NFL Q1 Power Rankings

Best league in the world.

I feel like I say it every week (I probably do), but there's a reason. Week 4 provided another double-digit slate of one score games, which means 72% of games in the last two weeks have been one-score. It doesn't matter who plays, where they play, or when they play, this league delivers.

There's no real mark of the quarter of the season with the 17-game schedule, but since bye weeks are upon us and this will be the last time all 32 teams have played the same number of games until December, it feels like the right time for a power rankings.

There's still a lot of football to be played, and a lot we still don't know. But based off what we do know (what we've seen on the field, not based on future expectations), this is how I stack the league through 4 weeks.

No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

The Chiefs are all the way back.

Kenny Walker looks better than he ever looked in Seattle, and the threat of the run game allows Andy Reid to go deep into his creativity pockets, evidenced so far by vaulting former 2nd round bust Tyquan Thornton into the "elite down field threat" category of NFL receivers (really bummed for him he got injured).

But the biggest evidence the Chiefs are back to their old ways was the fumble on the kickoff on Sunday, literally seconds after they took the lead.

That was peak Chiefs, with the defense/special teams making the one play they needed to turn the tides of a game. The Raiders moved the ball well all day, but that one play was the difference in the end. That's the voodoo magic we're used to seeing. This team is scary.

No. 2: San Francisco 49ers (4-0)

Without the lure of the 3-time champion team of the decade, this team would take the top spot.

The Niners are playing incredible football on both sides of the ball. Purdy is the leader in my personal MVP clubhouse, and the defense has allowed 14 points or less in three of their four games, including two against Super Bowl hopefuls.

Injuries are always the question, but outside of that there aren't many others with this group.

No. 3: Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

The Super Bowl champs are unsurprisingly awesome again, given the lack of turnover they had from last season's run.

The loss of Kenneth Walker hasn't been felt by the offense, who have gone for 30+ in Sam Darnold's two full starts this year. The defense has looked great outside of the monsoon game in DC, and leads the league in passing/total yards allowed.

If not for that weird loss to the Commanders they'd still be number 1 - to be the best you gotta beat the best. Two of their next three games are against number 1 and 2 on this list, both at home, so we could find them atop this list in short order. But as of now my concerns are virtually nonexistent.

No. 4: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

The Jags have played one bad half of football all year - the second half in Denver, which is like a hocus pocus charm the Broncos seem to cast on everyone at halftime at Mile High.

Trevor has looked good and limited turnovers. The running game is still effective even with the loss of Etienne.

But most impressive has been the defense. They're backing up their top-tier run defense from last year, and although have been abysmal through the air (ranking 31st), they're ball hawks, leading the league in interceptions and turnover margin.

Turnover margin is debatably the most important stat in football. It's difficult to keep up the pace they're at, but they deserve to get their flowers at this point. Liam Coen is proving to be one of the best coaches in football.

No. 5: Chicago Bears (3-1)

Coaching matters in this league.

Notice the top five? Notice how all five of these coaches are undisputedly top 10 (at worst) coaches in the league.

One of the best pieces of evidence for great coaching is sustaining high-level play with backups. Caleb went down in week 2 in a horrific loss to the Vikings - also in a monsoon - and things looked bleak in Chicago.

But Ben Johnson outsmarted Vic Fangio last Monday Night with Case Keenum, and then had the benefit of playing the Jets to move the Bears to 3-1 with Tyson Bagent at the helm. The Bears have already allowed themselves to survive the Caleb Williams absence, and will still be live whenever it is he returns.

Offensively we expected big things from BJ, but the defense has been the surprise so far, especially since Caleb went down.

The Bears were thought to be in the same vein as the Lions and Panthers, where teams move the ball at will and their offense simply outduels them. But outside of week 1, Da Bears have one of the best units in the league.

Being 3-1 without their star QB and a thriving defense is extremely impressive. The NFC should be scared for when they're back at full strength.

No. 6: Minnesota Vikings (4-0)

It's hard to put this team any lower with a zero in the loss column.

This is the nastiest defense in the NFL, and so far have won three of their four games because of the defense.

They had a backup QB in for two games, and this past Sunday were without their WR1 Jettas. So while the offense hasn't clicked yet, it's somewhat understandable given their lack of continuity and time on the field together.

They don't have the most impressive resume, but they suffocate opposing offenses. Aaron Jones has looked surprisingly spry, and I have to think the offense will get better with more reps.

