NFL power rankings entering Week 4 of the 2026 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Buffalo Bills (2): If you had a Nickel (City) every time they won while turning over the ball five times … you'd have, like, a dime. The still-unbeaten Bills have the reverse lights on while backing into the top spot on the heels of a performance when QB Josh Allen had three giveaways. The Bills are 3-0 for the third straight year but should probably beware the reeling Patriots, the next visitors to the new Highmark Stadium.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5): RB Kenneth Walker III is averaging a league-best 120 rushings yards per game while continuing to give every indication he's unlocked the AFC's top-ranked offense anew. Next, a battle for first place in the AFC West
at Las Vegas, where QB Patrick Mahomes is 6-0.
3. Seattle Seahawks (1): Without RB Kenneth Walker III, they've failed to crack 100 yards rushing in two of their games – including a meager 44 in Sunday's loss at Washington. As efficient as the passing game has been, rookie RB Jadarian Price and Co. need to pick it up a notch before defenses start routinely bracketing Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Still, the "Dark Side" D is in full effect, currently the only one in the league permitting fewer than 250 yards per game.
4. San Francisco 49ers (3): At 3-0, they have a case of their own to be No. 1, though they had a lot more trouble handling Arizona than Seattle did. The bigger issue is the latest wave of injuries washing over the Niners, wideout an extreme area of concern − especially if WR Mike Evans' rib issue lingers into Week 4.
5. Denver Broncos (8): They've been 10 points better on the scoreboard every week, meaning they're on pace to score 40 at San Francisco on Sunday. Maybe. Yet for all the scrutiny that's followed new OC Davis Webb, it's the defense that's really underachieved here so far. A team that averaged four sacks per game in 2025 is currently at 2.67.
6. Los Angeles Rams (4): They probably got jobbed Sunday night, their 13 penalties − including five in the final two minutes − the most against them in Sean McVay's 10-year tenure. They still nearly won … without WR Puka Nacua … without OLB Myles Garrett … with DL Aaron Donald producing four tackles and two pressures in two games … with a 1-for-4 red-zone night. It's hardly time to panic here.
7. Minnesota Vikings (9): Per Next Gen Stats, their -0.22 EPA per play leads the league (trust us, that's good) as does a 46.7% QB pressure rate and 14 sacks. If QB Kyler Murray settles in without trying to do too much − good job on that front Sunday in Tampa − this team should be really dangerous.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (11): Their two wins at EverBank Stadium have come by an aggregate score of 69-16. Too bad they only have four more games their this season.
One can only imagine how many games the Jaguars would win a season if the Prowlers were permanent 👀 https://t.co/I24gSbXxV8 pic.twitter.com/JApxz1Su8L
— Zach Cohen (@ZachCohenFB) September 27, 2026
9. Chicago Bears (13): Not only did Ben Johnson's offense barely miss a beat without QB Caleb Williams, Dennis Allen's defense was also more than up to the task of stifling Philadelphia's attack. Those Windy City sails remain plenty full even with Williams still up to a month away from returning.
10. Detroit Lions (10): How consistent has this offense been? Exactly 31 points in every game. A low of 355 yards and a high of 381. And just one turnover. If a defense that's allowed the most points (95) in the league can hold on long enough to get some reinforcements, this team has a legit shot at finally ending the league's longest hex of failing to qualify for the Super Bowl.
11. Las Vegas Raiders (21): You may not be ready to fully invest, but Sunday's win at New Orleans showed they're no fluke − and beating the Chiefs in Week 4 would stamp the Silver and Black as totally legit. Tied for the league lead with nine TD passes, despite not having a wide receiver who averages even four recpetions per week, QB Kirk Cousins deserves to be mentioned in (very) premature MVP conversations.
12. New Orleans Saints (14): WR Chris Olave has been JSN-lite − the most targeted player (36) in the league, his 375 receiving yards trailing only the Seahawks star. But how much more can he give, especially with RB Travis Etienne set to miss time with a bum hammy?
