NFL Top 10 Power Rankings through Week Four

In possibly the most anticipated meeting in the history of Monday Night Football, the teacher out-performed the student. Brett Favre's Minnesota Vikings defeated Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers, giving round one of the grudge match to Favre.

The defending Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, got back on track, and also back to .500 with a dominating performance on offense with a 38-28 victory over the Chargers, who look to be fading every week with tough losses.

Week Four saw a couple of the undefeated team's take their first fall of 2009, while five teams remain undefeated in the league. Week Four also started bye weeks for teams, which will give teams much needed rest as players are getting hurt all over. And not just any players; star players are getting hurt.

Let's see who is on top of the NFL rankings through the first quarter of the season.

10. New York Jets (4) (3-1, Lost 24-10 to the New Orleans Saints)

Call this a learning experience. Call it rookie jitters. I'll call it a simple beating for Mark Sanchez.

The Saints defense really rattled Sanchez, forcing him to make bad throws and costly interceptions. He also got sacked, fumbled the ball in the end zone, and cost his team seven points in a matter of 10 seconds. In a matter of a week, Sanchez went from looking like a cool and calm quarterback to being a confused rookie who looked lost on Sunday.

It won't get easier for Sanchez as the Jets will play the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, so he will be in the national spotlight playing in a rivalry game that could determine where the Jets season will be going.

9. San Francisco 49ers (UR) (3-1, Won 35-0 over the St. Louis Rams)

Last week, the 49ers were two seconds away from being on this list, but Brett Favre worked his magic and scored a late touchdown to give the 49ers their first loss of 2009.

So how do the 49ers respond? They come home and put a beatdown on the Rams. What was impressive in this game was that the 49ers were without Frank Gore and they didn't miss a beat in the game.

Shaun Hill is slowly becoming the leader of this team, and he's doing a good job for the first place 49ers. With the Cardinals' struggles in 2009, San Francisco has an actual chance to break away in the NFC West.

Their next game will be a challenge to see if they are able to handle more tough competition as the Atlanta Falcons will come into town. A win will give the 49ers major respect in the league.

8. Chicago Bears (UR) (3-1, Won 48-24 over the Detroit Lions)

In the first week, Jay Cutler looked like a disaster. Three weeks later, and three straight wins later, Cutler looks like he's the right guy for this team.

His diving flip into the end zone against the Lions was all over ESPN's highlight reel, and it showed that Cutler has more toughness than he gets credit for.

The running game got back on track as Matt Forte ran for 121 yards on the Lions. Detroit gave the Bears a fight in the first half, but were non-existent in the second half.

Chicago will get a bye next week and will rest up as they will challenge for the NFC North.

7. Baltimore Ravens (2) (3-1, Lost 27-21 to the New England Patriots)

This was the first test for the Ravens against a quality opponent in the Patriots, and they gave the Patriots all they could handle, but came up a little short on Sunday.

The Ravens had a terrible penalty called on Terrell Suggs for nearly hitting Tom Brady in the knee, but he didn't hit him, yet it didn't stop the referees from calling a personal foul call on Suggs, which Ray Lewis heavily criticized afterwards.

The Ravens still have a good and strong team, and Ray Rice is stepping up as the team's strongest back, and Joe Flacco is still having a great season despite this loss.

Baltimore will have the Bengals next week, and should be able to rebound at home, but Cincinnati has been playing tough this year, so expect a competitive game between the division rivals.

6. New England Patriots (8) (3-1, Won 27-21 over the Baltimore Ravens)

The Patriots needed to win this game in order to get back on top of the AFC East division. The Ravens gave them a fight in Foxboro and nearly lost in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots made a key stop with less than a minute to go to hold on.

Tom Brady showed everyone that his surgically repaired knee is getting better when he scampered into the endzone on a quarterback dive.

Brady also got back into rhythm with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, as they both caught three and six passes each, and the passing attack is improving each week.

Next week, Bill Belichick will face his former pupil and offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels and the Broncos, in a true coaching "teacher against student" contest.

5. Denver Broncos (7) (4-0, Won 17-10 over the Dallas Cowboys)

Everyone said the Broncos weren't for real and that they hadn't faced a tough opponent yet.

