NFL Week 4 Power Rankings
by Alex "Moose" Strizak
Let's dive right into it! Here's a quick overview of my picks from Week 3
Even with some upsets across the ledger, not too shabby on the picks again. Minnesota beat Oakland with ease to help me survive another week which means it's time to pick my Survivor Pick of the Week! Just a reminder, I now cannot pick Dallas, New England, or Minnesota...
Week 4 has some even tougher matchups that will be tough to pick, but there wasn't much debate over my survivor pick for the week...
The Los Angeles Chargers over the Miami Dolphins are my Survivor Pick of the Week... and this isn't breaking news to pick against Miami, as the Chargers opened up as 17-point favorites... But there are some interesting side-notes like the fact the Chargers have to play an east coast 1 PM start time game that may have weather issues.
My only other options this week would be the Colts over the Raiders or the Rams hosting the Bucs, but I'll take my chances with a banged-up Chargers team versus a permanently scarred Dolphins team, as honestly, this would be the only week I'd pick them all year...
Another week, and with the temperature finally about to drop, the Top 10 of the Power Rankings did not budge.
Power Rankings
1. New England Patriots
Another week, another team bites the dust. The Patriots no longer have AB, but it's not much of a concern with how fluent their offense and defense look. All systems go for another division title and bye, unless we see a hiccup in Buffalo this week... Foreshadowing? No, because I'm picking New England in that game.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Cleveland fought hard, but the Rams got it done in a tough primetime road game. Their offense has been shaky. defense stellar. Look for McVay to make the proper adjustments and get the offense rolling again... Their division is no joke, so the Rams definitely don't have an easy road to a division title...
3. Kansas City Chiefs
A hard-fought win that actually raised a few concerns... They got absolutely scouted out the second-half, getting outscored 28-10. A few late "swing plays" as I call them decided the game and Kansas City survived a tough game against Baltimore. Look for Mahomes to face a tough front-line in Detroit, but I wouldn't be too concerned.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Another great showing and this time Kirk Cousins held his own. This team is absolutely legit and I have them getting it done against a tough Chicago team in Chicago's house... Bold? It shouldn't be, but I'll take you guys writing in to give me credit that I was right about this team (thank you for the ego boosts).
5. New Orleans Saints
They proved that they can win in a road-hostile environment without Drew Brees. This is why they were still a Top-5 team in last week's Power Rankings... because their defense and skill-players are very good, but does Bridgewater have what it takes to win a playoff game?... Saint fans better hope Brees is back in time to lead that game-winning drive.
6. Houston Texans
Houston is starting to show why they are still the front-runners for this division. They went in and took a win on the road against a potential playoff team (emphasis on potential, as they are overrated). But a win is a win.
7. Baltimore Ravens
What a showing. I'm so impressed how well Lamar Jackson and Harbaugh adjusted at halftime. The first time I saw this was against the Chargers in the playoffs, and both times they came close to pulling the comeback... The key now is to not fall behind early and then we have a dominant team on our hands.
8. Dallas Cowboys
They came out of the gates slow, but got the job done. Many will think they should move ahead of Baltimore this week, but Baltimore showed me that they can respond against a good team.
9. San Francisco 49ers
A tough win but somehow they survived 5 turnovers. It felt like every time I was waiting for Jimmy G to punch it in, they gave it right back! If you can win with 5+ turnovers, then they should be taken seriously as playoff contenders entering their bye-week this week.
10. Indianapolis Colts
They proved me wrong, again! Granted, they almost gave the game back, they got another tough win and are proving to me that they are legit... They have the Raiders this week? Easy...
11. Green Bay Packers +1
Their offense got off to a better start, but they didn't blow Denver out of the water. I still believe the Packers are going to hit a speed bump with a quick Thursday game against an angry Eagles team, then having to go to Dallas the week after, followed by a tough divisional game against the trending Lions.
12. Seattle Seahawks -1
Tough loss, as Russell Wilson did all he could. However, turnovers haunted Seattle and they couldn't capitalize on a few of the Saints mistakes... They should make up for it going into Arizona and getting a win this week.
