Week four of the NFL season had tons of high drama. None of which were higher than the Sunday Night game in Foxboro. The dramatic homecoming of Tom Brady was the main attraction of the week, but there were other games of note in the NFL, including a pair of NFC West showdowns. Here are the power rankings after Week four of the NFL season.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) Prev: 32
For those of you keeping track at home, that is now 19 straight losses for the Jaguars. The only reason their play hasn’t been as much of a story this week is because of the antics of their head coach. Antics like this will likely lead Urban Meyer back to the unemployment line.
Team MVP: James Robinson (78 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Titans
31. Houston Texans (1-3) Prev: 30
To say Houston got their butts kicked by the Bills would be an understatement. Their offensive efforts were DREADFUL would be an understatement, as they just barely reached over 100 yards of total offense. Combine that with four Davis Mills turnovers, and you get a recipe for absolute disaster on the football field.
Team MVP: Lonnie Johnson Jr (8 tackles, INT)
Next: vs Patriots
30. Detroit Lions (0-4) Prev: 29
The new-look Detroit Lions have looked very similar to the old Detroit Lions through four weeks, as they are out to an 0-4 start. As easy as it is to put the blame all on Jared Goff, he hasn’t been that bad on paper. Every Lions loss has been a unique combination of things going wrong.
Team MVP: Khalif Raymond (3 rec, 46 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Vikings
29. Atlanta Falcons (1-3) Prev: 27
Death. Taxes. The Atlanta Falcons blowing leads. Once again, the Falcons found themselves up late, and once again the defense could not hold the lead. It seems Atlanta is destined to blow one score leads no matter who the opponent is.
Team MVP: Cordarrelle Patterson (34 yds, 5 rec, 82 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: vs Jets
28. New York Jets (1-3) Prev: 31
After being written off by fans across the league, Zach Wilson showed up big time to get the Jets their first win of the season. Games like this are what Wilson has the potential to do, but it is up to head coach Robert Saleh to call games as well as he did against the Titans to unlock that potential.
Team MVP: Zach Wilson (21/34, 297 yds, 2 TDs, INT)
Next: at Falcons
27. New York Giants (1-3) Prev: 28
The Jets weren’t the only team from New York to get their first win, as the Giants upset the Saints. Saquon Barkley looks like he just might be back from his run of injuries over the last few seasons. This can only be a good thing, as the NFL is better when its stars are performing to the best of their abilities.
Team MVP: Saquon Barkley (52 rush yds, TD, 5 rec, 74 yds, TD)
Next: at Cowboys
26. Chicago Bears (2-2) Prev: 26
Justin Fields was given the start again this week, and this one went a lot better than last week’s. Fields threw for over 200 yards, but the Bears are still failing to capitalize on Fields’ mobility. Matt Nagy did the same thing with his last quarterback who could run, and their entire offense suffered as a result.
Team MVP: David Montgomery (106 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Raiders
25. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) Prev: 24
The Eagles ran into an angry Kansas City team but still managed to keep pace on the scoreboard for a good amount of the game. The Chiefs eventually pulled away, but being able to hang with Kansas City is no easy feat. Their defense was eviscerated for almost 200 yards and three touchdowns by Tyreek Hill, though, and that will usually lead to a loss.
Team MVP: Devonta Smith (7 rec, 122 yds)
Next: at Panthers
24. Indianapolis Colts (1-3) Prev: 25
Indianapolis was finally able to get in the win column, with a win over Miami. Jonathan Taylor looked like the electric back he was last year, something he had yet to show this year. With limited passing game options, this offense should operate around Taylor.
Team MVP: Jonathan Taylor (103 yds, TD)
Next: at Ravens
23. Minnesota Vikings (1-3) Prev: 23
After an upset win over Seattle last week, Minnesota came back down to Earth this week, falling to the Browns. The offense had been electric for the first three games, but they were held to seven points by a Browns defense that was great in coverage. Minnesota looks like they may be a streaky team this season.
