Four weeks in, here is where everyone stands for the rest of the season.
1. New England Patriots (3–1) | Last week: #1
Yes, they just lost. But they get maybe the best player in the league back from his suspension. The Patriots are not a team you want to bet against.
2. Minneosta Vikings (4–0) | Last week: #2
Another week, another great performance for the Vikings. The defense shut down the Giants offense for the most part, and the offense is playing mistake-free and putting up some points—even without a good running game.
3. Green Bay Packers (2–1) | Last week: #3
Coming off their bye, the Packers will face the New York Giants on SNF in Lambeau. Aaron Rodgers off the bye should be a recipe for success this Sunday night. Some people may disagree with the Packers being higher than a few other teams…but they have Aaron Rodgers.
4. Denver Broncos (4–0) | Last week: #5 (up 1)
The Broncos defense has been really good again this year, but their offense has been doing their part as well, putting up 27.75 points per game so far. The Falcons will be traveling to Mile High this week in what should be the game of the week.
5. Atlanta Falcons (3–1) | Last week: #7 (up 2)
Last week, we wrote “It can’t be overstated how good the Falcons offense has looked so far this year.” Seriously, it can’t be overstated. They have been so multiple and tough to stop. Matt Ryan leads the NFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating, while averaging a whopping 10.5 yards per attempt. The Falcons will have a really big test in Denver this Sunday, though.
6. Seattle Seahawks (3–1) | Last week: #10 (up 4)
Russell Wilson is simply a magician. He is banged up and couldn’t use his legs like usual, so instead he just picked apart the Jets defense. With #3 on the field, Seattle always has a chance. They’ll head into their Week 5 bye, giving time for Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and others to heal up.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (3–1) | Last week : #8 (up 1)
That’s more like it. Le’Veon Bell returned and made a big impact, with 178 total yards against the Chiefs. “Juice” is an integral part of the Steelers offense, which will be tough for anyone to stop as long as Ben Roethlisberger, Bell, and Antonio Brown stay healthy.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (2–2) | Last week: #4 (down 4)
The Chiefs would have had to play a nearly flawless game to beat the Steelers on Sunday night. Of course, they didn’t. Instead, they got blown out and dropped to 2–2. They’ll recoup during the bye week.
9. Oakland Raiders (3–1) | Last week: #13 (up 4)
Oakland got a huge win over the Ravens in Baltimore. Michael Crabtree looks as good as ever, and scored three touchdowns in Week 4. The Raiders only loss is to the soaring Atlanta Falcons.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3–0) | Last week: #14 (up 4)
Carson Wentz enjoyed some hunting during the Eagles’ early bye week. Now, Wentz and the Birds are back to work to travel to Detroit and face the Lions this week.
11. Baltimore Ravens (3–1) | Last week: #6 (down 5)
The Ravens suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of Derek Carr and the Raiders. They’ll look to make sure the losing streak isn’t extended to two when the Redskins make the short trip to Baltimore this week. Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon will likely return for the Ravens this week and give the offense a new weapon.
12. Houston Texans (3–1) | Last week: #11 (down 1)
Will Fuller is doing it all for the Texans. Despite DeAndre Hopkins being held to one catch for four yards, the Texans still put up 27 points. Fuller was a big part of that, with a receiving and punt return touchdown against the Titans. However, J.J. Watt is out for the season, which downgrades the Texans a bit. They could still make some noise if Osweiler and the offense steps up.
13. Los Angeles Rams (3–1) | Last week: #19 (up 6)
The Rams keep jumping up the power rankings. After a terrible Week 1 shutout by the talent-deficient 49ers, the Rams have rattled off three straight including wins over the divison-rival Seahawks and Cardinals. Week 1 is a perfect example of why you don’t overreact to one game (which we did).
14. Arizona Cardinals (1–3) | Last week: #9 (down 5)
Arizona is has way too many good players and coaches to not turn this around. Carson Palmer (concussion) may not play this Thursday night against the 49ers, but the Cardinals need to take care of business against a 49ers team that just lost NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) for the season.
15. Carolina Panthers (1–3) | Last week: #12 (down 3)
The Panthers simply haven’t looked the same as last year so far. They started off well in the opening game, but since the first half of that game they’ve struggled. Julio Jones and the Falcons just embarrassed their defense. Cam Newton was concussed because he tried to nonchalantly jog into the endzone. This is about as bad a start as you could expect for this team, but they’ll get to come back home to face the Bucs on MNF this week.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (2–2) | Last week: #15 (down 1)
The Bengals will be in the mix all season long, but they don’t really seem like they’ll be able to make any legitimate Super Bowl run. For some reason, this is a team that leaves something to be desired.
