BRACKET AND POWER RANKINGS

I thought I mess around and put in my thoughts of all 32 teams after four games. Enjoy!

NFC WEST

This division is wide open for every 2-2 team (even Seattle???). However, the Rams aren’t as dominant this season with limited options on offense, the 49ers hopefully have their offensive identity, Seattle is still a mystery, and the Cardinals are hoping to get back on track.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-2)

After some time and complaints about the offense and Jimmy G, I feel good that the team is back on track. Defense is elite and one of the two only teams (Dallas) to not allow 20 points this season. As long as the offense runs through the run game and Jimmy G takes care of the ball, zen. Just…zen.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-2)

The Rams do not look the same with a shaky, beat-up offensive line. Matt Stafford took plenty of sacks and his only option is Cooper Kupp. Everyone else is unproven and the run game must find a way to step up. The next three games won’t be simple.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2)

Arizona must figure themselves out by the time DeAndre Hopkins returns. They’re expected to return to the playoffs, but they are not playing like it right now.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-2)

Apparently, this team’s better off without Russell Wilson after all. So, that means they compete for the playoffs, right? Don’t get too hyped yet. They only defeated an offensive-inept Broncos and a defensive-inept Lions. Check back in a month.

NFC EAST

Cowboys and Eagles are threats. Giants…not so sure but Saquon Barkley made it this far. And the Commanders must do something about Carson Wentz’ recklessness.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0)

Expect them to be a playoff team. Jalen Hurts is a dog with a good roster. As long as he plays good football, Philadelphia is a scary team.

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-1)

Dallas’s defense showed to be really good with Micah Parsons commanding the unit. Cooper Rush…has managed the game really well and is taking shots too. Can Big D repeat as division champs, and does this lead to a (cough cough) quarterback controversy??? Doubtful…but who knows! Tony Romo was replaced by Dak Prescott due to injury.

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-1)


Don’t get too excited New York. Even if the defense improved and Saquon Barkley’s running healthy through four games, they aren’t a playoff team. However, they have proven to be a hard out, so expect them to compete as long as Barkley’s healthy.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-3)

Washington’s taking a beating on their roster and a Chase Young return is needed badly. The last three games showed that the win over the Jaguars was a fluke. Carson Wentz’ recklessness is showing its own ugly head (3 fumbles, 1 loss, 5 interceptions through four games).

NFC NORTH

The Packers competition compared to the rest of the division has gone from astronomical to minimal. The Vikings probably have that one Packers win for the season and the Bears stayed with them as long as they could. What will happen when the Cheese heads meet Detroit?

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-1)

I wasn’t too sold on Minnesota after the Packers win. They have what it takes to compete for a playoff spot, but the team is not consistent. That must be figured out, especially with their new head coach.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1)

Defense will lead the group until Aaron Rodgers and his young receivers are on the same page. R.E.L.A.X. Packers fans. At least Doubs is becoming Rodgers’ clear #2/#3 target.

CHICAGO BEARS (2-2)

Let’s be honest, the Bears are not good. They’re horrible in the passing game. That moment when the run game gets stifled, Justin Fields will struggle behind his bad pass protecting offensive linemen. As I said a long while back, we’re either seeing Justin Fields as an Ohio State quarterback or a Georgia quarterback. Chicago doesn’t get a bye week until December. Hold your breath for Justin Fields’ health, fans.

DETROIT LIONS (1-3)

Good or bad, Detroit’s fun to watch. The offense is electric and the team fights to the very end, even against the undefeated Eagles. But good God this defense needs some overall work.

NFC SOUTH

The division is wide-open. Tampa Bay is not intimidating right now. New Orleans will be in every close game (even if they lose). Do not overlook Atlanta. I repeat. Do not overlook Atlanta. Carolina may need to give Matt Rhule the ol’ boot because he’s not the answer.

TOM BRADY’S BUCCANEERS (2-2)

The offense is battered and beat up everywhere. Tom Brady also doesn’t have the pass protection, which is a major problem. Defense at some point will feel some wear and tear if their offense doesn’t find their resolve.

ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2)

Atlanta has been a hard out for years (whether they fight for comebacks or give up big leads). Since the NFC South is looking as weak as the AFC South, the Falcons have a viable chance to steal the division out from under everyone.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-3)

Carolina needs answers because Baker Mayfield is struggling. Christian McCaffrey isn’t healthy, and the receivers must come through for their quarterback. Maybe firing Matt Rhule will hopefully resolve this issue?

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-3)

Andy Dalton filled in well while Jameis Winston was out with a back injury, but the offense needs some answers (injuries and inconsistencies). However, New Orleans have plenty of skills players along with rookie Chris Olave becoming the potential #1/#2 receiver early.

