By Bill Seals - Fred Altieri
Sports Reporters - PFWA Members 

2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 4

Rams at #4, Chargers Plummet to #24

 

September 29, 2022

Brevin Townsell - LA Rams

Rams running back Cam Akers (3) - 12 carries for 61Yards, 1 touchdown in win over Cards

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0): The Eagles are the only undefeated team in the NFC and lead the NFL in total offense at yards per game and are 5th in total defense at yards per game allowed. They are not a fluke; they have a good football team. Next: -6.5 vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

2. Miami Dolphins (3-0): Somehow the Dolphins are unbeaten after three weeks, despite being ranked 31st on defense and 13th on offense. Defensively, the Dolphins are allowing 413.7 yards per game and that will eventually come back to bite them if they don't show some defensive improvement in the coming weeks. Next: +3.5 at Cincinnati Bengals - Thu, Sep. 29 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 1-2)

3. Buffalo Bills (2-1): Despite their loss to the Dolphins this past weekend, the Bills are ranked No. 1 in in defensive yardage allowed at 214 yards per game and are No. 2 in offensive yardage per game at 441.3 yards per game. They look good on paper and on the field. Next: -3 at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 51 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)


4. Los Angeles Rams (2-1): The Rams did what the Chiefs were able to do, and what the Raiders were not able to do, which was get Arizona down by double digits and hold on to the lead in the second half of the game. Next: +1.5 at San Francisco 49ers – Mon, Oct. 3 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

5. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1): The Chiefs are 2-1 after a tough loss to the Colts on the road. They could easily be 1-2 if Justin Herbert does not throw a 99-yard pick six to turn the Chiefs-Chargers game around. Next: +1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 45 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)


6. Green Bay Packers (2-1): The Packers victory over the Bucs was impressive, but right now they look like a team that needs to play good defense and run the ball if they want to win games. Without Devante Adams, the passing attack is just average and nothing to fear. Next: -9.5 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 40 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 0-3)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1): Through three games, the Bucs have allowed only 27 total points, but they need to get their offense going, which is averaging just 17 points per game. That will likely happen with Tom Brady at quarterback. Next: -1 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 45 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 0-3)

8. Baltimore Ravens (2-1): Quarterback Lamar Jackson has 243 yards rushing through three games and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry, with two rushing touchdowns. He is also averaging just under 250 yards passing per game and has thrown ten touchdown passes in the first three weeks. He is on an early season MVP roll. Next: +3 vs Buffalo Bills – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 51 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 2-1)


9. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1): The Jaguars lead the NFL in turner ratio with a +7 after three games. They are running the football and Trevor Lawrence looks like a different quarterback under new head coach Doug Pederson and without the daily drama of Urban Meyer. Next: +6.5 at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 2-1)

10. Cleveland Browns (2-1): The Browns are looking good this season, with the possible exception of the unexplainable collapse to the Jets. The Browns lead the NFL in rushing yardage per game at 190.7 and Jacoby Brissett has been solid at quarterback. Next: -1 at Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 47 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 3-0)


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11. Dallas Cowboys (2-1): To their credit, the Cowboys have won back-to-back games with Cooper Rush as their starting quarterback. If Rush continues to lead the Cowboys to victories, could the Cowboys have a quarterback controversy on their hands? Next: -3 vs Washington Commanders - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

12. Minnesota Vikings (2-1): Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was held to 3 catches for 14 yards on Sunday, but K.J. Osborne and Adam Thielen both stepped up and caught touchdown passes to help lead the Vikings to a 28-24 victory over the Lions. Next: -2.5 at New Orleans Saints – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)


13. Denver Broncos (2-1): The Broncos are 2-1 despite having scored only 43 points in three games. They have relied on their defense, which has allowed only 36 points in three games. As the Broncos and the Bears have proven, you don't have to be good on offense to win football games. Next: +2.5 at Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 0-3)

14. New York Giants (2-1): Running back Saquon Barkley is back. Barkley is averaging 105.7 yards per game on the ground and 6.0 yards per carry. He also has 13 receptions for 91 yards. Giant fans and fantasy football owners are happy to see that Barkley is healthy and productive again. Next: -3 vs Chicago Bears – Sun, Oct. 2 - O/U 39.5 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)


15. Chicago Bears (2-1): The Bears are 2-1 despite having an anemic passing attack that is averaging only 78.3 yards per game. Quarterback Justin Fields has thrown for just 297 yards in three games. As a comparison, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 297 yards on Sunday against the Jaguars. Herbert was playing with a cracked rib cartilage, was missing his top receiver and the Charger rushing attack gained just 26 yards. Next: +3 at New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 1-1-1 – O/U: 1-2)

16. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2): The Bengals were struggling and needed a win, so playing the Jets this past weekend was just what was needed. The Bengals forced four Jets turnovers in an easy 27-12 victory on the road. Next: -3.5 vs Miami Dolphins - Thu, Sep. 29 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 0-3)


