Baltimore Ravens

A Statistical NFL Power Ranking: Vikings Are On Top

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) reacts after being benched in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Forget what we think, this set of power rankings tells us what the number thinks:

The following NFL power ranking is not based on voting or opinions. The ranking comes from a formula created using the differential of six statistical categories that correlate to higher winning percentage. So what’s the formula? I take the differential of stats like Turnover percentage, scoring percentage, yards per play and four others. I input the stats, and the computer spits out the teams rating. The lower the number (some teams have negative ratings), the worse the team.

I personally charted this since the beginning of the season to make sure the formula produce a consistent ranking. While teams finish in position that initially look questionable, further research makes sense of most of the issues.

Anyway, let me know what you think in the comments down below. Hit me up on twitter @JasonBelschner. Enjoy the Power Rankings.

New York Jets

-116.91Almost a quarter of the Jets’ offensive drives end with a turnover. New York is the only team in the league under 100 points and other teams have had their bye week already. Fitzpatrick’s beard remains, but the magic is gone. Chan Gailey must be having flashbacks to his days with Fitzpatrick in Buffalo.31

Cleveland Browns

-88.66How is the only winless team not last? Well, this talent deficient roster plays hard every week and never quits. Coach Jackson gets this team ready to play. He has to feel a little vindicated by the play of rookie QB Cody Kessler and WR Terrell Pryor who looks like a superstar in the making.30

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

-71.94A team with this much young talent simply needs to play better; firing Lovie Smith appears to not be such a good idea. The Bucs managed to get two wins, but it may be a long time before we see another one. Dirk Koetter is not ready to be an NFL head coach.29

Chicago Bears

-69.91Brian Hoyer continues to show his ability to start in the NFL (well, if the league brought in three or four more teams). But then, the Bears allowed 17 points in the fourth quarter to the Jaguars continuing to prove their defensive ineptitude. 28

Jacksonville Jaguars

-52.85Jacksonville continues disappointing people this season. Just when you think the offense is primed to break out against a bad Bears defense, they put up goose eggs for the first three quarters. At least the defense is better than last year.27

San Francisco 49ers

-50.12A dominant week one performance against the Rams statistically buoys this team out of the bottom five but that won’t last long. With Navarro Bowman out, this becomes the most talent poor roster in the NFL.26

Cincinnati Bengals

-38.46The Bengals won the games we expected them to win, but they lost the rest. Their four losses came against Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas, and New England. I expect them to jump up since they host Cleveland this week.25

Carolina Panthers

-31.20Last season, Carolina dominated on defense which set up the offense for success. This season, offensives assault them weekly, and the offense leads the NFL in turnovers. Amazing the difference a year makes.Next: These Guys are Okay

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants

-27.90Even at 3-3, the Giants rank low because they fail to dominate their opponents. They only outscored their opponents by a combined 8 points in their three wins. Odell Beckham mauled the Ravens for 222 receiving yards, and the Giants still never pulled away.23

Miami Dolphins

-0.35The Dolphins rank surprisingly high on this list, but if you check their schedule, it’s not that shocking. A strong win against Pittsburgh, a good performance in a week one loss to Seattle, and a bunch of garbage stats against New England push them higher than they deserve.22

Houston Texans

0.24As the lowest rated four win team, Houston is not what their record indicates. Their lopsided losses to New England and Minnesota and the mediocre wins against Kansas City and Indianapolis prove this team is average at best. Brock Osweiler needs to prove he’s worth the contract that he signed.21

Los Angeles Rams

4.04Todd Gurley needs help. An offensive line, a quarterback, an offensive coordinator, ANYTHING to help this ridiculously talented kid average more than 2.9 yards a carry. At least the team squeaked out a few wins early, but this still seems like some “7-9 bull s**t.”20

Tennessee Titans

4.76DeMarco Murray is playing like DeMarco Murray of 2014. His yards per carry leaped over last years mark by a full yard. If Marcus Mariota slow down with the turnovers, this team might win a few more games.19

Indianapolis Colts

5.06See Rams post and change Todd Gurley to Andrew Luck. Another top tier talent getting wasted on a team who seemingly has no desire to win. Ryan Grigson absolutely dismantled the structural masterpiece Bill Polian engineered over 14 seasons.18

New Orleans Saints

17.36This past Sunday, the Saints and Panthers game must have had Sean Payton all hot and bothered. The Saints won a shootout 41-38. All offense, no defense. Buddy Ryan use to get flack for only coaching up one side of the ball. How does Payton keep getting extensions for the same thing?17

