Friday, September 29, 2023

San Francisco 49ers Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the San Francisco 49ers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 1

Biggest issue on offense: Pass protection

The Niners have mostly kept quarterback Brock Purdy upright, ranking right in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed per dropback (6.1%). But, in part because they've faced the highest blitz percentage (43.4%) in the league, the Niners have also allowed one of the highest pressure percentages (33.3%) in the NFL. Teams are likely to continue trying to heat up Purdy with the blitz even though he's had success against it, but it would also help if the Niners, especially on the right side of the line, continue to improve. -- Nick Wagoner

NFL.com -- Rank: 2

The Giants apparently came into Thursday's matchup intending to blitz the holy heck out of Brock Purdy, and they certainly succeeded in doing that. Purdy was shaky early, but really adjusted to how quickly the defense was bearing down, making several big-time throws outside the numbers. Any team looking to mimic that defensive approach against the Niners is at risk of being carved up. All of it came without the injured Brandon Aiyuk, too, and in a short week. This team appears to be on the same plane right now as it has been in three of the four previous seasons (save for 2020). The upcoming part of the schedule (featuring the suddenly spunky Cardinals and resurgent Browns) is more interesting than it looked previously, but three of the next five are at home before the Week 9 bye. Things are good.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 1

They showed against the Giants how dominant they can be on defense. Brock Purdy fits in perfectly in this system as they keep racking up regular-season victories.

USA Today -- Rank: 1

We're nearing the realm of death, taxes, San Francisco scoring exactly 30 points (all 3 games this season), prevailing (13-game regular-season winning streak) and enjoying a TD from RB Christian McCaffrey, who's found the paint in 12 consecutive games to match Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's club record.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

QB confidence rating: 9

Brock Purdy's path from Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Wonderful didn't take long. The 49ers are 11-0 in games in which Purdy leads them in pass attempts, and he's second in the league in yards per attempt (8.1) and fourth in passer rating (106.3) through three games.

FOX -- Rank: 2

Sorry, Niners. You didn't do anything wrong; you just didn't drop 70 points in an NFL game for the first time since Lyndon B. Johnson was President. Rest assured, though, Thursday's demolition of the Giants was textbook, and you are still among the NFL's elite even if you fell from the top spot.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 1

The 49ers are checking every box. The defense shut down the Giants, all while the offense handed out big plays to each of its superstars, almost to prove a point about its unmatched depth at the skill positions. It's early, but the 49ers look like the NFL's most complete team.

PFT -- Rank: 1

They are starting to look like a team of destiny.

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New York Jets Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the New York Jets in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Biggest issue on offense: QB Zach Wilson

Aaron Rodgers' replacement has led the offense to only three touchdowns in 35 drives over three games, showing no ability to raise the level of those around him. Wilson is poor when facing pressure, but he's also poor when the offensive line does its job. On plays where the defense fails to record a pass rush win, Wilson's QBR is a league-low 7.6. Coach Robert Saleh said he's sticking with Wilson, but the season is slipping away, and he might have to turn to quarterback Tim Boyle at some point or risk losing the locker room. -- Rich Cimini

NFL.com -- Rank: 19

Two humbling outings have washed away any thoughts that Zach Wilson could pick up where he left off in Week 1, when he put forth a semi-encouraging performance following Aaron Rodgers' Achilles tear. There were a lot of plays from Sunday's loss to New England that Wilson would absolutely want back. But I also came away from that game thinking the Jets almost outsmarted themselves by being too cautious until it was too late. Yes, it's tough to trust Wilson and that offensive line to a significant degree going forward. But what do the Jets have to lose, except games? They're already down their starting quarterback, and they're 1-2. Fortune favors the bold, and New York can't keep trying not to get beaten.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 27

They can't score with Zach Wilson at quarterback. What do they do now? Do they get a veteran? Do they make a deal? Do they call Joe Namath at his advanced age?

USA Today -- Rank: 22

What better stage than Broadway on a Sunday night to watch embattled Zach Wilson oppose Patrick Mahomes in the biggest quarterback mismatch we can recall.

The Athletic -- Rank: 29

QB confidence rating: 1

Fox's Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz, or at least their representatives, reached out to the Jets about playing quarterback, and the Jets declined. The question is "Why?" Zach Wilson is 31st in yards per attempt (5.6) and 33rd in completion percentage (52.4), which is a hard combination of numbers to put together. He also has four interceptions versus two touchdowns. On Sunday, Joe Namath commented on X, formerly Twitter, that Wilson makes decisions "not intuitive to the quarterback position." Sounds about right. On Monday, Rainn Wilson, star of "The Office," offered his services. We would 100 percent support this decision and would respond with an automatic 10-position bump in the Power Rankings.

