Steelers and Seahawks Remain Undefeated But Fall Short of Top Five Ranking

NFL energy rankings coming into Week 4 of the 2024 season (earlier rank in parentheses):

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1): Have they regarded extra spectacular than the 31 different groups via three weeks? Probably not, particularly after a pair of shut calls the previous two weeks. And maybe an already beaten-up offense seems a bit disjointed as groups take Pro Bowl TE Travis Kelce away. But a crew on a three-peat mission refuses to lose, QB Patrick Mahomes and the protection making the important thing performs when wanted. Pure respect will carry them atop this checklist till a loss, whether or not on the sphere or personnel-wise, necessitates a change.

2. Buffalo Bills (3): Have they regarded extra spectacular than the 31 different groups via three weeks? An ideal document with a league-best level differential of +64 counsel as a lot for a bunch looking for a fifth straight AFC East title and far more. Big check in Baltimore on Sunday evening, the Bills' third consecutive prime-time sport.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7): Have they regarded extra spectacular than the 31 different groups via three weeks on the best way to their first 3-0 begin in eight years? It's not a tough argument to make. Fully activated QB Sam Darnold is main the league in TD passes (8), the protection is main the league in sacks (16), and Kevin O'Connell is likely to be main the league in Coach of the Year votes – have been a straw ballot to be taken. Eminently spectacular begin, significantly when contemplating the standard wins in opposition to the 49ers and Texans.

4. Detroit Lions (5): DE Aidan Hutchinson remains to be on fireplace, (prematurely) paced towards 37 sacks. His staff will want that sort of stress in opposition to this week's opponent, Seattle, which has overwhelmed the Lions six straight instances – the typical rating of the previous three conferences 45-35.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (9): Per Next Gen Stats, RB Saquon Barkley's pivotal 65-yard TD dash Sunday was essentially the most exceptional run of the younger season, spanning 62 yards additional than anticipated.

6. Green Bay Packers (11): With QB Jordan Love sidelined with a knee harm, they've in some way morphed into the league's high dashing assault – the Pack's 612 dashing yards the fourth most by any staff via three video games since 1990.

7. New York Jets (10): QB Aaron Rodgers by no means threw a TD move to a first-round wideout throughout his 18 years in Green Bay … however now he has Garrett Wilson. Speaking of ex-Packers passers, Rodgers grew to become the primary NYJ QB1 to beat New England below the lights since … Brett Favre 16 years in the past.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (12): Hard to say how near maxed out their top-ranked protection is, however the calls for on QB Justin Fields appear sure to escalate as offensive gamers round him proceed to go down.

9. New Orleans Saints (6): So a lot focus has understandably been dedicated to their offense. But when was the final time you noticed a slot nook (Alontae Taylor) among the many league's sack leaders (3½)?

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4): They're the one staff that has but to give up a landing move. Yet just one staff has allowed greater than the Bucs' six TDs on the bottom.

11. Houston Texans (2): As the run sport has disappeared, so has the offense. After posting 29 factors and 213 yards on the bottom in Week 1, Houston has not matched these totals over the past two weeks mixed.

12. San Francisco 49ers (8): Injuries are typically the one issue which have held Kyle Shanahan's groups again – within the common season – and, boy, are they piling up now. DT Javon Hargrave (triceps) is now out for the 12 months, whereas QB Brock Purdy is coping with a balky again and his first dip under .500. When RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) returns is anybody's guess.

13. Atlanta Falcons (13): Their offensive line is banged up, as is their third-down conversion fee (22.2%) – and the purple zone effectivity was null and void on the finish of Sunday evening's loss to the Chiefs. Not encouraging indicators with two key divisional video games at dwelling (Saints, Bucs) over the following two weeks.

14. Arizona Cardinals (17): Safe to say QB Kyler Murray is all the best way again bodily? His 10.7 yards per rush high the league amongst gamers with a minimum of 10 makes an attempt.

