W2Mnet NFL Power Rankings: Week Four

The play on the field in the National Football League continues to surprise each week. It started with the Cincinnati Bengals defeating the Miami Dolphins in a defensive battle. Then, just like last week, Sunday’s play brought about more of the league’s parody. It’s hard to imagine anyone thinking the Buffalo Bills would shutout the New England Patriots. Furthermore, the absolute drubbing the Pittsburgh Steelers put on the Kansas City Chiefs in prime time on Sunday night. The Minnesota Vikings stalwart defense continues to flourish as they shutdown the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. This once again gave the staff a hard time making the Week Four W2Mnet NFL Power Rankings, but hey, someone had to do it.

#1 Denver Broncos

Record: 4-0 (Last Week: 2)

The Denver Broncos did exactly what they were expected to do by having their defense stifle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, getting sacks and turnovers, while the Denver offense took advantage of the opportunities that the defense gave them and put points on the board. Unfortunately, Trevor Siemian suffered a separated non-throwing shoulder and Paxton Lynch finished up the weather delayed game. Time will tell if Siemian or Lynch start this week against a powerful Atlanta Falcons team. – Daniel Anderson

(Next Week: vs. Atlanta Falcons)

#2 Minnesota Vikings

Record: 4-0 (Last Week: 3)

The Vikings continued their dominance with a Monday Night 24-10 win over the New York Giants. Sam Bradford played very well with 262 yards and a touchdown, which went to tight end Kyle Rudolph. Jerrick McKinnon helped fill the void of former Most Valuable Player Adrian Peterson with 85 rush yards and a touchdown. The defense once again played great, with Xavier Rhodes recording an interception. Another great performance by the Vikings has to led to them becoming favorites in the NFC. – Noah Mooney

(Next Week: vs. Houston Texans)

#3 Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 3-0 (Last Week: 4)

The Philadelphia Eagles had a BYE in Week 4 of the NFL season. Next week, the Eagles will travel to Detroit to face the Lions. It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia continues to play at the high level they have been in their excellent start to the year. – Gary Vaughan

(Next Week: @ Detroit Lions)

#4 New England Patriots

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 1)

Finally the Patriots showed that they are indeed human after all. After three games of defying the odds without Tom Brady, The Patriots were unable to get anything going against Buffalo. Even with the rough loss, New England goes into Week 5 extremely happy. Not many believed the Patriots would start the season 3-1 before getting Brady back, but they are in an amazing position to run away with the AFC East title once again. – Randy Isbelle

(Next Week: @ Cleveland Browns)

#5 Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 9)

The Steelers looked nothing like last week’s no-show team, handing the Chiefs a 43-14 blowout loss that was never in doubt. LeVeon Bell’s return was as advertised, as the formerly suspended running back ran for 144 yards and averaged eight yards per carry. Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers, and the defense held Kansas City in check throughout most of the night. Next week, The Steelers welcome a struggling Jets team to Heinz field. Right now, the Steelers finds themselves tied atop the AFC North with Baltimore at 3-1. – Mike Mitchell

(Next Week: vs. NY Jets)

#6 Green Bay Packers

Record: 2-1 (Last Week: 5)

The Green Bay Packers had an early bye, but look to get things going next Sunday night against the New York Giants. – Randy Isbelle

(Next Week: vs. New York Giants)

#7 Seattle Seahawks

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 8)

Russell Wilson played on two bad legs, but showed that he is just as good in the pocket as he is scrambling around. Wilson dissected the New York Jets secondary for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-17 win on the road. The Seattle Seahawks enter their bye week at the perfect time as they have injuries at several key positions. None more important than Wilson, who will use this time off time to rest those legs that have been banged up in nearly every game this season. If he is able to find mobility again this season, and can continue to show the accuracy in the pocket, Wilson just might be the best quarterback in the league. – Randy Isbelle

(Next Week: BYE)

#8 Atlanta Falcons

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 16)

This was a huge week for the Atlanta Falcons. They are leading the division and showed that their offense is as powerful as everyone thought it was. Fantasy owners of Julio Jones cheered when he ended up with 12 receptions for 300 yards against the Carolina Panthers. Matt Ryan putting up a 500 yard passing performance as well. Next week, the Falcons face a Denver defense that will probably not give up 500 passing yards. If the Falcons can beat Denver next week they will prove that they are a team to be taken seriously in the whole NFL, not just in the NFC South. – Daniel Anderson

