Hey all – Steve here. You know these so-called experts are always running their mouths about this, that, and the other? Am I questioning what they have to say? Maybe. Mostly, I am just ready to join the mix! I just think a lot of the rankings out there are uneven. There are times when there is an undefeated team out there and they are ranked 3rd or 4th and being disrespected. It is what it is, but let’s bring some logic to this mess. Let’s get these weekly power rankings going.
1.Seattle Seahawks – it is time for Russell Wilson to get some real attention for MVP. Yes, it was a surprise to find out that he has never had a vote before, but did he deserve it the last couple of years with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson? I think not. So far? Absolutely deserves to be at the head of the conversation.
2. Green Bay Packers – Green Bay is the first team in NFL history to score at least 150 points without a turnover in its first four games. That is absolutely incredible. Aaron Rodgers is pissed and he is playing with a purpose. Injuries could play a major role on their positioning moving forward in these rankings, but right now it doesn’t matter who Rodgers is throwing to.
3. Tennessee Titans – Dolphins fans, please move on to the next team on this list. How about Ryan Tannehill? He is as efficient as they come right now and he showed it on Tuesday Night Football. He’s completing 69% of his passes, has over 1,000 yards after 4 games, and has a 9:1 TD to INT ratio. It also helps he has a beast at running back in Derrick Henry.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – The final remaining undefeated team in the NFL. Their defense has just been incredible, Big Ben has 10 TD and 1 INT, their running backs have been good no matter who has been back their, and it seems as though their wide receivers don’t need all the attention. This could be a very dangerous team in the AFC.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Look, they weren’t going to go 16-0. The only reason they are even as low as #5 here is because of the one loss to the Raiders. If the Chiefs and their fans didn’t know what a trap game was before, they sure know now. I just feel bad for the rest of their opponents on their schedule – starting next with the Buffalo Bills.
6. Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens aren’t playing as well as they did last year, but they still have managed to win 4 of their first 5. The division is very much up in the air and they are going to have to keep pace with the Steelers and Browns. Yes, I said the Browns. It’s 2020.
7. Los Angeles Rams – I had my doubts about the Rams when they struggled to put up points against my Giants. Then they handled themselves pretty well last week against the team with no name and they have a decent defense that has done well this season. No doubt in my mind that the Rams will be near the top of the list in the NFC when all is said and done.
8. Buffalo Bills – Yes, their early season schedule has been less than intimidating, but you have to play the schedule you are given and the Bills have done just that. Time will tell if they were exposed by the Titans on Tuesday night – we will have to see how defenses begin to game-plan for them after seeing how the Titans handled them.
9. New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees is looking like a shell of himself, yet Mr. Monday Night did it against this week in leading his team from 17 points down to come back and beat the Chargers. It was the largest deficit he has ever overcome for a victory. If he ever decided to hang them up, Monday Nights are going to miss Mr. Brees.
10. Indianapolis Colts – Have you all seen this defense? They have allowed the 3rd fewest points in the NFL behind the Ravens and Steelers. Not sure if it is sustainable, and if they can’t they are going to free-fall down this list.
11. Cleveland Browns – It really is still 2020, isn’t it? I don’t have a very high opinion of Baker Mayfield, but this team has some insane talent at their skill positions. Nick Chubb went down, but in steps Kareem Hunt and they will not lose a step. Their defense needs some work for them to sustain such a high spot on these rankings.
12. Chicago Bears – Their defense is absolutely stingy, but is their offense enough? They are off to a great start, but it’ll be interesting to see how this team performs as we get deeper into the season.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Gruden’s got this team ready to take off after being the Chiefs last week. Josh Jacobs is an absolute beast out there and the rest of the team is clearly getting the job done. Oh, and Henry Ruggs is back healthy again. Could be a sneaky dangerous team.
14. Arizona Cardinals – I know they played the Jets, but Kyler Murray and company are looking good to start the season. A lot of people were high on this team to make some noise and I was among them. The future is certainly bright in Arizona.
