NFL Week 4 Power Rankings: Here come the Detroit Lions

We are nearing the end of the first quarter of the 2019 NFL season, and a few of the contenders are already starting to flex their muscles and distance themselves from the rest of the pack. Here is where everyone stands through three weeks:

1. New England Patriots (3-0; Won 30-14 vs NYJ) (-)

Tom Brady threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots tightened their grip on the AFC East against the Jets. A big battle in Buffalo looms against the undefeated Bills.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0; Won 33-28 vs BAL) (-)

Patrick Mahomes won the battle of the young star quarterbacks against Lamar Jackson. 374 yards and three touchdowns was enough for the Chiefs, as Kansas City won a game that was not anywhere near as close as the scoreboard makes it seem.

3. Los Angeles Rams (3-0; Won 20-13 vs CLE) (-)

The Rams came out on top of the Browns in a sloppy Sunday Night Showdown. Both Jared Goff and Todd Gurley had their struggles, but a good day from the defense helped the Rams stay on top in the NFC West.

4. New Orleans Saints (2-1; Won 33-27 vs SEA) (+3)

No Drew Brees, no problem. Teddy Bridgewater was able to fill Brees’ role as the Saints waltzed into a victory against a good Seahawks team. They may have taken their foot off the gas a little early and allowed Seattle back in the game, but they managed to secure the win and avoid dropping two straight heading into a marquee matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

5. Dallas Cowboys (3-0; Won 31-6 vs MIA) (-1)

It took them some time to get going, but Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense exploded once again this week. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard rushed for over 100 yards each and the defense had no trouble dealing with the anemic Dolphins offense. A showdown against the Saints is on the horizon for the unbeaten Cowboys.

6. Green Bay Packers (3-0; Won 27-16 vs DEN) (-1)

Aaron Rodgers had another rough day, but the Packers defense was able to make up for it down the stretch. Green Bay’s offense will need to be better as the season goes on, though, and they have a chance to get themselves pointed in the right direction Thursday against a bad Eagles secondary.

7. San Francisco 49ers (3-0; Won 24-20 vs PIT) (-1)

It was not pretty, but the 49ers managed to escape their Week 3 game against the Steelers with a victory to remain undefeated on the year. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 277 yards, a touchdown and two picks. The defense did not do as well as they should have, either. A win is a win, though, and San Francisco has managed to keep pace with Rams in the NFC West.

8. Baltimore Ravens (2-1; Lost 33-28 vs KC) (-)

Baltimore looked outmatched by the Chiefs explosive offense, and their own offense’s magical streak sputtered out. Lamar Jackson barely completed over half of his passes, but a hat trick of touchdowns from Mark Ingram salvaged a rough day. A big divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns is up next.

9. Houston Texans (2-1; Won 27-20 vs LAC) (+3)

The Texans came out on top in a back-and-forth matchup against the Chargers. Deshaun Watson threw for three touchdowns, Kenny Stills had 89 yards in another big day as well. The defense had more trouble than the scoreboard leads on, but the offense did just enough to leave Los Angeles with a win.

10. Minnesota Vikings (2-1; Won 34-14 vs OAK) (+1)

It seems impossible for a running back to win MVP in the modern NFL, but Dalvin Cook has made a good case for it. He now has 375 yards and four touchdowns on 6.6 yards per carry this year. He set a season low with 110 yards but still carried the Vikings to another victory.

11. Seattle Seahawks (2-1; Lost 33-27 vs NO) (-1)

Seattle clearly underestimated the Saints with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm, and got blown out by their NFC foes. Russell Wilson eclipsed the 400 yard mark, but needed 50 pass attempts to get there. Seattle becomes the first of the three powerhouses in the NFC West to drop a game this year.

12. Chicago Bears (2-1: Won 31-15 vs WAS) (+2)

Mitch Trubisky finally found himself this season and threw for three touchdown passes as the Bears thrashed Washington. The defense was incredible as well, and never gave their opponents a real chance.

13. Indianapolis Colts (2-1; Won 27-24 vs ATL) (+1)

Good days from both Jacoby Brissett and Marlon Mack led the Colts to their second win in as many weeks. The Colts dominated in the first half, and managed to weather the Falcons storm in the second half and secure the win.

14. Detroit Lions (2-0-1; Won 27-24 vs PHI) (+7)

The Detroit Lions managed to get the better of another playoff contender this week, and this time on the road. The Lions prevailed in an absolute mess of a football game, and kept their undefeated season alive.

