NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Who Is On Top And Who Should Be Looking Towards The Draft?

The 2023 NFL season is starting to take shape through three weeks. What teams look the best, and what teams need to be rethinking the entire franchise?

 

Through three weeks of the 2023 NFL Season, it seems like the best NFL teams have separated themselves even further from the bottom of the league than usual. These power rankings will take you through the league’s top five and bottom five teams as we enter week 4.

This isn’t just sorting teams by record. It’s more-or-less based on who I would favor on a neutral field right now.

28. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

In typical Las Vegas Raiders fashion, this team is falling apart and coming apart at the seams. That 17-16 win in week 1 over the Broncos all of a sudden doesn’t look good at all, and the team has been seriously outplayed the last two weeks by the Bills and the Steelers. A fourth-quarter rally kept the team in that game, but it was stymied by a downright awful coaching decision by Josh McDaniels to kick a field goal down 23-15 with two minutes and change remaining on 4th and 4 from the eight-yard-line.

Off the field, it’s not going much better. Star wideout Davante Adams has made his frustrations known, and outside linebacker Chandler Jones is unfortunately having some very public mental health issues. This is a franchise that needs a serious reboot. Hopefully they can get a true franchise quarterback that Las Vegas can call its own in the upcoming draft.

29. New York Giants (1-2)

It’s hard to believe this team won a playoff game a season ago. Against two of the better teams in the league in Dallas and San Francisco, the Giants have looked completely overmatched, losing by a combined 70-12. It took a miracle to beat the tanking Arizona Cardinals, and this is a roster that simply does not have enough top-end talent at the most important positions.

It’s not the fault of the current regime of head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. Former GM Dave Gettleman set this franchise back significantly with mismanagement. But, they didn’t need to give Daniel Jones $80 million guaranteed. He’s just competent enough to ensure they won’t pick high enough to draft one of the top quarterbacks without having to trade up to do it.

30. Denver Broncos (0-3)

It shows just how bad the bottom of the league is that a team coming off a 70-20 loss is not ranked dead-last. But, that’s where we are with the Denver Broncos, who are somehow worse than last year’s dumpster fire.

Unlike last year, the offense has at least been okay, and has been middle of the pack in most offensive metrics this year. Russell Wilson does look better under head coach Sean Payton.

But, the defense has been downright embarrassing. Even before the 70-point disaster they surrendered against the Dolphins, it’s a unit that gave up a remarkable 35 points to Sam Howell and the Commanders. Many noted that the defense lacked effort and toughness against Miami.

If they don’t find a way to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday, there’s no telling how bad the vibes could get in Denver.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-3)

The franchise gave up a ton of assets to trade up to select Bryce Young with the first pick in April’s draft. But, early returns all around have not been good.

It’s not so much Young’s performance on the field, as it is everything else. He’s thrown the ball pretty accurately, but he has had limited time to throw due to protection and a pretty bad pass-catching unit has been among the league’s worst at creating separation. The diminutive rookie has also already missed his first NFL game, sitting out Monday night’s loss to New Orleans with an ankle injury.

Outside of Young, DE Brian Burns, CB Jaycee Horn and a still-raw LT Ikem Ekwonu, this is a team that does not have talented players at the most important positions. Sadly for them, they gave up their 2024 first-rounder in the trade to get Young.

32. Chicago Bears (0-3)

It’s hard to remember a team in recent memory that has had as big of a disastrous start that had nothing to do with an injury as the Chicago Bears have had.

It starts with quarterback Justin Fields. Many expected the third-year player to take a leap forward this year and become the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be in the first round in 2021. That has not been the case. He’s arguably looked the worst he’s ever looked in his three years, and it seems likely that he is ultimately going to be a bust. The defense is still bad, and the team got embarrassed in front of Taylor Swift by the Kansas Chiefs over the weekend.

Things aren’t any better off-the-field. Justin Fields has already publicly criticized the coaching staff, defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned in disgrace last week over personal conduct, and equipment was even stolen from Soldier Field in a show of Murphy’s Law.

Thankfully for the Bears, they have the Panthers’ first-round-pick to go along with their own. A big influx of talent could be on the way.

