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Writer's pictureQuinn Cuddihy

Quarter Season NFL Power Rankings



32) Chicago Bears 0-4

I think we’ve seen enough at this point to say that Justin Fields is not the guy - I don’t buy into his stellar passing performance in Week 4 against the dismal Broncos. This team has lost 14 straight dating back to last season. Enjoy Caleb Williams.


31) New York Jets 1-3

The Jets started off the season with a bang in more than one way, but that was the peak of their season (barring an Aaron Rodgers early resurrection). As long as Zach Wilson is under center I can’t imagine these guys win more than a couple more games max.


30) Denver Broncos 1-3

There’s something rotten in the city of Denver. 150 points given up in four weeks…I don’t really know where you go from here, you can’t even really point your finger at Russell Wilson anymore - he’s been solid this year.


29) Carolina Panthers 0-4

Record doesn’t matter, the most important thing for the Panthers this season will be the development of Bryce Young.

-Michael


28) New England Patriots 1-3

It’s really not looking good for the Pats. Their offense is practically non-existent and I’d imagine they look at replacements for Mac Jones this offseason. They were at least strong on defense but their two best defensive players, Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez, will be out for the foreseeable future.


27) Arizona Cardinals 1-3

This team has looked better than expected, hanging around in every game thus far except for the 49ers in Week 4 - and who can blame them on that one. Curious to see if they can pull some more wins out of the hat.

-Michael


26) New York Giants 1-3

As predicted on Two Men in the Den at the beginning of the season, the Giants have looked pretty thoroughly outmatched for much of the year thus far. I don’t see things improving for them even with the approaching return of Saquon.

-Michael


25) Las Vegas Raiders 1-3

I can’t say I expected anything different - and neither should anyone else have. I don’t know how you explain that loss to the Steelers. Both the offense and defense are rated 20th in the league per ProFootballFocus, and McDaniels definitely has to go, but I’ve heard rumors that Mark Davis can’t actually afford to fire him.


24) Pittsburgh Steelers 2-2

Not bad for a team that doesn’t have an offense. The Steelers best chance of winning games at times this year will definitely be TJ Watt and the defense scoring some points to aid that lackluster group on the offensive side of the ball. Also just feed Najee Harris more!

-Michael


23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1

Is Baker Mayfield having a career revival? Not really. He’s looked solid through four games, but it’s the defense that’s kept them relevant. They rank 7th in points allowed which doesn’t surprise me given the coaching and talent they have on that side of the ball. But offensively? They’re punching above their weight - we saw their offense against Philly - that game was 25-3 until the middle of the 4th quarter. Enjoy it while it lasts Tampa.


22) Indianapolis Colts 2-2

I’d say overall that Indianapolis has to be pleased with how this season has started. They have seen flashes from raw rookie QB Anthony Richardson and have found a way to compete in every game. All you can ask for with a younger group.

-Michael


21) Houston Texans 2-2

There is a lot of excitement around the league surrounding rookie QB CJ Stroud, and rightfully so. Dude has looked like the guy the first 4 weeks of the season with his precision passing and decisiveness in the pocket. Houston, we have a future.

-Michael


20) Washington Commanders 2-2

I don’t know if Sam Howell is the guy yet, but there’s hope in the Capital. If the offense continues to deliver big and Jack Del Rio is able to figure out the defense, this team can maybe sneak into the playoffs - but there’s a lot of work to be done on both sides of the ball in order to find consistency.


19) Green Bay Packers 2-2

You’ve beaten the mighty Bears and the Saints after Derek Carr got injured and was sidelined for the rest of the game. Given their current injuries, I would say there’s no chance the cheeseheads make the playoffs, but they actually play a pretty easy schedule.


18) Minnesota Vikings 1-3

The Vikings are having a tough start, and I don’t expect them to continue this downslide, but I don’t expect a complete 180 either. They’ve lost 3 one-score games and it looks like last year’s magic has fully died out. They still might make the playoffs given their offensive prowess but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I was a Minnesota fan.


17) New Orleans Saints 2-2

I know Carr is injured, but it seems to be more of the same from him. The defense is solid, and they’ll benefit from playing a weak schedule, but if this team is going to make some noise come January they’ll need to see more consistent play from their signal caller.


16) Los Angeles Rams 2-2

The Rams offense is humming - in Cooper Kupp’s absence, Stafford has managed to find a new every down target in the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Puka Nacua - and now Kupp is coming back! Best case scenario this is a 10-win team, but I can’t expect much more than that with this defense a shell of its 2021 Super Bowl-winning roster.


15) Cincinatti Bengals 1-3

This team has looked out of sorts all season thus far, and you gotta think that Burrow’s calf injury has played a role in the offense’s sudden difficulties getting their stud receivers the ball. They’ll need Trey Hendrickson and that pass rush to step up and make big plays in order to really help them out on the other side of the ball until Burrow can hopefully get healthier as the season moves forward.

-Michael


14) Atlanta Falcons 2-2

If the Falcons had an actual quarterback they might be scary - they’ve got weapons all over the fields, they just don’t have anyone to facilitate the ball. Their defense is rated 6th per ProFootballFocus and they might just be the best team in their division. I think it’s time to give up on Desmond Ridder and embrace the phenom of Taylor Heinicke.


