NFL Analysis
10/29/24
15 min read
2024 NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: Bills Rise Into Top 3, Vikings Fall Outside Top 5
NFL Week 8 was one of the wildest weeks of the season, yet with multiple games ending with winning kicks and even a Hail Mary.
We saw several big favorites lose outright, and there were a couple of blowout wins that shocked everyone. But what teams made the most movement in our power rankings this week? Here is our updated ranking going into Week 9 of the 2024 season:
NFL Week 9 Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) 
Previous Ranking: 1 
Same old, same old for the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn’t a pretty win, but they managed to go to Las Vegas and get a “W” against the last team to beat them.
The Chiefs have now won 13 straight games since being upset by the Raiders on Christmas 2023, and it might be a while before they lose another game.
Next Game: Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Buccaneers
2. Detroit Lions (6-1)
Previous Ranking: 2 
The Detroit Lions had nine net passing yards in the first half against the Titans. For any other team in the league, that would mean they would be down by double digits.
But for the Lions, it just shows how dominant they are on offense as the ground attack took over. Detroit scored 35 points in the first half as Jahymr Gibbs and David Montgomery both got into the end zone. The Lions have the NFL’s best offense, and it’s not really close, either.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Packers
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
Previous Ranking: 6 
The most impressive win of the weekend by any team was the Buffalo Bills going to Seattle and beating the Seahawks easily. Buffalo’s defense did a fantastic job keeping Kenneth Walker in check, and it did not allow Geno Smith to beat them through the air.
And with the Dolphins and Jets both losing in Week 8, the Bills now have a three-game lead in the division heading into Week 9. They are a near-lock to take the AFC East again and host another home playoff game.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Dolphins
4. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Previous Ranking: 5
The Green Bay Packers are the definition of a well-balanced team. Jordan Love had to leave the game again due to a groin injury, and for most teams, that would end their chances. But Malik Willis stepped up and led the Packers on a game-winning field goal drive.
He didn’t have to do anything spectacular, as he let the talent around him show out. Green Bay is now 6-2 with one of its losses occurring in Brazil in Week 1. The Packers are a viable Super Bowl contender because of their defense, run game, and coaching staff.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Lions
5. Houston Texans (6-2)
Previous Ranking: 7
The Houston Texans have now swept the Colts and have a healthy lead in the AFC South. With essentially a three-game lead over the Colts, this is their division to lose.
However, the Texans have major issues on their offensive line, as C.J. Stroud is being pressured and hit far too often. If Houston wants to be seen as a viable threat to the Chiefs, that unit will need to get fixed quickly.
Next Game: Thursday, Oct. 31 vs. Jets
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Previous Ranking: 6
Divisional games are always tough, but losing to the Browns with their third-string quarterback is concerning. Baltimore’s defense is nowhere near as good as it was last season, and that could be a major issue when it comes to the playoffs.
Granted, it was without Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins in Week 8, but the pass defense has been an issue all season. Quarterbacks like Gardner Minshew, Baker Mayfield, and now Jameis Winston have carved it up. There is no way the Baltimore Ravens can get back to the AFC Championship Game if they don’t fix their pass defense.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Broncos
7. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Previous Ranking: 4 
After a 5-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games in four days. However, their two losses have come by a combined 10 points against two good offenses.
The loss against the Rams wasn’t all that concerning, but losing star LT Christian Darrisaw (torn ACL, MCL) for the entire season will be costly. The Vikings are still a quality team, but their defense will need to tighten things up if they want to win the NFC North.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Colts
8. Washington Commanders (6-2)
Previous Ranking: 8
No team in the NFL is more fun to watch right now than the Washington Commanders. Even when all hope seems to be lost, they find a way to win.
That’s what happened on Sunday as Jayden Daniels delivered the play of the year, hitting Noah Brown on a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown pass. Sitting at 6-2, the Commanders are in a great spot to make a run to the postseason and win the NFC East. And with Daniels playing at an MVP level, this might really be their year.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Giants
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Previous Ranking: 9
The Pittsburgh Steelers got another gritty win on Monday Night Football, defeating the Giants after leading for most of the game. But this wasn't a dominant win by the Steelers by any means.
They got the benefit of the doubt on several controversial calls, including roughing the punter call that wasn't flagged and turned into a Calvin Austin touchdown. Still, they closed out the game and improved to 6-2 on the season as they head into their Week 9 bye,
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 10 vs. Commanders
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Previous Ranking: 13
The Philadelphia Eagles are just a different team when A.J. Brown is healthy. The offense clicks, and Jalen Hurts plays with a lot more confidence.
They diced up Cincinnati’s secondary in Week 8 despite not scoring a point in the first quarter (Philadelphia has not scored in the first quarter all season). The defense has made major strides in the last few weeks, and this is the version of the Eagles that we saw for most of the 2023 season.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Jaguars
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Previous Ranking: 10
Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Falcons have a two-game lead in the NFC South and are starting to play good football. Kirk Cousins looked fantastic against Tampa Bay, throwing four touchdowns and averaging a whopping 9.5 yards per passing attempt.
