2020-2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 4
1.Kansas City Cheifs
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The Chief’s only scored 6 points in the first half against the Patriots on Monday. Luckily for them, they were playing against Brian Hoyer, and eventually, Jarret Stidham. The defense played well against the pats passing attack, but it was a complete mismatch. Nothing too impressive about this win, but it is a little concerning how much they struggled early.
2. Green Bay Packers
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The Green Bay Packers are still leading the NFL in points scored per game at 38 points per game after dismantling the Falcons on Monday night. Calvin Ridley, after having 2 games of 100+ receiving yards, was held to zero catches against the Packers young corner Jaire Alexander. The run defense also played better holding Todd Gurley to less than 80 yards.
3. Buffalo Bills
▲ 1
The Bills took care of a streaky Raiders team on Monday. Josh Allen continues to plant his name in the MVP conversation, and their defense improved against the run holding Josh Jacobs to less than 50 yards. It is worrisome they are struggling to run the ball considering that was their specialty last season, that being said, if Stefon Diggs and the passing attack continue to dominate they won’t need to run the football.
4. Baltimore Ravens
▲ 1
The Ravens needed to rebound after being humiliated by the Chiefs last week, and thankfully they ran up against a floundering Washington Football Team. They completely shut down Dwyane Haskins and the Washington offense not allowing any passing touchdowns. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens rushing attack dominated a really good front-seven for Washington.
5. Seattle Seahawks
▼2
The Seahawks keep winning, but have to score 30+ each week in order to stay undefeated. Russell Wilson finally threw his first interception of the season and seemed uncharacteristically inaccurate all game. Regardless, he still threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns. The defense got lucky and ran into a bad Fitzpatrick week and escaped with two interceptions.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
▲ 1
Unfortunately for the Steelers, they had an early bye week because of the Tennessee Titans COVID-19 outbreak. 14 straight weeks of football will be tough for this team. Hopefully there are no more setbacks.
7. Tennessee Titans
▲1
The Titans also had a bye-week because of the COVID-19 outbreak at their facility. They also broke league protocol and met outside of the facility, and luckily for them they avoided severe punishment.
8. Los Angeles Rams
▲1
The Rams struggled against a bad Giants team and only scored 17 points. They couldn’t run the ball and Jared Goff struggled to get the ball downfield. The Giants, though, only score 12 points per game. The Rams got away with having a bad game against a bad team.
9. New England Patriots
▼3
This team needs Cam Newton. The defense kept them in the game for three quarters, but because Hoyer and Stidham were so bad, they stayed on the field too long and looked gassed in the fourth. They did find what looks like a new workhorse running back in Damien Harris who rushed for 100 yards on 17 attempts.
10. New Orleans Saints
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The Saints finally won a game without Michael Thomas. Drew Brees, again, looked uncomfortable throwing the deep-ball, but Emmanuel Sanders had his best game as a Saint with 93 yards receiving. The defense also struggled against the Lions giving up 29 points. If this team wants to be considered one of the great teams, they need Michael Thomas to come back healthy.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
▲1
Tom Brady had his first monster game as a Buccaneer against the Chargers on Sunday. After being down 24-7 early, the Buccaneers, lead by Tom Brady, came back to win the game 38-31. Brady threw for 369 yards and five touchdowns to lead the comeback. Ronald Jones also had a breakout game with 111 yards rushing. If this is the team we get going forward, they will be dangerous.
12. Indianapolis Colts
▲2
The Colts have the best defense in the NFL so far. Their front-seven completely dominated the Bears rushing attack. They held the Bears to under 30 yards rushing in a tight-knit game. I love watching Philip Rivers trash talk opposing teams sidelines from his own sideline, especially when he doesn’t have a particularly good game himself.
13. Cleveland Browns
▲6
The Browns have the best rushing attack in the NFL through four weeks. They had four players rush for over 40 yards against the Cowboys, and that was with Nick Chubb being sidelined for most of the game. They led for 20+ points for most of the game until the Cowboys made a late surge in the fourth quarter. If they can continue to put up rushing numbers like this with Chubb sidelined, they will push Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North.
14. San Francisco 49ers
▼3
It’s difficult to keep punishing the 49ers for injuries, especially when they keep winning games. With that being said, they beat up on bad teams like the Jets and the Giants. This week, however, they were decidedly beat by a bad Eagles team. Hopefully this team can figure things out while dealing with major injuries.
15. Chicago Bears
▼2
The Bears offense struggled to do much of anything against the Colts strong defensive front. For Nick Foles to be successful with the Bears, they will need to figure out some type of running game. Despite the lack of running production, Foles did get on the same page with Allen Robinson who caught seven passes for 101 yards and one touchdown.
16. Las Vegas Raiders
▲2
The Raiders really struggle when they can’t run the ball or connect on their deep shots. Derek Carr had decent stats completing 32/44 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, but he could not connect on any of the deep shots to bring them back into the game. The Raiders run defense is playing well, but their lack of pass rush was exposed against Josh Allen and the Bills.
