NFL
by Joey Pona

Top-10 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings

Here are my top-10 power rankings for Week 4 of the NFL season:

  1. New England Patriots (3-0) – The New England Patriots handled their business by defeating the helpless New York Jets. New England stormed to a commanding 30-0 lead over the Jets and put game in cruise control throughout the fourth quarter. Here’s a cool Patriots defense (!?) stat: they still have not allowed an opposing offense to score a touchdown in four-straight games and will be looking to be the first team in NFL history to achieve that feat in five-straight.. So that’s cool! Is it time to consider the Patriots have a good defense or do we wait until they actually play a good football team? Trend: –
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) – Against a tough Baltimore Ravens team, Patrick Mahomes and company outlasted a gutsy come-from-behind effort from rising superstar, Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs defense is still a work in progress and almost let the huge lead slip away. Fortunately, when you have offensive firepower that’s scored 25+ points in 24 consecutive games (longest in NFL history), you can afford a few “off” games on defense. Trend: +1
  3. Dallas Cowboys (3-0) – Dallas easily handled their business against the Miami Dolphins, much like we expected. Ezekiel Elliott (125 yards) and Tony Pollard (103 yards, one touchdown) led the way, while Dak Prescott (246 passing yards, two touchdowns) was “slowed” up a bit from his torrid start to the season. Much like the Patriots, Dallas has not played a good football team, yet. But they are still the best team in the NFC right now. Trend: -1
  4. Los Angeles Rams (3-0) – It was a hard-fought game throughout against the Cleveland Browns, but the Rams found a way to win. The defense looked really good, especially closing the game out in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles’ offense is not scoring the points at a rate we are accustomed to seeing, but what matters is that they are 3-0 and keeping pace with the 49ers (3-0). Trend: –
  5. Green Bay Packers (3-0) – While everyone is freaking out (for some reason) about Aaron Rodgers and the offense, the team just continues to win. When you have Rodgers as your quarterback, it doesn’t matter what receivers he has.. He makes it work. His favorite target this week: Marquez Valdes-Scantling (six catches, 99 yards, touchdown). Nothing more needs to be said about the defense other than it was spectacular – registering six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. As Rodgers once said: R-E-L-A-X. Trend: –
  6. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) – Now this is the Vikings team we expected to see in 2019. High-scoring offense and a stout defense. It only took until Week 3, but nevertheless, the Vikings easily dominated this game from the start. Dalvin Cook (16 rushes, 110 yards, touchdown) continues to torment opposing run defenses – marking his third-straight 100-yard game. With more performances like this, Minnesota could slowly creep up as an NFC dark house. Trend: +3
  7. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) – It’s safe to say Lamar Jackson is a rising star in the league. The way he plays is video game-like. Although the Ravens fell short, the team piled a ferocious comeback and almost stole a win from the Chiefs. Let’s not forget the monster game too by running back Mark Ingram (16 rushes, 103 yards, three touchdowns), who helped engineer the comeback. Could we perhaps see these two teams meet in the AFC Championship?? Trend: -1
  8. San Francisco 49ers (3-0) – I was hesitant putting the 49ers in the rankings a week ago, but they proved me right this weekend and held on to beat the Steelers. Jimmy G and company didn’t bring the ‘A’ game – giving the ball away five times – but like we say, good teams find a way to win. The 49ers just keep this magical start chugging along, continuing to throw a Clayton Kershaw curveball in the NFC West.
  9. New Orleans Saints (2-1) – I was quick to jump on Teddy Bridgewater after Drew Brees got injured, so I’d like to start off with an apology to him. New Orleans was cruising through this game, up 33-14 at one point, when Seattle decided to make it interesting late. Nevertheless, Bridgewater got the ball to the playmakers – Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara – which is ultimately results in nooice things. Saddle up, baby! I’m back on the bandwagon. Trend: UR
  10. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) – Taking the fourth quarter away – and minus Russell Wilson – Seattle looked dead. Wilson single-handedly brought the Seahawks back from the dead, completing 32 of 50 passes, 402 passing yards and four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). Seattle probably should’ve won this game, but stats don’t win games, points do. Trend: -3

Teams in consideration: Chicago Bears (2-1), Detroit Lions (2-0-1), Buffalo Bills (3-0)

Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff USA TODAY Sports