NFL Analysis
12/3/24
11 min read
2024 NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Eagles Win Vaults Them Into Top 5
There were some incredible games in the NFL this weekend, but the top seven teams in our rankings all won their games.
There wasn’t a lot of movement this weekend, but the gap between the contenders and the pretenders continues to widen. Here are our updated power rankings going into Week 14 of the 2024 season:
NFL Week 14 Power Rankings
1. Detroit Lions (11-1) 
Previous Ranking: 1 
The Detroit Lions were dominant against the Bears in the first half but allowed them to climb back into a game they had no business being in.
However, Detroit found a way to close out the game by sacking Caleb Williams out of field goal range. It wasn’t a perfect win, but the Lions took care of business in a tough NFC North battle.
Next Game: Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Packers
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
Previous Ranking: 2
It’s the same story for the Kansas City Chiefs. They play down to their competition for three-and-a-half quarters, but they find a way to get a gritty win against a divisional opponent.
Can the Chiefs turn it up when it gets to the playoffs? Time will tell, but it’s been a bit since they’ve had an impressive win.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Chargers
3. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Buffalo Bills have some great wins this year, but their victory against the 49ers might have been the most impressive. In the snow, they dominated the 49ers in a game that was never competitive.
Buffalo has a massive home-field advantage and the best bad-weather quarterback in the league. If the Bills can secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC, it’s hard to imagine anyone going to Buffalo and winning.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Rams
4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
Previous Ranking: 5 
The Philadelphia Eagles had a dominant performance against the Ravens, going to Baltimore and shutting down Lamar Jackson.
The defense allowed just 12 points in the first 59 minutes of the game and did an excellent job of limiting explosive plays. The Eagles are one of the league’s most balanced teams and sure look like a Super Bowl contender again this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Previous Ranking: 4 
The Minnesota Vikings were fortunate to beat the Cardinals in Week 13, but they made enough plays late to thwart a game-winning drive.
Minnesota has been fantastic in one-score games this season, which isn’t always the most sustainable way to win. However, you have to give credit to the coaching staff and the players for their mental toughness.
Next Game: Monday, Dec. 8 vs. Falcons
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Previous Ranking: 6
The Green Bay Packers would be the best team in most divisions, but they just so happen to be behind the Lions and the Vikings in the NFC North. Green Bay got another fantastic winning, shutting down Miami’s offense in Week 13.
The Packers are going to need to win on the road in the playoffs, but they have the type of team that should be able to accomplish that this year.
Next Game: Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Lions
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
Previous Ranking: 7
Pittsburgh’s offense went nuclear in Week 13 as Russell Wilson threw for over 400 yards against the Bengals.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could do whatever they wanted on offense and should be viewed as a serious threat in the AFC, especially after widening the gap in the AFC North.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Browns
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Previous Ranking: 8
It’s hard to know what to make about the Baltimore Ravens this season. They have defeated some really good teams, including the Chargers and Bills.
But recent losses to the Steelers and the Eagles have been discouraging. The offense can get discombobulated at times and the deep passing attack just isn’t there. Baltimore is a sure-fire playoff team, but it clearly isn't the same regular-season team we saw last year.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Giants
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Previous Ranking: 9
The Los Angeles Chargers were put in a difficult spot in Week 13, playing a 1:00 PM ET game after hosting the Ravens on Monday Night Football.
Still, their defense stepped up to the challenge, forcing four interceptions on Kirk Cousins, including a pick-six. The Chargers have developed into a gritty, hard-nosed team in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh and could be a real threat in the AFC playoffs.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Chiefs
10. Denver Broncos (7-5)
Previous Ranking: 10
This wasn't Bo Nix's strongest game, but he did make enough plays to keep Denver in the game. Denver's defense got shredded through the air, but two late-game interceptions allowed them to win this fun Monday Night Football contest.
