26 of 32 teams reached the quarter pole in Week 4. The other six will reach it after the conclusion of Week 5.
What does this mean? Hell, I'm not sure. It's been a wacky four weeks in the NFL so far, and mediocr...I mean, parity (duh) is reigning supreme.
Well, mostly. 13 teams are 2-2 right now. Had the teams on a bye in Week 4 played, I'm sure that number would be higher. The majority of the rest are either flying high at 3-1 or looking like garbage at 1-3. What's surprising is that New Orleans and New England (perennial contenders and weekly Rankings holders) are not only out of the Rankings but the Saints are 1-3 and the Pats are 2-2. I find it incredibly difficult to believe that two elite QB's could fall so hard.
Then again, Aaron Rodgers just had his first good game in Week 4. And while Peyton Manning has looked good, he's clearly not on the breakneck pace of 2013.
So the elite QB's mostly stink and we're left with guys like Rivers, Dalton, and Flacco. Of this group, Flacco has a ring and an unearned SB MVP (that should have gone to Jacoby Jones, but I digress), which puts him slightly ahead of the other two. But honestly, Dalton and Rivers have looked better.
I think I'll wait until the halfway point to make a judgment on the Cowboys.
Here are the Rankings for Week 4:
1.) Arizona (3-0) [+1]
I make it a policy not to move teams on a bye (see: Seattle, Denver), but with the previous #1 team losing...well, sometimes exceptions have to be made.
Next opponent: at Denver (10/5)
2.) Cincinnati (3-0) [+1]
Much like Arizona, Cincinnati moves up just because they didn't lose.
Next opponent: at New England (10/5)
3.) San Diego (3-1) [+1]
It's always nice when a team has easy games on the schedule and doesn't screw around, but gets down to business. Well, okay, the first half might have been a little rough around the edges, but once Rivers &co. started moving, they got moving in a hurry and put up 33 on the hapless Jags. They get another gift with the Jets coming to town.
Next opponent: vs. NY Jets (10/5)
4.) Baltimore (3-1) [+4]
I'm not sure what to make of Baltimore. Are they a good team? Or are they the team that got manhandled by Cincinnati? The competition hasn't been as good in the last couple of weeks, but Baltimore has responded with wins. That's all I can expect of them, really, though Flacco's performance Sunday was practically flawless. That had to be a first in a non-playoff situation.
Next opponent: at Indianapolis (10/5)
5.) Philadelphia (3-1) [-4]
There were a couple of good things to take away from Santa Clara. But what most people are going to remember is that the offense was terrible and when they got down to the goal line they couldn't score a TD and the play-calling was suspect. Not a good look for the previous #1. With the Cowboys and Giants suddenly looking less than moribund, their stranglehold on the NFC East is looking less comfortable.
Next opponent: vs. St. Louis (10/5)
6.) Seattle (2-1) [no change]
I suppose I could have put them above Philly. But I didn't. They're also heading on the road to the East Coast, which might be a problem...if they weren't playing Washington. But then again, strange things have happened this year already.
Next opponent: at Washington (10/6)
7.) Dallas (3-1) [-]
Suddenly on fire after winning three in a row, the Cowboys easily dispatched New Orleans after shooting out to a 24-0 halftime lead. Don't mind the people who (falsely) claim that a 4th Q comeback was afoot; New Orleans didn't have a chance when they scored their first TD with 13:35 to go. Even an offense as prolific as the Saints can't put up the points necessary to do that. While Dallas is looking good right now, the schedule does them no favors later in the season. Having some home games in a row is nice, but that means that road games are in the future and I'm not entirely sure I like their chances, esp. when they're not playing cupcakes like Tennessee or St. Louis (and let's be honest, they kinda struggled against STL).
Next opponent: vs. Houston (10/5)
8.) Detroit (3-1) [-]
I have no clue if the Lions are "for real". They certainly didn't look it in Carolina. And yet, here they are at 3-1.
Next opponent: vs. Buffalo (10/5)
9.) Houston (3-1) [-]
I'm fairly certain the Texans aren't "for real".
Next opponent: at Dallas (10/5)
10.) Denver (2-1) [no change]
After a steep fall last week, Denver remains thanks to a fortuitous bye. Well, maybe not fortuitous to them; I'm not sure why teams need a bye in Week 4. The bye weeks should really start later, like in Week 6 or 7. Of course, I'm sure someone would complain (most likely me) about not enough games being on TV if that were the case. But I think we can agree that Week 4 is too early. And after a big test that they eventually failed in Week 3, Denver gets another NFC West team in Week 5. Not exactly promising.
Next opponent: vs. Arizona (10/5)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
