The Complex NFL Power Rankings, Week 4

Image via Complex Original

Record: 0 - 3
Last Week's Rank: 30
Last Week's Results: L vs. Bills, 14-24
This Week: @ Ravens, 8:20 Thursday

It looks like it's going to be another long year in Cleveland. The Browns fall to 0-3 and lost nine straight dating back to last year as they failed to build on a solid performance last week. Rookie QB Brandon Weeden had a decent game with 237 and a touchdown, but he threw two interceptions in the final four minutes as he tried to make something happen. Cleveland plays the Ravens next Thursday in what should be loss number four, unless the replacement refs want to do them a solid. —Angel Diaz

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 31
Last Week's Results: W @ Colts, 22-17
This Week: vs. Bengals, 4:05 Sunday

Nobody in football needed a win more than Jacksonville and, thankfully for them, the Colts choked away a lead with 60 seconds left in the game. Blaine Gabbert calmed the naysayers with an 80-yard game-winning touchdown and Maurice Jones Drew looks to have his post-lockout mojo back. Celebrate this one Jacksonville, wins are going to be few and far between this season. —Sean Evans

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 28
Last Week's Results: L vs. Jets, 20-23
This Week: @ Cardinals, 4:05 Sunday

Going into Week 4, the Dolphins should be atop the AFC East with a 2-1 record instead of their current spot as the cellar dweller of the division. But when Miami kicker Dan Carpenter showed off his best Billy Cundiff impersonation and missed a game-winning field goal opportunity, the Phins gave the Jets another chance to win it and they didn't blow it. As we all probably suspected going into the season, wins were going to be few and far between for this team. That is why when easy chip shots for the win are asked of Carpenter, he needs to make 'em. —Jose Martinez

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 24
Last Week's Results: L vs. Jaguars, 17-22
This Week: BYE

The Colts were poised to enter their bye week with a 2-1 record. What a difference a minute can make. With less than 60 seconds to go, the Jaguars Blaine Gabbert hit wide receiver Cecil Shorts for an 80-yard touchdown and, ultimately, a Jacksonville victory. Oops. The Colts have a merciful bye week before hosting the Packers. —Sean Evans

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 32
Last Week's Results: W vs. Lions, 44-41
This Week: @ Texans, 1:00 Sunday

Were it not for that debacle on Monday night, the Titans vs. Lions cluster fuck would be talked about as one of the most memorable regular season games in years. The Titans overtime win was a four quarter highlight reel with five scoring plays of over 60 yards and a game-tying touchdown by the Lions on the last play of regulation. It’s all smiles today in Tennessee, but the Titans travel to Houston, which looks to be the best team in football. —Sean Evans

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 23
Last Week's Results: L vs. Bears 6-23
This Week: vs. Seahawks, 1:00 Sunday

The Rams were just beat up by the Bears' defense. Held to 160 yards on the day, the Rams just couldn't move the chains on the suffocating Bears D. Bradford didn't have a good day at all as he was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown. After coming up lucky last week with a win courtesy of Josh Morgan, the Rams find themselves on the other side of the win column this week. —David Whitely

Record: 0 - 3
Last Week's Rank: 18
Last Week's Results: L vs. Chiefs 24-27
This Week: @ Packers, 4:25 Sunday

So we guess that Madden curse finally caught up to Drew Brees? Except it didn't get him injured, it completely fucked up his entire organization. All jokes aside though, the Saints look bad and are in worse shape than anybody thought they'd be by this point in the season. They've lost three close games where Brees hasn't been his normal accurate TD throwing self (Seven TDs, Five INTs, 54.7 completion percentage), and their defense is sitting pretty at the bottom of the league (477.3 YPG allowed, 34 PPG allowed).

