2015 Week 4
On the bubble:
16. Vikings, 15. Panthers, 14. Ravens
13. Falcons, 12. Chiefs, 11. Cowboys
The Top 10:
10. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
Last Week: 12th
Best Ranking: 10th (Week 4, 1)
Darren Sproles' 89-yard touchdown Sunday in the Eagles' 24-17 victory against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead and keyed a three-touchdown explosion in the second quarter, leading ultimately to a resounding victory. The win may have had more to say about the Jets’ chances for a good season, but it does represent progress. And this was the third week in a row the defense has looked good, and the earlier games were against Atlanta and Dallas. With a game at Washington next week, the Eagles can get to .500 and gain some ground in the NFC East race. - Phil Sheridan
Darren Sproles' 89-yard touchdown Sunday in the Eagles' 24-17 victory against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead and keyed a three-touchdown explosion in the second quarter, leading ultimately to a resounding victory. The win may have had more to say about the Jets’ chances for a good season, but it does represent progress. And this was the third week in a row the defense has looked good, and the earlier games were against Atlanta and Dallas. With a game at Washington next week, the Eagles can get to .500 and gain some ground in the NFC East race. - Phil Sheridan
9. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Last Week: 9th
Best Ranking: 2nd (Week 1)
The game looked bleak, but then, as he’s done so many times throughout his NFL career, QB Andrew Luck forgot about his mistakes, strapped on his Superman cape and led the Colts back to a 35-33 come-from-behind victory, marking the 12th time that Luck has led the Colts on a winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime in his NFL career. The Colts' domination in the AFC South now continues; the victory is their 14th straight over division foes. Frank Gore didn’t become the first Colts player to rush for 100 yards in a game since the 2012 season, but he did finish with 86 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. - Mike Wells
Last Week: 13th
Best Ranking: 8th (Week 4)
The Buffalo Bills' defense smothered a listless Miami Dolphins offense in a 41-14 win Sunday, forcing Ryan Tannehill to throw three interceptions as QB Tyrod Taylor led an impressive Bills offense in his first NFL road start. The Bills are now 1-1 in the AFC East, getting the team back on track as it enters the softest part of its schedule. The Bills return home against the New York Giants (1-2) next week, then travel to face the Tennessee Titans (1-2). They also have the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) on their October slate, giving Buffalo a chance to gain momentum heading into a tougher second-half schedule. - Mike Rodak
Best Ranking: 8th (Week 4)
The Buffalo Bills' defense smothered a listless Miami Dolphins offense in a 41-14 win Sunday, forcing Ryan Tannehill to throw three interceptions as QB Tyrod Taylor led an impressive Bills offense in his first NFL road start. The Bills are now 1-1 in the AFC East, getting the team back on track as it enters the softest part of its schedule. The Bills return home against the New York Giants (1-2) next week, then travel to face the Tennessee Titans (1-2). They also have the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) on their October slate, giving Buffalo a chance to gain momentum heading into a tougher second-half schedule. - Mike Rodak
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
Last Week: 6th
Best Ranking: 6th (Week 3)
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 4-6 weeks after he injured his left knee and was carted off the field in the third quarter, overshadowing their 12-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams. It doesn't help that the Steelers are on a short week, hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. It’s a good thing the Steelers signed Michael Vick, a QB who won't put up Big Ben's gaudy numbers, but a veteran who should take advantage of Pittsburgh's many offensive weapons. Roethlisberger said at season's start that this was the best supporting cast he's ever had; that will now be put to the test, only without Big Ben. - Dave Luecking
6. Cincinnati Bengals (3-0)
Last Week: 7th
Best Ranking: 6th (Week 4)
A.J. Green had one of the best fourth quarters of his career to lead the Bengals (3-0) to Sunday's victory. This win keeps Cincinnati in the AFC North driver's seat. As the only undefeated team in the division, the Bengals continue to extend their lead. It's a lead that has swelled now to three games on the Ravens, who fell to 0-3. The fact that they had trouble holding their lead is problematic, but that they were able to pull it out in the fourth demonstrated a type of resiliency they hadn't had to show yet this season and they responded well. - Coley Harvey
Best Ranking: 6th (Week 4)
A.J. Green had one of the best fourth quarters of his career to lead the Bengals (3-0) to Sunday's victory. This win keeps Cincinnati in the AFC North driver's seat. As the only undefeated team in the division, the Bengals continue to extend their lead. It's a lead that has swelled now to three games on the Ravens, who fell to 0-3. The fact that they had trouble holding their lead is problematic, but that they were able to pull it out in the fourth demonstrated a type of resiliency they hadn't had to show yet this season and they responded well. - Coley Harvey
