NFL Power Rankings

My current NFL Power Rankings.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2020 NFL Mock Draft during the 2019 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the 49ers and Cardinals aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Oct. 1

Miami Dolphins (0-4) – Previously: 32.
The Dolphins are the worst team in NFL history, so there’s no question that they’ll go 0-16.

Here’s the real question: Will they lose every game by double digits? I’m leaning yes, though the Week 6 battle against Washington will be the ultimate barometer for how historically bad the Dolphins truly are.

New York Jets (0-3) – Previously: 31.
I’m not sure about Sam Darnold being ready by Week 5. I’ve had mono before – it’s the reason why you’re reading this site now – and it took me a while to regain the appropriate amount of energy to do something besides sleep and eat. There’s a good chance Darnold has lost weight during his bout with mono, and he certainly hasn’t been working out at all, so I’m pessimistic about his chances of being close to 100 percent by this upcoming Sunday.

Washington Redskins (0-4) – Previously: 30.
Why did the Redskins start Case Keenum in Week 4? Seriously, what a dumb decision. Keenum was in a walking boot on Wednesday, and he clearly wasn’t healthy. With that in mind, why not prepare Dwayne Haskins to start? This sort of incompetent coaching is why Jacob Camenker is going to win his prop on Jay Gruden being the first head coach fired this season.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-4) – Previously: 29.
I tried to warn all of you. I really did. I said the Bengals would transform back to the Bungles if they fired Marvin Lewis, and none of you listened.

Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1) – Previously: 26.
I suppose we gave the Cardinals too much credit for staying within six points of Baltimore! The Ravens have been blown out in each of their games since, so that result isn’t nearly as impressive. Meanwhile, the Cardinals can’t pass protect for Kyler Murray, who has taken 12 sacks the past two weeks, resulting in two blowout defeats at home.

Atlanta Falcons (1-3) – Previously: 25.
I liked the Falcons heading into this season because I assumed they’d overcome all of the injuries they suffered last year. Yet, between Chris Lindstrom, and now Keanu Neal, it’s looking like 2018 all over again. Atlanta is lucky to even be 1-3, as a Nelson Agholor drop is the sole reason for the team’s only victory. They’ve effectively been blown out in their three losses. They are truly horrible.

Oakland Raiders (2-2) – Previously: 28.
The victory at Indianapolis was a nice one, but it’s difficult to take it too seriously. The Colts were missing three of their better players, and they were looking ahead to battling the Chiefs on national TV. They didn’t take the Raiders seriously and paid the price as a result.

Denver Broncos (0-4) – Previously: 22.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) – Previously: 24.
The Steelers had a nice win Monday night to move to within one game of the Browns and Ravens for the AFC North lead. However, they didn’t face much resistance, and Mason Rudolph is still a major question mark. Pittsburgh better hope Rudolph performs well because Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t be worth a top-10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

New York Giants (2-2) – Previously: 27.
Daniel Jones is making some rookie mistakes with the occasional turnover, yet he’s still been miles better than the walking corpse of Eli Manning. There’s a good chance the Giants would be 3-1 had they started Jones all year – a victory in Buffalo would have been possible – so if they miss the playoffs by one game, Pat Shurmur will need to be criticized for not pulling the trigger after the Week 1 blowout.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) – Previously: 21.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Jaguars are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Angeles Chargers (2-2) – Previously: 17.
The Chargers have a legitimate case to be an overrated team, as their two victories have been the result of Adam Vinatieri’s missed field goals and the Dolphins’ willingness to lose games on purpose. Also, their home loss to the Texans looks far worse now in the wake of Houston’s defeat against Kyle Allen.

I ultimately didn’t mark the Chargers down as an overrated team because I don’t think the public is buying into them. If they’re bet highly against the Broncos, I’ll have to reconsider.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) – Previously: 23.
Charlie Campbell tweeted that Shaq Barrett deserves to be the current front-runner for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, and I would agree. Barrett has been an absolute terror on the edge thus far this season, which is remarkable, considering that he has come out of nowhere. He was a backup on the Broncos throughout his entire career prior to 2019, but he somehow has nine sacks through four games. That puts him on pace for 36 sacks for the year!

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) – Previously: 15.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Ravens are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Cleveland Browns (2-2) – Previously: 20.
Now that the Browns have gotten back on track with a victory and tied the Ravens for the AFC North lead, they should investigate trading for Trent Williams. Assuming Williams is in shape, the future Hall of Fame tackle would provide such an enormous boost to an offense that has been very inconsistent this year.

Seattle Seahawks (3-1) – Previously: 18.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tennessee Titans (2-2) – Previously: 19.
The Titans weathered the storm in the first four weeks of the season, going 2-2 despite three of their games being on the road. Now, they get Taylor Lewan back from injury, which will provide a giant boost. I don’t see Marcus Mariota getting sacked nine times in a game anytime soon, and not just because he’s due for an injury.

