Complex NFL Power Rankings (Week 4)

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We're a fourth of the way through the NFL season, and what do we know? The Packers have to be at the top of anybody's list until they lose, no lead is safe against the Lions, Cam Newton's pretty good, and the Eagles might not be all that good. Also, the Colts really, really miss Peyton Manning, and the Vikings need Randy Moss, Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter, and maybe even Brett Favre to be any good. We'll be back every week until January, and as always, let us know what you think in the comments below.

32. Minnesota Vikings

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 0 - 4
This Week: L @ Kansas City, 17-22
Up Next: vs. Cardinals, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Down

After four weeks of Donovan McNabb football, it's pretty clear why the Vikings took Florida State QB Christian Ponder at No. 12 in the draft this year. McNabb has yet to throw for 250 yards in a game, and has only four TDs. Aside from Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson, the Vikings have looked flat on both sides of the wall. With the rise of the Lions and an 0-4 start, their season is ultimately already over.

31. Miami Dolphins

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 0 - 4
This Week: L @ San Diego, 16-26
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Down

The Dolphins might be the newest team to add to the Andrew Luck discussion board. Chad Henne, who according to an ESPN source might be out for the season, hasn't performed even close to expectations, and everybody knows replacement Matt Moore is exactly that: a replacement, a filler, a backup. Even RB Daniel Thomas, one of the few bright spots this season, has been toughing it through injuries.

30. St. Louis Rams

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 0 - 4
This Week: L vs. Washington, 10-17
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Down

While Steven Jackson was off prancing around naked for ESPN, the Rams have been busy getting injured and sucking it up. St. Louis has had injuries to running backs, wide receivers, and now the first three starting cornerbacks on the depth chart are out. Considering they face the Packers, Cowboys, and Saints next, this team could be staring at an 0-7 start.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L vs. New Orleans, 10-23
Up Next: vs. Bengals, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Down

In an interview with ESPN's Doug Gottlieb, TE Marcedes Lewis said that the team has handled the departure of QB David Garrard great. The team's 137.5 passing yards per game, worst in the NFL, tells a different story. Against the Saints, QB Blaine Gabbert threw 42 passes and pathetically only completed 16 of those. His poor quality receivers aren't helping the cause, but Gabbert simply shouldn't be starting yet.

28. Indianapolis Colts

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 0 - 4
This Week: L @ Tampa Bay, 17-24
Up Next: vs. Chiefs, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Up

In his first start in the NFL, Curtis Painter was able to manage his offense to a decent extent. His 281 yards with two touchdowns make him look a lot better than he actually was. The two scores were results of great plays after the catch, and his 43.3% completion rate is pretty bad. Indianapolis has already been riddled with injuries, which will make it difficult for Joseph Addai to get going, and even more difficult for Curtis Painter to continue to develop. We still think he can win some games, though.

27. Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: W vs. Minnesota, 22-17
Up Next: @ Colts, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Neutral

We'd love to think that their first victory last week was an indication that this team is getting its woes in order, but considering it was against the Vikings, we're just not ready. Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe truly do have a special connection when they're in sync, but kicker Ryan Succop accounted for 16 of the team's points on five field goals. Looks like a long year for KC.

26. Denver Broncos

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L @ Green Bay, 23-49
Up Next: vs. Chargers, 4:15 Sunday
Trending: Down

You know it's bad when Lance Ball currently has more rushing yards that your Game 1 starter, Knowshon Moreno. The official "Play Tebow!!" billboards have gone live, and the call for a new starting QB probably aren't going to let up any time soon. To match Kyle Orton's eight TDs, he has six interceptions and two fumbles.

25. Seattle Seahawks

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L vs. Atlanta, 28-30
Up Next: @ Giants, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Down

The Seahawks rank last in the NFL with an average of 254 total yards a game, just a fraction more than half as much as the Patriots at 507.5. Their defense isn't half bad (13th in the league, with 341 yards surrendered a game), but...sorry, we just fell asleep at our desk. Yeah, this team will do that to you.

