Week 4 NFL Power Rankings

This week many of the top teams continued to show how good they are and many of the bad teams displayed just that: how bad they are. The feel good moment of the weekend came when the Detroit Lions finally got the gorilla off their back and won a game. It was their first win since December 23, 2007. Anyone who witnessed the end of the 49ers-Vikings game is still in awe of what Brett Favre was able to pull off in the waning seconds. Last year's Super Bowl teams are flirting with falling out of the top 20 and are both at 1-2. Not a good way to start 2009. The top looks pretty similar as last week as the Giants, Ravens, and Colts all looked impressive. Both the Bengals and Broncos have made big jumps this week after their continued winning. The Titans, Panthers, and Dolphins all made the playoffs in 2008, but all stand at a combined 0-9. Not the way any expected to start this year.

2009 Power Rankings (going into Week 4):

1.(1) Giants (3-0): The Giants went down to Tampa Bay and blanked a futile Bucs team.
2.(3) Colts (3-0): What can't Peyton Manning do? 4TDs to 4 different receivers in an easy win over a good Cardinals team.
3(2) Ravens (3-0): The Ravens didn't have to do too much this past week, but they still get style points from me for the rout. Next up: The Patriots.
4(7) Saints (3-0): The Saints' offense was a little bit slowed this week in Buffalo, but displayed a capable run game to go with their deadly fast passing game.
5(5) Vikings (3-0): Wonder why Brett Favre came back. This week against the 49ers with the game on the line showed everyone. This guy can still play and balances the offense quite nice.
6(8) Jets (3-0): The Jets are continuing to show that they are a real threat this year. Next week comes another big challenge at New Orleans.
7(10) Patriots (2-1): Put Tom Brady in a corner and give him a must win game, he seems to deliver. The Patriots look to be heading in the right direction and are back on track and await Baltimore next week in what should be a good game.
8(4) Falcons (2-1): The first road test did not go so well for the Falcons, but still showed a lot against a proven contender.
9(9) Eagles (2-1): QB Kevin Kolb was not so good against the Saints, but in came the Chiefs and things look good going into the bye week.
10(12) Packers (2-1): The Packers took care of business against the Rams and now turn their attention to big game in Minnesota next Monday.
11.(11) Chargers (2-1): The Chargers haven't look very good after 3 games, but found a way to put away the Dolphins in the 4th quarter under the guidance of their cool and calm QB, Philip Rivers.
12.(25) Bengals (2-1): Take away the tipped pass against the Broncos and this team would be 4-0. This team is looking like the team of a few years ago.
13.(21) Broncos (3-0): Three up and three down. Can't criticize the Broncos for playing who is in front of them. The next month will be a good way to figure out how good this team will be in 2009.
14.(13) Cowboys (2-1): They have continued to struggle at times on offense and QB Tony Romo still hasn't found his groove, but they were able to get a nice win on Monday Night against the Panthers.
15.(15) Bears (2-1): The Bears held off a weaken Seahawks team late and QB Jay Cutler has look pretty good the last two weeks.
16.(6) Steelers (1-2): This is not how the Steelers wanted to start their Super Bowl defense. Next week against the Chargers becomes a big game early for this team if they want to contend in their division alone.
17.(14) 49ers (2-1): It was a tough loss, but they will indeed chew on it and will regroup and come focused against the Rams next week.
18.(16) Titans (0-3): This is the same team that started 10-0 last year. That seems a long time ago. They now must prepare for a crucial division game against the Jaguars.
19.(17) Cardinals (1-2): Peyton Manning found every hole in the Cardinals' defense. This team will have a bye to get back on track for the rest of the season. They will have to fight this year to make the playoffs.
20.(19) Texans (1-2): It looked like after beating the Titans they were on the incline, but the Jaguars quickly changed that.
21.(27) Jaguars (1-2): A nice division win to get in the win column. Next week they get the Titans and can pull even after a horrible first two weeks.
22.(21) Bills (1-2): They held their own at times against the Saints, but still couldn't muster much offense. WR Terrell Owens' reception game streak was snapped and he has not been the focal point he was hoping to be yet.
23.(26) Panthers (0-3): The Panthers are struggling so far and the bye could be good at this point if they hope to make a run the rest of the season.
24.(18) Seahawks (1-2): Last year we saw how different this team is without QB Matt Hasselbeck. Might be deja vu despite their good effort against the Bears.
25.(20) Dolphins (0-3): They got the Falcons, Colts, and Chargers to start. The Bills will be a nice change for them and give them a shot to avoid 0-4. The schedule is tough this year.
26.(24) Redskins (1-2): They are horrible in the end zone. They barely survived the Rams and followed that with a loss to the Lions...a team that hadn't won in 20 games. The hottest hot seat resides in Washington these days.
27.(23) Raiders (1-2): They showed signs of maybe turning it around a little this year, but then laid a dub against the Broncos.
28.(31) Lions (1-2): Finally. They still aren't a very good team, but at least have a win and that is a lot for them then last year.
29.(29) Chiefs (0-3): Bringing in QB Matt Cassell and some veterans was supposed to improve this team. They are still struggling to score and compete.
30.(28) Buccaneers (0-3): They may have a spark in backup QB Josh Johnson. Let's see if they ride him next week against the Bills.
31.(30) Browns (0-3): A new quarterback in the 2nd half. A same or worse result. This team has a lot of offensive problems.
32.(32) Rams (0-3): They are still a work in progress and now might not have QB Marc Bulger for some time again.

Let's see how next week's games go and if the rankings will have any shakeups.