The Denver Broncos are a near-lock to make the postseason, and with one of the league's best coaches on the sideline, they could end up being a spoiler in the AFC.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Colts
11. Washington Commanders (8-5)
Previous Ranking: 11
After a three-game losing streak, the Washington Commanders bounced back in a huge way, scoring 21 points in the first quarter.
Jayden Daniels looked fantastic, and the defense did a good job of limiting Tony Pollard on the ground. Washington has fallen back in the NFC East, but it still has an excellent chance of earning a Wild Card berth.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Saints
12. Houston Texans (8-5)
Previous Ranking: 12
If you were looking for the Houston Texans to get a convincing win in Week 13, that didn’t happen.
Mac Jones moved the ball up and down the field after Trevor Lawrence left the game. Houston got a much-needed win, but it wasn’t all that impressive, to be sure.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Dolphins
13. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Previous Ranking: 13
It surely wasn’t pretty, but the Seattle Seahawks fought back and got a well-earned win against the Jets in Week 13.
Sitting at 7-5, the Seahawks have a 1.5-game lead over the Cardinals in the NFC West. And with the defense starting to come along, they should be the heavy favorites to take the division now.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Cardinals
14. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
Previous Ranking: 14
The Arizona Cardinals had an excellent chance of pulling off a massive upset against the Vikings, but Jonathan Gannon got too conservative late in the game and opted to kick a short field goal to go up by six rather than go for the touchdown.
Arizona is still sitting fine in the division, but this was a missed opportunity for the Cardinals.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Seahawks
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Previous Ranking: 17
Baker Mayfield played one of the worst games of his career in Week 13, but the defense found a way to create big plays and keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the game.
It took overtime to beat the Panthers, but the Buccaneers did, and now they are tied with the Falcons at 6-6. They don’t own the tiebreaker, but their favorable schedule could allow them to host a home playoff game again this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Raiders
16. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Previous Ranking: 15
The Atlanta Falcons’ lead in the NFC South has evaporated after losing their last three games. Kirk Cousins has thrown six interceptions in those contests and has yet to throw a touchdown.
It seems crazy to think the Falcons could bench Cousins for Michael Penix Jr., considering they still lead the division. But it might be the right decision, considering their current trajectory.
Next Game: Monday, Dec. 8 vs. Vikings
17. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Previous Ranking: 16
The Miami Dolphins have been fantastic since the return of Tua Tagovailoa, but they aren’t going to beat the cold allegations any time soon.
Their performance in Green Bay was despicable, and the defense could not stop the Packers at all. The Dolphins are still a decent team, but their inability to play in poor weather limits their upside.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Jets
18. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
Previous Ranking: 18
The Los Angeles Rams were in a battle against the Saints but found a way to get a key stop late in the game on fourth down to win. The defense stepped up in a big way, and this might have been Jared Verse’s best game yet.
The Rams are just one game back of the lead in the NFC West with five left to play. They still have a great chance to put together a run and make the postseason.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Bills
19. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
Previous Ranking: 21
Week 13 was a good week for the Indianapolis Colts for a variety of reasons. They took care of business against the Patriots, with Anthony Richardson leading the game-winning touchdown drive and 2-point conversion.
It also helps that the Dolphins and Bengals fell, eliminating other potential Wild Card contenders. Sitting at 6-7, the Colts still have a decent chance of making the playoffs this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Broncos
20. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
Previous Ranking: 19
It’s time to stick a fork in the San Francisco 49ers. They suffered another 20+ point loss and likely lost Christian McCaffrey (PCL) for the season.
They have had too many injuries to overcome this season, and their lack of tiebreakers in the division put them at a distant fourth in the NFC West. With a difficult schedule remaining, it’s fair to wonder just how many more wins they’ll get this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Bears
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Previous Ranking: 20
What a disappointing season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow has been healthy and has posted MVP numbers in Zac Taylor’s offense. And yet, the defense is so bad that they have already lost eight games, and the unit is only getting worse.
The Bengals' problem is that this current team will be more expensive next year. For a team that was just in the Super Bowl a few years ago, it doesn’t resemble a contender in any way.