5. Denver Broncos (3-0)
Last Week: 5th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 2, 1,
Preseason, Post-Draft)
The Denver Broncos keep saying they’d like to be diversified on offense, using shotgun and pistol formations with an emphasis on the run game. The offense they continue to run is more of a compromise between what coach Gary Kubiak wants -- a run game that doesn't tip its hand with a back to one side or the other of the quarterback in the shotgun -- and what Manning is comfortable with before the snap. It was choppy at times, productive at others, and decidedly pass-heavy, but the Broncos are 3-0, due largely to a prime-time worthy defense, even as they try to work it all out on offense. – Jeff Legwold
4. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Last Week: 3rd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 1, Post-Draft)
Tight end Jimmy Graham gave the Seattle Seahawks offense a much-needed boost, finishing with seven catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in the team's 26-0 victory over the Chicago Bears. There was some doom and gloom following an 0-2 start, but Seattle got Kam Chancellor back during the week and with this win and a home date against the Detroit Lions up next, the Seahawks are in position to be in decent shape after the first month of the season. One point of concern: Marshawn Lynch didn’t play after halftime with a hamstring injury and losing him for any length of time is a desperate loss. – Sheil Kapadia
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 1, Post-Draft)
Tight end Jimmy Graham gave the Seattle Seahawks offense a much-needed boost, finishing with seven catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in the team's 26-0 victory over the Chicago Bears. There was some doom and gloom following an 0-2 start, but Seattle got Kam Chancellor back during the week and with this win and a home date against the Detroit Lions up next, the Seahawks are in position to be in decent shape after the first month of the season. One point of concern: Marshawn Lynch didn’t play after halftime with a hamstring injury and losing him for any length of time is a desperate loss. – Sheil Kapadia
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-0)
Last Week: 4th
Best Ranking: 3rd (Week 4)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald continued what they started last week. Both of Palmer's touchdown passes went to Fitzgerald in the Cardinals' 47-7 blowout of the San Francisco 49ers. Palmer finished 20-of-32 for 311 yards, two TDs and one interception and Fitzgerald caught nine passes for 134 yards and two TDs Sunday. Arizona reinforced their depth and versatility. They scored two defensive, two rushing and two receiving touchdowns against San Francisco. It will be tough for opponents to game plan around a singular aspect. – Josh Weinfuss
2. Green Bay Packers (3-0)
Last Week: 1st
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 3, 2, Preseason)
All that talk about starting fast is now more than just talk. It's real. After three straight 1-2 starts, the Packers have finally made good on their vow not to put themselves in that kind of hole to begin the year. At 3-0, the Packers are off to their best start since 2011 when they won their first 13 games before losing to the Chiefs on the way to a 15-1 regular season. Running back Eddie Lacy, hobbled all last week because of a sprained right ankle, appeared to get through the game just fine, rushing for 46 yards on 10 attempts catching three passes for 41 yards, and should continue to make a comeback. – Rob Demovsky
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 3, 2, Preseason)
All that talk about starting fast is now more than just talk. It's real. After three straight 1-2 starts, the Packers have finally made good on their vow not to put themselves in that kind of hole to begin the year. At 3-0, the Packers are off to their best start since 2011 when they won their first 13 games before losing to the Chiefs on the way to a 15-1 regular season. Running back Eddie Lacy, hobbled all last week because of a sprained right ankle, appeared to get through the game just fine, rushing for 46 yards on 10 attempts catching three passes for 41 yards, and should continue to make a comeback. – Rob Demovsky
1. New England Patriots (3-0)
Last Week: 2nd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 4, Free Agency)
The Patriots improve to 3-0 and have started the season with an offensive blitz -- 28 points against the Steelers, 40 against the Bills and now 51 against the Jaguars. The Pats' 35 first downs against the Jaguars tied a franchise record, which was last accomplished Oct. 7, 2012, vs. Denver. The Patriots haven't looked this sharp to start a season in some time. There's a long way to go, but the defending champs once again look like a top NFL contender. Their next game is Oct. 11 at Dallas against the Tony Romo-less Cowboys. The Patriots have the bye in Week 4 and can only hope it doesn't stunt their momentum. – Mike Reiss
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