NFL Power Rankings: Week 4

Share This Post

Well, shit – we’re a bunch of football writers, so I guess we have to get in on the ‘NFL Power Rankings’ action. So, here we are. Your boy “Big Natural” is a major advocate of the Bill Parcells school of thinking in that ‘you are what your record says you are.’

With that in mind, my power rankings are going to be based on the body of work. I don’t care what you were supposed to do before the season started. Nor do I care what you could do in a potential matchup. I’m placing an emphasis on what teams have actually done.

NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 4

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) – The Chiefs are still the best team in the NFL after being tested by a solid Redskins squad. Kareem Hunt is running away with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and if you’re not opposed to giving the league MVP award to a rookie, could have that award as well. Teammate Alex Smith might have something to say about that, though. Andy Reid’s team is playing great in all phases of the game.

2. Denver Broncos (3-1) – Yeah, folks. I’ll say it. I’m looking around the rest of the NFL, and I don’t know who other than the Chiefs beats this team in the playoffs. Trevor Siemian is playing well. C.J. Anderson has looked rejuvenated, and that defense is the best in the AFC.

3. Detroit Lions (3-1) – Why is no one talking about what the Lions have done so far this season? This is one of if not the best defense in the entire NFL. Matthew Stafford, as usual, is putting the offense on his shoulders and proving his worth. They’re a 10-second runoff away from beating the Falcons and having a 4-0 record. We’ll find out if they’re for real over the next few weeks when they face Carolina, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay in succession. Through the first quarter, I’m willing to give them their due.

4. Atlanta Falcons (3-1) – Matt Ryan’s been throwing interceptions, and while many still consider the Falcons the best in the NFC, I’m a little skeptical. They should be 2-2, and theoretically, could be 1-3. That defense, which was supposed to be much improved, is allowing 22 points per game. Though they won the head-to-head, I like the Lions better right now.

5. Green Bay Packers (3-1) – Let’s face it, the NFL is wide open right now. There isn’t a lot of separation from #2 and #12 on this list. I’ve written it all season, and will probably write it again: as long as Aaron Rodgers is standing, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender. But, that defense will allow points if the opposing offense has any semblance of talent. Because of that, I still think it’s a bit of a liability.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) – I’ve tried….I’ve tried incredibly hard to hate on the Steelers this season. Just didn’t buy ’em….especially after losing to the Bears. But, they’re finding ways to win games, and that defense is incredibly underrated to this point. Plus, the rest of the AFC seems to be crumbling all around them.

7. Los Angeles Rams (3-1) – Who would’ve thought that through the first four games of the season, the Rams would have the most electric offense in all of football? If they had actually beaten anybody this season, they’d probably be in the top five. While that win over Dallas was impressive, I’m not going to put too much stock into wins over the Colts and 49ers. Eager to see what this team does against the Seahawks on Sunday. Todd Gurley has my vote for MVP so far.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) – They’re not dominating, but they’re winning. Plus, you look down their schedule, and the teams that really scare you (Carolina, Denver, Seattle) are pretty spread apart. This team doesn’t really have a tough stretch at all this season. They have the horses to hang with anybody in the NFL.

9. Buffalo Bills (3-1) – The Bills might not play the most exciting football, but hot damn is that defense good? By my estimation, it is the best in the NFL (though I will hear your arguments for the Lions and Broncos). They’re allowing a league-leading 13.5 points per game. Astonishing – and Tyrod Taylor has that offense scoring points. So far, I can’t believe I’m saying this, the Bills look like the best team in the AFC East.

10. Carolina Panthers (3-1) – The wins over Buffalo and New England have Carolina in the top 10, but I’m not ready to move past the Saints absolutely destroying them just a week ago. The Panthers offense isn’t what it was a couple of seasons ago, but the potential is there. I’m willing to say their defense puts them among the NFC contenders.

11. New England Patriots (2-2) – Listen, I’m not going to S the Patriots’ D just because they’re the Patriots. Tom Brady is having yet another excellent season, but this team has some serious problems on defense, and until that sorts itself out, there’s no way this team is beating an elite defense in the playoffs. Guess what – four of the best NFL defenses happen to reside in the AFC: Denver, Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh.

12. Washington Redskins (2-2) – Kirk Cousins and company put up a valiant effort against the Chiefs, but came up just short. Still, they should be just fine. That offense is explosive, and Greg Manusky seems to have given that defense some teeth. Come season’s end, they could be the best team in the NFC East.

13. Houston Texans (2-2) – If Deshaun Watson plays half as good as he did against the Titans on Sunday for the rest of the season, the AFC South belongs to the Texans. That was explosive offense and stifling defense. Factor in that the team nearly beat the Pats, and I’m starting to forget about the Jaguars drumming them in week one.

14. Oakland Raiders (2-2) – The Derek Carr injury is crushing to a team that was hoping to contend for a Super Bowl this year. More concerning, though, is how the defense has failed to live up to its talent so far. Without Carr, this team could be in for a free fall.

15. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) – Alright, folks. Looks like the Seahawks found their offense. Who would’ve thought when the season began that this first showdown between the Hawks and Rams could be a shootout? Seriously, you could set the over/under at 100 points, and I wouldn’t be surprised. Seattle could be a dangerous team if they continue to find their footing.

16. Dallas Cowboys
17. Minnesota Vikings
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. New Orleans Saints
20. Tennessee Titans
21. Baltimore Ravens
22. Arizona Cardinals
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
24. Cincinnati Bengals
25. New York Jets
26. Miami Dolphins
27. New York Giants
28. Los Angeles Chargers
29. San Francisco 49ers
30. Indianapolis Colts
31. Chicago Bears
32. Cleveland Browns

WEEK 4 PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Houston Texans
5. Denver Broncos
6. New England Patriots

NFC

1. Detroit Lions
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Carolina Panthers

Week 4 Super Bowl Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions

Catch y’all next week.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @WrestlingNewsCo