1) New England Patriots (4-0)
The Patriots’ defense let their offense off the hook for a rough performance against the Bills in which they only managed one offensive touchdown. Tom Brady struggled to find safety behind his offensive line for most of the game, and occasionally made some bad decisions when throwing the ball. That being said, a win is a win, and that’s one game that New England will not have to worry about in the loss column. In fact, their Week 4 statement win has likely punched them a ticket to a 5-0 start with a manageable matchup against Washington on Sunday. Week 5’s potential cakewalk allows Brady and his surrounding linemen and skill-position players to regain confidence after being bailed out of a loss.
You have to feel for Dwayne Haskins. A week after being thrown into starting action against the Giants with little preparation with the first team during practice, the rookie quarterback will now have to face a New England secondary that is among the best units in the league. Stephon Gilmore’s play has been matched by corners Jason McCourty and Johnathan Jones, while Jason’s twin brother Devin McCourty has continued to be among the best safeties in the league in the first four games of his tenth season. In those four games, McCourty has collected an interception in each of them. While his pace for 16 interceptions will likely take a dip soon, the veteran safety has proven that he still has the ball skills that made him a cornerback early in his career.
2) Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
Patrick Mahomes found a way to best a Lions’ defensive unit that came to play. The offensive front has proven susceptible to giving up some pressures to their quarterback and has missed their former starting center, Mitch Morse, who signed with the Bills over this past offseason. Luckily for the Andy Reid-coached offense, Mahomes can overcome inconsistent offensive line play with the help of his receivers. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins and tight end Travis Kelce have taken the roles of Mahomes’ 1A and 1B options while Tyreek Hill recovers from his shoulder injury. Rookie Mecole Hardman has ensured that the Chiefs will continue to surround Patrick Mahomes with some of the fastest talent that the league has to offer.
While the offense has found a way to succeed despite injuries to Tyreek Hill and some of their runningbacks, the defense has struggled to establish themselves as a top-unit. Beyond the defensive front that has succeeded in applying interior pressure to opposing offensive lines, thanks to Chris Jones. However, Kansas City’s linebackers and secondary are still looking for a boost. Outside of Tyrann Mathieu and a fumble return from Breshaud Breeland, this Steve Spagnulo-led defense has not met expectations.
3) Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Just when Dallas thought that they could field all of their starting offensive linemen at the same time, Tyron Smith goes down with a high-ankle sprain. Smith has already been ruled out for Week 5’s tilt against the Packers, leaving Dallas with Cam Fleming and Connor Williams on the left side of the line. Luckily, Dak Prescott has been doing just as much to keep Dallas in games as his surrounding pieces. Elliot struggled mightily throughout the duration of Week 4’s loss against New Orleans, averaging under two yards-per-carry and coughing up a fumble. Despite the rough night for the running game, Prescott found Amari Cooper consistently but missed Michael Gallup in a game where Randall Cobb was unable to establish any consistency with his quarterback.
The offense came up mostly dry on Sunday night after lighting up some mediocre teams throughout the first three weeks of the season, but the defense continued to play up to their ever-increasing expectations. the front seven is without any weaknesses with Sean Lee healthy next to Leighton Vander Esch and Roquan Smith. Demarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn have been finding consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, save for some instances where the Saints’ tackles got the better of them throughout their most recent matchup. A lot of concerns were made regarding the lack of recognizable names in Dallas’ secondary, especially the safeties, but Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath have held their own even with Byron Jones’ slide back to cornerback.
4) New Orleans Saints (3-1)
While many fans were expecting the Saints to fall off a bit during the period of time that they’re missing Drew Brees, but the defense has stepped up the play in Brees’ absence. Cameron Jordan has been paired with Marcus Davenport, who has emerged as a potential star in his second season. Sheldon Rankins remains healthy so far, allowing for his outside rushers to avoid double teams. Linebackers Josh Klein and Kiko Alonso have been the weak spot of this defense so far. Despite the pair’s struggles, the remainder of the defense remains largely without a weakness. Marcus Williams and Marshon Lattimore are contributing to a secondary that has slowed down the likes of Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott in recent weeks.
