By We are four weeks through the season. Teams have already jumped around, in, and out of my top 10 power rankings this 2021 season. Though power rankings don’t necessarily determine who wins super bowls, they give fans an idea of who holds the momentum within the NFL. So, let’s take a look at my top 10 power rankings heading into week 4.
#10 Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: Unraked)
The Cowboys have shown that their offense will be among the top this season. Lat week, they put 41 points on the board against the Eagles. Dallas will be apart of multiple shootouts this season, but I like their offense over many others in the league. So far this season, Dak Prescott has 878 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and two INTs through three games. Those who were worried about Dak coming off of his gruesome injury from last year have been pleasantly relieved as Dak has almost picked up right where he left off. Ezekiel Elliott has become apart of their offense more, and Tony Pollard has filled the backup RB role great. Zeke rushed for his season high of 95 yards in week three against the Eagles, a good sign just a few weeks after not facing many touches against the Buccaneers. Dallas’ defense remains to be their biggest question mark, though they have held their opponent to 21 points or under in their last two games.
#9 Carolina Panthers (Last Week: #10)
Carolina takes on my #10 team in my top 10 power rankings this Sunday when they travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. This week will be a true test of Sam Darnold, who is without the dual threat nightmare of Christian McCaffrey. The loss of CMC will almost definitely change how they approach Sunday’s game, but Darnold and the Panthers’ offense have yet to give fans a reason to doubt. This may change after the game is over, but Darnold has looked more than able to keep things afloat. Carolina’s defense is at the top right now, they have dominated in all aspects of the game. They traded for C.J. Henderson, who will be a great piece paired alongside Jaycee Horn when he comes back from his injury. For now, Henderson will most likely fill in for Horn. It may be a shaky start as he has just gotten there and hasn’t even been there a full week, but the Panthers have themselves a scary defense that seems to be in it for the long haul.
#8 Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: #3)
Well, I did not expect to see the Chiefs fall outside of the top 5 in my top 10 power rankings. Yet here we are. The Chiefs have taken two losses, one from the Ravens and one from the Chargers. Typically, a team with a losing record doesn’t make power ranking lists. I am not ready to give up on Kansas City just yet. There is no question their offense is potent and can drop 40+ any game. Mahomes has 940 passing yards with 9 touchdowns and 3 INTs. Two of those three picks were against the Chargers. Their defense this season though, has been struggling. They have allowed an average of 31.7 points per game, and 430 total yards per game. Though it will take a big turnaround to get their defense to “championship level”, it is entirely possible and it is still early enough into the season that panicking would be premature. The Chiefs need a big win over the Eagles this week to help turn the tides.
#7 Arizona Cardinals (Last Week: #7)
The Cardinals remain unmoved in this week’s top 10 power rankings. This should be considered a good thing, they haven’t fallen out of the top 10. Though they struggled in the first half a bit in week three against the Jaguars, they pulled away for a big win. Arizona has a big matchup in week four as they head to Sofi to face the Rams. The Cardinals have yet to lose a game, but they haven’t had a statement win since their week one win over the Titans. This week is the perfect opportunity for the Cardinals to show the NFC West and the rest of the NFL that they are contenders. Arizona has the potential to be a top team and the floor to miss the playoffs entirely. Can the Cardinals build off of this hot start they have generated for themselves?
#6 Cleveland Browns (Last Week: #6)
The Browns decimated the Bears in week three, sacking the quarterback nine times. With their devastating defense, and the top running game in the league, they can run away with games in a hurry. I still feel that Cleveland can be a dark horse candidate to win the AFC. With constant improvement from their defense, I may not be far off. The Browns land unmoved at #6 on my top 10 power rankings due to the fact they have yet to win a game they weren’t favored in. In Kevin Stefanski’s return to Minnesota, the Browns will need to avoid any big breaches in their secondary. They have the front seven to shut down Dalvin Cook, but can they control the game as they have in their previous two wins?
#5 Las Vegas Raiders (Last Week: #4)
The Raiders dropped a spot in my top 10 power rankings due to the close game they had against the Jacoby Brissett lead Dolphins in week three. Though they won, they showed signs of struggling. Derek Carr has turned the Raiders into playoff hopefuls. Through three games, Carr has 1,203 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Carr has proven he deserves to be mentioned in the MVP conversation, at least for right now. The Vegas defense has taken strides since last season, with Maxx Crosby leading the pass rush. The Raiders are in what may be the toughest division in the AFC, do you think they will end up in the playoffs?
#4 Los Angeles Chargers (Last Week: Unranked)
Jumping from unranked in my top 10 power rankings to #4 is a big leap. But that is what happens when you show you can beat the Chiefs. Yes, the Ravens have as well and you may notice they aren’t on my list. That is due to injuries and uncertainty as of right now, they’ll be in here as the season goes on.
The Chargers seem to have taken the next step in the short rebuild they underwent after Phillip Rivers left. In just his second year, Justin Herbert has captured the attention of everyone around the league. Rookie head coach Brandon Staley has already won his locker room over, which is a good indicator that the “rebuild” has been be cut short and is about over. The Chargers’ offensive line have improved greatly and fans can see that when watching how comfortable Herbert is. Putting the Chargers at #4 may be a bit of an overreaction, but I don’t think we have seen the last Chargers win in Arrowhead under the Herbert era.
#3 Buffalo Bills (Last Week #5)
The Bills’ offense has been clicking since their loss in week one to the Steelers. The Bills put 43 points on the board against the Washington Football Team in a big win. Allen has 807 passing yards with 7 touchdowns and 1 INT. Buffalo takes on the Texans in what should be an easy win. Though they are heavily the favorites, they need to refrain from falling victim to a trap game in their week four matchup. If the Bills can continue to move the ball the way they have, Buffalo can go deep into the playoffs and make noise against other highly touted teams.
#2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: #1)
The Bucs took a tough loss to the Rams in week three. Though they have fallen a spot in my top 10 power rankings, they are fully capable of landing the top spot again. The Buccaneers have a great roster, and added to it when they signed cornerback Richard Sherman. Tampa now has a chip on their shoulder after their not so great performance. Any time Brady has a reason to improve, teams should be scared. The team that knows that best is who the Bucs play in week four. Tom returns to New England on Sunday Night Football in what will be a historic reunion. it is hard to imagine a scenario where Brady loses in his return.
#1 Los Angeles Rams (Last Week: #2)
The Rams jump up to the top spot after knocking off the previous #1 team in my top 10 power rankings. The Rams offense did not start off hot, but they began to get rolling in the second quarter. If you would like to read about the recap of their week three game, read my article here. Matthew Stafford has looked comfortable in his first three games with new threads on. Los Angeles has played all around good football. The biggest unsung hero for them has been their offensive line. Their line has held Stafford to getting sacked once a game. Though it can be improved, the lack of pressure he has had to face has helped tremendously. The Rams defense also has been playing in mid-season form. Can the Rams hold off the other teams in the league and stay at the top?
By 
By 
By 