(Next Week: @ Denver Broncos)

#9 Dallas Cowboys

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 10)

The Dallas Cowboys came into their match-up against the San Francisco 49ers without star wide receiver Dez Bryant and two of their starting offensive lineman. Despite that, the Cowboys overcame an early 14 point deficit with two touchdowns before halftime. Dak Prescott continued to prove himself as he lead the offense past adversity. Ezekiel Elliott nabbed another hundred yard game, as the Cowboys running offense kept pressure off of Prescott. Once again, the Cowboys defense bent but did not break. Overall, the Dallas Cowboys are beating the odds by winning without their key players; while their young players are stepping up to the challenge. – Gary Vaughan

(Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

#10 Oakland Raiders

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 13)

The Oakland Raiders continue to win in thrilling fashion with late scores. This time, it comes on a beautiful pass from Derek Carr to Michael Crabtree to move to 3-0 on the road and 3-1 on the season. The game winning score, was one of Carr’s four touchdowns on the day. The Raiders defense seems to be improving, as they only gave up 12 points over three quarters. However, in the fourth quarter they allowed two touchdown scores in less than four minutes and it almost cost them. This may not be the way fans expected the Raiders to be winning games, but I’m sure they will take them either way. Perhaps they have more in common with Las Vegas than they think, especially the way they keep taking big gambles. – Sean Garmer

(Next Week: vs. San Diego Chargers)

#11 Houston Texans

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 14)

After being dismantled by the Patriots last Thursday, the Houston Texans bouncing back was expected. In fact, they had a 17-3 lead in the second quarter, thanks to two quick touchdown throws by Brock Osweiler. However, with the good, also comes the bad of Brock Osweiler. Osweiler goes on to throw two interceptions, which didn’t help the cause. The Titans would come back and tie the game twice. Thankfully for the Texans, they have the trump card that is Will Fuller. His 67 yard punt return for a TD sealed a hard fought victory to take them to 3-1 on the year. Their next game against the Minnesota Vikings should be very interesting. – Sean Garmer

(Next Week: @ Minnesota Vikings)

#12 Los Angeles Rams

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 17)

Head Coach Jeff Fisher‘s team upset the Arizona Cardinals 17-13 for their third straight win this past Sunday. After starting the season with low expectations, and not starting their first overall pick at quarterback, the Los Angeles Rams are starting to turn some heads. Case Keenum is playing the best football of his professional career, with a performance of 266 pass yards and two touchdowns. Brian Quick caught both touchdowns as Kenny Britt had the most reception yards with 82. The defense forced three interceptions and accounted for the same number of sacks. The Rams came out on top of another close game, as their relocation back to Los Angeles has been a success thus far. – Noah Mooney

(Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Rams)

#13 Baltimore Ravens

Record: 3-1 (Last Week: 6)

The Baltimore Ravens dropped a tough game to the Raiders, overcoming a nine point fourth quarter deficit, only to lose on a late touchdown pass from Derek Carr, who threw four against the Ravens secondary. Terrance West ran the ball well after Justin Forsett was a healthy scratch. With the return of Kenneth Dixon expected next week, it will be interesting after West’s big game to see who the Ravens like going forward. The loss dropped Baltimore into a first place tie at 3-1 with rival Pittsburgh. – Mike Mitchell

(Next Week: vs. Washington Redskins)

#14 Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 2-2 (Last Week: 18)

The Bengals got the ball to their best playmaker A.J. Green early and often. Green had a monster effort with 173 yards and a TD, and the visiting Dolphins had no answer. The Bengals defense shut down Miami aside from a long passing touchdown in the first quarter. The return of Vontaze Burfict from suspension seemed to energize a struggling defense that had been inconsistent coming into this game. Cincinnati’s lack of consistency in the running game is still a concern however, and they will need to improve there if they want to contend for the AFC North title again. – Mike Mitchell

(Next Week: @ Dallas Cowboys)

#15 New York Giants

Record: 2-2 (Last Week: 11)

After starting the season off strong the G-Men are on a downward spiral that they need to halt before it’s too late. The latest drop comes at the hands of the red-hot Minnesota Vikings, who beat the Giants 24-10 on Monday night. The focus and domination of Odell Beckham continues, with the Vikings holding him to just three catches and 23 yards. The Giants need to look elsewhere and get Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard more involved if they have any hope of staying in contention this year. – Brandon Biskobing