While the defense deserves a lot of praise for righting the ship after a tough loss in Week 2 to Los Angeles, the offensive line deserves similar attention for their ability to keep Teddy Bridgewater upright. Ryan Ramcyzk was named the Saints’ MVP for his effort in neutralizing star pass rusher, Demarcus Lawrence, during a matchup with the Cowboys in Week 4. While Bridgewater has been unwilling to throw the ball downfield, he has been able to facilitate the ball properly to stars Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. It would be huge to see the offense produce more yards outside of their two stars. Jared Cook and Tedd Ginn have largely disappointed in their starting roles to this point.
5) Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
Carson Wentz has been receiving a lot of unnecessary criticism for two early losses for the Eagles. However, the secondary was responsible for letting Julio Jones loose for a game-winning touchdown in Week 2 that pried a win out of Wentz’s hands. In Week 3’s loss, the Lions defense took advantage of shaky offensive line play and drops from receivers, allowing Stafford to outduel Wentz in a home win for Detroit. However, Wentz proved the capabilities of this offense against the Packers. While the quarterback has been phenomenal in his own right despite the absence of DeSean Jackson and the struggles of Nelson Algholor, the running game also finally provided some signs of life against a potent Green Bay defense. If the line can keep it together enough to allow a two-dimensional attack to shine in Doug Pederson’s scheme, Philly will keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night.
On the other end of things, the addition of Orlando Scandrick will add some intrigue for the Eagles going into a matchup against the Jets. Whether they face Sam Darnold or Luke Falk, the pressure will be on Scandrick and Sidney Jones to step up their play given the inconsistent play of their inside linebackers and safety Malcolm Jenkins. The defense absolutely misses Jordan Hicks, who currently leads the league in tackles as a member of the Cardinals. The strength of this defense comes from Philadelphia’s defensive front, as Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are off to characteristically strong starts. Derek Barnett and Vinny Curry will be more likely to produce results opposite of Graham once Malik Jackson and Timmy Jernigan return to the inside of the defensive line.
6) Green Bay Packers (3-1)
In a testament to how up-for-grabs the NFC is, Green Bay finds themselves ranked behind a team that lost to the Falcons after receiving their first loss from that same Eagles team. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the problem, though an injury Davante Adams suffered toward the end of Thursday’s Week 4 matchup against Philadelphia might prove to be one. Outside of the former Fresno State product, Rodgers has struggled to find any rapport with his receiving corps, so it could be costly to the Packers’ offensive production if Adams misses any time. Luckily, the offensive line possesses two solid tackles to keep their quarterback upright, as well as a promising rookie at guard in the form of Mississippi State alumn Elgton Jenkins.
While defensive rookie Rashan Gary is not off to as solid of a start, collecting only one sack in four games, the remainder of this front seven has been a problem for opposing defenses to deal with. Za’Darius and Preston Smith have done damage to opposing quarterbacks from the outside, while Kenny Clark has been doing his best to minimalize the loss of Mike Daniels to the Lions. In the secondary, rookie Darnell Savage was off to a tear of a start before the team’s first loss of the season. Grouping with Adrian Amos, Jaire Alexander, and Kevin King, Green Bay has begun to find returns from the investments they made.
7) Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
The offensive line will have to get it together if the Rams are to have any hope of repeating as Super Bowl contenders. Andrew Whitworth remains the only capable starter, while no other Rams lineman has performed well enough to receive a PFF grade of 50 or higher throughout the first quarter of the season. As long as the line is in shambles, Jared Goff won’t be able to find his talented receivers down the field and Todd Gurley will struggle to consistently avoid the wear and tear on his arthritic left knee. Seattle’s defense will provide the offensive line with a challenging, yet rewarding task if Goff can get time to scan the Seahawks’ porous secondary.
On the topic of porous secondaries, Aqib Talib was responsible for giving up some big plays Sunday against the Buccaneers. Marcus Peters has held his own, as has safety Eric Weddle, but fellow safeties Taylor Rapp and John Johnson have struggled to keep the roof from blowing off at any instant. Aaron Donald and Clay Matthews continue to contribute to a fearsome defensive front, receiving extra contributions from linebackers Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler as well. Their task will be similar to the defense facing up against them Thursday; get to the opposing quarterback before he can pick the secondary apart.
8) Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
Lamar Jackson showed signs of mortality for the first time this season against the Browns on Sunday. Cleveland’s defense was able to force him out of the pocket and into some mistakes, resulting in the quarterback’s first two interceptions of the season. Cleveland’s run defense was a big contributor to forcing Jackson into a one-dimensional game with a Mark Ingram fumble, but the offensive line returned the beating to the Browns throughout the game and held their own. The encouraging play coming from Baltimore’s offensive line will be tested further against the Steelers’ front four on Sunday. However, rookie receivers Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin have a chance to run free against a struggling secondary after proving to be two of Lamar Jackson’s three favorite options so far this season. The third of Jackson’s go-to targets can be found in Mark Andrews, as the sophomore tight end has been off to a tear to begin the season and is currently on pace for over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.
While the offense has been receiving the most positive and negative headlines throughout the first four weeks of the season, the defense has provided John Harbaugh’s team with more up-and-down play to begin the season. Losing three of their four starting linebackers due to free agency has left this unit scrambling to adjust in the front seven. Brandon Williams was not playing at full capability before injuring his knee at practice in anticipation of Week 4’s matchup. Jimmy Smith and Earl Thomas are also dealing with injuries, but Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr can hold their own in the secondary until the standout defensive backs return.
9) San Fransisco 49ers (3-0)
After years of spending early draft capital on players to fill spots on the front seven, the unit is showing breakout potential. Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and DeForest Buckner have made opposing offenses’ jobs much more difficult in their first three games of the season, allowing the linebackers and cornerbacks to perform up to the task as well. Richard Sherman is getting help over the middle and in the slot with the contributions from Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, and K’Wuan Williams. The play that San Fransisco is getting out of their safeties could use a boost to ensure that these cornerbacks have a safety valve going forward. It could be useful against Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham on Monday night against the Browns, especially if Cleveland’s defense does their job on the other end of things.
Offensively, the loss of Joe Staley on the left side hurts Jimmy Garappolo’s protection. Mike McGlinchey struggled the last time he took the field against the Steelers. While Cleveland’s front four doesn’t match the quality of Pittsburgh’s, there are concerns about the second-year tackle’s ability to face up against a team’s best pass rusher. Now, it looks like McGlinchey will man the left unless Kyle Shanahan feels comfortable with Justin Skule in Staley’s spot. Regardless, the running game will be relying on the offensive line to get it together on the fly in order to continue the committee backfield that has led San Fransisco to a second-ranked rushing attack. Garappolo will look for George Kittle and his young wide receivers to bail him out in instances of pressure from the pocket.
10) Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
We’re used to seeing Russell Wilson carry a lesser surrounding cast to success, especially later in his career. However, Wilson now seems to have to carry his offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, to job security. Schottenheimer has done very little with what he has to work with. While the offensive line seems to have taken a step back after a promising finish to the 2018 season, receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf provide mismatches for Wilson down the field; as does tight end Will Dissly. The offensive play-caller must ensure that these players can get their share of open targets. With the run game struggling to hold on to the ball, the eyes are on Wilson and the defense more than ever to carry this team to the promised land.
Eyes are on this team’s defensive unit to live up to the Legion of Boom’s official disbandment. Jadveon Clowney has proved himself as an asset for a vaunting front seven that features Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright roaming in the middle. While the front seven has performed up to the task, the secondary has been unable to match their teammates’ level of play. Shaquill Griffin looks like a keeper as a starter on the outside, but free safety Tedric Thompson has been costing the team big time in relief of free agent departee Earl Thomas. If another plus-performer can present himself in the defensive backfield, Seattle’s rebranded defense will instill just as much fear in offenses as the original. The first step to a player proving that to the Seahawks will be against Jared Goff and the Rams on Thursday night. While the lack of preparation could lead to mental mistakes occurring on the field by both sides, the secondary will have to look to take advantage of Goff’s mistakes before Sean McVay can coach his quarterback to find holes in the defense.
11) Detroit Lions (2-1-1)
Matt Stafford has looked the part of the number one overall pick that the Lions made him ten years ago. Without Calvin Johnson or Ndukamong Suh to carry this roster ahead of him anymore, Stafford has facilitated to his receivers with aplomb. Rookie tight end T.J. Hockensen has produced a passer rating of 143 when targeted by Stafford, proving worthy of the eighth overall selection despite posting quiet numbers in two of his first four games. Behind a solid offensive line that features Rick Wagner as its only weak link, Stafford and second-year running back Kerryon Johnson are getting the time needed to make the most of their touches.
