With four weeks down in the 2026 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers have risen sharply up the offensive efficiency charts, according to a metric developed by analyst Matt Harmon. The Raiders jumped 19 places from last year’s bottom spot to 13th, while the Panthers climbed 18 spots to ninth.
Las Vegas’s offensive turnaround owes much to new coach Klint Kubiak and key additions like center Tyler Linderbaum and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Harmon pointed out that despite relying on many of the same skill players as in 2025, the Raiders’ fresh coaching staff has improved the offense substantially. Brock Bowers has emerged as the lead receiver, and Ashton Jeanty’s potential rests on his health.
Carolina’s leap from 27th to ninth in offensive efficiency came after handing play-calling duties from Dave Canales to Brad Idzik. The Panthers rank sixth in explosive play rate and eighth in success rate, a combination that supports their concentrated attack featuring wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, tight end Jalen Coker, and running back Chuba Hubbard. Harmon noted this balance makes Carolina one of the most valuable offenses in fantasy football this year.
The New Orleans Saints have also moved up significantly, from 28th to 11th. Their improvement has occurred despite a struggling run game and a defense that forces them to maintain a fast pace. The Saints lead the NFL in pace of play, with Devaughn Vele and Chris Olave running more routes than any other players. Much of their production has come in the second half of games as they push to score late.
The Jets sit 18th after being 30th last season, overcoming a difficult Week 4 loss to the Bears. Frank Reich’s arrival as play-caller and Geno Smith’s steady quarterback play have boosted the offense. While injury issues have limited running back Breece Hall, his performances before getting hurt showed promise.
Kansas City’s offense stands fourth, up from 17th in 2025, thanks largely to the addition of Kenneth Walker. Walker has allowed the Chiefs to run more plays from under center, balancing the offense and improving the ground game. Patrick Mahomes has also delivered his best season in years as a deep passer, even with injuries hitting the wide receiver group.
On the other side, the Green Bay Packers have dropped 21 places to 27th, with their offensive line and rushing attack collapsing. The team has shifted to an unusually heavy pass rate, ranking fourth in pass rate over expected this season. This has brought fantasy value to receivers Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft, though the offense overall remains unstable.
New England’s offense has fallen from second to 22nd, struggling against three strong defenses in the season’s first three weeks. Their Week 4 performance against Buffalo was their best, ranking eighth in offensive efficiency that week. Harmon described the Patriots’ scheme as effective against weaker teams but inconsistent overall.
Miami sits at the bottom of the league offensively, dropping from 16th to 32nd. The Dolphins have overhauled their roster and appear focused on future seasons. The offense ranks last in pace and efficiency, with some flashes from young skill players but little consistency.
Washington has slipped to 28th after starting at 13th, hampered by injuries at quarterback and wide receiver. Jayden Daniels missed parts of the season, with Marcus Mariota’s injury forcing a rookie into action. Harmon expressed cautious optimism about the passing concepts installed by David Blough but noted the team’s struggles with key players missing, including Terry McLaurin.
The Indianapolis Colts moved down from third to 17th. Daniel Jones’s return from an Achilles injury has been uneven, and the loss of vertical threat Alec Pierce has limited the offense’s upside. Players like Josh Downs and Tyler Warren remain fantasy starters but face limited growth without a top-tier team offense.
These shifts in offensive efficiency reveal which teams have adjusted quickly and which are facing challenges in the early weeks of the NFL’s 2026 campaign. The Raiders and Panthers’ rises stand out as the most significant improvements so far.
According to Yahoo Sports.
