Walt
I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.
NFL Power Rankings updated Oct. 6, 2026
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San Francisco 49ers (4-0)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
The good news for the 49ers is that they're 4-0, and even better, the two injuries they suffered the prior week to Trent Williams and Mike Evans turned out to be irrelevant because both played against Denver. It's remarkable, by the way, that the 49ers haven't surrendered a sack yet despite battling the Rams and Broncos in two of their games.
If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.
Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $8.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
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Buffalo Bills (3-0)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
The Bills lost at home to the Patriots last year, so their defeat to New England is nothing new. It is a little discouraging, however, that the pass defense has been so bad through four weeks. They should consider trading for some help in the secondary.
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Los Angeles Rams (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
The Rams made many mistakes against the Eagles and yet still won by four. I suppose some might see this as a bad thing because the Rams haven't played a clean game yet this year, aside from perhaps their victory over the Giants. But think about it this way: They'll get Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald back soon, and Puka Nacua will continue to get healthier.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
A sign of a good team is when it can play its D-game and still prevail. That's what the Jaguars did against the Bengals. They committed 10 penalties in the first 20 minutes, and yet they still won by five.
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Baltimore Ravens (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
Jesse Minter is new to being a head coach, but give him major credit for being aggressive with seven seconds remaining. I think some coaches would have taken a knee, namely one of the guys coaching in New York. Instead, the Ravens went for the jugular, and the deep pass to Zay Flowers ultimately won them the game.
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Seattle Seahawks (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Seahawks had a nice bounce-back victory following their embarrassing loss to the Redskins. It would have been nice if they held on to the cover after being up 30-13 in the fourth quarter, but we can't have good things here, apparently.
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Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
The Chiefs haven't looked too convincing following their Week 1 blowout over Denver. They're 4-0, but they beat the Colts by three in overtime and then allowed the Dolphins and Raiders to hang around for most of those game. They beat the Raiders by three, but needed a fumbled kickoff return to get the victory.
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Chicago Bears (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Bears are 2-0 with their backup quarterbacks, and they're 3-0 if that weird deluge game is excluded. Their defense was the story against the Jets, locking New York down for just 157 net yards.
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Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
The Bengals had a very disappointing game against the Jaguars. They were coming off a loss to the Steelers, so I expected a better performance. Granted, Ja'Marr Chase got hurt in the first quarter, but Joe Burrow played terribly, and the offensive line once again couldn't block all that well. The Jaguars committed 10 penalties in the first 20 minutes, and yet Cincinnati couldn't take advantage.
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Dallas Cowboys (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
The Cowboys bounced back well following their loss in Brazil. They were down 16-6 at halftime, but CeeDee Lamb was a monster in the second half. Also, credit their defense for keeping the Texans from reaching the end zone on numerous possessions, forcing them to settle for field goals instead.
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Denver Broncos (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
The Broncos are 2-2 now, as they couldn't count on an altitude-induced second-half letdown from their opponent in San Francisco. This loss wouldn't have been devastating if it weren't for the injuries that transpired. Patrick Surtain, Riley Moss, and Pat Bryant were all knocked out.
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Detroit Lions (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
The Lions rebounded nicely from their blowout loss to Buffalo on Thursday night against the Jets, but their defense looked pathetic at Carolina. The good news is that they may get one of their starting safeties back from injury soon.
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Minnesota Vikings (4-0)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
The Vikings are 4-0, but they were outgained by all of their opponents not named the Dolphins. They haven't even cracked 250 net yards in any game outside of their matchup against Miami.
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New England Patriots (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Patriots somehow got blown out against Jacksonville and then came back to beat the Bills on the road. They saved their season, with Drake Maye actually looking like a good quarterback for the first time all year.
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Atlanta Falcons (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
The Falcons actually look like a competent football team with professional quarterbacking. Cooper Rush and his back spasms are no longer needed with Michael Penix Jr. back under center, and Atlanta responded with impressive victories at Green Bay and New Orleans.
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Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
The Raiders lost to the Chiefs, but they may have prevailed if they hadn't fumbled a kickoff return late in the game. They outgained Kansas City, so they can hold their heads high knowing they went toe-to-toe with a perennial Super Bowl contender.
