2010 NFL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report's Monday Morning Week 4 Edition
With only one game left in the NFL's Week 3 schedule, it's time to look at how the teams' Week 4 Power Rankings will start to shape up.
Week 3 featured upsets all around as the Saints lost, the Rams won, and the Chargers continue to miss Vincent Jackson.
Kyle Orton throws for more than 450 yards and the Broncos still lose, so how about that for the surprising stat of the week?
I'm Brian DiTullio, NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and here is the Monday morning look at the NFL Week 4 Power Rankings.
*UPDATE*
I whiffed on my MNF prediction, therefore Green Bay falls out of the Top 10 and Chicago moves up into the Top 10.
Green Bay now should be ranked 11, and the Bears become ranked sixth. The rest of the teams adjust accordingly.
32. San Francisco 49ers
1 of 32
2010 Record: 0-3
Last Game: Lost 31-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs
The 49ers are a team headed for rock bottom. They've now lost bad to Kansas City, close to New Orleans, and bad to Seattle. The team has had problems in every aspect of the game on the field and on the sidelines.
Head Coach Mike Singletary has a lot of work ahead of him if he wants this team to win a game.
This Week: At Atlanta
31. Carolina Panthers
2 of 32
2010 Record: 0-3
Last Game: A 20-7 Loss to Cincinnati
Rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen was punished in his first NFL start as the Panthers managed to lose a game despite the Bengals throwing two interceptions and making mental errors that cost them points.
Head coach John Fox already is waffling on quarterbacks and probably is headed for the official "Hot Seat" tag.
Next Game: At New Orleans
30. Cleveland Browns
3 of 32
2010 Record: 0-3
Last Game: A 24-17 loss to Baltimore
The Browns got out of Baltimore without anyone getting killed, but Browns fans would like to kill Eric Wright for single-handedly allowing Anquan Boldin to have a Pro Bowl-worthy game.
The Browns have all the elements to have 7-9 record in 2010, but at this point, they'll be lucky to win four games. They cannot put together a complete game.
Next Game: At Home vs. the Cincinnati Bengals
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29. Detroit Lions
4 of 32
2010 Record: 0-3
Last Game: A 24-10 loss to the Vikings
The Lions have begun to assemble a much more talented team than they've ever had in the last decade, but Matthew Stafford is still injured and Jahvid Best went down with a toe injury in the second half this week.
This team still has a lot of work to do, but they could pull it together and win some games by the end of the year.
Next Game: At Green Bay
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
5 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: 28-3 loss to Philadelphia
The Jaguars got manhandled by Michael Vick and the Eagles, David Garrard's good Week 1 performance is quickly fading into the past and this team has to figure out how to get back into the win column quickly.
Next Game: Vs. Indianapolis
27. St. Louis Rams
6 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: 30-16 Win over the Redskins
The Rams put together a complete game and put 30 points on the board against a Redskins team that is supposed to be a playoff contender.
While the victory moved them out of the bottom four, they'll need to prove this victory was more than a one-week fluke before they can move higher.
Next Game: At Home vs. Seattle
26. Oakland Raiders
7 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: A 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals
The Raiders appear to be sticking with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback, but they still couldn't beat the Arizona Cardinals, who have Derek Anderson at quarterback for the moment and featured a running back, Beanie Wells, who was just a few weeks off of knee surgery.
Next Game: At Home vs. Houston
25. Buffalo Bills
8 of 32
2010 Record: 0-3
Last Game: A 38-30 loss to the Patriots
You'd think an 0-3 team would be ranked a little lower, but when you hang in there with Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, you get a few style points.
If this loss becomes a victory in defeat for the Bills by showing Chan Gailey's plan is starting to come together, a 25th ranking may start looking low.
On the other hand, the Bills may fall right back down to the bottom next week.
Stay tuned!
Next Game: At Home against New York Jets
24. Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: A 27-13 win over Houston
The Cowboys pulled together and played a complete game versus the Houston Texans, but they were far too dysfunctional the first two weeks of the season to move them higher in the rankings yet.
Tony Romo was excellent, though, so the potential to move up after the bye week is there.
Next Game: At Home vs. Tennessee in two weeks
23. Washington Redskins
10 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: A Loss to the St. Louis Rams
The only thing keeping the Redskins from being No. 24 is that they beat the Cowboys in Week 1.
The Mike Shanahan version of the Redskins has shown potential, but they haven't been the dominant force Redksins fans were hoping for coming out of the gate.
A loss to the St. Louis Rams hurts them in the power rankings.
Next Game: At Philadelphia
22. Minnesota Vikings
11 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: A 24-10 win over the Lions
The Vikings are floundering out of the gate in 2010. While they've finally notched one in the "win" column, it was against the Lions, and Brett Favre didn't look good.
The Vikings won't reach the postseason on Adrian Peterson's legs alone, so the Vikings need Favre to find his 39-year-old self now that he's pushing 41.
Next Game: At New York in two weeks
21. Denver Broncos
12 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: 27-13 Loss to Indianapolis
Kyle Orton and the Broncos should be at least 2-1, but they're not. They lost to Jacksonville, who hasn't done much since and now Orton put up 455 yards against the Colts to no avail.
Head coach Josh McDaniels can't blame this on Orton, but he can point to a phantom running game as one excuse for the record.
Next Game: At Tennessee
20. Arizona Cardinals
13 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 24-23 victory over the Raiders
The Cardinals may be 2-1, but one of those victories was over the Raiders this week and the other was over the St. Louis Rams in Week 1. If they can get some victories against higher quality opponents, they might be taken a little more seriously.
Next Game: At San Diego
19. New York Giants
14 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: A 29-10 Loss to Tennessee
The New York Giants are a team that looks like it will keep falling down the rankings with the way they played the Titans this week. Two turnovers in the red zone plus overall sloppy play do not bode well for the Giants' future.