Team MVP: Justin Jefferson (6 rec, 84 yds, TD)
Next: vs Lions
22. New England Patriots (1-3) Prev: 21
If there’s one team that doesn’t count moral victories, it’s the New England Patriots. But their loss to Tampa Bay should be seen as a moral victory. In a game where the main storyline was Brady vs Belichick, it was Mac Jones who came away with the headlines. He played well against the blitz, which he had struggled with to this point in his career. That 1-3 record doesn’t look pretty, though.
Team MVP: Jakobi Meyers (8 rec, 70 yds, 2/2, 45 yds)
Next: at Texans
21. Miami Dolphins (1-3) Prev: 20
The Miami Dolphins miss Tua Tagovailoa. While Jacoby Brissett is great for a QB sneak, as a traditional quarterback there are better options. Miami was expected to take that next step forward this year, but they haven’t partly due to the health of their quarterback.
Team MVP: DeVante Parker (4 rec, 77 yds, TD)
Next: at Buccaneers
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) Prev: 19
The Pittsburgh Steelers are offensively inept. It’s sad when you see your running back run for 62 yards, and consider that a good day. It seems like if their opponents can score 20 points, they have a good chance to win.
Team MVP: TJ Watt (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs Broncos
19. Washington Football Team (2-2) Prev: 22
Taylor Heineke creates magic. Finding his team down in the fourth, Heineke was able to bring his team back to beat the Falcons. Washington may still be able to provide Dallas with competition for the NFC East crown yet.
Team MVP: Terry McLaurin (6 rec, 123 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Saints
18. Tennessee Titans (2-2) Prev: 16
If I were Tennessee, I would’ve given Derrick Henry the ball 50 times. They had no Julio Jones and no AJ Brown, but yet they still tried to throw instead of just feeding the best running back in the league. As a result, they gave the Jets their first win of the season. The offense will be fine, but the defense is going to need some serious work.
Team MVP: Derrick Henry (157 rush yds, TD)
Next: at Jaguars
17. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) Prev: 18
Cincinnati looks like they may be for real. They’re out to a 3-1 start, and Joe Burrow looks like he’s getting close to fully adapting to the NFL. With the Bengals, Ravens, and Browns in the division, the AFC North looks scary.
Team MVP: Joe Burrow (25/32, 348 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Packers
16. Dallas Cowboys (3-1) Prev: 17
How ’bout them Cowboys?! Dallas looks like they have a defense and Zeke is bouncing back. One name to keep your eyes on is Trevon Diggs, who has five interceptions in four games. If this keeps up, Dallas may have more than just the NFC East in their sights.
Team MVP: Ezekiel Elliot (143 yds, TD)
Next: vs Giants
15. Denver Broncos (3-1) Prev: 14
The streak is over for the Broncos, but that’s not their primary concern. Teddy Bridgewater left with a concussion, and Drew Lock is now back at quarterback. It’s a great opportunity for Lock, but who knows if anything will stick, as Bridgewater has been very impressive to this point.
Team MVP: Noah Fant (6 rec, 46 yds, TD)
Next: at Steelers
14. San Francisco 49ers (2-2) Prev: 13
The 49ers came up short in their first clash of the season with the Seahawks, but they also now have a QB injury. Jimmy Garopollo left with a calf issue, and Trey Lance is now in. The 49ers are very high on Lance, and the job may be his to win over the next few weeks.
Team MVP: Dee Ford (3 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: at Cardinals
13. Las Vegas Raiders (3-1) Prev: 12
The Raiders’ streak was snapped by the Chargers, who lit them up in the passing game. Three first-half passing touchdowns from Justin Herbert put them down big early, and despite showing some fight, the Raiders could not complete the comeback.
Team MVP: Darius Philon (3 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs Bears
12. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) Prev: 15
Brandon Staley may be a genius. LA’s defense played wonderfully, and Justin Herbert remains a stud. I may sound like a broken record, but FINALLY, the Chargers are living up to their potential, and now the AFC West is in big, big trouble.
