NFL Week 4 Hierarchy

Week Four of the NFL season is over with and there were multiple teams in last week’s hierarchy that took a loss this past weekend. Some teams fell and some teams moved up but all in all it was a good week for football.

Here are the top ten teams after week four.

10.  Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

Admit it. No one expected the Rams to be 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West after a shoot out with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. However, good quarterback play by Jared Goff backed up because of an offensive minded head coach, a fixed offensive line and multiple weapons surrounding Goff, the Rams might be a force to be reckoned with later in the season.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

Carson Wentz can be described by one word. Wizard. He manages to escape pass rush with ease every time he steps back to throw and it is because of him the Eagles are where they are right now. They could easily be 1-3 at this point if it was not for Wentz making the right plays at the right time. The Eagles also lead the league in multiple offensive categories including plays over ten yards and time of possession so Wentz must be doing something right. AS of now, the Eagles are looking like the favorites to win the NFC East.

8. Oakland Raiders (2-2)

The Oakland Raiders fall to the eight spot after this week and the only direction they are heading is down. Quarterback Derek Carr is out for two to six weeks after suffering a spinal fracture in his back and just like last year, as soon as Carr got hurt, the Raiders fell apart. There is no way backup E.J. Manuel leads this team to a lot of wins and after losing to the Broncos this past weened, no way they catch them or the Chiefs in the AFC West.

7. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

The Cowboys defense was exploited once again. Dak Prescott now must play at his very best each and every week if the Cowboys want to win. Just like the Patriots, the defense is what is holding them back. Key injuries to that defense is not helping of course but no one is stepping up to make the necessary stops especially against the newly revamped LA Rams this past weekend.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

The Pittsburgh Steelers got back on the winning train this week with a convincing 26-9 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Ben Roethlisberger did not play at his best (18-30 for 216 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception) but Le’Veon Bell has taken the lead and rushed for 144 yards on 35 carries and added two touchdowns. If the Steelers want to be a great team however, Roethlisberger must play better and Bell must have at least 100 yards rushing but the defense did play well racking up four sacks on Joe Flacco.

5. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)

The Falcons are slowly coming back down to Earth. With a loss to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday at home questions come up. Was Matt Ryan only elite last year because of Kyle Shanahan? and is their young defense actually improving? The Falcons might be in a tricky spot this season because of the Panthers improving and the Saints not looking to tank so it might be tough for them late in the year.

4. New England Patriots (2-2)

The New England Patriot’s defense is just not good and it is completely ruining their chances of being phenomenal team. Their secondary gives up too many big plays especially to a Panthers offense who had not performed up to their abilities the first three weeks and absolutely no pass rush. However, because of Tom Brady and their high-flying offense, there is still a chance they can take the AFC East and grab home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

3. Denver Broncos (3-1)

It is weird to say but the Denver Broncos are looking really good on both sides of the ball. Trevor Siemian may not be one of the best quarterbacks in the league but just like Peyton Manning in his last year, the defense carried the team the whole season. Also, with a win over the depleted Raiders this weekend, the AFC West definitely moved into a two team race with the Broncos chasing the Chiefs.

2. Green Bay Packers (3-1)

Even with poor defense and barely any running game, the Green Bay Packers are still a threat to win multiple games this season because they have Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is the duct tape that is holding this team together. The win over the Bears last Thursday was not really impressive because of the Bears situation so the Packers real test will come next ‘week against the Cowboys.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

A win against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football keeps the Kansas City Chiefs at number one this week. At 4-0, they are the final undefeated team in the NFL even though they are not the most sexy or fun to watch team. They frankly are a boring team to watch but they do everything right on both sides of the ball. Alex Smith continues to throw the ball down the field, Kareem Hunt once again has a 100 yard rushing game, the defense makes key stops when needed and one of the best coaches in the league Andy Reid holding it all together. If the Chiefs are able to beat the Raiders in week 7 then the Broncos in week 8, the Chiefs will probably win the AFC West and earn on of the top seeds in the AFC.