There’s a new No. 1 in the 2024 NFL power rankings after the Chiefs finally lost a game.
1. Detroit Lions (9-1) | Last week: 2 (+1)
I’ve been hesitant to put the Lions over a back-to-back Super Bowl champion that was unbeaten, but it’s undoubtedly time for the switch. Detroit is a force, with top-tier talent assembled by general manager Brad Holmes paired with an elite mindset as a team.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2) | Last week: 3 (+1)
As Josh Allen indicated almost immediately after the tremendous win over the Chiefs, they will probably see them again and need to do it in January. NFL odds based on the availability of star players will shift, and keep in mind that both tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) did not play in the win over the Chiefs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) | Last week: 1 (-2)
With an eye toward a rematch a couple of months from now, Kansas City is getting healthier, too, with running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu potentially set to return this Sunday at Carolina. Pacheco’s attitude and ability to set the tone is key for the team’s title hopes.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) | Last week: 4
Saquon Barkley went off in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ TNF win over the Commanders, with Philly now winners of six straight and in control of the NFC East. The Rams with a healthy Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are probably the team’s biggest test since the Bucs scored 33 points on them back in Week 4.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) | Last week: 5
Welcome to everyone realizing the Steelers are not only a very good team under Mike Tomlin but perhaps a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Pittsburgh has had Lamar Jackson’s number through five matchups (1-4 record), which is huge. We’ve come a long way from almost everyone questioning the decision to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) | Last week: 10 (+4)
I was admittedly a bit concerned that the Chargers were handling subpar offenses, but the way they played in the first half against the Bengals—holding them to six points—was very encouraging despite the 21-point run by Cincy. And quarterback Justin Herbert is throwing absolute lasers all over the field.
7. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) | Last week: 6 (-1)
Again, the Steelers have done an outstanding job defending Lamar Jackson. On the positive side, the play of the defense was promising, and I like the boost former All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White gave them in spots. The Monday Night Football matchup between the Ravens and Chargers is going to be a ton of fun, but Baltimore could be without star linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring).
8. Minnesota Vikings (8-2) | Last week: 8
Aside from giving up a 98-yard touchdown pass to the Titans, the Vikings defense was excellent—particularly in shutting down running back Tony Pollard (nine carries, 15 yards). Sam Darnold and Minnesota must again avoid turnovers for a trip to Chicago this Sunday.
9. Green Bay Packers (7-3) | Last week: 9
The Packers survived on a walk-off blocked field goal, improving to 7-3 for some breathing room in such a tight NFC playoff picture. Green Bay hosts a San Francisco squad coming off a loss before taking on the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Night.
10. Houston Texans (7-4) | Last week: 11 (+1)
The formula of riding running back Joe Mixon (three touchdowns at Dallas) and a fiery defense is a good one for the Texans, but their upside is tied to the play of second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, who remained off in terms of accuracy in Week 11. We’ll see if he can catch fire at some point.
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) | Last week: 12 (+1)
The Cardinals are back from their bye week and play the Seahawks twice in the next three games. I anticipate Jonathan Gannon will have his guys come out fired up, but Arizona has lost five straight in the series.
12. Denver Broncos (6-5) | Last week: 15 (+3)
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix became the first rookie in NFL history with 300+ passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and an 80% completion percentage in a game. If you follow Wolf Sports, you know we felt he was an elite prospect neck-and-neck with Caleb Williams atop the draft. If you’re not on board, take Falcons head coach Raheem Morris’ words with the way Denver blew out Atlanta: “The quarterback played extremely well. I would’ve been extremely proud of him if that was my quarterback the way he played yesterday. He played flawless football.” To have an opposing coach say that speaks volumes.
13. San Francisco 49ers (5-5) | Last week: 7 (-6)
The Niners might just be drained to some extent after losing another late-postseason game (in this case, another Super Bowl), but for whatever reason—and it didn’t help that Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) was out at the end of the Week 11 loss to Seattle—the defense has seemingly run out of gas at the end of games in 2024.
14. Washington Commanders (7-4) | Last week: 13 (-1)
The Commanders have slowed down a ton since their scorching start to the year, and they are a Hail Mary away from three losses in their past four games. That said, Dan Quinn has his guys playing hard and tough, and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels gets his first crack at the Cowboys this weekend.
15. Los Angeles Rams (5-5) | Last week: 17 (+2)
Rookie safety Kamren Kinchens came through with another interception for the Rams (his third of the year since increased playing time, which he should see more of moving forward), but the defense didn’t perform quite as I expected at New England. The Eagles will be a bigger challenge on Sunday night.