17. Miami Dolphins
▲4
Despite a horrible game from Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins had a good shot at winning this game and only lost by eight points to a really good Seattle team. The Dolphin Defense is getting better each week, and if FItzpatrick can find some type of consistency, this team is going to be a difficult out for any team they play.
18. Arizona Cardinals
▼3
The Cardinals are really struggling through the last two weeks against teams they should beat. First against Detroit and now against Carolina they struggled to stop either team from scoring points. Kyler Murray had a much better game this week throwing for three touchdowns, but it still was not enough points to get the win.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
▲1
Justin Herbert and the Chargers gave Tampa Bay everything they could handle. Herbert looks incredibly comfortable and is letting it rip any chance he gets. After going up 24-7 early, the defense struggled to stop Tampa Bay’s offense. It seems that the close game struggles and blown leads wasn’t all Philip Rivers fault.
20. Dallas Cowboys
▼4
The Cowboys cannot stop anyone defensively. After giving up 38 points to Seattle the week before, they give up 49 points to the Browns this week. Dak Prescott tried his best to keep the Cowboys in the game, but their defense could not stop the Browns in any way. It may be time for the Cowboys to move on from Mike Nolan because it isn’t working.
21. Minnesota Vikings
▲4
The Vikings finally get their first win against the Texans behind a 130 yard rushing performance from Dalvin Cook. Thielen and Jefferson also found their grooves both having 100+ receiving yards. The defense is still trying to find their footing, but is improving holding the Texans to less than 70 yards rushing.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
▲1
Joes Mixon finally has a breakout game and as a result the Bengals get their first win. Mixon ran for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Burrow threw for 300 yards and one touchdown. The defense still has lots of work to do, but did a good job limiting Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars.
23. Carolina Panthers
▲6
The Panthers are now 2-0 since McCaffery got hurt in week two. Mike Davis has filled in nicely in his absence averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Teddy Bridgewater is as stable as it gets at the quarterback position. The NFC south has two really good teams, and I can see the Panthers challenging both of them.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
▲4
The Eagles defense dominated and smothered the 49ers offense this week. Wentz began to look like his old self creating plays and escaping the pocket for big runs. He also found himself a new favorite target in Travis Fulgham with all of the injuries they have at the wide receiver position. If this team wants to stay in the mix for the NFC East, they will need to find some consistency on offense.
25. Detroit Lions
▼3
Matt Stafford really enjoyed having Kenny Golladay back in the line-up. Golladay finished the game with 62 yards and one touchdown. The Lions need to improve their running game with Swift, Johnson, and Peterson if they want to beat top-10 teams. Matt Patricia is getting a pretty long leash, considering how many games they’ve lost since hiring him, but his seat is getting hotter with each loss.
26. Houston Texans
▼9
The Texans can’t seem to do anything right this year. Offensively, they can’t create any positive plays without Watson’s brilliance. Defensively, their defense is lacking the talent they once had. I’m not sure what this team can do to turn around this season, but something needs to change.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jaguars seem to have lost all of their early season magic and are now coming back to earth. DJ Chark is quietly having one of the best seasons for a wide receiver. On Sunday, he had eight receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Laviska Shenult also showed flashes of his potential with 5 receptions for 86 yards. The Jaguars are a long way from another appearance in the AFC Championship game, but they’ve got some foundational pieces for the future.
28. Atlanta Falcons
▼4
The Falcons stood no chance against the Packers on Monday night. Not only are they struggling with injuries at almost every position, but they can’t seem to execute defensively or offensively. After Calvin Ridley had two historic games catching passes for 100+ yards in each, he was held to zero catches on Monday.
29. Washington Football Team
▼2
The Washington defense was torn apart by Baltimore’s explosive offense. Haskins didn’t play terribly, but he didn’t make any game changing plays to keep Washington in the game. That being said, he doesn’t deserve to be benched in week five for Kyle Allen. This defensive front sorely misses rookie standout Chase Young who is battling injuries.
30. Denver Broncos
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The Broncos desperately miss Drew Lock and Von Miller. Fortunately, Drew Lock will be back in the near future after an AC joint injury he suffered in week one. Melvin Gordon had his best game as a Bronco rushing for 100+ yards, and Juedy had his first touchdown “mossing” a defender on an underthrown ball by Rypien. The emergence of Tim Patrick is also a bright spot in a otherwise disappointing season for the Broncos.
31.New York Giants
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Daniel Jones needs to figure out how to not turn the ball over. Through his first 16 games in the NFL, he’s turned the ball over 29 times. Until he figures out how to make good decisions with the football I’m revoking the nickname Danny Dimes. The defense did give the Rams issues last week and is playing pretty well against the run.
32.New York Jets
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Free Sam Darnold.