Updated NFL Power Rankings: Where do the final three undefeated teams stand after four weeks? — SkimNews
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- San Francisco 49ers jumped to No. 1 in ESPN's Week 5 power rankings at 4-0, with Brock Purdy emerging as an early MVP candidate despite season-ending injuries to WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) and a 10-week absence for rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), plus a calf injury sidelining star DE Nick Bosa
- Kansas City Chiefs sit at No. 2 (4-0) behind RB Kenneth Walker III, who leads the NFL with 537 rushing yards and 6 total touchdowns and has allowed QB Patrick Mahomes to connect on more deep completions, per reporter Nate Taylor
- Minnesota Vikings are 4-0 and ranked No. 9 despite having one of the NFL's worst offenses — just one touchdown scored since Week 1 — powered by the league's No. 1 EPA defense under Brian Flores (68% blitz rate) and the No. 2 special teams unit
- Last season's 14 playoff teams are off to a combined 30-26 start, the lowest winning percentage through four weeks by previous-season playoff teams in the past 15 years, per ESPN Research
- Jacksonville Jaguars surged from No. 10 to No. 5 after their second straight AFC win, with DC Anthony Campanile's defense ranking top-eight in the NFL in sacks, run defense (2nd, 74.3 YPG), turnovers, red zone efficiency, and third-down defense
- Philadelphia Eagles dropped out of the top 10 after their 24-20 home loss to the Rams despite holding a 97.4% win probability when leading by 10 with 8:17 left, marking their second straight game with no second-half points
- Cleveland Browns climbed into the top 20 after winning three straight games as an underdog for the first time since 2021, a 27-24 Thursday night win over the Steelers that has them tied with Baltimore atop the AFC North
Why it matters: The 49ers' rise to No. 1 despite losing Ricky Pearsall for the season and De'Zhaun Stribling for 10 weeks shows a depth edge over contenders like the 2-2 Rams, who were billed as a 'superteam' and needed a comeback to avoid 1-3. The 30-26 combined record of last season's 14 playoff teams — the worst four-week start in 15 years — creates real room for rising 3-1 clubs like the Jaguars, Bears, and Vikings to reshape the playoff race heading into Week 5.
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