NFL Week 4 Power Rankings 2025: Just how all 32 groups stack up

Week 3 brought much more exhilaration to this NFL season , with unique teams getting beaming minutes during the Sunday slate. Multiple video games had actually obstructed basket late in the 4th quarter, including on the last play of the Eagles-Rams match Four various other competitions were selected time-expiring basket.

But for today’s Power Positions, we asked our NFL Country press reporters to take a closer take a look at an additional unit: the defense. From third-down quits to requiring turnovers, we called the biggest concern on protection for every single team.

Allow’s get right into it with our No. 1 -rated team. Our power panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and television individualities examined just how NFL groups compare to one another, ranking them from 1 to 32

See previous positions: Week 2 | Week 3

Jump to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | 10 | WSH

Week 3 result: Beat the Rams 33 – 26
Week 3 ranking: 2

Most significant problem on defense: Protective rush success price

The Eagles are last in the organization with a 45 1 % success rate against the run this season. They are producing a first down or a touchdown on over 34 % of the opponent’s attempts, which also is an organization reduced, and they are 25 th in hurrying lawns enabled (133 3 per video game). Philly has a top quality interior front led by defensive deals with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter It additionally has two good linebackers in Zack Baun and rookie Jihaad Campbell , who is developing on duty. So this looks like a fixable trouble for protective planner Vic Fangio. — Tim McManus

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Week 3 result: Beat the Dolphins 31 – 21
Week 3 position: 1

Greatest concern on defense: Getting off the area

The Bills’ defense was incredibly effective versus the Jets in Week 2 , but Buffalo had a hard time to end drives versus Baltimore and Miami. Third downs were a details issue against the Dolphins, that converted 10 of 15 attempts to maintain that video game close. The Costs likewise have quit 5 goals at a loss area this season. Buffalo hopes linebacker Matt Milano and protective take on Ed Oliver will certainly fix this concern when they return after being damaged — Alaina Getzenberg

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Week 3 result: Beat the Ravens 38 – 30
Week 3 ranking: 5

Most significant concern on defense: Pass thrill outside of DE Aidan Hutchinson

With Week 3, the Lions are tied for a league-low 22.0% pass thrill win price. They have actually relied on Hutchinson, who has actually been regularly double-teamed as he searches for a groove after returning from a season-ending leg injury in 2024 Detroit does not have deepness at the position, as defensive end Marcus Davenport ( upper body is now on damaged book. The Lions are trusting fellow end Al-Quadin Muhammad to step up (he had 2 5 sacks versus the Ravens). Likewise, the return of defensive take on Alim McNeill (ACL injury) and end Josh Paschal (reserve/non-football injury list) at some time this period will certainly assist deal with those problems. Yet Detroit did look excellent in tallying seven sacks against the Ravens on Monday night. — Eric Woodyard

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Broncos 23 – 20
Week 3 ranking: 7

Most significant concern on protection: Fourth-down stops

Jesse Minter’s defense has been among the league’s finest in several categories. Nonetheless, the Chargers have actually battled on fourth down. Challengers are converting 71 % of their efforts versus L.A., which ranks 22 nd in the NFL. The fourth-down struggles were apparent Sunday: Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton scored a 52 -lawn touchdown on fourth-and- 1 just before halftime, which offered the Broncos much-needed energy and nearly caused the Chargers’ first loss of the season. — Kris Rhim

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Week 3 result: Shed to the Browns 13 – 10
Week 3 ranking: 3

Greatest problem on defense: Lack of takeaways

A period ago, the Packers connected for fourth in the NFL with 31 takeaways and placed third in interceptions with 17 They have a grand overall of two takeaways this season: Evan Williams interception in Week 1 versus the Lions and Xavier McKinney ‘s interception on Sunday. McKinney’s choice was essentially a punt by the Browns, who tossed a deep shot on fourth-and- 8 with just 12 seconds left in the first fifty percent. The Packers spent training school emphasizing punching the round out and creating fumbles, yet they haven’t compelled one yet. — Rob Demovsky

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Week 3 result: Beat the Jets 29 – 27
Week 3 position: 10

