NFL power rankings Week 4: Cowboys stumble, Jags plummet, new No. 1 takes over
The NFL is a funny league, but also predictable in a way. Teams can be flying high, but when they hit a pocket of turbulence things can get bumpy really quickly. After the Week 3 results, several coaching staffs which thought it was safe to break out the cinnamon graham crackers and drink menus are going to have to return to using their seat belts and putting their trays in the upright position before things get really out of control.
Yes, this is looking at you Mike McCarthy, Doug Pederson and Sean Payton; three Super Bowl winning coaches who experienced unacceptable losses on Sunday. Meanwhile, other coaches are feeling vindicated over their offseason strategies and the evolutions their squads have made.
The reigning World Champion Kansas City Chiefs got their offense healthy against the woeful Chicago Bears experiment, but the biggest statement was made by the South Florida bullies, the Miami Dolphins. Mike McDaniels gave a world-class whooping to Payton’s Broncos, and a record-setting day puts the target on their back as serious contenders in the AFC.
Chicago Bears (0-3) | Last Week: 29
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers (0-3) | Last Week: 30
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes before being hit by Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos (0-3) | Last Week: 24
Miami Dolphins running back Chris Brooks (35) breaks free for a big gain as Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) follows on the play during the fourth quarter of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Sept. 24, 2023.
Houston Texans (1-2) | Last Week: 31
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston
Tennessee Titans (1-2) | Last Week: 26
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) | Last Week: 32
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson (14) cathces a pass as Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) defends at State Farm Stadium.
New York Giants (1-2) | Last Week: 23
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Minnesota Vikings (0-3) | Last Week: 27
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) | Last Week: 25
Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sidelines during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Commanders (2-1) | Last Week: 18
Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets (1-2) | Last Week: 15
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) | Last Week: 19
Sep 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts (2-1) | Last Week: 28
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Kwity Paye #51 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with Zaire Franklin #44 after recovering a fumble in the second quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) | Last Week: 7
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 12: Mike McCarthy, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys talks with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson after a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
New England Patriots (1-2) | Last Week: 20
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) | Last Week: 21
Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Carlo Kemp (54) stretches with his teammates before the start of the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints (2-1) | Last Week: 16
Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate a touchdown pass to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) | Last Week: 22
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 17
May 20, 2019; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay at a press conference during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 12
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Cleveland Browns (2-1) | Last Week: 14
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) | Last Week: 13
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers (2-1) | Last Week: 11
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 10
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) | Last Week: 1
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Dallas Cowboys fans cheer on their team before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) | Last Week: 5
Sep 24, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) reacts when a fourth down play is reviewed on the jumbotron during overt time against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (2-1) | Last Week: 9
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
Buffalo Bills (2-1) | Last Week: 8
Jan 15, 2023; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) is introduced before playing against the Miami Dolphins in a NFL wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 6
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) | Last Week: 4
Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
2 San Francisco 49ers (3-0) | Last Week: 2
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
1 Miami Dolphins (3-0) | Last Week: 3
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) against New England Patriots in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
