NFL: 2013 Week 4 Power Rankings
Week 3 came with plenty of surprises, though the top teams refused to take part. Was anyone expecting the Giants to be this bad and can they turn it around? Will Jacksonville ever compete? How many more starting quarterbacks will be pulled before season's end? These are some of the many questions I have heading into the rest of the season. Let's take a look at this week's rankings.
32. New York Giants
1 of 32
Are they the worst team in the league? No. Have they played like it through three weeks? Yes. Even the Jaguars haven't been shut out this season.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
2 of 32
It's time to celebrate Jags fans, you're team isn't last! Not that they earned the move to 31, they just had a team out-do their awfulness. That offense is dreadful.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
3 of 32
Well, they kind of fought back against the Bears. And hey, they found a bright spot on offense! Antonio Brown had nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Now if only a running back could step up...
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.jpg?w=256 "Eagles Sirianni Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Ravens Browns Football")
29. Minnesota Vikings
4 of 32
A record of 0-3 and a loss to the supposedly "tanking" Cleveland Browns on Sunday. This is not where the Vikings expected to be after making the playoffs in 2012. Christian Ponder rushed for two touchdowns, but he just hasn't used his arm effectively.
28. Oakland Raiders
5 of 32
Darren McFadden threw a touchdown pass. Other than that, there was much excitement for the Raiders at Denver. Hopefully Terrelle Pryor's concussion isn't too serious; they need more time to evaluate him.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6 of 32
You never want to bench your starting quarterback after three games, but that is exactly what the Buccaneers are doing. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, rookie Mike Glennon will be starting in place of Josh Freeman this Sunday. After losing three straight to start the season and mustering only a field goal against the Patriots, it was time for a change.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
7 of 32
Turnovers are the reason doubters didn't trust Michael Vick in Chip Kelly's offense, and Vick made some costly ones in Week 3. Two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown by safety Eric Berry, hurt the offense. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come.
25. St. Louis Rams
8 of 32
The Rams looked like a team poised to take the next step after Week 1. Over the next two weeks, they were effectively blown out. That offense misses Steven Jackson.
24. Cleveland Browns
9 of 32
I thought they were supposed to be tanking? The difference between the offense with Brian Hoyer compared to Brandon Weeden is striking. Having Josh Gordon back helped.
23. Buffalo Bills
10 of 32
If E.J. Manuel and the Bills losing to Geno Smith and the New York Jets becomes a trend, the front office is going to be questioned plenty regarding their choice. For now, it is just one game, and Manuel continues to show potential.
22. Arizona Cardinals
11 of 32
The Cardinals offense did nothing Sunday, and the defense just sat and watched Drew Brees. Maybe Carson Palmer didn't improve this team?
21. Washington Redskins
12 of 32
Alfred Morris is running well and RGIII is throwing relatively well, so what's the problem? Turnovers and a defense that has given up nearly 500 yards a game have left the Redskins searching for their first win.
20. New York Jets
13 of 32
The Jets won the battle of rookie quarterbacks one week after hanging tough against the Patriots. Are they on the way back to the early Rex Ryan years?
19. San Diego Chargers
14 of 32
Both the Chargers' losses have been due to giving up fourth-quarter leads, and Phillip Rivers continues to play well. If this team can finish close games, they have the potential to make a playoff run.
18. Carolina Panthers
15 of 32
What is a good way to take out the frustration of two close losses to start the season? Cam Newton and company may say a 38-0 shutout of your opponent is helpful. That's exactly what they did to the hapless Giants on Sunday. Can they keep it up?
17. Tennessee Titans
16 of 32
Jake Locker played well, Chris Johnson played well and the Titans came out with their second win. With several teams looking for a receiver, they may want to try and get something for Kenny Britt.
16. Atlanta Falcons
17 of 32
They shouldn't have lost to the Dolphins; they have far more talent. They need to find a way to beat the teams that they should if they expect to make a Super Bowl run.
15. Detroit Lions
18 of 32
I feel a lot better about this team after pulling off a close win. Losing Nate Burleson is going to hurt; he had a nice day against Washington.
14. Houston Texans
19 of 32
I'm sorry to say it, but Matt Schaub is nothing more than a game manager. If the rushing game is struggling as it did in Baltimore, this team is going to have trouble winning.
13. Indianappolis Colts
20 of 32
I guess Ahmad Bradshaw doesn't want to lose his job to Trent Richardson. It was a nice day on the ground for the Colts. I didn't think their defense would do so well against Colin Kaepernick.
12. Miami Dolphins
21 of 32
The Dolphins are the most shocking of the undefeated teams after three weeks, but they don't have the same feel as the 2012 Cardinals. No, this is a team that's built to contend, especially if Ryan Tannehill keeps improving. What a jump he has made in his second year.
11. Dallas Cowboys
22 of 32
With Demarco Murray's 175 yards, the Cowboys have finally found a running game. If Murray can play well consistently, this will be a team to watch out for.
10. Green Bay Packers
23 of 32
Stop turning the ball over and get Aaron Rodgers an offensive line—that's the bottom line in Green Bay. The Packers will be fine in 2013, but if they protect Rodgers, they will be Super Bowl contenders until he retires.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
24 of 32
A statement win against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, that defense is for real. Andy Dalton has been a decent game manager so far.
8. Baltimore Ravens
25 of 32
This team was always going to come together eventually. It looks as if they may have figured it out. The defense has allowed five field goals and no touchdowns since giving up seven TDs in Week 1.
7. San Francisco 49ers
26 of 32
Maybe everyone was too quick to anoint Colin Kaepernick the next great quarterback. The Niners QB has completed just over 47 percent of his passes with four interceptions and no touchdowns over his last two starts. Has the league figured him out?
6. Kansas City Chiefs
27 of 32
We knew Andy Reid and Alex Smith would be good for the Chiefs, but did anyone expect him to be this good? I can't wait to watch them play Denver. Then we'll see if they truly stand among the league's elites.
5. Chicago Bears
28 of 32
Did you see the hit Jay Cutler put on Steelers cornerback Robert Golden? If not, watch it here. I've never seen a quarterback do that. It was a statement play in the Bears' third win—one that says they are going to fight for every inch.
4. New Orleans Saints
29 of 32
For a defense that was historically bad a year ago, they are playing pretty well. I told you when the season started that this was a playoff team. They're looking like a dangerous one at that.
3. New England Patriots
30 of 32
All this "sky is falling" talk and they're still undefeated. Maybe a 20-point win will impress the experts a little more.
2. Seattle Seahawks
31 of 32
It was a bye week for the Seahawks, and by that, I mean they got the Jaguars at home. Easy win right? Yep.
1. Denver Broncos
32 of 32
They came out and handled Oakland like they were expected to. It's early, but right now, Peyton Manning is the runaway leader in the MVP race.
As always, thanks for reading. All comments are appreciated, but if you are going to complain about a ranking, please give your reasoning behind the complaint.
You can follow me on Twitter @deg4.
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