NFL Power Rankings 2026: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings – Chiefs, Lions, and Jaguars Rise

My current NFL Power Rankings for the 2026 NFL season. Week 4 NFL Power Rankings. Chiefs, Lions, and Jaguars Rise

I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.

NFL Power Rankings updated Sept. 29, 2026

Group A:


San Francisco 49ers (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
The good news for the 49ers is that they're 3-0, while their top rivals already have one loss apiece. The bad news is that Mike Evans and Trent Williams were both lost to injury in a game Nick Bosa already missed.

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Buffalo Bills (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
The Bills played poorly coming off their blowout win against the Lions, but they still found a way to not only win, but also cover against the Chargers. Still, they'll need to avoid making as many mistakes as they did in the first half against better opponents.


Los Angeles Rams (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
The Rams, dubbed the best team in football, are now 1-2. However, they got screwed by horrible officiating at the end of the Denver game, and they've been without Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett for two of their three games.


Baltimore Ravens (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
Jesse Minter is new to being a head coach, but give him major credit for being aggressive with seven seconds remaining. I think some coaches would have taken a knee, namely one of the guys coaching in New York. Instead, the Ravens went for the jugular, and the deep pass to Zay Flowers ultimately won them the game.



Group B:


Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
The Bengals had every opportunity to beat the Steelers. They were up three on two separate occasions when they were set to get the ball back following defensive stops. The first time, they roughed the kicker to extend Pittsburgh's drive and set up a touchdown. The second time, they muffed a punt to set up another Pittsburgh score. Cincinnati had the game in its grasp twice and gave it away both times.


Seattle Seahawks (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Seahawks probably should have kept Sam Darnold out for one more game, as he didn't look like himself despite the stats he posted against Washington. Still, you would think the defense would have played better than to allow Marcus Mariota to score 33 points.


Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
A great bounce-back performance by the Jaguars. They've played just one bad quarter out of 12 this year. Unfortunately for them, that one bad quarter resulted in a loss to Denver.


Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
The Chiefs didn't look too convincing in their win over the Dolphins. They won by two touchdowns, but the game was close for most of the afternoon. Then again, the Chiefs always seem to win this way. Those who bet Kansas City should consider themselves very fortunate that the Chiefs managed to cover at the end.


Detroit Lions (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
The Lions rebounded nicely from their blowout loss to Buffalo on Thursday night. Some might say it was only the Jets, but New York isn't nearly as bad as some people think. Detroit's victory was an impressive bounce-back performance against an underrated opponent.


Dallas Cowboys (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
The Cowboys dropped to 1-2, but I can't downgrade them in my power rankings. They played very evenly with the Ravens, who are considered one of the better teams in the NFL. There's no shame in losing a game like this on a 56-yard field goal at the very end.



Group C:


Denver Broncos (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Broncos are 2-1, but they got outgained by the Rams, 482-257 in net yards and averaged only 4.3 yards per play compared to the Rams' 5.9. The officials gave Denver the victory on a silver platter with a bogus interception at the end.


Minnesota Vikings (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Vikings are 3-0, but they were outgained by all of their opponents. They haven't even cracked 250 net yards in any game yet!


Chicago Bears (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
The Bears will move back up into the Group B range when Caleb Williams returns from injury. They were able to win with Case Keenum, which was a nice moment for the 38-year-old quarterback. However, it must be noted that the Eagles nearly lost to both the Redskins and Titans, so Keenum didn't exactly battle a very impressive opponent.


New England Patriots (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
So much for Drake Maye being QB1 this year. I can understand struggling against the Seahawks and Steelers, but what was that against Jacksonville? That was pathetic.


Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
The Eagles are 2-1, but they barely survived the Redskins and Titans before getting blown out by Case Keenum. They can't pressure the quarterback, while the offense looks dysfunctional under Sean Mannion.


Houston Texans (0-3)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
The Texans are 0-3, and they can no longer use the excuse of losing to top teams. The fact that the Texans couldn't get off the field against Daniel Jones is a complete joke. Speaking of jokes, C.J. Stroud has been terrible and should be benched. I know Nico Collins has been out, but there's no excuse for how poorly Stroud has been playing.


