NFL Power Rankings - Week 4: Mahomes-led Chiefs the class of the AFC
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.
1. Los Angeles Rams (3-0)
Previous Rank: 1
Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters will certainly be missed, but the Rams stockpiled enough depth to weather the storm. Also, who can really stop their searing hot offense? - Srinivasan
2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Concerns about the Chiefs' defense have been rendered moot since Patrick Mahomes can do no wrong under center. It's September, but is it finally their year? - Srinivasan
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Previous Rank: 7
The Ruler's back. Carson Wentz appears fully healthy and ready to get the Eagles back on course. - McClymont
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
Previous Rank: 3
How can a team beat down the Patriots one week and then lose to a mediocre Titans team the next? The AFC is ripe for the taking, but the Jaguars need to take advantage. - Browne
5. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Previous Rank: 12
In a week full of weirdness, Drew Brees briefly turning into Michael Vick to secure an important divisional win was an overlooked gem. - Browne
6. Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 11
Norv Turner wasn't the most popular hire this offseason, but the offensive coordinator deserves a ton of credit for maximizing the immense talent of Christian McCaffrey, who had a career day against a talented Bengals front. - Browne
7. Minnesota Vikings (1-1-1)
Previous Rank: 2
What on earth happened in Minnesota? After Sunday's shocking loss to the Bills, we're not sure where this Vikings team stands. Their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Rams should provide a good litmus test. - Alessandrini
8. Miami Dolphins (3-0)
Previous Rank: 16
The Dolphins are the most unassuming 3-0 team in the league, but they've been getting the job done in all three phases and are not to be slept on. - McClymont
9. New England Patriots (1-2)
Previous Rank: 5
The Patriots have suffered back-to-back double-digit defeats for the first time since 2002, and are on the brink of falling out of the top 10 of our power rankings for the first time in just as long. - McClymont
10. Green Bay Packers (1-1-1)
Previous Rank: 6
Another week, another controversial roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews. This one didn't cost Green Bay the game, so maybe it's time to start worrying about Aaron Rodgers' lingering knee injury. - Alessandrini
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 9
The Bucs weren't able to cap off a miraculous start to their season by completing the comeback against the Steelers, but at 2-1, Tampa Bay has far surpassed its early-season expectations. - Browne
12. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Previous Rank: 8
Atlanta can't go a week without losing a key defensive starter. Luckily, the offense can carry them if Calvin Ridley continues to take the pressure off Julio Jones. - Browne
13. Washington Redskins (2-1)
Previous Rank: 22
So that seals it, Alex Smith deserved to be taken ahead of Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft. No, seriously though, impressive win by the 'Skins. - McClymont
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1-1)
Previous Rank: 14
The Steelers halted Fitzmagic for their first win of the year, but we can't rank them among the top AFC contenders until the team corrects its swiss cheese pass defense and utter lack of discipline. - Alessandrini
15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)
Previous Rank: 10
We'll never get a sense of how good this team can be without Joey Bosa. - Srinivasan
16. Chicago Bears (2-1)
Previous Rank: 19
The Bears sit atop the NFC North behind a stingy defense, but can Mitch Trubisky's play keep them there? Based on his recent performances, we aren't so sure. - Alessandrini
17. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
Previous Rank: 15
The Bengals crashed back down to Earth after the Panthers' running game gutted their defense. The race for the AFC North crown is still very much wide open, though. - Alessandrini
18. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Previous Rank: 18
Baltimore owns the NFL's No. 1 defense through three weeks, but Joe Flacco must develop some sort of consistency before this team is considered a true contender. Don't hold your breath. - Alessandrini
19. Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Previous Rank: 21
Three weeks into the season and Tennessee's quarterbacks are dropping like flies. The Titans have little choice but to play an ailing Marcus Mariota and pray he doesn't further injure his throwing hand. - Browne
20. Denver Broncos (2-1)
Previous Rank: 13
Monday night's game against the Chiefs is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent franchise history. Does this team still deserve to be considered a sleeper contender? - Srinivasan
21. Detroit Lions (1-2)
Previous Rank: 26
The student bested the teacher after Matt Patricia scored his first coaching victory over Bill Belichick behind the Lions' first 100-yard rusher in 1,760 days. The NFL is a weird league. - Alessandrini
22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Previous Rank: 28
Earl Thomas turned in a vintage performance Sunday, then put the Seahawks' management on blast. Every win is going to be ugly - both on and off the field - this year. - Srinivasan
23. New York Giants (1-2)
Previous Rank: 30
For one Sunday, the Giants put it all together, and their offensive line looked of NFL quality. Their next task is a tall one: shutdown the Saints. - McClymont
24. Cleveland Browns (1-1-1)
Previous Rank: 29
The Cleveland Browns finally have hope, and his name is Baker Mayfield. - Alessandrini
25. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Previous Rank: 20
Jerry Jones can plug his ears and cover his eyes all he wants, but something has to change on the Cowboys' offense in a hurry. - McClymont
26. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Previous Rank: 23
For once, Indy's defense is carrying its offense. The credit should not only go to standout rookie Darius Leonard, but also to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who's been a revelation. - Browne
27. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
Previous Rank: 17
We're going to miss Jimmy GQ so much. At least the 49ers don't have to pretend that they're going to catch the Rams this season. - Srinivasan
28. New York Jets (1-2)
Previous Rank: 24
Their Week 1 win feels like half a season ago. The bloom came off this rose quickly after allowing a victory to the Browns. - McClymont
29. Houston Texans (0-3)
Previous Rank: 25
Bill O'Brien's seat is getting warmer by the minute. The head coach desperately needs to rediscover last season's offensive magic. - Browne
30. Buffalo Bills (1-2)
Previous Rank: 32
The consensus worst team in the league stomped a Super Bowl contender. The NFL continues to astound. - McClymont
31. Oakland Raiders (0-3)
Previous Rank: 27
It's mid-September and Jon Gruden already conceded the winless Raiders received nothing of immediate value from the Khalil Mack trade. One more loss and it may be time to put him on the hot seat, four games into a 10-year contract. - Srinivasan
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-3)
Previous Rank: 31
The Josh Rosen era is officially underway, but if his stint against Chicago was any indication of things to come, it'll be a steep learning curve for both the rookie quarterback and the rest of the team. - Srinivasan