The defense has looked strong, especially in a close loss against Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs on Sunday. While the linebackers are a weak link to this unit, the front four linemen that Detroit fields are among the best combinations in the league. Damon Harrison Sr. and Trey Flowers have contributed to a stout run defense while amounting pressure on the quarterback. Pressure from the Lions’ pass rushers is essential for Matt Patricia’s success, especially with Mike Daniels and Darius Slay dealing with injuries. However, the team’s Week 5 bye will allow the team to regroup some of their players from injuries for their trip to Green Bay the following week.
12) Cleveland Browns (2-2)
Baker Mayfield seems to play his best football when the stakes are the highest, even if his own mouth is responsible for raising the stakes. After a verbal exchange that occurred last week with former Ravens’ defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, the former first overall pick made Baltimore pay for their old coach’s words. While Mayfield did play up to the task, more credit should go to fellow sophomore Nick Chubb, who ripped off 165 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland’s divisional rival. Chubb wasn’t the only skill-position player to impress in Week 4, though, as Jarvis Landry had a big day in Odell Beckham’s stead. The two receivers will be complemented by the return of receiver Antonio Callaway from suspension. The offensive line remains a work in progress on the right side since Kevin Zeitler’s departure, but Greg Robinson continues to play at a starting level for Cleveland after flaming out with the Rams and Lions.
On the other end of things, the secondary has left more to be desired. Denzel Ward has struggled in his second year and now is expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. While the passing defense has struggled to maintain receivers, a front seven that features Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon has been able to produce pressure for the Browns to capitalize off of. Linebacker Christian Kirksey will likely miss the remainder of the season, which will hurt, but Joe Schobert can man the center of the defense with the help of rookie Mack Wilson until Kirksey returns next year.
13) Tennessee Titans (2-2)
The Titans have looked like the emerging team from the AFC South in their two wins in Cleveland and Atlanta while seeming lackluster in their performances at home against Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Focusing on what this team is capable of, Tennessee might have the most well-rounded roster in their division between offense and defense. Derrick Henry has continued his powerful running that began late in his last season. Pairing with Dion Lewis, the running back position has been able to take a lot of pressure off of quarterback Marcus Mariota. Given Mariota’s extensive injury history, he needs all the help he can get. Taylor Lewan’s return from his suspension will also serve as a huge boost to Mariota’s offensive support. The offensive line has held its own without their franchise left tackle, but the unit has left more to be desired in regards to pass protection.
Mike Vrabel has gotten the most out of his secondary. Ironically, former Patriots Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan have been the only liabilities in coverage for the former Patriot. The front seven has been up-and-down through the first four games, but Jurrell Casey and Cameron Wake have been consistent on the defensive front. They could still use more help from young linebackers Harold Landry and Rashaan Evans. The defense remains full of potential despite an already solid start.
14) Houston Texans (2-2)
While Carolina was able to get the better of Houston in Sunday’s Week 4 matchup, the Texans possess too much offensive firepower to stay dormant for the duration of the season. Bill O’Brien can tend to get in the way of DeShaun Watson’s natural playmaking ability, but will likely cede some control if Deandre Hopkins can’t establish himself in the passing game with the limiting looks he has been getting. Outside of Watson and Hopkins, Kenny Stills was on a tear before pulling his hamstring in the loss to the Panthers. Keke Coutee and Will Fuller have proven themselves capable in the past of complementing Hopkins as secondary and tertiary options. On the offensive line, Laremy Tunsil is acclimating himself as the anchor on the left side, while Nick Martin has held his own in the middle. While the two offensive linemen contributing plus-protection for their quarterback is enlightening, the Texans still need more protection in order to get Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde going in the run game.
The defense does miss Jadveon Clowney on the edge since his trade to the Seahawks before the season, but the front seven has benefitted from J.J. Watt returning to form opposite from Whitney Mercilus. Mercilus has emerged as a standout edge rusher in his own right, and has received help from an improving linebacking unit that features Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney. The secondary remains in a rough spot, with only Johnathan Joseph and Justin Reid looking like capable starters going forward. Joseph is a free agent heading into 2020, so only Reid looks to return in the secondary following a potentially rough season from the unit.
15) Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
The injuries keep coming for the Chargers, but what else is new? Derwin James, Denzel Perryman, Hunter Henry, Russell Okung, and now Melvin Ingram will be missing time with a hamstring injury suffered Sunday in Miami against the Dolphins. The pressure continues to mount on Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen and they continue to deliver through four weeks of the season. If these two can keep it together, which is made easier by Austin Ekeler’s breakout and Melvin Gordon’s return, the Chargers will be contending for the Super Bowl along with New England and Kansas City towards the end of the season. Easier said than done behind an offensive line with no real bright spots. With little help coming from the offensive side, Rivers will have to rely on his defense to bail him out if his O-line can’t. Luckily for them, Joey Bosa and Casey Heyward remain healthy and contributing to a unit that will be tasked with a manageable matchup against Joe Flacco’s Broncos.
16) Chicago Bears (3-1)
Mitchell Trubisky’s absence has not shifted the Bears’ fortunes at all. The third-year quarterback has been among the worst starting quarterbacks throughout the first four weeks of the season. Chase Daniel might provide a steady presence similar to what Kyle Allen has provided in relief of Cam Newton for Carolina. Surrounding the backup quarterback remains a squad of intriguing skill position players. Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery have shown flashes in the backfield and need produce on a more consistent basis. The injury to Taylor Gabriel in the receiving corps hurts, as well as the hits that the offensive line has been giving up on the quarterback, but Allen Robinson has looked the part of the number one receiver the Bears acquired in free agency before the 2018 season.
Defensively, the plan remains unchanged from last year, despite Chuck Pagano taking over defensive play-calling duties. The absence of Roquan Smith will hurt the front seven, though it’s hard to imagine a unit that features Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks struggling all that much. The secondary has not suffered from the loss of Adrian Amos to the Packers this past offseason, as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has seemingly replaced the strong safety.
17) Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Buffalo held their own defensively against a Patriots squad that started this season on a tear, but proved that their offense is not at that same point of competition. Josh Allen struggled against a stout Patriots defense before getting injured on a late hit by Johnathan Jones, turning the ball over four times for a staggering eight on the young season. Despite Allen’s struggles, Frank Gore has established a solid role for himself in the backfield and new receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley have developed some rapport with their sophomore quarterback. Struggles along the right side of the offensive line has held this team back some, but run blocking remains solid for Gore, T.J. Yeldon, and Devin Singletary (who is coming back from a hamstring injury).
Sean McDermott’s work on the defensive side of the ball for Buffalo continues to show results. A lot of the unit’s early success can be attributed to the safeties that roam in the backfield. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are aided by a front seven full of intriguing young talent, even if cornerback Tre’Davious White has not taken a step forward in his production. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been flying around the field, while Ed Oliver establishes himself in the interior of this defensive line. On the edges, the trio of Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson, and Jerry Hughes has given opposing tackles fits in pass protection.
18) Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
The Colts are nursing a handful of injuries to key starters on both the offense and defense. Most notably, T.Y. Hilton has been dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 3 against the Falcons. If losing the offense’s number one receiver wasn’t enough on its own, then the ankle injury attained by Marlon Mack in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders might cause concerns. However, injuries have mostly taken their toll on a defense that is currently missing Malik Hooker, Darius Leonard, Pierre Desir, and Tyquan Lewis. Despite these injuries, the Colts have looked solid under the leadership of Jacoby Brissett. Some speculators around the league were expecting the wheels to fall off for Indianapolis with Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement, but Brissett has kept Indianapolis close in the two losses that currently plague their record despite the plethora of injuries. Kemoko Turay and Justin Houston have been contributing to the effort defensively, while the offensive line continues to perform well and protect for both the pass and run games.
19) Carolina Panthers (2-2)
Christian McCaffery has been carrying the Panthers’ season on his back. Through four games, the Stanford product has amassed over 600 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns for an offense missing starter Cam Newton. In Newton’s stead, Kyle Allen has been capably managing games, allowing McCaffery to function as the engine of this offense. Rookie Greg Little has made an impact on the left side of the offensive line early in his NFL career, further contributing to the plus-play that both members of Carolina’s backfield are seeing.
