The 2024 NFL season will be one of unexpected twists and standout performances. In Week 3, several teams solidified their standings, while others exposed their vulnerabilities. The Kansas City Chiefs continue to reign supreme, grinding out another close victory to stay undefeated at 3-0. Patrick Mahomes may be the star, but the Chiefs have mastered winning under pressure without being flashy.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are positioned to dominate the AFC East, especially as the Miami Dolphins struggle with quarterback injuries. With the Jets trending up, the division remains competitive, but for now, the Bills are in control.
In Minnesota, Sam Darnold continues to defy expectations with his four-touchdown performance, propelling the Vikings to an undefeated start. DarDarnold’ssurgence has left critics wondering whether this team can be a playoff contender after their convincing 34-7 win over the Houston Texans.
Other surprises include the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks, who have quietly climbed to 3-0, showcasing resilience and toughness. On the flip side, teams like the New Orleans Saints saw their red-hot streak end, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a shocking upset loss to the Denver Broncos. As we head into Week 4, the race for division titles is heating up, with teams like the Jets, Lions, and Packers poised to shake up the standings.
Here’s a deep dive into the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, where each team stands after an action-packed slate of games.
1. Chiefs (3-0): The Kansas City Chiefs continue their winning ways, picking up another close victory to improve to 3-0 on the season. While Patrick Mahomes remains the centerpiece, the Chiefs win through grit and clutch performances.
2. Bills (3-0): With the Miami Dolphins dealing with quarterback injuries, the Buffalo Bills are primed to take control of the AFC East. However, they’ll need to keep an eye on the surging Jets.
3. Vikings (3-0): Sam Darnold silenced doubters with another strong performance, throwing four touchdowns in the Vikings’ 34-7 victory over the Texans. Can this Minnesota Vikings team make a playoff run with Darnold under center?
4. Steelers (3-0): Justin Fields is managing the Pittsburgh Steelers offense efficiently, and with their stout defense, the Steelers have jumped out to a surprising 3-0 start.
5. Lions (2-1): The Detroit Lions bounced back from last week’s loss to the Buccaneers, defeating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. However, they still don’t resemble the dominant Lions team from 2023.
6. Seahawks (3-0): The Seattle Seahawks have shocked the NFC West, sitting at 3-0 while the Rams and 49ers struggle. Seattle’s well-rounded play has put them atop the division.
7. Eagles (2-1): The Philadelphia Eagles showed resilience by defeating the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. After two dominant games, the Saints were stifled, and the Eagles provided a potential blueprint on how to stop them.
8. Packers (2-1): Despite missing Jordan Love, the Green Bay Packers are thriving with Malik Willis at quarterback. Willis accounted for 202 passing yards and 63 rushing yards in a 30-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
9. Saints (2-1): The Saints’ red-hot streak stopped against the Eagles. Missing key players like Erik McCoy and Taysom Hill, New Orleans now turns its attention to a divisional showdown against the Falcons.
10. Jets (2-1): Aaron Rodgers looked like his vintage self in the Jets’ 24-3 win over the New England Patriots. If Rodgers continues this form, the Jets could be serious contenders in the AFC East.
11. Texans (2-1): The Texans remain a strong team in the AFC South, but they ran into a buzzsaw led by Sam Darnold and the Vikings.
12. Chargers (2-1): The Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers came back to earth after a tough loss to the Steelers, proving there’s still work to be done.
13. Buccaneers (2-1): The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered the week’s upset, losing to the previously winless Denver Broncos. They now face a brutal stretch of games against the Eagles, Falcons, Saints, and Ravens.
14. Rams (1-2): The Los Angeles Rams saved their season by coming from behind to defeat division rival San Francisco 49ers 27-24.
15. Ravens (1-2): We saw flashes of vintage Ravens football in Week 3, but they nearly collapsed late against the Dallas Cowboys.