13. Baltimore Ravens (15): What are the odds John Harbaugh rolls the dice with 7 seconds left trying to get into field-goal range Sunday in Rio? What are the odds Baltimore will get through Week 4 unscathed at center, rookie Vega Ioane − the fourth option at the beleaguered position − set to take over as the starter this week.
14. Dallas Cowboys (12): Used their last timeout too early Sunday. Shouldn't have allowed the Ravens a touchback to start their final drive. Forgot to cover WR Zay Flowers. Basically a key breakdown in every phase inside the final 15 seconds of game play. Same old Cowboys?
15. New England Patriots (7): Copious problems here, notably QB Drake Maye's. Probably doesn't help that WR Romeo Doubs has been permitted to wear Rob Gronkowski's No. 87.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (27): An unanticipated offensive breakthrough vaulted them back to a 2-1 record and a four-way tie atop (at the bottom?) of the AFC North.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (6): An unanticipated defensive breakdown regressed them to a 2-1 record and a four-way tie atop (at the bottom?) of the AFC North.
18. Cleveland Browns (22): An unanticipated Deshaun Watson breakout vaulted them back to a 2-1 record and a four-way tie atop (at the bottom?) of the AFC North.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (16): Monday night was a reminder that this offense is a major work in progress, a reality that was largely glossed over amid a 2-0 start. Sunday's visit from the Rams could provide an even harsher reality check.
20. Washington Commanders (30): Credit to coach Dan Quinn and his veteran leadership from keeping this team from circling the drain in the aftermath of QB Jayden Daniels' latest elbow injury. Handing the Seahawks their second road loss in 24 months is a good way to spark a turnaround.
21. Carolina Panthers (19): Guess who's hosting a "Sunday Night Football" game for the first time since 2015? Guess whose last Super Bowl appearance was in 2015?
22. Atlanta Falcons (29): A team that hadn't taken a snap in the red zone all season prior to QB Michael Penix Jr.'s return to the starting lineup is now tied for fourth league-wide with an 80% red-zone conversion rate. Even better, a 1-2 record gets you a share of first place in the NFC South.
23. New York Giants (17): Daniel Jones' former team, which hasn't scored a touchdown since QB Jaxson Dart's injury, diversified its options Monday by acquiring J.J. McCarthy − a Dart "stunt double," per NFL Network's Kyle Brandt. (Wish we'd thought of that one.)
24. Indianapolis Colts (25): Daniel Jones' current team, which has only scored one touchdown since Dart's injury − just go with it − also suffered three Jones turnovers in that restricted window. And while also still saddled with the league's worst defense, now seems like a good time to leave the country … for London.
25. Houston Texans (18): While he's been hindered by key offensive absences, C.J. Stroud does not look like a quarterback deserving of a, say, $55 million-a-year contract.
26. Green Bay Packers (20): While he's been hindered by key offensive absences, Jordan Love does not look like a quarterback who deserved a $55 million-a-year contract.
27. New York Jets (23): Look at QB Geno Smith, leading the NFL with a 75.5% completion rate. Might need to up that figure − perhaps with more targets of emergent TE Kenyon Sadiq − with RB Breece Hall (quad) set to miss time.
28. Arizona Cardinals (26): An update on WR Marvin Harrison Jr. − he ranks fifth on the team in targets (9). Woof. Send him to Indianapolis, where Harrisons thrive.
29. Los Angeles Chargers (28): The last time they were 0-3 was 2017, when Philip Rivers was the quarterback, and the team was playing in a suburban L.A. soccer stadium. The more things change …
30. Tennessee Titans (31): One first down before halftime Sunday. One killer pick after halftime Sunday. A quarterback picked No. 1 who wears No. 1 but is playing like a No. 2.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (24): Can you name QB Baker Mayfield's backup? Try undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels … for the time being anyway.
32. Miami Dolphins (32): You've got to feel for first-year coach Jeff Hafley, who next gets to take his overmatched, winless team to the Twin Cities − without its best player, injured RB De'Von Achane − to face the undefeated Vikings.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL power rankings Week 4: Who takes over No. 1 spot after Seahawks' first loss?