In came the Dallas Cowboys as a real test for the Broncos, and they were up quickly 10-0. But Denver didn't back down, they kept pressuring Tony Romo all game, and scored 17 unanswered points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter and saw Brandon Marshall break out of his slump with his game-winning 51 yard touchdown catch.

Romo had the chance to come back and get Dallas into overtime with a last minute drive, which he was able to do by getting to the two yard line, but Romo threw two passes in Champ Bailey's direction, which made no sense since he batted both passes away to secure Denver's win.

Josh McDaniels will face his mentor in Bill Belichick and the Patriots next week at home, and it should be a close game.

4. Minnesota Vikings (6) (4-0, Won 30-23 over the Green Bay Packers)

Brett Favre versus Aaron Rodgers. Brett Favre versus the Packers. That was the main headline on Monday night, and in Minneapolis he stepped up and delivered three touchdowns against his former team in a victory.

Favre didn't look like he was 40, but more 30 on Monday night, and was slinging fastballs down-field to Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Visanthe Shiancoe.

Jared Allen had four-and-a-half of the eight sacks on Rodgers, and put him on his back all night long. Rodgers was still able to throw for 384 yards on Minnesota's defense, but it didn't matter because Favre and the offense dominated.

Minnesota will go to St. Louis to play the Rams next week, and unless the Vikings undergo any major setbacks, should go to 5-0.

3. New Orleans Saints (3) (4-0, Won 24-10 over the New York Jets)

For the second straight week, Drew Brees did not throw a touchdown pass. But for the second straight week, it didn't matter, because the Saints found another way to win a football game.

This week against the Jets, it was the defensive unit that got the job done. Darren Sharper intercepted Mark Sanchez and returned a 99 yard touchdown, and Will Smith sacked Sanchez, causing a fumble in the endzone, which was recovered by Remi Ayodele for another touchdown.

The Saints are finding ways to win games, and are showing the league they are a top team and a force to be dealt with. Next week they will have a bye, so for another week they will remain undefeated.

2. Indianapolis Colts (5) (4-0, Won 34-17 over the Seattle Seahawks)

Peyton Manning will be joining Drew Brees in the MVP discussions now as he continues to keep the Colts offense rolling along.

Manning threw for two more touchdown passes, 353 more yards, and got the Colts' fourth win. Manning threw to six different receivers, including his favorites in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, while throwing to new targets like Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. All of this while Anthony Gonzalez is still out with an injury.

With the Colts at 4-0 and the rest of the division at mediocrity and worse, they are clearly running away with the AFC South division.

Next week, the Colts will have a chance to gain more distance in the division on Sunday Night Football by facing an 0-4 Titans team that is watching their 2009 season sink fast. The Colts better be prepared for a fight from a desperate team looking to stay alive and avoid going 0-5.

1. New York Giants (1) (4-0, Won 27-16 over the Kansas City Chiefs)

The Giants are known for being a power running football team, but in 2009 they are showing a strong passing attack.

Eli Manning threw for 292 yards and three touchdown passes against the Chiefs. However, Manning suffered a bruised heel throwing a pass down-field. On the next play, though, he threw a screen pass to Hakeem Nicks, which was taken for 54 yards, and avoided Chiefs defenders for his first NFL career touchdown.

Steve Smith continues to break out this season as he caught 11 passes for 134 yards and two touchdown passes. Smith currently leads the league in receiving. Mario Manningham only had one catch, but it was a deep ball for 43 yards.

The running game was strong again behind Brandon Jacobs with 21 carries for 92 yards and Ahmad Bradshaw with 12 carries and 64 yards; Bradshaw was playing with a hurt ankle, but still played well.

The status of Manning for next week is probable right now. They have the Raiders next week at home and they are a pitiful team. If Manning needs to sit a week, David Carr might get some playing time in. Getting Manning healthy is the key if the Giants want to win a championship.

Week Four is in the books, and a quarter of the NFL season is already over. This season is already going quickly, and before we know it half of the season will have been played. The top teams of the NFL will be a lot clearer to determine, and we will know who is for real in 2009.

Hope everyone has a great week, and we'll all be back on Sunday and Monday for Week Five.