JetNation NFL Power Rankings Week 4
Welcome to the JetNation NFL Power Rankings for Week Four! As the season heats up, teams are starting to show their true colors. From the Chiefs’ dominance to the Jets’ impressive rise, here’s how all the top teams stack up after three weeks of action.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Last Week: 1
The Chiefs won a tough road game in Atlanta. Three games thus far, and the Chiefs have outscored their opponents in the second half in all three contests. The Falcons could only muster a field goal in the second half on Sunday. The Chiefs are doing something right at halftime as they have been outscored in total by their opponents in the first half.
Biggest Concern So Far: Where is Travis Kelce? Kelce has no touchdowns yet and has just eight receptions. KC is perfect thus far, but can they stay on top if Kelce doesn’t come close to his typical production?
2. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Last Week: 8
The Bills obliterated the Jaguars in a primetime matchup on Monday night. Buffalo has outscored their opponents 78-20 in the last two games. Josh Allen has not thrown a pick in 2024.
Biggest Concern After Three Weeks: Keon Coleman has five catches. The Bills haven’t played the best defensive teams thus far, and Coleman hasn’t shown up. Buffalo will need someone to step up opposite Khalil Shakir.
3. Detroit Lions (2-1)
Last Week: 5
The Lions defense held the Cardinals to just six points after the first quarter and held off Arizona for their second win. The Lions are in the top ten in overall defense and are fourth in offense. That balance, if they can maintain it, should equate to another strong run for Detroit.
Biggest Concern So Far: The Lions are not scoring, especially in the second half. The Cards are not known for defense, and they were able to hold Detroit scoreless over the final two quarters on Sunday. The Lions posted just seven points in the second half against Tampa, and nine points in the second half against the Rams.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Last Week: 6
The Eagles found a way to win after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in week two. Saquon Barkley was the difference on Sunday. Barkley now leads the league in rushing and has four touchdowns.
Biggest Concern So Far: The Eagles are banged up at wideout. A. J. Brown is essential for this offense to be effective. Philadelphia had 34 points in the one game Brown played and 37 points in the two games Brown has missed. Devonta Smith suffered a concussion against New Orleans, and his status for this week is questionable. Brown’s hamstring and Smith’s concussion have the potential to be season-long issues.
5. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Last Week: 7
The Packers throttled the Titans in Tennessee while Malik Willis led the Pack to 23 points on offense. The Packers have allowed just 24 points in their last two games after giving up 34 in week one to Philadelphia.
Reason to be concerned: Jordan Love’s health is the biggest concern. Though Willis looked very solid against the Titans, if Love is not able to get under center for the vast majority of games, the Packers are not going to reach the level they could with their starter at quarterback.
6. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Last Week: 9
The Vikings hammered a very good Texans team on Sunday. The Vikings, picked by many to finish last in the NFC North, are giving up just 10 points per game so far while averaging over 28 points per contest.
Reason to be concerned: Will Sam Darnold be able to maintain his high level of play? Darnold is carrying a lofty 117.3 quarterback rating after week three. Has Darnold turned a corner, or can we expect him to level off near the 80.7 average he’s carried during his prior six years of play?
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
Last Week: Unranked
The Steelers are winning ugly behind the league’s best defense. Pittsburgh is only allowing 8.6 points per game. The Steelers are also in the top four of the league in turnover margin.
Reason to be concerned: The Steelers are in the bottom ten of the league in total offense. The offense needs to improve its efficiency. The Steelers cannot put this much pressure on the defense all season.
8. Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
Last Week: Unranked
Seattle dominated the struggling Dolphins. The Seahawks are number two in overall defense thus far.
Biggest Concern So Far: You can only beat the teams that you play, but the Seahawks have not played anybody yet. That changes this week as Seattle travels to Detroit for a primetime matchup that should give a better gauge of where the Seahawks stand.
9. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Last Week: 3
The Saints were limited to just 15 points on Sunday after posting more than 40 against each of their first two opponents. Though they lost, New Orleans appears to be for real, but road games at Atlanta and KC will help us see if the Saints are built for the long haul.
Biggest Concern So Far: The Saints ran for 199 and 190 yards respectively in their first two games. The Eagles held the Saints to just 89 yards on the ground on Sunday. Which of those performances is closer to what we can expect from Saints ground game is unknown. If they can be the offense that dominated on the ground the first two weeks, the Saints will be a factor in the conference.
10. Houston Texans (2-1)
Last Week: 4
The Texans were shut down by the Vikings on Sunday. Houston had just 38 yards rushing in Minnesota. The Texans lost the turnover battle as CJ Stroud threw two interceptions. The two picks were the first for Stroud this season after having just 5 all season in 2023.
Biggest Concern So Far: The injury to Joe Mixon is a problem. Mixon led the Texans with 159 yards rushing in week one. The Texan’s leading rusher in week two ran for 32 yards and the leading rusher on Sunday totaled just 21 yards.
Coming in at # 12: New York Jets (2-1)
Last Week: 14
The Jets won in the manner they should against the overmatched Patriots. The defense mauled the Pats for seven sacks, while the offense held the ball for just over 40 minutes. The offensive line is coming together after limited live action in the preseason. New York gained 133 yards on the ground. New England was able to hold Seattle to just 46 rushing yards while Cincinnati had just 70 yards against the Pats in week one. The Jets also got seven catches from tight ends on the day after they were missing in action in the first two weeks.
Biggest Concern So Far: What is going on with Malachi Corley? When Corley was drafted, he was expected to be a factor from the get go out of the slot, preventing defenses from shading the coverage toward Garrett Wilson. It hasn’t happened. Corley has just one catch and four yards in three games. Too often Aaron Rodgers has been unable to find his primary receiver even with enough time in the pocket. The Jets need to find a consistent threat in the middle of the field.
Videos
Jets beat writer asks, "is it time for Joe Douglas to get Involved?; Robert Saleh Meets With Press