NFL Power Rankings Week Four, Part Two
Now that we have the top half of the NFL set, let’s get to the bottom half of the league. With it being so early into the season this list is nowhere near set in stone. Some of these middle-of-the-pack teams could make the jump quickly in the next few weeks. But it is also no surprise that we have teams that will most definitely stick to the bottom of the NFL this year. Let’s get into second half of these power rankings:
17.) New York Giants, 2-1 (0-1)
To kick off the back half of our power rankings, we have the New York Giants. The Giants started the year 2-0 and looked like a different team. Then they ran into an impressive Cowboys rush defense and fell hard. They lose Sterling Sheppard for the season and the pass-blocking was nonexistent in Week Three.
The Giants have the pieces to make some noise in the NFC East but injuries could hinder that. They also need to make protecting Daniel Jones their top priority. The Giants also need to get Saquon Barkley the ball. He showed in the first two weeks he is still dynamic when he has the rock, keep it that way.
18.) Tennessee Titans, 1-2
The Titans are a completely different team when Derrick Henry breaks 100 yards on the day. This offense revolves around him and when they forget that they struggle. Derrick Henry is one of the best running backs in the NFL and if the Titans continue to deprive him, they will lose more games. They are 19-3 when Henry gains 60 or more yards after contact, GET HIM THE BALL.
19.) Detroit Lions, 1-2 (0-1)
Next up, we have a Lions team that looks better than 1-2 in my opinion. However, that means nothing in the NFL unless you win games. Dan Campbell dropped the ball with his coaching decisions in Week Three leading to a loss to the Vikings 28-24. The Lions might be without Deandre Swift as well for a few weeks. If the Lions hope to make some noise, now is the time.
20.) New Orleans Saints, 1-2 (1-2)
Coming in at number 20, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are in trouble with Jameis Winston under center. However, Winston is out for Week Four with a back injury. Andy Dalton is one of the best backups in the NFL, so I’m interested to see how he does. Dalton played well for the Cowboys and now he has another chance to prove himself. The Saints need a revival and maybe they get it in Week Four.
21.) Arizona Cardinals, 1-2 (0-1)
Coming in at 21, we have the Arizona Cardinals who have been a huge disappointment so far. They have way too many injuries, and they cannot win games unless Kyler Murray makes off-script plays. The Cardinals miss D-Hop badly but not even D-Hop can save the Cardinals right now. Kliff Kingsbury is either going to have a remarkable turnaround planned or the Cardinals will be nothing less than bad in 2022.
22.) Indianapolis Colts, 1-1-1 (0-1-1)
Did the Colts upset the Chiefs in Week Three? Yes, they did, but it was mostly mistakes made by Chiefs players, not Colts players being the playmakers. The Colts have failed to truly find their rhythm under Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor has been quiet compared to his normal production. If the Colts hope to win more games in the NFL, they need to protect Matt Ryan and get Jonathan Taylor in open space.
23.) Las Vegas Raiders, 0-3 (0-1)
This one might be questionable but hear me out. While the Raiders are the only three-loss team in the NFL, they might be one of the best-looking three-loss teams. Every loss so far has been by one possession and that hurts worse than getting blown out.
However, only one team that started 0-3 has rebounded to make the playoffs and that was the 2018 Texans. The history is not good, and the AFC West is not going to be friendly this year. The Raiders have time to figure it out, but they cannot waste any more chances.
24.) New England Patriots, 1-2 (0-1)
The Patriots are in serious danger of being a bad team this year. Mac Jones is hurt and Brian Hoyer is next in line. The Patriots are turnover prone already and now they have to rely on Brian Hoyer to not continue that trend. The Patriots have fallen far from being the dominant NFL franchise to a struggling team overall.
25.) Pittsburgh Steelers, 1-2 (1-1)
Mike Tomlin might have a winning record as a coach but this year the Steelers are struggling. We are in the post-Roethlisberger era and now it is up to Mitch Trubisky or eventually Kenny Pickett to win for this franchise. With defensive star T.J. Watt out indefinitely and Mitch Trubisky at the helm, the Steelers are on thin ice for whether they sink or swim in the NFL this year.
26.) Atlanta Falcons, 1-2 (0-1)
I like this Atlanta Falcons team and the weapons they have on offense. However, they haven’t been able to finish games efficiently. One possession losses are killer for a roster capable of winning those games. If the Falcons can figure out the perfect recipe to get Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Cordarelle Patterson scoring, they will be fun to watch.
27.) Chicago Bears, 2-1 (0-1)
You might be wondering why a 2-1 team is so low on this list but hold on a minute. Justin Fields only threw the ball 28 times in two weeks and has turned the ball over far too much. The Bears were expected to look rough, but this might be worse than we originally thought. Hopefully, Fields can finally figure out what it takes to win in Chicago, or something drastic needs to happen.
28.) Seattle Seahawks, 1-2 (0-1)
As we get closer to the end of these power rankings, the Seattle Seahawks are up next. Geno Smith is playing at an average level but nothing spectacular. The Seahawks’ defense is the big concern after allowing the Falcons to score in five of their first seven possessions in Week Three. It does not surprise me that the Seahawks are struggling, it was expected in some form.
29.) Carolina Panthers, 1-2 (1-0)
The Panthers being this low is a surprise. Baker Mayfield has been little to no help for the offense. The Panthers’ defense kept them afloat in Week Three but other than that, this team has struggled to produce. Christian McCaffrey is dealing with injuries again and none of the other playmakers are doing anything. Only time will tell if this squad can turn it around.
30.) Washington Commanders, 1-2 (0-1)
At 30, we have the Washington Commanders led by Carson Wentz. Once again Carson Wentz is not being protected, like most of his career. This is a major issue considering he cannot get rid of the ball. The Eagles embarrassed the Commanders and now they get the Cowboys who just sacked Daniel Jones five times and racked up 23 pressures. The Commanders are in trouble if they cannot figure it out.
31.) New York Jets, 1-2
Is anyone surprised the Jets are one of the final two teams? It feels like a yearly thing that the Jets are expected to be bad and they do not fail in that area. This rebuilding roster has yet to find their identity, but they get Zach Wilson back for Week Four as of right now. I can ramble on about what the Jets are doing well but I would be lying to you.
32.) Houston Texans, 0-2-1, (0-0-1)
At last, we have the bottom of the NFL barrel, the Houston Texans. The only upside here is that the Texans have been competitive every week. The run defense is suspect after getting torched by Khalil Herbert and the Bears. However, The Texans are so unpredictable that it is never safe to bet on them. They hold strong to the bottom of the NFL until they prove they can win games.
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