Greatest issue on protection: Fourth-quarter quits

The Buccaneers have a plus-six point differential this period, which is connected for the most affordable by a 3 -0 team in NFL history (2005 Washington, 2020 Titans), per ESPN Research. Part of the factor for these close video games is their defensive struggles late in video games; they have actually allowed 5 8 backyards per play (fifth most) in the fourth quarter. The Bucs quit two goals on defense in the 4th quarter against the Jets. “It takes time,” Tampa bay Bay trainer Todd Bowles stated. “Yet we have actually got to place 4 quarters with each other. As the schedule goes, it obtains harder every week, so we have actually got to make sure we do not make those blunders.” — Jenna Laine

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Week 3 result: Shed to the Lions 38 – 30
Week 3 ranking: 4

Greatest problem on defense: Poor taking on

The Ravens are not finishing up ball carriers, which has actually always given pride. Baltimore has actually given up 200 yards after contact this period, the fourth most in the NFL. It’s likewise the most given up via the initial three games in John Harbaugh’s 18 years as head coach. “That misbehaves run defense, which’s not who we are,” Harbaugh claimed. “It can not be that we are. It’s just, it’s not going to suffice. It’s not going to be acceptable, and it has to be better.” — Jamison Hensley

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Week 3 result: Lost to the Eagles 33 – 26
Week 3 position: 6

Greatest concern on defense: Cornerback depth

While the Rams reviewed the opportunity of trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey throughout the offseason, they determined adding his agreement really did not make sense which they liked the gamers they currently contended the position. The Rams gave up simply one passing touchdown in their first two games, but they lost cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a broken clavicle in Week 2 Professional cornerback Darious Williams , that was a healthy scrape in Week 1, played 39 7 % of the defensive breaks in Week 3 together with Cobie Durant (77 8 %) and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (82 5% ). The Rams held the Eagles to adverse passing backyards (minus- 1 in the very first fifty percent, but quarterback Jalen Hurts was extra effective in the second half, tossing three touchdown passes. — Sarah Barshop

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Week 3 result: Beat the Giants 22 – 9
Week 3 ranking: 8

Most significant issue on protection: Pass rush surrounding Chris Jones

The Chiefs have been irregular in pressuring the quarterback without blitzing, a concern that might plague Steve Spagnuolo’s unit all season long. The Chiefs have simply seven sacks, and most offending lines are increasing Jones often, which causes several one-on-one opportunities for side rushes George Karlaftis , Charles Omenihu , Mike Danna and novice Ashton Gillotte Among those players needs to elevate his efficiency to be a consistent risk along with Jones. — Nate Taylor

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Raiders 41 – 24
Week 3 ranking: 9

Most significant issue on protection: Big plays allowed

Washington is tied for 2nd in number of pass plays permitted of 15 backyards or more (20 There have actually been way too many coverage accidents, in some cases coming from hostile safety and security play to stop what seems a run just for the opposition to pass. The Commanders enabled eight pass plays of 15 lawns or more versus the Raiders, which frequently was because of blown protection and not just getting beat. The additional needs to have fun with more eye self-control in coverage. — John Keim

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Cardinals 16 – 15
Week 3 ranking: 11

Most significant problem on protection: Not having DE Nick Bosa for the remainder of the season

Before Sunday, the 49 ers had actually stayed clear of season-ending injuries to essential protective players. But Bosa tore the ACL in his ideal knee versus the Cardinals, and he will miss the remainder of the campaign. This indicates the Niners will need to lean a lot more into a youth movement that currently saw them mount 8 starters that were not in the starting lineup in Week 1 of 2024 Bosa was not just the team’s ideal protective lineman, he was the seasoned leader for the group. As left take on Trent Williams place it Sunday, the 49 ers will need three or four individuals to aid fill up Bosa’s footwear. — Nick Wagoner

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Week 3 result: Beat the Titans 41 – 20
Week 3 position: 16

Most significant concern on protection: Hit-or-miss pass thrill

The Colts signed up 4 sacks versus Tennessee, yet there have actually been a lot of plays in which rival QBs have been unbothered in the pocket. Indianapolis ranks 20 th in stress price at 27 4 %. Protective end Laiatu Latu is the most qualified to change this trajectory, specifically after a reliable return from a hamstring injury. But while his total stress price of 11 4 % is great, it will certainly require to improve if the Colts are going to consistently intimidate quarterbacks. — Stephen Owner

