NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Which Way Are Top Teams Trending?

In our Week 4 edition of the NFL's Power Rankings, here are how the top 10 teams are currently trending.

1. Green Bay Packers: Level

After three weeks, the defending champions look like the best team in football. They erased concerns about their pass defense with an inspired performance against their division rivals, and the running game looks like it could be a factor this season.

The Packers level out only because there is nowhere higher to place them. 

2. New Orleans Saints: Rising

How the defense played early on against the Texans confirms fears about that unit against top offenses, but credit the Saints for bending but not breaking early on Sunday.

They could have put themselves in too big of a hole to climb out of, but the red-zone defense saved them. The three first-half field goals after falling behind allowed the Saints to rally back.

3. New England Patriots: Falling

The Patriots need to find some answers on defense, especially in the pass rush. New England's secondary simply isn't good enough to cover for the lack of pressure, and it's hurt them through three weeks.

Tom Brady probably won't throw four interceptions again the rest of his career, but his four turnovers shifted the momentum against the Bills.   

4. Baltimore Ravens: Level

The Ravens need to find a happy medium between the two blowouts they've had and the disappointing loss to the Titans, but this is still a top-five team.

They have everything needed to win 12 or more games this season and make a deep run in the playoffs. 

5. Detroit Lions: Rising

Of the 3-0 teams outside of Green Bay, the Lions have the best chance to make some noise in the playoff chase. Almost 80 percent of teams that start with three wins and zero losses make the postseason, and the Lions have won two games on the road.

They should win 10 games. But will they?

6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Falling

The offensive line has to be fixed for the Steelers to make it back to the playoffs. It's that simple.

Pittsburgh has an explosive offense when they can protect Ben Roethlisberger, but that has been easier said than done in 2011.

7. Buffalo Bills: Rising

It's going to be interesting to see how the Bills deal with expectations moving forward. After beating the Patriots, fans are going to expect this team to continue winning.

Do they have the horses to turn this amazing 3-0 start into a 10-win, playoff-contending season?

8. Houston Texans: Rising

The Texans blew a game they should have won, but Houston showed that they can play with an elite team on the road. That's enough for me to consider them rising.

They are still the class of the Post-Manning AFC South, but no one in Houston should be sleeping on the Tennessee Titans.

9. San Diego Chargers: Falling

It was difficult to justify having the Chargers in the top 10 for the third straight week, but they won a game on Sunday that in past years they might have floundered away.

At 2-1, they are in good shape in the AFC West. But there's a team in black and silver that resides north of San Diego that's going to have a big say in that division's playoff representation. 

10. New York Giants: Rising

The Giants-Eagles rivalry has become one of the NFL's best, and credit the Giants for fighting through injuries and laying a big hurt on the division favorite.

Sunday's win was a confidence-building victory early in the season, and one that can springboard a team. 

Full Week 4 Power Rankings

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