NFL Power Rankings after the first quarter of the 2019 season

#29 New York Jets (0-3)

This season simply has been disappointing for the Jets

Let’s start with the positive here – The Jets did not lose this weekend. Of course, that only was because they didn’t play anybody and right now it seems like half their wins will come in divisional matchups against the Dolphins. This is the first time I can remember an NFL quarterback being out with mono.

So the circumstances are very uncommon, but in general this season simply has been disappointing for the Jets. They have scored just one touchdown on offense and most of the big names on defense haven’t been healthy.

For a team a lot of people thought would be competing for a wildcard spot with all the additions they made through the offseason, it feels like their season is over already. With that being said, Sam Darnold has just been cleared for non-contact drills and his tight-end Chris Herndon will be coming back from his suspension in week six.

The offense will kick in a completely different gear soon and despite facing some pretty good teams at less than full strength, the defense has forced seven turnovers. I never thought this was the year to turn things around for Gang Green, but they should win a few games here going forward.

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#30 Cincinnati Bengals (0-4)

Whoever was excited about the Bengals with the new coaching staff and after almost winning in Seattle in week one, all the air is out now with that 27-3 loss at Pittsburgh.

The Bengals offensive line is an absolute mess right now with 19 sacks allowed, they are dead-last in rushing yards despite having a talented back like Joe Mixon in the backfield and they won’t have A.J. Green for another couple of weeks.

On defense they have surrendered 20 plays of 20+ yards and they are tied with a few other teams behind the Dolphins with a turnover differential of -5.

On Monday Night, they could not stop the outside run game by the Steelers with all those jet sweeps, they turned the ball over both times the fought their win into the red-zone and their only score was set up by a Pittsburgh fumble.

Right now, the Bengals are favored by 3.5 points at home versus the Cardinals in the battle of winless, but I would go Arizona at this point. I think they need to draft a quarterback next year if Ryan Finley doesn’t show signs and get that O-line back together.

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#31 Washington Redskins (0-4)

I understand that Jay Gruden should be scared about losing his job and that he has to do everything to extend his stint in DC, but putting Dwayne Haskins in that game against the Giants midway through the second quarter was just wrong.

It was unfair to expect anything from the rookie being thrown in the fire, when he needed some more time on the bench or at least be able to prepare for being a starter. I know Haskins’ stat line doesn’t look good with those three INTs, but if Jabrill Peppers wasn’t so physically superior to Jeremy Sprinkle, it should have been one touchdown more and a pick less.

The other two came on a jump-ball at the sideline and off a dropped ball by Vernon Davis. So nothing to make the fans get nervous about, if they handle the young QB accordingly going forward. More disappointing to me the is the 31st-ranked rushing attack and the defense being dead-last in third-down conversion percentage.

This season is pretty much over for Washington, but two things they should be excited about – the emergence of rookie Terry McLaurin as a WR1 and a good group of potential new head coach candidates, The bad part? – The Patriots are coming to town. Ouch.

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#32 Miami Dolphins (0-4)

This is the most egregious tanking job we have seen in pro football. The Dolphins don’t even really deserve to be talked about at this point, ranking 31st in offensive yards and 32nd in yards allowed.

They are also dead-last in both points scored and suffered, that point differential is leading the way by a hefty margin and have the worst plus-minus in turnovers. Not saying it’s the players’ fault, but it is just a horrible sighting and I hope they win a game accidentally to make that whole project go to waste.