NFL Power Rankings: Eagles and Lions recover; Cowboys and Dolphins stumble in Week 4

Week 3 usually brings a lot of upset wins from desperate, bad teams and more disappointing results for teams that should be much better. That's normal in the early testing phase of an NFL season.

The results of 2024 are no different.

Given that unpredictability, here's how the teams compare after a wild third week.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 4

1. Kansas City Chiefs 3-0 (previous ranking: 1)

The Chiefs handled a difficult road trip to Atlanta with ease on Sunday night. Patrick Mahomes' connection with Rashee Rice was excellent, the running game was shorthanded and the defense looked as strong as ever. Kansas City is getting harder to beat on both sides every week.

MORE: Raheem Morris cautiously comments on the controversial no-call against Kansas City

2. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0 (4)

The Steelers don't score a lot of points for their style — or points, period — but when they control the action and focus on the run to complement their dominant defense, the burden of winning is light. They're not going to change that formula much for Mike Tomlin, especially at the QB position.

MORE: Justin Fields ends any ‘QB controversy’ in Pittsburgh

3. Buffalo Bills 2-0 (3)

The Bills benefit from their efficient, run-heavy offense, which helps Josh Allen, and the defense gains new strength from the deep pass rush and the growing secondary.

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4. Minnesota Vikings 3-0 (13)

The Vikings have earned a good reputation with two home wins against the 49ers and Texans. Their offense is well led by Sam Darnold and the defense is running excellently under DC Brian Flores. The fun can continue.

MORE: Will the Seahawks, Vikings and Steelers make the playoffs? | Will the Cowboys, 49ers and Browns miss the postseason?

5. Philadelphia Eagles 2-1 (7)

The Eagles played hard on defense to contain the Saints' explosive offense and made the big play at the end. They also got more resourceful around Jalen Hurts as injuries mounted on offense. This was a huge, much-needed road win.

MORE: CJ Gardner-Johnson reprimands Saints for unfair play | Update on DeVonta Smith's injury

6. Detroit Lions 2-1 (8)

The Lions showed more defense when needed in Arizona to help Jared Goff, who was stuck in a slump, and they also restored their dominance in the running game. That familiar Dan Campbell formula helped Detroit look more like last year's NFC runner-up.

MORE: Lions score the decisive point with a perfect hook-and-ladder

7. Houston Texans 2-1 (2)

The Texans are a bit of a mess on offense, with CJ Stroud dealing with a natural sophomore slump that requires him to use all of his weapons. The defense also struggles with consistency from week to week, sometimes allowing too many big plays when they can't make them.

8. Baltimore Ravens 1-2 (9)

The Ravens have held off the Cowboys with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the running game, and their defense was good enough to hold on to another late lead in Dallas. They are slowly getting back to their 2023 form.

MORE: Derrick Henry makes the Cowboys pay for not signing him in the offseason

9. San Francisco 49ers 1-2 (6)

The 49ers are dealing well with their offensive injuries thanks to the scheming of Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan, but their defense hasn't been up to par in the losses to the Vikings and Rams to start with. They need some time to get everything back under control, and now they have a few recovery games.

MORE: How the 49ers squandered their lead against the Rams

10. Green Bay Packers 2-1 (10)

The Packers continue to showcase Matt LaFleur's offensive talent and adapt well to the opponent and quarterback situation week after week. They should be very happy that they can get much more out of the defense with Jeff Hafley's offensive scheme.

11. New York Jets 2-1 (11)

Aaron Rodgers came out on top with solid passing and a great, revamped running game, becoming his MVP self. That's more than enough to pull off a big win with this defense.

MORE: Crowd chants Aaron Rodgers' name in first home win | 5 games where Rodgers looked back to form

12. Seattle Seahawks 3-0 (15)

The Seahawks have had some great opportunities in their early schedule, but they have also accelerated their development in their exciting new schemes under Mike Macdonald and Ryan Grubb. They will get a good litmus test next with the Lions.

13. Los Angeles Chargers 2-1 (5)

Justin Herbert's injury problems have slowed the great momentum of Jim Harbaugh's offense, and Joey Bosa's injury has had a similar impact on Pittsburgh's defense. The timing of the game against the Chiefs is unfortunate.

MORE: Justin Herbert Injury Update | Joey Bosa Injury Update

14. New Orleans Saints 2-1 (14)

The Saints have fallen back to earth on offense and Derek Carr has been unable to complete the comeback after a bad afternoon. At least Dennis Allen's defense continues to pull it together on all levels and keeps them in the game every game.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-1 (12)

What was that? The Buccaneers can sometimes ask too much of Baker Mayfield and his passing game, and they were not prepared to be outdone physically by the Broncos at home. They were disappointed after the road win against the Lions.