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Carolina Panthers (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
The Panthers look like a legitimate playoff team. They could easily be 3-1 right now, and Bryce Young is finally performing like a No. 1 overall pick.
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Houston Texans (0-4)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
The Texans are somehow 0-4. Their offense can't be blamed this time, as they scored 30 points, but their defense did not live up to its end of the bargain. Houston's defense also couldn't keep Daniel Jones from consistently converting first downs the prior week.
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Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
I don't think people understand how bad the Eagles are yet. Perhaps they're coming around now that they're 2-2, but this team can't block, they can't run the ball, and they can't get to the quarterback. If Lane Johnson continues to miss time, this team is not going to win many games.
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Washington Redskins (1-3)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
The poor Redskins had to go to Athan Kaliakmanis in London. The good news is that Jayden Daniels will be back this week, which is why Washington has risen so much. The bad news is that this means that Daniels is bound to get hurt again soon, too.
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Green Bay Packers (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
Based on how the Packers looked versus Atlanta, I have no idea how they beat the Jets in Week 2. They looked pathetic. Their offensive line is awful, they have no running game, and their pass rush and run defense were non-existent. They beat the Jalon Daniels-led Buccaneers, but only by three.
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Indianapolis Colts (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
Handicapping the NFL can be maddening sometimes. How did the Daniel Jones we saw against the Redskins in London beat Houston's defense in Week 3? So frustrating.
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New York Jets (1-3)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
The Jets had a chance to beat the Lions, but they looked pathetic against the Bears. They were 0-of-7 on third down and lost time of possession by 25 minutes. But hey, at least they finally intercepted a pass for the first time in 637 days.
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Cleveland Browns (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
The Browns are somehow, someway 3-1. I guess it pays to play two NFC South teams, but Cleveland easily could have lost to both the Buccaneers and Panthers. Carolina outgained Cleveland in both net yardage and yards per play, but made far too many mistakes to capitalize. The Browns beat the Steelers on Thursday night, but Pittsburgh has lost in Cleveland on every occasion since the Ben Roethlisberger days.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
The Steelers always lose at Cleveland. They haven't won there since the Ben Roethlisberger days, so what else is new? Aaron Rodgers looked terrible for most of the evening, although he did lead a comeback, so it could have been worse.
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New York Giants (3-1)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
The Giants have won two in a row since losing Jaxson Dart for the year, so give them credit for not giving up. However, they beat the Titans and Cardinals at home and barely did so in both contests. Let's not be too impressed with their 3-1 record.
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New Orleans Saints (1-3)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
The Saints are 1-3, but they could be 3-1 right now. They outgained the Raiders, but turned the ball over too much in the fourth quarter. They got crushed by the Falcons, but had too many defensive injuries. That said, I don't think it would have mattered. They were completely outclassed on both sides of the ball.
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Arizona Cardinals (1-3)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
The Cardinals lost by only six points to the 49ers, but keep in mind that they were facing a large deficit until both Mike Evans and Trent Williams left the game. Arizona's comeback was far less impressive given the circumstances. It seems even worse now after the loss to the Giants.
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San Angeles Chargers (0-4)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
Some may take away a positive for the Chargers because they fought hard and drew to within seven against the Seahawks after being blown out. However, they lost both tackles due to injury, as well as Ladd McConkey. So, that obviously makes things even worse than they already were.
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Tennessee Titans (0-4)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
There's going to be a 30 for 30 one day on the absolute BS backdoor covers the Titans have gotten over the past year and a quarter. I wrote about three of them in my new book, Year of the Bad Beat. Here, they were able to get a complete and utter BS touchdown at the very end to cover because Lamar Jackson got hurt at the end of the first half.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
It looks like the Buccaneers are the favorites to land Jeremiah Smith. Baker Mayfield is likely to be out for nearly two months, and Jalon Daniels couldn't score more than 14 points against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
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Miami Dolphins (0-4)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
Congratulations to the Dolphins, who were able to stay within two touchdowns of an opponent for the first time all year. Granted, they lost time of possession by 20 minutes and their quarterback didn't even have 10 completions, but these were nice baby steps to see.