Offenses facing up against Carolina have been shut down for the most part. Most recently, Luke Kuechly’s unit kept Deshaun Watson and the Texans in check during an away win on Sunday. A big factor to the resurging dominance of Carolina’s defense around Kuechly is first-rounder Brian Burns, who has gotten off to a solid start on the career. Another former first-rounder, Shaq Thompson, also deserves praise for his contributions from the linebacker position. In the secondary, the Panthers field an underrated duo of James Bradberry and Donte Jackson, though Jackson is currently out with a groin injury. Another surprising boost has been added to Carolina through the special teams unit, as kicker Joey Slye has been fantastic in relief of Graham Gano.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Rookie sixth-round quarterback Gardner Minshew has been responsible for breathing new life into a Jaguars team that is likely to lose their current face of the franchise in Jalen Ramsey. Is Ramsey is indeed traded away like he’s demanded, the eyes will be on Minshew, along with Leonard Fournette and D.J. Chark, to keep his squad in contention this year against a competitive division. This task will be made much easier by the gifted defense that takes the field when the offense isn’t on it, while it will be made equally as difficult due to a mediocre offensive line. Andrew Norwell and Brandon Linder have been unable to prevent all of the pressure that’s being allowed by the tackles outside.
While this defensive will be dealt a big blow by the eventual loss of their superstar corner, Jacksonville should be able to stay among the top-third of defensive units in the league. Josh Allen and Quincy Williams are coming along nicely in the front seven, making Calais Campbell’s job easier on the inside. The secondary would feature A.J. Bouye as the team’s permanent number one corner, while D.J. Hayden has performed at a high level in the slot to begin the season.
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
Bruce Arians has breathed signs of life into this Buccaneers offense. Jameis Winston is limiting his turnovers enough to make way for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin combining to be the best receiving duo so far this year. Second-year runner Ronald Jones has shown signs of being a difference-maker in the backfield throughout the first quarter of the campaign as well. The offensive line has also been holding their own, especially on Jameis Winston’s blindside, as Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet have been up to the task.
The defensive line has been doing more than holding their own recently, especially surprise Defensive Player of the Year candidate Shaq Barrett. Barrett has been a terror for opposing offenses, racking up nine sacks on the young season. Ndukamong Suh and Lavonte David have rounded out this front seven into a potent unit. The young secondary continues to develop, but second-year corner M.J. Stewart has been showing a lot of promise against receivers in the slot.
22) Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
Kirk Cousins might not be the answer that many thought him to be when Case Keenum led Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game, but that doesn’t mean the pressure has gone away from the fully-guaranteed contract that he signed heading into the 2018 season. Dalvin Cook looks to be among the league’s best running backs. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs remain in the receiving unit. The offensive line has seen worse days. If the line gets it together with the development of Garrett Bradbury under center, it will be fully on the signal-caller to lead this offense to a division crown in a competitive NFC North. On the other end of things, Mike Zimmer’s choice words for Xavier Rhodes has not yet translated into on-field production. Trae Waynes remains their best corner, which is a problem. That being said, it could be more of a problem if it weren’t for the potent combination of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris in the defensive backfield and the front seven getting contributions from everyone besides Anthony Barr, who has struggled in the first four games of his new contract.
23) Oakland Raiders (2-2)
Darren Waller has been an absolute find at tight end. Tyrell Williams, Josh Jacobs, and Derek Carr are holding their own; so is the offensive line, which is a Kolton Miller development away from being back among the league’s best. The problem for Jon Gruden’s squad? Everything else. The defense has shown zero signs of life, save for a pick-six late in the fourth against Indianapolis. The unit has shown enough to hold their own against two offenses for wins, but seems to be susceptible to holding this team back in the long run. The suspension of Vontaze Burfict helps everything and everyone besides the Raiders, who lose a starter in their 25th-ranked scoring defense.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)
The Steelers are finally in the win column after a statement win of sorts against the Bengals. The statement wasn’t one of a Super Bowl or playoff contender, but one that said that Mike Tomlin should be able to hold onto his job long enough to see where Mason Rudolph takes him in the future. John Conner isn’t Le’Veon Bell, but has provided the team with some steady play through his second year as a starter. Diontae Johnson looks good in the starting lineup next to Juju Smith-Schuster and James Washington, while the offensive line has begun to play up to their promise.
