Power Rankings
Rankingologist: Z
Analysis: Arod, Z, Fallen
1. Los Angeles Rams (4-0) (LW:1): Rams will play the Falcons in what could arguably be the game of the week in the battle ot the unbeaten. Henderson continues his dominant rookie year week 4 as He goes for 167 and a score on the 49ers. My early pick for NDROY.
2. New England Patriots (4-0) (LW: 2): The Patriots are already 3-0 in their division after defeating the Bills in a close matchup this week. Despite having the 30th ranked passing offense, rookie quarterback Wimsatt has been very efficient this season. He adds another touchdown and turnover free game to his impressive resume.
3. Houston Texans (4-0) (LW:3): Houston dominates in the nation’s capital this week putting up 40 points. Malik Benson hauls in two touchdowns this week upping his total to 6 on the season. The Texans face a Bengals team next week that has been decimated with injuries, look for Houston to take advantage of Cincinnati’s misfortune.
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) (LW:4): Uncharted territory for Nef and the Falcons pits them in a primetime matchup against Cook and the Rams. Big chance for Nef to prove the Falcons are legit contenders in NFC.
5. Detroit Lions (3-1) (LW:6): The Lions defeat the Dolphins in dominating fashion 41-10. Free agent acquisition TE Dawson Knox made an immediate impact, catching 8 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns on the day. The Lions defense also forced 4 Drew Allar interceptions on the day. The Lions sit at 3-1, tied with the Vikings for the NFC North lead as they prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals in week 5.
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) (LW:7): Hats off to Z in mustering a win against the Chiefs on just 48 yards passing from Bo Nix. Walker turned out to he the star of the week going for 150+ yards with 4 touchdowns. If Seattle could knock off the Patriots this week you have to put them in the conversation for Super Bowl favorites this season.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) (LW:8): Lake McRee is the clean up hitter for Jacksonville. He hauls in the filth and has proven himself as a reliable third down target, while Luther Burden hauls in the flashy touchdowns. They’ve been dynamic for Trevor Lawrence and were a big part in Jacksonville’s blowout victory over the Colts this week.
8. New Orleans Saints (3-1) (LW:10): JC continues his dominance over the AFC North taking down the Steelers in blowout fashion just a week removed from destroying the Ravens. A full throttle JC is one tough nut to crack in the battle of supremacy in the NFC.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) (LW:12): Calvin Austin? That’s right, the 5’9” slot receiver led the Steelers this week with 7 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. Austin’s ceiling has been 6 touchdowns this cycle, but with 5 already on the season, expect for this to be a breakout season for him and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they cement themselves as the King of the North.
10. Minnesota Vikings (3-1) (LW:13): The Vikings defeated the Jets 41-31 this week. While he did have one interception on the day, Tua was surgical otherwise, completing 18 of his 23 passes for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns. When the passing game is rolling, it typically is a sign the rushing game is also working. Bucky Irving carried the ball 21 times for 196 yards and a touchdown as well. The Vikings seem to have found an early-season rhythm as they sit at 3-1 heading into Bears week.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) (LW:5): The Chiefs fell to the Seahawks this week 37-22. They turned the ball over 7 times on the day and never really seemed able to get their offense going on the day. The lone positive was Isiah Pacheco’s 15 carry-157 yard rushing performance. The Chiefs will look to bounce back next week as they host the Dolphins in Kansas City.
12. Green Bay Packers (2-2) (LW:9): The Packers fell this week to the Falcons 36-30. Jordan Love struggled mightily in the rain. He only completed 40% of his passes and threw 3 interceptions on the day. Jawhar Jordan was a bright spot on a rainy day, however, as he rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown. Hypemike may need to find a new kicker as Anders Carlson struggled once again, missing two kicks on the day. The Packers will travel to Washington next week to play the Commanders in what could be an early-season must win
13. Buffalo Bills (2-2) (LW:11): It feels like Groundhog Day with Josh Allen all over again. Allen, who had the cleanest game of his career last week, followed up with a three interception game in their loss to New England. Buffalo kept the game close despite the turnovers, and on a positive note, they have the second best defense against the rush this season. They’ll need that kind of caliber defense to contend for a playoff spot this season.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) (LW:14): The Raiders lose a tough game on the road in LA to their divisional foe Codes and the Chargers. Although you’re never happy with a loss, the Raiders are playing better as of late, with rookie running back Dylan Edwards having another prolific day. He rushed 26 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns. While Arch threw 2 interceptions on the day, he still completed 70% of his passes and threw two touchdowns as well. The Raiders will host the struggling 49ers next week.
15. Washington Commanders (2-2) (LW:15): The Commanders were dismantled by the Texans this week by a score of 40-10. While the game was close initially, it seemed as if the Commanders were a class below the Texans, as they began to press the issue when things started getting out of hand, leading to unforced mistakes. The Commanders have a tough matchup with the Packers in week 5.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) (LW:17): Cammy forced 4 interceptions and White ran for nearly 200 yards as the Bucs keep their season alive and well in a ground and pound victory. Is this identity that the Bucs need to remain in the win column? I kind of think so.
17. Carolina Panthers (2-2) (LW:18): Statement victory over Jefe and the Bears puts JT at .500. Can the Panthers remain at or over. 500 for the next 4 weeks before their showdown with the Saints?
18. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) (LW:19): The Eagles got back in the win column this week with a dominating 45-12 performance over the Dallas Cowboys. Although the offense stalled at times, their defense forced Dallas into bad decisions all day long. The Eagles still look primed to win the NFC East if they can beat the Commanders and win their out-of-division games. They travel to New York to play the Giants next week.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) (LW:22): The Bengals are experiencing an injury phenomenon that is known all too well by many other teams this season. Ja’Marr Chase is going to be out the next few games, but that opens up the targets for rookie receiver Nyck Harbor. It’s time to see what the rookie number one overall selection can really do. I expect him to get double digit targets until Chase returns to action.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) (LW: 25): The Chargers are on a two game win streak and are climbing the rankings on a weekly basis. Running back Raheim Sanders had a monster day, carrying the ball 21 times for 117 yards and 4 touchdowns on the day. While not completely mistake free, Justin Herbert threw for 334 yards and a touchdown on the day and completed over 67% of his passes. The AFC West is currently in a 4-way tie at 2-2, and the way things are trending, should come down to the end of the season.
21. Denver Broncos (2-2) (LW:28): Coach Cover 8 and the Broncos secure their second win in as many weeks in the league. Despite the roster not working to his benefit, the Broncos were able to put up 48 points on a tough Cardinals defense. Ty Johnson was also able to rush for 109 yards and a touchdown on the day. The Broncos have a chance to win their third game in a row as they host the Colts next week.
22. Cleveland Browns (1-3) (LW:16): Cleveland looked less than impressive this week despite forcing Joe Burrow to throw 4 interceptions. The Browns punted the ball 4 times and couldn’t get a consistent drive on offense. Daniel Jones is back in at the starting spot after Cam Jenkins fell off the face of the planet. You have to wonder if this team that was undefeated last season will even come close to making the playoffs this season.
23. Tennessee Titans (1-3) (LW:20):Malik Willis is the starter in Tennessee, but was anyone really expecting different results with a new quarterback? I wasn’t. Willis threw 5 interceptions and added another -13 yards on the ground. Willis has been neglected throughout the cycle, but is it too late to expect positive results out of him? The Titans have to figure it out.
24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3) (LW:21): The Cardinals are averaging a league low 23ppg and giving up a league high 41ppg. The numbers just dont align for Que as the hopeless cycle continues on.
25. New York Jets (1-3) (LW:23): The Jets allowed over 200 rushing yards to Minnesota this week and they have the 31st ranked rushing defense. This is a testament to how good of an ability ‘inside stuff’ is and how big of a loss it was to the Jets. New York is in the top 5 for passing defense, but they have to fix their front 7 immediately. 1-3 isn’t a good look for them, but it’s still a very long season to improve.
26. Dallas Cowboys (1-3) (LW:24): After an upset win in week 2, the Cowboys have lost two consecutive games, both to divisional opponents. While they boast a top 2 rushing attack, the passing game has been abysmal, with only 204 yards per game on average. They are also 31st in points allowed per game, 25th in total yards allowed per game, and 28th against the pass. None of these stats lead to winning football, and the Cowboys will have to address these issues if they hope to make a push for the NFC East in this final two seasons.
27. Chicago Bears (1-3) (LW:26): The Bears suffer a loss (the result will be force-win Panthers after 3 halftime disconnects). This drops them to 1-3 on the year and to last in the NFC North. They have a pivotal matchup awaiting them in week 5 as they host the Minnesota Vikings.
28. San Francisco 49ers (1-3) (LW:27): The good news is th4 49ers only lost by 31 and not 50 to the Rams. After playing the Rams 2 of 4 weeks, the finally have a chance week 5 to make a statement against a former SB winner KingMike. A few more Ls and the honeymoon period could be over quicker than he would have liked in SF.
29. New York Giants (1-3) (LW:29): The Giants suffered their third loss of the season in week 4, this time falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-24. Quinn Ewers put on a disaster-class, completing 52% of his passes for 267 yards and four interceptions. After a breakout week in week 3, De’andre Swift was held to under 100 yards rushing on the day and also fumbled. The Giants defense also gave up 233 yards on the ground, a week after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Chargers. If that wasn’t enough, newly acquired receiver Quentin Johnston also got injured during the game. Despite all this, New York finds themselves a game out of first place in the NFC East. They have a big matchup with the Eagles next week.
30. Baltimore Ravens (0-4) (LW:30): Baltimore has had their ups and downs this season, but a blowout loss to the Saints wasn’t expected, especially with how they’ve competed against playoff caliber teams this season. Lamar Jackson has to protect the football. He needs to be the leader of the offense and if the team is going to start winning, especially in the fourth quarter, he needs to make the plays that a 96 overall quarterback should be making.
31. Indianapolis Colts (0-3) (LW:31): If I told you Anthony Richardson completed 80% of his passes, you’d think that the Colts would have won a game, right? Wrong. Richardson completed 21 of his 26 passes and three of those went for interceptions. Those aside, Richardson played extremely well, not to mention that he was the team’s leading rusher. However, there’s no defense for the Colts right now, they might as well line up ghosts on the field.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-4) (LW:32): Back to Back 30 point losses for the Dolphins and this is getting ugly. De’Von Achane ran the ball 35 times.. you read that right. He must be made of steel because not once did he go down with an injury, but Miami might want to be careful about his usage moving forward.
