NFL Week 4 Power Rankings Roundup: Packers Soar

With the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions getting ready for their big Week 4 showdown, here are the latest NFL power rankings.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ come-from-behind victory over the New Orleans Saints, fueled by quarterback Jordan Love, impressed the national pundits and is reflected in this week’s NFL power rankings.

In our weekly roundup of 10 national power rankings, Green Bay’s average placement is 12.3. On average, it’s up about five spots. In order from best to worst, here’s what the national pundits are saying, with longer notes by following the links.

CBSSports.com: 7th

Last week: 13th

Pete Prisco loved how Love rallied the Packers in the fourth quarter. “Those are big-boy moments for a young quarterback – especially since he didn't play well for much of the game.”

NFL.com: 10th

Last week: 18th

Eric Edholm liked how Love rallied the team with so many key players injured. “Chalk this up as the best comeback of Jordan Love's early career as Green Bay's starter, the fairytale ending that eluded him in Week 2. Time after time, he made plays despite dealing with incomplete passes (including several drops) and offensive penalties throughout.”

Fox Sports: 10th

Last week: 15th

Dave Helman, like everyone else, was impressed by Love’s comeback in his first home start. “Pretty fun to see the 180-degree turn from Week 2 to Week 3. The Packers collapsed in the fourth quarter last week in Atlanta, and they responded in fitting fashion.”

ESPN.com: 12th

Last week: 19th

Every week, ESPN’s rankings come with a national theme. This week, it’s the biggest issue on offense. For Green Bay, it’s Jordan Love’s accuracy, beat writer Rob Demovsky said. “Jordan Love's seven touchdown passes to only one interception is Rodgers-esque. But his completion percentage is not. It's at 53.1%, which was well below the league average of 65.4% through Sunday's Week 3 games.”

Pro Football Talk: 12th

Last week: 18th

Wrote Mike Florio: “Where have all the ‘Packers are gonna stink’ people gone?”

Yahoo Sports: 12th

Last week: 14th

Frank Schwab used a historical reference in regard to Love’s comeback in his first home start. “In 1992, Brett Favre was pressed into action against the Bengals when Don Majkowski got hurt. Favre struggled for three quarters. Then, in the fourth quarter Favre made plays, the Packers scored 21 points and he hit Kitrick Taylor for a game-winning touchdown that launched an era in Green Bay.”

Jordan Love and the Packers rallied past the Saints :: Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images

Sports Illustrated: 14th

Last week: 16th

Conor Orr mentioned Love beating star linebacker Demario Davis on a zone-read keeper for the first touchdown. “The dynamics of the offense have changed since the Aaron Rodgers takeover. I think we’ll see more exploiting of that as the season goes on. His two-point conversion completion was one of the best pieces of pocket movement I’ve seen all season.”

The 33rd Team: 14th

Last week: 19th

Ryan Reynolds noted how the defense came through against the Saints while the offense has been average. Love “has played reasonably well despite being without several difference-makers on offense.”

USA Today: 15th

Last week: 12th

Nate Davis admired the Packers’ “grit” for playing through so many injuries, though the Packers dropped three spots in his rankings.

Pro Football Network: 17th

Last week: 23rd

Dalton Miller saluted Rashan Gary for his three-sack performance, one of which altered the course of the game when he knocked Derek Carr from the game. “Jordan Love and the Packers offense played their worst game of the season, but the Saints defense is no pushover. Although this game may look slightly different with a healthy Derek Carr for four quarters, Love and the Packers offense battled their way back late to complete the comeback.”

Week 4 Matchup: Packers (2-1) at Lions (2-1)

On Thursday night, the Packers will host the Detroit Lions in a battle of NFC North front-runners. The Lions, who are 1.5-point favorites, have an average ranking of 6.9. Their range is No. 6 at USA Today to No. 10 at CBS Sports.

The Lions are eighth at Sports Illustrated. Wrote Conor Orr: “Jared Goff’s throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown before the half was a thing of beauty, and emblematic of the fact that he’s a legitimate top-10 passer in this league. … While Goff’s fourth quarter interception was costly, Dan Campbell could finally lean on a situation where his defense could provide the counter punch.”

More Green Bay Packers News

Bad: The #Packers' running game.
Not bad: The #Lions' run defense.@JacobWestendorf has the story.https://t.co/A9rReKYpdV

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 26, 2023

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