DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
This is not solely about a win-loss record. This article is a about who is playing the best currently and who projects to be on the rise heading into week 14. Let’s take a look!
Lions
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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.
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 Eagles on this list.
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. The best record in the AFC doesn’t make them the best team in the AFC right now.
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.
Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The defense is very good. It is the top-scoring defense in the league. The offense is inconsistent though and it doesn’t help that they had to go into KC on SNF without their top pass catcher Ladd McConkey. They were inches away from beating the Chiefs, but they can blame scoring no points in the first half as the reason they didn’t. You aren’t going to win many games like that.
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 up from the number 15 spot and play a big game against the 49ers on Thursday. Entering week 15, if they win that 49ers game, and Seattle loses in GB, the Rams would actually jump into first in the West.
Broncos
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos hands to the ball to Audric Estime #23 against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
They had their bye week but entered the bye in a playoff spot and trending in the right direction. Great defense, a great young QB, and a Super Bowl winning head coach are all things to be optimistic about.
Bucs
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Bucky Irving missed most of the week 14 game, but the Bucs were still able to win. It should have been easier against a bad Raiders team, but the Bucs now lead the NFC South and control their destiny.
Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They had their bye week and remained in a playoff spot, but their wild-card lead is down to only one game now. They need to play like they did earlier in the season to stay in the mix for the final playoff spot.
Texans
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Texans 30-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
They just had their bye and should get healthier. They are as talented as anyone in the AFC, but they haven’t played like it. They have a chance to finish the season strong and should be able to cruise to an AFC South division title.
