Let’s dive right into the final 2024 NFL power rankings before Thanksgiving.
1. Detroit Lions (10-1) | Last week: 1
The Lions haven’t allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters, and I’m guessing they’ll use last December’s loss to the Bears as motivation for their Thanksgiving matchup.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2) | Last week: 2
MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Bills return from their bye week with a somewhat imposing three-game stretch coming up: vs. 49ers, at Rams, and at Detroit. Keep an eye on the status of tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and rookie receiver Keon Coleman (wrist).
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) | Last week: 3
Patrick Mahomes says he’d “love to win a game not by the very last play” after the Chiefs escaped versus the Panthers on a last-second field goal by Spencer Shrader. But at least KC knows they’re battle tested ahead of hosting the Raiders on Black Friday.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) | Last week: 4
An easy case can be made for the Eagles to be a spot or two higher in the power rankings. Running back Saquon Barkley is taking advantage of his opportunity to play behind Philly’s still-elite offensive line, and he has a realistic shot at a 2,000-yard season in an incredibly dangerous offense.
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2) | Last week: 8 (+3)
It got a little too close for comfort, but the Vikings escaped Chicago with an overtime victory despite just two receptions for star receiver Justin Jefferson. Minnesota now gets three consecutive home games and four games at home in the final six weeks.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) | Last week: 5 (-1)
Short weeks on the road are no easy task, and that’s heightened for divisional games. Despite the loss at snowy Cleveland, Russell Wilson’s clutch play to give Pittsburgh the lead after a 12-point deficit was a positive.
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) | Last week: 7
Derrick Henry ran for a casual 140 yards in the Ravens’ Monday night win over the Chargers, and now Baltimore hosts Philadelphia for a highly anticipated potential Super Bowl preview.
8. Green Bay Packers (8-3) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Xavier McKinney intercepted his seventh pass of the year in his first season with the Packers, and Josh Jacobs ran for three touchdowns in the convincing win versus the 49ers. The two headlining offseason additions have been a major boost for Green Bay.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) | Last week: 6 (-3)
The Chargers started fast, but they probably aren’t quite there roster-wise compared to the Ravens. Jim Harbaugh’s squad goes to division leaders Atlanta and Kansas City the next two Sundays.
10. Denver Broncos (7-5) | Last week: 12 (+2)
Bo Nix is playing like a superstar quarterback already, and the Broncos have a legitimate edge about them all around. This Monday night against a well-rested Browns team coming off a win will be a bigger test than the record might indicate, though.
Bo Nix is ASCENDING pic.twitter.com/fiU4wxpSdg
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 25, 2024
11. Houston Texans (7-5) | Last week: 10 (-1)
C.J. Stroud threw his first two career interceptions within the AFC South, with the Texans falling to the Titans despite the defense racking up eight sacks and a pick-six. Houston must get Joe Mixon going while the passing game finds its footing.
12. Seattle Seahawks (6-5) | Last week: 16 (+4)
The Seahawks appear to be over whatever midseason type of slump they were in, with the defense playing lights out the past couple of games including a key win over the Cardinals in the division. Also, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is quietly becoming a star for Seattle.
13. Arizona Cardinals (6-5) | Last week: 11 (-2)
On the other side of Cardinals-Seahawks, Arizona had a disappointing showing coming off the bye, with the offense struggling to get much going. Kyler Murray and company next take on a 9-2 Vikings team.
14. San Francisco 49ers (5-6) | Last week: 13 (-1)
You knew it was going to be a tall task winning at Lambeau Field without Brock Purdy (shoulder), Trent Williams (ankle), and Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), and things won’t get much easier at Buffalo even if they are all back for Sunday night.
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) | Last week: 17 (+2)
I think the Falcons are another team that had their bye week come at a great time. Look for a fresh Bijan Robinson get fed the ball to help set up play-action for Kirk Cousins.
