NFL Power Rankings: Week 4 Expert Consensus from Around the Web

After an exciting Week 3, the portion of the NFL schedule with bye weeks is about to begin. Some teams can really use the extra week to heal injuries, others may not want a break from current hot streaks. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have been arguably the most dominant team in the NFL thus far. Not only are the Bengals one of three undefeated teams in the league, the defense has held opponents to just 11 points per game.

After three impressive performances, where do the Bengals rank amongst the elite teams in the NFL? Depends on whom you ask.

After surfing the net to see the opinions of three NFL experts, it seems that only one believes the Bengals deserve the top spot in the power rankings. The other two were more impressed by the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl rematch against the Denver Broncos.

Here's a breakdown of the power rankings by Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports, Mark Maske of The Washington Post and USA Today Sports.

Just beneath the table is a look at the power rankings from yours truly.

Rank	Mark Maske of Washington Post	USA Today Sports	Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports
1	Cincinnati Bengals	Seattle Seahawks	Seattle Seahawks
2	Philadelphia Eagles	Cincinnati Bengals	Denver Broncos
3	Arizona Cardinals	Denver Broncos	Cincinnati Bengals
4	San Diego Chargers	Philadelphia Eagles	New England Patriots
5	New England Patriots	Arizona Cardinals	Philadelphia Eagles
6	Seattle Seahawks	San Diego Chargers	Arizona Cardinals
7	Denver Broncos	New England Patriots	Indianapolis Colts
8	Chicago Bears	Chicago Bears	Carolina Panthers
9	Baltimore Ravens	Baltimore Ravens	New Orleans Saints
10	Detroit Lions	(tie) San Francisco 49ers	Green Bay Packers
11	Indianapolis Colts	(tie) Indianapolis Colts	San Diego Chargers
12	Pittsburgh Steelers	Carolina Panthers	Detroit Lions
13	Atlanta Falcons	Atlanta Falcons	Chicago Bears
14	Carolina Panthers	Pittsburgh Steelers	San Francisco 49ers
15	Green Bay Packers	Detroit Lions	Atlanta Falcons
16	Dallas Cowboys	New Orleans Saints	Baltimore Ravens
17	Buffalo Bills	Green Bay Packers	Pittsburgh Steelers
18	San Francisco 49ers	Buffalo Bills	Buffalo Bills
19	New Orleans Saints	Dallas Cowboys	New York Jets
20	New York Giants	Houston Texans	Dallas Cowboys
21	Kansas City Chiefs	New York Jets	Miami Dolphins
22	Houston Texans	Washington	Houston Texans
23	Washington	Miami Dolphins	Tennessee Titans
24	St. Louis Rams	Kansas City Chiefs	Cleveland Browns
25	Miami Dolphins	New York Giants	Kansas City Chiefs
26	New York Jets	Cleveland Browns	Minnesota Vikings
27	Cleveland Browns	Tennessee Titans	St. Louis Rams
28	Minnesota Vikings	Minnesota Vikings	Washington
29	Tennessee Titans	St. Louis Rams	New York Giants
30	Oakland Raiders	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jacksonville Jaguars
31	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Oakland Raiders
32	Jacksonville Jaguars	Oakland Raiders	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)

David Goldman/Associated Press

After being walloped 56-14 on Thursday night by the Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs have to be considered the worst team in the league. Their effort was truly embarrassing.

31. Oakland Raiders (0-3)

What's the difference between the Bucs and the Raiders? At least Oakland's defense has played well in two of its three games. The Raiders held the New England Patriots to just 16 points in defeat. Oakland's offense is just so harmless, it makes it tough to win.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)

The Jags get a leg up on the other winless squads because of their Week 1 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sure, they blew a big lead, but that stretch was enough to imply that Gus Bradley's team is the best of the winless squads.

29. St. Louis Rams (1-2)

Injuries have reduced Jeff Fisher's squad to rubble early in the season. Without defensive leader Chris Long and quarterback Sam Bradford, the Rams are trying to find their identity.

When you consider the Rams' only win was a two-point nail-biter over the Bucs, St. Louis has been the least impressive squad with one win.

28. Tennessee Titans (1-2)

Perhaps the Titans deserve a pass after being held to seven points by the Bengals in Week 3, but there's really no excuse for their 10-point output against the Dallas Cowboys the week before.

With the possibility that the team could be without Jake Locker in Week 4, per Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk, things aren't exactly looking up for the Titans.

27. Miami Dolphins (1-2)

After a strong showing in a Week 1 upset of the Patriots, the Dolphins have reverted back to their 2013 struggles. Specifically, the offensive line has begun to serve Ryan Tannehill to the sharks again. Last year, Tannehill was sacked more than any other quarterback in the league.

The Fins allowed just one sack to New England, but Tannehill has been sacked four times in each of the Dolphins' last two games. It's no coincidence that both of those games were losses.