17. Washington Redskins (2–2) | Last week: #17
Cleveland kept it close for a while, but eventually the Redskins pulled away for a 31–20 win over the Browns. They go to Baltimore to face the Ravens, in what would be a huge win if they could pull it off.
18. Dallas Cowboys (3–1) | Last week: #18
Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and the Cowboys were able to get a close win over the 49ers, even without Dez Bryant. Granted, the officials did give them some calls throughout the game. Nevertheless, The Cowboys improved to 3–1 and still have yet to play the division leader Eagles.
19. Buffalo Bills (2–2) | Last week: #29 (up 10)
The Bills make the biggest jump in the rankings this week. They shutout the Patriots in Foxborough. Yes, the Pats were without Brady, and Gronkowski was less than 100%, but a win (let alone a shutout) in Foxborough is far from easy. They’ll try to keep it up against the streaking LA Rams this week.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (1–3) | Last week: #23 (up 3)
Finally, the Jags are in the win column. They just had to travel out of the country to get it done. It was a needed win for Gus Bradley and the Jaguars. Now they get a Week 5 bye and will return in Week 6 to try and keep things going.
21. Indianapolis Colts (1–3) | Last week: #16 (down 5)
Andrew Luck can only do so much. When he’s given time by his offensive line, he’s almost unstoppable. It was too little, too late against the Jaguars, though, after they fell behind early and didn’t get things going until later in the game.
22. New Orleans Saints (1–3) | Last week: #25 (up 3)
Drew Brees and the Saints were able to get on the board with a win over the Chargers. There are still a lot of divisional games to be played, so don’t count out the Saints—they have 12 games left!
23. New York Giants (2–2) | Last week: #20 (down 3)
You can just feel that Odell Beckham is ready to explode, one way or another. He’s either going to go off for a huge game, or go off on another tantrum. Having to travel to Lambeau this Sunday night, it may be the latter.
24. New York Jets (1–3) | Last week: #21 (down 6)
The Jets have no shot if the quarterback is going to throw nine interceptions in two games. The ’85 Bears would not be able to make up for nine interceptions. It may be Geno Smith time pretty soon. Remember, Geno’s last five games have been above average and he was going to be the Jets’ starter last year if he didn’t break his jaw.
25. San Diego Chargers (1–3) | Last week: #22 (down 3)
San Diego pretty much gave the game away to the Saints in Week 4. They fumbled in consecutive drives in their own territory during the fourth quarter. There are no must-wins yet, but the Chargers have a crucial game this week against their division-rival Raiders.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1–3) | Last week: #24 (down 2)
Jameis Winston has struggled this year, throwing eight interceptions already. He needs to stop turning the ball over if the Bucs are going to have a chance to compete the way some people thought they would before the season.
27. San Francisco 49ers (1–3) | Last week: #26 (down 1)
The 49ers lost probably their best player, NaVorro Bowman, for the season due to an Achilles injury. The difference was noticeable when he left the game against the Cowboys. With a short week, the 49ers will try to stay out of last place in the NFC West against the Cardinals.
28. Tennesse Titans (1–3) | Last week: #28
The Titans have had really close losses in their three losses. Marcus Mariota, like Jameis Winston, has struggled so far this year. He should be able to turn it around, and when he does, the Titans should be able to win more of these close games instead of losing them.
29. Detroit Lions (1–3) | Last week: #27 (down 2)
We didn’t think there was any chance the Lions would lose to the Bears. Matthew Stafford lit them up last year, and the Bears defense has been injured this year. The Eagles will travel to Detroit this week, and Matthew Stafford will try to turn it around against a defense that has played great so far (but are vulnerable at corner).
30. Miami Dolphins (1–3) | Last week: #30
The Dolphins offense couldn’t do anything against the Bengals last Thursday night. The offense would get a boost if Arian Foster returns, but it may be unlikely that he returns this week.
31. Chicago Bears (1–3) | Last week: #31
John Fox and the Bears got their first win of the season over the Lions in Week 4. Brian Hoyer played really well, and Jordan Howard looks the part of an impact player so far. They’ll travel to Indy to face the Colts in Week 5.
32. Cleveland Browns (0–4) | Last week: #32
The Browns are the lone winless team remaining. Let’s just say that probably won’t end this week against New England.