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NFL Week 4 Wrap: Contenders and pretenders

Rob Woodfork | rwoodfork@wtop.com

October 4, 2016, 1:42 AM

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Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, right, celebrates with teammates Zach Line, center, and Alex Boone, left, after scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
The first quarter of the 2016 NFL season is a wrap and we have just three teams that remain unbeaten. Last year, we had six undefeated teams after four weeks with two of them eventually advancing to the Super Bowl and one of them (Atlanta) missing the postseason altogether. So it’s a fun exercise to separate the contenders from the pretenders. And I think we all know I’m all about fun. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos: Contender I completely underrated the defending champs before the season and it’s a mistake I won’t make again this season. The Broncos defense is still dominant and deep, and Trevor Siemian and/or Paxton Lynch are better than Peyton Manning was at any point last season. I’m not ready to put them ahead of New England (what Manning lacked in arm last year he made up for in experience neither Siemian or Lynch have), but the Denver D gives them a great chance to become the first repeat Super Bowl champion in 12 years. (Getty Images/Patrick Smith)
Getty Images/Patrick Smith
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, center, celebrates with teammates Stefon Diggs, left, and quarterback Sam Bradford, right, after catching an 8-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings: Contender Maybe the seemingly desperate Vikings weren’t fleeced in the Sam Bradford trade after all. Bradford is the only former No. 1 overall pick QB with a winning record this season and he’s made a seamless — and seemingly effortless — transition to Norv Turner’s offense. Much like Denver, Minnesota has a world class defense that’s managed to shut down the last two MVPs (Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton) in consecutive weeks and they continue to run the ball well without Adrian Peterson. A favorable remaining schedule almost ensures the Vikings a playoff spot and probably another division title — and their defense makes them the early favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LI. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 34-3. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles: Pretender I know, I know … I just said last week this team looks like a great Steelers team of yesteryear and the win over Pittsburgh certainly turned heads. But wins over the Browns and Bears are supposed to be a given and I’m not yet sold that Carson Wentz will stay hot when they host the Vikings and travel to face the Seahawks, Bengals and Ravens. The Eagles will win the NFC East, but I can’t see them beating the likes of Minnesota, Green Bay or Seattle in the wild card round with a rookie QB/head coach tandem. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
AP Photo/Michael Perez
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Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, right, celebrates with teammates Zach Line, center, and Alex Boone, left, after scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, center, celebrates with teammates Stefon Diggs, left, and quarterback Sam Bradford, right, after catching an 8-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 34-3. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.

rwoodfork@wtop.com

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