The 2024 NFL power rankings for Week 15 include the Lions and Chiefs at the top. With eight teams at three wins or fewer, has parity taken a hit in the NFL this season?
1. Detroit Lions (12-1) | Last week: 1
Dan Campbell takes risks in big games, and they just keep working out for a team that is confident they’ll do what it takes to win every single week. While defeating the Packers on Thursday night, Jared Goff became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete five-plus passes to six different players in a game.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) | Last week: 4 (+2)
Unless you’re a fan of the Chiefs, you’re almost certainly throwing your hands up with the way they find almost every way imaginable to win games—the latest being a Matthew Wright field goal that hit the upright and went in as time expired to beat the Chargers. The back-to-back defending champs are in a very strong spot for the AFC’s top seed.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) | Last week: 3
There’s apparently drama brewing in Philadelphia, with Brandon Graham letting it slip that quarterback Jalen Hurts and receiver A.J. Brown are not really getting along. Still, the Eagles won their ninth straight game by holding off the Panthers—and head coach Nick Sirianni says he sees Hurts and Brown together all the time and doesn’t think there’s an issue.
4. Buffalo Bills (10-3) | Last week: 2 (-2)
Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history with three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a game, doing all he could and further cementing his MVP path despite a loss at the Rams. There have been too many critical games when Buffalo’s defense has let them down over the years, which is a potential concern facing top teams in the playoffs.
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2) | Last week: 5
Sam Darnold threw five touchdowns (three to Jordan Addison, two to Justin Jefferson) as the Vikings eventually separated from the Falcons to improve to 11-2. Darnold is in a phenomenal spot for a quarterback, and he’s taking advantage with stellar throws.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) | Last week: 6
The Steelers got a little redemption from a couple of weeks ago by handling the Browns behind a balanced offensive attack and playmaking defense. Pittsburgh is on their way to the postseason, so look for them to take things slow with star receiver George Pickens (hamstring) after he was injured ahead of Week 14.
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-5) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Considering the matchup with the two-win Giants, I feel like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have taken the time off during the bye to recover like they would in the Medicine Machine in Dragon Ball Z. We could see an explosion on Sunday.
8. Green Bay Packers (9-4) | Last week: 7 (-1)
Again, Josh Jacobs (three touchdowns) has looked like a premier weapon down the stretch as the Packers expected when they signed him this offseason, helping finish drives with scores in a near upset of the Lions. I’d like to see the passing game get going, though.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) | Last week: 9
The Chargers gave the Chiefs problems in both matchups but came away 0-2, now tied with the Ravens and Broncos for the three wild card slots in the AFC. LA gets the Patriots and Raiders in the final two weeks of the regular season, but they’ll host the Bucs and Broncos the next two games.
10. Denver Broncos (8-5) | Last week: 10
The bye week for Denver came ahead of a home showdown with the Colts in one of the biggest games for the franchise in several years. A win gives Sean Payton’s club an excellent shot to make the postseason.
11. Seattle Seahawks (8-5) | Last week: 12 (+1)
The midseason lull feels like a thing of the past for the Seahawks, winners of four consecutive games following their bye week, including two victories versus the Cardinals. Zach Charbonnet went off for 193 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14, and he’s a very talented running back that’s simply been stuck behind Kenneth Walker. The Packers will be a good test on Sunday night.
12. Houston Texans (8-5) | Last week: 11 (-1)
I mentioned last week the possibility of the bye coming at a perfect time for Houston, with the hope that the inconsistent offense figured some things out during the time off. Houston takes on Miami before going to KC.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) | Last week: 13
Just like that, the Bucs are back in first place in the NFC South thanks to a three-game winning streak coinciding with the Falcons’ recent slide. Tampa has taken advantage of their schedule on paper, with 420+ yards in each of the past three games.
14. Los Angeles Rams (7-6) | Last week: 15 (+1)
Questionable officiating toward the end aside, the Rams were on fire last week, moving the ball on the Buffalo defense—headlined by multiple tremendous plays by wide receiver Puka Nacua—to help get a massive upset victory ahead of TNF at the Niners.
15. Washington Commanders (8-5) | Last week: 16 (+1)
There are a bunch of teams on their heels, but the Commanders caught a bit of a break with Derek Carr (left hand) out for this Sunday’s matchup in New Orleans. With the Eagles on deck, getting to 9-5 would be huge.
