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NFL power rankings, Week 4: 49ers slip, Rams somehow lead NFC West

We’ve got Week 4 NFL power rankings, with the Los Angeles Rams somehow leading the NFC West.

The third week of the 2016 NFL season is officially a wrap, which means it is time for more NFL power rankings. We closed out the week with a wild one in the Big Easy. The Atlanta Falcons won a 45-32 shootout over the New Orleans Saints. Matt Ryan had a solid game, but this one was more about the Falcons ground game, with Devonta Freeman rushing for 152 yards, and Tevin Coleman adding 42 yards and three rushing touchdowns. I started both in a fantasy league, and that was kind of helpful!

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a brutal loss to the Seattle Seahawks. They got some late scores, but this game felt like it was in the bag before the first quarter was even a wrap. I don’t think that game represents all of what we can expect from the 49ers, but it was disheartening to say the least.

The NFC West is suddenly led by the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams went on the road to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Considering how bad they looked in a Week 1 shutout loss in Santa Clara, it’s impressive how they have rebounded to beat the Seahawks and Bucs. They have a huge matchup this weekend on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. I don’t think they’ll be winning this one, but if they can keep it competitive, the NFC West could be a little more wide open than expected. I still think Jeff Fisher and company find a way to finish 7-9, but for now, the Rams lead the NFC West.

I had to drop the New England Patriots in at the top. When you win three games with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, and you’ll be getting Tom Brady back in the fold soon, things are looking good. I don’t think the Patriots will go undefeated this year, but clearly they are a force to be reckoned with at the top.

The Baltimore Ravens are my lowest ranked undefeated team. They’re getting the wins, at home and on the road, but it’s hard to be overly impressed with them. They’ve beaten the Buffalo Bills at home, and gone on the road to beat the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. Whereas we’ve seen the Philadelphia Eagles crush all three opponents thus far by an average of 21 points, the Ravens have won their three games by a combined 13 points. Undefeated is undefeated, but there are definitely different versions of it.

On to my Week 4 NFL power rankings!

Rank Team LW
1 New England Patriots (3-0) 2
2 Denver Broncos (3-0) 5
3 Minnesota Vikings (3-0) 12
4 Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) 8
5 Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) 15
6 Dallas Cowboys (2-1) 17
7 Seattle Seahawks (2-1) 11
8 Baltimore Ravens (3-0) 9
9 Green Bay Packers (2-1) 13
10 Oakland Raiders (2-1) 14
11 Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) 1
12 Arizona Cardinals (1-2) 3
13 Houston Texans (2-1) 4
14 Carolina Panthers (1-2) 6
15 New York Giants (2-1) 7
16 Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) 10
17 New York Jets (1-2) 16
18 Atlanta Falcons (2-1) 21
19 San Diego Chargers (1-2) 18
20 Los Angeles Rams (2-1) 25
21 Tennessee Titans (1-2) 22
22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) 19
23 San Francisco 49ers (1-2) 20
24 Detroit Lions (1-2) 23
25 Miami Dolphins (1-2) 26
26 Indianapolis Colts (1-2) 28
27 Washington (1-2) 29
28 Buffalo Bills (1-2) 31
29 New Orleans Saints (0-3) 27
30 Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) 24
31 Chicago Bears (0-3) 30
32 Cleveland Browns (0-3) 32