Week 4 marked the last week of football without bye weeks until November, which means all 32 teams were in action, including a pair of Monday Night Football matchups for the second time this season. Unfortunately, neither of those games was overly entertaining; however, special teams played a significant factor in the outcome of multiple games. With the first quarter of the season in the books, here’s how we see things so far in Week 5’s WCG Power Rankings.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) Previous Week:
2
The Eagles are back in the top spot like they never left. They dominated the Bucs for the better part of three quarters, but almost gave it away in the end. The reality is simple- The Eagles are excellent, and the Bucs have been the kings of comebacks all season. It’s hard to see many losses on their schedule right now, assuming everyone stays healthy.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-0) Previous Week: 1
The Bills are (4-0), but their performance against the lowly Saints at home wasn’t anything to be proud about. In the end, talent prevailed, and Buffalo was able to cross the finish line with the win, but they allowed New Orleans to stay close for far too long in that game. I do not doubt that they’ll “bounce back” next week against a quality Patriots squad on Sunday Night Football.
3. Detroit Lions (3-1) Previous Week: 6
The Lions’ streak of dominance following a disappointing Week 1 performance continued on Sunday with a dominant 34-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns. The offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defense seems to be figuring it out as the season goes on. We’ll see how serious D.J. Reed’s injury is, but the Lions have clearly hit their stride. The NFC North race is going to be another tight one.
4. Los Angeles Rams (3-1) Previous Week: 7
Following four weeks of the season, the NFC West has three teams deadlocked at (3-1). The Rams and 49ers both have a chance to separate from each other with a short turnaround on Thursday night. Matthew Stafford’s big night, including 375 passing yards and three touchdowns, was a key to them pulling out the 27-20 victory. This is a team in good shape, but they will be fighting for their place all year in a deep division.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) Previous Week: 9
Are the Chiefs back? It sure feels like it. Their first two losses of the season were by a small margin, and we’ve seen them really figure things out over the last six quarters. Bludgeoning the Ravens was just the next step in their evolution. Mission accomplished. A big Monday night showdown in Jacksonville awaits in Week 5.
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) Previous Week: 16
The defense is legit, and quarterback Sam Darnold has followed up an impressive 2024 campaign with a strong start to this year. Seattle used to be known for the ability to win most games at home, but under Mike McDonald, their ability to win games on the road (11 straight) has been equally impressive. The NFC West is a gauntlet, and the Seahawks are right in the mix.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) Previous Week: 4
What looked to be a blowout turned into yet another exciting fourth quarter for the Bucs. In the end, they couldn’t get it done, but it was an impressive comeback, regardless. Tampa Bay is clearly a strong team, but its defense has been a bit uneven in two of its four games. They look destined to win the NFC South again, so there’s that.
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) Previous Week: 5
Over the first two weeks of the season, the Packers looked like one of the league’s best teams. Over their last two weeks, they haven’t looked nearly as sharp. It started with a shocking 16-13 loss in Cleveland to the lowly Browns and continued in Dallas against the Cowboys. They controlled all but the final two minutes of the first half and had plenty of chances to put the game away. In the end, the defense gave up 40 points, and they found themselves in a tie. Getting back on track after the bye will be key for this group, especially since they are one of the youngest rosters in the league.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) Previous Week: 3
Talk about a letdown on the road… The Chargers came into Sunday with a chance for a (4-0) start, and left with a (3-1) record, and their left tackle is set to miss time with a high ankle sprain. The Chargers continue to endure numerous injuries, but in the end, this was a game they should have won, yet just couldn’t get it done. We’ll see if they can get back on track next week as they head back home to host the Commanders.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) Previous Week: 15
Count me as one of the many skeptics when Aaron Rodgers signed in Pittsburgh. So far, so good, though. The defense isn’t quite as dominant as it has been, but they are getting there after a rough Week 1. This team has the makings of a playoff team, but that’s been the case for the last 15 years. Are they good enough to break through? That answer won’t come until much later in the season.