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Week 3 result: Beat the Bengals 48 – 10
Week 3 ranking: 20

Greatest concern on protection: Injuries to professionals

With 3 weeks, the Vikings have the NFL’s ideal defensive anticipated points included per play (minus-0.17 However they likewise have a core of older professionals, and injuries have actually been a problem. Safety Harrison Smith ( individual health issue missed out on two games. Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) missed one, as did cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion). An upper body contusion required protective electrician Javon Hargrave to sit out the second half in Week 3 Linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) gets on injured book through at least Week 4 That’s a quite substantial checklist prior to October. — Kevin Seifert

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Week 3 result: Beat the Saints 44 – 13
Week 3 ranking: 18

Greatest issue on defense: A banged-up additional

You have to nitpick to find any kind of problems in a protection that is enabling the second-fewest points per game (157 The Seahawks’ only genuine issue is one for which they’ve discovered some services. Seattle played without Pro Dish port cornerback Devon Witherspoon ( knee and novice safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) the past two games, and Pro Bowl safety and security Julian Love ( hamstring was sidelined in Week 3 However the group’s deepness gamers tipped up in two straight victories, specifically cornerback Derion Kendrick , that had two interceptions in Witherspoon’s area. It’s not clear that amongst those three will be available on Thursday at Arizona , but that might have factored into Seattle’s choice to sit them versus the winless Saints. — Brady Henderson

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Week 3 result: Lost to the Chargers 23 – 20
Week 3 position: 13

Largest problem on protection: Haven’t closed the deal

Though the Broncos have actually blinked exclusive tendencies and created a large list of impactful moments, they haven’t gotten the last essential drop in back-to-back losses. The Colts had drives of 81 and 41 yards for basket on their final 2 ownerships in a 29 – 28 win in Week 2 Sunday, the Chargers went 76 yards on 7 plays to tie the score at 20, after that marched 43 yards on 8 bet the game-winning field goal. Those drives included a 68 -backyard run by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor , a 22 -lawn reception by Chargers running back Omarion Hampton and a 20 -yard touchdown catch by L.A. receiver Keenan Allen — Jeff Legwold

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Week 3 outcome: Shed to the 49 ers 16 – 15
Week 3 ranking: 17

Largest issue on protection: Sacking the quarterback

The Cardinals upgraded their front seven throughout the offseason, restoring their line and inside linebackers with two hopes: that the defense would enhance against the run and get to the quarterback extra. The first part has occurred, with the Cardinals permitting just 76 3 rushing yards per game. However Arizona isn’t taxing the quarterback, with a sack rate of just 3 5 % and a total of five sacks (connected for 24 th in the NFL). — Josh Weinfuss

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Week 3 result: Beat the Patriots 21 – 14
Week 3 position: 21

Biggest problem on defense: Surrendering explosive plays

The Steelers wouldn’t have beaten the Patriots without obtaining 5 takeaways, however the protection has actually greatly been boom-or-bust this season. Pittsburgh has given up a league-high 32 explosive plays, defined as 10 lawns or longer. Four of those developed into goals, including a fourth-down, 16 -lawn throw from New England quarterback Drake Maye to tight end Hunter Henry that tied the video game in the fourth quarter. A few of that is the result of injuries to starters and interaction problems with brand-new employees, however the Steelers have to find more defensive uniformity. — Brooke Pryor

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Texans 17 – 10
Week 3 ranking: 23

Largest issue on defense: Finishing with sacks

We’re quibbling right here since the defense has been the backbone of Jacksonville’s two wins. The Jaguars place fifth in factors permitted per game (17, linked with the Texans and Cardinals) and hurrying backyards allowed per game (827 But they’re not transforming a substantial amount of stress into sacks. They rank nine with 44 QB pressures but have only 6 sacks, and their stress rate (33 6 %) ranks 18 th. Defensive end Travon Pedestrian leads the group with two sacks, while protective deal with Arik Armstead is 2nd with 1 5 — Mike DiRocco

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Week 3 result: Shed to the Panthers 30 -0
Week 3 position: 15