15. Seattle Seahawks (20): They've feasted on a trio of groups every sporting a single win. Sunday's sport at Ford Field would be the first authentic check for the early NFC West leaders (by two video games).

16. Los Angeles Chargers (14): Bad week for Team Harbaugh. With QB Justin Herbert and each beginning offensive tackles injured and S Derwin James now suspended, can the Bolts simply go for a two-week bye moderately than host the Chiefs – to whom they've misplaced 5 in a row – this Sunday?

17. Baltimore Ravens (15): Good week for Team Harbaugh. But although RB Derrick Henry appears to be dialing into the offense, the protection presents an odd dichotomy – the league's finest in opposition to the run and worst in opposition to the move.

18. Washington Commanders (27): Their “nice college offense,” per Cincy CB Cam Taylor-Britt, scored Washington's most factors (38) in 4 years as QB Jayden Daniels set a rookie document for completion share in a sport (91.3%). The Commanders have not punted since Week 1. If the season ended at this time – it would not – they'd be in command of the NFC East.

19. Los Angeles Rams (26): Why is not RB Kyren Williams' flip over former All-Pro Niners S Talanoa Hufanga into the top zone getting extra love – particularly because the play that sparked Sunday's unbelievable comeback?

20. Indianapolis Colts (22): If they'll emerge as a playoff-caliber outfit, QB Anthony Richardson cannot stay on the backside of the league with 49.3% completion fee.

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21. Dallas Cowboys (18): They've surrendered 72 factors and almost 900 yards the previous two weeks. Perhaps the protection is not “all in”? Perhaps getting out of Dallas, the place the Cowboys have misplaced three in a row, will get all of them out of their present rut.

22. Denver Broncos (30): Maybe they're due a little bit extra respect after dealing with three groups with a mix 8-1 document, the lone loss the Broncos' surprising shellacking of the Bucs on Sunday.

23. Carolina Panthers (32): Veteran QB Andy Dalton got here off the pine to move for 319 yards and three TDs – totals benched Bryce Young has by no means surpassed within the NFL – in Sunday's upset of Las Vegas.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (16): Remember when QB Joe Burrow mentioned “the (Super Bowl) window is my whole career”? You're a hoot, dude … not that it was truthful to anticipate you to hold this franchise for greater than a pair years.

25. Las Vegas Raiders (21): Certainly lots of concentrate on an unsettled quarterback spot. But it isn't helped by a run sport averaging – by far – a league-worst 51 yards per sport and 2.8 yards per try.

26. Chicago Bears (24): Understandable scrutiny on struggling No. 1 choose Caleb Williams, whose 65.3 passer ranking is the bottom amongst NFC quarterbacks. But RB D'Andre Swift has not but paid off, both, his 37 carries netting a paltry 68 yards for the convention's worst offense (249.3 yards per sport).

27. New York Giants (31): Their 14 sacks path solely Minnesota, the G-Men changing into the fourth staff within the final 43 seasons to have 9 gamers document a minimum of a half-sack in the identical sport.

28. Cleveland Browns (19): Injuries have hit them exhausting. Again. But if reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett's toes grow to be unmanageable, so will this staff's season … if it hasn't already.

29. Miami Dolphins (25): Since they're apparently not anteing up for QB Russell Wilson – but – it seems QBs Tim Boyle and/or Snoop Huntley might be charged with maintaining the season afloat subsequent Monday evening in opposition to the much more hapless Titans.

30. New England Patriots (28): Of all of the thankless assignments QB Jacoby Brissett has had over time, serving as rookie Drake Maye's human protect has to rank close to the underside.

31. Tennessee Titans (29): Few groups spent as extravagantly throughout free company … but this one has solely wound up proving it isn't the optimum method to assemble a roster however could make an 0-3 begin really feel considerably worse.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (23): Few groups spent as extravagantly throughout free company … but this one has solely wound up proving it isn't the optimum method to assemble a roster however could make an 0-3 begin really feel considerably worse.

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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, previously Twitter, @ByNateDavis.