Let’s dive right into the latest 2024 NFL power rankings after the trade deadline ahead of Week 10.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) | Last week: 1
It’s been the case since the run they went on last year following a slow start: The Chiefs just find a way to win games, which is not good for the rest of the league.
2. Detroit Lions (7-1) | Last week: 2
The Lions handled the Packers in rainy conditions at Lambeau, and they added pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in a trade with the Browns to gear up for a title run.
3. Buffalo Bills (7-2) | Last week: 3
Tyler Bass came through with the game-winning 61-yard field goal to beat the Dolphins, and it should be a huge confidence boost for a guy that’s had some ups and downs over the past year. Buffalo is in total control of the AFC East.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) | Last week: 4
I still don’t think anyone can get over the insane reverse hurdle by Saquon Barkley last week, and it was just one of several spectacular plays the Eagles needed to secure the home win versus Jacksonville.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) | Last week: 5
The trade of receiver Mike Williams is a fantastic fit for the Steelers, as he should mesh incredibly well with Russell Wilson and George Pickens on play-action shots. Pittsburgh also added edge defender Preston Smith from the Packers.
6. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Tre’Davious White was a high-upside move by the Ravens, as the veteran has played at an extremely high level in the league and can potentially round back into form for a Super Bowl run. When every team is at their best, there arguably isn’t a better one than Baltimore.
7. San Francisco 49ers (4-4) | Last week: 9 (+2)
The story after the bye week is the status of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who is looking to make his season debut after missing eight games with a calf/Achilles issue. San Francisco has the ability to go on a major run like last season.
8. Washington Commanders (7-2) | Last week: 10 (+2)
Feeling they have a shot to do something special, the Commanders acquired former All-Pro cornerback Marshon Lattimore in a trade with the Saints—and they’ll quickly be tested more as a team with matchups versus the Steelers and Eagles the next two weeks.
9. Minnesota Vikings (6-2) | Last week: 11 (+2)
The Vikings defense had the Colts off balance all night, and the offense eventually got going to get back on track after a two-game losing streak.
10. Houston Texans (6-3) | Last week: 6 (-4)
Last Thursday night’s performance was obviously not encouraging for Houston, with the offensive line allowing eight sacks. C.J. Stroud should be more comfortable with Nico Collins (hamstring) potentially back this week against the Lions.
11. Green Bay Packers (6-3) | Last week: 8 (-3)
Jordan Love was clearly not at 100% in the loss to the Lions, and I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be a better idea to put Malik Willis—who has played just as well as Love this season—at quarterback if Love isn’t himself. Green Bay now has the bye to rest up, though.
12. Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Last week: 12
The Falcons are 5-1 in their past six games, and the offense has been the driving force with the way Kirk Cousins has been playing in his first season with the team.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) | Last week: 13
Justin Herbert is on, making LA very scary. The Chargers defense has continued to beat up on subpar offenses with ease, and they next take on a Titans offense that’s been among the league’s worst.
14. Arizona Cardinals (5-4) | Last week: 18 (+4)
The Cardinals defense recorded six sacks and had 16 different players get a pressure in the win over the Bears—and they just got deeper by adding edge rusher Baron Browning from the Broncos.
15. Los Angeles Rams (4-4) | Last week: 19 (+4)
Rookie safety Kamren Kinchens intercepted two passes including a 103-yard pick-six to help spark a victory by the Rams, with back-to-back matchups they’ll be favored in versus the Dolphins and Patriots coming up.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) | Last week: 20 (+4)
Joe Burrow was dead serious while throwing five touchdowns in a win over the Raiders, so he’s locked in and has the team ready for a TNF rematch with the Ravens. Trey Hendrickson had four sacks in the Week 9 victory.
17. Denver Broncos (5-4) | Last week: 16 (-1)
I think we got confirmation that the Broncos might not quite be ready for primetime roster-wise, but fans should be very encouraged by what rookie quarterback Bo Nix has shown. The Ravens loss was 17-10 when he left the field in the first half, and it ended up 31-10 when Denver’s offense got its next drive.
