Here is this week’s NFL Power Rankings. We have eliminated the 13 non-playoff teams. Enjoy!
Kansas City Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
They just keep chugging along.
Buffalo 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)
The Bills were bound to have a letdown game…they did, but they survived the Patriots valiant effort.
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)
The division is setting up to be decided in wk.18 against the Vikings. The loser will have 14 wins and be the No. 5 seed.
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)
The division is setting up to be decided in wk.18 against the Lions.
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)
And the Packers just keep winnings and are the quietest 11-4 team in history.
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 finally vanquished the Steelers, but are still only the No. 5 seed in the AFC North.
Philadelphia Eagles:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after scoring a 63-yard receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Their last-second loss to the Commanders could prove very costly in the postseason. They are realistically out of the race for the top seed and now have to play on wildcard weekend.
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)
Last year, CJ Stroud was the rookie phenom. This year, that honor goes to Jayden Daniels. The future looks very bright for the Commanders…heck, the present looks pretty good, too.
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 have now lost two in a row but still control their destiny. If they win out, they win the AFC North. But the fat man in red is coming to Pittsburgh on Christmas. No, not Santa…Andy Reid.
Los Angeles Chargers:
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Newly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers speaks to the media during a press conference at YouTube Theater on February 01, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The only major difference in this year’s Chargers team is with HC Jim Harbaugh. He purged a lot of the team’s skill positions and went to a more balanced offensive attack, and Justin Herbert is having a fantastic season, leading the team to a probable playoff berth.
Los Angeles Rams:
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 21: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball after a catch during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
The Rams keep winning and are now on a four-game winning streak. They still haven’t clinched a playoff spot, though. The slumping Seahawks are on their tail, only one game behind.
Houston Texans:
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 13: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans drops back and looks to pass during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Texans are a resilient bunch, suffering injury after injury in their dynamic passing game. The latest to go down is Tank Dell. They quickly replaced him with recently released WR Diontae Johnson.
Denver Broncos:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Courtland Sutton #14 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Broncos looked great for three quarters against the Chargers but fell apart in the fourth quarter. They still have about a 75% chance of making the playoffs but have fallen to the No. 7 seed. Either way, they are looking at a first-round road game.
Atlanta Falcons:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Falcons made the bold move of switching QBs, benching Kirk Cousins, and replacing him with rookie Michael Penix Jr. In his first start, so far, so good…he’s now 1-0 and has as many wins as fellow rookie QB Drake Maye.
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)
The Seahawks have now lost two games in a row and find themselves outside of the playoffs. But they are still only one game behind the Rams. Ultimately, the Rams have the edge at QB, WR, and RB and should prevail.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
With Atlanta’s win and Tampa’s inexplicable loss to the Cowboys, the Bucs are in the same spot as the Seahawks.
Miami Dolphins:
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 5: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of Miami Dolphins looks on during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
The Dolphins, Bengals, and Colts are all 7-8 and need a ton of help to make the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Out of the three teams, the Bengals are playing the best at the right time, but it’s probably going to be too little, too late. They have won three in a row.
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 beat up the lowly Titans on Sunday 38-30 to keep their slim playoff chances alive.
