Read our NFL Power Rankings Week 16
The Cincinnati Bengals are terrible.
Zach Wilson outplayed Patrick Mahomes on “Sunday Night Football.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t find an airplane that works. Or a quarterback.
Baker Mayfield leads the NFC South.
The Miami Dolphins actually lost. And pretty badly.
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Seattle had 11 sacks on Monday Night Football.
That’s right, it’s Chaos Week for the Power Rankings.
So here we go:
1. San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
(Last week: 2)
Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 35-16
Like the next team on this list, San Francisco is defined so far by its lack of chaos. Running back Christian McCaffrey, who had 177 yards of offense and four touchdowns Sunday, is gaining an NFL-high 36.8 percent of his team’s scrimmage yards. Brock Purdy was 20-for-21 passing while averaging 13.5 yards per attempt. McCaffrey and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk (six catches, 148 yards Sunday) and Deebo Samuel account for 74.9 percent of the 49ers’ yards this season. So far, that’s working just fine.
Up next: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday
2. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
(Last week: 4)
Sunday: Beat Washington Commanders 34-31 in OT
Despite going to overtime with Washington, the Eagles have been one of the steadiest ships in the league so far. The reasons are the offensive and defensive lines. Philadelphia runners are second in the NFL in yards per rush before contact (2.16), according to TruMedia, and four pass rushers had at least six QB pressures Sunday.
Up next: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
3. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
(Last week: 5)
Sunday: Beat Miami Dolphins 48-20
Now we get to the chaos. The Bills’ only loss of the season is to the New York Jets. Since then, they have won three in a row by 28 or more points. The only team to do that four straight times was the 1942 Chicago Bears. Quarterback Josh Allen, whom The Athletic’s Nate Tice has dubbed Professor Chaos, has an NFL-best 76.1 percent completion rate, eight touchdown passes and one interception in the last three weeks, but Sunday’s star was Dolphins nemesis Stefon Diggs, who had six catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns. In nine career games against Miami, Diggs is averaging 83 receiving yards per game, according to TruMedia.
Up next: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday in London
4. Miami Dolphins (3-1)
(Last week: 1)
Sunday: Lost to Buffalo Bills 48-20
A 78-point swing! The Dolphins lost by 28 points one week after winning by 50, which has to be some kind of NFL record. More importantly, the Bills defense gave the rest of the NFL hope by “holding” Miami to 398 yards and 20 points. Still, Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane is a problem. He had eight carries for 101 yards Sunday.
Up next: vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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5. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
(Last week: 3)
Sunday: Beat New York Jets 23-20
After losing to the Lions in Week 1, the Chiefs are getting into game shape. Patrick Mahomes had a 63.6 quarterback rating Sunday night and made the two biggest plays of the game with his legs, but hardly anyone noticed after Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman descended upon MetLife Stadium for the game. The whole Swift-following-the-Chiefs-everywhere thing is a whole different level of chaos.
Taylor Swift is here. pic.twitter.com/Kx2JhtdauF
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 1, 2023
Up next: at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
6. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
(Last week: 6)
Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 38-3
Are we apologizing to Mike McCarthy yet or waiting a little longer? The Cowboys, who are fourth in the league in scoring (31 points per game), are the opposite of the talent-top-heavy 49ers. Six non-quarterbacks had a carry Sunday and 10 players caught a pass.
Up next: at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday
7. Detroit Lions (3-1)
(Last week: 7)
Thursday: Beat the Green Bay Packers 34-20
Nothing says chaos like the team with the third-longest playoff drought in the league sprinting toward the postseason. The Lions, who have won 11 of their last 14 games dating to last season, gave the ball to David Montgomery 32 times Thursday night (for 121 yards). That’s the heaviest single-game workload of the season for a running back and the eighth-highest of the last five seasons, according to TruMedia.
Up next: vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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8. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
(Last week: 8)
Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 28-3
Overcoming chaos has been the Ravens’ secret this year. Despite seven starters out with injuries, head coach John Harbaugh won his 150th career game. Against a Browns defense that entered the week first in the league in yards per play allowed (3.2) and second in rushing yards per game allowed (52), the Ravens averaged 5.4 yards per play and rushed for 131 yards.
Up next: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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9. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
(Last week: 9)
Monday: Beat New York Giants 24-3
The only scare of the night for the Seahawks came when quarterback Geno Smith suffered a knee injury while being tackled after catching his own batted pass. Smith missed a series, in which backup Drew Lock led a Seattle touchdown drive, but returned to get a taunting flag because he was still mad at the Giants’ Isaiah Simmons for the tackle. The Seahawks defense racked up a franchise-record 11 sacks, one short of the most ever recorded in an NFL game.
Up next: Bye
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
(Last week: 15)
Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 26-9
Baker Mayfield, the former No. 1 pick who is on his fourth team in 15 months, has Tampa Bay looking like the clear-cut favorite in the NFC South. About the only thing anybody was sure of regarding the South entering the season was that the Bucs would be in last place. Instead, Mayfield is seventh in the league in offensive EPA per dropback, according to TruMedia.
