NFL Top 10 Rankings: Chiefs still No. 1; Bucs, Commander come in, Eagles come out

The Chiefs They just don’t look like back-to-back champions, you say. Well, that may be true, but on a day when he lost his WR1 in Rashee Rice, Patrick Mahomes teamed up with Travis Kelce to get the job done. And that looked a lot like the back-to-back champions.

The Vikings stay on the heels of Kansas City and prove week after week that they are real contenders. The Bucs and Commanders storm onto the list thanks to their top-of-the-draft quarterbacks, one a redemption story and the other a rookie sensation. And don’t sleep on the Ravens, who bullied the Bills on Sunday night and made it clear that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, the Eagles and Jets are eliminated after disappointing losses.

Here are my top 10 for Week 4 of the 2024 season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

When evaluating the Chiefs, consider style characteristics. They constantly find ways to win, relying on their stars and unknown players who play in the closing stages. Whether it’s Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce or a recent veteran addition like Kareem Hunt, Andy Reid finds ways to put players in position to make a game-changing play. With Steve Spagnuolo working his magic on defense, the Chiefs have the experience and expertise they need to win for good in a league that rarely produces dynasties.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Perhaps the Vikings are underrated as the No. 2 seed on this list behind the back-to-back champions. Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores deserve their flowers for their great work with their units while playing the kind of complementary football that routinely features rings, banners and confetti. While it’s still too early to call the Vikings Super Bowl frontrunners, the road to the NFC Championship Game could lead through Minneapolis.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield has the Buccaneers’ offense running at full speed. He has established himself as the team’s QB1 and exhibits all the traits that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. As Todd Bowles continues to produce defensive feats against strong offenses, the Buccaneers appear to be true NFC contenders.

4. Houston Texans

It wasn’t pretty for the Texans against the Jaguars, but the connection between CJ Stroud and Nico Collins helped the team avert disaster against a winless team. The duo managed to pull out the win in a game where the Texans weren’t anywhere near their best. With an elite quarterback who can erase mistakes on both sides of the ball, the Texans always have a chance on game day.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Although the Seahawks are off to a 3-0 start, an upcoming game with the Lions on Monday night could shake up the standings. But a win against one of the league’s most physical teams would show the world that Mike Macdonald’s team is a rising bully in the Pacific Northwest.

6. Buffalo Bills

Although Buffalo was able to serve three cupcakes early in the season, questions remain about the Bills’ status as a contender after their loss to an AFC heavyweight on Sunday night. Their loss to the Ravens exposed some of the Bills’ inadequacies in the passing game, as they didn’t have a true WR1 to lean on in crucial moments. While wide receiver-by-committee has worked against inferior opponents, the Bills must find a way to create explosive passing plays against elite competition to get over the hump in 2024.

How Lamar Jackson and the Ravens eliminated Josh Allen and the Bills

7. Washington commanders

The spectacular start to the Jayden Daniels era has catapulted the Commanders into first place in the NFC East. The No. 2 overall pick has transformed the offense into an unstoppable scoring machine, capable of lighting up the scoreboard on the ground or in the air. With the team banking on its superstar quarterback, the Commanders face an unexpected attempt at a division title.

8. Detroit Lions

Depending on the outcome of their Monday night battle with the Seahawks, the Lions could climb the charts as one of the NFC’s top teams. Dan Campbell’s squad have fought their way into title contention but the Lions cannot fall off the pace as division rivals Vikings are off to a blistering start.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite a loss in Week 4, the Steelers reached the quarter mark as the division leaders and still had plenty of room for improvement on offense. As offensive coordinator Arthur Smith builds on the talents of Justin Fields, Pittsburgh’s offense could evolve into a potent ground-and-pound attack by the end of the season. If the Steelers continue to dominate on defense with TJ Watt, Mike Tomlin’s team will remain in the hunt for a dark contender in the AFC.

10. Baltimore Ravens

Don’t let the Ravens’ .500 record fool you. John Harbaugh’s squad passes the eyeball test as one of the AFC’s elite teams thanks to a stout defense and a dynamic, run-based offense sparked by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry. While the old-school concept may lack sizzle, the Ravens’ ability to bully their opponents into submission will make them a dangerous team in the postseason tournament. As the Ravens embrace their identity as a “bully-ball” squad that wins on their physicality, toughness and tenacity, they will become the team no one wants to face down the stretch.

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as co-host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

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