As promised before the season started, below is the second edition of the quarterly NFL power rankings as compiled by yours truly. If you want to see how astute or imbecilic I am, feel free to peruse the preseason edition of the RW Power Rankings. For those of you too lazy to click that link and go back and forth, following the parenthesis, which show the team records, I included a number denoting how far the team moved from my preseason ranking.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3), -4
You know who hasn’t had a strong season thus far? Jameis Winston.
- Detroit Lions (0-4), -13
I know I wasn’t high on the Lions, but sheesh, this is horrendous. It would help if they had even a semblance of a running game.
- Houston Texans (1-3), -8
In other news, it apparently helps to have a decent QB in the NFL. Total shocker that the power duo of Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer aren’t getting it done.
- San Francisco 49ers (1-3), -4
And you thought I was down on them in the preseason when I had them at 25. That was before I knew just how bad Kaepernick really was.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3), -2
There’s not much to say about the Jags. They are still a work in progress and Bortles is still not the answer.
- Chicago Bears (1-3), -3
Yet another team I was too hopeful about in the preseason. Injuries are not helping the cause.
- Cleveland Browns (1-3), +5
Woohoo! The first team that I underestimated! In all seriousness, why aren’t they starting Johnny Football at this point? Oh yeah, I remember.
- Washington Football Club (2-2), +7
When something’s broke, you stick with it. If you’re Jay Gruden.
- Miami Dolphins (1-3), -17
Holy crap was I wrong about the Dolphins. I don’t know if firing the coach will light a fire under them, but Ryan Tannehill is clearly a jerk.
- New Orleans Saints (1-3), -2
Sorry, count me out of the bandwagon leaping squad after the Saints, at home, barely beat a Cowboys team that didn’t have its two best players. The Saints have a ton of problems that need fixing.
- Philadelphia Eagles (1-3), -14
On the bright side for Chip Kelly, at least Philly fans are understanding.
- Tennessee Titans (1-2), +6
The Titans got off to a great start, but there will clearly be some growing pains for Mariota and company. Still, they should be pleased with what they’ve seen out of their QB thus far.
- Oakland Raiders (2-2), +9
Don’t look now, but the Raiders almost seem like a real NFL team. Shhhhhhh.
- Kansas City Chiefs (1-3), -15
What on Earth happened to that vaunted defense? Having a mediocre offense is fine when you have a top two or three defense but not when you’ve given up over 30 points a game in your last three.
- Baltimore Ravens (1-3), -7
For those wondering what happened to the Ravens dynasty, I have two words for you: Bye Felicia. See, I’m hip!
- Indianapolis Colts (2-2), -15
So, remember how I said they were going to the Super Bowl? Good, me neither.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2), -6
Sorry, the dog killer is not getting it done. Ok, I’m not sorry. This ranking will change when Big Ben comes back. That Big Ben to Antonio Brown combo is just bananas.
- Minnesota Vikings (2-2), no change
What was the name of that T.I. song with Iggy Azalea? Oh yeah! The Vikings may not want any mediocre, but that’s exactly what they’ve got.
- New York Giants (2-2), +5
I don’t see how this string of turnovers forced continues, but while it does, it will be much easier to deflect the Beckham diva talk. Whoops, wrong Beckham diva, here’s the right Beckham diva for this rankings column.
- Dallas Cowboys (2-2), -9
Brandon Weeden is managing these games just fine. It’s the Dallas defense that opened like a sieve that’s causing these losses. Don’t worry, the woman beating, no concept of human decency, pass rusher is back.
- San Diego Chargers (2-2), +1
Anybody else smelling a mediocre Chargers team that hangs around just long enough to barely miss the playoffs?
- Carolina Panthers (4-0), +19
The cupcake schedule to start the season has helped, but the Panthers are executing and holding on to the ball. We’ll see how they handle things in Seattle after the bye. And for those wondering, I am not willing to admit that I was wrong about the Panthers stinking, yet.
- St. Louis Rams (2-2), +8
Flying under the radar once again. I’m still not sold on Foles at QB, but Gurley is looking like a beast early. If he can lead this offense, the defense will surely hold its own.
- Seattle Seahawks (2-2), -4
Despite the return of Kam Chancellor, the Seahawks don’t have the same look that they did in the past few seasons. We’ll see if that changes as the season progresses.
- New York Jets (3-1), +15
I’m as confused as the rest of you. No words other than, I guess it does help to have Revis on your team.
- Buffalo Bills (2-2), +9
I’m going with the theory of the Bills being a little too overconfident against the G-Men last week. I still love this defense going forward.
- Arizona Cardinals (3-1), +3
Carson Palmer finally lost a game, but it looks like he and Larry Fitzgerald found that fountain of youth. They are the anti-Greg Oden. Poor guy.
- Atlanta Falcons (4-0), +15
Is anybody else really hoping that the Dirty Bird dance comes back? I know I am! Of course I found a way to incorporate the Dougie beat with that link!
- Denver Broncos (4-0), +2
As soon as they turn the offense completely back over to Peyton Manning, they’ll be firing on all cylinders, which is scary with how well that defense has been playing.
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-0), +9
People are acting like Andy Dalton found himself. No, he found a consistent running game and a tight end that can burn you.
- New England Patriots (3-0), +1
I haven’t seen that defense tested yet. I’m still skeptical. I’m not skeptical of that offense though. Wow.
- Green Bay Packers (4-0), no change
Ho hum, the Packers are just rolling right along. You know it’s going well when the media is wondering whether your QB will throw a single pick this season.
Alright, that’s it til next month when I get to evaluate how poor a job I did with this edition of RW Power Rankings.