15. Carolina Panthers – The story that Teddy Bridgewater and this Panthers team is a very impressive one. They are more than halfway to their entire win total from last year (5) and they are doing it without Christian McCaffrey. Must be nice to have a good offensive line. Hey, a guy can dream!
16. Tampa Buccaneers – We might have to get used to seeing an inconsistent Tom Brady. Two weeks ago he looked like a spry young man with 5 touchdowns. This last week against the Bears? Not so much. Amazingly, they are the last of the teams that are over .500 on this list.
17. New England Patriots – Cam looks rejuvenated, doesn’t he? It’s a little too early to clearly define the expectations of this team moving forward and we really have to see how they respond to their own COVID-19 situation.
18. Miami Dolphins – I’ll admit it that I have been clamoring for Tua to get in there and he will, but now might not be the right time after-all. Fitz still has some magic in him and this team showed what it is capable of last week against the 49ers.
19. San Francisco 49ers – To Garoppolo or not to Garoppolo? I’m kidding – he will be back under center this weekend and that’s just the way it is. This is another team that has to rebound after a disappointing ass-kicking from the team we just spoke about.
20. Dallas Cowboys – Here is our first team from the NFC East and it is very telling that it is at #20. What happened to Dak on Sunday was just plain awful and gruesome to watch. The division sucks and there has to be a team in first place at the end of the season and I have a feeling it will be the Andy Daulton led Cowboys.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow has been pretty damn impressive in his first 4 games. The passing game has been there, but the running game has been inconsistent. They are still a few years away, but the future is looking good with Burrow at the helm.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – I chose them at this spot because I believe they have the best quarterback of all the 1 win teams, and well that’s something, right? This would be the team to challenge the Cowboys, but their defense is awful and their receiving core is meh.
23. Detroit Lions – The Lions have some pieces and they do have a 73 year old Adrian Peterson. The problem is that the Lions are just the Lions. They’ve got to build the defense back up in a hurry.
24. Denver Broncos – Melvin Gordon and not a whole lot more. I am intrigued to see what Drew Lock can do as he returns from injury.
25. Houston Texans – This team is a MESS. They did just get their first win, but where has this franchise gone after some very questionable trades and a recently fired head coach. Will it be very long until we hear about Deshaun Watson wanting out?
26. Los Angeles Chargers – So, how about that Justin Herbert? The kids got a helluva head of hair, doesn’t he? Look, Herbert is the only exciting thing about this team right now and they just can’t seem to get out of their own way.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – Minshew-Mania is still running wild, but the team is not following his lead. Minshew is completing 70% of his passes, has 1,439 passing years as well as a 10:4 TD to INT ratio. This team is better than it shows.
28. Minnesota Vikings – This is a cluster that is hard to explain. There is no way this team should be 1-4 and nobody projected this to happen. Cousins is Cousins, Dalvin Cook is doing his thing, but Adam Thielen is not as devastating without something like Stefon Diggs.
29. Team No Name – How many times have you called them the Redskins this year? Haskins is out, Kyle Allen is in. Ron Rivera leaves Alex Smith in the game to be sacked 6 times. In case you haven’t heard Smith went through 9 months of agony and could have died and certainly was going to retire after a horrific injury to his leg. Yeah, that guy had to be out on the field taking 6 sacks.
30. New York Giants – I’m starting to get used to this and it sucks. The team played better against division rivals in Dallas and could have had a couple of more touchdowns if not for stupid penalties. No Saquon and no offensive line is going to lead to a miserable rest of the season.
31. Atlanta Falcons – What the hell is going on in Atlanta? A couple of collapses and the next thing you know it they’ve lost all 5 games they’ve played so far. Things are not clicking to say the least and their play so far has cost their head coach his job.
32. New York Jets – The Jets really are a hapless dumpster fire. Adam Gase has destroyed this team and potentially it’s planned QB of the future. Their skill position players have minimal skills – they can’t score and they can’t stop anyone. They have a point differential of -86, which is by far the worst in the NFL.