NFL Power Rankings heading into 2018’s fourth quarter

#29 Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)

Denver Broncos v Cincinnati Bengals

It is kind of painful to watch the Bengals play. Can you remember that they once were 4-1? It seems like an eternity since they played a really good game. Their defense has already set records for four- and five-game stretches in terms of yards allowed and they are now dead-last in almost every single category. Offensively, they are now without their starting quarterback and star receiver in A.J. Green. Joe Mixon has been a bright spot, because he looks like a true dual-threat at the RB position, but the O-line couldn’t sustain that improvement that they showed early on. At least you should finally get rid of Marvin Lewis Cincinnati! Oh wait, don’t tell me they are seriously considering Hue Jackson?

#30 New York Jets (3-9)

How can your team be 3-9, but your wins came by 31 at Detroit, 18 over Denver and eight versus the Colts? Sam Darnold looked like the real deal early on and I still believe in the kid, because I know he is made of the right stuff and he won’t let this experience bring him down. He has had some very bright moments, but of course, he has been way too careless with the ball at times as well. What is obvious is how poor this roster truly still. They got some receivers, but nobody really jumps out to you. The O-line hasn’t given their quarterbacks a lot of time. The defense has some pieces in Leonard Williams, Darron Lee and Jamal Adams, who is already one of the elite safeties in the game, but they have gone through injuries and just haven’t brought it on a weekly basis.

#31 San Francisco 49ers (2-10)

The 49ers’ season basically ended in week three, when Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a torn ACL. I never thought they would be able to challenge the Rams for the NFC West, but Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are putting together a crew in the Bay Area. They definitely still need some pieces on both sides of the ball, but here are the two bright spots from either one – George Kittle has been the most productive tight-end outside the Travis Kelce/Zach Ertz stratosphere, Matt Breida is averaging 5.6 yards a carry in Shanahan’s zone run game, DeForest Buckner has become one of the game’s most disruptive 3-techniques in the league and Fred Warner’s play has softened the blow of having to give up another gifted young linebacker.

#32 Oakland Raiders (2-10)

Boy, Raiders fans better hope that Jon Gruden and the front office get three amazing players in the first round of April’s draft. Khalil Mack has pretty much been Aaron Donald’s only competition in the race for Defensive Player of the Year and Amari Cooper has completely turned the Cowboys around as a true number one receiver. Early on quarterback Derek Carr looked like another guy, who might be shipped off, but he has not thrown an interception in seven weeks now and he just shredded the Chiefs defense. I don’t nearly see him in the same light I did when he was an MVP candidate two years ago, but Gruden wants to build his offense around a physical rushing attack anyway. Defensively they allow over 30 points a game and with just ten sacks they only have about half of what the next-closest team has. I know it’s hard to find good pass rushers, Jon.