. NEXT @ Tennessee

2. New England (3-1, LW: 4) - After wins over Atlanta and Baltimore, I think it's safe to say the Patriots are for real this season. The defense gave up a ton of yards to the Ravens but Brady and the offense did enough to win. NEXT @ Denver

3. Baltimore (3-1, LW: 3) - The Ravens gave the Pats all they could handle. Joe Flacco looked good against a quality defense and showed that he can hang with the big boys. The defense though couldn't stop the Pats pass attack when it mattered. NEXT vs. Cincinnati

4. Pittsburgh (2-2, LW: 5) - Forget about the 4th qtr of that Sunday night game against SD and the Steelers looked like the Super Bowl champs again. Add that 4th qtr and they prove they can win but their pass defense needs some serious work. NEXT @ Detroit

5. Denver (4-0, LW: 8) - Alright, I'm finally okay with saying this team is for real. The defense is pretty darn good and the offense, while led by Kyle Orton, doesn't really depend on him. Oughta be interesting to see them face the Pats though. NEXT vs. New England

6. NY Jets (3-1, LW: 3) - I don't think there's any argument about their defense anymore, giving up just offensive touchdown to the Saints. As for Mark Sanchez, welcome to the NFL. We'll see just how well he bounces back from that terrible performance. NEXT MON @ Miami

7. Cincinnati (3-1, LW: 7) - I'm not really sure how this team keeps winning but they do. It's hard to believe that this coming week they are playing for AFC North supremacy. Marvin Lewis may keep his job if they keep this up. NEXT @ Baltimore

8. San Diego (2-2, LW: 6) - The Chargers have plenty of talent but for some reason, can't put it together in a game for 60 minutes. The defense was awful against the Steelers while the offense didn't wake up until the 2nd half. They need to figure something out during the bye week. NEXT: Bye Week

9. Houston (2-2, LW: 10) - Beating the Raiders isn't worth a huge jump in the rankings. But mad props to their defense for keeping the Raiders to 6 points. The Texans defense is the only thing keeping them from being a playoff contender. NEXT @ Arizona

10. Jacksonville (2-2, LW: 12) - The last two weeks have been great for the Jags. The offense has found a new star in Mike Sims-Walker and the defense did a great job of not letting an early lead slip two weeks in a row. Not bad through 4 games. NEXT @ Seattle

11. Miami (1-3, LW: 13) - Apparently, all it took was a change at quarterback to get this offense going. Just kidding. Henne didn't have to do much. The running game took that game over. But they'll need to count on Henne at some point this year. NEXT MON vs. NY Jets

12. Buffalo (1-3, LW: 11) - They haven't shown much in the past two weeks, being outscored 55-17. So how does one recover from two bad games like that? How about playing the Cleveland Browns? That should help the Bills get back on track. NEXT vs. Cleveland

13. Tennessee (0-4, LW: 11) - It's tough to pin this loss on one player as many want to do with Kerry Collins. The defense has been atrocious the last 3 weeks, giving up 95 pts. A change to Vince Young may not bring wins but it would give him experience. NEXT vs. Indianapolis

14. Oakland (1-3, LW: 14) - It's too bad the Raiders cut Jeff Garcia because with him under center, this team may have won 6-7 games. But with Russell there and a banged up offensive line, this team is destined to have a top 5 pick once again. NEXT @ NY Giants

15. Kansas City (0-4, LW: 15) - Matt Cassel is playing well but it's tough to compete when your defense can't stop anyone. The offense also has no threat at runningback. Larry Johnson's best days are behind him and Jamaal Charles is still young. NEXT vs. DAL

16. Cleveland (0-4, LW: 16) - Derek Anderson played okay as did Jerome Harrison. But after overcoming a 14-0 deficit, the team couldn't stop a Carson Palmer drive to tie the ballgame and later win it. Just gonna be a long season in Believe-land. NEXT @ Buffalo.


