2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 04

1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0): The Chiefs were impressive in a 34-20 road win over the Ravens on Monday Night. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes as the Chiefs established that they are the team to beat in the AFC. Mahomes was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Next: -7 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 53

2. Seattle Seahawks (3-0): The Seahawks are ranked last in the NFL in defensive yardage per game, allowing a whooping 497 yards per game. Quarterback Russell Wilson is carrying the Seahawks with his offensive talents, but he will eventually need help from the defense. Next: -6.5 at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 53.5

3. Buffalo Bills (3-0): The Bills are celebrating a 3-0 start, but they need to examine what happened defensively in the second half after they took a 28-3 lead. The Rams scored 29 unanswered points to take a 32-28 lead late in the 4th quarter before the Bills pulled it out with fifteen seconds on the clock. Next: -3 at Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 52.5

4. Green Bay Packers (3-0): The Packers had an impressive win over the Saints on Sunday Night in New Orleans. Playing without star wide receiver Devante Adams, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes and wide receiver Allen Lazard had six catches for 146 yards and one touchdown. Next: -7 vs Atlanta Falcons - Mon, Oct. 5 – O/U 56.5

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0): The Steelers are 3-0, but their three opponents are a combined 0-9 for the season. That does not take away from their start, but it does mean they have not been tested yet. That should happen this week. Next: -X at Tennessee – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U XX – Postponed

6. Tennessee Titans (3-0): The Titans have won three games by a combined six points and their opponents have a combined record of 1-8. One reason they are undefeated is that they lead the NFL in turnover ratio at a +5, with six takeaways and one giveaway. Next: -X vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U XX – Postponed

7. Baltimore Ravens (2-1): Through three games, Lamar Jackson is averaging 192 yards passing per game, which is ranked 27th among quarterbacks in the NFL. He ranked 28th last season in passing yardage per game. The question, can the Ravens win a championship with a quarterback whose strength is running the ball? Next: -13 at Washington Football Team – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 45.5

8. Los Angeles Rams (2-1): The late pass interference defensive call against the Rams was a bad call and probably cost them the game against the Bills. But the Rams stole an interception in the third quarter that looked like a reception by Tyler Kroft, so the calls evened out. Plus, the Rams are the last team that should be complaining about bad defensive penalties late in a game. Just ask the Saints. Next: -12.5 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 48

9. Chicago Bears (3-0): The Bears are 3-0, winning each game by four points. The switch to quarterback Nick Foles in the second half of the Atlanta game helped lead to the comeback win over the Falcons and the Bears have decided that Foles is their starting quarterback going forward, which will help the offense. Next: +2.5 vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 43

10. Indianapolis Colts (2-1): Quarterback Philip Rivers leads the NFL in completion percentage with 78.3%, the Colts lead the NFL in defensive yardage allowed per game with only 225 yards per game, and in points allowed per game at 15 per game. They are second in time of possession at 33:58 per game. The Colts look like a playoff team. Next: -2.5 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 43

11. Arizona Cardinals (2-1): Quarterback Kyler Murray threw three interceptions against the Lions and the Lions capitalized with ten points that were the difference in the Cardinals upset loss to the Lions. Next: -3.5 at Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 51.5

12. New England Patriots (2-1): The Patriots shutdown tight end Darren Waller and that in effect shutdown the Raiders offense as the Patriots rolled to a victory. Running back Rex Burkhead led the offense with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Next: +7 at Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 53

13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-1): The Raiders looked like a team that played a physical game on Monday night and had to fly cross country to New England for another physical game on Sunday. Although they lacked energy on the field in their loss to the Patriots, several Raider players, including quarterback Derek Carr, were seen at a charity event without masks on Monday Night, in violation of the NFL Covid-19 protocols. Next: +3 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 52.5

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1): Wide receiver Mike Evans caught two passes for two yards, but both were for touchdowns as the Bucs cruised to a win over the hapless Broncos. Next: -7 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 43

15. New Orleans Saints (1-2): The Saints defense has been smacked around the past two weeks by the Raiders and the Packers. Both teams did whatever they wanted to. That needs to end this week on the road. Next: -4 at Detroit Lions – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 54

16. San Francisco 49ers (2-1): The 49ers have looked good on the road the past two weeks against two of the worst NFL teams and this week they get the Eagles, followed by the Dolphins. Despite a rash of injuries, the 49ers could be 4-1 after five weeks, with a date against the Rams awaiting. Next: -7 vs Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 46

17. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2): The Chargers are ranked No. 6 on offense and No. 8 on defense in the NFL, but keeping shooting themselves in the foot. In the past two games, the Chargers have lost the turnover battle, 5-0. They struggle to create turnovers on defense and continue to turn over the ball on offense. Next: +7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 43

18. Dallas Cowboys (1-2): The Cowboys should be 0-3, but they were fortunate to steal a win from the Falcons. They are ranked No. 1 in total offensive yardage per game, so there is hope and there is talent on the roster. Next: -4.5 vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 56

19. Cleveland Browns (2-1): The Browns have been good on the defensive side of the ball the past two weeks, but they get a real test defensively this week when they travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys. Next: +4.5 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 56

20. Washington Football Team (1-2): The Redskins should make a change at quarterback and give their young quarterback, Dwayne Haskins a chance to watch from the sidelines for a few weeks. Haskins threw three interceptions and fumbled twice in the loss to the Browns. Next: +13 vs Baltimore Football Team – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 45.5

21. Miami Dolphins (1-2): Running back Myles Gaskin led the Dolphins with 66 yards rushing and had another 29 yards in receiving in the Dolphins stunning rout of the Jaguars in Jacksonville. The challenge will be on the defense this week. Next: +6.5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 53.5

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): The Jaguars suddenly remembered that they were "Tanking for Trevor" and brought a lackluster performance in their home loss to the Dolphins. They are back on track after the loss. Next: +3 at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 49

23. Houston Texans (0-3): The Texans have dug a hole for themselves and they desperately need a win this week. After a tough opening schedule of the Chiefs, the Ravens and the Steelers, the Texans will finally play an opponent that is also struggling. Next: -4.5 vs Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 45

24. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1): Despite having not won a game this season, the Eagles are just a half a game out of first place in the weak NFC East. Tight end Dallas Goedert has been placed on the injured reserve for the next three weeks with a fractured ankle, which means the Eagles just lost their top receiver. Next: +7 at San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 46

25. Minnesota Vikings (0-3): The Vikings are 0-3 and in last place in the NFC North. Their chances of catching the 3-0 Packers and the 3-0 Bears are slim and none. The Vikings are on the road for the next two weeks. Next: +4.5 at Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 45

26. Carolina Panthers (1-2): Despite the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey to a high ankle sprain, the Panthers ended a ten-game regular season losing streak, beating the Chargers in Los Angeles. The Panthers forced four turnovers in the upset victory. Next: +3.5 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 51.5

27. Detroit Lions (1-2): The Lions ended an 11-game regular season losing streak with their win at Arizona. They won the turnover battle 3-0 and welcomed the return of pro bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Golladay caught six passes, one for a touchdown. Next: +4 vs New Orleans Saints – Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 54

28. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2-1): Wide receiver A.J. Green is struggling at the age of 32 to regain his All-Pro form after missing the entire 2019 season with torn ligaments in his ankle. Green has 13 receptions on 28 targets, with 113 yards in receiving and zero touchdowns. Green is making $18.1 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent next season. Next: -3 vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 49

29. Denver Broncos (0-3): The Broncos are starting Brett Rypien at quarterback this week, their third starting quarterback this season. Blake Bortles could be the fourth by next week. The Broncos lost Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey for the year with a torn biceps, adding to the misery of the Broncos. Next: +1 at New York Jets - Thu, Oct. 1 – O/U 41

30. New York Giants (0-3): Quarterback Daniel Jones rushed for 49 of his team's 66 yards in the Giants 36-9 blowout loss to the 49ers. That is not a good sign for the Giants, a team that needs to run the ball to keep their mediocre defense off the field as much as possible. Next: +12.5 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 4 – O/U 48

31. New York Jets (0-3): The season is not over for the Jets, but after a blowout loss this past weekend, it is getting closer. The Fat Lady is warming up to sing. Or as Jerry Porter of the Raiders once said about the Jets after a playoff loss, "J-E-T-S. Just End The Season." Next: -1 vs Denver Broncos - Thu, Oct. 1 – O/U 41

32. Atlanta Falcons (0-3): The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to blow a lead of 15 points or more in the fourth quarter in consecutive games. Ex-Raider head coach Bill Callahan once called his team "the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game." That is a quote that could easily apply to this Falcon team. Next: +7 at Green Bay Packers - Mon, Oct. 5 – O/U 56.5