13. Buffalo Bills +1
3-0 never felt so good... Well, I'm sure it might feel sweeter if it had happened to the Browns, but the Bills have earned it! They finally get the test we've all been waiting for, where they welcome the 3-0 Patriots into their building... Grab your popcorn and enjoy.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars +1
They are good! But are they better than Houston or Indy?... That's where I start to feel some doubt. They're going to Mile High this week and will need to take care of business to stay in the divisional race.
15. Detroit Lions +7
Who are these guys?... Oh yeah, the Detroit Lions... When they come up a half-game short of the playoffs because of that Week 1 Arizona game, don't say I didn't warn you...
16. Atlanta Falcons
Disappointed at first, but happy with the second half I saw. They just can't quite click, which means they are starting to drift out of a possible playoff spot...
17. Chicago Bears
I learned more about Chicago than Washington on Monday night... In that, the Bears were handed free footballs by the Washington offense and still didn't quite put the game away. The offense and defense remind me of the Jags team that fell short against New England in 2017: Great defense, just the offense seems to be holding them back.
18. Philadelphia Eagles -5
We mentioned this last week, but the Eagles have some serious holes in their game. Injuries have messed up the O-line and the defense doesn't look sharp. The NFC is a Free-For-All right now, with the Eagles on the outside looking in...
19. Tennessee Titans -1
Tough in-division loss... Now, they have to head to Atlanta to face an angry Falcons team... Might be another tough night..
20. Cleveland Browns
They fought their tails off and almost got it done. If it weren't for some questionable coaching decisions, they might've pulled it out! But... They didn't... Good luck to them as they go into Baltimore for what is arguably an even tougher game...
21. Los Angeles Chargers -2
They stayed in the game longer than I thought they would, but now they get a lucky cupcake on the schedule against Miami. They better take care of business or they risk becoming a laughing stock of the league for the year.
22. Carolina Panthers +6
Kyle Allen took the stage and got it done both on the field and in my Daily Fantasy lineups (Thanks, Kyle!) He'll face a much tougher opponent in Houston this week.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers -2
It's kind of a joke at this point. They get 5 turnovers with their revamped defense and still lose... If they can't get it done against Cincy, could we see an 0-6 Steelers facing an 0-6 Dolphins in Week 8? And if we do, I'd love to see the line on that Monday Night game (IF it stays a Monday Night game).
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1
They go out and break my heart. They looked like they'd grind it out and fell on their faces missing a sub-35 yard field goal... They have a long way to go and I may have gotten ahead of myself.
25. Arizona Cardinals
Another loss, but Kyler has looked solid without an offensive line. Imagine what he could do if he had one.
26. New York Giants +5
Yes, Daniel Jones played well. However, they 99% of the time lose that game on the field goal attempt. They won't have Saquan for weeks, they aren't a real threat in the NFC.
27. Oakland Raiders -3
Gruden and his Raidaaas have fallen below the Giants on the Power Rankings... What an interesting time! Good luck to them the rest of the way as they compete against Denver for last place and against Miami/Denver/Cincinnati for drafting a quarterback.
28. Denver Broncos -1
The defense hasn't recorded one sack through 3 whole weeks... I have as many NFL sacks this season as the entire Broncos team!... When your offense is below average, you NEED that defense to avoid being below mediocre.
29. Washington Redskins -3
There's obviously dysfunction in the Front Office and I hope Jay Gruden gets an opportunity with a franchise that actually wants to gameplan to win. He's a great coach caught in a franchise that is totally confused.
30. Cincinnati Bengals -1
They might actually sneak a win out this next week facing a totally lost Steelers team.
31. New York Jets -1
They just haven't even been competitive with all the injuries... It's sad, but this season is just about over for them.
32. Miami Dolphins
I don't think we've seen an NFL team tank this badly ever... The Chargers are 1-2 and yet are 17-point favorites on the road. That just speaks to how little respect the Dolphins are receiving, and rightfully so...
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