1. New Orleans (4-0, LW: 1) - The remarkable TD pace Drew Brees was on has slowed but the odds of them winning the NFC just keep getting better, especially if that defense continues to menace QBs like they did to Mark Sanchez. NEXT: Bye Week

2. NY Giants (4-0, LW: 2) - For the first time this season, Brandon Jacobs made an impact in a ballgame. Of course, they were only playing the Chiefs so it wasn't important but it will be come week 6 when they face NO in what should be a battle of unbeatens. NEXT vs. Oakland

3. Minnesota (4-0, LW: 3) - Good performance against a good Green Bay team. Brett Favre showed he can carry the team when the run game cannot. But it's still the defense that drives this team, keeping teams from gaining any offensive rhythm for 60 minutes. NEXT @ St. Louis

4. Atlanta (2-1, LW: 4) - Best news from the bye week for them is that Jerious Norwood should be back and healthy, giving Matt Ryan and that offense just another threat. They'll need that as they take on one tough defense in SF. NEXT @ San Francisco

5. San Francisco (3-1, LW: 5) - The Rams aren't the toughest team to play but the 49ers defense made them just look silly. The offense played fine without Frank Gore and Shaun Hill has been solid at QB. Great test for them this week. NEXT vs. Atlanta

6. Philadelphia (2-1, LW: 6) - Donovan McNabb should be healthy after a few weeks off. That is great news for a team that could possibly be the best in the NFC with him under center. Will we see Michael Vick more or less now with McNabb back? NEXT vs. Tampa Bay

7. Chicago (3-1, LW: 8) - Jay Cutler had another great game and Matt Fotre helped the offensive attack as well, adding 121 yds. This team has looked great since the Week 1 loss. Too bad they are going into a bye week because they are hot right now. NEXT: Bye Week

8. Green Bay (2-2, LW: 7) - The Packers have great corners in Al Harris and Charles Woodson to stop a great pass attack. But the Packers couldn't get any pressure on Brett Favre. Any good QB will win that battle every time. NEXT: Bye Week

9. Dallas (2-2, LW: 9) - It's a shame this team has Tony Romo as their quarterback. Despite a solid rushing attack, a good offensive line and an aggressive defense, Romo continues to find ways to turn wins into losses. NEXT @ Kansas City

10. Arizona (1-2, LW: 10) - For Cardinals fans' sake, let's hope Kurt Warner and the offense reminded the defense that they have to not allow 35+ points if the team is going to win. Getting Beanie Wells involved this week is also important. NEXT vs. Houston

11. Seattle (1-3, LW: 11) - I continue to believe this team will struggle until Matt Hasselbeck comes back. He just makes smarts decisions that Seneca Wallace seems incapable of. The defense also must play better than last week against Indy. NEXT vs. Jacksonville

12. Washington (2-2, LW: 14) - For awhile, it looked like the Redskins were going to lose again to an awful team. But Jason Campbell rallied and the team evened their record. But is this team good? Not by a longshot. They have more problems than I can fit on this post. NEXT @ Carolina

13. Carolina (0-3, LW: 12) - Panthers fans have to be hoping the bye week allowed the team to watch video of them last year and remember how to win ballgames. It takes a dominating run game, few turnovers, and a defense able to slow down an opponent's offense. NEXT vs. Washington

14. Detroit (1-3, LW: 13) - The Lions had some fight in them in the first half. Then, in the second half, they looked like the Lions of 2008. Losing Matthew Stafford to injury isn't good, especially since he's been playing well the past 2 weeks. NEXT vs. Pittsburgh

15. Tampa Bay (0-4, LW: 15) - One has to wonder if this demise due to the firing of Jon Gruden. With Gruden, this team may be 2-2 and a Monte Kiffin-led defense is among the top 10. But with both gone now, this team looks to be in disarray. NEXT at Philadelphia

16. St. Louis (0-4, LW: 16) - San Fran made them look like a high school team. There's a lot of work to be done with this team. Among the first things on the list is find a competent quarterback because neither Bulger or Boller is gonna cut it in the NFL. NEXT vs. Minnesota