National Football League

NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Vikings crack the top 3

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Week 3 of the 2016 NFL season was tremendous. There were some great games and fantastic finishes. Where does your favorite team rank after their game?

Week 3 of the NFL season was filled with exciting and stunning games. I don’t think anyone saw the Cardinals losing at the Bills, or the Eagles beating the Steelers 34-3. After these crazy games it’s time to get back to work and rank all 32 teams.

Going into the NFL’s week 4 there are significant injuries for multiple teams. J.J. Watt looks like he might miss the season, Dez Bryant is likely out a few weeks, Jeremy Langford is out 4-6 weeks, Eric Decker has an injured shoulder, etc.

There are a bunch of injuries that could impact teams. However, LeVeon Bell will be making his return for the Steelers after serving his suspension to start the year. The Patriots are in an odd quarterback situation for this week. Both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett are hurt, and rumors are circulating that Julian Edelman may play quarterback. Well, that’s not going to happen even though everyone would want to see that.

Alright, enough news, let’s start ranking with a team that finds ways to win no matter what:

New England Patriots

27-0 vs. Texans

Last week: 3-0Last rank: 1

The Patriots are incredible. Only they could go into a game against a good Texans team and win 27-0. Absolutely incredible. Bill Belichick is a fantastic coach and they are definitely the top team in the league right now. I wonder what they will look like when Tom Brady gets back? The NFL is in trouble.2

Denver Bronocs

29-17 @ Bengals

Last week: 3-0Last rank: 2

The Broncos impressive win over the Bengals showed that they are no joke. Trevor Siemian can play. The Broncos are a tough task for anyone, and with good QB play they will be a top 5 team all season.3

Minnesota Vikings

22-10 @ Panthers

Last week: 3-0Last rank: 6

The Vikings defense is unbelievable. This defense might be better than Denver’s. The Vikings have just beaten Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton. They are contenders.4

Philadelphia Eagles

34-3 vs. Steelers

Last week: 3-0Last rank: 13

Carson Wentz is playing like anything but a rookie. I keep waiting for him to have a rough game, but he won’t! This Eagles team is very good, with a great D, but I still don’t know if I’m convinced.5

Green Bay Packers

34-27 vs. Detroit

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 10

The Packers won a close game against Detroit after taking a huge first half lead. Aaron Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns in one half. The comeback is concerning, but the Packers looked a lot better this week offensively. They head into their bye with three games at home after.6

Kansas City Chiefs

24-3 vs. Jets

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 11

The Chiefs made a statement in their dominating 24-3 win over the Jets. The Chiefs turned the Jets over 8 times, two of which ended in scores. Jamaal Charles may be out again this week.7

Seattle Seahawks

37-18

Last week: 14Last rank: 14

The Seahawks reemerged this week, beating the 49ers 37-18. The Russell Wilson situation looks like it will be okay, but Seahawks fans got nervous.8

Carolina Panthers

10-22 vs. Vikings

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 4

The Panthers were swarmed by a ferocious Vikings D. Carolina has played the two best defenses in the league in two of their three games to start the season. This is why they will be okay.Next: Power Rankings: #9 through #169

Pittsburgh Steelers

3-34 @ Eagles

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 3

The Steelers were slaughtered 34-3 in Philly. No one saw this coming, and Pittsburgh never got into the flow of the game. LeVeon Bell returns this week.10

Cincinnati Bengals

17-29 vs. Bronocs

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 8

The Bengals lost 29-17 to the Denver Broncos in a game where Trevor Siemian threw for 4 touchdowns. Cincinnati has lost their past two games. However, it’s been to Pittsburgh and Denver.11

Arizona Cardinals

18-33 @ Bills

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 5

The Cardinals are one game away from plummeting in the rankings. I’m leaving them up here for this week, but if they don’t beat the Rams at home, see ya.12

Houston Texans

0-27 @ Patriots

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 7

The Texans were embarrassed in New England. They were crushed in a game against a third string quarterback. Watt’s gone for most of, if not the season, so things won’t get any easier in Houston.13

Baltimore Ravens

19-17 @ Jaguars

Last week: 3-0Last rank: 17

The Ravens keep winning. It’s not been pretty, but they’re getting the job done.14

