NFL power rankings Week 4: Steelers surge and the battle for No. 1 heats up

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The third week of the NFL regular season is in the books and as we head into Week Four, it is time to update our NFL power rankings. The Miami Dolphins routed the Denver Broncos on Sunday and made a strong case to be the No. 1 team in the NFL. But last week’s No. 1, the San Francisco 49ers still looked practically unbeatable.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they pulled off their second win in a row and after a dreadful start seem to be getting back on track. How far did they climb this week? Read on and find out.

32 - Carolina Panthers (0-3) Last Week: 31

Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) assists cornerback Artie Burns (23) on a tackle of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. (88) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

31 - Chicago Bears (0-3) Last Week: 29

Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

30 - Denver Broncos (0-3) Last Week: 25

Sep 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

29 - Tennessee Titans (1-2) Last Week: 28

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) evades Cleveland Browns cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during the third quarter in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

28 - Arizona Cardinals (1-2) Last Week: 32

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) breaks past New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) for a touchdown at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 17, 2023.

27 - Minnesota Vikings (0-3) Last Week: 27

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) hands the ball off to running back Alexander Mattison (2) against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

26 - Houston Texans (1-2) Last Week: 30

Sep 24, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) runs the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

25 - New York Giants (1-2) Last Week: 21

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) catches a ball during the game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023.

24 - Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) Last Week: 24

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

23 - New York Jets (1-2) Last Week: 19

New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) reacts after the New England Patriots score a safety after sacking Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (not pictured) in the second half. The Jets lose to the Patriots, 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford.

22 - New England Patriots (1-2) Last Week: 22

New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown on his way to a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of a regular season game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford.

21 - Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) Last Week: 23

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) leaves the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

20 - Los Angeles Rams (1-2) Last Week: 15

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the fourth quarter during a Week 3 NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 19-16.

19 - Atlanta Falcons (2-1) Last Week: 13

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch defends Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

18 - Indianapolis Colts (2-1) Last week: 26

Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

17 - Washington Commanders (2-1) Last Week: 16

Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) attempts to pass the ball to Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) as Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

16 - Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) Last Week: 7

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) high-fives Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Houston Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-17. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

15 - Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) Last Week: 20

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

14 - Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) Last Week: 12

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) rolls out of the pocket to throw in the third quarter during a Week 3 NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 19-16.

13 - New Orleans Saints (2-1) Last Week: 14

Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) and linebacker Quay Walker (7) sack New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) during their football game Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Saints 18-17.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

12 - Cleveland Browns (2-1) Last Week: 18

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) is stopped by Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

11 - Green Bay Packers (2-1) Last Week: 11

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates a come from behind victory over the New Orleans Saints during their football game Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Saints 18-17.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

10 - Seattle Seahawks (2-1) Last Week: 17

Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) returns to the locker room following a 37-27 Seattle victory against the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

9 - Dallas Cowboys (2-1) Last Week: 5

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

8 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) Last Week: 9

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back too pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

7 - Detroit Lions (2-1) Last Week: 10

Detroit Lions linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) celebrates a play by linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during the second half vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

6 - Baltimore Ravens (2-1) Last Week: 6

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) loses his helmet as he picks up a clutch catch in overtime against Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

5 - Buffalo Bills (2-1) Last Week: 8

Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with fans after the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4 - Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) Last Week: 3

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

3 - Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) Last Week: 2

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball during the second quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

2 - San Francisco 49ers (3-0) Last Week: 1

Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander (54) and cornerback Levi Wallace (29) defend during the second quarter against at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1 - Miami Dolphins (3-0) Last Week: 4

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports