2012 NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Houston, Atlanta, Remain At Top

1. Houston Texans (4-0) - The Texans have shown over the course of four weeks that they are the best team in the NFL. The Texans play well on all three phases of the game. Previous Ranking: 1

2. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) - The Falcons got a scare this week against Carolina, but Matty Ice proved his nickname and led Atlanta to a come-from-behind victory. Atlanta may have the best offensive weapons of any team in the NFL. Previous Ranking: 2

3. San Francisco 49ers (3-1) - The 49ers got back to Jim Harbaugh football with a 34-0 pounding of the New York Jets on the road last week. The 49ers rank in the top five both in rushing and passing defense through four games. Previous Ranking: 5

4. Arizona Cardinals (4-0) - The Cardinals fell back to earth with a 24-21 victory over Miami on Sunday. The offensive line allowed eight sacks and Arizona faces a short week with a Thursday night meeting with St. Louis Previous Ranking: 3

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) - It wasn't pretty, but Baltimore beat Cleveland 23-16 last Thursday night. Joe Flacco has over 1,200 yards passing and seven touchdown passes this season. Previous Ranking: 4

6. New England Patriots (2-2) - The Pats exploded for 45 second half points against Buffalo on Sunday. No team has done that in the NFL. Ever. Previous Ranking: 8

7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) - Philly rebounded nicely with an impressive victory over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles have three wins by a combined four points. Previous Ranking: 9

8. San Diego Chargers (3-1) - The Chargers got a nice 17-point win in Kansas City on Sunday. The next two weeks are crucial for the Chargers, as they got at New Orleans and host Denver. Previous Ranking: 14

9. Chicago Bears (3-1) - The Bears finally got an impressive win with their dominating performance against Dallas on Monday Night Football. The Bears have won their three games by a combined 53 points. Previous Ranking: 10

10. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) - There is no doubt the Bengals can score, as they average 33 points per game in their three victories. Previous Ranking: 13

11. Minnesota Vikings (3-1) - The surprise Vikings continue to impress as they beat Detroit on the road 20-13 this week. The Vikings are a field goal away from being 4-0. Previous Ranking: 19

12. Green Bay Packers (2-2) - One thing the Packers do well is get themselves into close games and officiating dilemmas. The Pack evened up their record with a 28-27 victory on the not so frozen tundra against New Orleans. Previous Ranking: 7

13. New York Giants (2-2) - The Giants lost a tough one in Philly 19-17. New York does possess the second best passing offense in the league, averaging 321.5 YPG through the air. Previous Ranking: 6

14. Denver Broncos (2-2) - Peyton Manning's arm looked pretty good in Denver's 37-6 drubbing of Oakland. Manning was 30/38 with 338 yards passing and three touchdowns. Previous Ranking: 15

15. Dallas Cowboys (2-2) - Dallas got dismantled at home against Chicago 34-10. Tony Romo threw five interceptions against Chicago and has eight on the season. Previous Ranking: 12

16. St. Louis Rams (2-2) - St. Louis has played well this season in three of its four games. The Rams are 2-0 at home and host undefeated Arizona on Thursday Night Football. Previous Ranking: 28

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) - Pittsburgh had a bye week so they stay at 17 in our rankings. Previous Ranking: 17

18. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) - Seattle lost a tough one on the road against St. Louis. You can say they should be 1-3, but that defense is legit and will keep them in games. Previous Ranking: 11

19. Washington Redskins (2-2) - Robert Griffin III led an impressive game winning drive to keep the Redskins from completely blowing their game against Tampa Bay. Who knows, if Josh Morgan doesn't go all-Gladiator on Cortland Finnegan, Washington may be 3-1. Previous Ranking: 21

20. New York Jets (2-2) - The Jets got absolutely dominated by San Francisco. The Tebow supporters are out in full force, however Tebow would likely not have faired much better against the 49ers defense. Previous Ranking: 16

21. Detroit Lions (1-3) - Detroit now sees themselves in the basement of a tough NFC North. On a positive note, the Lions do lead the league in passing offense. Previous Ranking: 18

22. Buffalo Bills (2-2) - The Bills defense allowed the Patriots to rack up 45 points in 30 minutes of play. No defense has ever given up that many points in that span of time. Previous Ranking: 20

23. Carolina Panthers (1-3) - The Panthers gave Atlanta all they could handle and probably should of handed the Falcons their first loss of 2012. But Roddy White decided the Falcons would stay unbeaten for another week. Previous Ranking: 22

24. Miami Dolphins (1-3) - Miami has lost two hear breakers in a row. First to the Jets at home, and this week to Arizona on the road, both in OT. Ryan Tannehill did torch the Arizona secondary for over 400 yards. Previous Ranking: 25

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) - I feel for Greg Schiano, as Tampa Bay's three losses have been by a combined 15 points. The Bucs showed heart in a near comeback against the Redskins. Previous Ranking: 23

26. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) - The Colts suffered a big loss during their by week as head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pagano. Previous Ranking: 31

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) - Blaine Gabbert is not playing terrible, but Jacksonville is ranked 31st in the NFL in passing offense and that defense is giving up 150 rushing YPG. Previous Rankings: 30

28. Kansas City (1-3) - Kansas City is second in the league in rushing offense, however they have lost two games at home by a combined 33 points. Previous Ranking: 27

29. Oakland Raiders (1-3) - The Oakland secondary got torched by Peyton Manning, and Darren McFadden continues to be inconsistant running the football. Previous Ranking: 26

30. New Orleans Saints (0-4) - The lone winless team in the NFC almost squeaked out an upset in Green Bay. The New Orleans defense is last in the NFL in passing defense. Previous Ranking: 29

31. Tennessee Titans (1-3) The Titans have lost their three games by a combined 73 points. The good news for Tennessee is the schedule should lighten up soon. Previous Ranking: 24

32. Cleveland Browns (0-4) - The Browns are last for the second straight week. Cleveland was respectable against altimore, and look for Cleveland to get in the win column week 7 against Indianapolis. Previous Ranking: 32