INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts after a 24-6 victory against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/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 it’s them, followed by everyone else. They are team 1, followed by 7 other favorites!
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.
Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/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, and maybe the Chiefs too.
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.
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.