16. Seattle Seahawks (5-5) | Last week: 18 (+2)
Geno Smith was clutch with the 80-yard game-winning drive capped by a touchdown run, and it was the type of win that might jumpstart Seattle after a sluggish several weeks. Devon Witherspoon and the defense appeared locked in to contain the 49ers attack.
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) | Last week: 14 (-3)
As well as Nix and Denver played, the Falcons did not play a good game on either side of the ball. They’ll take the bye week to get healthier and recharge.
18. Miami Dolphins (4-6) | Last week: 19 (+1)
Two of the three stages for the Dolphins to climb back into playoff contention at 5-6 are complete, and now they’ll host New England as favorites in the final step. It’d definitely make the Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers more high stakes if Miami can get a third straight win.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) | Last week: 20 (+1)
Wide receiver Mike Evans and cornerback Jamel Dean are both set to return from hamstring injuries this Sunday, and don’t count out Tampa Bay in the NFC South race despite two losses to Atlanta already.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) | Last week: 16 (-4)
As frustrating as it is for the Bengals, there’s a bit too much finger pointing going on in my opinion. They aren’t getting it done, bottom line. If Cincinnati can come together, running the table isn’t out of question.
21. Indianapolis Colts (5-6) | Last week: 24 (+3)
Anthony Richardson passed his first test in his return to the starting lineup for Indy, and he did it while Jonathan Taylor struggled to find much room versus the Jets. This week against the Lions is a massive test, but look for Richardson to use his legs against the heavy man coverage of Aaron Glenn’s defense.
22. New Orleans Saints (4-7) | Last week: 25 (+3)
Taysom Hill had an epic performance with 100+ rushing yards, 50+ receiving yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 10+ passing yards in the Saints’ win over the Browns, becoming the first player in NFL history to hit those marks in a game. We’ve seen it over the years: The New Orleans offense can be incredibly dangerous when they get him involved like that.
23. Chicago Bears (4-6) | Last week: 22 (-1)
As bad as things feel like they’ve gone for Chicago, Caleb Williams is a Hail Mary and a blocked field goal away from leading a couple of game-winning drives that have the Bears at 6-4. Moving forward, we’d all like to see the No. 1 pick play with continued decisiveness like he did last week.
24. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) | Last week: 23 (-1)
Already in a funk as a team, the degree of difficulty for the Cowboys obviously remains higher with Dak Prescott out of the lineup. Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs must take over to give Dallas a shot in games.
25. New England Patriots (3-8) | Last week: 31 (+6)
New England makes a sizable leap up the power rankings due in large part to the struggles of other teams near the bottom of the standings, but I’m surprised by the way the Pats have been able to move the ball with a subpar supporting cast around rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Head coach Jerod Mayo denied a report that the organization is seeking outside help in developing Maye, and from the outside it looks like offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has done a nice job.
26. New York Jets (3-8) | Last week: 21 (-5)
Weeks after firing head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets have fired general manager Joe Douglas as they get set for a full reset this offseason. New York just hasn’t felt like a well-constructed team over the past couple of years, which ultimately falls on Douglas.
27. Carolina Panthers (3-7) | Last week: 28 (+1)
The Panthers are back from their bye week, and we’ll see second-round rookie running back Jonathon Brooks make his NFL debut in his return from a knee injury suffered last year at Texas.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) | Last week: 29 (+1)
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who was somehow available with the No. 13 pick in the draft, is a bright spot for Vegas. The former Georgia star set the rookie tight end record with 13 receptions in the 34-19 loss at Miami.
29. Cleveland Browns (2-8) | Last week: 27 (-2)
There were big plays between Jameis Winston and Jerry Jeudy, but the Browns couldn’t get things going consistently—and couldn’t keep up with the game Taysom Hill and the Saints offense had on the other side.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) | Last week: 26 (-4)
The seats are very hot for head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, but—while I liked the moves in the receiving corps specifically—the GM has not done a good enough job of giving Pederson a winning roster.
31. Tennessee Titans (2-8) | Last week: 30 (-1)
The 98-yard touchdown from Will Levis to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was a highlight play, but the Titans must find a lot more consistency on offense to compete.
32. New York Giants (2-8) | Last week: 32
It’s easy to be a critic, but the now-benched Daniel Jones isn’t nearly as bad as people enjoy saying he is. I get it, maybe he was drafted slightly higher than you’d expect in 2019. But Jones was balling earlier in his career and has dealt with multiple major injuries. He had 364 total yards and four touchdowns in his first start, and 301 passing yards and 78 rushing yards in a playoff victory—and it’s not like the Giants have been a great situation. All that’s to say, don’t be shocked if the 27-year-old gets another starting opportunity at some point.