NFL power rankings: Just two undefeated teams remain

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

Week 4: W 17-10 (at Chargers) | Last week: 1

The Chiefs survived a scare from their AFC West rival Los Angeles, but appear to have lost their top wideout Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury. While TE Travis Kelce delivered a vintage outing (seven catches for 89 yards), the Chiefs must consider adding reinforcements via the trade market to bolster their battered offense.

Week 5: vs. New Orleans (Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN)

2. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)

Week 4: W 31-29 (at Packers) | Last week: 5

The Vikings dominated the Packers during Sunday’s win and bent but didn’t break in the second half to enter Week 5 as the only undefeated team in the NFC. The next stop on NFL passing touchdown leader Sam Darnold’s redemption tour will be the most intriguing yet, with an overseas matchup against his former team, the New York Jets, set for Sunday. 

Week 5: vs. Jets (in London) (9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network) 

Week 4: W 42-29 (vs. Seattle) | Last week: 3

The stout Detroit run defense turned in its worst showing of the young season on Monday, allowing Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III to rush for 80 yards and three touchdowns. Nonetheless, a perfect night from QB Jared Goff (18-of-18 passing for 292 yards and three total touchdowns) was more than enough to overcome Seattle’s upset bid. 

Week 5: Bye

Week 4: L 35-10 (at Baltimore) | Last week: 2

After coasting to blowout wins in Weeks 2 and 3, the Bills learned what it felt like to get punched in the mouth, getting outplayed in all facets of the game during their loss to Baltimore. Buffalo’s defense desperately needs LB Terrel Bernard and CB Taron Johnson to return from their respective injuries, especially with tough matchups against Houston and the Jets slated for its next two games. 

Week 5: at Houston (1 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 24-20 (vs.Jacksonville) | Last week: 8

It wasn’t easy, but Houston bounced back from a deflating Week 3 loss to topple the Jaguars in thrilling fashion, as third-string running back Dare Ogunbowale scored the game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds remaining. QB C.J. Stroud finally looks like he’s returned to his 2023 form, throwing for a season-high 345 yards and two touchdowns. 

Week 5: vs. Buffalo (1 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 35-10 (vs. Buffalo) | Last week: 14

The Ravens have officially re-established themselves as a powerhouse in the AFC following their drubbing of Buffalo on “Sunday Night Football.” 30-year-old Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 350 yards and scored four total touchdowns over his last two games, is proving that older running backs are still capable of making a significant impact. 

Week 5: at Cincinnati (1 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 33-16 (vs. Philadelphia) | Last week: 11

After a disastrous Week 3 performance against the Broncos, Tampa Bay turned things around against the Eagles and quickly ran up the score thanks to QB Baker Mayfield’s two first-quarter touchdown passes. As long as Mayfield continues to produce, the Buccaneers should be considered one of the biggest threats in the NFC playoff race. 

Week 5: at Atlanta (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime Video)

8. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Week 4: L 31-29 (vs. Minnesota) | Last week: 6

QB Jordan Love’s return and four touchdown passes weren’t enough for the Packers to complete what would’ve been an impressive come-from-behind victory against Minnesota. Even though the Packers were playing catch-up for the majority of the contest, it’s a bit surprising that they only gave their $48 million running back Josh Jacobs nine carries. 

Week 5: at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET | CBS) 

Week 4: W 30-13 (vs. New England) | Last week: 13

San Francisco got back in the win column, earning a much-needed win over the Patriots in an all-around dominant performance. Still, with RB Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) sidelined, the 49ers need more from WR Brandon Aiyuk, who has just 25 receptions for 167 yards this season after signing a four-year, $120 million deal in the offseason. 

Week 5: vs. Arizona (4:05 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 27-24 (at Indianapolis) | Last week: 9

Two turnovers led to the Steelers dropping their first game of the season, though the team nearly pulled off a second-half comeback. Despite the loss, the Steelers may have unlocked a new element to their offense after watching QB Justin Fields throw for 312 yards and one touchdown while adding 55 yards and two scores on the ground.

Week 5: vs. Dallas (8:20 p.m. ET | NBC)

Week 4: L 42-29 (at Detroit) | Last week: 10

The Seahawks suffered their first loss of the season during a high-scoring affair on “Monday Night Football,” and while the result isn’t what the team wanted, it’s hard to be disappointed in the outcome. After all, Seattle entered the game missing five starters on defense and also saw safety Julian Love exit with a second-half quad injury. 