16. San Francisco 49ers (6-7) | Last week: 18 (+2)
Last week looked a lot more like the 49ers team we’ve become used to seeing in recent years, and I’m certainly not counting out Kyle Shanahan’s club from going on a delayed run despite all the injuries they’ve dealt with. Thursday night should be a playoff atmosphere.
17. Arizona Cardinals (6-7) | Last week: 14 (-3)
Seattle simply has Arizona’s number right now, with seven consecutive wins in the rivalry. It’s imperative that the Cardinals get on track against the Patriots this weekend.
18. Atlanta Falcons (6-7) | Last week: 17 (-1)
Losers of four straight games, the Falcons have lost their grip on the NFC South despite a 6-3 start to the season. They must catch some momentum with the Raiders and Giants as their next two opponents.
19. Miami Dolphins (6-7) | Last week: 19
Jonnu Smith caught fire in overtime after no catches during regulation, securing three passes for 44 yards and the game-winning touchdown—after having a quick talk with head coach Mike McDaniel about getting him the ball. Miami can play through Smith and De’Von Achane to open things up for everyone else this Sunday against the Texans.
20. Indianapolis Colts (6-7) | Last week: 20
Like the Broncos, the Colts had the extra week to prepare for a highly important showdown in Denver. Facing a stingy defense, Jonathan Taylor potentially popping a big run or two—as one of the best late-season performers in league history—might be needed for Indy to get the win.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) | Last week: 22 (+1)
They need some things to go their way, but don’t count the Bengals out from a postseason run after keeping their season alive with a tight win at Dallas.
22. Dallas Cowboys (5-8) | Last week: 21 (-1)
Losing in part due to a blocked punt that was touched—an easy mistake during a chaotic play—and then recovered by Cincinnati hurt, but even worse for the Cowboys was the loss of rising star linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a serious knee injury that will likely keep him out through 2025.
23. New Orleans Saints (5-8) | Last week: 23
Bryan Bresee’s blocked field goal to secure the win for New Orleans was a feel-good moment for a veteran squad that’s still competing. Derek Carr’s hand injury was mentioned above, and the Saints have a decision between Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler at quarterback.
24. Carolina Panthers (3-10) | Last week: 25 (+1)
Bryce Young is a Xavier Legette catch away from having led a 97-yard go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia. Young is playing much better than the numbers might indicate, and he can be a scary quarterback to go up against for the rest of the league. It’s awesome to see the way he’s bounced back from his benching.
25. Chicago Bears (4-9) | Last week: 24 (-1)
The Bears fired their head coach and instantly faced a 49ers team that looked more like themselves than they have in a while. Matt Eberflus had some down moments at the helm, but the roster construction in Chicago has left a lot to be desired, too.
26. Cleveland Browns (3-10) | Last week: 26
It can be difficult to beat a division rival twice in a season, especially after pulling off an upset in the first matchup. The Browns have an opportunity to be a fun spoiler—from playoff seeding to knocking teams out—over the final four games starting this Sunday against the Chiefs.
27. New York Jets (3-10) | Last week: 27
The Jets have lost four consecutive games—and the past three were all close losses that ultimately locked up an incredibly frustrating year for the organization.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) | Last week: 29 (+1)
The Jaguars hadn’t won a game since beating the Patriots in London in the middle of October. The concern should be winning games and establishing something positive heading into 2025—not worrying about getting a high draft pick.
29. Tennessee Titans (3-10) | Last week: 28 (-1)
Tennessee’s passing game isn’t consistent enough to build off what Tony Pollard has done on the ground, and perhaps this week versus a struggling Cincy defense will be one for head coach Bill Callahan—who was previously with the Bengals—to see what he can do with Will Levis as his quarterback.
30. New England Patriots (3-10) | Last week: 30
As they return from the bye week, the 3-10 Patriots are likely going to be underdogs in each game: at Arizona, at Buffalo, vs. Chargers, vs. Buffalo.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) | Last week: 31
The Raiders thankfully didn’t lose quarterback Aidan O’Connell to a knee injury, as it’s a bone bruise he wants to play through—of course knowing how important these next four games are for him moving forward.
32. New York Giants (2-11) | Last week: 32
Fans flew a banner over MetLife Stadium telling team owner John Mara to “fix this dumpster fire” before the Week 14 loss to the Saints. The 100th anniversary season sadly has not gone as the Giants would have liked.