Week 4 of the NFL season revealed plenty. With basically a quarter of the schedule complete, the league’s hierarchy is beginning to take shape. Here is how the teams stack up heading into Week 5.
32. Tennessee Titans (0-4)
Weekly Change: Down 1
The Titans have been the most depressing team to watch this season. The offense has no rhythm and the defense, while feisty, cannot carry the load by itself. This team looks destined to spiral toward another first overall draft pick, which would make it back-to-back seasons. Not a lot to be optimistic about in Nashville these days.
31. New Orleans Saints (0-4)
Weekly Change: Up 1
The Saints climb a spot only because of Tennessee’s incompetence. They were competitive against Buffalo and have kept three of their four losses close. A thin roster has at least shown effort, which reflects well on first-year coach Kellen Moore.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 2
This ranking may seem harsh for a .500 team, but the Jake Browning-led Bengals have looked like one of the league’s worst groups. They have been outscored 76–13 over the past two weeks and Zac Taylor’s job could be in serious trouble if things do not turn around quickly.
29. New York Jets (0-4)
Weekly Change: Up 1
The Jets delivered another week of sloppy defense and inconsistent offense. The lone bright spot continues to be Garrett Wilson, who is doing his best to get into the superstar wideout conversation. Beyond him, there is simply not much to celebrate.
28. Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Weekly Change: Down 6
The Panthers followed a strong divisional win over Atlanta with their worst showing of the year, a 42–13 loss to New England. They continue to cause fans to scratch their heads in confusion. There is little consistency from one week to the next and until they establish any rhythm offensively, they will live near the bottom.
27. New York Giants (1-3)
Weekly Change: Up 2
The Giants beat a superior opponent behind an improved defense and a promising performance from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Yet the celebration was muted by the season-ending injury to star receiver Malik Nabers. His loss is a crushing blow. From here, the story of the season is how Dart progresses in his first year.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
Weekly Change: Down 2
The Raiders keep finding new ways to beat themselves. Geno Smith threw three interceptions this week, and their special teams collapsed as they allowed a blocked field goal at the end of the game. At least rookie Ashton Jeanty showed flashes of the talent that made him a top ten draft pick back in April.
25. Cleveland Browns (1-3)
Weekly Change: Up 2
Joe Flacco under center remains uninspiring. This terrible offense is sadly wasting what has been a fairly strong defense thus far. The Browns hung in against Detroit but ultimately had no chance to keep pace. Until there is significant improvement at the quarterback position, Cleveland will struggle to win games
24. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
Weekly Change: Up 2
Miami finally notched their first win of the year and looked decent doing so, albeit against the 0-4 New York Jets. continues to battle but has little to show for it. The bad news from that game was they lost WR Tyreek Hill for the season after a serious leg injury. This team isn’t bottom five in the league and will fight to compete in most games, but they aren’t a serious playoff threat either.
23. New England Patriots (2-2)
Weekly Change: Up 2
New England is trending up. Drake Maye looks poised and the defense is getting sharper under Mike Vrabel. A trip to Buffalo looms, and if they win there, the AFC East will be forced to take notice. Until then, I’m cautiously optimistic and think a potential run at the playoffs is this team’s ceiling.
22. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1)
Weekly Change: Down 1
Because of their porous defense, Dallas sadly has to score 30 points a game to keep up with any opponent, and even then it isn’t always enough. Scoring 40 against the Packers and still walking away with a tie was an indictment of how flawed this roster really is. Unless the defense miraculously improves, playoff hopes will fade fast.
21. Chicago Bears (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 4
Chicago won a game it should have, but did little to impress in the process. After what seemed like it could be a breakout performance against Dallas, QB Caleb Williams regressed. The fact that they found ways to win the game though is promising, and I continue to be a big believer in Ben Johnson. They now get a bye week to rest before visiting the Commanders for a Monday Night contest.
20. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Weekly Change: Up 3
The Falcons bounced back from their scoreless effort against Carolina, but the defense looked vulnerable against a Washington offense missing its quarterback and top receiver. This has been a maddeningly inconsistent team so far, but if both sides of the ball click together, Atlanta could surprise in the playoff race.
19. Houston Texans (1-3)
Weekly Change: Neutral
C.J. Stroud looked like his rookie-year self in a shutout of Tennessee. The defense was strong again, and if the offense can be just average, Houston can rise in the standings. A critical matchup between two of the more disappointing teams this season awaits as Houston travels to Baltimore this weekend.
18. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 4
Minnesota was competitive but could not get past Pittsburgh. Carson Wentz played decently despite two unlucky interceptions. When J.J. McCarthy returns, the Vikings will have a decision to make about which quarterback leads the team. My money is on O’Connell handing the reins back to McCarthy to see what the kid has.
17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
It looked ugly early against Seattle, but Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. finally clicked in the second half to make it close. A 23–20 loss is no disaster, and the offensive spark offers reason for optimism. All four of their games have been decided by one score or less, so they are certainly competitive and now they get to host a struggling Titans team.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 4
This was Pittsburgh’s most complete game of the season. The defense has rebounded and the offense continues to be surprisingly efficient behind a past-his-prime Aaron Rodgers. With Baltimore and Cincinnati reeling, the AFC North is suddenly theirs for the taking.
15. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
Weekly Change: Neutral
Injuries continue to pile up which is concerning, but this team is 3-1 and they will be competitive in every game they play. Their toughness and coaching are keeping them afloat until key players return.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 4
Jacksonville has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. HC Liam Coen’s revitalized running game, led by Travis Etienne, is thriving and Josh Hines-Allen is wreaking havoc on defense. A huge test against Kansas City comes next.
13. Denver Broncos (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
Denver bounced back by demolishing Cincinnati. Bo Nix looked sharp as he delivered his best performance of the year and the defense shut the Bengals down, only allowing three points. To stay in the AFC West mix, both units must maintain that level week to week.
12. Baltimore Ravens (1-3)
Weekly Change: Down 7
Injuries are threatening to derail the season. Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Ronnie Stanley, and Lamar Jackson all went down this week. If Jackson misses significant time, Baltimore could unravel quickly.
11. Washington Commanders (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
The defense continues to disappoint, giving up 34 to an Atlanta team that had been shut out the week before. The offense is managing without Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin, but the defense must tighten up for the Commanders to stay afloat.
10. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 3
Seattle has momentum. The Geno Smith-to-Sam Darnold switch has paid off, the defense has given up the second least amount of points in the league so far, and the offensive playmakers are producing. Their running game with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet has been effective, but the real star has been Jaxson Smith-Njigba. He is second in the NFL in receiving yards after four weeks. This is a dangerous team and should be viewed as legitimate contenders.
9. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
The Colts nearly beat the Rams and would have if not for two costly errors by rookie Adonai Mitchell. This remains the most positively surprising team of the young season, and in a weak division, the Colts and Jags should battle for the crown.
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
Weekly Change: Down 5
After looking like the league’s best team in September, Green Bay has stumbled with a loss to Cleveland and a tie against Dallas. The offense rebounded this week, but the defense allowed 40 points. They must rediscover their early-season form to dethrone the Lions in the division.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)
Weekly Change: Neutral
The Chargers dropped their first game of the year in a surprise loss to the Giants. Road slips happen often in this league, but this could be the one they look back on with regret when playoff seeding is decided.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
Tampa Bay battled in the second half after trailing 24–6 at the break. They fell short but showed resilience and grit. I’m still not fully sold on this team going forward, but WR Emeka Egbuka has been a fun breakout rookie to watch and the Bucs’ performance thus far earns them this ranking.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)
Weekly Change: Up 4
Stop the obituaries stat. The Chiefs finally had an offensive breakout, scoring 37 points. Xavier Worthy’s return added much-needed explosiveness and the defense frustrated Baltimore until injuries took over. Kansas City looked like itself again and the AFC should start worrying.
4. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
Puka Nacua continues to shine as he leads the league in receiving yards. Matthew Stafford and the defense also delivered against Indianapolis. The Rams are firmly in the contender conversation if they stay healthy.
3. Detroit Lions (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 1
Detroit took care of Cleveland in a game that was closer than the 34–10 score suggested. The Lions lead the league in scoring and are top half in total defense. That is a deadly combination for foes and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Lions vault to #1 in these rankings soon.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-0)
Weekly Change: Neutral
Buffalo stayed unbeaten by handling New Orleans. The result was never in doubt, but tougher tests are ahead. The resemblance to Detroit is scary as the Bills are the second highest scoring team in the league and they are 11th in total defense. Philly is #1 for a reason, but Buffalo and Detroit could easily be on a Super Bowl collision course.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
Weekly Change: Neutral
The Eagles can win any type of game. If they need to throw, no problem. Want a grind-it out running game instead? Sure thing. Low-scoring battles or high flying shootouts, it doesn’t matter to this team. The Lions and Bills are hot on their heels, but Philadelphia is currently the most complete team in football and earns our top spot.
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