Kansas City, Missouri – As the 2024 NFL season progresses, the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings stand out as the only undefeated teams. On the other end of the spectrum, the Jacksonville Jaguars are still searching for their first win of the season.
Week 4 saw some exciting matchups, with the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens securing significant victories. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers experienced their first losses of the season, and the Atlanta Falcons edged out a thrilling victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Our team of NFL Nation reporters delved into each team’s defensive concerns, ranging from third-down efficiency to generating turnovers. These issues have influenced the movement in our latest Power Rankings.
The Power Rankings are evaluated by a panel of over 80 writers, editors, and TV personalities, providing a comprehensive look at how each NFL team compares to one another from 1 to 32.
The Kansas City Chiefs, currently holding the top spot in the rankings, are facing challenges with their pass rush outside of standout player Chris Jones. Despite Jones’ impressive performance, the Chiefs are struggling to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks.
The Minnesota Vikings, ranked third, are grappling with issues related to the age and snap counts of key defensive players. The defense’s performance took a hit after allowing 22 fourth-quarter points to the Green Bay Packers.
In Buffalo, the Bills are working on maintaining their defensive scheme with backups after facing challenges in Week 4. The team’s defensive weaknesses were exposed by the Baltimore Ravens, highlighting the importance of adjusting to different game situations.
The Detroit Lions, ranked fifth, are focusing on improving their pass coverage efficiency to limit opponents’ quarterback ratings. Despite allowing only four touchdowns through the air, the Lions are looking to enhance their defensive performance against top QBs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ranked 13th, have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing teams, recording just two sacks prior to their Week 4 matchup. However, a strong defensive showing against the Philadelphia Eagles provided a glimmer of hope for the Buccaneers.
The Seattle Seahawks, ranked fourth, have been lacking in the takeaway department, with only three forced turnovers despite a strong defensive start to the season. This area remains a focal point for improvement as the Seahawks progress through the season.
The Baltimore Ravens, ranked 12th, are addressing challenges in defending against big passing plays, having allowed an NFL-worst 10 completions on deep throws of over 20 yards. The Ravens are working on tightening up their secondary to prevent opponents from capitalizing on long pass plays.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, ranked 7th, experienced difficulties in their pass defense in Week 4, allowing several chunk passing plays that contributed to a high-scoring game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Overall, each team in the NFL is facing unique challenges on defense that will require adjustments and improvements as the season unfolds. From pass rush struggles to secondary issues, teams are working diligently to shore up their defenses and maintain competitiveness on the field.