11. San Francisco 49ers (3-1) Previous Week: 8
Death, taxes, and the 49ers being the most injured team in the league. The hits have kept coming all season long, but fortunately for them, they’ve been able to weather the storm much better than they did a year ago. Brock Purdy continues to be dinged up, and heading into a short week, it’s fair to wonder how healthy they’ll be for Thursday night’s matchup against the Rams. Starting 3-0 is impressive, but the actual test will be how well they can outlast the storm of injuries that doesn’t seem to stop.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) Previous Week: 17
Just like we all expected, the Jaguars have been the surprise of the NFL through four weeks. That first statement is heavily covered in sarcasm; their defense’s ability to take the ball away has been awe-inspiring. They hold the league’s best turnover margin, despite quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s play still not reaching his 2022 draft status. The AFC South is off to a weird start, but the Jags have positioned themselves well down the stretch. We’ll see if the offense can continue to figure things out in the coming weeks.
13. Indianapolis Colts (3-1) Previous Week: 11
I continue to have a hard time buying into the Colts’ hot start, but even with their loss in Week 4, they held their own against one of the NFC’s best teams. Daniel Jones’ hot start has been impressive, but his peripheral numbers aren’t nearly as good as I would have assumed. The AFC South isn’t a very deep division, so I’d expect them to hover around .500 in a worst-case scenario. I’m still just not convinced this hot start is for real.
14. Washington Commanders (2-2) Previous Week: 10
The second time wasn’t the charm for the Commanders with backup Marcus Mariota under center. All things considered, a .500 record and averaging 34 points per game is nothing to scoff at. The bigger issue is that their defense allowed a struggling Michael Penix Jr. to get back on track in a 34-27 loss. The Eagles are clearly the class of the division, but we’ll see how they look once Jayden Daniels returns from his knee injury.
15. Arizona Cardinals (2-2) Previous Week: 14
Following a (2-0) start, it felt like it was all starting to come together in Arizona. Head coach Jonathan Gannon is in Year 3, and the results need to start coming. Unfortunately, their last two games have not gone well. With running back James Connor out for the year, the offense is going to be at a disadvantage. On the plus side, Marvin Harrison Jr. fought through adversity for a nice game. Their next few games feel monumental for how their season will unfold.
16. Minnesota Vikings (2-2) Previous Week: 13
After four weeks, it’s fair to say the Vikings have a quarterback issue and an offensive line issue. Carson Wentz had moments, but his poor play in the first half put Minnesota in a big hole against a good team. The defense is legit, but we already knew that. Whether it’s Wentz or J.J. McCarthy, head coach Kevin O’Connell has his work cut out for him to get this figured out.
17. Denver Broncos (2-2) Previous Week: 19
The Broncos dominated on Monday night, and yet, I’m not sure many came away feeling great about their performance. It was an ugly, penalty-filled performance. The Broncos have the talent, but so far, they haven’t looked like the same thing. The great news is that they are one game out of first place and are .500 through the first quarter of the season. We’ll see if they can clean things up and get on track soon.
18. Baltimore Ravens (1-3) Previous Week 12
Heading into Week 4, it was easy to write off their (1-2) start as two close games against outstanding teams. Following their blowout loss to the Chiefs, coupled with multiple key injuries, it might be time to sound the alarms in Baltimore. We’ll see what the next few weeks hold in terms of health, but their margin for error is microscopic, and their defense is a huge issue. They’ll be chasing the Steelers all season if they hope to win the division again.
19. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) Previous Week: 20
Penix’s rebound from a brutal Week 3 outing was one of the more encouraging results of Week 4. Last year’s No. 8 overall pick finished the game 20-of-26 with 313 yards (12.0 average), two touchdowns, and just one interception. The Falcons have been highly inconsistent to start the season, but they are firmly in the mix for a Wild Card spot after four weeks. We’ll see if the defense can figure things out and give a little more margin for error with a young and experienced quarterback under center.
20. Chicago Bears (2-2) Previous Week: 22
The season couldn’t have started much worse for the Bears with a blown fourth-quarter lead and a Detroit Lions drubbing in Week 2. What felt like a surprise season for Chicago quickly turned to panic. Since that (0-2) start, they’ve reeled off two wins in a row. Quarterback Caleb Williams looks vastly improved over last year, but the defense doesn’t. First-year head coach Ben Johnson and his staff have plenty to figure out during their Week 5 bye if they hope to make a run at a playoff spot.
21. New England Patriots (2-2) Previous Week: 23
The Drake Maye experience is real, and so far, it’s been a helluva ride. After a so-so Week 1 performance, last year’s No. 3 overall pick looks like the cream of the crop when it comes to a loaded class that saw six players at the position taken within the first 12 picks of the draft. Like most young teams, the Patriots are inconsistent, but there’s a lot to like on both sides of the ball right now.
