The 2026 NFL season hit October and there's starting to be some separation. While some teams are stuck near the bottom struggling to win, some familiar contenders are starting to flex like it's 2023.
The club of undefeated teams is down to just three, while the muddled middle also features some strong above-average teams pushing to make a playoff run. Although much is playing out as expected, there are fair share of surprises to reconsider.
Factoring in all the down-to-the-wire results from Week 4, here's breaking down how all 32 teams stack up against each other going into Week 5, the start of byes:
NFL Power Rankings
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1. Kansas City Chiefs 4-0 (previous ranking: 2)
The Chiefs got tested by the Raiders late but ended up putting the game away with the running game, defense and special teams after counting on Patrick Mahomes to deliver a late fourth-quarter comeback. One down year has been followed by them shooting back up with Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III.
2. San Francisco 49ers 4-0 (3)
The 49ers had some offensive issues getting out of the gate against the Broncos, but in the end, they unleashed the full power around Brock Purdy with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans forming a new formidable four. Raheem Morris also had to be pleased how the defense dominated Denver, too.
3. Seattle Seahawks 3-1 (4)
The Seahawks still have strong systems under Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury which allow them to withstand some injuries. They also have become a little more diversified to help Sam Darnold and the pass rush.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-1 (6)
The Jaguars have become a more dangerous all-around team with Trevor Lawrence making tough plays with support from a more dynamic running game. Their defense also has become relentless with pressure and takeaways to make them serious Super Bowl contenders.
5. Buffalo Bills 3-1 (1)
The Bills' defensive breakdowns caught up to them against Drake Maye and the Patriots at home as Josh Allen fell a little short of being the superhero MVP they needed. They will need to focus and rebound in a hurry with a trip to face the Rams next.
6. Minnesota Vikings 4-0 (5)
The Vikings are getting the job done with defense and field goals while they are working on kinks around Kyler Murray in Kevin O'Connell's offense. The Saints and Colts are up next around a bye before they need to face tougher competition.
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7. Chicago Bears 3-1 (8)
The Bears have been able to win two games minus a hamstring injury to Caleb Williams as both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent had rather easy games in Ben Johnson's offense playing off the running game. They have a couple more manageable games against the Packers and Falcons on the road before they really need Williams vs. the Patriots at home.
8. Baltimore Ravens 3-1 (10)
Derrick Henry carried the team early in the revenge game against the Titans, but it was a bit troublesome how things slowed down once Lamar Jackson got hurt and couldn't keep executing Declan Doyle's offense. Baltimore is still feeling out its new era and has a tuneup in Atlanta before a big Cleveland clash.
9. New England Patriots 2-2 (14)
The Patriots helped Drake Maye get his 2025 groove back by empowering him for some confident freewheeling with his arm and legs against a vulnerable Bills defense. He'll try to keep up that momentum against an improved Raiders' defense.
MORE: Pats hope another win in Buffalo will spark winning streak
10. Denver Broncos 2-2 (7)
The Broncos' offense is a bit of a roller coaster with Bo Nix as Davis Webb's play-calling as come into question. A sneaky problem is also having no trusted running game no matter the back and not finding enough weapons beyond Jaylen Waddle.
11. Los Angeles Rams 2-2 (15)
The Rams needed that 10-point comeback in Philadelphia to avoid going 1-3 before hosting the rebound-minded Bills. Now they're set up to go from saving their season to getting back into strong playoff position in a hurry.
12. Las Vegas Raiders 3-1 (12)
The Raiders did everything they could minus one last scoring play to prove they were capable of going toe-to-toe with the Chiefs. Klint Kubiak is in the driver's seat for coach of the year and Kirk Cousins' play is a huge reason for it.
13. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (9)
The Eagles' offense can't withstand losing the top wide receiver, top tight end and top running back on top of missing right tackle Lane Johnson. That didn't work at all for Jalen Hurts against the Rams. The defense not being able to close for Vic Fangio is tough, too.
MORE: Eagles meltdown started with Nick Sirianni's FG decision
14. New York Giants 3-1 (17)
How about Jameis Winston? John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy have been smart not to mess with Winston's gunslinging nature to get the offense back on track minus Jaxson Dart. The defense is giving up a ton, but compensating with clutch situational plays.
MORE: How the Giants can challenge in the NFC East
15. Dallas Cowboys 2-2 (18)
The Cowboys' offense is capable of winning high-scoring affairs when Dak Prescott is locked into CeeDee Lamb and others, but it would be nice if the defense took a little pressure off with some stops. Brian Schottenheimer needs to be patient with Christian Parker because there are flashes of needed complementary results.
