NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Ranking All 32 Teams From Worst To First Ahead Of Week 4

Week 3 is in the books. These are the 32 teams, ranked from worst to first.

Many expected Week 3 to make the early-season NFL picture clearer. Instead, in many instances, things are murkier than ever. With that said, here are all 32 teams, ranked from worst to first.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)

Last Week: 47-10 (L) @ Bills
Next Week: @ Texans

After two disappointing close losses to start the season, Jacksonville went into Buffalo needing to win, or at least to play well if they wanted to salvage their season. Instead, the defense gave up five straight touchdowns to start the game, Trevor Lawrence was hilariously outplayed by Josh Allen, and it’s clear as day this is a broken franchise in need of new direction. They’ve lost 8 of their last 9 games dating back to last year and are officially a very bad football team.

31. New England Patriots (1-2)

Last Week: 24-3 (L) @ Jets
Next Week: @ 49ers

Remember that Week 1 upset of the Cincinnati Bengals? All of that goodwill is gone after a blowout loss at the hand of the Jets. Much of that defense that stymied the Bengals is injured, and the offense certainly isn’t going to beat anyone with explosive plays. We saw our first taste of Drake Maye at the end of the Jets game, and it’s time we see more.

30. Tennessee Titans (0-3)

Last Week: 30-14 (L) @ Packers
Next Week: Vs. Dolphins

The Tennessee Titans are playing a little better than their 0-3 record suggests. But, quarterback Will Levis keeps having at least one backbreaking turnover a game that makes it so much tougher to win. This is a team that doesn’t have enough talent to make up for such colossal mistakes. They’re sticking by Levis for now, but how much longer will that be the case?

29. Carolina Panthers (1-2)

Last Week: 36-22 (W) Vs. Raiders
Next Week: @ Bengals

The Panthers were the worst team in the league by a significant margin in the first two weeks of the season. But, a quarterback change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton made everyone, on both sides of the ball look so much better. Dalton played great, the offensive line held up, and the playmakers around him made plays. That allowed the defense to be put in much better situations than Young had put them in, and they made plays on that side of the ball, as well. Was it an aberration, or a sign of things to come?

28. Miami Dolphins (1-2)

Last Week: 24-3 (L) Vs. Seahawks
Next Week: @ Titans

Last year, the Dolphins had arguably the league’s best offense and were fringe Super Bowl contenders for much of the year. This year, they’re down to their third-string quarterback, Tim Boyle, after three weeks, and look destined for a top-five pick if Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t return from his concussion. Frankly, even if Tagovailoa plans on returning to the NFL, he should wait until next season. By the time he gets back, given the issues Miami has, they will be well out of the playoff picture.

27. Denver Broncos (1-2)

Last Week: 26-7 (W) @ Buccaneers
Next Week: @ Jets

In a week full of stunning results, the Broncos’ demolition of the Buccaneers may be the biggest shock. Bo Nix played well, the Broncos got to an early lead, and never looked back. The season is all about the progress of Nix and a young defense. Both took steps forward on Sunday. That’s just as important as getting into the win column.

26. New York Giants (1-2)

Last Week: 21-15 (W) @ Browns
Next Week: Vs. Cowboys

Malik Nabers is officially a star. The young wide receiver caught two more touchdowns passes from Daniel Jones, who looks at least mediocre for the second-straight week. And, the pass rush the franchise has invested so much in showed up in a big way, making life tough for Deshaun Watson all game long. After a disastrous opening kickoff that resulted in a Giants fumble, they dominated Cleveland for four quarters.

25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

Last Week: 36-22 (L) @ Panthers
Next Week: Vs. Browns

Heading into a game against the lowly Panthers, it seemed likely the Raiders would get to 2-1. Instead, they looked nothing like the team that beat Baltimore in Week 2 and made Andy Dalton look like an All-Pro quarterback. I understand why the franchise hired Antonio Pierce. But, it probably wasn’t the right decision long-term.

24. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

Last Week: 20-13 (L) @ Lions
Next Week: Vs. Commanders

The Cardinals are doing a lot of good things, and are playing hard for Jonathan Gannon. But, against a team as good as any in the trenches on both sides like the Lions, it became clear just how much rebuilding they still need to do up front as they move ahead. That being said, it was a third-straight encouraging game from Kyler Murray.

23. Cleveland Browns (1-2)

Last Week: 21-15 (L) Vs. Giants
Next Week: @ Raiders

Data came out on Twitter that had Deshaun Watson as the least efficient quarterback of any Browns starter in the first three games dating back to 1999. Consider who they’ve started at quarterback. That’s quite the indictment. But, you’d think that the rest of the roster would be good enough to beat the Giants. Instead, they were considerably outplayed. If they can’t run the ball effectively, Deshaun Watson certainly won’t save them. Apparently, neither will the defense.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)

Last Week: 38-33 (L) Vs. Commanders
Next Week: Vs. Panthers

It’s getting hard to still believe in the Bengals, a team that now has home losses to the Commanders and Patriots. The good news is Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase are operating at the peak of their powers, so to speak. The bad news is that they lost anyways, and the defense couldn’t force a rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense to punt or turn the ball over one time. No team has ever won the Super Bowl after an 0-3 start.

