NFL Power Rankings
We are roughly a quarter of the way through the NFL season, and it just feels like it’s flying by. Speaking of byes, this is the first week of the season where we will see some teams resting. Those teams include the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans. Make sure to get these players out of your fantasy lineups!
With the bye weeks now beginning to swirl, we will have to reach for unlikely contributors for our fantasy teams just as these NFL teams are reaching for unlikely contributors on their rosters. Injuries have plagued a myriad of these franchises, and it is only going to continue as the long season wears on. Listen closely to what teams are saying, but go with your gut.
There’s a bit of a shakeup in the top-10 this week after some stunning losses, and overall, poor play has begun to sink in. I can say for certain that this season has not gone the way that I believed it would, but then again, what NFL season does? Because I’m in a good mood, I hope all of your teams win this week unless they are playing my favorite team. Then I hope you don’t win. But for the rest of you, good luck, and thanks for reading more about the power rankings this week.
Biggest Riser: Washington Commanders (+10), Biggest Faller: Los Angeles Rams/New York Jets/New Orleans Saints/Philadelphia Eagles (-7)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Chiefs remain undefeated on the backs of their defense that is playing well above its head. Patrick Mahomes has had an interception in 5 straight games dating back to Super Bowl 58. On top of turnover woes, Rashee Rice is likely out for the season. The threat of a 3rd straight title is in serious jeopardy.
2. Minnesota Vikings (4)
Give me one good reason this team shouldn’t be ranked this high. You can’t. Minnesota is on a tear, and Sam Darnold looks every bit like the quarterback who was drafted 3rd overall in the 2018 draft. Maybe he’s not as bad as we thought, and it was just coaching. Either way, this team is a real threat.
3. Detroit Lions (3)
A 42-point game against a phenomenal Seahawks defense sure is one way to make sure you dispel any doubts about your demise. Detroit is a legit Super Bowl contender and a threat to any team in this league. No team has ever gone completely undefeated, so we shouldn’t expect anyone to do it. Detroit is no exception.
4. Houston Texans (6)
Demeco Ryans has done a heck of a job with this team in a single year. This defense is one of the best in the league, and the offense continues to improve and make plays. Houston is the 2nd-best team in the AFC and could make an argument for the best with the Chiefs getting even more depleted.
5. Seattle Seahawks (5)
There’s no reason to drop a team that lost to a better team. Seattle was outplayed and outmanned by a superior Detroit roster. That doesn’t mean that Seattle is going to spiral, but we should be aware that there are holes in this team. That being said, there is enough talent, if they play together, to cover those holes.
6. Buffalo Bills (2)
Buffalo may still be ranked higher than the team they just lost to, but I’m seriously concerned about them. This team wasn’t supposed to be that good coming into the year with all of the turnover on the roster. They have been playing over their heads and should start regressing.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (7)
Justin Fields proved, even in this loss, that he is the quarterback of the future for this Steelers team. Pittsburgh should actively find a trade partner for Russell Wilson once he is healthy. Keep building this offense around Fields, and good things will follow.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12) 📈
Say what you want, but this is a top-tier team in the NFC with Baker Mayfield at the helm. He is cruising through the first four games of the season and is showing Cleveland why they should have never let him walk. Tampa took a shot, and it paid off. Good for them.
9. Baltimore Ravens (15) 📈
The rumors of Baltimore’s demise were exaggerated. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are a duo from the underworld for opposing defenses, and they are just going to get better. Watch out for this team come January.
10. Green Bay Packers (10)
Jordan Love is back, and the Packers are singing the praises of anything they believe in. A near comeback effort to the mighty Vikings, they came up short. However, this is not something that Packers fans should hang their head about. Love looked phenomenal, and there is nothing that will stop the meteoric rise of this offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers (14)
Brandon Aiyuk just does not seem to be involved in the game plan, which is crazy considering the extension they signed him to at the beginning of the year. Maybe the team sees something we don’t see. We expected him to take a bigger role with injuries being an issue, but even then, he was overlooked.
12. Washington Commanders (22) 🚀
This team is going to win the NFC East. You can bookmark it here. Jayden Daniels is a superstar and is only going to get better as he plays more. The coaching staff found their guy and installed an offense around him that allowed him to succeed. Other franchises should take note.