Week 5: vs. Giants (4:25 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 42-14 (at Arizona) | Last week: 18

The high-powered Commanders offense finally showed signs of slowing down in Week 4, punting for the first time in three games. QB Jayden Daniels is off to a historic start to his career, posting an NFL-record 82.1% completion rate through the first four games, and has quickly become the runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. 

Week 5: vs. Cleveland (1 p.m. ET | Fox) 

Week 4: W 26-24 (vs. New Orleans) | Last week: 15

The Falcons offense didn’t score a touchdown this past Sunday, but a KhaDarel Hodge fumble recovery TD and Younghoe Koo’s four field goals were enough to propel the team past New Orleans. If Atlanta can get RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts more involved, the offense has the potential to be one of the more dominant units in the NFC. 

Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime Video)

Week 4: L 33-16 (at Tampa Bay) | Last week: 4

Raymond James Stadium continues to be a house of horrors for the Eagles, who’ve won just one of their last five road matchups against Tampa Bay. Jalen Hurts has turned the ball over in every game this season, and it’s clear that he isn’t the same quarterback without WR A.J. Brown in the lineup. 

Week 5: Bye

15. New York Jets (2-2)

Week 4: L 10-9 (vs. Denver) | Last week: 7

The Jets dropped a winnable game against the Broncos in humiliating fashion, a loss that suggests they could be nothing more than a pretender. With the most challenging stretch of their schedule approaching (against Minnesota, Buffalo and Pittsburgh), we’ll soon find out if Aaron Rodgers and Co. should be taken seriously. 

Week 5: at Vikings (in London) (9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network) 

Week 4: L 26-24 (at Atlanta) | Last week: 12

It’s safe to say that the Saints and Klint Kubiak’s offense has fallen back to Earth after appearing to be a juggernaut during the first two weeks of the season. New Orleans is only allowing 17.5 points per game, but defensive miscues have played significant roles during its last two contests. 

Week 5: at Kansas City (Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN)

Week 4: W 20-15 (at Giants) | Last week: 16

Dallas defeated an inferior Giants team in Week 4, but its performance doesn’t provide much optimism going forward, considering it was outgained in total yards, 303 to 293, and racked up 11 penalties. Following the injuries to edge-rushers Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), it’ll be interesting to see whether the Cowboys can survive a rather difficult upcoming stretch of games. 

Week 5: at Pittsburgh (8:20 p.m. ET | NBC)

Week 4: L 17-10 (vs. Kansas City) | Last week: 17

The Chargers nearly knocked off the Chiefs behind a stellar effort from DC Jesse Minter’s unit, but the offense’s inability to find a rhythm proved costly. Although Los Angeles’ wide receiver corps isn’t spectacular, OC Greg Roman needs to let Pro Bowl QB Justin Herbert, who’s averaging a career-low 144.5 passing yards per game, throw the ball more. 

Week 5: Bye

Week 4: W 34-24 (at Carolina) | Last week: 21

Cincinnati’s offense exploded for 34 points against the lowly Panthers, with RB Chase Brown enjoying a breakout performance, tallying 92 total yards and two touchdowns. However, the Bengals defense remains problematic, and the unit’s performance raises doubt about whether the team can get the season back on track, especially with a pivotal matchup against Baltimore looming. 

Week 5: vs. Baltimore (1 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 27-24 (vs. Pittsburgh) | Last week: 22

There’s no other way to put it: Joe Flacco is inevitable. Filling in for injured starter Anthony Richardson (hip), the 39-year-old signal-caller tossed two touchdown passes and led the Colts to a victory over his former AFC North rival Steelers.

Week 5: at Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 24-18 (vs. Rams) | Last week: 23

Chicago’s stifling defense excelled in the red zone during Sunday’s win, limiting the Rams to just one touchdown on their four trips while forcing two turnovers. QB Caleb Williams had a few egregious misfires, but he continued to show flashes of why he was the first overall pick in April’s draft, most notably on his nine-yard touchdown pass to WR D.J. Moore. 

