NFL standings, Week 4: Chiefs control the AFC West

After Week 4, the Kansas City Chiefs remain in control of the AFC West. Here’s a look at the full NFL standings.

After beating the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs stand firmly in control of the AFC West. The Chiefs, along with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers, are the only undefeated teams left in the league.

The NFL season seemed to be at jeopardy this week after news of a Titans COVID-19 outbreak that caused their game against the Steelers to be postponed. After this news dominated the week’s headlines, on Saturday Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, putting their scheduled Sunday afternoon game against the Chiefs in jeopardy.

The same day, Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta’amu also tested positive for COVID-19. The game was ultimately postponed until Monday night, and the teams were able to play each other.

The Chiefs started out strong against the Patriots, marching into the red zone in less than five minutes. But they couldn’t make it into the end zone and ended up settling with a short field goal. The Chiefs ultimately went into the half leading only by a score of 6-3. It wasn’t until the second half that the Chiefs really came alive, and it was a game fueled by the defense rather than the offense.

The Patriots, without Cam Newton, started quarterback Brian Hoyer who went 15/24 for 130 yards and 1 interception. Late in the third quarter, the Patriots put in quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Who ended up throwing two interceptions, one of which Chiefs safety Tyrann  Mathieu took to the house for six. The Chiefs ended up winning by a score of 26-10.

Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos handled the winless New York Jets easily on Thursday Night Football. With starting quarterback Drew Lock still out with a sprained AC joint, the Broncos started quarterback Brett Rypien. Rypien did not have the best of games, completing 19/31 passes for 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, but he performed well enough to lead his team past the struggling Jets in a 37-28 victory.

The Los Angeles Chargers took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with quarterback Justin Herbert starting once again. Herbert continues to impress for the Chargers and look like their starting quarterback of the future, as he had a great game, completing 20/25 passes for 290 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Running back Austin Ekeler went down early with an injury that will sideline him for the next 4-6 weeks, which hurt the Chargers in their effort and they ultimately lost to the Buccaneers 38-31.

The Las Vegas Raiders faced off against the Buffalo Bills led by red hot quarterback Josh Allen. The Raiders kept up with the Bills, and quarterback Derek Carr had a solid game throwing 44 times and completing 32 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite this, the Bills stayed hot and the Raiders fell by a touchdown, 30-23.

Here’s a look at the full NFL standings:

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills 4-0-0
2. New England Patriots 2-2-0
3. Miami Dolphins 1-3
4. New York Jets 0-4-0

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs 4-0-0
2. Las Vegas Raiders 2-2-0
3. Denver Broncos 1-3-0
4. Los Angeles Chargers 1-3-0

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0-0
2. Baltimore Ravens 3-1-0
3. Cleveland Browns 3-1-0
4. Cincinnati Bengals 1-2-1

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans 3-0-0
2. Indianapolis Colts 3-1-0
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-3-0
4. Houston Texas 0-4-0

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles 1-2-1
2. Washington Football Team 1-3-0
3. Dallas Cowboys 1-3-0
4. New York Giants 0-4-0

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks 4-0-0
2. Los Angeles Rams 3-1-0
3. Arizona Cardinals 2-2-0
4. San Francisco 49ers 2-2-0

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers 4-0-0
2. Chicago Bears 3-1-0
3. Minnesota Vikings 1-3-0
4. Detroit Lions 1-3-0

NFC South

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1-0
2. New Orleans Saints 2-2-2
3. Carolina Panthers 2-2-0
4. Atlanta Falcons 0-4-0