Can they turn it around? Sure. Will they? We doubt it. They still face Atlanta two times, the Giants, Dallas, San Francisco, Philly, and start off this turnaround push at Green Bay next week. Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs, you kidding me? Playoffs?! —Elias Ahmed

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 27
Last Week's Results: W @ Saints, 27-24
This Week: vs. Chargers, 1:00 Sunday

Welcome back Jamaal Charles. Fresh off an ACL injury last year, Charles chopped up the Saints defense with cutback runs and jet sweeps to end the game with 233 yards with 91 of those yards coming on a touchdown run. The Chiefs defense took advantage of the Saints not having their head coach, but they still need work. The offense scored 27 points, but 18 of those points were on field goals. They are going to need to put the ball in the end zone if they want to beat the Chargers at home this weekend, which probably won't happen. —Richard Boadu

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 29
Last Week's Results: W vs. Steelers, 34-31
This Week: @ Broncos, 4:05 Sunday

When Carson Palmer is consistent and Darren McFadden is healthy the Raiders are hard to beat which is what happened last week against the Steelers. The bad thing is that the Raiders gave up 34 including four touchdown passes by Ben Roethlisberger. It's not going to get any easier this weekend when they go to play in the thin air of Denver and take on Peyton Manning. My money is on Peyton Manning not losing three games in a row and the Raiders taking an L. —Richard Boadu

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 21
Last Week's Results: L vs Giants, 7-36
This Week: @ Falcons, 1:00 Sunday

So last week we said the Panthers' Thursday night matchup against the Super Bowl champs would be a big test for them. Is it possible to get lower than a F-? Cam looked disheveled post game and just plain bad during the game throwing three picks off some poorly thrown balls. Their run game was a step below pedestrian tallying up a grand total of 60 yards. Plus on the other side of the ball they made two 3rd string or worse guys in Ramses Barden and Andre Brown look like Pro-Bowlers.

It's getting mighty old to see Cam sulking on the sideline when things aren't looking too good, but we're glad Steve Smith gave him the lashing he needs to become that big time leader. Next week they go up against arguably one of the top two or three teams in the league and a divisional rival in Atlanta. We wouldn't bet on the Panthers coming out with a win, but with the parody this season has had, who knows. —Elias Ahmed

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 17
Last Week's Results: L vs. Bengals, 31-38
This Week: @ Buccaneers, 4:25 Sunday

Want to see a quarterback throw for a ton of yards? Then, just flip on a Redskins game. This team is almost dead last in the league when it comes to allowing passing yards, and they got torched again on Sunday by Andy Dalton. Fortunately, the 'Skins D will be lining up against Josh Freeman, who has been shaky at best so far this season, this week. But, they need to figure out a way to slow down opposing offenses. Otherwise, Robert Griffin III can throw, scramble, and run all over the field all he wants. But, Washington is still going to struggle to keep up with just about every other team in the league. —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 25
Last Week's Results: W vs. 49ers, 24-13
This Week: @ Lions, 1:00 Sunday

While the Packers and Lions are sitting at the bottom of the division (wait, what?!), the Vikings are standing tall with the Bears, after beating a 49ers team that looked like it was on an early Super Bowl pace. The drama from the Green Bay game heavily took away the attention from the stunning victory, which probably works in the Vikes favor. Christian Ponder and Minne set the tone with an early 4th-and-goal touchdown and controlled the pace for the rest of the game. Ponder had a total of three touchdowns, didn't turn the ball over and was not sacked a single time. How's that for maturity against the top D in the league? —Tony Markovich

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 19
Last Week's Results: L @ Cowboys, 10-16
This Week: vs. Redskins, 4:25 Sunday

The story coming out of Tampa Bay is that yet again coach Schiano told his guys to bull rush the QB when a kneel was called. Should it be the story? We guess...? The Bucs are a hard team to read. They're defense looked pretty good and held a loaded Dallas team to 16, but they're offense was average at best and wasn't really able to get the run or pass game going. If anything, the storyline should probably be that they had a third straight close game and second consecutive close loss.

It's good that they can keep it close with different types of teams, but if they want to have any shot at making the playoffs they're going to have to get Josh Freeman and the boys to close. Next week they meet up with the RGIII-led Redskins who have shown the ability to put points on the board. It'll be a big game for both squads but if they can pressure the rookie like the Bengals did this past weekend, they definitely have a shot. —Elias Ahmed

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 26
Last Week's Results: W @ Browns, 24-14
This Week: vs. Patriots, 1:00 Sunday