18. New York Jets (3-6) | Last week: 24 (+6)
Getting over a slow first half, the Jets salvaged their season behind two touchdowns (including a great one-handed catch) to Garrett Wilson and another to Davante Adams. It was encouraging to see the Jets slow down Joe Mixon in the second half.
19. Chicago Bears (4-4) | Last week: 15 (-4)
As stated last week, the Bears situation from the Hail Mary loss was a potential turning point in the season. The early result was not a good one in the blowout loss at Arizona.
20. Seattle Seahawks (4-5) | Last week: 17 (-3)
Seattle is 1-5 in their past six games, and the upcoming schedule looks challenging on paper. They have the bye to recharge before going to San Francisco.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) | Last week: 21
Give the Bucs a ton of credit for fighting the way they did with a totally undermanned receiving group in the overtime loss at the Chiefs. The degree of difficulty will remain high for a matchup with the 49ers.
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-5) | Last week: 14 (-8)
We’ll see if they can snap out of it—and Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury that’ll force him to miss multiple weeks doesn’t help—but the Cowboys sort of feel like a broken team right now. Sometimes that just happens, but Mike McCarthy is a good coach with his back against the wall for a home battle with the Eagles this Sunday.
23. Indianapolis Colts (4-5) | Last week: 22 (-1)
Joe Flacco’s play was surprisingly disappointing in the Sunday night loss at Minnesota, and I’d like to see him take more checkdowns this week. The Indy defense played very well for the most part but ultimately could not hold up while the offense struggled.
24. Miami Dolphins (2-6) | Last week: 23 (-1)
Tua Tagovailoa and De’Von Achane led a tremendous push to upset the Bills, but the Dolphins drop to 2-6 with a run needing to start right now (at Rams. vs. Raiders, vs. Patriots).
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) | Last week: 25
It’s been a rough season in Jacksonville, but head coach Doug Pederson can be encouraged that his team battled back when they could have folded after getting in a hole at Philadelphia. Keep an eye on the status of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is banged up.
26. New York Giants (2-7) | Last week: 26
It’s almost unforgiveable to watch what Saquon Barkley is doing in Philly and—as much as I like Tyrone Tracy Jr., our No. 1 running back in the draft—see the Giants struggle to win tight games where a player of his caliber could be a difference-maker.
27. Cleveland Browns (2-7) | Last week: 29 (+2)
Jameis Winston simply did not play well in the loss to the Chargers, including holding the ball too long too often. He can naturally be a streaky player, as we’ve seen throughout his career.
28. New Orleans Saints (2-7) | Last week: 27 (-1)
The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after two-plus seasons leading the team, and it’s clear that the roster and direction of the entire team needs a big reset. I’d argue they could have stuck with Allen for the rest of the year considering the start they got off to before injuries, but perhaps the organization is hoping for a 2024 spark.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) | Last week: 28 (-1)
The Raiders fired much of their offensive staff and brought in longtime head coach Norv Turner as a consultant, trying to somehow find answers as a team that’s benched (relatively high-priced) free agent signing quarterback Gardner Minshew mid-game three times this season.
30. Tennessee Titans (2-6) | Last week: 31 (+1)
Mason Rudolph’s steady hand helped the Titans get an overtime win against the Patriots, and running back Tony Pollard continues to be a workhorse—admirably, for a two-win team. Amani Hooker intercepted two passes, including the game-sealer, for Tennessee.
31. Carolina Panthers (2-7) | Last week: 32 (+1)
Especially when taking his situation in context, Bryce Young did a very good job of leading the Panthers to their second win of the season. He’ll look to keep it going this Sunday in Germany, where hopefully his offensive line will keep him clean versus a top pass rush of the Giants.
32. New England Patriots (2-7) | Last week: 30 (-2)
The Patriots are back at the bottom of the power rankings after a loss to the Titans, but Drake Maye flashed his potential by sending the game to overtime on a long scramble and touchdown to Rhamondre Stevenson before ultimately chucking a deep interception in OT.