We’re about a quarter of the way through the 2024 NFL season, and the Chiefs are back to the top spot in the power rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) | Last week: 2 (+1)
The impact of the loss of wide receiver Rashee Rice—potentially for the season pending tests over the next several days—cannot be overstated for the Chiefs’ chances of three-peating, but if there’s a group that can overcome the injury it’s the one led by Andy Reid. Expect more usage for Travis Kelce with Rice out.
2. Detroit Lions (3-1) | Last week: 3 (+1)
The Lions were confident the offense was going to click at some point, and it certainly did in the shootout win on Monday night. Jared Goff was 18/18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Remember when people said Goff was a throw-in of the Rams trade and was a bridge quarterback (at best)?
3. Baltimore Ravens (2-2) | Last week: 8 (+5)
Derrick Henry went off for two consecutive games, quickly fitting in with the Ravens—and making you wonder why more teams (like the Bills) didn’t target the superstar running back.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-0) | Last week: 4
They gave up some yards and four touchdowns to Jordan Love in the Packers’ comeback attempt, but the Vikings defense also picked Love off three times. Set to take on an inconsistent Jets offense, Minnesota is set up to have another nice day in London this Sunday.
5. Buffalo Bills (3-1) | Last week: 1 (-4)
Off games happen, and perhaps we can classify the Sunday night performance at Baltimore as that—the Bills did go an NFL record 43 consecutive games without losing by six-plus points before the loss, so they were kind of due. Buffalo is now without pass rusher Von Miller for four games due to his suspension handed down by the league.
6. Houston Texans (3-1) | Last week: 6
The matchup with the Bills this Sunday—featuring Stefon Diggs taking on his former team—is perhaps the most interesting of Week 6. Houston just came back to beat Jacksonville late, continuing to look like the class of the AFC South.
7. San Francisco 49ers (2-2) | Last week: 7
The 49ers got healthier and didn’t have much trouble versus the Patriots, with quarterback Brock Purdy having plenty of time to distribute to his playmakers. In the NFC West, San Francisco has a shot to push Arizona to 1-4 this Sunday.
8. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) | Last week: 5 (-3)
They battle behind Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker III, and the offense, but the defensive performance by Seattle at Detroit was somewhat alarming. The Seahawks defense looked outstanding over the first three games; but, remember, their matchups were a rookie quarterback making his first career start, the Patriots, and the Dolphins.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) | Last week: 12 (+3)
A major bounce-back effort from the Bucs was one of the top performances of Week 4, with Baker Mayfield totaling three touchdowns and the Tampa Bay defense again giving Jalen Hurts trouble. Having defensive tackle Vita Vea back in the lineup was certainly a boost for Tampa Bay.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) | Last week: 9 (-1)
Like Seattle, the Steelers had a tougher matchup on defense and struggled compared to the first three games of the season. Still, 3-1 at the quarter-mark is obviously a great start, and the next four games are also very winnable: vs. (the injured) Cowboys, at Raiders, vs. Jets, and vs. Giants.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) | Last week: 10 (-1)
It’s clear that Tampa simply is not a good matchup for Philly, but the Eagles were also without A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) at receiver. More concerning is the up-and-down play of the defense. The bye probably comes at a good time for the Eagles.
12. Dallas Cowboys (2-2) | Last week: 14 (+2)
Micah Parsons (ankle) and Demarcus Lawrence (foot, IR, out at least four games) are both likely to miss time—and it comes versus a brutal upcoming schedule beginning with a trip to Pittsburgh this Sunday night.
13. Green Bay Packers (2-2) | Last week: 13
A lot was put on Jordan Love’s shoulders in his return to the lineup given how quickly the Vikings got a 28-0 lead, but Jayden Reed and the receiving group showed their dynamic ability in the comeback effort. Look for the defense to come out stronger this week against the banged-up Rams.
14. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) | Last week: 20 (+6)
Younghoe Koo was incredibly clutch with a game-winning 58-yard field goal against the Saints, and the Falcons have quickly been battle tested with four one-possession games already this year. Atlanta hosts Tampa Bay this Thursday night while looking to take first place in the NFC South early.
15. New Orleans Saints (2-2) | Last week: 11 (-4)
The Saints drop again after their second consecutive loss following the scorching 2-0 start, but they’ve been very competitive in both losses. This Monday night at Kansas City is a crucial test.