FOX -- Rank: 27

Robert Saleh is trying his best to be positive, but I'm sorry if I'm dubious of how long the Zach Wilson Experiment can continue. Wilson essentially has started three games now, and the Jets have gotten worse from week to week: 289 yards in Week 1, 215 yards in Week 2, 171 yards on Sunday. Averaging 12 points per game isn't going to get you anywhere, and it can't be long before the Jets locker room realizes that.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 22

Robert Saleh gets a lot of grief for publicly supporting Zach Wilson, but what else is he supposed to do? Until the Jets make a move, either by acquiring someone or giving backup Tim Boyle a shot because it can't get any worse, Saleh has to put a happy face on things. The situation stinks. Everyone in Jets headquarters knows that.

PFT -- Rank: 27

This year is officially over.

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Minnesota Vikings Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Minnesota Vikings in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 26

Biggest issue on offense: Turnovers

The Vikings lead the NFL with nine turnovers. Their seven lost fumbles are tied for the second most through three NFL weeks since at least 2000, and Kirk Cousins' two interceptions have both been costly. One occurred at the goal line a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, and the other happened in the end zone to seal their Week 3 defeat against the Chargers. Coach Kevin O'Connell added new practice drills to address the fumble problems after Week 2, but tight end T.J. Hockenson fumbled to end their first possession in the ensuing game. It's hard to overstate the significance of these turnovers to a team that has lost its three games by a mere 13 points. -- Kevin Seifert

NFL.com -- Rank: 26

Is the season over? No, but it's getting late early. Brian Flores' defense had acquitted itself fairly respectably in the first two games, even if the limitations were obvious. On Sunday, the unit was diced up by Justin Herbert and Co., unable to pressure him enough or cover on the back end. The Chargers threw 48 passes -- 41 were completed, and Vikings DBs batted away only three throws. Actually, Akayleb Evans could have made it four, but his deflected pass went right to Joshua Palmer for a TD. That was bad luck, but the reality of the situation is that the defense has little chance to hang with elite offenses.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 29

At 0-3, their season is all but done. Climbing out of that hole won't be easy, and the defense probably won't make it possible.

USA Today -- Rank: 24

WR Justin Jefferson might be your early Offensive Player of the Year, on pace for nearly 2,600 receiving yards. Unless it's QB Kirk Cousins (league-high 96 completions, 1,075 yards and 9 TDs). Question is, will "KFC" — should he? — finish the season with presently winless Minnesota?

The Athletic -- Rank: 25

QB confidence rating: 7

The only concern about Kirk Cousins in Minnesota is how long he'll be there. He's on pace for 6,091 yards and 51 touchdowns this year. Despite Patrick Mahomes existing and Tua Tagovailoa throwing to a collection of aliens, Cousins leads the league in passing yards (1,075) and passing touchdowns (nine). On Sunday, he became the fifth player ever with at least 325 passing yards and two touchdowns in each of his team's first three games. The Jets, Falcons and maybe the Saints have to be interested in that.

FOX -- Rank: 20

Two more turnovers in Week 3 gave the Vikings nine for the season, and both of these came deep in Chargers territory. They were painfully close to winning this game, just as they were painfully close to winning the other two. I honestly still like their chances to pull out of it, provided they can ever hold on to the football.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 24

Let's run this stat back: The Vikings were 11-0 in one-score games last season, an NFL record, and this season they're 0-3. It seems like the Vikings are by far the best of the winless teams, but it's tough to come back from 0-3. Only six teams in the Super Bowl era started 0-3 and made the playoffs. Since 2002, only one of 99 teams (the 2018 Texans) that started 0-3 made the postseason, via Fox 9 in Minnesota. The Vikings have lost three games by 13 combined points and are in a world of trouble.

PFT -- Rank: 28

The Vikings out-Chargered the Chargers.

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Los Angeles Rams Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Los Angeles Rams in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 22

Biggest issue on offense: Consistency

After two strong weeks to start the season behind quarterback Matthew Stafford, rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua and second-year running back Kyren Williams, the Rams' offense stalled against the Bengals on Monday night, failing to score a touchdown until fewer than two minutes were left in the game. After allowing just one sack through two weeks, Stafford was hit 10 times and sacked six times. The Rams' passing game had kept up without an injured Cooper Kupp through two weeks but showed they missed their star wide receiver in Week 3. -- Sarah Barshop

NFL.com -- Rank: 24

The Rams had to deal with a lot of offensive chaos up front against the Bengals, as both Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom were injured, and the patchwork line just couldn't handle Cincinnati's pass rush. Sean McVay dialed up some quality plays, and Matthew Stafford made some big throws, but the pressure was just too much. Not capitalizing on those early drives with touchdowns really came back to bite them. But even with Los Angeles' blocking issues, I couldn't knock this team down from last week. The Rams were competitive in a game the Bengals had to have, and the reality is that there's not much separating teams in the NFL's middle class so far this season.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 23

They are 1-2, but they've played a rough schedule and they've competed in every game. They will be a tough out every week.

