Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: 49ers and Bills stay hot entering Week 4

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a first down during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a first down during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard while on the bench during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard while on the bench during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

NFL Power Rankings: Nos. 20-16

87. . 1-2. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 20. team

W, 38-20 @ Cardinals

Quarterback Kyle Allen sure looked dominant coming in for relief of an injured Cam Netwon, tossing four touchdowns and making the Panthers offense look like it did way back in 2015.

Yes, it was against the lowly Cardinals. But it was a road contest. And considering Carolina’s offensive struggles so far this season, head coach Ron Rivera will take it.

. 1-2. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 19. team. 44

L, 27-24 @ Colts

It’s hard to understand the Falcons right now. And if it weren’t for a dropped pass by Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor the previous week, one could easily be looking at 0-3 for head coach Dan Quinn and Co.

Quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones were dominant, yes. But to waste efforts like those is going to put Quinn’s job in jeopardy, if it’s not at that point already.

18. team. 50. . 2-0-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions

W, 27-24 @ Eagles

Hey, another undefeated team!

The Lions’ road victory over the Eagles was pretty substantial. It might not be enough just yet to move them into the upper echelon of NFL power rankings, but the league took notice. Gutsy wins like this on the road should help Detroit’s confidence a lot.

17. team. 53. . 1-2. Previous: . Cleveland Browns

L, 20-13 vs. Rams

So much for the Browns being a possible Super Bowl contender after one of the most-hyped offseasons in recent memory.

OK, so it’s still early. But Cleveland is committing the kind of mistakes you won’t see Super Bowl-caliber teams make. And rookie head coach Freddie Kitchens was responsible for a number of them in Week 3’s Sunday Night Football loss against the Rams.

. 1-2. Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles. 16. team. 54

L, 27-24 vs. Lions

Yes, the Eagles are still ahead of the Lions in our NFL power rankings despite a worse record and the Week 3 loss.

It’s a simple reason, to be honest: Philadelphia has the talent and coaching staff to win big this season. But it hasn’t come together much at all these first three weeks, making the Eagles look like a proverbial “stuck in second gear” squad.

Sounds like a line from a song.