13) Cleveland Browns 2-2

Another team that is difficult to really get a sense of what their ceiling is, but gotta give props to the defense, which looks like one of the better units in the league, even after the Ravens were the first team that was really able to move the ball against them in week 4. I’m thinking that in theory, a team that has a good defense, a good O-line, and Deshaun Watson getting more and more comfortable with a new franchise should get better as the season progresses.

-Michael


12) Tennessee Titans 2-2

The Titans are hard to get a grasp on. The defense can look really good at times and just mediocre at others. The offense is sorta just meh at all times, so I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for them to get Derrick Henry going every game. They did just that against the Bengals in Week 4, and it led to a resounding victory.

-Michael


11) Seattle Seahawks 3-1

Seattle is red-hot. After a poor Week 1 showing, this team has averaged 32.66 points in its last three games. Last year may not have been a fluke, and I may have underestimated Geno Smith. However, I can’t warrant putting this team any higher when they allowed the Panthers to drop 27 on them. They’ve got studs on D, they just need to clean it up. I expect the Hawks to make the playoffs again.


10) Los Angeles Chargers 2-2

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Chargers had an ultra-talented roster but injuries prevented them from contending for a Super Bowl. The defense ranks 27th in points allowed, which is a bit of a head-scratcher considering Brandon Staley is supposed to be a defensive-minded coach. Quarterback Justin Herbert, who is also now injured (though it sounds like he’s going to play through it), will keep LA relevant, but it will be a tough time securing a playoff spot if they can neither stay healthy nor play defense.


9) Jacksonville Jaguars 2-2

The Jags haven’t been as hot as I think most of us were expecting them to be. They’ve got talent on both sides of the ball, but they rank 12th in points allowed and 20th in points forced. We all assumed Lawrence had finally taken that big step after coming back against the Chargers in the playoffs last season, but I’m still not convinced through these first four games. I would say that this team should win their division, but the AFC South is looking hyper-competitive so far, and I don’t think Jacksonville can mark anyone in their calendar as an easy dub.


8) Baltimore Ravens 3-1

The Ravens defense has been excellent through 4 games - they haven’t even allowed a rushing touchdown yet! The largest impediment to this team so far has been the injury bug - two of their starting receivers are dealing with injuries and their starting running back is out for the season. The Flock will win their division, I just don’t know if their offense, which is only 12th in points forced, will have enough in the tank come playoffs.


7) Miami Dolphins 3-1

The Dolphins have the best offense in the league - I just don’t know how much that matters if you’re giving up 48 points to your division rival. They currently sit at 28th in the league in points allowed, and there’s a reason we say “defense wins championships”. Sure, the Fins will make the playoffs, but you don’t win games in January playing soft against premier offensive talent.


6) Detroit Lions 3-1

Detroit came roaring out of the tunnel to start this season and beat the defending champs, and through the last four games they’ve had the 3rd ranked offense per ProFootballFocus. They’re a playoff lock - I just don’t know if they’re an S-tier team yet. Given the weakness of the NFC, they shouldn’t lose more than 5 total games if they’re legitimate contenders.


5) Kansas City Chiefs 3-1

The Chiefs are looking the worst they’ve looked probably since 2017 - and they’re still a top 5 team in the league. I know we all said it last year when Tyreek left, but not having an adequate receiver corps is going to continue to be an issue for this offense when it comes time to go head-to-head against the league’s offensive powerhouses like Buffalo, Miami, and the 49ers. They should look at adding wideout Chase Claypool who is currently in the doghouse in Chicago.


4) Philadelphia Eagles 4-0

Sure, the Eagles are 4-0, but they haven’t been crushing teams this year. They beat the Patriots, Vikings, and Commanders by less than a touchdown each and they’re only 16th in points allowed - and defense is supposed to be this team’s strong suit. I expect the Birds to make the playoffs handily, but I’m not seeing the same Philly team we saw last year so far.


3) Dallas Cowboys 3-1

Before you mention the loss to Arizona, understand that I don’t care - every so often an awful team bests a good team. I’m looking at the other three games where they’ve scored 108 points and allowed 13 points combined - sure those teams are bad, but if that’s not taking care of business then I don’t know what is. Just to be clear, I’m not a believer in Dak - I think if anything he holds this team back from Super Bowl contention - he’s just a game manager with a star-studded team. If they can win Sunday in Santa Clara they’re a real championship contender.


2) Buffalo Bills 3-1

After an ugly start, the Bills turned on the jets and stampeded over their last three opponents. Buffalo has the most sound offense (2nd in points forced) and defense (1st in points allowed) in the AFC. It’s Super Bowl or bust this year for Josh Allen and he knows it - anything less is a failure.


1) San Francisco 49ers 4-0

These guys are winning the Super Bowl if they can stay healthy. They haven’t played any playoff (probable) teams yet, but they are eviscerating everyone in their path so far on both sides of the ball - they’ve dropped at least 30 on every team and haven’t allowed more than 23 points yet through four games.


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