Next Game: Monday, Dec. 9 vs. Cowboys
22. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
Previous Ranking: 24
The Dallas Cowboys have now won back-to-back divisional games because of their defense. They forced multiple turnovers in Week 13, including a pick-six by DeMarvion Overshown that changed the game.
Dallas has a fairly easy schedule moving forward and could get back to .500 in the upcoming weeks. But this is a team playing for pride right now, and its effort has been inspiring during the last few games.
Next Game: Monday, Dec. 9 vs. Bengals
23. Chicago Bears (4-8)
Previous Ranking: 22
Any loss that results in the head coach's firing is a bad look, especially when it occurs on Thanksgiving in a nationally televised game.
The Chicago Bears had an excellent chance of beating the Lions in Week 13, but late-game decision-making by Matt Eberflus ultimately cost them the game and his job. Chicago has now lost six straight games and will have a new coach in 2025.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. 49ers
24. New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Previous Ranking: 23
This has been a tough season for the New Orleans Saints for a variety of reasons, but losing at home to the Rams has officially ended any chance of them making the postseason.
And with Tayson Hill out for the remainder of the season, it’s fair to wonder just how competitive they’ll be over the next five weeks.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Giants
25. Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Previous Ranking: 27
Bryce Young led another potential game-winning drive in Week 13, only for the rest of the team to let him down. The Carolina Panthers allowed a field goal before the end of the regulation, and then Chuba Hubbard fumbled with Carolina in field goal position.
It was another heartbreaking loss for the Panthers, but the good news is that Young has played the best football of his career over the last month.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Eagles
26. New York Jets (3-9)
Previous Ranking: 25
The New York Jets held a 21-7 lead against the Seahawks and had the ball in the red zone late in the second quarter. However, a pick-six by Leonard Williams flipped the script, and the Jets never scored another point the rest of the game.
The Jets can’t buy a win right now, and things continue to get worse for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations this season.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Dolphins
27. New England Patriots (3-10)
Previous Ranking: 26
Drake Maye kept the New England Patriots competitive another week, but their defense couldn’t stop Anthony Richardson at the end of the game, which led to another loss.
The Patriots need a top pick to add weapons and an offensive line around Maye, but fans should have some major concerns about Jerod Mayo moving forward.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Cardinals
28. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Previous Ranking: 28
Jameis Winston set the single-game passing yardage record for the Browns, but it was his three interceptions that cost his team the win. He can make some unbelievable throws, but his decision-making and accuracy are the reasons why he can't be a long-term starter in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns were really competitive in Week 13, but this was a winnable game that was thrown away late by Winston.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Steelers
29. Tennessee Titans (3-9)
Previous Ranking: 29
After a big-time win last week, the Tennessee Titans regressed back to what we’ve seen for the majority of the season. They allowed 21 first quarter points to the Commanders, and this game was over by halftime.
Not a lot has gone right for the Titans this season, and this was yet another disappointing loss in Brian Callahan’s first year with the team.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Jaguars
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Previous Ranking: 30
The Las Vegas Raiders had an excellent chance of taking down the Chiefs once again this year, but a bad snap late in the game cost them an opportunity to kick the game-winning field goal.
The Raiders aren’t good, but their players play hard for Antonio Pierce. That’s something, at least.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Buccaneers
31. New York Giants (2-10)
Previous Ranking: 31
The New York Giants started their third quarterback in three weeks, going to Drew Lock on Thanksgiving.
And yet, the results were the same. Lock made some plays with his legs, but that was just about it. The Giants are firmly in contention for the No. 1 pick.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Saints
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Previous Ranking: 32
The Jacksonville Jaguars put up a good fight against the Texans despite Trevor Lawrence (concussion) leaving earlier in the game. But the defense couldn’t stop the run when they needed to, and Joe Mixon sealed the game for the Texans.
With Lawrence likely out for the next few weeks, it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars winning another game. That means Jacksonville could pick at No. 1 for the third time in five seasons.
Next Game: Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Titans