With Brian Flores calling the shots on defense, this team can beat anyone. So far they've beat everyone. I'm excited to see their upcoming games against offensive behemoths in Detroit and Buffalo, but for now they've earned their respect.

No 7: Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)

If you left that Chiefs game thinking anything besides the Raiders are real idk how to talk football with you.

I already mentioned the voodoo magic the Chiefs used on that kickoff fumble. Without that, I think the Raiders might win the game. I mean they were winning the whole time. Even after getting punched in the mouth they gave themselves a chance at the end.

Kirk Cousins is playing really good football, and is doing so without a reliable running game. Brock Bowers might be the best offensive weapon in the league, and the offense as a whole has scored 26+ in every game.

The defense folding under 4th quarter pressure was concerning, but every defense does that against Mahomes. They do lead the league in takeaways so far.

They have the Pats, Bills, and Rams the next three weeks, so we’ll find out more quickly. I thought they would be humbled this Sunday - they weren't. As hard as it is to believe, nothing I've seen from this team warrants them being ranked below #7.

No. 8: Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

I'm not sure what's going on with the offense in Cincy, but the reason I have them in my top 10 despite them being last in the NFC North is because that's why they're struggling.

The defense, which has habitually been the reason for this team's demise, has put forward three out of four great showings; three showings that should equate to wins.

I was impressed with how they bounced back this week against a Jags offense which is infinitely more explosive than the Steelers, limiting Jax to just 212 total yards of offense. That's a game they should/need to win. That's on the offense.

Burrow has had too many turnovers, and they can't get things going on the ground. I have too much faith in Joe and the offense to not believe they'll get their act together. If the defense continues to play at an above average to dare I say high level, they'll be more than fine.

No. 9: Los Angeles Rams (2-2)

I heard someone on NFL Network put the Rams over the 49ers Sunday night after the games had played and I almost punched my TV. Honestly, that alone might've had me put them a few spots lower than they should be out of spite.

They just haven't been very good. I understand the expectations are still high and they should be among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. But that's because of their roster, not their on-field production so far this season.

I can't completely absolve their Australia showing, although I will place some blame on the travel schedule.

They played to their potential against the Giants, and should've won the Denver game if not for a blown call.

But something about them feels off. The Eagles put up 20 first half points without Saquon on Sunday, and the second half dominance is a much more prevalent trend with the Eagles offense than it is the Rams defense.

I'm sure they'll be fine, but through 4 weeks the super team hasn't looked so super. And that's what these rankings are based off of.

No. 10: New England Patriots (2-2)

We know my feelings about this team. The season was saved on Sunday, and the vibes in New England are changing faster than the color of the maple trees in the White Mountains.

They don't deserve to be this high based on week 1-3 - they were barely top 20 for that stretch - but how can I put the Bills in front of them when they just beat them? My respect for the Bills is why the Patriots are this high. Not because of how good they've played thus far.

No. 11: Buffalo Bills (3-1)

Call me bias all you want, I don't care. This is the proper spot for the Bills.

Josh Allen threw a game-losing, boneheaded interception in week 1 in Houston, only for it to be dropped and followed by a rope for a game-winner. 99 times out of 100 Kamari Lassiter catches that ball and the Bills lose that game.

They then played an absolute mess of a game against the Chargers, a game that against any semi-competent opponent they lose. That game had everything to do with how bad the Chargers are.

Then they followed that up with a loss to New England at home, which ended in another bonehead interception from 17.

The defense is horrible - 27th in total defense, 27th in passing defense, 25th in points horrible. They've allowed 29+ points in three of four outings, and only one of those teams (Lions) are considered an explosive offense.

Josh got away with one in Houston, but the problems of playing hero ball to overcompensate a poor defense haven't changed.

The reason Buffalo is this low on my list is because they're the same team as years past, maybe slightly worse; a great offense with a bad defense (worse than before) and a QB who keeps making the same mistake.

The offense won't score 35 points every week. Until the other side of the ball is fixed, the ceiling for this team is lower than it should be.

No 12: Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

The first half Ravens would crack the top three of this list, but the second half still appears to be Kryptonite for this team.

Lamar was injured this week so that gets a pass, but even with Lamar they continue to fall flat down the stretch after getting a big lead.

Their first half point differential is +47, while the second half is -27.

They clearly lack a killer instinct, and without the confidence to close games, how can my confidence be high in this team?

The talent is there, and is clearly overpowering when they play free in the first half. But the issues they had with the old regime are still there and until they step on someone's throat for an entire 60 minutes my thoughts on them won't change. I just haven't been overly impressed so far.