15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2; Lost 27-20 vs HOU) (-6)

Los Angeles lost another close game this week, and fell beneath the .500 mark. Keenan Allen had a huge day with 13 catches for 183 yards and two scores, but it was all in vain as the Chargers just could not convert their chances.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2; Lost 27-24 vs DET) (-)

The Eagles could not get out of their own way in Week 3. Drops and fumbles cost them what could be a crucial game in the playoff race, and injuries clearly have taken a toll on the NFC East team so far this year. It does not get any easier for them either, with the undefeated Packers up next.

17. Cleveland Browns (1-2; Lost 20-13 vs LAR) (+1)

Baker Mayfield seems to be in the midst of a sophomore slump, He only completed 50 percent of his passes and threw an interception along with his one touchdown. What should have been a magical season for Cleveland is getting off to a slow start, and a divisional game against a tough Ravens team and an undefeated 49ers team are up next.

18. Buffalo Bills (3-0; Won 21-17 vs CIN) (+3)

The Bills are the surprise team of the first month of the season. They did just enough to get by a fledgling Bengals team and keep their undefeated season alive. Next week, they have a chance to earn a statement win at home against the New England Patriots.

19. Atlanta Falcons (1-2; Lost 27-24 vs IND) (-4)

Atlanta once again dug itself into a first half hole it could not get out of. Their stars all shined in the second half, with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman putting together good performances, but it was another tough loss for a team with playoff hopes.

20. Carolina Panthers (1-2; Won 38-20 vs ARI) (+3)

Backup quarterback Kyle Allen was dominant after being thrust into the starting role this week replacing an injured Cam Newton. He threw for four touchdown passes, and Christian McCaffrey had another big game, too. Carolina finally got into the win column, and it looks like Allen could be their quarterback long term.

21. Tennessee Titans (1-2; Lost 20-7 vs JAX) (-4)

Marcus Mariota may be fighting for his job in Nashville. Yet another bad day from the quarterback saw his team drop to 1-2 on the year and fall to the bottom of the AFC South. The running game could not get going, either, as the Titans offense seems to be in a bad place.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3; Lost 24-20 vs SF) (-)

An AFC titan has fallen to 0-3 in 2019 after losing a sloppy game to the San Francisco 49ers. Mason Rudolph had a rough day in his first start this season. The Steelers season may have been dead from the start, though, and they may tank to find the quarterback of the future.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2; Won 20-7 vs TEN) (+1)

Gardner Minshew got his first career win as his 200-yard, two-touchdown performance led the Jaguars to a Thursday night victory. Defensive end Calais Campbell also had a hat trick of sacks and bludgeoned the Titans offense.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2; Lost 32-31 vs NYG) (-5)

The Bucs long-time kicking woes cost them their Week 3 match up against the Giants, but you can’t pin all the blame on the kicker. Jameis Winston was awful once again and the defense could not stop a Saquon Barkley-less Giants offense. This team is in trouble.

25. Oakland Raiders (1-2; Lost 34-14 vs MIN) (+2)

The Raiders had no answer for Dalvin Cook and got steamrolled by a good Vikings team to drop below .500 on the season.

26. Denver Broncos (0-3; Lost 27-16 vs GB) (+2)

Denver managed to hang with the undefeated Packers for much of the day, but Joe Flacco could not crack the Packers amazing defense. Denver falls to 0-3 on the year, but their defense has played better than their record gives them credit for.

27. Washington (0-3; Lost 31-15 vs CHI) (-2)

Case Keenum’s time as a starter in the nation's capital may be up after a horrible performance on Monday night against the Bears. He threw three interceptions and had a costly fumble that killed any chance of a comeback the team may have had late on. Don’t be surprised if this becomes Dwayne Haskins’ team next week.

28. New York Giants (1-2; Won 32-31 vs TB) (+3)

The first chapter of the legend of Daniel Jones is in the books, and it was everything you could have imagined. The Giants won an intense game despite the loss of running back Saquon Barkley, as Jones threw for 336 yards and two scores.

29. New York Jets (0-3; Lost 30-14 vs NE) (-2)

Luke Falk failed to reach 100 yards passing is his first career start and the Jets got hammered by the New England Patriots.

30. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3; Lost 21-17 vs BUF) (-1)

Two interceptions from Andy Dalton cost the Bengals a chance to knock off the unbeaten Bills. A divisional matchup against the winless Steelers looms on “Monday Night Football.”

31. Arizona Cardinals (0-2-1; Lost 38-20 vs CAR) (-1)

A rough day for Kyler Murray, David Johnson and the entire defense spelled trouble for the Cardinals as they gave the Panthers their first win of the season.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-3; Lost 31-6 vs DAL) (-)

Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow both had pretty good weekends.