(Next Week: @ Green Bay Packers)

#16 Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 2-2 (Last Week: 7)

After annihilating the New York Jets last week, the Kansas City Chiefs got a dose of their own medicine. The Steelers punched the Chiefs in the mouth early and jumped out to a quick 22-0 lead. The game was virtually over after that. Credit to Kansas City for continuing to play and putting up some points, but nothing positive came from a total blowout on Sunday night, other than Jamaal Charles making his season debut in this game and now he and The Chiefs get to rest for a week. – Sean Garmer

(Next Week: BYE)

#17 Buffalo Bills

Record: 2-2 (Last Week: 24)

No one called the Buffalo Bills blanking New England. But that’s exactly what happened here. The Bills offense took the Patriots defense out of it and the Bills defense forced turnovers and kept LeGarrette Blount in check as well. Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy were efficient and the Bills surprisingly sit only one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East at 2-2. The Bills are now undefeated since getting rid of former Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman. Amazing how crazy decisions just work sometimes. – Sean Garmer

(Next Week: @ Los Angeles Rams)

#18 Washington Redskins

Record: 2-2 (Last Week: 20)

The Washington Redskins jumped on the Cleveland Browns with two first quarter touchdowns. Then, the Redskins gave up all their momentum by halftime. It was not until the fourth quarter that the Redskins pulled away with the victory. Jordan Reed had a great game for Washington with nine receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Norman nabbed a key interception to seal the game. Overall, the Redskins are playing well, but still are not playing to the level expected prior to this season.- Gary Vaughan

(Next Week: vs. Baltimore Ravens)

#19 Carolina Panthers

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 12)

The Carolina Panthers simply could not stop Matt Ryan or Julio Jones. The two combined for 500 yards passing and 300 yards receiving and decimated the Panthers secondary while setting team and NFL records along the way. Cam Newton was knocked out of the game with a potential concussion, and Derek Anderson led a valiant comeback effort in the 4th quarter, but didn’t get any help from the defense. Worse yet, the Panthers now drop two games behind the Falcons, and have a head to head loss. They will need to handle their business against the seemingly inferior Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints the next two weeks. But the Super Bowl runner up hangover that has plagued so many teams in the past appears to have 1-3 Carolina firmly in its grips right now, giving serious concerns for this team moving forward. Mike Mitchell

(Next Week: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

#20 Arizona Cardinals

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 15)

The Arizona Cardinals continue their shockingly poor start to the season, this week losing to the Rams to fall to 1-3. Carson Palmer had a decent day, throwing for 288 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception. Especially with the shockingly good start to the season the Rams have had, the Cardinals really need to start getting some wins if they hope to stay in contention for the playoffs. – Brandon Biskobing

(Next Week: @ San Francisco 49ers)

#21 New York Jets

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 19)

Another disappointing loss for the New York Jets who continue through their extremely difficult early season schedule. They were completely outmatched on both sides of the ball on Sunday and did everything they could to keep it close. The loss of Eric Decker will be a tough one to overcome but Quincy Enunwa will do what he can to fill the void. – Randy Isbelle

(Next Week: @ Steelers)

#22 Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 29)

It only took a trip to London, England for the Jacksonville Jaguars to get their first win. Blake Bortles avoided turning the ball over and T. J. Yeldon moved the ball effectively on the ground. The defense is still struggling to live up to preseason expectations, but a big divisional win could help spark a run for Jacksonville. – Randy Isbelle

(Next Week: BYE)

#23 Indianapolis Colts

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 21)

Going across the pond didn’t help the Indianapolis Colts figure out their problems. The Colts fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-27 in the NFL’s first game in London this season. Andrew Luck had a mediocre performance with 234 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Frank Gore ran for a touchdown along with 68 yards as he continues to defy age. Phillip Dorsett had a 64 yard touchdown catch, as T.Y. Hilton also accounted for a TD catch. However, the defense couldn’t contain the Jaguars offense as the Colts now fall to 1-3, one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far. – Noah Mooney

(Next Week: vs. Chicago Bears)

#24 San Diego Chargers

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 23)