Detroit Lions

19.74Calvin Johnson retires and Matthew Stafford steps up to take over the team. Someone needed to tell Stafford to do that when he had one of the greatest talents in the history of the NFL playing with him. Oh well, still an average team with holes on defense.Next: Possible Playoff Contenders

Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks to pass against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers

27.15What is wrong with Aaron Rodgers? His numbers appear good, but watching him play, he isn’t the same guy. Hopefully, the coaching staff straightens out his mechanics, or the Packers might miss the playoffs for the first time since his first year as a starter.15

Baltimore Ravens

33.59After starting 3-0, the Ravens dropped their last three games. This weeks game against the Jets becomes a must win before they head into the bye week. The schedule gets pretty tough from here on out, and they need every win they can get.14

Washington Redskins

42.36Washington turned the year around with wins in their last four weeks. Credit the coaching staff who finds ways to win each week using different pieces of the team. Matt Jones and Kirk Cousins stand out on alternating weeks.13

Oakland Raiders

43.81This Raiders’ offense is fun to watch. If your a fan of offense, it fun to watch the Raiders’ defense too because they can’t stop anyone. They allow 6.9 yards per offensive play (last in the NFL). With the talent on this defense, there is no excuse for such poor performance.12

San Diego Chargers

48.55If the NFL stopped the Chargers games after the third quarter, they would be 4-2. Instead, fourth quarter collapses left them 2-4. Their consolation prize? Highest ranked losing team on this poll. I’m sure they don’t care, but it’s something. 11

Kansas City Chiefs

55.06Wow, three AFC West teams in a row. It looks like the best division in the NFL this year. The Chiefs manage to continue getting Ws on the board despite trotting out the most boring starting QB in the league. Thankfully, they have a plethora of running backs. 10

Atlanta Falcons

81.82Dat offense doe!!! Matt Ryan balls out every week, and it’s hard not too with Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Tevin Coleman, and Devonta Freeman. Now, someone tell the defense to catch up. They allow the fourth most points per drive (2.48) in the league.9

Pittsburgh Steelers

82.53This spot in the top ten will be taken by someone else since Ben Roethlisberger underwent surgery on his knee. He needs to get back sooner than later because Landry Jones can’t hold down the fort. How long until Le’Veon Bell starts taking direct snaps every play?Next: The teams other teams want to be when they grow up

Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) makes is way to the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos

86.19With the exception of the Atlanta game, the Broncos’ defense kept on turning. Just like last year, Denver needs better performance out of the QB position, but bad QB play won them the super bowl. Maybe that’s the winning formula.7

Seattle Seahawks

89.57Per usual, Seattle leads the league in total defense, and they’re third in scoring defense. But this year, an injured Russell Wilson caused the offense to look a little stagnant a few games. They’re still impossible to beat at home as the Falcons found out recently.6

Arizona Cardinals

94.79After limping out of the gate, Arizona bounced back in a big way. Two dominant wins in the last two weeks kept them ranked high on this list. Watching David Johnson is more fun than watching any other player in the league.5

Dallas Cowboys

140.43Tony Romo might get a ring sitting on the sidelines since Dak Prescott shows the NFL how good he really is. Romo can call the guy he use to back up, Drew Bledsoe, to find out how it feels to lose your job to injury.4

New England Patriots

148.28Another year and another trip to the playoffs for New England. Just mark it down. First round bye and a trip to the AFC Championship. Again. At some point, the NFL just needs to pull four random teams from the Patriots schedule out of a hat and award them the four Patriot losses. Brady and Belichick can skip the season and show up in January. 3

Philadelphia Eagles

149.12A 3-2 team is unlikely to be this high, but look at their games. They utterly destroyed their first three opponents then lost two close games on the road. Carson Wentz looks like the real deal, and I bet he starts winning those close games as the season moves forward.2

Buffalo Bills

150.86Rex Ryan went from the hot seat to the pent house. The Bills are flying high since firing their offensive coordinator, and it doesn’t look like anyone will stop them. Those pesky Patriots lead the division, but they get to play them at home in two weeks. October game with big playoff implications.1

Minnesota Vikings

184.25With all the injuries and all the doubters, Mike Zimmer still pushed this team to fight. Fight they have right to 5-0 record and possibly the best defense in the league. The offense doesn’t light the scoreboard on fire, but Minnesota committed exactly zero turnovers in the first five weeks.