26. New York Jets (1-2)

Geno Smith still has a ways to go before the New York Jets can truly depend on him to carry their team. On Monday night, the Jets' defense made the Chicago Bears a one-dimensional team. All-world running back Matt Forte was stuffed and the Bears found it difficult to move the ball consistently.

Smith and the offense failed to take advantage of a banged-up Bears' defense. Two ill-advised throws led to interceptions and squashed the Jets' hopes of winning.

25. Green Bay Packers (1-2)

Yes, Green Bay has perhaps the game's best player in Aaron Rodgers. But could it be that the team's 1-2 record means it simply isn't very good this year?

Green Bay's lone win this season came at home against the Jets. It only won that game by seven points and the Jets had a chance to at least send it into overtime in the fourth quarter.

24. New York Giants (1-2)

The Giants' blueprint toward respectability was written in Week 3. This team has to lean on the running game and Eli Manning has to protect the ball. After a 176-yard performance from Rashad Jennings and an interception-free game from Manning, the Giants found the win column for the first time.

Can they make it two in a two against Washington?

23. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)

Kansas City's defense feasted on Tannehill in Week 3. Perhaps that was exactly what the team needed to get on track on defensively.

The offense also responded without its star performer. Despite playing without star running back Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs put up 34 points against Miami.

K.C. will face a tough test in Week 4 when the Patriots come to town. New England has won the last two regular-season meetings between the teams.

22. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Colin Kaepernick is throwing the ball too often. Perhaps that sounds strange when discussing an NFL quarterback, but his 31 pass attempts per game is a sign that the 49ers are getting away from what they do best, and that's run the football.

With rookie Carlos Hyde in place to complement Frank Gore, the Niners have the pieces to pound the rock and control time of possession.

San Francisco is facing a must-win situation at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. A loss would drop them to 1-3 and that's a death wish in a division with the Seattle Seahawks and the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.

21. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)

Considering the mounds of distractions his team has had to deal with this season, new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't done a bad job.

He's now faced with having to start rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, after Matt Cassell suffered a broken foot in the Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Zimmer said this about Bridgewater back during the preseason, per Matt Farrar of Sports Illustrated:

"

I know the fans are excited about Teddy. I’m excited about Teddy, but we have to do what’s best for the football team at this point in time and what’s best for the future. I’m always trying to think about that, and as you know, coach’s futures aren’t necessarily very long. I’m always trying to think between the now and the future and what’s best for this organization as we go down the road.

"

Whether its best or not, Bridgewater's time is now, and he'll have a tough test trying to match points with a red-hot Atlanta Falcons offense in Week 4.

20. Cleveland Browns (1-2)

Despite the Browns' losing record, the team has been in every game this season. That speaks volumes when you consider Cleveland has already battled two tough divisional rivals.

Brian Hoyer has proven he is the right man to start at quarterback. Now the Browns must do the little things to start winning some of these close games.

19. New Orleans Saints (1-2)

Yes, the Saints did come up with a 20-9 win over the Vikings, but how impressive was that, really? Minnesota isn't known for its passing game, and pass defense is where the Saints have struggled mightily this season.

The team is ranked 29th in the NFL in that area, and they are meeting with Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.

Don't be shocked if the Saints fall to 1-3.

18. Washington (1-2)

Of all the teams that are rated below 15th in these rankings, Washington is the one that seems set to rise shortly. The team has a winnable game coming up on Sunday at home against the Giants, and believe it or not, the Kirk Cousins-led offense could have success against the Seahawks the following week.

Where would Washington rank if it finds itself 3-2 after Week 5?

17. Houston Texans (2-1)

Without question, the Texans are the worst 2-1 team in the NFL. The two wins to start the season looked good on the surface, but further examination—and a loss to the Giants in Week 3—exposed the Texans for what they are.

This is a hard-working, well-coached, solid defensive team that doesn't have the quarterback needed to make it elite. Ryan Fitzpatrick's three interceptions against the Giants had to sink the hearts of every Texans fan out there.

Then again, they should've known it was coming.

16. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)

The Colts aren't an easy team to place. Indianapolis lost close games to two of the league's elite and then blew out the hapless Jags in Week 3.

Does that mean they are just a notch below the elite teams, or simply better than the Jaguars? For now, I'll go with the latter, but a strong win over the Titans on Sunday would likely cause another boost. A win the following week over the Ravens would make the Colts a top-eight team.

15. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)

Over the last two weeks, we're not hearing as much Romo bashing as usual. Dallas is on a two-game winning streak and Romo has completed 71 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and just one interception in that stretch.

Don't look now, but the Cowboys look like they will be a serious challenger to the Eagles in the NFC East.

14. Detroit Lions (2-1)

The win over the Packers was big for several reasons. It was a victory over a division rival, it allowed the Lions to keep pace with the Bears and it helped the team rebound from a loss. 

The issue is, one of the Lions this season came over a team (the Giants) considered to be one of the weakest in the league thus far. The other was notched against a struggling Green Bay Packer squad. So it isn't easy to gauge where the 2014 Lions are at after three weeks of action.