Largest issue on defense: Overreliance on the strike

Overall, there isn’t much to grumble about. Atlanta is eighth in the organization in QB stress price (40 4 %), and opposing quarterbacks have the fourth-worst ranking in the league (760) against the Falcons. However D-coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s system is depending a fair bit on the strike, as no group has a greater strike price in the NFL (44 7 %). Thus far, the metrics say it’s working. However that may not last forever, considering the next quarterbacks the Falcons will certainly see are Washington’s Jayden Daniels (if he returns from his knee injury and Buffalo’s Josh Allen — Marc Raimondi

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Week 3 outcome: Lost to the Vikings 48 – 10
Week 3 position: 12

Largest issue on defense: Protection before third down

The Bengals, while boosted from last season, have actually been in a challenging area on 3rd down: Generally, opposing groups require 5 8 backyards to get against Cincinnati, the fourth-shortest range in the NFL, per ESPN Study. So it’s no surprise the Bengals are tied for 28 th in the league in third-down conversions permitted (although 3 games stand for a small sample dimension). Improvements on very first and second down would do a great deal for organizer Al Golden’s protection, which was simply slapped by the Vikings. — Ben Baby

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Week 3 result: Shed to the Jaguars 17 – 10
Week 3 ranking: 14

Biggest issue on protection: Obtaining that final quit

Houston’s protection doesn’t have any type of glaring problems. The Texans are tied for fifth in scoring defense (17 points per video game). They have nine sacks on the season and are on speed for 51 The one place where they could enhance is the final drive of video games, during which they’ve allowed winning touchdowns over the past two getaways. However even given that objection, the Texans held opposing offenses to 14 and 10 points prior to the two-minute warning, to make sure that draws on Houston’s violation continuing to battle. — DJ Bien-Aime

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Week 3 result: Lost to the Commanders 41 – 24
Week 3 ranking: 22

Greatest issue on defense: First-half defense

In initial fifty percents this season, the Raiders are 8th worst in points permitted (15 7 per video game) and third worst in complete yards enabled (214 per game). The Commanders picked the Raiders apart via the very first two quarters Sunday with 20 factors and 259 lawns, including 174 on the ground. “We just reached play much better,” Las Las vega protective end Maxx Crosby claimed. “There’s going to be no reasons with this group. We understand everybody recognizes you reached take liability, and we got Chicago today in your home, so we obtained a great deal of job to do till after that.” — Ryan McFadden

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Cowboys 31 – 14
Week 3 ranking: 26

Greatest issue on defense: No pass thrill with a reduced blitz price

The most affordable blitz price in the organization (40%) seems to mirror the Bears’ determination to get pressure with their four down linemen, yet the absence of results are worrying. They are connected for the fifth-fewest sacks (five) and are third worst in pass rush win rate (23 3 %). After taping absolutely no sacks and 4 QB hits against Detroit , the Bears came away with two sacks versus Dallas, consisting of the first of the season for defensive end Montez Sweat However it hasn’t been enough to constantly put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. — Courtney Cronin

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Week 3 outcome: Shed to the Bears 31 – 14
Week 3 position: 19

Most significant issue on protection: Way too many big plays

It’s actually every little thing, yet one of the most egregious part is the variety of huge pass plays permitted. The Cowboys have actually given up 13 pass plays of 25 yards or more, consisting of five goal passes of 25 -plus lawns. Whether it is communication or execution problems, no matter. Twelve of those big plays came in the past 2 games versus QBs Russell Wilson and Caleb Williams The Micah Parsons -less pass rush has actually been nonexistent, and quarterbacks have discovered gaping openings in the secondary. For those that question whether the pass thrill makes an additional or the additional makes a pass thrill, the Cowboys are showing it’s the former. — Todd Archer

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Week 3 result: Lost to the Steelers 21 – 14
Week 3 ranking: 24

Greatest concern on protection: Lack of turnovers

Coach Mike Vrabel’s wanted team identity is one that shields the round and creates round interruption. But the Patriots have actually had six turnovers on the period (consisting of 5 on Sunday) and have actually forced only three (one in each video game). Perhaps obtaining second-team All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez back from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the previous 3 video games will certainly assist produce even more disturbance. — Mike Reiss