After a brutal loss to the Jets in Week 1, the Bills needed to rebound against back-to-back lower tier opponents in the Chiefs and Browns, respectively. They did just that by easily defeating both teams, thanks to the emergence of C.J. Spiller. However, after sustaining a collarbone injury in last week's match-up, Buffalo may be heading into their all-important home game against the Patriots without C.J. and Fred Jackson. Guess the result depends on how well Tashard Choice performs. No pressure, though. —Jose Martinez

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 13
Last Week's Results: L @ Titans, 41-44
This Week: vs. Vikings, 1:00 Sunday

The Lions fought and fought and fought in this game until their Music City magic ran out. The issue here is that the Titans weren't even Detroit's biggest enemy out there on the field. As it has been in the past two years, this team continues to show its lack of consistency and discipline. Matt Stafford, Shaun Hill, and company can rack up as many yards as they want (442 passing/583 total in this game), but when you're in the double digits in penalties and only converting 50 percent of your red zone attempts, that won't mean anything. According to the Detroit Free Press, Stafford suffered a strained muscle in his leg. Sitting at 1-2 with Hill as the starting QB is about as far from the Week 4 envisioned picture as you can get. —Tony Markovich

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 16
Last Week's Results: W @ Dolphins, 23-20
This Week: vs. 49ers, 1:00 Sunday

A win's a win. No matter how ugly or brutal it is to watch. Plain and simple, the Jets need to give Mark Sanchez more time in the pocket to make the right read. Just look at the game he had against the Bills where the offensive line did a great job in pass protection and Sanchez looked phenomenal. But don't expect a quick turnaround this Sunday. The 49ers and their league-best defense from last season are coming to MetLife. Yikes! —Jose Martinez

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 14
Last Week's Results: L vs. Texans, 25-31
This Week: vs. Raiders, 4:05 Sunday

Peyton Manning ain't Peyton Manning as a level headed person should expect. He's plays for the Denver Broncos not the Denver Unicorns and he's going to have some growing pains. Through three games, he's only completing 60 percent of his passes and has only thrown five touchdowns with three picks. The defense looks great, but Peyton doesn't. He's on his way though just be patient Denver and thankful that you play in the weakest division in all of football which means you'll make it into the playoffs. —Richard Boadu

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 8
Last Week's Results: L @ Raiders, 31-34
This Week: BYE

Big Ben went for 384 yards and four TDs, but it wasn't enough as the Steelers defense couldn't stop a nosebleed. Pittsburgh has been struggling on D without their two best players, Troy Polamalu (calf) and James Harrison (knee). They let the Raiders score in every quarter, giving up 13 points in the fourth; including a 43-yard FG by Sebastian Janikowski as time expired. Luckily, the Steelers have a Bye next week, so they have time to get it together. —Angel Diaz

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 22
Last Week's Results: W @ Redskins, 38-31
This Week: @ Jaguars, 4:05 Sunday

The Bengals gave up a 24-7 lead, but were able to hang on with a couple fourth quarter drives lead by Andy Dallton. The second year QB went for 328 and three TDs to lead Cincy over a tough Redskins team. Although, the seven-point victory could be directly attributed to rookie receiver Mohamed Sanu's trick play, 73-yd TD pass to A.J. Green on the first play of the game. Washington had a shot at the end, but were again called for unsportsmanlike conduct in another baffling call by the replacement refs. The Bengals play the Jaguars next week. —Angel Diaz

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 13
Last Week's Results: W vs. Rams, 23-6
This Week: @ Cowboys, 8:30 Monday

The Bears beat the Rams with no touchdowns from their quarterback and a pick-six late in the game. Sounds like typical Chicago football. It was the second straight game for Cutler with less than 200 yards and the first of the season without a TD. Holding St. Louis to just two field goals, the Bears defensive line took down Sam Bradford six times and intercepted him twice, including Major Wright's game-clincher with nine minutes remaining.

