With the first quarter of the NFL season behind us, a real picture of the season is taking shape. What does that mean for the NFL Power Rankings? It means more shuffling at the top and the middle and a solid base of shitty teams at the bottom to hold everything else up.
Let’s light this firecracker.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – (4-0) Another week, another solid win over a good opponent. This Chiefs team doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses. That doesn’t mean they’ll go undefeated, but it does mean they’ll be playing for a good, long while. Last week: No. 2
2. Green Bay Packers – (3-1) The Packers are off to a strong start, but could meet a brick wall with a hungry Cowboys team Sunday. Last week: No. 4
3. Pittsburgh Steelers – (3-1) There are few things that can get a team back on track like humiliating a hated division opponent on the road. Last week: No. 6
4. Atlanta Falcons – (3-1) Just when I think the Falcons have survived their Super Bowl hangover problem, they drop a game to the Bills led by Tyrod Taylor at home. Last week: No. 1
5. Dallas Cowboys – (2-2) The Cowboys lost to a good Rams team (which is the first time we can say that in more than a decade). Getting a little revenge against the Packers Sunday should fix everything. Last week: No. 3
6. New England Patriots – (2-2) Nobody predicted the Panthers upsetting the Patriots last Sunday. Nobody but me. This team is one freak Tom Brady to Brandin Cooks pass away from a 1-3 start. Last week: No. 5
7. Denver Broncos – (3-1) Like the Steelers, the Broncos rediscovered their mojo with a beat down of AFC West rival Oakland last week. Now they have a week off to enjoy it. Last week: No. 9
8. Washington Redskins – (2-2) Spirited effort against a superior Kansas City team Sunday night, Redskins, but all those injuries could screw up your October. Last week: No. 7
9. Los Angeles Rams – (3-1) Did the defense finally show up in the second half against the the Cowboys? They better hope so with the Seahawks coming to the Colosseum Sunday. Last week: No. 11
10. Detroit Lions – (3-1) Of all the upsets I predicted last week, the Lions over the Vikings feels the least “upsetty-est.” Matt Stafford vs Case Keenum? Come on. Last week: No. 13
11. Seattle Seahawks – (2-2) I’m not sure the offensive line improved against Indianapolis last Sunday, but with their defense and Russell Wilson, they should be in every game. Last week: No. 14
12. Oakland Raiders – (2-2) Derek Carr could be out two to six weeks? My AFC Super Bowl pick is swooning. Last week: No. 8
13. Minnesota Vikings – (2-2) Hey, Case Keenum. I knew that was you under that helmet. Welcome back. Last week: No. 10
14. Philadelphia Eagles – (3-1) The Eagles remained on track by keeping the Chargers off it thanks to LeGarette Blount finally showing why they signed him in the first place. Last week: No. 15
15. Carolina Panthers – (3-1) Tied atop the NFC South and coming off a win in Foxborough, I’m feeling my preseason division winner pick here. Nice to see you, Cam Newton. You have been missed. Last week: No. 19
16. Buffalo Bills – (2-1) For the second week in a row, no one believed the Bills stood a chance, including me. Maybe it’s time to get convinced this team is actually good. Last week: No. 20
17. Tennessee Titans – (2-2) I told you in my preview last week, on my radio show on WMTN and WCRK and on the Get More Sports podcast; Mike Mularkey would not win three games in a row. Last week: No. 12
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (2-1) Solid bounce back win over the Giants, Bucs. Can you prove you’re one of the big dogs Thursday night against the Patriots? Last week: No. 17
19. Baltimore Ravens – (2-2) Joe Flacco has taken the blame for the Ravens’ last two losses. Somebody needs to convince him the playoffs have started and that will fix everything. Last week: No. 16
20. Houston Texans – (2-2) Deshaun Watson is one Tom Brady pass away from being 3-0 as a starter. You’re welcome, Texans. Last week: No. 24
21. New Orleans Saints – (2-2) As bad as the defense looked over the first two weeks, they’ve put in some good performance in a couple of wins. Last Sunday’s shutout in London over the Dolphins is more impressive than it looks. Last week: No. 22
22. Arizona Cardinals – (2-2) Another week, another last second win by the Cardinals over a shitty opponent. Arizona might just be the best bad team in the NFL. Last week: No. 23
23. New York Jets – (2-2) I can honestly say I didn’t see this Jets team winning two games all season, let alone in the first month. Todd Bowles just might be saving his job. Last week: No. 27
24. Miami Dolphins – (1-2) This is getting ridiculous, Miami. Adam Gase is an offensive coach and you’ve scored six points in two weeks. Last week: No. 18
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – (2-2) I know it’s a process, building a team’s psyche from the ground up, Doug Marrone, but that loss to the Jets is going to sting for a while. Last week: No. 21
26. Indianapolis Colts – (1-3) It’s asking a lot for Jacoby Brisett to drag this team across the finish line like Andrew Luck. They’re putting up a better fight, but it’s going to be a long season. On the bright side, you get a high draft pick and new head coach at the end of it. Last week: No. 26
27. Cincinnati Bengals – (1-3) OK, Bengals. You won one. It was against the Browns so let’s not all fire up the handies just yet. Shock the Bills Sunday and I’ll be convinced this thing’s fixed. Last week: No. 27
28. Chicago Bears – (1-3) Welcome to the Mitchell Trubisky era, Chicago. You might not win much this season, but you won’t regret it. Last week: No. 25
29. New York Giants – (0-4) Ben McAdoo vs Anthony Lynn this Sunday in what has to be called the 2017 Toilet Bowl. Good luck. Last week: No. 28
30. Los Angeles Chargers – (0-4) Does Anthony Lynn know his ass from his elbow? Can he match wits with Ben McAdoo Sunday? Did you read that sentence without laughing out loud? Last week: No. 30
31. San Francisco 49ers – (0-4) It’s been a hard fought 0-4, 49ers, but here you are. I still see positive things happening, but this is one of the worst rosters in the NFL. Last week: No. 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-4) You didn’t start on the bottom this season, Browns, but you found a way to make it right. Last week: No. 32
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