NFL WEEK 4: POWER RANKINGS

Welcome back NFL Fans! Week 3 of the 2022 season is behind us, and it’s time to recalculate the NFL Power Rankings for Week 4. @TheBrysh Power Rankings (PR’s) are calculated using a proprietary algorithm, each week the PR calculations will be represented in a 1-16 rating for each Conference. @TheBrysh Power Rankings are also used to calculate weekly predictions, which will be published as well.

NFL Week 4

Week 3 predictions for @TheBrysh were 6/16 for straight up wins, disappointing to say the least, bringing the season total to 26/47 or 55%. Week 3 held plenty of surprises and upsets, lets see how it affected the PR’s going into Week 4.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

Thursday night had the Cleveland Browns hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns were the favorite, and took control of the game in the 2nd half. The Steelers had difficulty owning time of possession, their defensive unit was gassed and couldn’t get off the field on 3rd down. The highlight (or lowlight) of the game was Steelers OL Chuks Okorafor, diving on top of a downed and injured Browns LB Anthony Walker. The Browns climb to 9th in the AFC, while the Steelers drop to 11th.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the first quarter ahead of Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

EARLY SUNDAY GAMES

Several games on Sunday did not alter the Power Rankings to any great degree: The Chicago Bears beat the Houston Texans 23-20, the Tennessee Titans defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-22. The Indianapolis Colts upset the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17, and the Buffalo Bills lost 21-19 to the Miami Dolphins, not enough for me to relieve the Bills of 1st in the NFC or the Chiefs of 2nd in the AFL. The Philadelphia Eagles manhandled the Washington Commanders 24-8, and the Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 22-14. The Packers squeaked past the Buccaneers in the “Battle of the Bays” 14-12.

The Detroit Lions traveled to Minnesota to take on the favored Vikings. Detroit appeared to have the game wrapped up with a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter. Minnesota scored 14 unanswered points, the key turning point was a Lions’ missed field goal that left the Vike’s in great field position. Vikings won 28-24, the 4 point differential allows the Lions to climb a notch to 13th in the NFC.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball as safety JuJu Hughes #33 of the Detroit Lions tries to catch him during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals visited the NY Jets and were hungry to lose the Super Bowl Hangover. Bengals QB Joe Burrow had an impressive performance with 275 yards passing and 3 TD’s against zero interceptions. Cincinnati’s defense also had a standout day, holding the Jets to only 76 total yards rushing, and sacking QB Joe Flacco 4 times. The Bengals won handily 27-12, the Jets drop to 16th in the AFC.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is cahes by New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers (91) and throws the ball during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium this weekend. The Patriots kept the game competitive, until the second half where QB Mac Jones threw 3 interceptions. The Ravens took advantage of the turnovers and pulled off a big win 37-26, they get a boost to 3rd in the AFC while the Patriots drop to 4th.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Jalen Mills #2 of the New England Patriots tackles wide receiver Devin Duvernay #13 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

LATE SUNDAY GAMES

The heavily favored LA Chargers hosted the 16th place Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon. The game turned out to be a disaster for the Chargers, with the Jag’s apparently scoring at will. By the 2nd half, the Jaguars offensive line owned the LA defensive line. The Jaguars pull off a big upset 38-10 and rise to 15th while the Chargers drop to 8th in the AFC.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass while pressured by Devin Lloyd #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at SoFi Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The 6th place Cardinals hosted the 8th place LA Rams at State Farm Stadium. The Rams looked much improved over the previous weeks, especially on defense. Most impressive was the coverage of Rams CB’s Jalen Ramsey and Grant Haley, keeping the Card’s receivers to nominal performances. The Rams took the 20-12 victory to climb to 6th place, while the Cardinals drop to 8th.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on as he lines up during an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Los Angeles Rams won 20-12. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks lost to the visiting Atlanta Falcons 27-23. This was a back and forth battle from the get go, with the lead changing 6 times. The Seahawks defensive unit could not stop the Falcons’ run game, allowing 179 yards rushing and could not arrest their progress on 3rd downs. The Seahawks drop to 10th in the NFC and the Falcons remain at 15th place.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 25: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks jumps over Casey Hayward #29 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Lumen Field on September 25, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos pulled off a lack-luster 11-10 win over the San Francisco 49’ers on Sunday night. Broncos QB Russell Wilson still looks uncomfortable, only managing 184 yards passing. San Fran QB Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t fair much better with 211 yards. Not much offensive fireworks here, Broncos climb to 6th in the AFC, 49’ers stay at 4th in the NFC.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

The Dallas Cowboys upset the NY Giants 23-16, despite the loss of QB Dak Prescott to injury. Replacement QB Cooper Rush was impressive with 215 yards passing, with a 68% completion rate on 31 attempts. Dallas veteran RB Ezekiel Elliott added 73 yards rushing and a touchdown to help with the victory. Cowboys remain at 3rd in the NFC and the Giants drop to 14th.