With Week 4 in the books after Monday night’s action (if you want to call it that), it’s time to take a look at our NFL power rankings going into Week 5, which feature the Buffalo Bills among the teams moving up and the Pittsburgh Steelers among those moving down.
The Bills notched an impressive win over the Miami Dolphins, a team coming off a historic victory last week. After an ugly Week 1 loss, the Bills have erased all doubt about their place among the NFL’s elite.
Meanwhile, the Steelers not only dropped their Week 4 contest to the Houston Texans, who made a big leap in our power rankings as a result, Pittsburgh was completely blown out in an embarrassing showing that also saw Kenny Pickett suffer a knee injury.
Here’s how things shake out in our NFL power rankings going into Week 5.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-4) | Last week: 31
The Panthers’ offense looked better with Andy Dalton under center last week and Carolina has now scored 40 points in three games with Bryce Young at the helm. Through four weeks, he’s looked the worst out of the 2023 first-round quarterbacks but he also needs more help.
31. Chicago Bears (0-4) | Last week: 32
The Bears looked primed to blow the Broncos out in what was Justin Fields’ best performance of 2023. However, the offense went dark in the fourth quarter and the defense reverted back to its dreadful ways to blow the game. The good news? Chicago is currently in line for the first two picks of the 2024 NFL draft, which could mean a duo of Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. Imagine that.
30. New York Giants (1-3) | Last week: 27
The Giants were a mistake-ridden disaster in Week 4. This is looking more like the Joe Judge version of Big Blue than the Brian Daboll one that made the playoffs last year.
29. Denver Broncos (1-3) | Last week: 30
It’s cool the Broncos finally got a win, but it’s hard to get excited about a comeback victory over a lowly Bears team. Denver’s defense has given up 98 points in its last two games.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) | Last week: 26
The Raiders looked like they’d get blown out before their defense put the clamps on the Chargers in the second half and eventually made this a one-score game. If only Jimmy G had played instead of rookie Aidan O’Connell, maybe the Raiders are .500 right now.
27. New York Jets (1-3) | Last week: 28
Not sure what magic Aaron Rodgers’ presence brought but Zach Wilson looked like a competent quarterback in Week 4, which will be enough for the Jets most weeks because of their defense. Still need to see him stack good games before taking it seriously, though.
26. New England Patriots (1-3) | Last week: 23
The Patriots were promptly disposed of by the Cowboys. Mac Jones, who was eventually pulled, was a major reason for it. Bill Belichick said Jones wasn’t taken out for poor performance and will remain the starter, so it isn’t Zappe time.
25. Minnesota Vikings (1-3) | Last week: 29
Minnesota finally put one in the winner’s column in Week 4, but it came against the lowly Panthers. Still, when it comes to climbing out of an 0-3 hole, you have to start somewhere, right? The Vikings might need two Brinks trucks for Justin Jefferson.
24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3) | Last week: 24
The Cardinals hung with the 49ers for three quarters before things went off the rails in the fourth quarter. Despite not having a lot of talent on either side of the ball, Jonathan Gannon has his team competing each and every week.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) | Last week: 14
The Bengals were completely outclassed by the Titans in every phase of the game. Cincinnati has been held to three points twice this season in what has been a terrible start for the offense. Chalk it up to Joe Burrow’s calf and whatever you else you want, but this team needs to figure things out fast.
22. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) | Last week: 17
The Falcons have good skill players and a solid defense but. Desmond Ridder hasn’t looked good and doesn’t look like the answer in Atlanta. The time to give Taylor Heinicke a shot is rapidly approaching, if it isn’t here already.
21. New Orleans Saints (2-2) | Last week: 19
The Saints got what they thought would be great news when Derek Carr was able to suit up, but New Orleans mustered up less than 200 yards of total offense, even with the return of Alvin Kamara. Carr was supposed to be an upgrade but the offense has looked worse than last year’s with him at the helm.
20. Green Bay Packers (2-2) | Last week: 18
The Packers didn’t have the support of their defense against the Lions and Jordan Love simply wasn’t able to match that kind of output. Green Bay needs a lot more from both sides of the ball if its going to challenge Detroit for the division.
19. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) | Last week: 22
The Week 4 loss stinks, but Anthony Richardson continues to show promise. Jonathan Taylor is expected to have his 21-day practice window opened this week and would be a huge boost for Richardson and the Colts’ offense. It remains to be seen if he’ll play another snap for the franchise, though.
18. Tennessee Titans (2-2) | Last week: 21
What a difference a week makes. Tennessee went from awful in Week 3 to nearly unstoppable in Week 4. The ability to be consistent remains a concern, but if the offensive line and pass-rush can continue to play the way it did this week, the Titans are going to be tough to beat.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) | Last week: 20
The Jaguars got a much-needed win in a perfect get-right spot against the Falcons. Jacksonville hasn’t looked as good overall as many expected but better days should be ahead for this talented squad.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) | Last week: 10
One week after the Steelers cracked our top 10, they get their doors blown off by the Texans, although Houston is a better team than originally thought. Making matters worse, Kenny Pickett may miss time with a knee injury.
15. Houston Texans (2-2) | Last week: 25
Where did this come from?! The Texans are flying up our power rankings after back-to-back blowout wins over good teams like the Jaguars and Steelers — and those wins came with an unbelievably banged-up offensive line. The Texans might have something special in C.J. Stroud, who could really take off if the group upfront gets healthy.
14. Los Angeles Rams (2-2) | Last week: 16
The young Rams continue to impress, and Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua have been revelations. Things are set to get better on offense, too, as Cooper Kupp will return to practice this week.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) | Last week: 15
The Chargers were cruising before the Raiders made this game close. Hopefully Justin Herbert’s finger is OK and won’t impact his play moving forward.
12. Washington Commanders (2-2) | Last week: 13
Not all losses are created equal. The fact that Sam Howell and Co. were able to stick with one of the best teams in the league in the Eagles and force overtime shouldn’t be overlooked.
11. Cleveland Browns (2-2) | Last week: 11
It’s hard to hold the Week 4 loss against the Browns too much, considering they didn’t have their starting quarterback. However, the defense had a letdown performance on Sunday.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) | Last week: 12
The Bucs had a great bounce-back performance after a loss last week and a win over the Saints shows they’re the team to beat in the AFC South for now. Baker Mayfield is in the midst of reviving his career in Tampa Bay.
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) | Last week: 9
The banged-up Ravens took care of business against a Deshaun Watson-less Browns team. Lamar Jackson accounted for all four of Baltimore’s touchdowns in the winning effort.
8. Detroit Lions (3-1) | Last week: 8
The Lions went into Lambeau and posted a convincing win over the Packers. Detroit is looking good on both sides of the ball and is set to add Jameson Williams as he returns from suspension this week.
7. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) | Last week: 7
The Seahawks’ offense didn’t play its best game but the defense took care of business against a lost Giants team. Devon Witherspoon was an absolute menace and outscored New York by himself.
6. Miami Dolphins (3-1) | Last week: 3
After exploding last week, the Dolphins imploded this week and came crashing back down to earth against the Bills, showing they still have a ways to go before being able to claim AFC East supremacy.
5. Dallas Cowboys (3-1) | Last week: 6
The Cowboys are back to romping teams after crushing the Patriots on the strength of their defense and a season-best effort from Dak Prescott.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) | Last week: 4
The Chiefs escaped New York with their third victory of the season in a game against the Jets that was a lot closer than anyone thought it would be.
3. Buffalo Bills (3-1) | Last week: 5
What a statement win by the Bills, who blew out the Dolphins to claim first place in the AFC East for now. Everything appears to be just fine between Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, for those still wondering.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) | Last week: 2
Divisional games are never easy, but the Eagles were able to hold off the Commanders in overtime thanks to great performances by Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown.
1. San Francisco 49ers (4-0) | Last week: 1
The Cardinals played the Niners tough for three quarters, but in the end San Fran came away with its third three-score win of the season. Christian McCaffrey is unstoppable.
