Top 5
1. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Previous Rank: #3
The Bills take the top spot in the power rankings for the first time this season after demolishing the pitiful Texans 40-0. Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level and the defense tops the entire league. Need I say more? I’m giving the Bills a pass on their 23-16 week-1 home loss to the now 1-2 Steelers. Most folks are doing the same with the Packers’ inexplicable 38-3 loss to the Saints to start the season.
The Bills travel to Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night to take on Pat Mahomes and the 2-2 Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid’s boys beat the Eagles on Sunday to end a two-game losing streak. The game will be extremely telling for both teams.
2. Arizona Cardinals (4-0)
Previous Rank: #5
The Cardinals are now the league’s lone undefeated team following the Raiders’ 28-14 loss to the Chargers last night, so the 72′ Dolphins will have to hold off on their cigars and whiskey for at least another week.
Arizona downed the Rams, one of the league’s better teams I might add, 37-20 on the road in week-4. It was a statement game.
Along with Josh Allen, Kyler Murray too finds himself in the early-season MVP conversation. Having DeAndre Hopkins on the perimeter certainly helps, but Murray has proven to be a “spread the wealth” type of quarterback. He has no trouble finding the open man whoever he is, and of course, his athleticism helps a ton in the running game.
The defense has come up big in big moments and the group has formed nine turnovers in four games.
3. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
Previous Rank: #1
The Rams fell to the Cardinals by 17-points at home, so the Rams must fall in this week’s rankings. I could have moved the Rams back further but remember, but this is the NFL and every now and again even the good teams are going to get beat down. It’s already happen multiple times this season.
As I’ve harped on over and over, the NFC West is highly-competitive, it’s going to be a touch division to win. In my mind, the Rams still have what it takes to win it.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Previous Rank: #2
The Bucs 19-17 road win over the Patriots wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but there were naturally a lot of variables at play. First, there was the Brady vs. Belichick angle and all the emotions that came along with that, the weather was terrible and Brady was without fellow former Patriot, Rob Gronkowski.
Brady missed some big throws, but still did enough to overcome all the outside noise surrounding his return to Gillette Stadium and won a back and forth game.
The Bucs defense continues to be a head-scratcher. Tampa Bay returned pretty much everyone from last year’s stout defense and it’s safe to say that group as been disappointing up until this point.
5. Green Bay Packers (3-1)
Previous Rank: NR
I struggled with the number five spot this week. Obviously, I ended up going with the Packers but also considered the Ravens (3-1), Browns, Chargers (3-1) and Cowboys (3-1). It was a tough call.
I referenced this earlier. Yes, I’m choosing to overlook the Packer’s pathetic 38-3 loss to the Saints in week-1. It was nearly a month ago and since then the Pack is on a three-game winning streak, including a 30-28 road win over the 49ers in primetime.
Green Bay’s next two games are on the road against the Bengals and Bears. While the Bengals are 3-1, its a very winnable game for the Packers. The Bears are now breaking in their rookie quarterback Justin Fields and rank dead last in total offense. Green Bay should take down their rival yet again. Interesting stat, the Packers are 19-3 against the Bears over the last 10-seasons. The Packers would then host Washington at Lambeau Field, which is also a very winnable game.
If things continue to go well, it’s feasible the Packers could hold a 6-1 record entering a Thursday night primetime game against the Cardinals in week-8. Aaron Rodgers versus Kyler Murray, yes please.
Bottom 5
28 – Dolphins: 27-17 (L) vs. Colts
Previous Rank: NR
29 – Jets: 27-24 (W) vs. Titans
Previous Rank: 32
30 – Detroit: 24-10 (L) at. Bears
Previous Rank: NR
31 – Jaguars: 24-21 (L) at. Bengals
Previous Rank: 31
32 – Texans: 40-0 (L) at. Bills
Previous Rank: 30
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