USA Today -- Rank: 12

Contain WR Puka Nacua (5 catches for 72 yards in Monday night's loss), and you contain the Rams — NFL experts have been saying as much for months. But, in all seriousness, this crew has hung tough against some of the league's toughest customers.

The Athletic -- Rank: 17

QB confidence rating: 6

In the first two weeks, Matthew Stafford was sacked once, and the Rams averaged 26.5 points. On Monday night against Cincinnati, Stafford was sacked six times and the Rams needed a late touchdown just to get to 16 points. In his 15th season, Stafford needs more help than that. He has two touchdowns and four interceptions this season.

FOX -- Rank: 25

The last 20 minutes of this game showed us a troubling reminder of what the Rams can look like if the offensive line can't hold up. They had to deal with a couple of injuries up front, and Matthew Stafford paid the price. How we view them moving forward just might hinge on how healthy those guys can stay.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 23

Puka Nacua has gotten the attention, but Tutu Atwell is having a nice breakthrough too. Assuming Cooper Kupp returns soon, the Rams have a pretty fun receiving group for Matthew Stafford.

PFT -- Rank: 24

When you punt with six minutes left on fourth and 5 while down by 10 points, you don't deserve to win.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 13

Biggest issue on offense: Red zone scoring

The Buccaneers have managed to move the ball well, even with a ground game that's still trying to shake last year's league-worst ranking. But scoring in the red zone is their biggest problem right now; they scored only one touchdown on four red zone tries in Week 2 against the Bears. Through Weeks 1 and 2, their 33.33% red zone touchdown percentage is second to last in the league. -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 20

With so many teams above them last week losing in Week 3, the Buccaneers actually rise despite a humbling game vs. Philadelphia. Mike Evans destroyed the Bears in Week 2, then let a would-be touchdown bounce off his hands on Monday night. Baker Mayfield's INT-less streak is over. Rachaad White lost a fumble and was taken down for a safety. Tampa Bay's offensive line was under siege all night. It was just one of those games. Mayfield battled, and the defense came up with some big stops in key spots, but the Bucs were actually a little fortunate the Eagles didn't hang 35-plus on them. Tampa might need to reevaluate the ground game a bit. White had no chance on a few runs, including the safety, and the offensive line has to shoulder some of this blame, but the Bucs are just not that efficient pounding the ball.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 16

They didn't look good in losing to the Eagles. Both sides of the ball struggled. Now comes a key division game against New Orleans and likely former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.

USA Today -- Rank: 23

Couldn't run the ball Monday night against Philadelphia, turned it over for the first time this season and got handled in the trenches — exactly what the Bucs (or any team) don't want to be.

The Athletic -- Rank: 15

QB confidence rating: 3

Baker Mayfield has been about all the Bucs could have expected this season — a middle-of-the-pack quarterback. He's on pace to have the best completion percentage (66.7 percent) and air yards per attempt (8.3) of his career, but he's 21st in the league in yards per game (636).

FOX -- Rank: 15

I don't think most people truly believed the Bucs were on Philly's level. They had early chances on Monday night, but the Eagles dominated in the long run. An expected result, but it sets up an intriguing matchup with the Saints. That just might determine the early team to beat in the NFC South.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 20

Everyone knew the Bucs weren't one of the NFL's elite teams just because they started 2-0, but it had to be disheartening to get just 174 yards on the Eagles. They got 75 of those yards on a fourth-quarter drive after the Eagles already had a 25-3 lead. The good news is there's no team as good as the Eagles, or even close, in the NFC South.

PFT -- Rank: 15

As long as they win the games they should win, they'll be fine.