16. Denver Broncos (2-2) | Last week: 21 (+5)
The Denver defense has quietly arguably been the best in the league through a month of the season, holding the Buccaneers and Jets to 16 total points in each of their past two games. As the offense—which could not do much in unideal conditions at New York—finds a groove, the Broncos can be a dangerous team.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) | Last week: 16 (-1)
While the 10-0 lead was ultimately surrendered in the loss, I believe the Chargers gave a glimpse of the challenge they’ll present to the Chiefs under Jim Harbaugh in the coming years. Down both starting tackles and Joey Bosa last week, LA will look to get healthy during the bye.
18. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) | Last week: 19 (+1)
Anthony Richardson had to leave with an oblique/abdomen issue, and Jonathan Taylor is dealing with an ankle injury, but the Colts showed explosiveness with Joe Flacco under center. It was good to see Michael Pittman Jr. (which started right off the bat with Richardson) and Josh Downs get going in the win over the Steelers.
19. Washington Commanders (3-1) | Last week: 22 (+3)
This might be too low for the Commanders after they dominated on the road versus the Cardinals to improve to 3-1 and get atop the NFC East. The Jayden Daniels-Kliff Kingsbury partnership has been exceptional through four games, and the offensive line is playing better than most expected to this point.
20. New York Jets (2-2) | Last week: 15 (-5)
The dominance when facing New England in Week 3 was a promising sign, but the Pats are clearly taking a step back from their first couple of games—and the Jets, at many times, have looked like about the same team as last year so far in 2024. It’s early, but a trip to London could be a key turning point one way or another.
21. Chicago Bears (2-2) | Last week: 23 (+2)
The Chicago defense stepped up and certainly led the 24-18 win over the Rams, but the offense showed some flashes with a few big plays from running back D’Andre Swift, who led the team in both rushing and receiving, after a very slow start for him with his new team.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) | Last week: 24 (+2)
In desperate need of a win, the Bengals rode running backs Zack Moss and Chase Brown to victory—and playing through them is something I expect to continue moving forward. The defense, which has been disappointing thus far, will be tested in a matchup with the Ravens this week.
23. Los Angeles Rams (1-3) | Last week: 17 (-6)
The Rams dropped to 1-3 after being unable to build on their upset win over the Niners a couple of weeks ago. LA is 1-0 at home this season, though, so we’ll see if a three-game home stretch can get them on track.
24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3) | Last week: 18 (-6)
One of the most surprising results of Week 4 is how poorly the Cardinals played at home—allowing 449 yards to the Commanders. The degree of difficulty only increases with the Cardinals set to face the 49ers on Sunday.
25. New York Giants (1-3) | Last week: 25
It was encouraging to see the Giants play the Cowboys much tougher than they did last season, and the play of the offensive line has been a driving force behind the team being more competitive. I’d like to see pass rusher Brian Burns get going now.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) | Last week: 28 (+2)
Vegas is an odd situation right now, with head coach Antonio Pierce liking an Instagram post about Davante Adams playing his last down with the team, causing the star receiver to request a trade—overshadowing a big win over the Browns without Adams (hamstring) or Maxx Crosby (ankle) in the lineup.
27. Carolina Panthers (1-3) | Last week: 27
The improved play of the offense over the past two weeks has been a positive, but the defense struggled to stop the Bengals—including poor tackling on Ja’Marr Chase’s 63-yard touchdown.
28. Tennessee Titans (1-3) | Last week: 32 (+4)
The relatively big move up for the Titans is due in large part to the play of quarterback Mason Rudolph, who provides a steady hand to right the ship on offense after Will Levis (left with a shoulder injury) struggled with turnovers through three-plus games. However, the expectation is that Levis will be back under center if healthy, so we’ll see.
29. Miami Dolphins (1-3) | Last week: 26 (-3)
Frustrations are very clearly mounting for the Dolphins, and the body language has been pretty terrible for a few weeks now. Miami must create more room for De’Von Achane on the ground.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-3) | Last week: 29 (-1)
The Browns could not hold on to their 10-0 first quarter lead on the road, and it feels like it’s going to be a long season in Cleveland. As a positive, running back Nick Chubb is returning to practice today in the next step of his recovery from last year’s knee injury.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) | Last week: 30 (-1)
The vibes are not great in Jacksonville, either, with head coach Doug Pederson bluntly voicing his frustration during press conferences—plainly stating that quarterback Trevor Lawrence must play better and that he cannot miss throws.
32. New England Patriots (1-3) | Last week: 31 (-1)
This Sunday at home versus the Dolphins is an opportunity for the Patriots to potentially have an advantage offensively, but successfully running the ball with Rhamondre Stevenson will be a huge determining factor in that.