Houston Texans (2-2) – Previously: 12.
How do the Texans go from nearly beating the Saints in the Superdome, to almost losing to Gardner Minshew at home, to roasting the Chargers in San Angeles, to losing to Kyle Allen at home?

Oh wait, I know. Bill O’Brien! The man is not only a giant douche; but also a horrible coach, perhaps the worst in the entire NFL. I mean, it takes a certain level of special to call a DeAndre Hopkins pass when the offense is putting together the most successful drive of a game.

Buffalo Bills (3-1) – Previously: 14.
I would have listed the Bills as an overrated team if they weren’t such massive underdogs last week. Let’s take a look at their wins:

– They trailed the Jets and mono-stricken Sam Darnold 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, when they received a boost from C.J. Mosley’s departure.

– They struggled to put away the horrible Giants, quarterbacked by the benched Eli Manning.

– They nearly lost to a Cincinnati squad that was dumpstered by the 49ers at home the previous week.

Despite this, the Bills would have beaten the Patriots if they had C- quarterbacking. Josh Allen and Matt Barkley posted giant “F” grades, as they turned the ball over a combined five times!

Indianapolis Colts (2-2) – Previously: 9.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Carolina Panthers (2-2) – Previously: 11.
I listed the Panthers as an underrated team the past couple of weeks, but I suppose I can’t do that anymore after they’ve pulled off back-to-back upset victories over the Cardinals and Texans.

That said, Kyle Allen should absolutely not be the team’s quarterback when Cam Newton is healthy. Allen is a fumbling machine, and he gets into trouble when his first read isn’t there.

Chicago Bears (3-1) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bears are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (3-1) – Previously: 10.
I don’t typically root for individual players, but it’s nice to see Teddy Bridgewater doing well after his devastating knee injury. He hasn’t been great, but he’s doing a solid job as the team’s game manager. The Saints have needed this with the Panthers and Buccaneers coming on strong following sleepy starts.

Los Angeles Rams (3-1) – Previously: 7.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Rams are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Detroit Lions (2-1-1) – Previously: 8.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Lions are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Dallas Cowboys (3-1) – Previously: 4.
The three quarterbacks the Cowboys have beaten this year are 0-7, and two of them (Eli Manning, Case Keenum) have been benched. In fact, Teddy Bridgewater is the best quarterback Dallas has faced all year. Coming up? Aaron Rodgers!

By the way, Tyron Smith’s injury at the end of the Saints game could be detrimental if the Pro Bowl left tackle is out for a while. His absence would be huge, particularly against Green Bay’s improved pass rush.

San Francisco 49ers (3-0) – Previously: 5.
I’ve been asked why I don’t have the 49ers in the overrated category. I think they’re legitimate, or as the young crowd says, legit. I love their defense with their new pass rushers, and their offensive line is one of the league’s best. They run the ball well and have some nice offensive weapons. The only question mark is Jimmy Garoppolo, but there’s no doubt that he has some big-time talent and upside.

Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) – Previously: 6.
I wrote that the Eagles would be looking ahead to battling the Packers as one of the reasons why I made the Lions such a big play in Week 3, but some guy in the comments section of the picks page said that players don’t look ahead, so I guess I was wrong.

At any rate, the Eagles are two drops by backup receivers away from being 4-0. Moving them out of the top five last week was a big mistake.

Green Bay Packers (3-1) – Previously: 3.
There’s no shame in losing to one of the top teams in the NFL, even if it’s at home. The Packers may have prevailed if they had Bryan Bulaga and Davante Adams available at the end anyway, so there’s no reason to drop them at all in these power rankings.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) – Previously: 2.
The Chiefs nearly lost at Detroit, but there’s no shame in this, as the Lions are one of the teams I have listed as underrated. Also, recall last year, when the Patriots lost at the Lions, who were far worse than the 2019 version. Some early-season slip-ups are expected from elite teams, but the fact that Patrick Mahomes was able to prevail is a great sign.

Kansas City’s defense is still a concern, but the Chiefs will be getting Morris Claiborne back from suspension this week, so that could be a small boost.

New England Patriots (4-0) – Previously: 1.
If the Patriots were a normal team, I’d declare them to be overrated. Their victories have been against the corpse of Ben Roethlisberger, the Dolphins, the Luke Falk-led Jets and a Buffalo team whose quarterbacks committed five turnovers. If the Bills had functional quarterbacking, they would have prevailed over New England.

However, the Patriots are notorious for starting seasons slowly, and I think their Week 4 result might be an example of this phenomenon. I expect them to improve as the season progresses.

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