2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings

Seattle Seahawks: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#1)

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Last week: 1

Yeah, it was just the Jaguars, but the Seahawks were still impressive, becoming the first team to cover as 19+ point favorites since the 2001 Rams. The previous 6 teams to attempt to do so could not (2002 Eagles, 2007 Patriots 4 times, 2011 Patriots) and the Seahawks did so despite using backups for most of the 2nd half. The Seahawks 2nd team is significantly better than the Jaguars 1st team. That’s a good sign going forward in case injuries strike.

Week 3 Studs

QB Tarvaris Jackson

WR Sidney Rice

TE Zach Miller

TE Luke Willson

LT Michael Bowie

DT Brandon Mebane

MLB Bobby Wagner

Week 3 Duds

LT Paul McQuistan

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Denver Broncos: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#2)

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Last week: 3 (+1)

The Broncos beat the Raiders badly, but the final score of 37-21 doesn’t tell how big of a blowout it was. The Broncos had 31 first downs to just 1 punt, while the Raiders had 13 first downs and punted 6 times. The Raiders actually won the turnover battle by 2, recovering both of the Broncos’ fumbles, both of which were pretty unforced. Teams who win the turnover battle by 2 win, on average, 82.1% of the time and outscore opponents by 9.64 points per game. Offensively at least, the Broncos are starting to look like a serious threat to the 2007 Patriots’ records. They won’t allow just 17.1 points per game like the 2007 Patriots and they won’t go 16-0 though. That being said, you could argue they’re better than the Seahawks. I won’t, but you can’t argue that any other team deserves a spot in the top-2 than the Broncos and the Seahawks.

Week 3 Studs

QB Peyton Manning

RB Ronnie Hillman

WR Eric Decker

RG Louis Vasquez

C Manuel Ramirez

Week 3 Duds

TE Virgil Green

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New Orleans Saints: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#3)

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Last week: 4 (+1)

The Saints have held all 3 of their opponents this season to 17 or fewer points this season, something they did a total of 3 times last season. Young stars have broken out, especially Cameron Jordan, who is playing like an All-Pro back at his collegiate position of 5-technique defensive end. The offense doesn’t look right yet, but I don’t have big concerns about that going forward. They could possibly be as complete as they’ve been in years this season and with the Packers and 49ers relatively struggling, this team is the 2nd best team in the NFC.

Week 3 Studs

TE Jimmy Graham

LG Ben Grubbs

RE Cameron Jordan

Week 3 Duds

RG Tom Lelito

MLB David Hawthorne

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New England Patriots: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

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Last week: 6 (+2)

The Patriots’ 23-3 win reminded me of how they used to win games when they were winning Super Bowls. That’s definitely getting a little ahead of ourselves, but the defense looks for real. I know the Buccaneers’ offense is terrible, but holding anyone to 3 points is impressive. They’re only going to get better offensively as their young receivers mature and as they get guys back from injury. Rob Gronkowski appears set to return this week, while Danny Amendola will probably follow next week. That’s just in time for the Falcons and the Bengals, their first tests of the season.

Week 3 Studs

LT Nate Solder

RT Sebastian Vollmer

LG Logan Mankins

MLB Brandon Spikes

CB Aqib Talib

Week 3 Duds

QB Tom Brady

C Ryan Wendell

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San Francisco 49ers: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

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Last week: 2 (-3)

The 49ers get a pass from me for losing in Seattle because the Seahawks are near impossible to beat at home and they get a pass for last week because they were without Vernon Davis and they were very possibly distracted by the Aldon Smith situation. The whole team played like they showed up to the practice facility at 7 AM drunk. Jokes ahead, I have no idea why the 49ers allowed him to play last week. Arrest aside and prescription drugs aisde, this is a guy who thought it was appropriate to show up to practice drunk. That’s a sign of a guy who feels he’s above the team because of his star status and allowed him to play just reinforces that. Smith is on leave indefinitely seeking treatment and won’t play against the Rams this week, but they do get Vernon Davis back and they have enough other talent, so I expect them to bounce back. If they lose this week, then they’ll be out of passes.