Week 5: vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: W 10-9 (at Jets) | Last week: 24

Rookie QB Bo Nix took a step back after impressing in Week 3, completing just 48% of his passes for 60 yards and one touchdown against the Jets. Even so, the Broncos defense, which has allowed the second-fewest total yards (1,026) and fewest touchdowns (five) this season, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top units. 

Week 5: vs. Las Vegas (4:05 p.m. ET | Fox) 

Week 4: W 20-16 (vs. Cleveland) | Last week: 29

Las Vegas secured a season-saving win against the Browns despite missing several key contributors, including star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) and WR Davante Adams (hamstring). Antonio Pierce still has plenty to prove as a head coach, but there’s no doubt that his leadership is invaluable to this Raiders team. 

Week 5: at Denver (4:05 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 24-18 (at Chicago) | Last week: 19

The Rams have to play nearly flawlessly if they want to win due to their slew of injuries, but the Bears defense was too much to handle, particularly in the red zone, during this past Sunday’s road loss. The return of WR Cooper Kupp can’t come soon enough, though it might not make much of a difference if the defense continues to perform like a bottom-three unit. 

Week 5: vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: L 42-14 (vs. Washington) | Last week: 20

In a matchup that was expected to be a shootout, the Cardinals offense struggled mightily against a vulnerable Commanders defense, gaining 296 total yards. Rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. impressed again, though Arizona’s passing attack is facing a lot of uncertainty after QB Kyler Murray’s disappointing performance (142 passing yards and one touchdown). 

Week 5: at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 20-15 (vs. Dallas) | Last week: 25

New York kept things close with the Cowboys after losing its 2023 matchups against the team’s NFC East rival by a combined 72 points. The Giants probably could’ve edged out a win if it had a better quarterback than Daniel Jones, who finished 2-of-7 passing on those throws 20 yards or more downfield for 67 yards and an interception. 

Week 5: at Seattle (4:25 p.m. ET | CBS)

Week 4: W 31-12 (at Miami) | Last week: 31

Tennessee finally got on the board, earning its first win of 2024 on Monday in an ugly game against the Dolphins where it only needed to throw for 102 yards. Backup Mason Rudolph was an effective game manager, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the Titans will roll with him as their starting quarterback instead of the turnover-prone Will Levis. 

Week 5: Bye

Week 4: L 20-16 (at Las Vegas) | Last week: 27

After blowing a 10-point lead to the undermanned Raiders, the Browns couldn’t get out of their own way during this past Sunday’s loss, with a penalty that nullified an 82-yard Amari Cooper touchdown being a deciding factor. On the bright side, QB Deshaun Watson (24-of-32 passing for 176 yards, one touchdown and an interception) put together his most impressive outing of the season. 

Week 5: at Washington (1 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 34-24 (vs. Cincinnati) | Last week: 28

QB Andy Dalton was unable to get his revenge on his former Bengals team, but the Panthers offense still looked impressive compared to how it did under Bryce Young, amassing 375 total yards. If Carolina can land a legitimate franchise quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, its future might not be as bleak as it appeared just a few weeks ago. 

Week 5: at Chicago (1 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 30-13 (at San Francisco) | Last week: 30

The struggles of the offensive line, which has given up 13 sacks over the last two games, have derailed any chance of the Patriots finding success on offense. With a home matchup against a struggling Dolphins team on deck, perhaps New England will finally make a switch at quarterback and start first-round rookie Drake Maye.

Week 5: vs. Miami (1 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 31-12 (vs. Tennessee) | Last week: 26

Miami’s offense hasn’t been able to function without QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), as the unit has averaged the fewest points (7.5) and second-fewest yards per game (194.5) over its last two contests. The Dolphins still haven’t led in a game yet this season, and with the way things are going, they might not be able to do so until Tagovailoa returns in Week 8. 

Week 5: at New England (1 p.m. ET | Fox)

Week 4: L 24-20 (at Buffalo) | Last week: 32

Despite playing their best game of the season so far, the Jaguars fell short during their AFC South clash with Houston, losing in the final seconds of the contest. While Trevor Lawrence threw two touchdown passes, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the Jaguars may have a quarterback problem, as the former No. 1 overall pick only completed 18 of his 33 pass attempts for 169 yards. 

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET | CBS)