21. Chicago Bears (1-2)

Last Week: 21-16 (L) @ Colts
Next Week: Vs. Rams

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is doing the worst job in the league through three games, and Caleb Williams’ development is suffering because of that. Watch the league’s best offenses. They’re running the ball well under center, using play action effectively, and moving protections for easy throws. The Bears offense is doing none of that, and it’s costing a defense that is playing well wins.

20. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)

Last Week: 21-16 (W) Vs. Bears
Next Week: Vs. Steelers

The Colts needed to win to avoid an 0-3 start, and they did just that. But, serious questions remain not only about Anthony Richardson, but about the way that Shane Steichen is calling plays for him. It seems like Steichen seemed more comfortable calling plays for Gardner Minshew last year than he’s been calling plays for Richardson this year. On the plus side, they ran the ball well, and stifled the Chicago run game to under 3 yards per carry.

19. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)

Last Week: 28-25 (L) Vs. Ravens
Next Week: @ Giants

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh and his staff bet heavily on the Dallas Cowboys being soft on defense and they were right. Baltimore ran the ball at will against a Dallas team that was down 28-6 before a late rally. With the run game back in vogue in the NFL this year, if the Cowboys don’t learn to stop the run, they’re in big trouble.

18. Washington Commanders (2-1)

Last Week: 38-33 (W) @ Bengals
Next Week: @ Cardinals

Yes, the Commanders defense might be the league’s worst, and failed to force a punt against the Bengals. But, if Jayden Daniels keeps playing like he did Monday night, they’re going to be competitive in a lot of games. Daniels had more total touchdowns (3) than incompletions (2). He’s unlocking a talented group of pass-catchers, too. Overall, they’re more fun than good, but Dan Quinn has his team playing hard.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)

Last Week: 20-10 (L) @ Steelers
Next Week: Vs. Chiefs

At full strength, I think the Chargers can cause issues for a lot of teams with their ability to run the ball and rush the passer, coupled with a good head coach and excellent quarterback play. But, both starting tackles in stars Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are already hurt, Justin Herbert is limited, and a team seemingly always dealing with injuries is starting to fall apart.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)

Last Week: 26-7 (L) Vs. Broncos
Next Week: @ Eagles

Through two weeks, the Buccaneers looked like one of the NFL’s best teams. But, Week 3 was a disaster in all facets at home against a bad Denver team. Football coaches will talk about a game where they “bury the tape”. That’s what Todd Bowles is going to want to do to this film prior to a huge matchup against the Eagles.

15. Los Angeles Rams (1-2)

Last Week: 27-24 (W) Vs. 49ers
Next Week: @ Bears

No team was closer to 0-3, only to avoid that fate, than the Rams were. Without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and trailing 21-7 and 24-14, things were bleak. But, Matthew Stafford took over, they got a missed field goal from Jake Moody, and a big special teams play helped them come back to beat their divisional rivals. They’ve got to stay afloat while they wait for Kupp, Nacua, and a few key defensive players to come back. Sunday was a big step to doing just that.

14. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)

Last Week: 22-17 (L) Vs. Chiefs
Next Week: Vs. Saints

Yes, they’re under .500, but this is a team and offense gelling right before our eyes. A missed pass interference call likely cost them a huge win over the Chiefs, and Kirk Cousins is looking more comfortably weekly. He got Drake London and Kyle Pitts involved, which is going to be crucial. This weekend’s game feels like a big one, but they’re on the trajectory to win it.

13. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)

Last Week: 28-25 (W) @ Cowboys
Next Week: Vs. Bills

The Ravens tried to find a way to lose on Sunday, nearly blowing a 28-6 lead. But, Lamar Jackson made the plays needed to win in the four-minute offense at the end of the game. Before that, it was an outstanding run game and strong play of safety Kyle Hamilton that got them that huge lead. Leaning on Derrick Henry and building the offense around that may be the winning plan moving forward.

12. New Orleans Saints (2-1)

Last Week: 15-12 (L) Vs. Eagles
Next Week: @ Falcons

The offense came back to earth after averaging over 40 points a contest through two weeks in a big way. But, the Saints played well enough to win once again, and would have won had two defenders not crashed into each other on a mesh concept from the Eagles on the game’s biggest plays. They’re probably not as good as they looked the first two weeks, but they certainly appear to be a solid team.

11. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)

Last Week: 27-24 (L) @ Rams
Next Week: Vs. Patriots

The San Francisco 49ers could absolutely still win the Super Bowl. But, it’s hard not to be a little discouraged after the second-straight game where the defense looked vulnerable and the offense didn’t come through in the clutch. With news that Christian McCaffrey is seeing a German specialist regarding his sore Achilles, things are getting dicey by the Bay.

