NFL 2014 Week 4 Power Rankings and Week 5 picks

Parity continues to rule in 2014, as there are now only two unbeaten teams (neither of whom played this week) and two winless teams.  2-2 is the most popular record.  Nobody is really out of playoff conversations, although the firing of Dennis Allen seems to indicate that the Raiders think they are already out of it.  Blake Bortles' development gives some hope to the Jacksonville fans, although the Jags still languish at the bottom of my Power Rankings.

Top 10 [Last week's position]
1.  CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-0) [1]
2.  Arizona Cardinals (3-0) [3]
3.  Baltimore Ravens (3-1) [11] : Big leap for the Ravens, who utterly smashed Carolina
4.  San Diego Chargers (3-1) [6]
5.  Seattle Seahawks (2-1) [4]
6.  Dallas Cowboys (3-1) [16] : Okay, so maybe the Cowboys have something after all.  Their defense held against a strong Saints offense
7.  Detroit Lions (3-1) [7] : Definitely the most impressive NFC North team, although Green Bay looked good this week
8.  Houston Texans (3-1) [8] : Not overly impressive win against Buffalo, but winning consistently is impressive this year
9.  Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) [2] : Fell from the ranks of unbeaten with a tough showing against a revitalized 49ers defense
10. Denver Broncos (2-1) [10]

Divisional rankings [Last week's position]
1.  AFC North [1] : They remain on top with an impressive win by Baltimore and two teams who didn't play, helped by tough performances by top teams in other divisions
2.  NFC West [2] : Byes helped here, as did the 49ers upset win over Philly
3.  NFC East [3] : Dallas and the Giants impressed
4.  AFC West [5] : Tremendous games by KC and San Diego bolstered this division
5.  NFC North [5] : Green Bay and Minnesota rolled
6.  AFC South [7] : Houston and Indy did well
7.  AFC East [3] : Second week in a row when all teams lost.  This is a division in trouble
8.  NFC South [8] : Tampa Bay had their first win, but the others lost big

Week 5 picks
Tough picks.  I liked more visiting teams than home teams, but ended up picking more home teams.  Not sure how this week will fare.

Thursday night:  Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers  Teddy looks questionnable, which puts Christian Ponder under center.  They won't do much offensively.  PACKERS, 28-13

Sunday early games:
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants:  The Giants came alive this week!  The offense has steadily improved the past two weeks, so perhaps Eli has the new system down.  The defense came alive for the first week.  If they can continue that against the patchwork Falcons offensive line, they should harrass Matty Ice enough to force bad throws.  GIANTS, 27-23

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts:  I wanted to pick the Colts here, but they have struggled against non-divisional opponents, and the Ravens have a potent defense.  This game could end up as a Colts victory if they can figure out ways around the Ravens defense, but I'll pick the Ravens.  RAVENS, 26-23

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions:  The Bills started the season 2-0, but are steadily declining.  One clear indication?  EJ Manual has been replaced as QB with talented but chronic underachiever Kyle Orton.  Orton has the arm strength to deliver the ball to key receivers like Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams, but can he keep pace with the Lions and Megatron?  Nope.  LIONS, 30-17

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers:  Which team was exposed more vividly last week?  I'd say Carolina, as we already knew the Bears' woes in stopping the run.  That won't be an issue this game, as the Panthers are thin in the backfield.  Cam Newton may find some holes in the secondary, but this will be a Bears showcase.  BEARS, 31-20

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans:  Charlie Whitehurst is not the solution to the Titans' woes, and Zack Mettenberger is not ready to start, so the Brian Hoyer-led Browns stand a better chance to win.  BROWNS, 26-24

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys:  It's the Texans' defense against the suddenly-hot Cowboys offense.  I usually lean towards the defense in these battles, but I think some Texans injuries and home field will boost the Cowboys just enough.  COWBOYS, 28-23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars:  As Bortles improves, the biggest problem with the Jags is their defense.  My advice to anyone playing "pick em" contests like me this season:  Make your Survivor pick the team facing the Jags.  The Steelers will roll.  STEELERS, 23-13

St Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles:  The Rams defense is not good, and that's what is needed to slow the Eagles offense.  EAGLES, 31-13

Tampa Bay Bucs at New Orleans Saints:  The Bucs were helped last week by special teams play.  I'm not sure they can count on that this week.  Can their defense slow the powerful Saints?  I doubt it.  SAINTS, 27-17


Sunday late games:
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos:  Another visiting team I'd love to pick, a rash of defensive injuries and the start of Drew Stanton makes me believe that the Broncos will win this one.  BRONCOS, 24-17

Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers:  After their impressive performance last week, I'd love to pick the Chiefs.  However, the 49ers seemed to finally find their defense, and I'm not sure they'll lose it again so quickly.  This will be a tight game, though, that could finish either way.  49ERS, 26-23

New York Jets at San Diego Chargers:  You know, the Jets have to be cursing the scheduling gods.  They put together one of the strongest run defenses in the league, and they start the season facing some of the best passing teams in the league.  UGH!  That continues here, as they travel to San Diego.  CHARGERS, 27-17

Sunday Night:  Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots:  New England has had trouble scoring in the second half of games, and I think Cincy's defense will prevent that this week.  Whether Cincy is ahead or behind at halftime, they'll be close enough to pull away in the second half.  BENGALS, 27-14

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:  Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins:  Kurt Cousins is good, but the Seahawks defense is even better.  SEAHAWKS, 27-17