No 13: Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

I feel the same about the Cowboys as Dennis Green felt about the 2006 Bears.

The offense is lethal, and the defense still stinks. They win games by outscoring you, and if they don't play perfect on offense they lose in heartbreaking fashion.

Their two first quarter punts in week 1 put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of. And seven seconds wasn't enough to hold off the Ravens in Rio. Other than that they've played nearly perfect offense, highlighted this Sunday in Houston.

The defense just has too many questions to be ranked higher than this. I predicted them to be the 7 seed in the NFC - so being ranked 13th is right where we expected them.

No. 14: Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

The Colts played the worst half of football in the history of the sport week 1 against the Ravens, but since that first half have played sneakily well.

They took the Chiefs to the brink in Arrowhead. They beat division rival Houston, which is always tough regardless of their record, and dominated a team that was worthy of dominating in London. And they've done so without Daniel Jones playing very good football.

I'm not saying they're a great team, but they've impressed me more than other teams I assume to still be better than them. Their defense has rebounded from a historically bad first two weeks, and I think the offense is improving.

This ranking has more to do with the disappointment of other teams rather than the competence of Indy. But I think it's fair.

No. 15: Cleveland Browns (3-1)

How bout the Brownies cracking the top half of the league!

I don't see how they couldn't. Sure they have a -14 point differential - worst in the division - through four weeks, but a three game win streak and a capable QB (huh??) has them atop the AFC North in what is the surprise of the season so far.

The defense has been very good outside of week 1 in Jacksonville, which is not too much a surprise.

But what is is the offense, which has looked competent the last three weeks. Competence is a big upgrade from the last 55 years for the Browns, and clearly all they need to be a successful team. If they can score 20 points, the defense will hold up their end of the bargain (3-0 so far when scoring 20+).

They've squeaked out a few wins where they haven't looked great, which is why they aren't higher on this list. But that shouldn't take away from Browns fans being excited about being excited in October.

No. 16: Denver Broncos (2-2)

This team is one officiating gift away from being 1-3.

Sean Payton giving up play calling is a big story, as Denver's offense has mustered 13 points in the cumulative eight quarters of first half football so far.

I think that story is a bit overblown, since Denver also struggled in the first half last year with Payton calling plays. But it's not a nothing story.

What's also not a nothing story is the defense being 28th in the league in total defense - and that's before losing Surtain for a likely extended period of time this weekend.

Their schedule has been incredibly hard and that does deserve to be called out, but this defense is why they were on the brink of the Super Bowl last year.

They can't stop the run, and with Surtain out they'll be forced to leave underachieving DBs alone as they put extra guys in the box.

They need to figure something out on both sides of the ball. The second half miracle comebacks won't last forever.

No. 17: Carolina Panthers (2-2)

Incredibly exciting offense, equally exciting defense (just in the bad way).

No. 18: Detroit Lions (2-2)

Same as the Panthers. Only two wins have been squeaked out against bad teams at home.

No. 19: Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

Last two weeks have looked like a top-ten team in the NFL. First two were possibly last.

No. 20: New York Giants (3-1)

Have looked very average without Jaxson Dart. They've been fortunate to play bad teams at home.

No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

Their offense is starting to click? But now the defense is bad? I have no clue what this team is and neither do you.

T-22: Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) & Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Equally bad/disappointing/hard to watch, but still have talent.

No. 24: Houston Texans (0-4)

CJ and the offense have lost two games where they scored 30+ points. I can't believe how bad this defense got overnight.

No. 25: New Orleans Saints (1-3)

Could beat anyone or lose by 30 to anyone any given Sunday. They've already done both.

No. 26: New York Jets (1-3)

Optimistic start is already derailed by injuries, and they don't have the depth (or coaching) to overcome them.

No. 27: Washington Commanders (1-3)

I personally don't think it matters if Jayden Daniels plays. The one game Mariota bump was their only sign of life.

No. 28: Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

Way more frisky than I thought, yet still 1-3 and on their way to losing 7 in a row (peep their schedule).

No. 29: Tennessee Titans (0-4)

Feels like a four-way tie for worst team, but if I have to I'd put the Titans here? Three of their four losses have been by one score at least.

No. 30: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)

Do they regret giving Baker that contract? Probably not as much as keeping Todd Bowles as head coach.

No. 31: Miami Dolphins (0-4)

One score games against the Chiefs and Vikings in back to back weeks is overachieving in my book.

No. 32: Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)

Fuck this team.