Up next: Bye
11. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
(Last week: 16)
Sunday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 24-17
Head coach Brandon Staley has a spot on the coaching staff of our All-Chaos Team. In each of the last two weeks, Staley has attempted to preserve a late lead by going for it on fourth-and-1 deep in his own territory. In each of those weeks, the Chargers have failed to convert and won anyway. And, oh by the way, L.A.’s Khalil Mack had more sacks Sunday (six) than four teams have all season and added four quarterback hits to that against his former team.
Up next: Bye
12. Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
(Last week: 17)
Sunday: Beat Indianapolis Colts 29-23 in OT
The Rams blew a 23-0 second-half lead but still held on to win. Quarterback Matthew Stafford played through a hip pointer and passed for 319 yards. In his 15th year, Stafford is second in the league in passing yards (1,229). In his first year, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has 39 catches for 501 yards, both of which are the most by any player in his first four NFL games.
Up next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:05 p.m ET Sunday
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13. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
(Last week: 21)
Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 29-23 in OT
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson isn’t quite there as a passer (32nd in the league in completion rate at 56.9 percent), but former Eagles offensive architect Shane Steichen, now the Colts’ head coach, is producing offense nonetheless. Richardson leads all quarterbacks in rushing on designed run plays (95 yards) and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to have four rushing touchdowns in his first three career games.
Up next: vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
14. Houston Texans (2-2)
(Last week: 28)
Sunday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6
After going 11-38 in the last three seasons, the Texans are in the thick of the AFC South race with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud sitting ninth in the league in passer rating (100.6). Despite being the victim of an NFL-high nine drops, Stroud is third in the league in yards per attempt (8).
Up next: at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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15. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
(Last week: 13)
Sunday: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 28-3
With starting quarterback Deshaun Watson out Sunday because of a shoulder injury and star running back Nick Chubb already out for the season, what had been the NFL’s best defense crumbled against the Ravens. The Browns expect Watson back after their bye week, and it’s going to be up to him to prove he’s worth all the chaos his signing brought to Cleveland when he returns.
Up next: Bye
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
(Last week: 18)
Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 23-7
Offense is still harder than it should be with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and a skilled group of pass catchers. Jacksonville is 24th in the league in plays of 10 or more yards (41). Lawrence was efficient Sunday (23-for-30 for 207 yards and a touchdown), but he is 30th in the league in air yards per attempt (6.7) and 26th in pass EPA per dropback (minus-.14), according to TruMedia.
Up next: vs. Buffalo Bills, 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday in London
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17. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
(Last week: 25)
Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 21-13
The league’s third-most prolific passing offense (287.3 passing yards per game) finally got its first victory Sunday. Kirk Cousins leads the league in touchdown passes (11), but Sunday’s most chaotic play may have come when he threw a touchdown to the Panthers and then sprinted almost the length of the field only to get obliterated by a block.
99-YARDS!
No stopping Sam 😤 pic.twitter.com/3SzM0NRIvj
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 1, 2023
Up next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
18. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
(Last week: 10)
Thursday: Lost to Detroit Lions 34-20
The Packers rushed for 27 yards Thursday night. For the season, they are 29th in the league in yards per carry (3.3) and 25th in rushing success rate (33.7 percent), according to TruMedia. This is not the way to help young quarterback Jordan Love in his first season as the starter.
Up next: at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday
19. New Orleans Saints (2-2)
(Last week: 11)
Sunday: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-9
The Saints guaranteed Derek Carr $100 million in the offseason. They are tied for 25th in scoring (15.5 points per game) four games into the season. Coach Dennis Allen is now 17-40 all-time. New Orleans has the fourth-oldest roster in the NFL (per PFF) and is projected to be an NFL-worst $89 million over the salary cap next season. Other than that, everything is fine.
Up next: at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
20. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
(Last week: 24)
Sunday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 27-3
There’s nothing particularly chaotic about the Titans; they’re just average. So this is going to be a Derrick Henry Appreciation section. Henry passed Houston Oilers great Earl Campbell in the franchise history books by getting to 8,583 rushing yards, which trails only Eddie George. He also completed his seventh career pass (on eight attempts) and fourth career passing touchdown.
Up next: at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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21. Washington Commanders (2-2)
(Last week: 20)
Sunday: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 34-31
The Sam Howell roller coaster ride continued for the Commanders. The first-year starter is on pace to be sacked 102 times this season. David Carr holds the record for the most-sacked quarterback. He was taken down 76 times in 2002, and his career was never the same. Washington might want to think about protecting Howell some because he looked pretty good leading a game-tying, 64-yard drive in the final 1:36 Sunday.
