The NFL season is heading into Week 4, and each team’s strengths and weaknesses are becoming clearer. We’ve already covered teams ranked 32-22. Now, we move to teams 21-11, a new tier featuring teams capable of making noise in the wild-card race or competing for a division title. Let’s dive into the next group in my Week 4 NFL power rankings.
Week 4 NFL Power Rankings
21. New England Patriots, 1-2
There’s a Super Bowl hangover, and then there’s what Drake Maye and the New England Patriots have shown to start 2026. Maye has taken a significant step back, turning the ball over seven times through three games while accounting for just one touchdown.
The struggles have only fueled concerns surrounding New England’s success last season. The Patriots faced 11 quarterbacks who are no longer starters, and their offense struggled when the competition stiffened. Those issues carried into the playoffs, where Maye struggled against top defenses before facing backup Jarrett Stidham in the AFC Championship Game. So far in 2026, the concerns surrounding New England have looked increasingly justified.
20. Carolina Panthers, 1-2
The Carolina Panthers started hot with a strong offensive showing against the Chicago Bears, scoring nearly 40 points in its home opener before dominating Cooper Rush and the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 in Week 2. Bryce Young was surgical, throwing for 648 yards and seven total touchdowns in those two games to just one interception.
The Panthers came back down to earth in Week 3 with a tough road loss to a Cleveland Browns team they were expected to beat. Carolina lives and dies by the play of Bryce Young. His highs are very high, but his lows are equally concerning. If Young can’t eliminate the inconsistencies, the Panthers could remain stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.
19. Houston Texans, 0-3
The Houston Texans dropped their Week 3 matchup to the Indianapolis Colts 19-17, marking the second consecutive season Houston has started 0-3. The Texans lost a shootout to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, scored just six points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, and managed 17 points against a struggling Colts defense in Week 3.
Houston overcame an 0-3 start last season and even beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, but whether it can do it again remains to be seen. The offense has looked shaky outside of Week 1, scoring a combined 23 points over the past two games and managing just 237 total yards against the Colts.
Defensively, Houston has been more encouraging. The unit, led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr., struggled against Buffalo’s dominant offense in Week 1 but responded by holding Joe Burrow and the Bengals to 20 points in Week 2. If the Texans are going to climb back into the race, C.J. Stroud and the offense need to raise their level of play moving forward.
18. Atlanta Falcons, 1-2
Through three weeks, the Falcons have looked like two different teams. Atlanta started 0-2 behind poor quarterback play from Cooper Rush before delivering a dominant performance on both sides of the ball against the Green Bay Packers. The difference? Michael Penix Jr.
Penix’s return immediately transformed the offense, posting an 84.9 QBR in his first game back after Rush recorded marks of 2.6 and 6.8. Bijan Robinson and Drake London each finished with 194 yards, while Robinson found the end zone twice.
Atlanta’s defense has been equally impressive, ranking eighth in total defense, first against the run, eighth in third-down defense and 10th in red-zone defense. After a statement win in prime time, the Falcons are trending upward, especially considering the state of the division and the defense’s strong start.
17. Indianapolis Colts, 1-2
Indianapolis is coming off a crucial 19-17 win over the Texans after starting the season 0-2. The Colts opened with losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, with the latter coming in overtime. Daniel Jones appears to be finding his footing after returning from a torn Achilles, while Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line continue to impress.
The concerns lie on defense. Lou Anarumo’s unit ranks 32nd in total defense, 30th against the pass and 29th against the run. That side of the ball must improve if Indianapolis hopes to make a playoff push. Still, knocking off Houston in a key divisional matchup is an encouraging step as the Colts look to regain their pre-injury form from last season.
16. New Orleans Saints, 1-2
The New Orleans Saints‘ offense has been as advertised through three weeks. The connection between Tyler Shough and Chris Olave has been on full display, with Olave hauling in 27 receptions for 375 yards and a touchdown. In his second season, Shough looks much more comfortable in Kellen Moore‘s offense, and first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson has yet to play a snap. If the offense continues at this level, New Orleans could find itself in the division title race.