MORE: CeeDee Lamb explodes for 17 catches in win over Texans
16. Cincinnati Bengals 2-2 (13)
The Bengals will be a little worried about Ja'Marr Chase getting cleared, but they get a break with the Dolphins next before the first Ravens matchup. The defense has played well enough to push them to 4-0, but they must cut out the turnovers to be true AFC contenders.
17. Cleveland Browns 3-1 (21)
The Browns have done some good work to take down the Buccaneers, Panthers and Steelers during their three-game winning streak. Deshaun Watson is feeling it with his young support all of a sudden and their defense is adjusting well without Myles Garrett.
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18. Detroit Lions 2-2 (11)
The Lions' defense has been terrible for most of the season, save for Aidan Hutchinson. That's putting too much on Jared Goff when Jahmyr Gibbs gets contained, like he was at Carolina.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-2 (16)
The Steelers are getting more punch from their offense with Aaron Rodgers expanding his repertoire of weapons and the running game being more effective. They are definitely, however, missing influence of Mike Tomlin on their defense.
20. Carolina Panthers 2-2 (26)
The Panthers survived defensively at home against the Lions and kept up their offensive momentum with Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan and Chuba Hubbard. They are working toward making the division a two-team race with the Saints.
MORE: Tetairoa McMillan torches Lions' defense
21. Green Bay Packers 2-2 (23)
The Packers kept up the sloppy play at Tampa Bay against a shorthanded team. Although that doesn't alleviate long-term concerns, the bottom line is that Matt LaFleur needed to get to .500 badly ahead of a huge Bears showdown at Lambeau Field.
22. Indianapolis Colts 2-2 (24)
The Colts needed some schedule breaks after facing the Ravens and Chiefs to open the season. They got them from the Texans and Commanders with Jonathan Taylor and the defense making it easier on Daniel Jones. Getting the Steelers and Titans next can keep Indy hot.
23. New Orleans Saints 1-2 (19)
The Saints are much like the Cowboys in the sense they are forced into winning wild high-scoring games. They got in done against the Ravens but fell short vs. the Lions and Raiders. They remain the team to beat in the NFC South going into Monday night vs. Atlanta.
24. Washington Commanders 1-3 (20)
The Commanders are having trouble keeping key offensive players such as Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Laremy Tunsil and Rachaad White healthy. Then they also lost Marcus Mariota to a knee injury, forcing rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into action. Daniels may not be ready to return from his elbow injury in Week 5, either. They have a shot at the Giants next to try to stay in the NFC East race early.
25. New York Jets 1-3 (22)
The Jets saw their offense hit more snags in Chicago with Breece Hall joining Adonai Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr. on the shelf. Geno Smith is doing the best he can, but it's difficult to win when the run defense wilts so much.
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26. Atlanta Falcons 1-2 (25)
Michael Penix Jr. sparked an offensive explosion with Bijan Robinson and Drake London to start Week 3. They will try to close Week 4 with a massive win at New Orleans that puts them in first place after a slow start.
27. Arizona Cardinals 1-3 (27)
When the Cardinals become a sloppy high-passing team under Mike LaFleur, they throw it back to 2025 with Jacoby Brissett and expose their defense too much. Losing such a winnable game against the Giants had to be frustrating.
MORE: Best trade fits for Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
28. Houston Texans 0-4 (28)
The Texans' defense is a big head-scratcher. With all that talent up front for DeMeco Ryans, they are giving up yards and points in big chunks with poor secondary play. It's wasting some sudden improved play from C.J. Stroud with Nico Collins back.
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29. Los Angeles Chargers 0-4 (29)
The Chargers did push the Seahawks a little like they did the Bills in Week 3, but they still made too mistakes with turnovers, penalties and giving up too many big plays.
MORE: Four reasons why Jim Harbaugh's Chargers are a disaster
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-4 (30)
The Buccaneers hung in there with defensive punch for Todd Bowles, but they have little chance to field a dynamic passing game with Baker Mayfield on the long-term shelf. Even in the weak NFC South, they are done, and likely Bowles, too.
31. Miami Dolphins 0-4 (32)
The Dolphins played with more defensive energy in Minnesota and are trying to do what they can with now Malik Willis and Ollie Gordon II leading the offense. They still are dealing with an overall talent deficiency from week to week.
32. Tennessee Titans 0-4 (31)
The Titans are doing their best to be competitive with Cam Ward sorting out his issues in Brian Daboll's offense. They are showing plenty of fight for Robert Saleh but they have had major trouble finishing drives and games.