With Matt Forte sidelined by an ankle injury, Michael Bush did a good enough, but not great, job filling in, posting 55 yards and a score on 18 carries. Next up, Chicago faces its first primetime matchup on Monday night against Romo and the 'Boys. —Tony Markovich

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 15
Last Week's Results: W vs. Buccaneers, 16-10
This Week: vs. Bears, 8:30 Monday

If we told you that Tony Romo had three turnovers on Sunday and got hit almost every single time he dropped back in the pocket, you'd probably tell us that the Cowboys lost, right? Er, wrong. It definitely wasn't pretty—we're pretty sure Romo's ears are still ringing—but the 'Boys did just enough to win the game. That said, they're going to need to play much, much better, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, if they want to beat the Bears. This team has to start protecting their QB more effectively if they want to ride him to a playoff berth. —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 12
Last Week's Results: L vs. Falcons, 3-27
This Week: @ Chiefs, 1:00 Sunday

The last time the Chargers only scored three points or less in a game has been 2002. Philip Rivers had his worst day as an NFL QB with only a 45.2 QB rating. The Chargers aren't bad, it's just that the Falcons are just that good. Look for the Chargers to bounce back and beat the Chiefs in Kansas City this weekend. —Richard Boadu

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 20
Last Week's Results: W vs. Packers, 14-12
This Week: @ Rams, 1:00 Sunday

Wow. Possibly the biggest or most egregious missed call in NFL history happened during this game, and it wasn't just one blown call--it was two. First the replacement refs missed the blatant pass interference push off by Seahwaks receiver Golden Tate that threw defender Sam Shields out of the play, which should have been called, then the debacle that was clearly a Jennings interception that was called a Tate touchdown happened. Jennings clearly had had complete control of the ball on the catch, and retained possession on the ground as he had the ball clamped to his chest.

We'll give Tate credit for getting his hands in there on the ball to try to wrestle it away from Jennings, but this should have been an interception with the game going to the Packers. Sadly, everyone will be talking about this call rather than the stellar upfront defense by the Seahawks in sacking Aaron Rodgers eight times in just the first half, or the solid game that rookie Russell Wilson played, especially in getting his team into scoring position in under a minute and a half left in the game. —David Whitely

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 7
Last Week's Results: L @ Cardinals, 6-27
This Week: vs. Giants, 8:20 Sunday

Know how poorly Michael Vick played on Sunday? There are actually people out there who have wondered if the Eagles made a mistake by trading away Kevin Kolb last year and giving Vick the starting job. Kevin Kolb! We can't really blame them, though. The Eagles have turned the ball over 12 times this year. Vick has gotten sacked early and often (the Cards got to him five times). And, guess who's coming to town on Sunday night? The Giants. Forget winning the game. Let's just hope Vick makes it out alive! —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 6
Last Week's Results: L @ Ravens, 30-31
This Week: @ Bills, 1:00 Sunday

The Patriots could blame the referees all they want for all the questionable calls, but it was the New England defense that gave up 382 passing yards to Joe Flacco on Sunday night. Thanks to a hit-or-miss defensive group and an offense that has shown up in two of the team's first three games, the Pats are under .500 for the first time since 2003. —Jose Martinez

Record: 1 - 2
Last Week's Rank: 3
Last Week's Results: L @ Seahawks, 12-14
This Week: vs. Saints, 4:25 Sunday

By this time everybody and their dead relatives have seen the video and heard about the "awful (as Aaron Rodgers would say)" call that handed this game over to the Seahawks. Foul-mouthed T.J. Lang and the rest of the upset Packers on Twitter made sure of it. There's really no point in repeating what's already been said. So, regardless of whether or not this loss will determine playoff position or lead to the end of the ref lockout, there are a few takeaways (not the should-have-been M.D. Jennings kind) the Packers need to focus on going into a mind-boggling 1 - 2 v. 0 - 3 match up against the Saints. For one, that offensive line had more holes in the first half than a cheese grater.

Time after time after time three-year offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and his teammates were beat off the line, undercut, and spun around, allowing Chris Clemons and crew to take down Rodgers a total of eight times. Guess how many Seattle had in the second half? ZERO. Why did it take McCarthy so long to make his adjustments? This plays into the second main focus of giving Cedric Benson a larger role in this offense. When Rodgers' super quick release and impressive mobility aren't doing the job, use the ground game. It's something the Packers actually have now with Benson back there, and it's something that should have been implemented towards the end of the first quarter, not the second half. Had McCarthy made the necessary changes earlier, the whole mess might have been completely avoided. —Tony Markovich

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 9
Last Week's Results: W @ Panthers, 36-7
This Week: @ Eagles, 8:20 Sunday