The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick for an early-to-mid first-rounder in the 2020 Draft raised some eyebrows for some, but the sophomore defensive back will provide some added versatility to a secondary that needs it. Corners Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, and Joe Haden provide an upgrade over previous installments, but remain a middling unit altogether when factoring in starting safety Terrell Edmunds. If Devin Bush can provide the coverage support that Ryan Shazier did for Pittsburgh, then this defense starts looking a lot better behind a top-10 defensive line in the league.
25) New York Giants (2-2)
Golden Tate returns! While Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram have provided Daniel Jones with options during the absence of Tate and Saquon Barkley, the arrival of the slot receiver provides the rookie quarterback with a veteran presence down the field. If Wayne Gallman can continue to minimize Barkley’s absence from an ankle injury, this Giants offense will suddenly prove to be more lively than anticipated. The offensive looks better too with the addition of Kevin Zeitler. Right tackle remains a liability, but the development of the left side of the line with Nate Solder and Will Hernandez looks encouraging.
The defense is showing some promise too, especially the front seven. Alec Ogletree and Dexter Lawrence look to be keepers for New York. So does Jabrill Peppers in their secondary, which is essential for the Giants to hold their own due to their cornerbacks’ inability to cover receivers to begin the season. Rookie Deandre Baker is especially disappointing, as Pro Football Focus rates the Georgia product as the 125th ranked corner to begin the season.
26) Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
The Falcons have always had home games going for them throughout the past decade, but cannot seem to rely on the same fireworks in Mercedez-Benz Stadium after a 24-10 shellacking from Tennessee. Matt Ryan has been inconsistent throughout the first four weeks of the season, missing on throws he previously would have been trusted to make. His six interceptions through four games are on him, but the Falcons receivers have struggled to bail their quarterback out, dropping passes on multiple occasions. Julio Jones has not gotten the ball enough, though that’s partially due to the emergence of tight end Austin Hooper in a contract year. Mohammed Sanu and Calvin Ridley have struggled to give Ryan consistent options past that, which remains a big need behind an offensive line that has vastly disappointed over four weeks.
Defensively, the team is missing Keanu Neal for an extended time again, which hurts. With Deion Jones still active, this year’s defense possesses more talent than the injury-plagued unit from last year. Grady Jerrett leads a defensive line that is getting interior pressure. If Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley can push the agenda on the edge, this defense becomes much scarier. While the safeties are absolutely missing Neal, Desmond Trufant has been playing up to form as the team’s number one corner.
27) Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1)
The Cardinals have shown some promise under Kyler Murray, who is taking the necessary steps to prove himself as the future for this franchise. That being said, the rest of the roster isn’t talented enough to minimize the rookie’s mistakes and keep this team competitive in the Oklahoma product’s first year. Kliff Kingsbury has some pieces to work with offensively, as David Johnson looks better through the air in his second year removed from a torn ACL and Larry Fitzgerald remains timeless. Performing along with the old-heads in this offensive unit are former early picks Christian Kirk and D.J. Humphries, as both have proved that their respective offseason developments have paid off. Beyond Humphries, though, this offensive line has been among the poorest in the league. Through five games, Kyler Murray has been sacked more in his rookie season than he was during his entire one-year collegiate career in Oklahoma. If the rookie has to continue facing five sacks per game, David Carr syndrome might set in soon.
The defense will still lack Patrick Peterson for another two games, but there are some things to be excited about beyond the defense’s best player. Vance Joseph’s unit fields a potent combination of Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones, who have combined for 6.5 sacks to this point in the season. The interior defensive line is giving up plays and inside linebacker Hassan Reddick has not yet proved himself capable of manning the middle next to Jordan Hicks. The secondary looks promising beyond their suspended cornerback as well, as Buddha Baker has performed at a high level. Rookies Byron Murphy and Deionte Thompson have held their own through four weeks and could pair well with Peterson once the LSU product returns.
