6. Detroit Lions, 2-1
The Detroit Lions land at No. 6 in our power rankings ahead of Week 4. The Lions play the Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Detroit should be able to win that game, but this defense has been dreadful this year.
Not having two starting defensive backs is clearly hurting this unit, but there just doesn't seem to be any sort of identity with them right now. What the Lions do have going for them is one of the best, most explosive offenses in the NFL, even if the offensive line isn't quite as good as it's been in previous years.
The Lions did begin the 2025 season 7-4 before collapsing and finishing with just nine wins. That's really when the defense began to lose its grip on things. That has continued into 2026, as the injuries remain.
But being 2-1 is still an accomplishment, and while it may seem unlikely, this team can keep winning games if the offense plans on scoring 30+ points per outing, which is possible.
5. Chicago Bears, 2-1
How about these Chicago Bears? Case Keenum, yes, that Case Keenum, got the start for the Bears in Week 3, and what we saw could have been one of the more complete performances of the Ben Johnson era, and that isn't an exaggeration.
I do wonder if this was one of those 'honeymoon' games where the home crowd and the 'there is no way they can win' contributed to this. It might not be, though. Even if the Bears would have had Caleb Williams here and beaten the Eagles, I am not sure this ranking changes all that much.
This is a real team, and the defense had to have loved how they played in Week 3. That's really the main thing that could keep them from a Super Bowl run. If the defense can get figured out, the Bears are going to be a major threat.
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