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2019 NFL Power Rankings Summary - Week 4
| Metric | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Metric | Ranking |
| Average ranking (# of rankings) | 3.75 (8) |
| Average change from last week | -0.13 |
| Highest ranking (source) | 3rd (multiple sources) |
| Lowest ranking (source) | 6th (USA Today) |
| Biggest positive change (source) | 0 (multiple sources) |
| Biggest negative change (source) | -1 (Yahoo!) |
What we got wrong: That the offense would seamlessly pick up where it left off last season (before it came to a halt in Super Bowl LIII, of course).
The offense sputtered in the first half of wins over the Panthers, Saints and Browns and twice this season has failed to score a first-half touchdown. That happened only once in the regular season in 2018. The Rams have not consistently established the run behind an offensive line with two first-year starters, and quarterback Jared Goff has been unable to establish consistent connections with receivers early in games. The Rams rank eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 25.7 points per game, but nevertheless are 3-0.
A great performance by the Rams’ defense on Sunday night in Cleveland. The high moment came in the final minute, with L.A. leading by seven and the Browns set up with first-and-goal. Four plays, four passes, three incompletions and a game-icing interception by John Johnson. Browns superstar Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t even have a target on that final set of downs, which is both a credit to the Rams’ scheme and an indictment of Browns play-caller Freddie Kitchens. On the other side of the ball, Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp both went over 100 yards, but it was another mostly uneven performance by the Rams. Jared Goff, in particular, continues to look out of sorts. He had three turnovers in the game, including a killer fourth-quarter interception that gave the Browns life. The Rams aren’t fully clicking ... but they’re winning as they figure it out. It’s the sign of a championship-caliber team.
They are cruising along with a 3-0 record as they have the look of a potential Super Bowl team again. The defense is even better than a year ago.
The Cowboys almost moved ahead of the Rams in this week’s rankings. Cleveland had its entire starting secondary out on Sunday night and the Rams still looked sluggish on offense. This is a good team and plenty of franchises would take a 3-0 start, but this still doesn’t look like the same team we saw last season. Dallas stays at No. 4 because it still hasn’t played a quality opponent, though that changes in Week 4 when the Cowboys go to New Orleans.
Pro Football Talk: 5th (5th)
They’ve helped cure that Super Bowl hangover with some hair of the Dawg.
Aaron Donald got a sack Sunday but remains a notoriously slow starter. He needs another for just his third multi-sack September of career.
While the Rams’ offense isn’t blowing the bloody doors off, the D is proving to be one of the league’s toughest. Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews have been valuable additions.
The Athletic: 3rd (3rd)
No drop for the Rams after three weeks, as they still easily look like one of the best teams in the NFC. While their offense might not look as unstoppable as it did in stretches of 2018, you can’t question the first three wins: at Carolina, versus New Orleans and at Cleveland, in prime time. It was also good to see Aaron Donald get on the board with his first sack of 2019. We’re sure at least a dozen more are to come.
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