13. Chicago Bears (2-1)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

There's a temptation to put the Bears a bit higher, but the home loss to the Buffalo Bills was just two weeks ago. That Week 1 setback happened to recently to elevate the Bears beyond Buffalo—even if Chicago has looked better since then.

When Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett, are all healthy, the Bears offense is among the best in the NFL. Against a tough Jets defense that stuffed the run on Monday night, Chicago proved its mettle with Jay Cutler playing smart and utilizing his weapons.

12. Buffalo Bills (2-1)

Some might scoff at this placement for the Bills, but the fact is, this team went into Chicago and beat a Bears team that looks pretty solid. The Bills followed that up with an impressive win over the Dolphins.

The Texans aren't exactly a powerhouse, but if the visiting Bills can beat Houston, it'll make dismissing their 3-1 start that much harder.

11. Carolina Panthers (2-1)

The near-blowout loss at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers was a tough one. The Steelers did what most might have thought was unthinkable last season, they torched the Panthers on the ground for 264 yards.

Last season, the Panthers allowed just one opposing running back to eclipse the 100-yard mark (Buffalo's C.J. Spiller). On Sunday night, they allowed two in the same game. The Steelers' Le'Veon Bell (147) and LeGarrette Blount (118) both hit the century mark as Pittsburgh humbled Carolina and supposedly stout defense.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

The aforementioned win for the Steelers was so impressive because it showed the team getting back to what it does best: running the ball.

With two big, physical backs, and a defense that has seemingly regained its edge, the Steelers are going to be fairly dangerous.

9. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)

Aside from the one horrible performance from Matt Ryan in Week 2 against the Bengals, you have to like what Atlanta's offense has done thus far in 2014.

With Devin Hester returning kicks, the field-position game seems set to favor Atlanta in most matchups. If the team can find a consistent pass rush, it'll be a real problem in the NFC South.

8. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

The Ravens are another team that has had to struggle with off-the-field distractions, but they have risen to the occasion and performed well.

Right now, one of the biggest offseason acquisitions across the league has to be the Ravens' signing of Steve Smith. All Smith has done is lead the team in receptions, yards and receptions of 20 or more yards.

7. New England Patriots (2-1)

After a disappointing opening loss to the Dolphins, the Patriots have seemingly righted the ship. We can't be too sure because the only teams they've beaten are the Vikings and Raiders.

Truth be told, the Pats are still here because of their preseason expectations. Over the next three weeks when Tom Brady and Co. take on the Chiefs, Bengals and Bills, we'll know more.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) 

I can hear the boos from the City of Brotherly Love now, but let's face it, the Eagles haven't put together a complete game yet. The team has trailed in all three of its contests and with the exception of the win over the Colts—who have a losing record—the Eagles haven't really played anyone.

A road win over the Niners in Week 4 would be big, but if the teams ahead of them hold serve as well, it'll take still more to convince me the Eagles are a top-five team.

5. Denver Broncos (2-1)

The late push against the Seahawks was encouraging for the Broncos, but in the end, they still didn't get it done.

If the team is to exorcise the demons of their Super Bowl meltdown, it'll probably have to wait for a rematch in the big game. I'm sure the Broncos would just as soon take their trip to the title game without Seattle being there to greet them.

4. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)

Offensively, the Seahawks are better this year than they were last season, but the defense is not quite as vicious.

The team has already allowed more 25-plus point games through three weeks than it did all last season. Because Russell Wilson and the offense are more capable of putting points on the board, it could still be a Super Bowl-winning formula. But the defense won't be able to carry the team like it did in 2013.

3. San Diego Chargers (2-1)

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

If you're not impressed with Philip Rivers and the maturation of the Chargers secondary, you might need to examine your expectations.

Rivers has completed 74 percent of his passes over the last two games and thrown five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He's been as efficient and dependable as anyone could expect.

The secondary was much maligned last year, but this season it's allowing only 226 yards per game through the air. With a win over two 2-1 teams and a one-point loss to one of the three undefeated squads, the Bolts deserve this spot.

2. Arizona Cardinals (3-0)

How impressive are the Cardinals? Some might not offer much respect to the team's Week-2 win over the Giants. New York practically handed the game over with a plethora of turnovers. However, Arizona's wins over San Diego and against the Niners are legit.

The fact that the last two have come without the team's starting quarterback, Carson Palmer, makes it all the more notable.

1. Cincinnati Bengals (3-0)

The Bengals scored as many points in their Week 3 win over the Titans as they have allowed all season (33).

Defensively, Cincinnati is playing on another level, but the offense, led by Andy Dalton, has been almost as good. They are plus-47 in point differential this season, and that has come against two 2-1 teams and a blowout win over Tennessee on Sunday.

As of now, the Bengals are the best team in football.

All stats per Pro-Football-Reference.com