NFL Power Rankings after Week 4: Chiefs and 49ers lead the league
The Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated at 4-0 after four weeks of the 2026 NFL season, though their early standing is balanced against holding the easiest schedule in the league so far according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, n-tv.de reported.
Are the Kansas City Chiefs actually back to their dominant form?
The Kansas City Chiefs have returned to a 4-0 record to start the 2026 NFL season, positioning themselves at the top of the league alongside the San Francisco 49ers. Yet questions persist regarding their actual dominance. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks their past opponents as the easiest in the NFL. The outlook shifts dramatically moving forward, with the Chiefs facing the fifth-hardest remaining schedule for the rest of the year. While their early performances show strong results, the definitive tests for Kansas City’s roster are still ahead.
Which teams occupy the bottom of the league after four weeks?
The Miami Dolphins sit entirely alone at the bottom of the NFL standings with an 0-4 record. Holding what is characterized as the worst roster in the entire league, the Dolphins recently lost running back De’Von Achane to a torn ACL. Joining them near the bottom with identical 0-4 records are the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Titans continue to struggle with self-inflicted mistakes, while the Texans have seen their highly touted defense falter. The Chargers are dealing with extensive offensive line injuries and questions surrounding offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and the Buccaneers are managing life without Baker Mayfield following a sluggish start.
How do the rest of the AFC and NFC tiers shape up in the power rankings?
A broad middle tier defines much of the NFL. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants both hold 3-1 records, though the Browns’ offense under Deshaun Watson carries a negative point differential that typically signals regression. In the NFC, the entire NFC North division populates the upper-middle tiers. The Minnesota Vikings sit at 4-0 behind a dominant defense led by Brian Flores, while the Chicago Bears have won three games with three different starting quarterbacks under coach Ben Johnson. Among the contenders, the San Francisco 49ers have jumped out to a 4-0 start and lead the NFC in scoring with 122 points despite dealing with significant injuries.
October 7, 2026. Week 5 action across the NFL.