NFL Power Rankings Week 4

After week 3 we are starting to see some teams emerge as great. 7 teams remain undefeated, 4 in the AFC and 3 in the NFC. Playoff teams from a year ago are 0-3 (Panthers, Titans and Dolphins) and considering their divisions are likely going to find themselves on the outside looking in come the end of the season. The Bungles are still shocking folks and clearly the Steelers have a huge target on their back. Needless to say the power rankings have some shaking up to do so lets get crackalackin'!

NFL Power Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens (1, 3-0)

We are on top of the world...STILL! The police have been on the lookout for a murderer in downtown Baltimore. Apparently a group of men was murdered by another group of men at M&T Bank Stadium. It was televised and everything. Oh wait that was just a poor display of football by the Browns who, thanks to us, will name a new QB (possibly) this week. Oh what 4 interceptions will do to a team's confidence. Is Bernie Kosar coming out of retirement?

2. Indianapolis Colts (2, 3-0)

Peyton Manning not only destroyed the Cardinals, he also owned me in fantasy football. For that I am upset. If you are a Colts fan you are happy to see the offense clicking on all cylinders even with young players like Garcon and Brown. Coaching changes apparently didn't phase them. They're still an elite team.

3. New Orleans Saints (4, 3-0)

Apparently Brees is NOT going to throw 3 TDs no matter who they play. However if they can't score when they pass, Pierre Thomas & Reggie Bush are going to get you in the running game. Winning a tough game on the road in Buffalo and holding T.O. without a catch, impressive. Their D might be alright after all.

4. Minnesota Vikings (6, 3-0)

Favre showed me he could win them a game when Peterson wouldn't/couldn't be an option. That play to end the game was ridiculous and completely unfair to the Niners. Who else but Favre could have threaded the needle like that from 50 yards away into the back of the end zone (so nearly 60 yards) to a guy he just started practicing with this week? Certainly not Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson.

5. New York Giants (7, 3-0)

Not only did they completely destroy the Bucs. They caused them to bench Leftwich for the following weeks game. That just means their D is nasty, posting their first shutout of the year of course helps spread that rumor. Manning is spreading it around, everyone is a target in the red zone. Plus Jacobs is trucking everyone. We'll see if they can keep this up.

6. New York Jets (8, 3-0)

Rex Ryan knows defense. His is the real deal. The Titans are a winless team due to a hard schedule not because they are a terrible team. So its not completely crazy that they scored the first touchdown on the Jets. In other news, Mark Sanchez for Mayor of New York talk has begun. Well, not really.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (11, 2-1)

McNabb will be back in two weeks. Honestly Kevin Kolb looks fine so why rush? Apparently when they don't play the Saints their D is good. Anyone could have told you that. Desean Jackson and Brent Celek are having starts to their season that are warranting Pro Bowl talk.

8. New England Patriots (9, 2-1)

Apparently their offense looked like that of a few years ago when they won Super Bowls. I'm not going to crown them that yet, its a long season. Brady was efficient and they won pretty easily against a strong Falcons team. They will be tested this week, we will see where they stand.

9. Atlanta Falcons (5, 2-1)

They didn't beat the Pats in New England. That is a tough task. The fact that Ryan threw no TDs (kills me in Fantasy) against a Pats D that has looked sub par at best the past two weeks is crazy. At least Turner ran well but so did the Pats. The D was worn out by Fred Taylor.

10. San Diego Chargers (10, 2-1)

Can't really move them up when they beat a team that they should have at home. After last week's tough loss they needed a victory heading into Pittsburgh next week. Hopefully they don't hurt Ben too bad since he's all booked up for Monday.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3, 1-2)

They fought hard and lost a tough game on the road, again. Cincy wanted this game more then them. A key drop in the end zone (big shock) by Sweed cost them. With that they might have had the game locked down. They have a big target on their chest and everyone is coming for them. Does anyone else think now is a good time for Big Ben to go host Monday Night Raw?

12. Chicago Bears (12, 2-1)

How do you let the Seahawks stay in a game without Matt Hasselback? I guess a win is a win but that was NOT impressive. How has Matt Forte not found the end zone yet?

13. Denver Broncos (26, 3-0)

I'm not completely sold on this team. They haven't beaten a good team yet (minus that fluke play against the Bengals). After seeing Carson Palmer shred the Steelers maybe their defense has improved. Shutting down the Raiders impresses no one. Orton has yet to turn the ball over and apparently all he does is win.

14. Green Bay Packers (15, 2-1)

Their only win I'm sold on is beating Chicago. Rodgers can clearly own a TERRIBLE defense, his stat line this week was ridiculous against the Rams. We'll see if his arm can do the talking on MNF against the Vikes. Favre VS Rodgers, IT'S ON!