22. Houston Texans (1-3) Previous Week: 24
The Texans are finally on the board after a 26-0 shutout win at home against a struggling Titans squad. For the first time this season, quarterback C.J. Stroud looked the part, completing 22-of-28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he took just two sacks for nine yards. Houston has dug itself quite a hole, but getting the first win can be the biggest hurdle. We’ll see how they respond on the road against the Ravens in Week 5.
23. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) Previous Week: 25
After getting embarrassed by the Bears in Week 3, it felt like the Cowboys’ season was on the brink of collapse. Despite a slow start on Sunday night, they fought hard against the Packers and came to a tie at home. A league’s worst defense will always limit the ceiling for this season, but the offense looks good, even with CeeDee Lamb on the shelf with a high ankle sprain.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) Previous Week: 18
The Jake Browning era is off to an ugly start. Two games in, and the Bengals have been completely manhandled in both games. Week 3 was a turnover-heavy performance, and Week 4 was an inability to get rid of the ball and avoid sacks. Barring a miraculous turnaround, Cincinnati’s season is on life support. Three months is far too long to stay above water with how poorly they’ve played over the last two games.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) Previous Week 21
The Raiders had a promising start to the season, but after a blowout loss in Week 3 and a last-second field goal block at home against the Bears, they are quickly losing pace in the AFC West race. Although this was never expected to be a quick turnaround to a Super Bowl contender, a (1-3) start is not ideal, especially with a coach like Pete Carroll, who isn’t going to be around long-term. Simply put, Geno Smith has to cut down on the turnovers.
26. New York Giants (1-3) Previous Week: 30
The Jaxson Dart era is here, and it started well. The rookie finished his first NFL start 13-of-20 for 111 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and 54 rushing yards, and a touchdown on the ground. It wasn’t a perfect day by any means, including Dart briefly leaving the game to be tested for a concussion. Either way, the Giants are in the win column against a team that came in undefeated, and that’s worth celebrating.
27. Cleveland Browns (1-3) Previous Week: 27
After shocking the NFL world with a 16-13 victory against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, they came crashing back down to reality in Week 4. Their defense is still very, very good, but the offense has such a low floor without better quarterback play. This isn’t a team that is likely to win many games, but they should give teams fits all year with how challenging it is to play against each team.
28. Carolina Panthers (1-3) Previous Week: 26
Following the drubbing of the Falcons in Week 3, the Panthers came into Week 4 with a chance to get to .500. Instead, they left with a (1-3) record and many more questions than answers when it comes to the trajectory of their future. Quarterback Bryce Young just can’t stay consistent, and neither can the defense.
29. Miami Dolphins (1-3) Previous Week: 28
The Dolphins finally got their first win of 2025, but it came at a steep price. Tyreek Hill was diagnosed with a dislocated knee, which happened in the third quarter. Miami will continue to have an uphill climb if it wishes to salvage its season; it’ll have to take advantage of the soft part of its schedule over the next five weeks. It feels like wins will be hard to come by this season in Miami, so enjoy them when they happen.
30. New York Jets (0-4) Previous Week: 29
The Jets’ winless start continued on Monday night, despite facing the winless Dolphins, who came into the game understaffed. After two disappointing seasons with hopes of Aaron Rodgers bringing them back to relevance, it’s clear this team is in a complete rebuild. The offense is a work in progress, but the continued defensive struggles are somewhat surprising. Jets fans should feel good about the future, but it’s clear 2025 is going to be rough to watch.
31. New Orleans Saints (0-4) Previous Week: 32
To the Saints’ credit, they hung tight with one of the best teams in the league for the better part of the game. In the end, it wasn’t enough, though. Quarterback Spencer Rattler continues to do a solid job, but in most cases, the Saints are out-manned in the talent department. Luckily for them, they’ll have a trio of winnable games starting next week at home against the Giants. Rattler has yet to win a game at the NFL level.
32. Tennessee Titans (0-4) Previous Week: 31
There aren’t many scenarios where things go well enough for head coach Bill Callahan to save his job. In fact, I’m starting to wonder if he can even make it through the season. Although they’ve found a way to hang in some games through the first half, being shut out 26-0 against a struggling Texans team is just not a good look. More concern is that rookie quarterback Cam Ward has two games where he fell well below the 50% completion mark, including Sunday, when he was 10-of-26 for 108 passing yards and an interception. It’s a tale as old as time when it comes to the wrong coaching staff attempting to develop a highly drafted rookie.