Week 3 Studs

FB Bruce Miller

Week 3 Duds

QB Colin Kaepernick

CB Tarell Brown

LE Tony Jerod-Eddie

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Green Bay Packers: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

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Last week: 5 (-1)

The Packers may be 1-2, but they’ve lost to the 49ers and Bengals (two other highly rated teams) in easily winnable games, so I’m not going to hold it against them very much. Their bye is early this year, as they go on bye this week, but it does come at a perfect time as they need their running backs to get healthy. Johnathan Franklin, their 3rd string running back, looked good against a tough Cincinnati run defense, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts, but coughed it up at a critical time in the loss.

Week 3 Studs

RT Don Barclay

LG Josh Sitton

MLB Brad Jones

Week 3 Duds

LT David Bakhtiari

LE BJ Raji

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Cincinnati Bengals: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

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Last week: 15 (+8)

The Bengals’ win last week was the definition of a statement win. Not only did they beat the Packers, but they did it despite losing the turnover battle by 2. Teams win just 17.9% of the time when losing the turnover battle by 2 historically. I still think Andy Dalton is a limiting factor on this team, but his previous 1-11 record in 2011 and 2012 against eventual playoff teams doesn’t seem relevant at this point. His supporting cast is definitely good enough to mask his flaws, especially their defense. They leaped ahead of the Ravens, who are still unable to consistently move the chains offensively, in the AFC North in my mind this weekend.

Week 3 Studs

RE Michael Johnson

CB Leon Hall

Week 3 Duds

TE Jermaine Gresham

RG Kevin Zeitler

LOLB Vontaze Burfict

DT Geno Atkins

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Dallas Cowboys: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

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Last week: 7 (-1)

The Cowboys have more wins than the rest of the NFC East combined and are the only team in the division to win a game outside of the division. They look like the clear favorites, though the loss of Anthony Spencer hurts. It especially hurts him as he’s one of two franchise tagged players (Henry Melton) done for the season. Jairus Byrd, meanwhile, has yet to play with injury. However, the way George Selvie has played in his absence makes the injury hurt less.

Week 3 Studs

QB Tony Romo

RB DeMarco Murray

RT Doug Free

C Travis Frederick

DE DeMarcus Ware

SS Barry Church

Week 3 Duds

None

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Detroit Lions: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

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Last week: 8 (-1)

Nate Burleson’s injury is a pretty ridiculous story, but it also might be a blessing in disguise for the Lions. Burleson’s numbers might look good (19 catches for 239 yards), but he has one of the easiest jobs in football, with Calvin Johnson opposite him, Matt Stafford throwing to him, and one of the pass happiest coaching staffs in football. The 32-year-old showed a noticeable lack of explosion on the field and the now healthy Ryan Broyles, who will take his spot, could be a serious upgrade.

Week 3 Studs

WR Calvin Johnson

Week 3 Duds

C Dominic Raiola

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Chicago Bears: 2013 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

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Last week: 9 (-1)

The Bears are 3-0, but they were favored in all 3 games. Win in Detroit this week and we’ll talk about seriously moving them up. Their “vaunted” defense has forced a league low 9 punts all season. Yes, they have 11 takeaways, but their combined punts forced and takeaways is just 20, which is also one of the worst in the NFL. In terms of preventing their opponents from moving the chains on any given 1st and 10, they are right around 75%, very middle of the pack, which is right around where their improved offense is as well. They can’t continue relying on takeaways and recovering 75% of fumbles they force. It’s very possible they miss Lovie Smith’s defensive leadership. Over 30 veterans Charles Tillman, Julius Peppers, and Lance Briggs are also disappointing. And now they’re without Henry Melton. This is a very shaky 3-0.

Week 3 Studs

RG Kyle Long

RE Julius Peppers

Week 3 Duds

TE Martellus Bennett

TE Steve Maneri

RT Jordan Mills

CB Charles Tillman

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