Parity and unpredictability are emerging as defining themes of this NFL season, with last-place schedules creating a more pronounced advantage over the paths facing last year’s division winners. That growing divide is already reshaping the league’s early pecking order. Here is the week five JetNation NFL Power Rankings.
San Francisco 49ers 4-0 (Week Four: 2)
The 49ers overcame a slow start and pulled away in the second half for a 24-14 win over Denver on Sunday, improving to 4-0. The Niners have been home for each of their last three games. A win this week on the road in Seattle would solidify the Niners as the early season leader.
Seattle Seahawks 3-1 (Week Four: 1)
Seattle allowed the game to become competitive late, but it was clearly the better team for most of the afternoon. The Seahawks will need a complete four-quarter performance this week against top-ranked San Francisco.
Kansas City Chiefs 4-0 (Week Four: 5)
The Chiefs survived a difficult road test against Las Vegas, but injuries are testing an already thin wide receiver group. Kansas City’s inability to create space on the outside contributed to its disappointing 2025 finish, and the same weakness could again limit the offense if the unit does not get healthy.
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-1 (Week Four: 6)
The Jaguars are solidifying their place among the league’s elite. Jacksonville is leading the league in turnover ratio. Trevor Lawrence is third in passer rating among quarterbacks who have started all four games.
Minnesota Vikings 4-0 (Week Four: 10)
The Vikings are the least respected of the unbeaten teams. Respect will probably need to wait with games against the Saints and Colts coming up.
Los Angeles Rams 2-2 (Week Four: 3)
Winning on the road in rainy conditions against Philadelphia matters, even if the performance was uneven. Despite their early-season inconsistency, the Rams rank second in the league in both offense and defense. Once the full roster is available, Los Angeles will be one of the league’s most difficult teams to beat.
Baltimore Ravens 3-1 (Week Four: Unranked)
The Ravens are not making it look easy, but the wins are stacking up. Lamar Jackson is behind only Brock Purdy in passer rating among full-time starters.
Buffalo Bills 3-1 (Week Four: 4)
The Bills missed a huge opportunity Sunday to distance themselves from their primary division rival. Another challenge looms this week with a trip to play the Rams.
Chicago Bears 3-1 (Week Four: Unranked)
The Bears clearly have the best quarterback situation in the league. Chicago has wins from its second and third stringers. A big early season division game in Green Bay will test their depth once again this week.
Las Vegas Raider 3-1 (Week Four: Unranked)
The Raiders were competitive Sunday in their first matchup against an elite opponent. The close loss was enough to move Las Vegas up the rankings, but upcoming games against the Patriots, Bills, and Rams will make this position difficult to hold.
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New York Jets 1-4 (Week Four: 23)
The Jets needed to establish the run and control possession Sunday, but Chicago dictated the game instead. New York managed only seven first downs, went 0-for-7 on third down, and was out gained 492-157 in a 23-12 loss. The Bears held the ball for more than 42 minutes and out rushed the Jets 232-59, while New York’s only touchdown came on a 58-yard pass from Geno Smith to Isaiah Williams.
This week the Jets return home to play the surprising Cleveland Browns. This is a winnable game, but the Jets have dropped a couple of those already in 2026. If the Jets lose this week and then the following week in New England, the seat underneath Aaron Glenn will start to seriously warm up. The Jets do appear to be significantly more competitive than they were a year ago, but if they start the year 1-5, it might not matter to owner Woody Johnson.
The Browns enter the Meadowlands with the league’s 23rd-ranked offense, one spot ahead of the Jets at 24th. New York holds the overall defensive edge, although Cleveland has improved significantly since its Week One blowout loss to Jacksonville. The Browns have won three straight, and quarterback DeShaun Watson is beginning to recapture the form that made him an early first-round pick in 2017.
For the Jets to win, they need to reverse last week’s script by staying on the field and controlling possession. The Jet’s offense line needs to find its groove and allow this team to run the ball effectively. After running the ball for over 150 yards in week one, the Jets have not run for more than 67 yards. This team is not going to win through the air especially with their injuries at wide receiver and tight end. Cleveland has been average against the run thus far in 2026.
Additionally, a second wide receiver needs to develop quickly if Adonai Mitchell continues to miss time. Teams are stacking the line against the Jets knowing Garrett Wilson is the Jets lone option on the outside. If Mitchell misses more time, somebody needs to step forward and create space to keep the defense honest. Who on the Jets Roster is going to be that person?
