NFL: Predicting the Week 4 Power Rankings

Three weeks have already flown by. It seems like it was just yesterday that the lockout was still intact. But it's not, so who cares. We'll deal with that again in 2021.

By then, the Raiders might be the force in the NFL. Wouldn't be a shock with the way they are progressing. Maybe it'll be the Bills, or even the Lions.

Who knows what the league will be like years from now. We know what it's like right now.

A LOT of injuries, many upsets, and fantasy football fanatics. Anyways, certain teams have proved themselves even more this week.

In this, my rankings might be different than ESPN's when theirs comes out, mainly because they do not like to move teams very drastically.

So here is what I think should be the Week 4 Power Rankings.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: 31

The Chiefs have gone in a complete 180 from last season. They have started the year with a 0-3 record. The last time this happened was in 2009. They finished the season with a 4-12 record. It doesn't look very good for Kansas City, especially with all the injuries on the team. They will be without star running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki, and safety Eric Berry for the entire year.

Will Andrew Luck look good in red and yellow? Hmmm.

31. Minnesota Vikings

Last Week: 26

The Vikings have been a second half letdown so far. In all three games this season, Minnesota has led the game at halftime. And they aren't just three point leads. In the game against Tampa Bay, they led by 17 at intermission, and in this week's game against the Lions, they had a demanding 20-0 lead at half.

As soon as the Vikings figure out how to play in the second half, they should be alright. Minnesota should not be happy at all with a 0-3 record. But they should be even more upset that each of those three games were in their reach.

30. Miami Dolphins

Last Week: 25

The Dolphins need to change something, and fast. To see that they lost to the Browns this week, who didn't have their one and only hope, Peyton Hillis, shows struggles. Their first area they need to figure out is their run game. Clearly Daniel Thomas is their future, not Reggie Bush. Other than that, they just need to improve the defense.

I don't see them getting close to making the playoffs, and with the way the Bills are playing, they might even finish last in the division. 0-3 is never a good way to begin a season.

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Last Week: 28

The Bengals couldn't even find the end zone this week. They have lived up to their failing expectations, but, they have proven everyone wrong at the same time. Many predicted Cincinnati to be a complete disaster. Instead, rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and his team have been very decent. A.J. Green has shown tremendous upside and has already proven his ability to become a star in this league.

Their main problem - Their two best players are rookies.

28. St. Louis Rams

Last Week: 22

The Rams may be playing their last year in St. Louis. They could be LA bound. Injuries plagued them in week one, but just downright horrendous play was their downfall the last two games. Surprisingly, the two teams who were predicted to win the NFC West are doing the worst.

St. Louis needs to pick it up if they want to remain where they are.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 30

Yes, the Colts are 0-3, but they have improved miraculously from the first two weeks. Their week 3 game came down to a last second field goal by Pittsburgh to win it. They stayed in it the entire game. Indianapolis still need offensive help, but their defense seems to be getting their swagger back.

Unfortunately for the Colts, it doesn't look like Peyton Manning will be returning anytime soon. Their losing streak continues.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: 32

The Seahawks actually won a game in the post-Hasselbeck era. Tarvaris Jackson finally gets that win he's been searching for. He also had the only touchdown for Seattle on an 11 yard run. They beat division rival, the Arizona Cardinals. Many expected the Seahawks to win the NFC West.

Maybe they're turning it around, or maybe they got lucky. We'll find out next week.

25. Denver Broncos

Last Week: 24

Last week, after a win over the Bengals, the Tebow chants started to disappear. After their loss to the Titans this week, those chants will start coming back. The Broncos looked fairly decent against Tennessee.

Sorry Bronco fans, Tim Tebow is not the answer.

24. Cleveland Browns

Last Week: 29

Right before their week three game against the Dolphins, the Browns sent running back Peyton Hillis home because he had been battling strep throat all week. Many thought that Miami would beat the Browns by a big margin without Hillis, but they were wrong. Cleveland pulled off the upset by a point, and improved to 2-1.

Get Peyton Hillis healthy.

23. Carolina Panthers

Last Week: 27

The Panthers jump up four spots after their first win. Sounds fair enough. Carolina is one of those teams that looks very good on paper, but just somehow can't pull out wins. This week, Cam Newton took his team head to head versus fellow rookie quarterback, Blaine Gabbert. Newton came out as the victor.

The Panthers have a lot of weapons, and could finish with a winning record, give or take a couple games.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: 21

Blaine Gabbert was bested by Cam Newton this week, leaving him 0-1 as a starter, and leaving the Jags 1-2. Jones Drew, on the other hand, had another terrific game, but failed to find the end zone. Jacksonville needs to keep him active, but they need to figure out a way to score the football.

Next week they face a storming New Orleans Saints. Don't expect much.

21. Arizona Cardinals

Last Week: 19

The Cardinals resemble the Vikings oh so much. Both teams have that one guy that pretty much carries them, Adrian Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald. Both teams also do not know how to play in the second half. Arizona needs to continue going to Fitzgerald, but also look to run the ball more. If anything, improve the defense, it's terrible.

The NFC West is open for grabs, and Kevin Kolb might lead them to that title.

20. San Francisco 49ers

Last Week: 23

Finally Vernon Davis gets active. San Francisco improved to 2-1 this week after defeating the struggling Bengals. If the Niners didn't collapse against the Cowboys last week, they would be 3-0. So far, San Francisco's season has started out well, let's see if they continue.

The 49ers need to run the ball with Kendall Hunter more often.

19. Tennessee Titans

Last Week: 17

It may be odd to have them drop three spots after a win, and starting with a 2-1 record right? I don't think so. The Titans went from 25 to 17 last week after their surprising win over the Ravens. This week, they beat the Broncos by a mere 3 points.

The Titans should feel respected at 20, with all their inconsistency.