Dallas Cowboys

31-17 vs. Bears

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 15

The Cowboys have found a replacement. Dak Prescott is pretty good, and this is a young team. Dez Bryant is injured at the moment, but this team will compete for the division. An interesting quarterback controversy could be on the horizon.15

New York Jets

3-24 @ Chiefs

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 9

The Jets looked pitiful in Arrowhead. A week earlier Ryan Fitzpatrick was throwing darts; last week he was throwing ducks: six interceptions. The Jets will go as far as he takes them.16

New York Giants

27-29 vs. Redskins

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 12

The Giants almost won another game that went down to the wire. Their next two games are Monday Night in Minnesota and Sunday Night in Green Bay. Yikes.Next: Power Rankings: #17 through #2417

Atlanta Falcons

45-32 @ Saints

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 18

The Falcons put on an offensive clinic against the Saints. They have two very talented running backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. They may make a run for the NFC South. The defense must improve.18

Oakland Raiders

17-10 @ Titans

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 19

The Raiders are back to their winning ways after taking down Tennessee. The Raiders have a very talented offense and the defense finally stepped up.19

Los Angeles Rams

37-32 @ Buccaneers

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 30

The Rams are in first place. Yes, the Los Angeles Rams who lost 28-0 on MNF to start the season are in first place in the NFC West. I don’t know how they are doing it, but they’re in first place. Props to Case Keenum for scoring 37 points and beating two good teams in a row.20

Indianapolis Colts

26-22 vs. Chargers

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 21

The Colts won a toughly contested game against the Chargers. Indianapolis has lost two games this year that they had a chance to win. They are absolutely in contention for the division.21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

32-37 vs. Rams

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 16

The Buccaneers are a good team. It’s surprising to see the them lose there last two games. Arizona was a tough game, but 40-7. Then almost everyone thought they would beat Los Angeles at home, but no. This is a huge game against Denver, and Carolina is next.22

Buffalo Bills

33-18 vs. Cardinals

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 29

The Bills stunned everyone with their incredible performance against the Cardinals. If they beat New England they will be in the mix again.23

Washington Redskins

29-27 @ Giants

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 28

You like that! The Redskins won a game they absolutely had to have. They had a few great interceptions and kept their season alive.24

Miami Dolphins

30-24

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 23

The Dolphins should have lost, let’s get that out of the way. But they didn’t. Miami got away with one. Maybe this will kick start their season?Next: Power Rankings: #25 through #3225

San Diego Chargers

22-26 @ Colts

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 20

The Chargers almost got out of Indianapolis with a win. Manti Te’o is out for the season with a torn Achilles.26

New Orleans Saints

32-47

Last week: 0-3Last rank: 22

The Saints have lost three relatively close games. They could be 2-1 at this point. However, they sit at 0-3 and face a must-win at San Diego.27

Detroit Lions

27-34 @ Packers

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 26

Detroit was on the verge of an epic comeback. After being down 31-3 the Lions clawed back to get the score to 27-34 with 3:34 left. The Lions lost the game, but the comeback was an encouraging sign. Marvin Jones might be the number one receiver.28

Tennessee Titans

17-10

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 24

The Titans nearly completed the comeback but came up short against the Raiders. This is a young team and they will only get better.29

Jacksonville Jaguars

17-19 vs. Ravens

Last week: 0-3Last rank: 25

The Jaguars lost a closely contested game vs. the Ravens. Jacksonville was a popular pick to make the playoffs this year, but that seems to have faded. Next week week they head to London to play the Colts.30

San Francisco 49ers

18-37

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 27

The 49ers have lost their past two games by a lot. The Panthers game was relatively close, this one was not. They have to beat Dallas.31

Cleveland Browns

24-30 @ Dolphins

Last week: 0-3Last rank: 32

Cleveland’s up one! The Browns should have beat Miami if not for a missed field goal. The Browns can’t catch a break. Terrelle Pryor looked good, and Josh Gordon is coming back soon.32

Chicago Bears

17-31 @ Cowboys

Last week: 0-3Last rank: 31

Week 4 of the NFL season is going to be great. There are going to be some fantastic games and a lot of points. With some big division games set to be played we should get a good idea of how some divisions may turn out. The five undefeated teams look to continue their streaks. If you disagree with any of the rankings feel free to roast me in the comments.