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Los Angeles Chargers Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Los Angeles Chargers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 14

Biggest issue on offense: Running the ball

After gaining 233 yards in the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers' rushing offense has turned nonexistent. They have gained 91 yards on 36 carries over the last two games. In Sunday's win over the Vikings, they averaged two yards per carry against a team allowing the third most rushing yards in the NFL coming into the game. The caveat is that the Chargers have been without starting running back Austin Ekeler, who has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury. His return could turn this unit around. -- Kris Rhim

NFL.com -- Rank: 15

Even in a much-needed win, the Chargers left the door open for criticism with porous pass defense (again) and a questionable decision by Brandon Staley. Going for it on fourth-and-1 near his own end zone while leading by four late in the game was a wild risk, for sure; though his defense bailed him out, I wonder what the message would have been had it failed. Between that and Mike Williams' season-ending ACL injury, it feels like the Chargers barely got to enjoy a road victory. All of this really overshadowed a special performance from Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, doing it late without Williams or Austin Ekeler available. The Bolts host the Raiders this week, followed by the bye, which might not come at the worst time.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

They saved their season by winning at Minnesota, but Brandon Staley did what he could to lose the game. Why did he go for it late?

USA Today -- Rank: 21

Currently the league' most accurate (74.4% completion rate) and careful (0 INTs) passer, QB Justin Herbert just notched his 100th career TD pass. Too bad he won't be throwing any more this year to injured WR Mike Williams.

The Athletic -- Rank: 16

QB confidence rating: 8

Justin Herbert is so talented that Chargers fans and the rest of the NFL want any reason to believe. He gave it to them Sunday: 40-for-47 for 405 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. At 15,028 career yards, the 25-year-old is the second-fastest player to surpass 15,000, behind only Mahomes.

FOX -- Rank: 17

It's hard to even imagine how toxic the discourse would be if Brandon Staley's ill-fated decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 24-yard line had dropped the Chargers to 0-3. Take a win any way you can get one, but this team remains just as chaotic in victory as it was in defeat.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 18

Mike Williams' torn ACL is a huge injury, though one the Chargers should be able to navigate. Josh Palmer is underrated and he'll see a bigger role. It puts a bright light on rookie first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston, who has played just 22% of the Chargers' offensive snaps and has just 26 yards. If Johnston emerges, the Chargers can survive the Williams injury. It's a big spot for the rookie, and how Johnston responds could determine where the Chargers' season is going.

PFT -- Rank: 20

The Chargers out Vikings-ed the Vikings.

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Indianapolis Colts Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Indianapolis Colts in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 20

Biggest issue on offense: Too few big plays

The Colts have sputtered a bit on offense when you view the unit from the perspective of yards per play. They ranked 25th through Sunday with 4.6 yards per play, making it difficult to finish drives because they are moving the ball in small chunks. Some of that is the product of QB Anthony Richardson being out of the lineup for the past six quarters with a concussion. The Colts are starting to show some promise on offense, but to progress to the next step, they'll need to be much more explosive. -- Stephen Holder

NFL.com -- Rank: 28

It would have been easy to look at the Colts to start the season, especially after the Jonathan Taylor drama crested, and wonder if last year's nightmare ever ended. But since the competitive loss in Week 1, the Colts have won impressively on the road in back-to-back games. The Utah duo of Zack Moss and Matt Gay was heroic in the overtime win at Baltimore, but so was a defense that made big stops and cranked up the pressure. The big surprise Sunday was how much the Colts blitzed (40% blitz rate), something they typically do more selectively. But these are important victories for a club that's had to repeatedly lick its wounds in recent years. The Colts are growing thicker skin now.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 14

Beating the Ravens on the road is a good look for this team, which is in first place. Doing it with a backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew makes it even more impressive.

USA Today -- Rank: 19

Jonathan who? Indianapolis has leaned heavily on RB Zack Moss during its surprising two-game win streak to the tune of 48 carries and 210 yards.

The Athletic -- Rank: 21

QB confidence rating: 6

Is it weird that winning a game might make Colts fans more nervous about their quarterback situation? With promising rookie Anthony Richardson (concussion) on the bench, backup Gardner Minshew led a win over the previously unbeaten Ravens. Richardson will be back when healthy, but it's counterintuitive that Indianapolis had more rushing yards Sunday (139) than they have had in any game with Richardson in the lineup.

FOX -- Rank: 22

It's pretty incredible that Indy managed to win a game in which Gardner Minshew stepped out of the back of the end zone. Some favorable officiating definitely helped, but the Colts deserve credit for rallying late after it seemed like Baltimore had all but put the game away.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 19

There was so much going on in the NFL on Sunday that the Colts' win might be overlooked. They went on the road against a 2-0 Ravens team, without quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor, and got the first huge win of the Shane Steichen era. Is it possible this will be the 2023 AFC South champion?

PFT -- Rank: 14

Nearly 40 years after they snuck out of Baltimore, the Colts showed up and stole the home team's lunch money.

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