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17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2): The Steelers are 1-2 and in need of a victory this weekend against the Jets. After the Jets game, the Steelers play the Bills, Bucs, Dolphins and Eagles, a Murderers' Row of a schedule. Losing to the Jets would make that schedule look even more daunting. Next: -3.5 vs New York Jets – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-1-1 – O/U: 1-2)

18. New Orleans Saints (1-2): The Saints lead the NFL in turnovers with nine, and that is the primary reason they are 1-2 after three games. Quarterback Jameis Winston was intercepted twice in the loss to the Panthers. Next: +2.5 vs Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 0-3 – O/U: 1-2)


19. San Francisco 49ers (1-2): The 49ers are still trying to figure out how they lost to the Bears in Week 1, and now they need to figure out how they lost to the Broncos, 11-10, in Week 3. This week's game will be a rematch of the NFC Championship game. Next: -1.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Mon, Oct. 3 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 0-3)

20. New England Patriots (1-2): The Patriots are second only to the Saints in the most turnovers after three weeks with eight turnovers. That is not Patriot football, and the Pats are just not good enough anymore to be turning the ball over that frequently. Next: +9.5 at Green Bay Packers – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 40 (ATS: 0-2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

21. Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1): The Colts stunned the Chiefs in Indianapolis, knocking off the Chiefs 20-17. Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 27 of 37 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and the Colts won despite Ryan being sacked five times in the game. Next: -4 vs Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 0-3)

22. Atlanta Falcons (1-2): Rookie wide receiver Drake London is off to a good start through three games. The former USC star has caught 16 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. He has quickly become the best receiver on the Falcons roster. Next: +1 vs Cleveland Browns – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 47 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 3-0)

23. Detroit Lions (1-2): The Lions are second in the NFL in scoring, averaging 31.7 points per game. This year's Thanksgiving Day game should be very entertaining, with the high-flying Buffalo Bills offense meeting up with the Lions in Detroit. The Bills are currently third in scoring in the NFL, averaging 30.3 points per game. Next: -4 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 48 (ATS: 3-0 – O/U: 3-0)

24. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2): Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has a record of 10-10 through his first twenty games as the head coach. After the 38-10 blowout loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, Staley needs to find a way to win games with the talent on the field. Running the ball and playing good defense would help. Next: -5 at Houston Texans, Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 44 (ATS: 2-1 – O/U: 1-2)

25. Tennessee Titans (1-2): The Titans needed a victory after an 0-2 start and a blowout loss to the Bills on Monday Night football. Playing the struggling Raiders helped and the struggling Titans were able to hang on for a 24-22 win over the hapless Raiders. Next: +4 at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 2-1)

26. Washington Commanders (1-2): There is not a lot to like about this Commanders football team, starting with name. The Commanders may get some help in the backfield with the expected return of rookie running back Brian Robinson in Week 5. Robinson looked good in the preseason before gunshot wounds suffered from a robbery sidelined him. Next: +3 at Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 2-1)

27. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): The Cardinals might want to focus this week on getting off to a better start in games. The Cardinals have been outscored in the first quarter of games this season, 31-0 and in the first half of games, 56-13. Next: +2 at Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-1-1)

28. Seattle Seahawks (1-2): The Seahawks are really going to go through the season with Geno Smith at quarterback, which is an indication that they intend to use their high draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft on a quarterback. Next: +4 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 48 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

29. New York Jets (1-2): The Jets should get quarterback Zach Wilson back this week, and with the Jets porous offensive line, he will be needed. Backup Joe Flacco did an admirable job as a starter, but he lacks the mobility that Wilson brings to the offense. Next: +3.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

30. Carolina Panthers (1-2): The Panthers got a much-needed win this week, thanks to the Saints and their turnover ridden offense. This week's matchup will feature two former Heisman trophy winners from Oklahoma, with quarterback Kyler Murray leading the Cardinals against quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Panthers. Next: -2 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-2 – O/U: 1-2)

31. Houston Texans (0-2-1): The Texans have one of the most underwhelming rosters in the NFL but have proven to be a tough team to beat. Texan head coach Lovie Smith has done a good job through three games of getting his team prepared each week and he faces a wounded Chargers team this week at home. Next: +5 vs Los Angeles Chargers – Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 44 (ATS: 2-0-1 – O/U: 1-2)

32. Las Vegas Raiders (0-3): The Raiders are the only 0-3 team in the NFL. They have lost three games by a total of 13 points. The players held a "Players-only Meeting" after the loss to the Titans, as losing teams tend to do. This is usually not a good sign. A players-only meeting is considered an emergency measure, and what happen if the Raiders lose again next week? Next: -2.5 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 2 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 0-3 – O/U: 1-1-1)

Mackenzie Hudson - LA Chargers

Charger running backs led by Sony Michel (20) - rushed 12 times for 22 total yards, no touchdowns in loss to Jags

 

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