Defensively, the Saints have struggled, allowing more than 30 points in two of their first three games. They currently rank 20th in total defense and 27th against the run. Brandon Staley needs to fine-tune that side of the ball if New Orleans hopes to make a serious playoff push.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers, 2-1
Pittsburgh finally showed some life offensively in Week 3, scoring 30 points in an impressive win over the Bengals. The Steelers’ defense had been rock solid through two weeks before running into Cincinnati’s high-powered offense, but the unit remains one of the league’s best.
Aaron Rodgers delivered one of his best performances as a Steeler, throwing for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Pittsburgh ranks seventh in total defense, eighth against the pass, sixth on third down and fourth in red-zone defense. T.J. Watt has also turned back the clock, totaling 3.5 sacks and a pick-six while earning an 84.0 PFF grade, the seventh-best at his position.
Building on Week 3’s offensive performance should be a priority moving forward. The rushing attack has impressed early, and if Rodgers and the passing game can continue pushing the ball downfield, Pittsburgh could become a dangerous team as the season progresses.
14. Dallas Cowboys, 1-2
The Dallas Cowboys dropped a thriller in Brazil, falling 34-31 to the Ravens on Tyler Loop‘s last-second field goal. Brian Schottenheimer’s late-game clock management was poor and, in my opinion, played a major role in the loss.
Dallas’ offense, however, has been excellent, picking up where it left off in 2025. Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP-caliber level, and his pass catchers are reaping the benefits. CeeDee Lamb has opened the season with 20 receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns.
Much like last season, the defense remains Dallas’ biggest concern. The Cowboys are allowing roughly 27 points per game and rank 30th in total defense, 31st against the run, 25th in scoring defense and 32nd on third down, despite ranking 14th against the pass. Dallas’ season could ultimately hinge on whether the defense can make enough stops in close games.
13. Minnesota Vikings, 3-0
The Minnesota Vikings opened the season 2-0 behind Carson Wentz and Brian Flores’ impressive defensive schemes before Kyler Murray returned in Week 3 to grind out a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Murray will need to settle into the offense and play at a much higher level if the Vikings have serious Super Bowl aspirations.
Flores’ defense, meanwhile, has been stellar, led by Dallas Turner‘s dominant start. Turner leads the NFL with 24 pressures through three games while adding four sacks and a forced fumble. He is building a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year as the potential he showed at Alabama begins to translate at the NFL level. As Murray becomes more comfortable in the offense, Minnesota could enter a different tier of contention.
12. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-1
The Bengals are coming off a tough loss to the Steelers after turning the ball over on a potential game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter. Joe Burrow and the offense put together their best performance of the season, but much like last year, the game came down to the defense.
Cincinnati allowed 430 yards of total offense and 30 points to a Steelers unit that had struggled entering Week 3. The Bengals generated little pressure off the edge, while Jaylen Warren rushed for nearly 130 yards. Special teams didn’t help, either, with a muffed punt and a roughing-the-punter penalty extending key second-half drives.
If Cincinnati wants to avoid the same issues that have plagued it in recent seasons, the defense needs to return to the level it showed through the first two weeks.
11. Detroit Lions, 2-1
Detroit’s offense has thrived under Drew Petzing, scoring 31 points in each of its first three games. Jahmyr Gibbs has been dominant in a workhorse role, particularly in the red zone, while Amon-Ra St. Brown remains a reliable target for Jared Goff and the passing attack.
Defensively, it has been a different story. Detroit’s secondary is still recovering from injuries, with the return timelines for Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remaining uncertain. Kelvin Sheppard‘s defense is allowing more than 31 points per game and ranks 31st in total defense, 32nd against the pass, 32nd in scoring defense, 31st on third down, and 31st in red-zone defense.
If the Lions hope to win the division and make a deep playoff run, the defense needs to improve quickly.
The theme of this tier is one-sided teams. Most have either a top-tier offense or defense but need the other side of the ball to step up. The Patriots, Texans, Colts, Saints, Steelers, Cowboys, Bengals, Vikings, and Lions all fall into that category. In part three, we break into the top 10 and finish off my Week 4 NFL power rankings.
Main Image: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