16. 49ers (1-2): The San Francisco 49ers find themselves on a rare losing streak, a surprising turn of events for a team considered one of the NFC’s elites.
17. Cardinals (1-2): The Arizona Cardinals showed inconsistency in their loss to the Lions. They can look like contenders or fade into mediocrity, depending on the week.
18. Cowboys (1-2): The Dallas Cowboys improved from their Week 2 loss to the Saints but still fell short against the Ravens. Tough matchups against the Steelers, Lions, and 49ers await.
19. Colts (1-2): The Indianapolis Colts finally got their first win of the season against the Bears. However, a major test looms in Week 4 against the Steelers.
20. Giants (1-2): The New York Giants showed signs of life with a road win over the Cleveland Browns. A home game against the Cowboys could further define their season.
21. Commanders (2-1): Monday night was a breakout performance for rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 yards and a score on the ground. Daniels’ dual-threat abilities gave the Commanders a much-needed spark as they cruised to victory over the Bengals. With Daniels at the helm, Washington now sits at 2-1, showing promise in the competitive NFC East.
22. Panthers (1-2): Andy Dalton sparked the Carolina Panthers, leading them to a win over the Raiders. However, it’s too early to get excited about the Dalton experience.
23. Falcons (1-2): The Atlanta Falcons fought hard but fell to the Chiefs. They’ll need to regroup quickly for a heavyweight matchup against the Saints in Week 4.
24. Broncos (1-2): Bo Nix flashed his potential as the Broncos’ first-round pick, showing toughness and playmaking in a win over the Buccaneers. However, their run defense still needs work.
25. Jaguars: (0-2): The Jaguars are staring down the possibility of an 0-3 start, with a lackluster offense putting more pressure on an already vulnerable defense. Trevor Lawrence has yet to hit his stride, and with key issues against the pass, Jacksonville finds itself sinking further in the AFC South standings.
26. Bears: (1-2) Caleb Williams showed improvement against the Colts, but his mistakes and poor situational play continue to haunt the Bears. While the defense remains reliable and keeps them in games, Williams and the offense must sharpen up if Chicago is going to turn things around.
27. Browns: (1-2) They find themselves in familiar territory, facing uncertainty at quarterback. Deshaun Watson is performing well below expectations, and with defensive anchor Myles Garrett dealing with injuries, Watson may need to elevate his game significantly to keep Cleveland afloat.
28. Bengals: (0-3) The Bengals’ season continues to spiral after falling to the Commanders on Monday Night Football. Whatever magic they had during their 2022 Super Bowl run has faded, and they now sit at a disappointing 0-3. Issues on both sides of the ball have plagued Cincinnati, and with a tough divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens looming in two weeks, the Bengals need to find answers fast.
29. Dolphins: (1-1): It’s getting to the point where the Dolphins may need to consider finding another viable option at QB while current start Tua Tagovailoa recovers from his injury in Week 2. The team’s offense lacks the firepower without the former Alabama QB under center.
30. Raiders: (1-2) Allowing the Carolina Panthers to win their first game of the season is a bad sign for the Las Vegas Raiders. Would a change at QB provide a spark and more consistent production?
31. Titans: (1-2): One thing the Tennessee Titans could not do was lose to the quarterback that they selected two years ago in the third round. Well, the team did just that in Malik Willis’s Nashville reunion. It’s only a matter of time before Titans starter Will Levis gets pulled.
32. Patriots: (1-2): The Patriots’ season continues to spiral after a brutal 24-3 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. Offensive line issues remain glaring, with Jacoby Brissett under constant pressure and unable to find any rhythm behind an inexperienced and overwhelmed front. The Patriots’ inability to protect their quarterback, combined with a lackluster running game, leaves them one-dimensional and easily exploited by opposing defenses. Injuries have compounded their struggles, and while the defense has shown flashes of potential, it’s clear that New England is in for a long season unless they can find solutions quickly. With tough matchups ahead, things could get worse before they get better.