24. Arizona Cardinals

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L vs. NY Giants, 27-31
Up Next: @ Vikings, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Down

This year was supposed to be all about Kolb leading the team and forming a new unstoppable connection with Larry Fitzgerald; not so. The emerging Beanie Wells is the real story for the 1-3 Cardinals as he has posted 90+ yards and a TD in every game, including a 138-yard, three-touchdown romp over the Giants. With Tim Hightower out of the way, Wells already has half the number of carries he did last year. If he can stay healthy, he'll be one of the best backs in the league this year.

23. Cincinnati Bengals

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: W vs. Buffalo, 23-20
Up Next: @ Jaguars, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Up

As of this week, the Bengals have the NFL's No. 1 defense, allowing 189 yards passing, and only 87 yards on the ground. This should be taken with a grain of salt considering their opponents have been Cleveland, Denver, San Fran, and Buffalo, but it still counts for something. Like usual, the Benglas have been dealing with issues off the field as Cedric Benson has a suspension up in the air and Jerome Harrison was the proud owner of a huge amount of weed.

22. Carolina Panthers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L @ Chicago, 29-34
Up Next: vs. Saints, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Up

Anybody still doubting Cam Newton? Here's a great stat from SI's Peter King: In John Elway's first 170 games, he threw for more than 374 yards once. Newton's done it three of his first four. There's no way the Panthers challenge for the playoffs this year, not after a 1-3 start, and not playing in the NFL's best division, the NFC South. But they'll make things interesting for their fans every week (more than those fans had any reason to hope for before the season began), and once they start to put some pieces around Newton—look out.

21. Cleveland Browns

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: L vs. Tennessee, 13-31
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Down

From now until Week 12, the Texans are the only real team that we'd say the Browns can't compete with. We know this team has some talent, both on offense and defense, so we don't see why a maturing Colt McCoy couldn't lead the team to some victories. One of the biggest problems for the Browns, however, is that there aren't any solid receivers for McCoy to throw to. Through four games, they have dropped 10 passes, second-worst in the NFL.

20. Dallas Cowboys

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: L vs. Detroit, 30-34
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Down

Usually, NFL players look forward to their bye week. But it's probably safe to say that Tony Romo & Co. are doing everything but enjoying themselves this week. With the bad taste of last weekend's loss to the Lions still stuck in their mouths, they've gotta sit around and wait another week to take the field again. Let's just hope they're not spending too much of their downtime reading the newspapers.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 1 - 3
This Week: L vs. San Francisco, 23-24
Up Next: @ Bills, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Down

Don't front like we didn't warn you about their collapse. Mike Vick is putting up numbers well below his MVP-esque stats of 2010 (he currently has an 87.7 QB rating) but you can't really put the blame for the Eagles struggles on him. You can start by looking at the terrible O-Line. When's the last time you saw dude throw the ball without getting hit? And no, this isn't because the refs are failing to call late hits. Also, with Ronnie Brown committing the most boneheaded play we've seen a running back ever make, you really have to start wondering about the football IQ of players on the team.

18. San Francisco 49ers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ Philadelphia, 24-23
Up Next: vs. Tampa Bay, 4:05 Sunday
Trending: Up

So guess who's sitting pretty, two games up on their division heading into the second weekend in October? It ain't the Philadelphia Eagles, that's for sure! They play in the weakest division in the league (the SEC West is stronger than the NFC West), they've got a smart new coach, and a competent old quarterback who's no longer actively trying to lose games for his team. Faint praise? Yes. But we'll continue to give them their props—just so long as they don't make the playoffs at 7-9.

17. Atlanta Falcons

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: W @ Seattle, 30-28
Up Next: vs. Packers, 8:20 Sunday
Trending: Down

Considering this team had high playoff hopes to start the season, a 2-2 start after barely beating Seattle might as well seem like the end of the world. Rookie Julio Jones has been the bright spot on the team, but Roddy White has had a problem dropping passes and hasn't linked up for a pass longer than 30 yards. Not to mention a defense that has given up 102 points through four games to the Eagles and three average offenses.