16. Atlanta Falcons 1-2 (16)

The Falcons are status quo after putting pressure on the Chiefs in prime time and beating the Eagles under the lights in Philadelphia. They may be a little inconsistent, but they remain in position to win the NFC South.

MORE: Atlanta's Justin Simmons continues his INT magic against Patrick Mahomes

17.Cincinnati Bengals 0-2 (20)

The Bengals shouldn't have lost to the Patriots in Week 1, but they found their fighting spirit and mojo against the Chiefs in Kansas City. They'll have to show off their dangerous passing game again on Monday night against the Commanders.

18. Dallas Cowboys 1-2 (17)

The Cowboys can't stop the run or run the ball, and they can't consistently make big plays in the passing game with Dak Prescott. The defense is also sorely lacking former DC Dan Quinn. This is just not a good team right now.

MORE: Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb engage in heated exchange on the sidelines | Dak tells his haters to jump off the train

19. Arizona Cardinals 1-2 (21)

The Cardinals have had a great offense with Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. and others, but they were all in vain against the Lions. Jonathan Gannon's defense is doing well despite major problems.

MORE: Update on Trey McBride's injury

20. Los Angeles Rams 1-2 (25)

The Rams remain dangerous every week as Sean McVay's plays are tailored to the wide receivers' serious injuries. He still throws the same passes to Matthew Stafford and can count on Kyren Williams and the running game. However, the pass defense will continue to be a major bugbear.

21. Miami Dolphins 1-2 (18)

Without Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, the Dolphins can't run their offense the way Mike McDaniel wants. They need to find someone who can do that quickly, because they can't keep up well on defense either.

MORE: Skylar Thompson injury update | Tim Boyle leads Dolphins quarterback rankings after Thompson injury

22. Washington Commanders 1-1 (26)

The Commanders have had great moments with Jayden Daniels, but they should let him free up as a passer so he can keep up with his running. They need to be more aggressive offensively because the defense needs that help, now.

23. Denver Broncos 1-2 (31)

The Broncos saw in Bo Nix what made him their first-round draft pick: toughness, athleticism and amazing playmaking, even in a compressed offense. The defense is still good against the pass despite the running difficulties.

24. Indianapolis Colts 1-2 (28)

The Colts got away with a flop from Anthony Richardson to get their first win, but their defense stepped up in key spots and Jonathan Taylor was there to save the day.

MORE: Is Anthony Richardson on the hot seat?

25. New York Giants 1-2 (30)

The Giants have simplified their offense for Daniel Jones, often passing him to Malik Nabers and Devin Singletary to take the pressure off his own passing and running game. Brian Daboll got some much-needed rest after his win in Cleveland.

MORE: Malik Nabers sets rookie record | Devin Singletary angers fantasy owners and bettors with slide at the 1-yard line

26. Chicago Bears 1-2 (19)

The Bears released Caleb Williams against Indianapolis, and while his stats were better, he was still plagued by mistakes and bad situations. However, the defense will continue to give Chicago chances to win.

MORE: Sacks and turnovers continue to increase for the struggling Caleb Williams

27. Carolina Panthers 1-2 (32)

The Panthers switched Andy Dalton to quarterback and immediately had good results passing deep, allowing them to take advantage of their improved receiver group. They also suddenly had success rushing. Unfortunately, that's a sign that the team was simply ready to react to someone other than Bryce Young.

MORE: Andy Dalton outperforming Bryce Young's season in first half against Raiders | Best trade fits for Bryce Young

28. Cleveland Browns 1-2 (22)

The Browns are at a crossroads at quarterback (again) with Deshaun Watson. His performance has fallen far short of expectations and with Myles Garrett injured, he may now have to do a lot more.

MORE: Will Deshaun Watson be benched? Browns crowd chants for Jameis Winston

29. New England Patriots 1-2 (23)

The Patriots' true offense has shown its ugly face. They will soon have to trade Jacoby Brissett for Drake Maye for good.

MORE: When will Drake Maye start for the Patriots?

30. Las Vegas Raiders 1-2 (24)

Gardner Minshew wasted a great opportunity to keep his starting spot against the Panthers' porous defense, and now the Raiders may be forced to make the decision they should have made regarding Aidan O'Connell.

MORE: Antonio Pierce criticizes players who make 'business decisions' against the Panthers

31. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-2 (27)

The Jaguars will have a hard time avoiding a 3-0 tie with the Titans and slipping even deeper into the AFC South cellar. Their offense was too laborious with Trevor Lawrence and did not help a defense with many gaps in the passing game.

32. Tennessee Titans 0-3 (29)

The Titans will have to consider a quarterback change as Will Levis is at his wits' end with his new personnel in the new offense. The new defense is doing its best to hold up but can get tired and allow too many big plays.