Team MVP: Austin Ekeler (117 yds, TD, 3 rec, 28 yds, TD)
Next: vs Browns
11. Carolina Panthers (3-1) Prev: 11
Carolina suffered their first loss, but their offense still looked good. They have the NFL leader in rushing touchdowns, Sam Darnold. Christian McCaffrey who? The Panthers will look to shake this one off.
Team MVP: DJ Moore (8 rec, 113 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Eagles
10. New Orleans Saints (2-2) Prev: 9
New Orleans was upset by the Giants after a good win in Foxboro. We may need to get used to the inconsistency from New Orleans, something they didn’t have to worry about with Drew Brees under center.
Team MVP: Alvin Kamara (120 rush yds)
Next: at Washington
9. Green Bay Packers (3-1) Prev: 10
The Green Bay Packers’ demise was exaggerated. The Pack has picked up the slack over the last three weeks and looks like they may be coasting to another NFC North crown. They’ve also added Boston College alumn AJ Dillon to the fold in the running game, freeing up Aaron Jones to do more work in the passing game.
Team MVP: Eric Stokes (8 tackles, INT)
Next: at Bengals
8. Cleveland Browns (3-1) Prev: 8
Despite an awful performance from Baker Mayfield, the Browns’ defense and rushing attack won them the game against Minnesota. The running game and defense are good enough to win games, but Mayfield is what makes this team a contender. The first step is to get on the same page as Odell Beckham.
Team MVP: Nick Chubb (100 rush yds)
Next: at Chargers
7. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) Prev: 7
Lamar Jackson threw for over 300 yards against the Broncos. Not bad for a running back. The Ravens are still riding the momentum of their win over the Chiefs, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon.
Team MVP: Lamar Jackson (22/37, 316 yds, TD, 28 rush yds)
Next: vs Colts
6. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) Prev: 6
Russ cooked the 49ers for a Seahawks win. The highlight was an insane touchdown where he got out of what was a clear sack and then managed to throw a touchdown. Seattle still has work to do to get on the level of the Rams and Cardinals.
Team MVP: Quandre Diggs (7 tackles, INT)
Next: vs Rams
5. Buffalo Bills (3-1) Prev: 5
Buffalo is coasting in the AFC East right now. While the other three teams are at 1-3, the Bills are flying high at 3-1. Buffalo is still making their case for the best team in the AFC.
Team MVP: Tremaine Edmunds (6 tackles, INT)
Next: at Chiefs
4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) Prev: 4
Kansas City is just fine like we all thought it would be. Patrick Mahomes is still committing uncharacteristic turnovers, something that will likely stop sooner rather than later. The Cheifs will take back first place soon enough.
Team MVP: Tyreek Hill (11 rec, 186 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: vs Bills
3. Los Angeles Rams (3-1) Prev: 1
The Rams were flying high after their win over the Bucs, but they came crashing down after a loss to the Cardinals. Now they fall behind in the division race in a division where every in-division game counts. The Rams will likely bounce back next week.
Team MVP: Van Jefferson (6 rec, 90 yds, TD)
Next: at Seahawks
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) Prev: 2
In a game full of all kinds of emotions, Tom Brady’s Bucs were able to limp out with a win. Their secondary is now decimated, as they were forced to start Richard Sherman, who signed during that week, and still lost a corner and a safety. The Bucs’ pass defense is in serious trouble.
Team MVP: William Gholston (4 tackles, sack, 3 QB hits)
Next: vs Dolphins
1. Arizona Cardinals (4-0) Prev: 3
Arizona claims the top spot after winning a duel with Matt Stafford and the Rams. Kyler Murray has found himself at the center of MVP discussions, an award that he very well could win. With an explosive offense and emerging defense, the Cardinals are certainly a team to watch out for going forward.
Team MVP: Kyler Murray (24/32, 268 yds, 2 TDs, 39 rush yds)
Next: vs 49ers