AFC WEST

The division was supposed to be the toughest next to the NFC West, but Kansas City’s trying to jell with new players and key losses, the Chargers are dealing with key player injuries, the Raiders are trying to find consistency with their new coach and player additions, and the Broncos’ offense just can’t find their second gear.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-1)

Kansas City felt the loss of Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu, but they may have things settled by this month or next month. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will guarantee it.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-2)

Los Angeles is still a good team, but can they avoid any more injuries (especially since Joey Bosa went on IR)? They must protect Justin Herbert, hope Austin Ekeler stays healthy, and Keenan Allen eventually returns from his hamstring injury.

DENVER BRONCOS (2-2)

Denver’s one of the worst scoring teams in the league, even though they have Russell Wilson. They were the last NFL team to score 20 plus points last week, but still lose. What’s worse is Javonte Williams is out for the season. Can Melvin Gordon III carry this team and can Wilson and coach Nathaniel Hackett eventually find their groove?

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-3)

The Raiders attacked the Broncos and held Russell Wilson and their offense off long enough to win their first game against Josh McDaniels’ former team that he previously coached. The Raiders are a hard out, but can they find consistency and turn this into a win streak?

AFC EAST

This division’s dominated by the Bills. Miami could blow their playoff opportunity after Tua’s back-to-back injuries caused more investigations. Will Mac Jones return, or will 3rd stringer Bailey Zappe lead New England for the rest of the season? With all that mess, the Jets could glide their way to the three or two spot in the AFC East.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-1)

The Dolphins are in deeper, hotter water (no pun intended) after Tua’s back-to-back head injuries (or back injury if that’s what they want to say). With that mess along with other investigations going on, Miami could seriously blow their playoff chances.

BUFFALO BILLS (3-1)

Buffalo struggled for one and a half games, but they proved to have a winning mentality on any given Sunday. This group will get back on track once their defensive backs return from injury. Imagine if they had one second left against the Dolphins?

NEW YORK JETS (2-2)

The Jets aren’t a great football team, but they are a competitive football team. Say what you want, but there’s fight in these guys from the Meadowlands. With Zach Wilson back, it means they will bite more than just bark.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-3)

If New England wasn’t already in a “uh oh” situation, well…uh oh. Mac Jones is out with an ankle injury and Brian Hoyer is in concussion protocol, leaving Bailey Zappe as the healthy available option. Honestly, he ain’t bad. But can this “deer in the headlights” kid lead the Patriots?

AFC NORTH

From the conversations I’ve had and heard from Steelers fans, it looks like they won’t make the playoffs this season. So that leaves the Browns, Bengals, and Ravens competing for the division title. Who’s more deserving between three 2-2 teams?

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-2)

Believe it or not, the Browns have the best chance. They’re balanced in most positions and their quarterback takes care of the ball. The only problem is injuries. They’re currently without three of their starting defensive linemen, including Myles Garrett.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-2)

The Bengals defense is better than some expect. They are top 12 in yards allowed, top 10 in points allowed, and top five in rush yards allowed. However, the one big issue is…you guessed it…the Bengals’ offensive line. Hopefully they jell soon because the next four games could become a problem.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-2)

Baltimore should be the best AFC North team by now, but the birds have weaknesses on their roster. Lamar Jackson is carrying the team literally and statistically. The receivers are slowly figuring it out, but no one is proven after Mark Andrews and Jackson solely misses Marquise Brown. What’s worse is their defense has not been good since the Jets game.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-3)

Pittsburgh’s likely weeded out of the AFC North title, but don’t overlook them either way. They could be fun to watch, and they can’t do any worse with their new quarterback while their defense still competes. Pittsburgh can expose the three teams above before the season’s over.

AFC SOUTH

The weakest division in all of football is not looking so weak thus far. The Colts may have some concerns though, leaving the division wide open for Tennessee and Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-2)

Jacksonville may have a say for the division title. They will compete on any given Sunday. Their two losses were game-tying and game-winning opportunities. Maybe Doug Pederson’s presence sparked the team’s improvement in Trevor Lawrence’s second year. Expect this month to be a fair and winnable schedule for the boys in northeast Florida.

TENNESSEE TITANS (2-2)

Tennessee isn’t a threat, but Aaron Rodgers made a point that as long as Mike Vrabel and Derrick Henry are there, they will be fine. However, Treylon Burks suffered a toe injury and leaves only Robert Woods as the top receiver with Dontrell Hilliard and Derrick Henry as the other two (and they’re both running backs!) Is that still fine?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-2-1)

Am I sensing some doubt in Indy? What seemed like a runaway AFC South title turned into a struggle for a playoff spot again. Three key players on defense are hurt and two are out. The offense should’ve improved with Matt Ryan by assumption. Apparently, I and others could be wrong. The schedule should be winnable, especially when they have a date with Carson Wentz and Washington in late October.

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-3-1)

Houston is winless, but they are by-no-means a team that should be overlooked. They had three opportunities (including overtime) to start the season 3-1. They’ll probably continue their winless streak through October, but anything could happen for Lovie Smith’s team.

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