By Matt Conner

– Editor

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Oct 4, 2011 – What a fantastic weekend in the NFL once again with several games that surprised, but none more so than the incredible Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions match-up. The comeback by Detroit has the Motor City overjoyed while Jerry Jones and his team are trying to figure out what’s wrong (besides Tony Romo, of course). In other games, the Baltimore Ravens continue to show they might just be the best team in the NFL, while the Rams might just be the worst. No one knows what is wrong in St. Louis.

That said, it’s time for another Power Rankings after Week Four in the NFL. Check it out below:

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0) - The Packers were such a great story last year as the No. 6 playoff, but now there’s no denying their dominance over all.

2. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) – They’ve only allowed 57 points all season, second to Titans, and the offense can go high octane.

3. New England Patriots (3-1) – Brady and Belichick responded as we predicted and should win 12 games this year.

4. New Orleans Saints (3-1) - Defense needs a dominant performance at some point to believe they can go all the way. Upcoming Buccaneers game in Week 6 should provide chance.

5. Detroit Lions (4-0) – Cowboys beat themselves on this one and Lions should be 3-1. Still Stafford-to-Johnson looks historically good. 

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) – Good Monday night win for a quarterback who will undoubtedly be featured in primetime for years to come.

7. Buffalo Bills (3-1) - The Bengals clearly found a weakness, because the Bills defense kept this one close. The offense was inept at every turn.

8. Houston Texans (3-1) – Loss of Andre Johnson hurts prolific offense, but defense played great against Steelers.

9. San Diego Chargers (3-1) – Chargers have only scored 6 more points than they’ve allowed, worst of any division leader.

10. Tennessee Titans (3-1) - Least points allowed in NFL shows Mike Munchak’s stamp on team. If they beat Pittsburgh on Sunday, everyone will be talking about Titans as sleepers. You heard it here first.

11. New York Jets (2-2) - Rex Ryan is full of hot air, but that’s no surprise. What is surprising is that his team might be as well. 

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) – Tied with Browns and Bengals in AFC West with Big Ben injured. Upcoming games against Jags and Cardinals are just what they need. 

13. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) – Win against Eagles doesn’t look so hot. Neither does Sunday’s two point win over Seahawks.

14. Oakland Raiders (2-2) – Schizophrenic team needs defense to become consistent. Dangerous enough to win AFC West and then some. Could also finish 8-8 again.

15. New York Giants (3-1) - Despite significant injuries on defensive side of the ball, the G-Men have adjusted impressively.  

16. San Francisco 49ers (3-1) - They play Buccaneers and Lions next two weeks. That should even out the schedule, but it’s clear Jim Harbaugh is working some magic in the Bay Area.

17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) – Season is going down the drain, but NFC East isn’t looking good either. Things will come together soon starting this week for Eagles.

18. Chicago Bears (2-2) – Played Panthers a bit too close. Showdown with Lions this week will turn Bears season one way or the other.

19. Dallas Cowboys (2-2) - There’s absolutely no reason for the Cowboys to have lost Sunday. Horrible coaching and quarterback play will kill a team’s chances down the stretch.

20. Washington Redskins (3-1) – Do not be fooled by ridiculously easy schedule (including upcoming games with Panthers, Eagles). This is not even a .500 team.

21. Cleveland Browns (2-2) – If they don’t take advantage of easy front half of schedule, they’ll end up 5-11 on season.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) – Andy Dalton might or might not be the next Carson Palmer, but the defense absolutely ate the Bills for lunch on Sunday.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) – Great work by Matt Cassel in face of doubters and Vikings defense. Chiefs play winless Colts next week, so heading toward .500 could come soon.

24. Carolina Panthers (1-3) - Defensive woes are going to keep this powerful offense at bay all season.

25. Denver Broncos (1-3) - Von Miller with two more sacks in losing effort. That will be the same headline all season. 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) – Gabbert showed strong signs of life on Sunday but there’s a long way to go. This team could contend in the AFC South but not with a rookie QB.

27. Arizona Cardinals (1-3) - Cardinals came close against Giants and should enjoy feasting on the Vikings’ carcass this weekend.

28. Minnesota Vikings (0-4) – Loss to Chiefs cements fact that Vikings are indeed as bad as their record. Hard to believe with Jared Allen, Adrian Peterson and company.

29. Indianapolis Colts (0-4) - Curtis Painter on the road tells you all you need to know. If not for superhuman efforts by Pierre Garcon, they would have looked horrible.

30. Miami Dolphins (0-4) – Sparano out in a few weeks. It won’t matter who they bring in.

31. Seattle Seahawks (1-3) - Tarvaris Jackson couldn’t get job done. Surprise anyone?

32. St. Louis Rams (0-4) - The team lost Danny Amendola. Not Johnny Unitas. Steve Spagnuolo has allowed the wheels to fall off of this one.

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The 2011 NFL preseason will begin Thursday night with several games, including the Baltimore Ravens of the AFC North against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here are five preseason storylines this weekend:

1. Cleveland Browns unveil new offense, defense against Super Bowl champs

Analysis: Cleveland could not pick a better measuring stick for a preseason opener. The Browns will debut their new West Coast offense and 4-3 defense against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay is the NFL’s top preseason team, according to ESPN.com’s Power Rankings. Many eyes will be on Cleveland second-year quarterback Colt McCoy. The 2011 season is huge for McCoy to prove he’s the future of the franchise. His season-long journey starts Saturday at Browns Stadium.

2. Andy Dalton era begins for Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis made Carson Palmer wait a full season to make his first NFL start. But Lewis believes his team is ready to be led by a rookie quarterback in 2011. Second-round pick Andy Dalton will get his first career start for the Bengals Friday against the Detroit Lions. Lewis said the young offense will play longer than expected for a preseason opener.

3. Baltimore Ravens LB Sergio Kindle makes debut

Analysis: Kindle was Baltimore’s prized draft pick in 2010. But a fractured skull last summer ended his rookie season. Kindle will make his debut one year later against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens hope Kindle stays healthy and improves their pass rush. Baltimore had just 27 sacks in 16 games last season.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers evaluate young players

Analysis: The reigning AFC champions do not have anything to prove in the preseason. Pittsburgh’s opener is more for evaluating young players. The Steelers took advantage of the preseason last year. They gave plenty of reps to inexperienced players Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. By midseason, this trio contributed to Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl run. This year the Steelers want extended looks at rookies such as defensive end Cameron Heyward, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert and cornerback Curtis Brown to see if they can eventually earn spots in the rotation.