Zak Drapeau's NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

Zak Drapeau
Sep 30
8 min read

by Zak Drapeau 9/30/2025 Sportz Nation

1. Buffalo Bills --

4-0

Last Week: 31-19 Win vs NO

The gap between #1 and #2 is now as close as it has been all season but still the Bills remain at my #1 spot. Consistent defense and Josh Allen-magic keeps them afloat even after a home game against the Saints was a lot closer than it should've been.

____________________________

2. Philadelphia Eagles --

4-0

Last Week: 31-25 Win @ TB

After taking a 24-6 lead into halftime, the Eagles almost allowed a crazy Buccaneer-comeback but kept their cool down in Tampa. The reigning champs start 4-0 again in a marquee win and are that much closer to my #1 spot.

____________________________

3. Detroit Lions /\1

3-1

Last Week: 34-10 Win v CLE

After starting off 0-1 and getting embarrassed in Green Bay, Detroit is now showing who they are with 3 great wins in a row. Everything is clicking for them on all phases of the ball and they may keep climbing these rankings.

____________________________

4. Kansas City Chiefs /\1

2-2

Last Week: 37-20 Win v BAL

I expected this game to go to the Chiefs thanks to home field advantage but I didn't expect them to dominate. The Ravens had so many injuries that played a part in the 37-20 score line but still, the Chiefs looked like the Chiefs for the first time this year and did so against another of the best teams in the league.

____________________________

5. Green Bay Packers /\2

2-1-1

Last Week: 40-40 Tie @ DAL

We have a Tie! This game showed that the Packers still have some kinks to iron out but have a lot more positives to them. The defense gave up 37 points in regulation on the road but the offense held it's own and thanks to Jordan Love and Brandon McManus escaped this game without a Loss.

____________________________

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers --

3-1

Last Week: 31-25 Loss v PHI

The Buccaneers lose at home but somehow don't drop down the rankings? Most of this has to do with other teams dropping farther but if you watched that BUccs-Eagles game, you can also see that this Tampa team is absolutely legit and belongs at #6 still after losing to the defending champs.

____________________________

7. Los Angeles Rams /\3

3-1

Last Week: 27-20 Win v IND

The Rams took care of business at home against the Colts and move on to 3-1. In a battle with the Seahawks for the top of the NFC West, the Rams look like the best team in that division by far and besides a late game comeback from the Eagles would be undefeated.

____________________________

8. Los Angeles Chargers \/5

3-1

Last Week: 21-18 Loss @ NYG

Let's not overreact and freak out about the Chargers losing to the Giants. Jaxson Dart brought the momentum to his team during a home game and their defense finally played to it's potential. The Chargers have to go back to the drawing board but I'm not worried about this team at all after a shaky east coast-road trip.

____________________________

9. Indianapolis Colts --

3-1

Last Week: 27-20 Loss @ LAR

Staying at #9, the Colts were only 1 minute away from snaking a West Coast road trip win and remaining undefeated. Daniel Jones finally had a mid-game and looked human but still, everything about this team looks like an actual contender come January even if they have a definite ceiling.

____________________________

10. Baltimore Ravens \/2

1-3

Last Week: 37-20 Loss @ KC

The best 1-3 team in NFL History? The Ravens got demolished in Kansas City this week as Lamar Jackson had one of his worst games in years but this team's prowess will be tested more due to injuries on defense. At the conclusion of their games, 6-7 defensive starters were dealing with injuries and with the Texans coming to town next week it's up in the air if this team will remain Top-10.

____________________________

11. Seattle Seahawks /\1

3-1

Last Week: 23-20 Win @ ARI

The Seahawks have been solid this year and with this inter-divisional Away win in the books, they belong right next to if not inside the Top-10. I'm still waiting for Sam Darnold to prove he is worth his $33.2 million AAV contract but so far his team has been making his job a lot easier.

____________________________

12. Jacksonville Jaguars /\3

3-1

Last Week: 26-21 Win @ SF

The Jaguars are one-half of Jake Browning-magic football away from being undefeated and I'm shocked. Their defense has looked superb this season and Trevor Lawrence is playing good enough to win games for a change. With wins against Houston and San Francisco already on the year, the Jags will host the Chiefs on MNF in the game of the week this week.

____________________________

13. Denver Broncos --

2-2

Last Week: 28-3 Win v CIN

A win against the Bengals isn't anything to write home about but having Bo Nix look legit and the defense holding to only 3 points is exactly what you'd want to see from this team. Their 2-2 ranking isn't good enough for a #12 ranking but their roster definitely makes me confident in keeping them this high.

____________________________

14. Atlanta Falcons /\4

3-1

Last Week: 34-27 Win v WAS

Atlanta joins Jacksonville in teams I'm surprised started off so well. Atlanta's offense looks extremely unpredictable week-to-week but their defense may be the single-most improved unit in the entire league this year.

____________________________

15. Washington Commanders \/4

2-2

Last Week: 34-27 Loss @ ATL

The Commanders drop 2 spots but when Jayden Daniels comes back from injury I expect them to rise again. There are problems with their defense right now but I believe this team's roster and coaching firmly puts them in the 10-15 range whenever Daniels returns.

____________________________

16. Pittsburgh Steelers /\1

3-1

Last Week: 24-21 Win v MIN

It's very good to see DK Metcalf go off because his team needs it. I never know how to truly judge international games and when you also add the Vikings playing with a backup-QB, the Steelers seem as good of a mediocre team as we have this season.

