Unbeaten Steelers and Seahawks not in the top five

NFL power rankings entering week four of the 2024 season (previous ranking in parentheses):

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1): Have they looked more impressive than the 31 other teams over the last three weeks? Probably not, especially after a couple of close calls over the last two weeks. And maybe an already banged-up offense looks a little uncoordinated after the teams were stripped of Pro Bowl TE Travis Kelce. But a team on a mission to get its third straight win refuses to lose. QB Patrick Mahomes and the defense make the crucial plays when they need to. Pure respect will put them at the top of this list until a loss, either on the field or personnel-wise, necessitates a change.

2. Buffalo Bills (3): Have they looked better than the 31 other teams over the three weeks? A perfect record with a league-best +64 point differential suggests so for a group seeking its fifth consecutive AFC East title and then some. Big test in Baltimore on Sunday night, the Bills' third consecutive prime-time game.