13. Dallas Cowboys (18)
The offense finally came alive, but it was against a less-than-good Giants team. I’m still not convinced that this team has what it takes to finally break through in the playoffs, but maybe they can prove me wrong. I don’t think Mike McCarthy is the answer, either.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (13)
Jim Harbaugh may have lost the inaugural battle of championship coaches on Sunday, but what he has done with this team in 4 short games is nothing short of remarkable. He is running his offense the way he wants it to run, and the defense is thriving under new coordinator Jesse Minter. Good things are coming for this franchise.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8) 📉
Another week, another drop in rankings. Saquon Barkley is the truth and will continue to be the bread and butter of this team, but man, does not having your top-2 receivers cause some issues. Maybe it’s Kellen Moore’s scheme, but I don’t know. What I do know is that this team has a long way to go before they can compete with the top-tier teams.
16. New Orleans Saints (9) 📉
New Orleans has come back down to earth and cooled off tremendously. That’s not to say this team can’t push for the NFC South title, but they have a long way to go. This offense is one of the more boom/bust options in the league, and it shows. The defense was supposed to be better, but that’s not happening.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (16)
The Bengals won their first game against a much-improved Carolina team. Cincinnati finally won a game they should have won, and this could be the turning point. For now, they are staying low but could make a quick rise if they get back on track. Let’s hope everyone stays healthy.
18. New York Jets (11)
I wish I could tell you what the issue with New York is, but I haven’t got a clue. Aaron Rodgers said he injured both of his legs, and Garrett Wilson seems to be playing second-fiddle to Allen Lazard. I don’t have an answer for you other than the fact that they aren’t winning games, which is just more of the same.
19. Atlanta Falcons (19)
Atlanta seems to be finding their groove as they secure their 2nd win of the season in a competitive rivalry game. Kirk Cousins completed passes to 5 different receivers while targeting 6. Does anyone want to take a wild guess as to who is the only player not to haul in a target? That would be Kyle Pitts.
20. Chicago Bears (26) 📉
This was the D’Andre Swift show as he exploded for 165 yards from scrimmage. I wish I could say that this meant Swift nailed down the starting job, but he just has not been good this year. If anything, this just makes the running back situation murkier. Not that the Bears care if they are winning games.
21. Denver Broncos (24)
After an ugly win over the Jets, Denver secured a 1-point victory in a low-scoring affair that totaled only 19 points. The lone touchdown in the game was scored by Courtland Sutton, who also had 60 yards. Bo Nix threw for exactly 60 yards.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (25)
Las Vegas secured a win against a hapless Browns team by 4 points. This win feels just awful. A team you should have blown out limits you to 20 points? The quarterback situation is not ideal, and will only continue to show their shortcomings for the year.
23. Indianapolis Colts (20)
One of the more surprising victories this week, Indianapolis upends the undefeated Steelers at home. I wish I could say wins were a guarantee to move you up in these rankings, but the fact remains that Anthony Richardson is not playing good football and just got hurt. Jonathan Taylor was hurt as well.
24. Los Angeles Rams (17)
This team badly needs their playmakers back. Sure, a player can be good for one week, but those elite guys are always good. When you’re missing two of them at the same time, your team is bound to take a hit. Hopefully, this team will be at full strength sooner rather than later.
25. Arizona Cardinals (21)
I thought this team was going to be better, but one player can’t fix everything. This offensive line has allowed ten sacks and so many more pressures. If I was Arizona, I would dedicate everything I could to keeping Kyler Murray upright.
26. New York Giants (29)
A common theme of teams losing and moving up in the rankings, this week, New York is showing signs of life. Daniel Jones has been benched for Drew Lock, so I’m interested to see if this injects some life into this dormant offense.
27. Tennessee Titans (31)
It’s crazy how lopsided the AFC South is. The only reason Tennessee isn’t further down is because they had a favorable matchup this past week.
28. New England Patriots (30)
Drake Maye is inching closer to the starting job. New England is carried by their defense, but this offense needs a spark. Maybe it’s time to see what you’ve got in the rookie.
29. Cleveland Browns (28)
We are approaching dangerous territory where the Browns may have to bench Deshaun Watson. It’s going to sting, but sometimes you have to admit you’re wrong and move on.
30. Carolina Panthers (32)
Andy Dalton has revived this team, even if they still lost. Who knows what’s going to happen at quarterback in the offseason?
31. Miami Dolphins (23)
I truly feel bad for the Dolphins. They were a promising team, but injuries can kill even the best of the best. Miami will not contend this year, and I worry about the long-term outlook of this team.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (27)
I’ve decided there is a new worst team in the NFL. Jacksonville has been pitiful this season, and the entire coaching staff is on the hot seat.