Next Game: At Home vs. Chicago
18. San Diego Chargers
15 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Game: 27-20 loss to Seattle
The Chargers can't catch a break this year as they lose a close one to Seattle and Shawnee Merriman left the game with an injury. Their only victory was vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Chargers probably will recover and move back up the rankings, but they're not there yet.
Next Game: At Home vs. Arizona
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 38-13 loss to Pittsburgh
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out of the gate strong, but got eviscerated by the Steelers this week.
One of the Bucs' wins came against the Browns, and the Bucs offense was completely ineffective against a premier defense. The Bucs may be hanging around the middle for a while.
Next Game: At Cincinnati in two weeks
16. Chicago Bears
17 of 32
2010 Record: 2-0
Playing Tonight Versus Green Bay
The Bears have one good victory over the Dallas Cowboys and one fluke victory over the Detroit Lions. I'm ranking them here based on the hunch they're going to lose to Green Bay tonight.
Next Game: At New York Giants
15. Baltimore Ravens
18 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 24-17 victory over the Browns
The Ravens have two victories, but their last one was a too-close victory over the struggling Cleveland Browns.
The offense hasn't been operating well and Flacco hasn't been spectacular. Ray Lewis continues to impress despite his age, but he can't carry the entire team on his back.
Next Game: At Pittsburgh
14. Cincinnati Bengals
19 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: 20-7 victory over the Panthers
The Bengals should be ranked higher, but they got beat by the Patriots and both their wins have been close against inferior teams.
The win over Carolina only came about because Carolina just isn't a very good team right now.
Next Game: At Cleveland
13. Miami Dolphins
20 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: Lost 31-23 to the Jets
The Dolphins were one of the more mercurial teams entering the season, but Tony Sparano has this team playing well, and they could challenge for the division this year.
They suffered a setback vs. the Jets, but they played hard and will bounce back.
Next Game: At Home vs. New England
12. Seattle Seahawks
21 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 27-20 win over San Diego
The Seahawks took on the Chargers and came out on top. Pete Carroll has this team looking good so far, and they have what looks like a relatively easy schedule coming up.
Leon Washington and the special teams were a bright spot this past Sunday.
Next Game: At St. Louis
11. Kansas City Chiefs
22 of 32
2010 Record: 3-0
Last Game: A 31-10 victory over the 49ers
The only reason a 3-0 team is not sitting in the 6op 10 is because two of their three victories were against Cleveland and San Francisco.
That being said, 3-0 means you're on to something. Keep an eye on this team.
Next Game: At Indianapolis in two weeks.
10. New England Patriots
23 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 38-30 victory over Buffalo
The Patriots won a very close game vs. Buffalo, so close it kept the Patriots from rising higher in the power rankings.
Add to that a loss to the Jets and it's a miracle they're in the top 10. But Tom Brady is still the quarterback and Bill Belichick is still the coach.
Next Game: At Miami
9. New York Jets
24 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 31-23 win over the Dolphins
Mark Sanchez is the key to this offense succeeding. Darrelle Revis takes the defense to a whole other level. They played the Dolphins well and Braylon Edwards actually looked good.
But Edwards may be getting suspended and the Dolphins will be back. Still, it's a promising start and the Jets have earned a spot in the top 10.
Next Game: At Buffalo
8. Tennessee Titans
25 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 29-10 victory over the Giants
The Titans lost a close, brutal game against the Steelers, other than that they've been great.
The Titans have Chris Johnson firing on all cylinders now and Vince Young appears to be in a better frame of mind on the field.
Next Game: At Home vs. Denver
7. Houston Texans
26 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 27-13 defeat by the Cowboys
The Texans had a setback this week, which dropped them out of the top five, but the Cowboys were due for a win and the Texans probably were due for a loss like this.
Next Game: At Oakland
6. Philadelphia Eagles
27 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 28-3 victory over the Jaguars
Michael Vick has given the Eagles a spark. Even though Kevin Kolb only played two quarters, Andy Reid knew what he was doing when he put Vick in as the starter this week.
Until proven different, the Eagles appear to be headed back to the playoffs with Vick at the helm.
Next Game: At Home vs. the Redskins
5. New Orleans Saints
28 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons
The Saints almost lost to the 49ers, only getting a victory through a last-second field goal, and then did lose to the Falcons this week by an overtime field goal.
The Saints can't keep taking games to overtime and expect to win a Super Bowl again. You have to put some dominating wins in there as well.
Next Game: At home vs. Carolina
4. Atlanta Falcons
29 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: 27-24 victory over the Saints
The Falcons lost one close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers before destroying the Cardinals and then outplaying the Saints. The Falcons are for real.
Next Game: At Home vs. San Francisco
3. Indianapolis Colts
30 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Game: A 27-13 win over Denver
The Colts always are a threat to win the Super Bowl over the last decade. Peyton Manning still is on top of his game, and Joseph Addai showed last week he can be a reliable tool for the running game.
The Colts were solid again this week and it puts them at No. 3.
Next Game: At Jacksonville
2. Green Bay Packers
31 of 32
2010 Record: 2-0
Playing Chicago Tonight
This ranking is based on the projection the Packers will win and go to 3-0. The Packers already have beaten Philadelphia and then dominated a weak Buffalo team.
With a win over the Bears, that would give them a leg up in the division.
Next Game: At Home vs. Detroit
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
32 of 32
2010 Record: 3-0
Last Game: 38-13 victory over Tampa Bay
Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defense are just untouchable right now. The only touchdown Tampa was able to get on Sunday was pretty much done in garbage time.
Charlie Batch looked great, and Ben Roethlisberger comes back in a few weeks.
Next Game: At home vs. Baltimore
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