NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Struggling Contenders Who Will Make a Move This Week

Just three weeks into the 2011 regular season, it's already apparent that there's something of a changing of the guard going on in the NFL.

All you have to do is take a look at the standings. You'll see that teams like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in or tied for first place in their respective divisions. Not exactly the usual suspects.

Instead, many of the usual suspects have struggled to get off the ground. My guess is that many of them will stay on the ground, but I think some of them will turn it around sooner rather than later.

For example, there are three so-called contenders who I think are going to pick themselves up in Week 4.

3. Chicago Bears (No. 18)

I was suspicious of the Bears after they dismantled the Atlanta Falcons, but they have put my mind to ease by losing consecutive games.

But it's not all bad, Bears fans. There's really no shame in losing to the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, who are at the very top of my Week 4 power rankings.

Things should get better for the Bears this weekend. They will be hosting Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, and it's a matchup the Bears should be able to win. As good as Newton is, the team around him is pretty bad, and it's worth noting that Carolina's one win came against one of the worst teams in the league.

If the Bears win this one, they'll be back on the right track. If they lose... well, let's just say things are not going to be fun.

2. Atlanta Falcons (No. 15)

On paper, I think the Falcons are a truly great team.

It's too bad they haven't played like one, as losses to the Bears and Buccaneers have pushed their record to 1-2. The Falcons could definitely use a pick-me-up.

Lucky for the Falcons, they get to play the Seattle Seahawks next. They may have notched their first win this past weekend, but I think we can all agree that the Seahawks are still a pretty subpar team.

Beating Seattle will prove nothing, but it will at least allow the Falcons to avoid falling further back in the NFC South race.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 12)

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that the folks at ESPN really, really want me to be upset about how the Eagles are underachieving so far this year.

Truth be told, you kinda saw this coming. For all the additions the Eagles made in the offseason, it just wasn't going to work unless Michael Vick was able to be at his very best. He hasn't, and the results speak for themselves.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they've got a pretty easy draw in Week 4, as the San Francisco 49ers and their horrendous offense are coming to town.

Even for a team as flabbergasted as the Eagles, pulling out a win shouldn't be too much trouble.

That statement should prompt everyone in and around the greater Philadelphia area to cross their fingers.

Zachary D. Rymer's Week 4 Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
1	Green Bay Packers	3-0
2	New Orleans Saints	2-1
3	Baltimore Ravens	2-1
4	New England Patriots	2-1
5	Buffalo Bills	3-0
6	Detroit Lions	3-0
7	Houston Texans	2-1
8	San Diego Chargers	2-1
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2-1
10	Pittsburgh Steelers	2-1
11	New York Jets	2-1
12	Philadelphia Eagles	1-2
13	Oakland Raiders	2-1
14	Washington Redskins	2-1
15	Atlanta Falcons	1-2
16	New York Giants	2-1
17	Dallas Cowboys	2-1
18	Chicago Bears	1-2
19	Cleveland Browns	2-1
20	Tennessee Titans	2-1
21	San Francisco 49ers	2-1
22	Denver Broncos	1-2
23	Arizona Cardinals	1-2
24	Carolina Panthers	1-2
25	Jacksonville Jaguars	1-2
26	Cincinnati Bengals	1-2
27	Miami Dolphins	0-3
28	Minnesota Vikings	0-3
29	St. Louis Rams	0-3
30	Seattle Seahawks	1-2
31	Indianapolis Colts	0-3
32	Kansas City Chiefs	0-3