2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Rams claim top spot, Steelers and Bears plummet

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a third quarter touchdown throw by Matthew Stafford #9 in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a third quarter touchdown throw by Matthew Stafford #9 in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
New York Jets. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Rams take the No. 1 spot in new 2021 NFL Power Rankings after upending the Buccaneers while the proud Steelers and Bears are plummeting. 

Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season brought with it plenty of anticipation. Fans were excited to see how the top teams in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams, face one another. Moreover, we were looking forward to the debut of Justin Fields, a huge Chiefs-Chargers matchup in the AFC West, and much more.

From record-breaking field goals to multiple games coming down to one final possession, NFL Week 3 delivered on the excitement we had for Sunday’s action. Now, it’s time to see how that affects the way the league stacks up to one another.

Who’s rising and who’s falling in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings coming out of Week 3 and entering Week 4? Let’s find out, starting with a new team at the bottom of the hierarchy.

New 2021 NFL Power Rankings entering Week 4

. Previous: 31st. New York Jets. 32. team. 30.

Not that the New York Jets were far off to begin with but Robert Saleh’s club now drops to the bottom spot in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings. But really, there isn’t an argument remaining at this point for them to possibly be any higher than this.

On Sunday, the Jets went on the road to Denver and got flat-out embarrassed by the Broncos. There wasn’t a single phase of the game in which New York looked competent. Zach Wilson’s struggles continued as he went only 19-of-35 for 160 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. And the offensive line continued to not do him any favors as they surrendered five sacks.

But beyond that, the ground game managed only 3.3 yards per carry, the defense had exactly zero answers to anything the home team wanted to do and, all told, the Jets looked as if they would be more comfortable playing against college teams than quality NFL teams.

There is a case to be made that injuries have adversely affected Gang Green this season but, even still, a season that was supposed to be optimistic has decisively not been that so far.