16. Miami Dolphins (5-6) | Last week: 18 (+2)
The three legs for the Dolphins to get back squarely in the AFC wild card picture were complete with three victories ahead of a critical Thanksgiving Night matchup at Lambeau Field. I like the way the defense played in the win over the Patriots, so it’ll be fun to see them try to contain Green Bay’s balanced offense.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) | Last week: 19 (+2)
The Bucs came back from their bye fired up and coasted to a road win at the struggling Giants—and Tampa Bay might be favored in every game over the final six weeks (the Chargers in Week 15 likely being the one question, barring injury).
18. Washington Commanders (7-5) | Last week: 14 (-4)
The slide continues for the Commanders after their highly disappointing home loss to the Cowboys. With the way the Tennessee defense played in stopping Joe Mixon last week, a lot might be put on Jayden Daniels and the passing attack this weekend.
19. Los Angeles Rams (5-6) | Last week: 15 (-4)
The Rams have the weapons to potentially keep up with top offenses—but the offensive line struggling to protect Matthew Stafford, as was the case in Sunday night’s loss to the Eagles, ups the degree of difficulty.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) | Last week: 20
The Bengals had an extra week to prepare for a Steelers team coming off a loss and looking to bury their divisional opponent. Cincy didn’t have Joe Burrow in either 2023 matchup (two losses).
21. Indianapolis Colts (5-7) | Last week: 21
While they only scored six points, Anthony Richardson did some good things against the stingy Lions defense. Indy desperately needs to give star running back Jonathan Taylor more room to run to make things easier on everyone.
22. New Orleans Saints (4-7) | Last week: 22
I hope Taysom Hill is among those that took some time off to relax, as the Saints should be feeding him on offense if they’re going to make a postseason run over the final six weeks.
23. Dallas Cowboys (4-7) | Last week: 24 (+1)
Talk of head coach Mike McCarthy potentially returning in 2025 (which I don’t think is crazy) shouldn’t overshadow the job he and the Cowboys did in upsetting the Commanders. Dallas finally played the style of ball they want, controlling the game with Rico Dowdle while getting plays from the defense and special teams units.
24. Chicago Bears (4-7) | Last week: 23 (-1)
The Bears ultimately could not complete the comeback with a victory, but Caleb Williams again looked more decisive in the loss to the Vikings—and he’s been excellent toward the end of games as a rookie.
25. Carolina Panthers (3-8) | Last week: 27 (+2)
Bryce Young was throwing some dimes against one of the best defenses in the league, putting the back-to-back defending champions on the ropes. You can almost see it in Young’s face how much freer he’s playing, and Carolina profiles as a great spoiler down the stretch.
26. Cleveland Browns (3-8) | Last week: 29 (+3)
It was cool to see Nick Chubb score two touchdowns in the snow, including the game-winner with under a minute remaining, to beat the team he suffered the devastating knee injury against last year. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declared Chubb as his favorite player on the team—“you can tell everybody else I said that.”
27. New York Jets (3-8) | Last week: 26 (-1)
The playoffs are very unlikely, but the Jets will look to put positive performances on tape—most notably Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams as we see what happens with them in 2025.
28. Tennessee Titans (3-8) | Last week: 31 (+3)
There were plenty of good flashes for the Titans in their win at Houston. Calvin Ridley has been superb over the past several weeks, and they had a balanced attack in the victory. However, while I sound like a broken record, Will Levis simply must figure it out in terms of taking sacks.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) | Last week: 30 (+1)
The status of quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be monitored all week as he hopes to return from his shoulder injury with the Jaguars back in action.
30. New England Patriots (3-9) | Last week: 25 (-5)
The temporary rise in the power rankings for the Patriots was short-lived, with the team not playing well in the loss to the Dolphins. It was 31-0 after three quarters, and the 34-15 final was not as close as the margin might indicate.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) | Last week: 28 (-3)
I praised the Raiders for playing fundamentally sound football under Antonio Pierce last season, but that simply has not carried over to 2024 with the team easily last in turnover margin. Black Friday at Kansas City is essentially their Super Bowl.
32. New York Giants (2-9) | Last week: 32
There is basically an uproar with Giants players right now, as they are upset on multiple fronts—from seeing former teammates shine elsewhere, to backing Daniel Jones as the QB1, to flat-out saying the problems with the team are not quarterback-driven. They can’t get blown out in front of a national audience tomorrow.