Zak Drapeau's NFL Week 4 Power Rankings
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 9/29/2026
Super Bowl or Bust
1. Buffalo Bills
3-0 --
For the 3rd week in a row the Bills are the #1 team on my list. Josh Allen had one of his worst games in years this weekend and they still found a way to win and that says a lot about their team and defense.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3-0 /\ 1
The Chiefs' win in Miami isn't by itself impressive but after 3 weeks it's clear that this team is rolling behind Kenneth Walker and their defense. Even Patrick Mahomes is having the best 3 game start to a season in over 4 years with 8 TDs and 2 TOs.
3. San Francisco 49ers
3-0 /\ 1
The 49ers allowed the division rival Cardinals to make it a game in the 4th quarter but besides that, they haven't showed any weaknesses yet to start the season. Brock Purdy has jumped to 2nd in MVP odds as well.
4. Denver Broncos
2-1 /\ 6
The Broncos just made a statement in the 2nd half of MNF against the Rams. Bo Nix looked outstanding and their defense showed up when it mattered most, this is a team that's already good but seems to get better in big moments.
5. Los Angeles Rams
1-2 \/ 3
I realize they're 1-2 to start the season but they may be the best 1-2 team I've EVER seen. Stafford and their offense is dealing and their defense is till figuring some stuff out with their new personnel, including Myles Garrett who isn't even playing right now.
6. Baltimore Ravens
2-1 /\ 1
That Ravens-Cowboys game was awesome to watch and it proved to me that the Ravens' nucleus is still elite. Lamar was doing Lamar things and then gives it to Derrick Henry for an automatic 1st down. Along with Jesse Minter's much-improved defense.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
2-1 /\ 5
Just so we're clear, the Jaguars have now obliterated both the Patriots and Browns and only lost to the Broncos in Denver. Their pass rush looks great and the passing game from TLaw to Washington, Thomas and Meyers is off to a hot start.
There's Still a Chance
8. Detroit Lions
2-1 /\ 1
I've decided to put the Lions in the next tier on this list because I'm still very shaky about their defense which is now 32nd in points and 31st in yards. The offense has too many weapons for them to be in these 1-score games every week but for now, they're absolutely still in the hunt.
9. Seattle Seahawks
2-1 \/ 3
The Seahawks looked so bad, and so not themselves this weekend on the road that I haven't dropped them too much because that had to be an off day. Their defense will be much better moving forward but a greater emphasis needs to be on their running game which has struggled so far to start the season.
10. Minnesota Vikings
3-0 \/ 3
The Vikings' have the best defense in the league. 2nd in points, 1st in sacks and 2nd in turnover differential. I don't care if Kyler or Carson is starting QB for them, this defense will keep them in games.
11. Chicago Bears
2-1 /\ 4
I really thought that without Caleb Williams this team would go below .500 but maybe I underestimated Ben Johnson. What was more impressive was how their defense stepped up and has now allowed only 10 points in their last 2 games.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
2-1 \/ 4
With that pitiful loss on MNF, the Eagles now have 5 turnovers and 0 takeaways to start the season and that starts with Jalen Hurts. Hurts has long had a "run over pass" reputation and it's showing this year in his turnovers. This is still a great team who just didn't show up last night.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
2-1 \/ 8
I had rocketed the Bengals to the top of my list last week because their defense was looking amazing to start the season and then they lay an egg in Pittsburgh. I get it, divisional rivalry and all but they'll need to clean that up quick.
14. Dallas Cowboys
1-2 --
The Cowboys are a very good team on paper but I'm starting to think Schottenheimer isn't going to be a good coach in close games or in the 4th Quarter. Their defense is definitely below average again this year and Dak shouldn't have to win every game for them.
15. New England Patriots
1-2 \/ 4
Sportz Nation writer Matt Hylen (@matthylen_) texted me Monday and said "2025 Drake Maye is still in there somoewhere. I believe", and you know what, I do too. Rough way to start the season but I think the Maye can play MUCH better than they are now. I just hope it's not the yi... nevermind.
There's Something Here
16. Las Vegas Raiders
3-0 /\ 7
Their opponents have a combined 1-8 record but the Raiders are 3-0, Kirk Cousins has been slinging the ball and their defense is technically Top-10 so far. We'll know A LOT more when they host the Chiefs next weekend.