Up next: vs. Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday
22. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
(Last week: 19)
Sunday: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7
What was supposed to be one of the NFL’s most interesting offenses has instead been Bijan Robinson and not much else. The rookie running back has 72 touches (carries and catches) and has gained 36 percent of the Falcons scrimmage yards this season (the second-highest percentage in the NFL). Meanwhile, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts have combined for 22 touches. In related news, Atlanta is averaging 4.8 points in the first half this year, which ranks 30th in the league.
Up next: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
(Last week: 12)
Sunday: Lost to Houston Texans 30-6
The Steelers can’t even get a team plane that works. For the second straight week, their trip home was delayed by aircraft issues. Kenny Pickett can’t get off the ground either. He has the fourth-worst off-target percentage (14.2) of any regular starter in the league. His passing EPA per dropback (minus-.28) ranks 35th. And his completion percentage (60.6) ranks 29th. It hasn’t been so much chaotic as crappy.
We were delayed this evening due to a mechanical issue with our charter plane following the game in Houston. We have now been cleared to safely fly back to Pittsburgh.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) October 2, 2023
Up next: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
(Last week: 27)
Sunday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 35-16
The Cardinals are the seventh-highest-scoring team in the first half (16 points). They are the only team to have beaten Dallas, and they have been competitive in all three losses. They also have two first-round picks (and six picks in the first three rounds) coming their way in 2024.
Up next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
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25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
(Last week: 23)
Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers 24-17
Josh McDaniels is now 18-30 in his fourth season as a head coach. Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell looked OK in place of injured Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday before throwing a red zone interception that ended the Raiders’ hopes.
Up next: vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday
26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
(Last week: 14)
Sunday: Lost 27-3 to Tennessee Titans
It’s time to shut down Joe Burrow for a while because this isn’t working. Cincinnati is last in the league in yards per play (4). Burrow’s 4.8 yards per attempt are the worst in the league among qualifying quarterbacks and 3.6 yards per attempt less than his career average entering the season. These Bengals look nothing like last year’s slow-starting group that eventually got rolling, and taking chances with the calf of your $275 million quarterback is only inviting real chaos.
Up next: at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
27. New England Patriots (1-3)
(Last week: 22)
Sunday: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 38-3
The Patriots took starting quarterback Mac Jones out of the game in the third quarter, which coach Bill Belichick said had more to do with the score than Jones’ performance. Later in the game, defensive star Matthew Judon was still on the field when he suffered what The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported was a serious biceps injury. Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez already had left the game because of a shoulder injury. It all resulted in the most lopsided loss of Belichick’s 29-year head coaching career.
Up next: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
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28. New York Jets (1-3)
(Last week: 29)
Sunday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 23-20
Zach Wilson played his best game as the Jets starter, which is either a good starting point or just more evidence that New York is destined to be cosmically tortured forever. With Aaron Rodgers watching from the owner’s box, Wilson was 28-for-39 for 245 yards and two scores. Then he fumbled a snap to kill the Jets’ chances.
Up next: at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
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29. New York Giants (1-3)
(Last week: 26)
Monday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 24-3
“This is as bad as it can be,” ESPN announcer Joe Buck said during the fourth quarter of “Monday Night Football.” New York is last in the NFL in scoring (11.5 points per game) and is the only team in the league without a first-half touchdown. Quarterback Daniel Jones got sacked 10 times, threw two picks and lost a fumble. The Giants’ three losses have been to teams in the top 10 of these power rankings. So the schedule’s bound to let up now, right? They wish. The Giants’ next two games are at Miami and at Buffalo.
Up next: at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. Sunday
30. Carolina Panthers (0-4)
(Last week: 30)
Sunday: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 21-13
Rookie quarterback Bryce Young returned to the lineup Sunday. Maybe he shouldn’t have? Young’s yards per attempt (4.9) rank 33rd in the league and his pass EPA per dropback (minus-.26) is 34th, according to TruMedia. The only time this season the Panthers have topped 17 points was when Andy Dalton filled in for Young last week.
Up next: at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
31. Denver Broncos (1-3)
(Last week: 32)
Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 31-28
The Broncos wrestled 31st place in the power rankings away from the Bears, but it took quite an effort. Denver fell behind 28-7, but quarterback Russell Wilson led a comeback, going 21 of 28 for 223 yards and three touchdowns. His passer rating (133.5) was his highest since he joined the Broncos last season.
Up next: vs. New York Jets, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
Broncos-Bears is a glorious, disastrous mess.
🎥 @NFLpic.twitter.com/DJAYuiUGux
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) October 1, 2023
32. Chicago Bears (0-4)
(Last week: 31)
Sunday: Lost 31-28 to Denver Broncos
It’s fitting that the league’s most chaotic team is the Power Rankings caboose on Chaos Week. In the first half, Justin Fields set a Bears franchise record with 16 straight completions. In the second half, his fumble on a sack was returned 31 yards for the game-tying touchdown and then he threw an interception on Chicago’s last-gasp drive. Wide receiver Chase Claypool didn’t even come to the game at the team’s request, and the Bears became the first team in NFL history to allow 25 or more points in 14 straight games.
Up next: at Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday
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