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
Group D:
Group F:
2026 NFL MVP Projection:
1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Oct. 6
NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 6
2027 NFL Mock Draft - Sept. 30
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 7
2022 NFL Power Rankings. Week:
Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings |
Post-Free Agency Power Rankings |
Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings |
Post-Preseason Power Rankings |
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2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |
2020 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Playoffs |
2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |
2020 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Playoffs |
Charlie Campbell
I love this time of the season. Walt’s NFL Power Rankings come into first contact with the season. Not an easy business. I guess the Rams may have been a tad high, Seattle a tad low…maybe (TBD), 49ers a tad low. Patriots probably at the right spot.
The Bills being named the best team in the AFC after that Detroit demolition feels right — it was as complete a performance as I’ve seen from them, and they made it look easy. I can’t get on the Rams for losing in Australia either, because that kind of travel genuinely drains you before the game even starts, no matter the roster. I’d been messing around on https://1dollardeposit.com before this and honestly, this breakdown was a far better use of my attention span.
I really do enjoy coming here every season to get a good laugh. It’s always so obvious as to which teams you like and which teams you don’t. The teams you do like you always make excuses for their losses (“if not for some bad calls they would have won”) and the ones you don’t you always make excuses for their wins (“if not for some bad calls this team would have lost”) and if you didn’t do it for the same teams every year somebody might actually believe you
“The Broncos are 2-1, but they got outgained by the Rams, 482-257 in net yards and averaged only 4.3 yards per play compared to the Rams’ 5.9. The officials gave Denver the victory on a silver platter with a bogus interception at the end.”
Damn!!! You sound big mad!!! Do you want a cookie????
This guy is a complete clown. He has teams he doesn’t like and when this teams win all he does is go to the box score and search for something that the other team did better and say they should have lost because of that. Then he always throws in some bad calls. He’s the complete opposite with the teams he likes. Looks for any stat that he can point to and say they should have won because of this stat and again throws in the blaming the refs for the loss.
You are 1000% correct. This whole website has clown vibes!
Sorry I hurt your feelings when I ranked your team too low, Sean. If you have an actual case to make about a team, I’m all ears
Until further notice, I am DONE with Walter football.com. I used to be a regular visitor, but lack of quality and clownish “hot takes” have earned y’all this. Everyone don’t waste your time closing ads just to waste more time reading a subpar article. Go to YouTube. Better quality and more entertaining than the mess they put out here!
We actually have the best power rankings in the business. Sorry to hear that I hurt your feelings by ranking your team too low!
List of overrated teams:
-Cleveland Browns
-Las Vegas Raiders
-Pittsburgh Steelers
-Minnesota Vikings
-New York Giants
-Detroit Lions
List of underrated teams:
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even if you’re not going to include them. They could easily be 3-1 right now.
-Cincinnati Bengals
-New England Patriots
-Atlanta Falcons
-Dallas Cowboys, for once.
Don’t be shocked if the Bucs wind up with Arch Manning/Darian Mensah/Dante Moore next April. Baker’s new contract is moveable in 2028 (~$50 in cap savings) so he can be an expensive bridge for 1 year
Wow, Walt, did you criticize Trump and I didn’t see it? Some of these guys act like MAGAs do with all that hate when you point out valid things their cult leader did wrong. Anyway, I think there MIGHT be some validity to you letting whether you like teams or not affect your rankings of them. I think it does with the Chiefs, anyway. They should be top 3 being undefeated this year and Mahomes back to playing well again. As far as not blowing other teams out, they rarely did that even in their Super Bowl winning seasons. I don’t know why, they always seem to let inferior teams keep it close until they pull it out in the end. But then they DO pull it out in exciting fashion. That’s why they are fun to watch. Of course, I am also letting my love for them affect my rankings, but they have been an incredibly successful franchise in the Mahomes era. Last year was a fluke.
Where do you have the Giants Ranked about 15. You have the Jets ranked over the Giants. Who biased joke.