16. New York Jets

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: L @ Baltimore, 17-34
Up Next: @ Patriots, 4:15, Sunday
Trending: Down

The Jets once prolific running attack is gone, their QB is continuing to underperform, Santonio Holmes is calling out teammates, and they have lost two straight. Now they have to face the Patriots. Good luck with that one.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: L @ Houston, 10-17
Up Next: vs. Titans, 1:00, Sunday
Trending: Down

The injury bug has bitten the Steelers hard. Not only is Big Ben battling a foot problem, but RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB James Harrison, and DE Aaron Smith were all injured in the loss to the Texans as well. The constant pressure let through by a shotty offensive line is partially to blame for the 2-2 start. Don't be surprised if the Titans give them a tough game this week.

14. Chicago Bears

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: W vs. Carolina, 34-29
Up Next: @ Lions, 8:30 Monday
Trending: Neutral

The Bears are currently 25th in passing, 20th in rushing, 29th in pass defense, and 24th in rush defense. The schedule has been pretty rough to start and it's not going to get any easier. The Bears finally did the right thing in their win over Carolina by giving Matt Forte over 20 carries for the first time, and he produced a massive 205-yard game. With a bad O-line and no big-play receivers, Cutler needs to continue to hand the ball on a consistent basis.

13. Oakland Raiders

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 2 - 2
This Week: L vs. New England, 19-31
Up Next: @ Texans, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Neutral

It's a good sign for Oakland fans when they're disappointed that the team lost to New England. There's a lot of hope in Raider Nation right now, a foreign feeling for the better part of the past decade. Even the coach is assuming the black and silver will take the AFC West. They travel to Houston to play a very good Texans team this week; after that, they've got three winnable games at home (Cleveland, Kansas City, Denver) before a Thursday night visit to San Diego November 10. If they're 5-3 going into that game, the division lead will be on the line, and that hope will have transformed into expectation.

12. Washington Redskins

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ St. Louis, 17-10
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Up

The Redskins haven't faced the toughest competition thus far, but behind a multi-dimensional rushing front, they have pulled together a solid start. The division is basically flipped from what everybody expected, with Philly and Dallas at the bottom, so Washington needs to take full advantage of this bye week before facing the Eagles in two weeks. A lot of that will depend on whether or not Rex Grossman can decrease his turnovers.

11. San Diego Chargers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W vs. Miami, 26-16
Up Next: @ Broncos, 4:15, Sunday
Trending: Down

The Chargers' 3-1 record is extremely unrepresentative of how this team has truly looked this season. Like usual, San Diego has continued the mantra of playing down to its competition. The three wins have come against three of the bottom five teams in the league, and the one loss was by 14 points against a solid Patriots team. Even with RB Ryan Mathews showing his prowess as both a running and receiving threat, this team needs to give a lot more.

10. Tennessee Titans

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ Cleveland, 31-13
Up Next: @ Steelers, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Up

Even with RB Chris Johnson still on vacation and WR Kenny Britt suffering a season-ending injury, the Titans have been one of the surprises in the NFL this year. If it weren't for a two-point loss to an awful Jaguars team, Matt Hasselbeck would have these guys undefeated. The defense has been a major factor in the team's success, so we'll see if they can contain the Steelers and Texans next.

9. New York Giants

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ Arizona, 31-27
Up Next: vs. Seahawks, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Neutral

Did the G-Men catch a break last week when officials ruled receiver Victor Cruz down on the game's winning drive on a play that clearly looked like a fumble to anyone not wearing blue? Hell yeah! But, guess what? A win is a win, and Tom Coughlin's boys will take it. Now, let's see if they can continue to beat down on the hapless NFC West again this week when the Seahawks come to town. Our guess is they do it...convincingly.