No Ahmad Bradshaw? No Hakeem Nicks? No full week to prepare for Cam Newton? No problem! Despite playing on short rest, the G-Men got some big performances out of a couple of guys that most football fans outside of New York City had probably never heard of. Running back Andre Brown ran for a career-high 113 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, while wide receiver Ramses Barden hauled in nine passes for a career-high 138 yards. Next up? A rivalry game against the suddenly-slumping Eagles. After a rough start to their season, the Giants appear to be back on track. And, once they get healthy again, look out. —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 3 - 0
Last Week's Rank: 11
Last Week's Results: W vs. Eagles, 27-6
This Week: vs. Dolphins, 4:05 Sunday

That Arizona defense is real. The Cardinals line is becoming one of the most feared defensive fronts in the NFL, because they know how to get to opposing quarterbacks. Arizona ranks second in the NFL in to total sacks with 12 sacks, and they don't allow offenses to move the ball down the field as they only allow 316 yards per game, 10th in the league.

As one of three remaining undefeated teams, the Cardinals have to be the biggest surprise with an unresolved quarterback issue, and one of the worst offenses in the league with 263.3 total yards per game. So if their offense sucks and the special teams is just as terrible, it has to be their defense getting them these wins right? You saw what they did the Michael Vick this week, just brutal. —David Whitely

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 1
Last Week's Results: L @ Vikings, 13-24
This Week: @ Jets, 1:00 Sunday

Alex Smith's 249 consecutive passes streak finally ended this past Sunday and the leagues supposed best defense allowed young Vikes QB Christian Ponder to tally three total touchdowns en route to the Niner's first loss of the season in Minnesota. Also alarming for the Niners defense, they allowed 344 yards of total offense dropping them to 11th in the league overall in yards allowed per game. Not a ton to worry about here in the early going, we highly doubt San Francisco will be anywhere but in prime position come playoff time. —David Whitely

Record: 2 - 1
Last Week's Rank: 5
Last Week's Results: W vs. Patriots, 31-30
This Week: vs. Browns, 8:20 Thursday

Joe Flacco and Ray Rice carried the Ravens once again, but had some help from WR Torrey Smith this time. Torrey played the game of his life in honor of his little brother who had passed in the early hours of Sunday morning. Smith had six receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco went for 382 yards and three TDs while Rice rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore's Justin Tucker hit a controversial 27-yard FG as time expired to finish the Pats off in what could've been a classic if the replacement refs didn't call 24 penalties (most of them phantom). This is the first time Tom Brady lost to the Ravens during the regular season. They face Cleveland next Thursday in what should be a competitive game given their history (even though the Browns suck).—Angel Diaz

Record: 3 - 0
Last Week's Rank: 2
Last Week's Results: W @ Chargers, 27-3
This Week: vs. Panthers, 1:00 Sunday

Matty Ice is looking like Tom Brady and the Falcons are 3-0 after laying the smackdown on the then undefeated Chargers. Life is good in ATL and there isn't much to be unhappy about when it comes to this team. Their defense looked great shutting down Rivers by holding them to a measly three points and forced four turnovers. The run game looked better than it has in the past netting 118 yards and a score.

The Falcons are now without a doubt in the conversation for best in the league with the San Francisco loss and the NFC South is easily their's for the taking. The most surprising thing about them this year is just how good their defense has looked, we knew they'd be able to put up some points but their defense has made two top tier QBs in Peyton and Rivers look bad. If they can keep this up they might finally get that playoff win that's been so elusive for the post-Michael Vick era. Next week they meet up with a Carolina team that just got trounced on Thursday night and have to be hungry for a win. We're rolling with Mike Smith and his squad until further notice though. —Elias Ahmed

Record: 3 - 0
Last Week's Rank: 4
Last Week's Results: W @ Broncos, 31-25
This Week: vs. Titans, 1:00 Sunday

The only thing the Texans are losing these days are pieces of Matt Schaub’s ear. They’re looking like one of the best teams in football while, simultaneously, playing in the NFL’s worst division. At this pace, the Texans will clinch a playoff berth by Halloween and it starts by distancing themselves from the Titans this week. —Sean Evans