5. Buffalo Bills (2-1)

It seems like an eternity has passed since Josh Allen’s four turnovers in Week 1 against the Jets killed the team in 22-16 loss. Since then, the Bills have looked like the Super Bowl contender everyone expects them to be.

The offense is clicking once again, with 75 points in wins over the Raiders and the Commanders. Josh Allen has been doing a much better job of doing what he does best while taking care of the football. But, the big change is the running game has thrived with James Cook having gained over 200 yards in the last two weeks. That’s going to free up guys like Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis down the field for Allen. He’s always been a dangerous passer on play-action, and this will only help.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)

Google “Kansas City Chiefs” and the top news results will be all about the budding relationship between tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. But, the defending Super Bowl Champions have quietly been rounding into form following a disappointing, Kelce-less, loss on opening night to the Detroit Lions.

As long as Andy Reid is calling plays and quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a healthy Kelce, this offense is going to being among the league’s best. But, in last week’s demolition of the Bears, you can see Mahomes start to develop chemistry with young receivers Rashee Rice and and Skyy Moore.

But, the big story for this team is the defense. Getting Chris Jones to agree to a deal to end his holdout after week 1 was a big deal, and the unit has only given up three offensive touchdowns in three games. Young defensive end George Karlaftis looks like one of the league’s breakout stars, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is dialing up pressure from all over. The Chiefs with an elite defense? That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.

3. Miami Dolphins (3-0)

It was hard to rank a team coming off an incredible 726-yard, 70-point performance somewhere other than the top spot. But, I think this team still has something to prove against more physical football teams with similar levels of talent.

That being said, this offense is something else. Everyone wants to go right to Tua Tagovailoa and the passing game. But, they’re averaging over six yards a carry, and Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane appear as if they could be an incredible two-headed monster out of the backfield. Couple in Tua playing like the MVP, and Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill being the perfect wide receivers to benefit from Tagovailoa’s elite anticipation and ball placement, and you’ve got an offense that will give anyone fits.

Defensively, there are holes, but they’re designed with the ability to rush the passer in mind. Bradley Chubb, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jaelen Phillips form one of the league’s most versatile pass-rushing trios. Combine that with excellent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, and it’s not a team you want to be forced to pass against.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)

I think even the most diehard of Eagles fans would concede that the start maybe hasn’t been as pretty as they would have hoped for. But, the bottom line is, this team is one of the few in the league talented enough to not play their best and still handle most teams. And, it starts up front on both sides of the ball.

The offensive line has really settled in, and they’ve dominated their last two games against the Vikings and Bucs. They ran for over 450 yards in those two games, with DeAndre Swift clearly emerging as the best option in a crowded backfield. That’s been able to help cover up Jalen Hurts’ penchant for turning the ball over early on. He has four through three games.

The real star of the show is that unreal defensive front. Teams are going to regret letting Jalen Carter slip to the Eagles at pick nine due to character concerns. He’s immediately established himself as one of the league’s best interior players. Sliding him into a rotation with Jordan Davis and Fletcher Cox on the inside, plus the most pass-rushing options of any team on the outside, and it’a unit that can cover up a lot of flaws on the back 7 of that defense.

1. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

Simply put, this team is a wagon. Kyle Shanahan’s group is the only team in the league with both a top-five offense and defense right now. And, through three weeks, this is the league’s premier team.

Shanahan is known for his offensive genius, but he’s arugably never had this many weapons at his disposal. Christian McCaffrey once again looks like the best running back in the world, and he’s the perfect chess piece for Shanahan to deploy. Partner him with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, all of whom who have great ability to gain yards after the catch, and stopping this offense is a real chore. Brock Purdy is limited, but it doesn’t matter with weapons and a scheme this good. He’s just got to get the ball to them and get out of the way.

Defensively, the addition of prized free agent defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has turned their front up a notch. Reigning DPOY Nick Bosa is back from his holdout, and coupled with Arik Armstead and breakout pass rusher Drake Jackson, and it’s a unit that is starting to rival the Eagles in terms of depth and productivity. All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner makes the whole thing come together, though. Nobody goes sideline-to-sideline better than he does.