28) New York Jets (0-3)
Sam Darnold is preparing to return for New York against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, given his swelling spleen shows improvement. However, if there’s any chance that the USC product will be at risk playing contact sports while recovering from the symptoms of mono, then the Jets need to respect his wishes. This team isn’t looking to go anywhere promising until the offense provides another starting-caliber performer besides Le’Veon Bell. Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson have struggled to get enough separation for Darnold or backup quarterback Luke Falk to throw the ball confidently. While the receiving unit lacks potency, the offensive line lacks substance. Outside of guards Brian Winters and Kelechi Osemele, no one looks passable as a blocker for Adam Gase’s scheme. Whether his return is for Week 5 or later, a healthy Darnold will be the offense’s only hope to not look decrepit throughout the remainder of the season.
Defensively, Jamal Adams isn’t going anywhere, at least not yet. Adams and Marcus Maye have stayed consistent in their play despite nearly everything in front of them defensively remaining in shambles. Brian Poole is an upgrade from Buster Skrine in the slot, but Gang Green still lacks two passable outside corners, as Trumaine Johnson has lost the trust of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Even worse, the defensive line has struggled to perform in their new coordinator’s scheme. C.J. Mosely will provide a huge boost in his return from a nagging groin injury. For now, Leonard and Quinnen Williams have to produce more in the trenches without a Pro Bowl linebacker to rely on behind them.
29) Denver Broncos (0-4)
New quarterback Joe Flacco has held his own through four games as a starter, proving himself an upgrade over Case Keenum despite the record. However, the departure of Matt Paradis has left the offensive line in shambles. Royce Freeman and Philip Lindsay have held their own, but have left Flacco susceptible to pressure. The injury to Ja’Wuan James in the season opener hasn’t helped things, as replacement Elijah Wilkinson has contributed nothing to a line that is currently led by rookie Dalton Risner in on-field play according to PFF.
Defensively, the loss of Bradley Chubb for the season hurts. After an 0-4 start, the Broncos might not be going anywhere anyway. Von Miller is helped by Chris Harris and Justin Simmons in the secondary, as well as slot corner Kareem Jackson when he returns from a hamstring injury. While Miller pairs well with a talented secondary, the rest of the defensive front may not possess the talent to keep extra help away from their star pass rusher. Denver is in line for a rough season unless their injured players provide a big boost when they return to the field.
30) Cincinnati Bengals (0-4)
Cincinnati competed against talented teams in the first three weeks of the season and held their own. Going against another winless, hopeless unit in Pittsburgh might have led some to believe that the Bengals had a real opportunity to get their first win of the season over their bitter rival. The beliefs of these speculators were quickly put to rest when the Steelers dominated the Bengals 27-6 at Heinz Field. Outside of Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and the injured John Ross, the Bengals have nothing to show for from their first four weeks of the season. Promising sophomore Jessie Bates has not yet performed up to the expectations he set for himself after a strong rookie campaign, leaving defensive tackle Geno Atkins as the only defensive bright spot so far this year.
31) Washington Theismanns (0-4)
Dwayne Haskins looked unprepared to play against the Giants this past Sunday; hopefully, that’s only due to a lack of first-team snaps in practice in anticipation of Case Keenum’s start. While this squad has some pieces on the offense that can move the chains through the air in Terry McLaurin and Chris Thompson, the running game has been non-existent against opposing defenses. The absence of left tackle Trent Williams has been subdued by the solid play of replacement Donald Penn, but leaves Washington without a true anchor to this offensive line.
Defensively, the team was expected to take off with the additions of Landon Collins and Montez Sweat. The on-field production has not yet replicated the preseason excitement, as only Quinton Dunbar and Da’Ron Payne have held their own on a consistent basis through the first four games of the season. Active franchise sack leader Ryan Kerrigan has gotten off to a rough start to make things worse for Greg Manusky’s squad.
32) Miami Dolphins (0-4)
Josh Rosen looks better than Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback for the Dolphins. Preston Williams, Devante Parker, and Kenyan Drake all look like they have the capability to stand out in this offense if the offensive line can keep their sophomore quarterback upright long enough to manage the play. Defensively, things look very bleak for this Miami unit save for rookie interior defender Christian Wilkins. This team has a better chance of going 0-16 than the much-maligned 2017 Jets unit looked to heading into their season, but Rosen should be able to rally this team to at least one win before this year is over.
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