10. Seattle Seahawks (3-0)

Last Week: 24-3 (W) Vs. Dolphins
Next Week: @ Lions

The Seahawks are 3-0, and are only not higher because of a lack of strength of schedule so far. But, this is a team that’s doing everything they need to do so far. Geno Smith looks great, Zach Charbonnet is filling in well for Kenneth Walker, Charles Cross looks like a superstar at left tackle, and the defense is playing much better under new head coach Mike MacDonald.

9. Houston Texans (2-1)

Last Week: 34-7 (L) @ Vikings
Next Week: Vs. Jaguars

The Texans looked like world-beaters the first two weeks of the season, but Week 3 was a big step back. For one of the first times in his young career, CJ Stroud looked flummoxed at times by Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota. Defensively, the Vikings moved the ball at will at times. Games like this are going to happen in the NFL, especially to young teams. But, they can’t become a trend.

8. New York Jets (2-1)

Last Week: 24-3 (W) Vs. Patriots
Next Week: Vs. Broncos

Like Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers is getting more and more comfortable playing with his surgically repaired Achilles each week. With Rodgers already playing at a Pro Bowl level in Week 3, that’s a scary thought. Speaking of scary thoughts, teams have to deal with one of the best two-headed running back monsters in the league in Breece Hall and rookie star Braelon Allen. There’s not much to garner from a defense shutting down a terrible New England offense. But, the offense is taking steps forward.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

Last Week: 15-12 (W) @ Saints
Next Week: Vs. Buccaneers

A week after dropping a game-clinching pass, Saquon Barkley redeemed himself with a huge game, accounting for over 150 yards of offense. Dallas Goedert did the same, with a large chunk of that coming on a crucial catch and run on the team’s final possession when his defender got caught up in the mesh concept the team ran. This time, unlike Week 2, the defense got the winning stop in the two-minute drill. Questions remain about the decision-making of Head Coach Nick Sirianni, but 2-1 is 2-1.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)

Last Week: 20-10 (W) Vs. Chargers
Next Week: @ Colts

The Steelers tripled the amount of offensive touchdowns this season, going from 1 through two weeks to 3 through three weeks. But, Justin Fields is playing much better than those numbers suggest, and the defense is simply nasty. Nick Herbig is playing lights-out across from TJ Watt, forming the league’s best pass-rushing duo. It will be interesting when they have to play from behind. But, playing from ahead, they’re one of the league’s best teams.

5. Green Bay Packers (2-1)

Last Week: 30-14 (W) Vs. Titans
Next Week: Vs. Vikings

No Jordan Love, no problem. The Green Bay Packers are setting Malik Willis up for success, proving once again that Matt LaFleur is one of the league’s best coaches. That’s easier to do when you have one of the league’s most well-rounded rosters, which is shining in all facets right now. A huge matchup against the Vikings awaits.

4. Detroit Lions (2-1)

Last Week: 20-13 (W) Vs. Cardinals
Next Week: Vs. Seahawks

The Lions are not doing a good job of turning offensive success into points. But, that will improve, and when it does, look out. Once again, this team dominated in the trenches. Even with Jared Goff looking a little shaky once again, they were firmly in control against Arizona. Arguably the league’s most complete team rebounded well from a stunning Week 2 loss. A week after throwing the ball entirely too much, they ran it twice as much as they threw it against the Cardinals.

3. Minnesota VIkings (3-0)

Last Week: 34-7 (W) Vs. Texans
Next Week: @ Packers

Two straight wins against Super Bowl contenders? Yeah, the Vikings are not a fluke. A lot of it has to do with arguably the best set of play callers in the league in Head Coach/offensive playcaller Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores. O’Connell has Sam Darnold playing like a fringe MVP candidate, they’re running the ball well, and the defense is completely stifling opponents. No matter what happens against Green Bay, the Vikings are for real.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)

Last Week: 22-17 (W) Vs. Falcons
Next Week: @ Chargers

The Chiefs had been number 1 dating back to the preseason. And, it’s not as if they did anything to lose that spot, as the Bills simply took it. But, there are some small reasons for concern. Namely, Travis Kelce needs to get involved in the offense, and Patrick Mahomes has had a sloppy turnover in all three games. In fact, if two calls had gone different, this team could be 1-2. But, they do a great job of putting themselves in positions to win each week, and they know how to win those games. They’re 3-0 with three wins over teams with playoff aspirations and haven’t played well yet. That’s encouraging.

1. Buffalo Bills (3-0)

Last Week: 47-10 (W) Vs. Jaguars
Next Week: @ Ravens

The Buffalo Bills lost plenty of big names over the offseason. Right now, they just appear to be big names, not big losses. Buffalo smacked the Jaguars on Monday night as Josh Allen established himself as about as big of an MVP favorite as one can be before the calendar turns to October. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has the offense humming, the defense is solid at all three levels, and the vibes are high in Buffalo. Once they get star linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano back, the Lombardi Trophy is a very real possibility.