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Week 3 result: Beat the Packers 13 – 10
Week 3 position: 30

Most significant concern on protection: Just one takeaway up until now

The Browns’ defense has actually done almost everything right, consisting of leading the league in lawns enabled per game (204 3, yet takeaways have actually been a point of emphasis. Security Grant Delpit ‘s late interception on Sunday versus the Packers provided Cleveland its very first takeaway since Week 16 of 2024– and a much-needed momentum swing. “Give obtained that first one for us, and I believe they’ll begin can be found in numbers,” cornerback Greg Newsome II stated. “I assume the football gods get on our side today.” — Daniel Oyefusi

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Week 3 outcome: Beat the Falcons 30 -0
Week 3 position: 31

Greatest problem on protection: Sacks and QB pressure

Although there was enhancement in stress throughout Sunday’s sway the Falcons, the Panthers rank last in the NFL in sacks (simply one, from linebacker Princely Umanmielen in Week 2 and stress price (18 9 %). That’s the same boat they were in last season, when they completed last with a 25 3 % stress price. The stress was enough to compel 2 interceptions from Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. , yet it’s something that requires to improve against more professional signal-callers. — David Newton

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Week 3 outcome: Lost to the Buccaneers 29 – 27
Week 3 ranking: 25

Largest problem on defense: Zero takeaways this period

The Jets are among only three teams without a takeaway. (Miami and Washington are the others.) This is surprising, thinking about just how much they push the quarterback. They lack playmakers in the secondary, as cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens aren’t ball hawks, with simply 5 career interceptions in 119 incorporated video games. The dearth of takeaways puts a great deal of stress on the offense, which might utilize the advantage of a short field once in a while. — Rich Cimini

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Week 3 outcome: Shed to the Costs 31 – 21
Week 3 position: 28

Largest problem on protection: Requiring turn overs

The Dolphins ranking last in the organization in turn over differential, mainly because their protection has not had a takeaway yet this season. This was additionally a concern for Miami last season, yet train Mike McDaniel thinks the team will certainly right the ship as it advances as a whole. “Our takeaways will certainly boost as our cumulative football enhances,” he said. “It’s unsatisfactory. … We have actually absolutely spent the weekend trying to find out just how to get that huge win-loss sign in our support.” — Marcel Louis-Jacques

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Week 3 outcome: Lost to the Chiefs 22 – 9
Week 3 ranking: 29

Biggest problem on defense: Insufficient sacks

It’s simple to rest there and talk about the Giants’ run protection, which ranks 31 st in the league. Yet the pass thrill is intended to be the stamina of this team. The Giants are obtaining pressure, but they’re balancing a sack on 5 9 % of opponent dropbacks, ranking 20 th in the league. That’s unsatisfactory for a team that has Brian Burns playing at an All-Pro level and with Kayvon Thibodeaux , Abdul Carter and Dexter Lawrence II on the lineup. — Jordan Raanan

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Week 3 outcome: Lost to the Colts 41 – 20
Week 3 ranking: 27

Biggest problem on protection: Missed out on deals with on hurries

The Titans have permitted 147 7 rushing yards per video game (3rd most in the league), largely due to missed deals with. Opposite offenses have had eruptive touchdown runs in each of Tennessee’s three losses. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ‘s 45 -yard goal work on Sunday is a good example, as he damaged four deals with on the play. Rams pass receiver Puka Nacua damaged 3 tackles on a 45 -backyard TD enter Week 2 And Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins damaged two tackles on a 19 -yard rush throughout zone that secured Denver’s Week 1 win — Turron Davenport

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Week 3 result: Shed to the Seahawks 44 – 13
Week 3 position: 32

Largest concern on defense: Giving up large passing plays

The Cardinals had a 45 -yard bomb from quarterback Kyler Murray to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the season opener The 49 ers, with back-up quarterback Mac Jones and a diminished offense, had a 42 -backyard goal pass in Week 2 And the Seahawks had a 45 -backyard conclusion that helped establish a touchdown in the second quarter on Sunday. The Saints aren’t getting off the area on 3rd down, they’re injuring themselves with charges and they can not quit quiting huge death plays. This is something that likely won’t change at Buffalo this Sunday. — Katherine Terrell