Las Vegas Raiders (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
Don't look now, but the Raiders are 3-0. Granted, the combined record of their opponents is just 1-8, but it's not their fault that the schedule broke their way. Unfortunately for the Raiders, their schedule will get much more difficult soon, beginning next week versus the Chiefs.



Group D:


Green Bay Packers (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
Based on how the Packers looked Thursday night, I have no idea how they beat the Jets in Week 2. They looked pathetic. Their offensive line is awful, they have no running game, and their pass rush and run defense were non-existent.


Carolina Panthers (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
The Panthers outgained the Browns in both total yardage and yards per play, but they lost because of several costly mistakes. They squandered two fourth-down opportunities, one of which gifted Cleveland points, and committed a roughing-the-passer penalty on a play that otherwise would have ended the game.


New York Jets (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
The Jets had a chance to beat the Lions, but they couldn't convert in the red zone and then lost Garrett Wilson to injury on the final drive. Still, so much for Aaron Glenn knowing how to stop Jared Goff.


New Orleans Saints (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
The Saints are 1-2, but they could be 3-0 right now. They outgained the Raiders, but turned the ball over too much in the fourth quarter. Their next game is a big one - it's the 20-year anniversary of the Steve Gleason blocked punt, which will once again be at home on Monday night versus the Falcons.


Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
Aaron Rodgers actually threw the ball downfield this week, but the Steelers were still lucky to beat the Bengals. Cincinnati effectively committed two special-teams turnovers late in the game while holding the lead, gifting Pittsburgh scoring opportunities on both occasions.


Arizona Cardinals (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
The Cardinals lost by only six points to the 49ers, but keep in mind that they were facing a large deficit until both Mike Evans and Trent Williams left the game. Arizona's comeback was far less impressive given the circumstances.


Indianapolis Colts (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
Daniel Jones moved around a little bit better last week, but he's still not as mobile as he used to be. The Colts somehow managed to beat the Texans despite having an immobile quarterback and an injured No. 1 receiver.


San Angeles Chargers (0-3)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
The Chargers were getting every break in the world against the Bills in the first half, and yet they still ended up losing by eight and failing to cover the spread. What a pathetic team.


Atlanta Falcons (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
The Falcons actually look like a competent football team with professional quarterbacking. Cooper Rush and his back spasms are no longer needed with Michael Penix Jr. back under center, and Atlanta responded with an impressive victory at Green Bay.


New York Giants (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
The Giants won, but they were outgained by the Titans in both total yardage and yards per play. That said, Tennessee accumulated much of its yardage in garbage time. Either way, the Giants aren't going to win too many games unless they somehow convince the NFL to schedule teams like the Titans every week.



Group F:


Cleveland Browns (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
The Browns are somehow, someway 2-1. I guess it pays to play two NFC South teams, but Cleveland easily could have lost to both the Buccaneers and Panthers. Carolina outgained Cleveland in both net yardage and yards per play, but made far too many mistakes to capitalize.


Washington Redskins (1-2)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
Forgive me for not being too impressed by Washington's upset win over the Seahawks. The Redskins were outgained 437-258 and averaged 2.8 fewer yards per play than Seattle.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
The Buccaneers let Liam Coen and Dave Canales get away, just so they could keep Todd Bowles. Their reasoning? Bruce Arians said it - they wanted the most diverse coaching staff in the NFL. This is stupidity at its peak.

At any rate, Baker Mayfield is now injured with a bad thumb, so the Buccaneers, who have no defense, will be starting an injured quarterback or Jalon Daniels.


Tennessee Titans (0-3)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
The Titans are now 0-3, and they're trending toward having to make a very difficult decision near the top of the 2027 NFL Draft. There are loads of talented quarterbacks who could be available, and Cam Ward has shown nothing thus far to convince Tennessee that it shouldn't consider taking one.


Miami Dolphins (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
As if things couldn't get any worse for the Dolphins, De'Von Achane suffered a serious knee injury. This would be horrible news for most teams, but Miami's front office is trying to lose. So, this could be seen as a good thing as long as Achane can be 100 percent entering 2027.

2026 NFL MVP Projection:

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
4. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chief
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks


Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft

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