2023 NFL Power Rankings – Week 04

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0): The Eagles are 3-0 and are not really playing that well. They disposed of the Buccaneers, 25-11. Running back DeAndre Swift had another good game on the ground, rushing for 130 yards on 16 carries. Next: -8.5 vs Washington Commanders – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 2-0-1 – O/U: 2-1)

2. San Francisco 49ers (3-0): The 49ers have won their 13th consecutive regular season games, all with running back Christian McCaffrey, who joined the team in 2022. McCaffrey tied Jerry Rice's team record of 12 consecutive games with at least one touchdown in the victory over the Giants. Next: -14 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

3. Miami Dolphins (3-0): The Dolphins embarrassed the Broncos, 70-20, behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the highest rated quarterback in the NFL. Tagovailoa has been sacked once this season. The ball comes out very fast and it helps that receivers are open. Next: +3 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 2-1)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1): The Chiefs easily defeated the Bears, 41-10 in Kansas City. The highlight of the rout was the presence of superstar singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in the Chiefs suite, who is possibly dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Next: -9.5 at New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

5. Buffalo Bills (2-1): The Bills destroyed the Commanders, 37-3 on the road. The Bills outscored their opponents in the past two games 75-13. The opening game loss to the Jets on the road appears to be an aberration. Next: -3 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

6. Dallas Cowboys (2-1): The Cowboys apparently were doing some early planning for their Super Bowl championship parade and forgot that they had a game with the Cardinals. The Cardinals 28-16 win over the Cowboys was impressive, as they ran through the previously stout Cowboy defense for 222 yards on the ground. Next: -7 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 2-1)

7. Detroit Lions (2-1): Aidan Hutchinson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Lions victory over the Falcons. Hutchinson had two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two passes defensed. Next: -1.5 at Green Bay Packers – Thu, Sep. 28 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

8. Baltimore Ravens (2-1): The Ravens were upset at home by the Colts, 22-19. Quarterback Lamar Jackson leads all quarterbacks in rushing yardage with 193 yards and is 23rd in passing yardage at 608 yards. The Ravens indicated in the offseason that they were going get away from using Jackson so much as a runner and throwing the ball more often. That is not happening. Next: +2.5 at Cleveland Browns – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

9. Seattle Seahawks (2-1): The Seahawks defeated the Panthers in Seattle, 37-27. They were helped to the victory by two UCLA Bruin rookies; running back Zach Charbonnet rushed for 46 yards on 9 carries, including bowling over a safety on a run, while wide receiver Jake Bobo caught a 5 -yard touchdown pass from quarterback Geno Smith in the fourth quarter. Next: +1.5 at New York Giants - Mon, Oct. 2 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 2-1– O/U: 2-1)

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1): Quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Steelers past the Raiders, 23-18 in Las Vegas. Kicker Chris Boswell added three field goals, one from 57-yards out in the victory. Next: -3 at Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

11. Cleveland Browns (2-1): The Browns looked good on Sunday, easily defeating the Tennessee Titans, 27-3 in Cleveland. Quarterback DeShaun Watson completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Amari Cooper caught 7 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Next: -2.5 vs Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1): The Buccaneers lost for the first time this season, falling to the Eagles, 25-11. The Eagles outgained the Bucs 472 yards to 174 yards. This was the first "Are We For Real" test and reality did not look good for the Bucs. Next: +3 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

13. New Orleans Saints (2-1): The Saints blew a 17-0 lead in the fourth quarter to lose at the Packers on the road, 18-17. The loss of quarterback Derek Carr to an AC joint injury in the third quarter also ended the scoring for the day for the Saints. Next: -3 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 0-2-1 – O/U: 0-3

14. Indianapolis Colts (2-1): The Colts are 2-1 after upsetting the Ravens, 22-19 in Baltimore. Running back Zach Moss rushed for 122 yards, wide receiver Michael Pittman had nine receptions for 77 yards, and quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for 227 yards and one touchdown in a balanced Colt attack. Next: -1.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 2-1)

15. Atlanta Falcons (2-1): The Falcons were held without an offensive touchdown in a 20-6 loss to the Lions in Detroit. The Falcons struggling passing offense should look to the quarterback rich 2024 NFL Draft to find a quarterback that can light a fire in the passing attack. Next: +3 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

16. Green Bay Packers (2-1): The Packers trailed the Saints 17-0 in the fourth quarter, but rallied scoring 18 points in the 4th to win 18-17. It may have helped that the Saints lost their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, to an injury in the third quarter. Next: +1.5 vs Detroit Lions - Thu, Sep. 28 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 2-1)

17. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2): The Chargers won their first game of the season, ending a four-game losing streak that dated back to last season. The Chargers have the No. 2 rated offense in the NFL by total yardage and the No. 31 defense in the NFL by total yardage allowed. Quarterback Justin Herbert is the No. 2 rated QB in the NFL and wide receiver Keenan Allen leads the NFL in receptions with 32. Next: -6 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 2-1)

18. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2): Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 26 of 49 passes for259 yards and an interception, which was not great, but with an injured calf which limited his mobility, it was all he needed to do to lead the Bengals past the Rams. Next: -2.5 at Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 0-2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

19. Washington Commanders (2-1): The Commanders came crashing back to earth on Sunday, getting crushed at home by the Bills, 37-3. Quarterback Sam Howell threw four interceptions and was sacked nine times in the lopsided loss. Next: +8.5 at Philadelphia Eagles – Oct. 1 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

20. Los Angeles Rams (1-2): The Rams lost on the road to the Bengals, and it is hard to find something about the Rams offense that is consistent. Quarterback Matthew Stafford looks effective with a running game and good pass protection. He has not had that for the better part of the past 20 games. The Rams defense has only one turnover in three games and five sacks but are still the team's strength. They need to get better on both sides of the ball if they want to be a playoff team. Next: +1.5 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 2-0-1 – O/U: 1-2)

21. New England Patriots (1-2): Death, taxes, and beating the Jets are expected for Patriots fans, and Sunday was no different after the Pats won their 15th consecutive victory over the Jets, 15-10. It was a much-needed victory for head coach Bill Belichick. Next: +7 at Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct, 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2): The Raiders look like a team that is going nowhere. They need a spark. Wide receiver Davante Adams and running back Josh Jacobs were first-team All-Pro in 2022. Neither looks happy nor is as productive in 2023. Next: +6 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): The Jaguars lost by 20 points to the Texans at home, in what can only be described as a disappointing performance for a team that is allegedly a playoff team. The Jags are 0-2 at home. The next two games are in London, so maybe a change of venue will help. Next: -3 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 2-1)

24. New York Giants (1-2): The Giants had a terrific come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals in Phoenix, then four days later they had to travel to the Bay Area to take on the 49ers. That game did not end up well for the Giants and it is completely understandable. What was the NFL thinking? Next: -1.5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Mon, Oct. 2 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 0-3 – O/U: 1-2)

25. Tennessee Titans (1-2): Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill looked like a star against the Chargers in Week 2. Against the Browns in Cleveland, a team with a good defensive unit, he looked like a subpar quarterback, completing 13 of 25 passes for 104 yards. Derrick Henry was held to 20 yards rushing on 11 carries in the 27-3 blowout loss to the Browns. Next: +2.5 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

26. Houston Texans (1-2): The Texans upset the Jaguars in Jacksonville, 37-17. Rookie Quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 20 of 30 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans beating the Jaguars by 20 on their home field should open some eyes in the NFL. Next: +3 vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 2-1)

27. New York Jets (1-2): The Jets lost again to the Patriots, 15-10, the 15th consecutive loss to the Patriots. Quarterback Zach Wilson is the lowest rated quarterback in the NFL. The Jets signed veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to their practice squad. Siemian has 30 starts in the NFL at quarterback. It does not look good for the Jets at quarterback. Next: +9.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

28. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): Kicker Matt Prater was selected as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on 4 of 4 field goal attempts, including a 62-yarder in the Cardinals stunning 28-16 upset win over the Cowboys. Next: +14 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 2-1)

29. Minnesota Vikings (0-3): In a battle of two playoff teams from last season, the Viking lost 28-24 to the Chargers. Both teams have talent on their rosters, both teams came in at 0-2 and both teams have underperformed. Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins leads the NFL in passing yardage per game. Next: -3.5 at Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 0-2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

30. Carolina Panthers (0-3): The Panthers are off to an 0-3 start and rookie quarterback Bryce Young has been sidelined with an ankle injury. He missed the loss to the Seahawks, but he is expected back for the next game. Next: +3.5 vs Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 0-2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

31. Denver Broncos (0-3): Remember when current Bronco head coach Sean Payton criticized Nathaniel Hackett, the former Bronco head coach, for "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL?" The Broncos are 0-3 after a 70-20 loss to the Dolphins. Pot meet kettle. Next: -3.5 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 46 (ATS: 0-3 – O/U: 2-1)

32. Chicago Bears (0-3): The Bears lost their 13th consecutive game dating back to 2022 after getting blown out against the Chiefs in Kansas City. This week the Bears are at home to take on the Broncos in the official, "Crummy Game of the Week" in the NFL. Next: +3.5 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 1 – O/U: 46 (ATS: 0-3 – O/U: 3-0)