As we expected heading into the 2026 NFL season, the NFC is loaded. Maybe even more than we imagined.
Over the past two weeks, we've actually learned a lot when it comes to some teams in the NFC bouncing back after slow starts, and coming to life just in time.
We're going to attempt to do the impossible: Rank each team in the NFC from worst to best after just four games. With any NFL Power Rankings, there is going to be some volatility week-to-week. A team could rank in the top 5 one week and be outside the top 10 two weeks later. And teams can jump from the bottom, too.
Some teams have done exactly that in our newest NFC Power Rankings heading into Week 5. What have we learned through the first month of the season, and where does every team stand as of right now?
NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Falcons and Cowboys skyrocketing in NFC rankings
16. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals obviously got the season started off with an upset win that turned a lot of heads, but things have sort of been more “as expected” over the last three weeks.
Still, it would be disingenuous to say that the Cardinals have just been downright bad all year. They played the 49ers tougher than expected, and they were a goal line pick-six away from going on the road and beating the Giants in Week 4.
The Cardinals have shown some fight in Mike LaFleur’s first year at the helm, but this still feels like a team playing more for draft positioning than anything substantial this season. And that’s okay, because they’re in rebuilding mode.
15. Washington Commanders
Injuries and horrendous defense have once again plagued the Commanders this season. Stop me if you feel like you heard that all of last season.
The Commanders went to London last week and got smacked around by the Indianapolis Colts in the 4th quarter of a game in which they lost Marcus Mariota after just four pass attempts.
Most NFL fan bases don’t know who Athan Kaliakmanis is, but he was given the green light to swing as soon as he got on the field for his first NFL action. And now, with Jayden Daniels working his way back, perhaps the tides will turn for the Commanders in a hurry.
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