Where do the Detroit Lions land in the Week 4 NFL power rankings after a statement win at Baltimore?
1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) | Last week: 1
Things weren’t looking good, but it felt like the handcuffs were taken off Jalen Hurts—who got the connection going with star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith while totaling four touchdowns—in the comeback win over the Rams. Jordan Davis continues his All-Pro start to the year, capped by the blocked field goal he took to the house to seal the victory.
2. Buffalo Bills (3-0) | Last week: 2
It’s cool to see Josh Allen finally getting so much credit for the extraordinary level he’s playing quarterback. While the defense might be a little too reliant on forcing turnovers—like Terrel Bernard did with the late interception last Thursday night—the Bills are tough to beat with Allen leading the way.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) | Last week: 4 (+1)
For the second time in three weeks, the Chargers came up clutch in the end and won the type of game we’ve seen them typically lose over the years. A confident Justin Herbert is scary.
4. Detroit Lions (2-1) | Last week: 6 (+2)
Not to take anything away from the Packers, but I think the way below par Week 1 for the Lions can be chalked up to an off day and/or the new interior offensive line needing to gel. The past two games couldn’t have gone much better with the way the guys up front paved lanes for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jared Goff showed off his top-tier accuracy. Plus, the defense got home for seven sacks of Lamar Jackson.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) | Last week: 7 (+2)
The late lead given up on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by the Jets was erased by the third last-minute, game-winning score by the Bucs in as many weeks to begin 2025. Mike Evans will miss time with a hamstring injury, and the offensive line remains banged up—but receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and star left tackle Tristan Wirfs have a shot to return this week versus the Eagles.
6. Green Bay Packers (2-1) | Last week: 3 (-3)
My big concern for the Packers has been consistency for quarterback Jordan Love, who had a costly late fourth-quarter interception in a low-scoring matchup at Cleveland—giving the Browns a prime opportunity to complete a comeback from down 10-0. Expect Micah Parsons and company to be fired up for a trip to Dallas this Sunday night.
7. San Francisco 49ers (3-0) | Last week: 9 (+2)
I nearly kept the 49ers down a couple of spots because of the very unfortunate season-ending ACL tear to star pass rusher Nick Bosa—an immense blow to the upside for San Francisco. But they found a way to win with Mac Jones again doing a great job late in the game, improving to 3-0 in a crowded NFC West.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) | Last week: 11 (+3)
The offense found some juice thanks in part to Andy Reid getting them going in the second half against the Giants, but the most encouraging sign for Kansas City is how well the defense has played over the past two weeks.
9. Baltimore Ravens (1-2) | Last week: 5 (-4)
The Ravens are sick after dropping to 1-2, and Derrick Henry most of all just couldn’t believe he fumbled for the third straight game—though the latest was a great play by Aidan Hutchinson, as Henry had no idea he was behind him to punch the ball out. Baltimore was simply outplayed by the Lions, though, and hopefully they don’t press too much when taking on the Chiefs this Sunday.
10. Indianapolis Colts (3-0) | Last week: 12 (+2)
They finally punted, but the Colts looked excellent again from the jump—starting with a Kenny Moore II pick-six of Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. Daniel Jones is in total command of Indy’s offense, and it helps having Jonathan Taylor in the backfield.
11. Los Angeles Rams (2-1) | Last week: 8 (-3)
The Rams clearly came out fired up at Philadelphia and did an exceptional job of containing Saquon Barkley on the ground, but they didn’t have answers for the Philly passing game once it was unlocked. This week against the Colts might not be quite the challenge with no Brown and Smith to contend with on the outside, so I’m interested to see how they play Taylor.
12. Denver Broncos (1-2) | Last week: 10 (-2)
It felt like the Broncos were in control late on the road, but some just misses and 10 straight late points by the Chargers drops them to 1-2—with both losses coming on last-second field goals. Denver shouldn’t panic, but they must find a way to take care of business against the Bengals on Monday night.
13. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) | Last week: 14 (+1)
The dominant 44-13 win over the Saints was a fantastic sign for the Seahawks, especially because they did it without Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and Zach Charbonnet. There’s bully upside for Seattle, and quarterback Sam Darnold is playing efficient while taking care of the ball.
14. Washington Commanders (2-1) | Last week: 16 (+2)
We’ll have to keep an eye on the quad injury for wide receiver Terry McLaurin and the status of quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) ahead of a matchup with the Falcons, but Marcus Mariota once again showed that he can play at a super high level in Kliff Kingsbury’s attack, lighting up the Raiders. It’s difficult to get that Washington offense off the field.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) | Last week: 17 (+2)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Steelers racked up five sacks and had five takeaways to help them sneak out of Foxboro with a 21-14 victory. Aaron Rodgers threw his 509th career touchdown, moving to fourth all-time in NFL history. Next up is a trip to Dublin against a surging Vikings squad.
16. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) | Last week: 21 (+5)
Minnesota got a major boost at left tackle with star Christian Darrisaw making his debut last week in the blowout win of the Bengals. Darrisaw helps, but Carson Wentz immediately appeared to be in much better command than J.J. McCarthy was at the game’s most important position. Defensively, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers had a pick-six and took his own forced fumble back for another touchdown in Week 3.
17. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) | Last week: 13 (-4)
Running back James Conner is a heart-and-soul type of player for the Cardinals, so his devastating ankle injury is a big reason why the team drops four spots in this week’s power rankings. With no Conner, Arizona has some things to figure out on offense after the loss to the Niners. Hosting the Seahawks tomorrow night is a key test.
18. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) | Last week: 15 (-3)
The past two weeks for the Falcons are a story of how the NFL can be: From looking dominant at a difficult place to play in Minnesota, to getting demolished by the Panthers in a divisional game. After the 30-0 shutout loss, Atlanta is moving offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the booth to on the field.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) | Last week: 22 (+3)
Both sides did just about everything offensively to lose, but give the Jaguars credit for taking the AFC South battle with the Texans. Josh Hines-Allen—maybe the league’s most underrated star—and the defense did their job, and I like how Jacksonville showed toughness.
20. Houston Texans (0-3) | Last week: 18 (-2)
Meanwhile, Houston drops to 0-3 and looks to be the second team this century to make the postseason after an 0-3 start. The other? The Texans in 2018. The offense needs to flip the switch somehow and find something, though, and the release of safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (who reportedly wanted out) was a shocker.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) | Last week: 19 (-2)
At the Vikings is an incredibly difficult spot to play, and they were determined coming off a loss—so I don’t think the total panic button should be pressed yet for the Bengals. But if Cincy can’t run the ball better with Chase Brown (47 carries for 93 yards), that’s a major problem.
22. Chicago Bears (1-2) | Last week: 25 (+3)
The Bears are on the board for their first win under Ben Johnson, as Caleb Williams threw four touchdowns in a rout of the Cowboys—and the next two games will be interesting. First, Johnson goes to Vegas to face a Raiders team he turned down during the offseason. Then Chicago has a bye before going to Washington (the Hail Mary loss was a turning point last season), potentially at 2-2.
23. Dallas Cowboys (1-2) | Last week: 20 (-3)
The defense for Dallas is obviously a massive concern after getting torched for the second straight week. On top of that, both superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and first-round rookie guard Tyler Booker are out with high-ankle sprains as they look to upset the Packers in primetime.
24. Cleveland Browns (1-2) | Last week: 26 (+2)
In the win versus the Packers, the formula for the Browns of running the ball and playing strong defense was no doubt boosted by a full dose of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who looks like a perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski and Cleveland. They’ll look to take that approach on the road to Detroit, but it’s a tall task keeping up with the Lions.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) | Last week: 23 (-2)
The Raiders are averaging 3.1 yards per carry and have allowed 12 sacks through three games. The offensive line must be a lot better if Vegas is going to play their brand of football under Pete Carroll.
26. New England Patriots (1-2) | Last week: 24 (-2)
It’s amazing the Patriots were in the game despite giving the ball away five times, so hopefully that’s a learning experience. As a positive, cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) appears to be nearing his season debut.
27. Carolina Panthers (1-2) | Last week: 32 (+5)
With their backs against the wall at 0-2 and looking like arguably the worst team in the league, the Panthers deserve respect for coming out with an emphatic Week 3 victory against the Falcons. Cornerbacks Chau Smith-Wade (a pick-six) and Mike Jackson each had big interceptions of Michael Penix Jr.
28. New York Jets (0-3) | Last week: 30 (+2)
Head coach Aaron Glenn was hyped after a blocked field goal gave the Jets the lead late at Tampa Bay, but his defense couldn’t quite make a stop to get their first win of the year—and Glenn says he’s going to focus on the positives while the New York media focuses on the negatives. Linebacker Quincy Williams is expected to be out a while because of a shoulder injury.
29. Miami Dolphins (0-3) | Last week: 31 (+2)
They sit at 0-3, but the way the Dolphins battled at Buffalo last Thursday night is something to build on. Miami faces the Jets, Panthers, and Browns in three of the next four weeks—so there’s an opportunity to go on a little run here.
30. New Orleans Saints (0-3) | Last week: 28 (-2)
The Saints played better than expected in the first two weeks, but they were no match for Seattle on the road—and it won’t get easier with a trip to Buffalo this weekend.
31. New York Giants (0-3) | Last week: 29 (-2)
Rookie running back Cam Skattebo brought serious energy for the Giants, and it’s a good thing that they have him with Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) now out a couple of games. New York is now looking for an additional boost, already turning to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart while Russell Wilson goes to the bench.
32. Tennessee Titans (0-3) | Last week: 27 (-5)
Brian Callahan is relinquishing play-calling duties after an 0-3 start that’s included him under fire a couple of times already for in-game management. A quick change in play-caller to begin a career is not ideal for No. 1 pick Cameron Ward.