DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 30: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Lions:
Even with a beat-up defense, they were able to beat a good Packers team on TNF. They remain the number one seed in the NFC and have jumped back on top of the Eagles in these rankings.
Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They came away with a win on Sunday, but it wasn’t pretty. The defense was good, and Saquon was great as always, but the passing game really struggled. They need to get that figured out.
Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Their defense is great, and it has been all season, but their offense doesn’t seem to be at a championship level. Come playoff time, they usually figure it out, but right now, it is a weakness. They did get Pacheco going in the later stages of the game, though, against the Chargers, though, and that could change things.
Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
The offense was spectacular, putting up 42 points, but their defense really let them down on the road in Los Angeles, losing 44-42 to the Rams. Had they won that game, they would be ahead of the Chiefs on this list.
Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
For a while, it looked like they were going to be in a close game yet again, but eventually, the Vikings pulled away and beat the Falcons. They have earned the right to be ahead of the Packers and in the top 5 this week.
Packers
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks on to pass against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 09, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
They played very well on the road against the Lions on TNF, but playing well isn’t the same as winning. Beating a top team would have bumped the Packers up, but instead, they fall one spot.
Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Russ is cooking. Steelers offense is cooking, and they did it on Sunday without their number one WR, George Pickens. They are in control of the AFC North.
Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, MD – JULY 27: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on July 27, 2023 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
They had their bye this week. They needed to get Justin Tucker right, their pass defense right, and work on not beating themselves with penalties.
Seahawks
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
They won a big road game over the Cardinals to remain atop the NFC West, but the Rams are right on their tail. They have a monster game against the Packers on Sunday that could have a huge impact on their playoff positioning, playoff chances and their ranking on this list.
Rams
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
What a huge upset win over the Bills on Sunday. They move into the top 10 and their offense looks to be healthy and as good as any in the league right now. They play a big game against the 49ers on Thursday and could knock the 49ers out of the race official. Entering week 15, if they win that 49ers game, and Seattle loses in GB, the Rams would actually jump into first in the West.