8. Buffalo Bills

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: L @ Cincinnati, 20-23
Up Next: vs. Eagles, 1:00, Sunday
Trending: Down

A little dose of reality came for the Bills this weekend, it's just difficult to tell what exactly that reality is. They blew a lead against a rookie quarterback who threw two interceptions, and they managed only 12 first downs on offense. But Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't throw any picks himself, so...nevermind, we know what that reality is for the Bills. Not looking good.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W vs. Indianapolis, 24-17
Up Next: @ 49ers, 4:05, Sunday
Trending: Up

Most might look at this past week as a struggle against a bad team, but we think it's quite the opposite. Indianapolis played its best ball all year, and it took yet another cool and collected Josh Freeman drive to give the Bucs the W. This kid has shown poise far beyond his years, and shows great mobility for a QB his size. With LeGarrette Blount continuing to pound out yardage, this team has two solid go-to guys.

6. Houston Texans

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W vs. Pittsburgh, 17-10
Up Next: vs. Raiders, 1:00 Sunday
Trending: Up

Andre Johnson is reported to be out for three weeks, but we believe this is actually an injury that will affect the fantasy world far more than the actual Texans team. RB Arian Foster came back with a bang, and proved that he's ready to maintain his status as one of the best backs in the game. Though Matt Schaub hasn't been flashy this year, he'll still have TE Owen Daniels, who is about as sure-handed as it gets, and WR Jacoby Jones, who can definitley get the job done for a short three weeks. 

5. Detroit Lions

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 4 - 0
This Week: W @ Dallas, 34-30
Up Next: vs. Bears, 8:30 Monday
Trending: Neutral

Everybody is all over the Lions for completing two massive comebacks in a row. Although this does prove the mental toughness and fight in these young guys, don't forget that these games were against the Vikings, possibly the worst team in the league, and a very shaky Cowboys team. Why were they down 20+ points in the first place? Monday night should be fun, as Detroit hosts Chicago in the club's biggest game in a couple decades. People might be thinking playoffs already, but that kind of inconsistency will get them knocked out easy.

4. New Orleans Saints

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ Jacksonville, 23-10
Up Next: @ Panthers, 1:00, Sunday
Trending: Up

Regardless of their single loss to the best team in football, the Green Bay Packers, the Siants are firing on all cylinders. Drew Brees is completing 69% of his passes, Jimmy Graham has turned into a top five tight end, and the running combo of Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas has given the team a competitive running game. Like expected, these guys will demolish anybody with an avalanche of points.

3. New England Patriots

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W @ Oakland, 31-19
Up Next: vs. Jets, 4:15 Sunday
Trending: Up

This year's Pats are the polar opposite of the Ravens of the past decade. They are first in passing yards and have posted at least 31 points in every game, yet are dead last in yards allowed through the air. The upcoming schedule includes the Jets, Cowboys, Steelers, and Giants. Although none of those teams have played up to potential, none of them will provide easy wins. For those keeping count, Wes Welker has 40 catches for 616 yards and five TDs this year.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 3 - 1
This Week: W vs. NY Jets, 34-17
Up Next: Bye
Trending: Up

It's beginning to look like you can add the Ravens D alongside death and taxes on the list of sure things in this life. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still there, and familiar names like Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs are still around, but it's the new kids like Terrence Cody that have paced Baltimore's defense to the top of the NFL once again. They easily won their grudge match with former coordinator Rex Ryan on Sunday, humiliating Mark Sanchez in the process. They're the most complete team in the AFC right now, and with a soft schedule to boot, they have to be the frontrunners for the No. 1 seed in the conference at this point.

1. Green Bay Packers

Last Week's Rank: n/a
Record: 4 - 0
This Week: W vs. Denver, 49-23
Up Next: @ Falcons, 8:20, Sunday
Trending: Up

Aaron Rodgers scores six total touchdowns, so Brett Favre had to open his mouth and say that Rodgers should have won a Super Bowl sooner. We have news for you, Brett: Anytime anybody but ESPN sees your name these days, they change the channel, flip the page, or turn the dial. Favre is just jealous he isn't commanding a Packer team that continues to eliminate every opponent it faces.