____________________________

17. San Francisco 49ers \/3

3-1

Last Week: 26-21 Loss v JAX

The 49ers are victims of injury but I thought getting Brock Purdy back would've made them better. Alas, Purdy was either playing hurt or something about this offense is not clicking and I can't put my finger on it.

____________________________

18. Minnesota Vikings \/2

2-2

Last Week: 24-21 Loss v PIT

Carson Wentz had a bad game from his stats but actually played pretty well. Still, the Vikings are a team that needs to operate with great-QB play and I don't think Wentz or McCarthy is capable of doing so this season.

____________________________

19. New England Patriots /\3

2-2

Last Week: 42-13 Win v CAR

The best game of the Drake Maye era, the Patriots spanked the Panthers up and down the field this week. Drake Maye looked efficient, the defense was immovable and special teams either got them points or perfect field position on both sides. Was it just the Panthers being bad? Possibly... but still they looked better than they have in years.

____________________________

20. Houston Texans -

1-3

Last Week: 26-0 Win v TEN

Houston needed a win at home against the Titans after an 0-3 start and they got it in spades. A shutout, 4-possession win is just what a team needs to get back on track and don't look now but the Texans defense ranks #1 so far this season.

____________________________

21. Chicago Bears -

2-2

Last Week: 25-24 Win at LV

A sloppy win in Las Vegas isn't enough to raise the Bears any more on this list but things are definitely looking up in Chicago. Caleb Williams looks like a new man under Ben Johnson and with the injuries they have in secondary, you could actually say this team could be doing much worse.

____________________________

22. Arizona Cardinals \/3

2-2

Last Week: 23-20 Loss v SEA

The Cardinals were seconds away from bringing their divisional game to overtime but fell in the last minute and that's not enough to drop the. What is enough is the offensive woes around James Connor's injury and Marvin Harrison and Kyler Murray seemingly having no chemistry. This team is underachieving.

____________________________

Photo by Jeffrey McWhorter/Associated Press

23. Dallas Cowboys /\1

1-2-1

Last Week: 40-40 Tie v GB

The Cowboys have now scored 40+ points in 2 games but have also given up 40+ points in 2 games as well and 30+ points in 3. Allowing the 2nd most points in the league, this team needs to figure something out on defense or they won't do well no matter how much Dak and Pickens play their butts off.

____________________________

24. New York Giants /\6

1-3

Last Week: 21-18 Win v LAC

Jaxson Dart has arrived and I don't want to jump to conclusions but boy did the team look good with him. Throwing and running the ball with an attitude, everyone from Cam Skattebo to Paulson Adebo played better. Malik Nabers going out for the year is definitely a hit but this team could be out of the woods.

____________________________

25. Cleveland Browns \/2

1-3

Last Week: 34-10 Win @ DET

The Browns' defense is still one of the best in the league, they just happened to run into the Lions in Detroit. Scoring 14 points a game is definitely the problem and I'm not sure how to solve it but for now, their defense still keeps them from being too far down this list.

____________________________

26. Miami Dolphins /\1

1-3

Last Week: 27-21 Win v NYJ

The first win of the season comes at the expense of their best player obliterating his knee. This team's woes on defense are still prominent and without Tyreek, the Dolphins could be looking at a season at or below this #26 mark without much change.

____________________________

27. Las Vegas Raiders /\2

1-3

Last Week: 25-24 Loss v CHI

A loss against Chicago actually raises the Raiders on this list because as far as the 1-3 or 0-4 teams go, Vegas is clearly one of the best on this list. Very mediocre so far but close in every game they've played, Vegas needs to learn how to close out games and they could easily rise up a few spots.

____________________________

28. Carolina Panthers \/3

1-3

Last Week: 42-13 Loss @ NE

After thrashing the Falcons 30-0 last week, the Panthers lose 42-13 in New England. To make matters worse they brought in Andy Dalton at the end and looked miles better than Bryce Young on his way to a garbage-time touchdown. The Panthers have woes on both sides of the ball and it may be time to take Bryce Young out... again.

____________________________

29. New York Jets \/3

0-4

Last Week: 27-21 Loss @ MIA

Justin Fields came back this week and certainly looked like the high-potential QB we've seen before but wasn't enough to get it done. Aaron Glenn is still searching for his first win as a Head Coach and it needs to start with defense, allowing the 4th-most, 30 points per game in the league.

____________________________

Photo by Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

30. Cincinnati Bengals \/2

2-2

Last Week: 28-3 Loss @ DEN

The Bengals have now been outscored 76-13 in the last 8 quarters of play and the only reason they're not #32 on my list is because they're still 2-2... but they likely will be soon if they keep playing like this.

____________________________

31. New Orleans Saints /\1

0-4

Last Week: 31-19 Loss @ BUF

For the first time this season the Saints do not hold my final spot. Losing but looking decent doing so in Buffalo, Spencer Rattler continues to look decent this year. The Saints' roster is easily the worst in the league but somehow this team is playing as... dare I say a "Good?" 0-4.

____________________________

32. Tennessee Titans \/1

0-4

Last Week: 26-0 Loss @ HOU

The Titans look like a mess this year and it's about the coaching. Top-5 in the league in penalties, penalty yards, points against and rushing yards allowed, Brian Callahan needs to get his team together after starting his career as a Head Coach as 3-18 in the past season and a quarter.

____________________________