15. San Francisco 49ers (19, 2-1)

Gore was out 99% of the game and they still almost pulled out a win. They were one "Favreian Comeback" away from winning that game. The defense is for real, Willis is a definite beast at MLB and considering Coffee (their backup RB) had a great preseason, scoop him up now Gore fantasy owners, they shouldn't miss TOO much on the offensive side of the ball. They are going to run the ball until it hurts (preferably not their star RB though).

16. Dallas Cowboys (13, 2-1)

How can they drop even though they won? That first half hurt to watch. Losing Felix Jones yet again(injured 3 times while only playing in 6 NFL games) doesn't help a hobbling backfield. They should have had that game in the bag by half time. There is no way they catch up to the G-Men or the Eagles in their own division.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (27, 2-1)

Did they just, no way, last second comeback to beat the defending Super Bowl champs? I'm sorry Merril, maybe I was wrong about these Bengals. D isn't looking bad, not Marvin Lewis worthy but not bad. Carson Palmer is in some kind of zone.

18. Tennessee Titans (17, 0-3)

The only 0-3 team I am concerned about. If they want the playoffs they are going to need to turn this around fast. In their division they can't go 0-4. Who would have thought they would be the worst team in their division at this point in the season? Not me!

19. Houston Texans (16, 1-2)

This week they remind us why people jumped off their bandwagon. Defense is vulnerable against...everything. Unfortunately they face a factor back 6 games out of the year so they are in trouble if they don't figure this out. Slaton needs to get going so the offense can eat up some clock to rest the defense.

20. Arizona Cardinals (14, 1-2)

Did you know they could get completely owned by the Colts? I mean the game was never close and they couldn't even run on them. Probably since they were down big early. If they want to keep up with the Niners they need to pick it up and win some games.

21. Buffalo Bills (21, 1-2)

Their D is still looking good, if you consider only giving up 27 to the Saints good(I do). They held Drew Brees without a TD pass, that is a rarity. Rushing defense, not so much. On the other side of the ball T.O. was held catchless for the first time in 185 games and says reporters instigated him to make negative comments about his teammates. Way to go Owens, blame the media!

22. Seattle Seahawks (20, 1-2)

Seneca Wallace looked okay, I mean he is no Hasselback but he will do. T.J. Houshmanzadeh on the other hand, not so much. It says more about Chicago that this game was kept so close considering the 'Hawks were without their starting QB.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (25, 1-2)

MJD activated beast mode against the Texans! HOORAY FOR MY FANTASY BENEFIT! When they aren't behind early they can actually run the ball. Then again, who can't run the ball on the Texans? I don't see them running too well on the Titans next week.

24. Carolina Panthers (22, 0-3)

The D CAN blitz. Who knew? Considering they only had done it 9 times the first two weeks combined. They had done that by the first quarter on Monday night. How do you not get any turnovers against the Cowboys? Delhomme's INTs aren't solely on him, Smith and Mohammed gave up on those routes. Also, didn't this used to be a running team? They can't run the ball 16 times and expect to win.

25. Detroit Lions (31, 1-2)

Good job guys you won a game. If you win one next week that is two in a row. Win again and that is called a winning streak, it has happened before. Offense is looking good, defense made some key stops. Hopefully they don't go 21 more months until they win again.

26. Miami Dolphins (18, 0-3)

They lost Chad Pennington for the season (possibly) and are replacing him with Tyler Thigpen(recent trade). Add to that they have the hardest schedule in the league this year and what do you get? A losing season.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (29, 0-3)

They looked better then last week but still look awful. So far their best game of the season was without Cassel under center.

28. Oakland Raiders (24, 1-2)

Defense is terrible against the run, offense is awful (how/why did this team cut Jeff Garcia). Without an offense they only have one part of the puzzle to win.

29. Washington Redskins (23, 1-2)

When you end a 21 month, 19 game losing streak and stimulate the area of Detroit...you deserve to drop. Redskin fans, do you know whats wrong with talking up your team before the season? Uh...TIMING!

30. St. Louis Rams (32, 0-3)

Want to improve your offense? Start Kyle Boller. No seriously. He has more TD passes then Bulger. Steven Jackson also has yet to find the end zone. Is anyone looking forward to the Nov. 1 meeting with the Lions? Rams fans are, they have no chance to win a game before then.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28, 0-3)

This team is falling to pieces. My guess is that this won't be the last time there is a QB change. Prediction, Josh Freeman is starting by week 10. Prediction for Freeman, pain.

32. Cleveland Browns (30, 0-3)

Time for a QB CONTROVERSYYYY! Honestly it doesn't matter. Remember when the Ravens were upset they didn't get Brady Quinn? Me neither.

Dare to compare mine to those at ESPN. Hopefully the Ravens can go for the trifecta of 3 weeks straight at number 1! We shall see, at 1PM on Sunday in Foxboro. Check it out and I will see you here next week! http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings?year=2009&week=4