18. Oakland Raiders

Last Week: 20

The Raiders upset the New York Jets this week and improve to 2-1. Did anyone predict that to happen? I'm sure there wasn't many. Darren McFadden looks unstoppable this season, and is pretty much the reason for Oakland's success.

Watch out for the Raiders, they aren't a team to mess around with.

17. Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: 13

I'm predicting the Redskins to beat the Cowboys. Tony Romo is completely banged up, and so is his receiving core. Their stock is falling fast, but if Romo somehow pulls off another win with his injuries, their stock will rise fast.

Dez Bryant needs to come alive.

16. Washington Redskins

Last Week: 15

The Redskins will beat the Cowboys, but not by much. Both teams will play ugly. Is Shannahan leaning toward Helu as his featured back? Or will he stick with Hightower? That is the number one question for the Redskins.

The Redskins need to use Santana Moss more effectively.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week: 6

Some of you may be thinking, "Nine spots? They fall nine spots because of one loss?" You have every right to think that. But think about their games so far. Without Lesean McCoy, the Eagles would be 0-3 and looking terrible. He's done everything for them, the offensive line, has not.

Philadelphia will bounce back, and become a contender once again.

14. New York Giants

Last Week: 18

New York figured out what you have to do to beat the Eagles. Put pressure on Vick. The Giants looked fantastic against Philadelphia this week, beating them by 13. The G-Men also broke Michael Vick's right hand, which forced him to leave the game early for a second straight week. Because of Vick's previous injury, the Giants did not make a big jump in the rankings, but if they continue to play at this level, they'll start jumping fast.

Hakeem Nicks, Hakeem Nicks, Hakeem Nicks.

13. Chicago Bears

Last Week: 10

Its pretty hard to pull the Bears out of the top 10 regardless of their loss this week. Chicago has started the season 1-2, but look very good. Matt Forte has been their standout so far.

Look for Chicago to jump back into the top 10 next week.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: 14

Josh Freeman has now led Tampa Bay to two straight comeback wins. Blount has yet to get it going, but Freeman has found a way to make up for that. Tampa Bay upset the Falcons this week and improved to 2-1. Watch out for them.

Blocking needs to improve for Blount and Graham. 

11. Atlanta Falcons

Last Week: 8

The Falcons are 1-2? Yeah, they are. Atlanta could not put up points this week against Tampa Bay. Roddy White had the only touchdown for the Falcons. They doomed themselves by letting the Bucs back into the game.

Atlanta needs to learn how to win. Period.

10. San Diego Chargers

Last Week: 12

The Chargers barely beat the Chiefs, 20-17 this week. Philip Rivers looked a little shaky, taking hits left and right all game long. Ryan Mathews looked very impressive, with his third consecutive games with 100+ total yards. The Chargers may be 2-1, and aren't starting slow, but they sure aren't perfect.

San Diego has to work on protecting Philip Rivers. Without him, they're nothing.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week: 9

Whew, that was close. The Steelers almost lost to the Manning-less Colts. They needed a last second field goal to defeat them. Even though they looked a little iffy, Pittsburgh stays at the same spot they were last week.

Look for them to bounce back next week.

8. New York Jets

Last Week: 3

After a tough loss to the Raiders, the Jets deserve to fall 5 spots. Mark Sanchez looked terrible this week, and his receivers didn't help him out. On defense, there was no stopping Darren McFadden. He ran down their throats all day.

New York knows exactly what to work on. Don't expect another upset like this.

7. Detroit Lions

Last Week: 11

Is this the same team that went 0-16? Absolutely not. Stafford to Johnson looks like the Cassel to Bowe of 2011. Everything is working for Detroit so far, and they are showing no signs of going downhill. This week, they came back from 20 down, and defeated the Vikings.

They need to keep doing what they're doing to protect Matt Stafford.

6. Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 7

The Ravens looked like the team everyone expected coming into the season this week. They crushed the Rams 37-7. Every player was on page, and Baltimore looks as if they are back and better than ever. Defense was their strong point this week, as it always is. The offense also racked up yardage and points against a weak St. Louis team.

Throw more deep passes to Anquan Boldin.

5. Houston Texans

Last Week: 5

The Texans gave the Saints all they could handle this week. It was a shootout between the two teams. With their solid play, Houston remains number 5. With the return of Arian Foster, the Texans look like a much improved football team from last year that is ready to make some noise this season.

They need to buckle down on defense more, and they'll be fine.

4. Buffalo Bills

Last Week: 16

Too big of a jump? Maybe, and maybe not. The Bills are coming off of a win against the Patriots. They deserve to be number four. Ryan Fitzpatrick looks great, with Fred Jackson leading the way. Jackson has really been the workhorse this year, and he has produced tremendously.

Unless Buffalo pull a Kansas City and starts to go downhill, they should be contenders all year.

3. New Orleans Saints

Last Week: 4

The Saints had a comeback win against the Texans this week to improve to 2-1. Drew Brees has played sensational so far, yet he isn't even the most valuable player on the Saints this season. Darren Sproles has contributed more than anyone. Not many expected him to have this big of an impact.

These Saints look even better than their Super Bowl team.

2. New England Patriots

Last Week: 2

Despite their loss to the Bills, the Patriots are not going to drop at all. It's one week, one game. You can't just erase the first two weeks just because of week 3. Tom Brady is still playing outstanding this season.

Look for the Pats to bounce back next week.

1. Green Bay Packers

Last Week: 1

The Packers have not been dethroned yet. Aaron Rodgers continues to put up MVP numbers week after week. He loves his tight end, Jermichael Finley, being back. Green Bay beat the Bears in a NFC Championship rematch this week. They controlled most of the game, despite a semi comeback from Chicago.

Green Bay needs to keep playing flawless.