NFL Power Rankings: Top Ten After Week Four

Sep 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) in the final seconds in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

4. New England Patriots (4-0):

I finally feel like this is validated. I asked the Patriots fans that follow me on Twitter where exactly they should be placed last week, and for the most part, I got “The Patriots need to be in front of the Chiefs!” or, “The Patriots at three, definitely.”, and as much as I would’ve liked to put them at either spot last week, I’m tentative ranking “my” team so high, when I think they could’ve improved on so many things. Well I’m convinced now, that was a very impressive win over a very good Falcons team, despite their record of 1-2 entering the Sunday Night Football showdown. Aqib Talib went full on beast mode after he shut down Julio Jones and Roddy White, in fact Matt Ryan was only 1-10 throwing at Talib Sunday night, for a single yard. Brady and his receivers continued to make huge strides, as Thompkins has begun to show the promise that everyone saw in the preseason. The big question moving forward is injuries. Aaron Dobson went down with a neck/head injury when he got hit on a redzone attempt, and did not return. Of course the big one is Vince Wilfork, arguably the most important player not named Brady, who suffered a torn Achilles and will most likely miss the entire season as a result. The Patriots stepped up in a huge way against the Falcons with the lights on bright, and should serve as notice to the rest of the league, that they are a legit threat.