NFL Power Rankings Week 4: 3 Contenders Losing Steam in the Rankings

How the mighty have fallen. 

Week 3 in the NFL was as wild as they come. We now have a good working knowledge of what most of these teams are. 

The days of us overvaluing the following squads are over. Now they must make up for some shoddy play as of late. 

I knew the rankings were going to be a fluid enterprise all year long, but some of the league's elite have been far too soft in the still young season. 

Here are the contenders that have some things to work out before I can continue to include them as legitimate contenders to the Super Bowl. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

 Ladies and gentleman, there is only one Dream Team, and it included Magic, Michael and Bird. The Eagles just happen to be a very good team that spent a boat load of money in the offseason. 

This team is not without its issues though. They have a brittle quarterback that is doing his best to stay on the field. The Eagles also have a star-studded secondary that is still susceptible to the long ball, and a defense that is allowing too many yards on the ground. 

2. Chicago Bears

 Another year, another dreadful offensive line. Jay Cutler can't go one game without having some consistent coverage in the pocket. 

Last weekend, the lack of blocking hurt Matt Forte and the run too extreme levels. No contender should rush for only 13 yards on the ground, ever. 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

 The same Steelers that took on Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl are suffering on the offensive line at the moment. 

The Steelers were trounced in an emotional opening game to the Ravens. They then very nearly lost in what would have been an embarrassment on Sunday. 

Dwight Freeney overmatched the Steelers line, nearly winning the game all by himself for a dreadful Colts team. The Steelers better shore up the line before they play a team that can actually score. 

Gabe Zaldivar's 2011 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New Orleans Saints
3. New England Patriots
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. New York Jets
6. Houston Texans
7. Philadelphia Eagles
8. Chicago Bears
9.Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Detroit Lions
11.San Diego Chargers
12. Buffalo Bills
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. Atlanta Falcons
15.New York Giants
16.Oakland Raiders
17.Dallas Cowboys
18.Washington Redskins
19.Tennessee Titans
20.Arizona Cardinals
21.San Francisco 49ers
22.Denver Broncos
23.Minnesota Vikings
24.St. Louis Rams
25.Indianapolis Colts
26.Jacksonville Jaguars
27.Seattle Seahawks
28.Kansas City Chiefs
29.Carolina Panthers
30.Cleveland Browns
31.Cincinnati Bengals
32.Miami Dolphins