Week 4

The Raanan Rankings - Week 4

By Jordan Raanan, XFINITY NFL Columnist

We've reached the quarter pole. At this pace, the Texans and Falcons will have clinched their divisions by mid-November and the Saints will be eliminated from playoff contention by the end of the month.

The NFL season hasn't unfolded as expected. It never does. Nobody, not even the few diehard Arizona fans, expected the Cardinals to be this high in the rankings. Nobody expected the Lions or Saints to be this low. (AP Photos)

(Note: Ties were broken based on number of wins, then quarterback ranking.)

Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Week 4 By Jordan Raanan, XFINITY NFL Columnist

We've reached the quarter pole. At this pace, the Texans and Falcons will have clinched their divisions by mid-November and the Saints will be eliminated from playoff contention by the end of the month.

The NFL season hasn't unfolded as expected. It never does. Nobody, not even the few diehard Arizona fans, expected the Cardinals to be this high in the rankings. Nobody expected the Lions or Saints to be this low. (AP Photos)

(Note: Ties were broken based on number of wins, then quarterback ranking.)

Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Houston Texan... Offense: 4.5
Defense: 5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 22

Overall: The Texans have won eight straight with Matt Schaub as their starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. Atlanta Falco... Offense: 4.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 21.5

Overall: The Falcons were outplayed, yet still beat the Panthers in Atlanta. That's a sign of a really good team. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. San Francisco... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 5
Special Teams: 5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 21.5

Overall: That was a hiccup in Minnesota. Just ask the Jets. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Baltimore Rav... Offense: 4
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 20

Overall: The Ravens no doubt lead the league in social advocation. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Arizona Cardi... Offense: 3
Defense: 5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 19.5

Overall: Well, this was before the Cards' Thursday night flop. Their inability to protect the QB will almost certainly drop them out of the Top 10 next week. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. New England P... Offense: 4
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 19.5

Overall: The Patriots offense returned just as my one-week punishment on Bill Belichick ended. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Chicago Bears... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3.5

Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 19

Overall: It's kind of fun analyzing every single Jay Cutler face and emotion. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. Cincinnati Be... Offense: 4
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 18.5

Overall: If you don't know who Geno Atkins is, you should. He may be the NFL's best defensive tackle. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. Green Bay Pac... Offense: 4
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 18.5

Overall: The Packers and the refs just don't mix. Good thing New Orleans is capable of imploding at any moment. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. San Diego Ch... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 18

Overall: San Diego's going to win a lot of games if they can create six turnovers each week. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
11. Philadelphia... Offense: 4
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 18

Overall: If only the Eagles could bottle the Michael Vick and Andy Reid that was on the field against the Giants... (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
12. New York Gia... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 18

Overall: Remember that one week when Andre Brown and Ramses Barden were big parts of the Giants offense? That's what we're all going to be saying with a chuckle later this season. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
13. Denver Bronc... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 18

Overall: Maybe the Broncos should play with seven defensive backs more often. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
14. Minnesota Vi... Offense: 3
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 17.5

Overall: I'm a believer of the Vikings… until Week 12. Minnesota has the Packers (twice), Bears (twice), Texans and Rams to close out the season. Ouch. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
15. Seattle Seah... Offense: 3
Defense: 4.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 1.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 17

Overall: The Seahawks are 32nd in the NFL in passing with an average of 130.8 yards per game. What a waste of a dominant defense. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
16. Pittsburgh S... Offense: 4
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 16.5

Overall: Nothing's changed for the Steelers. They still allowed 34 points to the Raiders in their last outing. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
17. Dallas Cowbo... Offense: 2
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 16

Overall: At least Cowboy fans can visit the new Victoria's Secret store in the stadium on Monday night. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
18. Washington R... Offense: 4
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 1
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 15

Overall: The Redskins average close to 31 points per game. Welcome to the new NFL, Washington. Must feel nice to have a competent quarterback. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
19. St. Louis Ra... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2.5
Total Points: 15

Overall: Seriously 'Legatron' might be an even better nickname than "Greg the Leg." As for the team, the Rams are likely to climb again next week after dismantling the previously unbeaten Cards on Thursday night. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
20. Buffalo Bill... Offense: 3
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: Buffalo still doesn't seem to have that defense thing figured out. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
21. Carolina Pan... Offense: 3
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 2.5
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: Come on, Cam. Haruki Nakamura is way more to blame. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
22. Tampa Bay Bu... Offense: 3
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: You need to beat the Redskins at home if you want to be taken seriously. Nobody's taking Greg Schiano's Bucs seriously, yet. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
23. Tennessee Ti... Offense: 3
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 5
Quarterback: 2
Coaching: 2.5
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: Welcome back to respectability, Chris Johnson. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
24. New York Jet... Offense: 2
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 13.5

Overall: Yep, Rex. The Jets received an emphatic posterior kicking. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
25. Miami Dolphi... Offense: 2
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 12.5

Overall: Ryan Tannehill may have been underappreciated. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
26. New Orleans ... Offense: 4
Defense: 1
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 1
Total Points: 12.5

Overall: The Saints lost in Green Bay because they held on a field goal. HELD... ON... A... FIELD GOAL! It's just one of those years. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
27. Indianapolis... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 1
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 11

Overall: Here's to hoping coach Chuck Pagano gets well soon. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
28. Kansas City... Offense: 3
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 12

Overall: It's getting ugly in Kansas City. Some people happen to think Brady Quinn is the answer. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
T29. Detroit Lio... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 1
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 11.5

Overall: Just when you think the Lions special teams hit bottom, they do it again. Disgusting. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
T29. Oakland Rai... Offense: 2
Defense: 1.5
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 11.5

Overall: Those were the Raiders I expected in Denver. Still not sure how to explain the victory over the Steelers. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
31. Jacksonville... Offense: 1
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 1.5
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 10.5

Overall: The Jags are dead last in total offense and 31st in passing. Not a good combo. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
32. Cleveland Br... Offense: 1.5
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 1.5
Coaching: 1
Total Points: 10

Overall: At least they have Phil Dawson. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.