Top 10 NFL Teams Heading into Week Four
The Super Bowl Favorites (Bills, Chiefs)
The Chiefs are still easily considered a Super Bowl favorite for the same reasons mentioned in my week three top ten article. As long as Patrick Mahomes is at the helm for Kansas City, they will always be in the running to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. As for the Bills, they are probably the hottest team in the league at the moment. They just completely dismantled the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night as they beat them 47-10. Josh Allen probably has the best case to win MVP through three weeks of the season, as he has led an offense that somehow seems to look better after the departure of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Don’t be surprised if this is finally the season that the Bills get over the hump and finally reach the Super Bowl.
Contenders (Vikings, 49ers, Texans, Lions)
These four teams all have great cases to make deep playoff runs as they have proven through the first three weeks of the season that they can either win close games, beat playoff-caliber teams, or already have loaded rosters on both sides of the ball. The Houston Texans and San Francisco fit into the latter category of teams with loaded rosters. Both of these teams are too good, both offensively and defensively, not to make playoff runs. The Lions remain in this category for the same reasons mentioned last week. They will undoubtedly be a playoff team one way or another. The Vikings have been the surprise of the season so far, picking up another impressive victory over the Texans on Sunday. Minnesota may just have the best defense in the league, and defense is key to making playoff runs. It will be an exciting playoff race for all of these teams when January rolls around.
Playoff Teams (Saints, Eagles, Ravens, Steelers)
These four teams look like playoff teams three weeks into the season, but they all definitely have their red flags. The Saints looked like a completely different team offensively over the weekend than they had the previous two weeks. As long as the offense can be somewhat consistent, the Saints have a good enough defense to keep their team afloat in the playoff race. The Eagles just picked up a win over the Saints over the weekend and they should certainly be a playoff team as the NFC East is looking more and more like their division to lose. If Jalen Hurts can limit his turnovers, then the Eagles should be sitting pretty. The Ravens have admittedly gotten off to a rocky start this season, but they were finally able to pick up their first win on Sunday when they beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-25. This game was definitely Derrick Henry’s breakout game as a Raven, as he turned 26 touches into 174 yards and two touchdowns. I think if the Ravens lean into their strengths in the run game, both with Henry and Lamar Jackson then they will have no problem righting the ship and being a playoff team yet again. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to always find a way to be successful under head coach Mike Tomlin. This season has been no different, as they are sitting pretty with a record of 3-0 through their first three games. Pittsburgh will almost certainly be in playoff contention heading into the last few weeks of the season and may even steal the AFC North Title.
