NFL post week four power rankings

New England Patriots —

It was a tough showing this week for the Patriots offense that was only able to muster nine points. Thanks to another tremendous performance by New England’s defense and special teams, who combined to stifle the Bills offense and block a punt, which was returned for a touchdown. It felt as if New England barely escaped New Era Field with the win, showing the first cracks in the vaunted reigning league champions’ team this season. The offense will look to find its footing in Washington against the lowly Redskins and continue to power forward.

Kansas City Chiefs —

For the first time in quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ career, he did not throw a touchdown pass, as the Lions defense kept him and the explosive Chiefs passing offense out of the end zone. That did not translate exactly to how his game went though, as he threw for 315 yards and was able to put together a game-winning drive, slashing through Detroit’s secondary to keep the undefeated season alive. Veteran cornerback Bashaud Breeland made a key play in the middle of the third quarter, scooping up a goal-line fumble from Lions running back Kerryon Johnson, taking it to the house. If not for that play, the Chiefs would probably be 3-1. but still, tip your cap to the greatness that this team has displayed through the season’s first quarter.

New Orleans Saints +1

Admiration for this teams’ resilience can not be stated enough. The Saints improve to 2-0 since quarterback Drew Brees injured his thumb and they continue to sit atop the NFC South. When you watch the tape and consider the way the Saints are picking up wins, how the Falcons can’t get out of their own way, and how inconsistent the Panthers and Buccaneers are, the division looks to be a lock for New Orleans.

Dallas Cowboys -1

There is no need to panic or oversell this loss for the Cowboys, as they still rank as one of the top teams in the NFL, but this is a game Dallas probably should have won. Alarmingly, after this game, quarterback Dak Prescott now has a career record of 1-8 when running back Ezekiel Elliot fails to rush for more than 75 yards. As the Eagles are one game behind the Cowboys and they face the Jets this week, which they will likely win, Dallas could afford to gain some ground. In doing so, they would have to take down the Packers.

Chicago Bears +8

The Bears’ defense flashed its excellence yet again against the Vikings. The Bears run defense was suffocating and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looked lost. It is unclear how long quarterback Mitchel Trubisky will be out with a shoulder injury, but the Bears have already announced backup quarterback Chase Daniel will get the start Sunday against the Raiders; otherwise known as linebacker Khalil Mack’s revenge game.

Philadelphia Eagles +11

The Eagles went into Lambeau Field in a must-win situation and they delivered. Quarterback Carson Wentz only threw for 160 yards but added on with three touchdowns. Running back Jordan Howard turned in a three-touchdown performance of his own, with two on the ground and one through the air from Wentz. The Eagles appear to be back on track, with an easy contest this week against the Sam Darnold-less Jets before heading onto Minnesota.

Green Bay Packers -2

The Packers failed to keep their undefeated season alive on Thursday night in part to a game-sealing interception thrown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers that overshadowed his otherwise impressive performance. Rodgers threw for 422 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 46 yards. Following an always heated matchup with the Cowboys in Dallas, Green Bay moves on to take on the Lions and Raiders.

Buffalo Bills —

The Bills did not get the win in their highly anticipated matchup against the Patriots, but their defense looked incredible and the Bills should hang their hat on that. Their defense, which ranks sixth in points allowed, gave Brady and the Patriots offense absolutely nothing to work with. The Bills offense could not get much going against the historically good Patriots’ defense, but they hung in there until the end. Despite the loss, the Bills are one of only three teams in the AFC with a winning record.

Los Angeles Rams -5

Defensively this game was an utter disaster for the Rams, who allowed 55 points to Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers offense. For defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and his bunch, this is certainly a game they would like to forget about. Somewhere hidden behind the three-interception performance by quarterback Jared Goff were his impressive 517 passing yards. A 500-yard passing game is something only 20 quarterbacks have done in the history of the NFL, so continue to watch Goff as the season progresses.

San Francisco 49ers —

The 49ers did not play a game this week, allowing them to be one of the three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL. This week, the 49ers will be tasked with facing the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. Both teams are going into this game with a lot to prove and the 49ers will look to keep their undefeated streak going and gain more ground on the Rams and Seahawks, who both trail by half a game.