17. New York Giants
2-1 --
So it wasn't pretty, and they beat one of the worst teams in the league, but they didn't turn the ball over and their run defense looked very good. They have a lot to figure out on offense but trading for J.J. McCarthy should help with that... Actually I don't know Winston might be better than 9.
18. Indianapolis Colts
1-2 /\ 4
That was a HUGE win for the Colts ot not only not start the season 0-3, get a huge divisional win, but for their defense to play exponentially better than they had in Weeks 1 and 2.
19. Houston Texans
0-3 \/ 3
The Texans' offense has problems and is 30th in rushing to start the season. Their defense has definitely taken a step backward from last season even though Will Anderson may be the best player in the entire league. With the battle for Texas coming up this week, they are becoming desperate
20. Cleveland Browns
2-1 /\ 7
The Browns have beaten the Buccaneers and Panthers, while only losing to the Jagusr in Jacksonville and more importantly, Deshaun Watson is dealing. The season is still way too early to tell but this Browns team may have some life in them this season.
21. New Orleans Saints
1-2 \/ 3
Tyler Shough and Chris Olave is FOR REAL... the rest of this team is definitely below average. That's not to say they won't win some games because they did beat the Ravens but asking your 2nd year QB to be Superman every week is not a recipe for success.
22. Carolina Panthers
2-1 \/ 3
The Saints and Panthers could basically be tied on this list because their both relying on their QBs too much. After 2024 I never would've guessed Bryce Young would be leading the league in passing at any point but he sure is now. Meanwhile, their defense is Bottom-5 in yards and points.
Press the Panic Button
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
0-3 \/ 3
The Buccs just can't win close games and I think the "Panic Button" is being pressed most by Head Coach Todd Bowles. This team should be much better and finding ways to win games and they definitely need to be better on offense where they rank 27th in yards.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
2-1 /\ 4
I may be wrong because they are 2-1 after all but there's just something about this Steelers team I don't like AT ALL. Their offense looked so much better against the Bengals especially on the ground but I don't tust it at all moving forward.
25. Los Angeles Chargers
0-3 \/ 1
I don't know, I just don't know man maybe McDaniel needs to go? Herbert is EASILY looking the worst he ever has so far in the season and even though their defense was MUCH better against the Bills this weekend, their offense is still 29th in scoring and tied for 27th in giveaways.
26. Washington Commanders
1-2 --
The Commanders may need to seriously think about keeping Mariota over Daniels because he just acrved up the Super Bowl Champions, I;m not convinced and think they'll come back to Earth but a London game against the mediocre Colts could prove me wrong.
27. Atlanta Falcons
1-2 /\ 4
The Falcons offense looked miles different from Cooper Rush this weekend and Bijan Robinson showed just how much of a game changer he is. Another win like that and I'll have no problem shooting them up the list but I think that was less about the Falcons being better...
28. Green Bay Packers
1-2 \/ 7
... and more about the Packers having some serious problems. This team is severely missing Josh Jacobs running presence but the pla calling is the bigger problem. They gave up on the run in the 3rd quarter and forced turnovers that made their home game go from bad to absolutely ugly.
29. New York Jets
1-2 \/ 4
It pains me to see the Jets at 29 because this is the best Jets team I've seen in almost a decade. Geno Smith looks decent and their defense is definitely legit but they just can't win close games in clutch time. They've also extended their no interception streak to 20 games in a row.
30. Arizona Cardinals
1-2 \/ 1
The Cardinals are just like the Jets, decent team with some actual potential but just unable to win when it matters. Their offense has more potential just like the Jets' defense but they're lower because the Cardinals' defense definitely has some problems.
Season's Over
31. Tennessee Titans
0-3 \/ 1
I know it's terrible for me to say a team's season is over already but let's be honest, not only should the Titans tank for a draft pick already but they might need to give up on Cam Ward already. Their defense is actually 10th in yards and points but the 31st offense is really REALLY bad.
32. Miami Dolphins
0-3 --
Not much to say here, the Dolphins are still the worst team in the league and now that Achane is out for the season with a Torn ACL, they're even worse. The only thing they should be worrying about is if their #1 pick will be Jeremiah Smith or a Quarterback.
Check out fansonlysportz.com/news for more sports media content posted daily.
Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 NFL Season.
Power Rankings Every Tuesday
Sunday Picks Every Saturday
-Z.D.
Comments