Baltimore Ravens back into top-5 of latest Ebony Bird power rankings

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3-1 (9)

They seem to be getting better on offense every week, and the defense is fun. They have some consistency issues to hammer out, and I’m skeptical of their run game and pass defense, but this team will be a problem if they stay relatively healthy.

7. Tennessee Titans, 3-0 (6)

They need to get their health figured out, but they are good on both sides of the ball, and well-coached.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers, 3-0 (5)

They only dropped because they didn’t play this week. This pass-rush is ferocious, and the big quarterback makes them very dangerous on offense. The Steelers appear to be back, ladies and gentlemen.

5. Baltimore Ravens, 3-1 (7)

They were a little off against Washington but still were able to win without causing much indigestion for their fans.

Here’s the thing about the current Ravens: They have playmakers now, on both sides of the ball. Even when they aren’t clicking all the way, those “special” players can do enough to get a win over an outmatched team. Marlon Humphrey gets a strip. Lamar Jackson makes a highlight run and throws a handful of beautiful passes. Mark Andrews does his thing to get in the end zone.

Things do not have to be perfect for this team to beat most opponents. Of course, “most opponents” don’t make the playoffs. That’s when the team has to be on track. Let’s see how they grow this year.