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)
This is not solely about a win-loss record. This article is about who is playing the best currently and who projects to be on the rise heading into week 15. Let’s take a look!
Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 19: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
After scoring more than 40 points and losing to the Rams in week 14, the Bills scored 48 in week 15 on the road in Detroit and beat the NFC leading Lions. They are the top team in the league right now.
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)
This is the first time in many weeks that they aren’t in the top spot. They lost head-to-head to Buffalo, and their injuries on defense are really starting to take their toll.
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 got their pass game going again and won a big game against a good Steelers team. They have a chance at grabbing the number one seed in the NFC now too after the Lions lost.
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)
If they win against the Bears on MNF, they will remain a top 5 team based on their record and the fact that they have been good all season long. The Packers are right on their tails, though.
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 lost a tough one in Detroit in week 14 but bounced back in a big way on the road against a good Seattle team in week 15.
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)
Coming out of their bye, they looked rested, healthy and dominated a team that they were supposed to. The defense was great, Lamar Jackson threw for 5 TD and they have a chance to catch the Steelers in the AFC North.
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)
They played the Eagles close in the first half but ended up being no match for them. The defense isn’t playing at high level and they really miss George Pickens.
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)
After a huge upset win over the Bills in week 14, they won a tough game against the 49ers in week 14 and look like a scary team right now.
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)
They put up over 35 points against one of the top defenses in the league. Bucky Irving was healthy, Mike Evans is fully healthy and Baker Mayfield is playing elite football.
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 looked out of sync early on in week 15; perhaps it was because they were coming off a bye. In the 2nd half, though, the offense came together, the defense stepped up, and they won a game they had to have.
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 can still win the division and even slide into a wild card spot if they don’t win the division, but they are going to need to win some big games coming up and get some help from others. If Geno Smith’s injury causes him to miss any games, this team might be toast.
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 fell apart at home against the Bucs, and the offense lacks weapons, other than Ladd McConkey. They are a good team, but they aren’t good enough.
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)
Their defense played a great game against Miami, but the offense continues to struggle. They will make the playoffs because their division stinks, but they will be knocked out in the first round.
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 barely survived the Saints, who were using a 3rd string QB and lost Alvin Kamara mid-way through the game. They might sneak into the final playoff spot in the NFC, but this team is not very good, and they will get destroyed by whoever the 2 seed is in the NFC playoffs.