The San Diego Chargers had a high scoring affair with the New Orleans Saints. It was the Chargers who took control of the first half. Though, the second half was a different story. We saw the Chargers lose the turnover battle in the second half, which gave the Saints more opportunities to score. Philip Rivers had a decent day with a pair of touchdowns and 321 yards passing. Melvin Gordon scored a couple touchdowns as well, but had an awful day rushing. San Diego will need to get past a disappointing loss to get back on track against division rival Oakland. – Gary Vaughan

(Next Week: @ Oakland Raiders)

#25 Tennessee Titans

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 25)

The Tennessee Titans fought hard against a Watt-less Houston team. The Titans had a chance to make some noise in the division by beating Houston, but fell just short. Tennessee faces Miami next week in a game that will be interesting to see if they can continue their overall offensive improvement. This Titan defense will keep Tennessee in most games, but the offense has to play better. – Daniel Anderson

(Next Week: @ Miami Dolphins)

#26 New Orleans Saints

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 30)

The New Orleans Saints beat an injury-riddled Chargers team for their first win. That is not to take anything away from the Saints, because they played a great game. Drew Brees played well returning to San Diego, where he started his career, and coming away with a win. The Saints have a bye this upcoming week to rest and try and get their defensive issues sorted out. – Daniel Anderson

(Next Week: BYE)

#27 Chicago Bears

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 31)

Go and play the lottery, the Chicago Bears won a football game. Not only that, but they won their first game at home in over a year. This is also their first against the Lions in three years. Brian Hoyer showed once again how dependable of a backup he is in the Bears 17-14 win with 302 yards along with two touchdowns. However, the best story of the day came in the form of rookie running back Jordan Howard, who had 23 rush attempts for 111 yards in his first career NFL start. Eddie Royal had his best game in a Bears uniform with seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Stafford helped with a poor performance and dysfunction with his receivers. The Bears now prepare for a date next Sunday with Andrew Luck and the Colts. – Noah Mooney

(Next Week: @ Indianapolis Colts)

#28 Detroit Lions

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 22)

The lack of a running game has quickly re-appeared for the Detroit Lions, as they lose on the road to the lowly Bears. With their next five games against .500 or better clubs, this was a game they had to have. The offense sputtered repeatedly after Dwayne Washington exited early, and Matthew Stafford had difficulty making plays down the field after the big performance from Marvin Jones last week. After a promising start to the season, the Lions are quickly regressing to the same old Detroit we’ve grown accustomed to. – Mike Mitchell

(Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

#29 Miami Dolphins

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 27)

The Miami Dolphins had a 7-3 lead at one point in the first quarter off a 74 yard pass from Ryan Tannehill to Kenny Stills. However, those would be the only points Miami would score the entire game. The offensive woes continue for a team coached by Adam Gase. The defense was not to blame at all here, after the first quarter, they held the Bengals to four field goals over the last three quarters. Ryan Tannehill also threw an interception and a paltry 189 yards, while Jay Ajayi could get nothing going in the running game either. The Dolphins have their next four games all at home against four tough defenses. Hopefully for the Dolphins, those games aren’t similar to this one. – Sean Garmer

(Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans)

#30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 26)

After looking strong Week 1, the Bucs are now looking more and more like the team everyone expected to see out of the gate. Despite losing Trevor Siemian, the Broncos were able to easily beat the Bucs in Tampa Bay. Jameis Winston threw two interceptions in the game, which continues his lackluster sophomore season. – Brandon Biskobing

(Next Week: vs. Carolina Panthers)

#31 San Francisco 49ers

Record: 1-3 (Last Week: 28)

The San Francisco 49ers lost a hard fought game against the Cowboys 24-17. After taking the lead in the first quarter they gave the lead up in the second and had to try to play catch up for the rest of the game, to no avail. – Brandon Biskobing

(Next Week: vs. Arizona Cardinals)

#32 Cleveland Browns

Record: 0-4 (Last Week: 32)

The Cleveland Browns faced off against the Washington Redskins last Sunday. We saw the Browns get down early, but stormed back to make it a game at halftime. Cody Kessler played very average, as Isaiah Crowell ran for over 100 yards and a touchdown. It was a fourth quarter without any points that ended the Browns hopes of getting a victory. The Cleveland Browns are struggling to get a win, as their team deals with injuries and inexperienced players.- Gary Vaughan

(Next Week: vs. New England Patriots)

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