Between Christmas parties, shopping for presents and food, and all that comes with the Holiday Season…without further ado, and only four weeks left to the regular season, here is this week’s power ranking.
Detroit Lions:
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions takes the field to play the Atlanta Falcons for a NFL preseason game at Ford Field on August 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
This is shaping up as a Lions/Chiefs Superbowl.
Kansas City 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)
If it is, I think the Chiefs will be out-gunned.
Philadelphia 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)
Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts still may have something to say about it.
Minnesota 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)
Sam Darnold had the game of his life on Sunday, but it will be interesting to see how he performs come playoff time.
Buffalo 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)
They all but blew their chance for the No. 1 seed with their tough loss in Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh 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)
The Steelers avenged their earlier loss to the Browns.
Seattle 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)
Seattle is beginning to gain separation in the NFC West.
Green Bay Packers:
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers gives assignments during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
There is no shame in losing by 3 points to the Lions.
Baltimore Ravens:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
The Ravens had a bye.
Denver 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)
The Broncos had a bye.
Los Angeles Rams:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams hands the ball off to Kyren Williams #23 during the first quarter in the game against Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
I’ve said it all year…if the Rams can get to the playoffs, be careful.
Los Angeles 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 Chargers are just the latest team to almost beat the Chiefs.
Houston Texans:
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 04: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball during Mandatory Minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Texans had a bye.
Washington 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)
The Commanders had a bye.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
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)
The Buccaneers are beginning to build separation in the NFC South.
Miami Dolphins:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after catching a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Dolphins beat the Jets, but it’s realistically too little too late.
San Fransisco 49ers:
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 25: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
The 49ers beat the Bears, but it’s realistically too little too late.
Arizona Cardinals:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 29: Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at State Farm Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona has now lost three in a row, and it’s getting to be too late.
Atlanta Falcons:
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Falcons have now lost four in a row and are now on the outside looking in at a playoff berth.
Indianapolis Colts:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 01: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Colts had a bye.
Cincinnati Bengals:
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 28: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Bengals went into Dallas and left with a win…pretty much what every other team does.
New Orleans Saints:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
They are now 5-8 and playing a bit better since firing Dennis Allen.
Dallas Cowboys:
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Their season is over. It was weeks ago. Time for a new head coach.
Chicago Bears:
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 25: (L-R) Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
After week six, their season has fallen apart.
Carolina Panthers:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
At 3-10, they are still not mathematically eliminated yet even though we know they won’t be going to the playoffs.
The Rest:
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 17: A detail shot of an NFL shield logo painted on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
