It’s no surprise that after our week 4 NFL selections went 5-0, the dust settles on another week of the 2024 NFL season and we’re starting to get a clearer picture of which teams are contenders and which are pretenders.
With four games in the books, the picture is becoming clearer as each week passes. At the very least, there is enough of a sample size to let go of our preconceived notions and focus on what's happening on the field.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs improved to 4-0 after a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Travis Kelce bounced back from a slow start to the season, leading the team with 7 catches for 89 yards. Xavier Worthy made a significant impact with a 54-yard touchdown reception. As usual, the Chiefs are giving us every reason to doubt them during the regular season. And I’ll admit, losing Rashee Rice is a big blow to an offense that was already struggling before he got hurt. You’re still not going to trick me into jumping off the bandwagon — not this early, anyway. Rashee Rice, who had emerged as a top receiving option, suffered what is feared to be a season-ending knee injury. The loss of Rice could be significant, but the emergence of other players like Worthy provides hope for offensive depth.
2. Minnesota
You won’t find a more impressive feat in the league so far this year than downing San Francisco, Houston and Green Bay, back to back to back. The Vikings improved to 4-0 after a hard-fought 31-29 victory over their division rival Green Bay Packers. They are one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the NFL with their best start since 2016. Quarterback Sam Darnold continues to impress, throwing for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Packers and helping Minnesota jump out to a 28-0 lead early in the game. Former Packers running back Aaron Jones had a strong revenge game, accumulating 139 total yards. While they only managed 1 sack against the Packers after averaging 5+ in the first three games, the defense generated 4 turnovers including 3 interceptions. The Vikings have exceeded preseason expectations and are now viewed as legitimate contenders in the NFC. Brian Flores’ defense is going to keep the Vikings in every game they play. With that as a baseline, it’s all about finding out just how high Sam Darnold can raise their ceiling. Right now, it’s looking pretty darn high.
3. Detroit Lions
Jared Goff and the Lions offense came alive against the Seahawks on Monday night. Goff completed 18 of 18 passes for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns, CAUGHT a touchdown on a trick play, and led the Lions to 42 points against what had been a formidable Seattle defense. It's terrifying how many ways the Lions can beat you when their offense is clicking. Its defense looked a little leakier than you’d prefer without Brian Branch, but how many opponents can limit that offense to the point that it matters? Not many, I’m guessing. There are still questions on the other side of the ball, especially from a secondary that can’t stop committing penalties, but this was a quality win for a now 3-1 Lions squad as they head into the bye week.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens improved to 2-2 after a dominant 35-10 victory over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills, helping them bounce back from a 0-2 start to the season. Derrick Henry had an outstanding game, rushing for 199 yards with 2 touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). There’s a trust factor with Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh that very few teams can touch. Jackson and Derrick Henry are going to be very tough to slow down for most NFL teams. And much more importantly, Week 4 was the first time Baltimore’s defense resembled the fire-breathing unit we remember from last year. The Lamar Jackson-Henry duo is proving to be a formidable offensive threat. The Ravens defense held Josh Allen without a touchdown for the first time since 2021. Veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy recorded 2 sacks for the third consecutive game. The win puts the Ravens just one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 3-1 after a 35-10 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Josh Allen had a poor game, throwing for only 180 yards with no touchdowns and a fumble, but he has not thrown an interception through four weeks, showing improved decision-making. The Bills defense, which had been strong in previous weeks, was exposed by the Ravens, allowing 430 total yards including 198 rushing yards to Derrick Henry alone. The game highlighted the absence of Stefon Diggs as the Bills lacked a true No. 1 receiver to consistently get open and make plays. That said, Khalil Shakir made a big 52-yard play, showing potential in the receiving corps. I’m willing to give the Bills some grace because Sunday was the first time they’ve lost a regular-season game by more than six points in almost three years. These things happen. Having said that, it’s fair to wonder how well-equipped they are to stop the run against a team that’s determined to pound the rock.
6. San Francisco
People have been quick to question Brock Purdy, so let’s make sure we’re giving credit when it’s due. Injuries have forced San Francisco to play short-handed for much of the season, and it hasn’t made a difference to him. It doesn’t feel like a stretch to say the best thing the Niners have going right now is their quarterback. The 49ers improved to 2-2 after a solid 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots at home. This win was crucial for San Francisco, helping them bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Rams in Week 3. Fred Warner had an exceptional game, leading the team in run-defense stops (4) and returning an interception for a touchdown. Christian McCaffrey is still dealing with a significant injury and might not return until after the 49ers’ bye week in Week 9, while DT Javon Hargrave is out for the year. A bright spot: Jordan Mason had a standout performance, accumulating 160 total yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
7. Houston Texans
On one hand, the Texans haven’t played their best football for much of the first month. On the other hand, the Texans are 3-1 despite that fact. It’s a nice fallback plan to have C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. The Texans improved to 3-1 after a thrilling 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. C.J. Stroud had an impressive game, throwing for 345 yards and leading a clutch game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Nico Collins had a standout performance with 12 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown, emerging as a key target for Stroud. Penalties continue to be an issue, with the Texans sitting second in total flags so far this season. Reducing these self-inflicted errors will be crucial for sustained success.
8. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks defense did not cover themselves in glory on Monday night, but Geno Smith threw for 395 yards, Kenneth Walker added 116 scrimmage yards of his own with 3 touchdowns, and Seattle made it a game with the Lions in Detroit despite taking their first loss of the season. Zero incompletions and 200-plus yards of YAC (yards after catch) is an abysmal showing from an NFL defense, even if the Seahawks were dealing with half a dozen injuries. Still, it’s hard to feel too bad about Seattle when Geno Smith is capable of putting on a show like he did in Detroit. No loss is a good loss, but hanging with the Lions away from home is nothing to be ashamed about. The defense will need to play better, but they will have a good chance to bounce back at home against the Giants this week.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs defeated the Eagles 33-16, improving their record to 3-1 for the season after a dominant performance. Baker Mayfield had an outstanding game, completing 30 of 47 passes for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Eagles’ offense might be depleted, but that was a mostly healthy Philly defense that got destroyed Sunday in Tampa. If not for Sam Darnold, we might be talking about Baker Mayfield as the way-too-early NFL MVP front-runner. The defense had a breakout performance, recording 6 sacks after only having two in the first three games. Linebacker Lavonte David was particularly dominant, with 8 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and strong coverage. The Bucs are entering a difficult stretch with three divisional games in four weeks plus matchups against strong teams like the Ravens, Chiefs, and 49ers.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 to bring their record to 3-1. Peak NFL weirdness that the Steelers’ offense had its best game of the season on the day Pittsburgh suffered its first loss. The second half rally instilled some confidence that maybe Justin Fields & Co. can do slightly more than stay out of the way. Now, keep it up. Najee Harris (he’s moving away from being the answer) had a rough game, but the offense overall averaged 5.9 yards per play. They turned the ball over twice and had two other drives end on downs, however, and the Steelers defense allowed backup quarterback Joe Flacco to be effective after Anthony Richardson‘s injury. Despite the loss, the Steelers still lead the AFC North.