NFL 2015 Power Rankings – Week 4
32. Cleveland Browns (1-3) (32) – Tough one to lose. They played really hard and lost to a good team. Next game: @ Baltimore Ravens
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) (31) – What a game by Doug Martin. Performances like that make me think that this Bucs team could be solid in a few years. Gotta build through the trenches though. Both their lines are hot garbage. Next game: vs Jacksonville Jaguars
30. Tennessee Titans (1-2) (30) – Can’t lose on a bye week. Next game: vs Buffalo Bills
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) (27) – When you have an opportunity to take out one of the better teams in your division, you have to take it. That’s what this game came down to. Opportunities. And the Jags blew a lot of them. They blow a lot. Next game: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28. San Francisco 49ers (1-3) (26) – What sucks is that the Niners can’t really do much about their quarterback situation. Colin Kaepernick is regressing and their backup is Blaine Gabbert. Next game: @ New York Giants
27. Oakland Raiders (2-2) (25) – I don’t want to sound like one of those “experts” but the Raiders aren’t a team that’s ready to win. They’re still young and a team that’s ready to win would’ve won this game. I don’t know what I’m talking about though. Next game: vs Denver Broncos
26. Chicago Bears (1-3) (29) – What a difference Jay Cutler makes. That’s how bad Jimmy Clausen is. He’s so bad he makes you wish Jay Cutler is healthy. Next game: @ Kansas City Chiefs
25. Washington Redskins (2-2) (28) – Who are the Redskins? Who are these guys? What makes them good? We know the offensive line is suspect. We know Kirk Cousins sucks. We know they have no playmakers. We know the defense isn’t good either. So is Philly just that bad? Next game: @ Atlanta Falcons
24. Houston Texans (1-3) (21) – The Texans got boatraced by the Falcons. They don’t have an identity outside of JJ Watt, but JJ Watt can’t do it all himself. We’ll see how this team looks when Arian Foster is a lot more healthy but they need a better quarterback and more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Next game: vs Indianapolis Colts (TNF)
23. Miami Dolphins (1-3) (20) – Joel Philbin was fired prematurely. I get that they had expectations and they aren’t living up to them, but its only week 4. The Dolphins have essentially conceded the season. They put too much stock in the Suh signing, and bringing Jordan Cameron but they didn’t do a lot to help the offensive line. They also didn’t do a whole lot to upgrade their defense. All that being said, Philbin is a much better offensive coordinator than head coach. Next game: Bye Week
22. Detroit Lions (0-4) (19) – Ooooph. Talk about bad luck. The Lions have had to play some good teams. Also, they’re not very good. Its gonna get worse before it gets better. Next game: vs Arizona Cardinals
21. New York Giants (2-2) (24) – I totally expected the Bills to destroy the week. I would’ve picked them in elimination if I wasn’t already out. It definitely helped that LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins didn’t play but screw it right? A win is a win. Next game: vs San Francisco 49ers
20. St Louis Rams (2-2) (23) – Hands down the best defensive line in football, save for maybe the Bills. It all starts up front. Without the pressure they caused, I don’t see how the force so many turnovers, which obviously led to the win. Next game: @ Green Bay Packers
19. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) (18) – How do you throw for well over 300 yards but no touchdowns?Alex Smith took game management to a whole new level. Next game: vs Chicago Bears
18. Buffalo Bills (2-2) (16) – You know who I feel bad for? The Titans. Because after this loss, Rex Ryan is fired up and they’re going to want to kill people. Marcus Mariota might want to call in sickon Sunday. Next game: @ Tennessee Titans
17. New Orleans Saints (1-3) (22) – Drew Brees wasn’t himself but he had just enough in that bum shoulder to get a game winning touchdown in overtime. Once again, he’s bailed out the Rob Ryan coached defense. Though, in Rob Ryan’s defense…they’re starting a lot of rookies on that side of the ball. Next game: @ Philadelphia Eagles
16. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) (9) – Garbage. Just garbage. Some genius Chip Kelly turned out to be. Next game: vs New Orleans Saints
15. Baltimore Ravens (1-3) (15) – As I write this, I feel like the Ravens should have lost. What did they do that was so good? They didn’t win this, the Steelers lost. Next game: vs Cleveland Browns
14. New York Jets (3-1) (17) – The Jets defense and running game once again buoyed the team to a win in London. You have to like what you see from the offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t making many mistakes and Chris Ivory has been really good. Great way to go into a bye week. Next game: Bye Week
13. Minnesota Vikings (2-2) (11) – The Vikings could have pulled this game out. They ran the ball well, they defended well and when it came down to it, the Broncos just made a big play at the right time. Next game: Bye Week
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) (14) – If you read my “Five Thoughts” column about college football, you’ll know that I believe that a coaching change, the right coaching change, can do wonders. The Falcons got tired of Mike Smith, brought in Dan Quin and its already worked out. Its going to be a dogfight for this division and I can’t wait to see how it all shakes out. Next game: vs Washington Redskins
11. Dallas Cowboys (2-2) (7) – Its crazy how competitive this team is without its two main offensive stars. Whether it was the Saints or not, you have to applaud what the Cowboys are able to accomplish with all these injuries piling up. Next game: vs New England
10. Carolina Panthers (4-0) (13) – The Carolina Houdinis keep finding ways to win and the magician at the helm is Cam Newton. This guy does it all and he does it over and over again. Next game: Bye Week
9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-0) (12) – For the sake of Bengals fans, I hope this isn’t a waste of a great start to the season. Next game: vs Seattle Seahawks
8. San Diego Chargers (3-1) (10) – You can’t let the Josh McCown come into your house and push your around like that. While they did come away with the win, it wasn’t easy. Phillip Rivers once again showing his elite status, carried this team to the win. Next game: vs Pittsburgh (MNF)
7. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) (8) – What better time to lose Andrew Luck than the week you’re playing the Jaguars right? Matt Hasselbeck is a capable quarterback and he did his job. It was a close game, but they pulled out the W. Next game: @ Houston Texans (TNF)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) (5) – Losing Ben Roethlisberger is going to make life really difficult for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. While Vick wasn’t a total disaster, he doesn’t do the types of things Big Ben can do. The chemistry isn’t there yet but time is running out and the Bengals look like this division is theirs already. Next game: @ San Diego Chargers (MNF)
5. Arizona Cardinals (3-1) (4) – I really thought they would win this game…but they weren’t ready for Todd Gurley. No one was ready for Todd Gurley. The Cardinals defense was really caught off guard and even Nick Foles had a halfway decent game. The turnovers didn’t help the Cardinals either. Next game: @ Detroit Lions
4. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) (6) – The importance of Kam Chancellor can’t be understated. They’re just a better team with him on the field. He makes plays and was a huge reason they beat the Lions. They better pay him what he wants. He’s got ons of leverage now. Next game: @ Cincinnati Bengals
3. Denver Broncos (4-0) (3) – Credit the Broncos defense for putting this game away. This wasn’t typical Broncos football. Or at least typical since Peyton Manning came to town. They ran the ball very well and made plays when it mattered, especially when TJ Ward stripped Teddy Bridgewater for a game sealing fumble. Next game: @ Oakland Raiders
2. Green Bay Packers (4-0) (2) – Just making it look easy. Its getting a little ridiculous how good Aaron Rodgers is. Next game: vs St Louis Rams
1. New England Patriots (3-0) (1) – Can’t lose on a bye week. Otherwise, I’d have the Packers here. Next game: @ Dallas Cowboys