Kyle Pitts even got involved, setting a career-high in receiving yards (91) and getting into the end zone twice. The Falcons still have some issues on defense to work out, but they have the look of a legit contender in the NFC.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Cowboys
12. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Previous Ranking: 14
The San Francisco 49ers got a much-needed win against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football to improve to 4-4, but they still have some major concerns. The 49ers were up by 17 late in the fourth quarter, and yet, the Cowboys had a chance to win the game in regulation after soaring back with two late touchdowns.
The 49ers have some big issues in their secondary, but at least they got back to .500 and are now in a prime position to get back on top in the NFC West.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 10 vs. Buccaneers
13. Denver Broncos (5-3)
Previous Ranking: 18
It’s time to give Sean Payton some credit. The Denver Broncos were 0-2 to start the season, and it appeared that they were one of the league’s worst teams.
Now, they are 5-1 in their last six games, and Bo Nix just played the best game of his career. With the AFC not having a ton of depth, this might be the year that the Broncos could sneak into the playoffs. If they can go at least 4-5 in their next nine games, they should have no problem getting there.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Ravens
14. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
Previous Ranking: 16
The AFC does not have a lot of depth and the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds could be as bad as we’ve ever seen in the conference. However, the Los Angeles Chargers could change that with their excellent defense.
It is No. 1 in points allowed per game (13), but the offense needs to start picking things up. It was better against the Saints, but it could use another weapon for the passing attack. If the Chargers can find one before the trade deadline, no one is going to want to see them in Round 1 of the playoffs, provided they can stay somewhat healthy.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Browns
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
Previous Ranking: 12
Just a week ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 4-2, and they had an excellent chance of winning the NFC South. But after losses to the Ravens and Falcons, they sit at 4-4 and have lost the tiebreaker to Atlanta after being swept.
The injuries at receiver have proven to be too much for the Buccaneers to overcome, and now, Baker Mayfield is pressing. The schedule isn’t kind to Tampa Bay moving forward, and it’s fair to wonder how far they could continue to drop in the upcoming weeks.
Next Game: Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Chiefs
16. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Previous Ranking: 11
Losing on a Hail Mary stings, but the Chicago Bears should be encouraged by their performance in Week 8. The defense managed to hold Jayden Daniels and the Commanders down for most of the afternoon, and Caleb Williams delivered on what should have been the winning touchdown drive.
Chicago is still in a good spot to make a run to the postseason, but 5-2 would have looked a whole lot better than 4-3, that’s for sure.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Cardinals
17. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
Previous Ranking: 17
After back-to-back wins in six days, the Arizona Cardinals are now at .500 and lead the NFC West, given their tiebreaker against the 49ers. Kyler Murray was phenomenal again on Sunday, leading the Cardinals on a game-winning drive.
And with Marvin Harrison Jr. becoming more of a factor in the offense, the Cardinals have the look of a team that could be a tough out the rest of the way.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Bears
18. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Previous Ranking: 15
It’s so hard to trust the Seattle Seahawks week to week after they were dominated by the Bills at home. Seattle looked fantastic against the Falcons last week, blowing out Atlanta on the road.
This week, they weren’t competitive at all against Buffalo. The Seahawks might be the most up-and-down team in the league, and it will be hard to trust them at all moving forward.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Rams
19. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 23
The Los Angeles Rams look like a completely different team with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp in the lineup, which shouldn't surprise anyone.
Sitting at 3-4 and with a win already against the 49ers, the Rams aren’t out of the playoff hunt at all. Their win against the Vikings was highly impressive, and this surely looks like a team that could make some noise in the second half of the season.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Seahawks
20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 19
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t good, and that was easy to see this offseason when they lost a bunch of starters in free agency. And once injuries hit their defensive line (Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland), they didn’t have the depth to overcome it.
Worse yet, they aren’t any fun to watch. The Cowboys are a below-average team that isn’t exciting in any way. And with the NFC being as deep as it is, it sure feels like the season could end for Dallas with a loss in Week 9 against the Falcons.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Falcons
21. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
Previous Ranking: 20
There might not be a quarterback in the league playing better than Joe Burrow. Yet, the Cincinnati Bengals are 3-5 because they’ve continued to be one of the league’s worst defenses.
This was a problem in the second half of the 2023 season, and it has continued this year. They have no answer when it comes to defending mobile quarterbacks, and their lack of a pass rush is noticeable. With a 3-5 record and a difficult remaining schedule, it’s fair to wonder if the Bengals will even get to eight wins this season.
That is a real shame, especially considering how well their quarterback is playing.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Raiders
22. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)
Previous Ranking: 21
It’s time to have a serious conversation about Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson was 10-32 on Sunday and is completing just 44 percent of his passes this year.
His inaccuracies are bringing down the entire offense, and it’s wasting the talents of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, etc. At some point, the Colts might have to seriously consider pulling the plug on the Richardson experiment, as he is actively hurting their chances of winning.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Vikings
23. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
Previous Ranking: 24
The Miami Dolphins looked like a functional NFL offense again with Tua Tagovailoa in the lineup. They scored 27 points, racking up more than 375 yards of offense. It wasn’t the best day for Tagovailoa, but he did look pretty good, considering how much time he has missed.
The bigger issue is the defense, which couldn’t get off the field in any key moments. The Dolphins are at 2-5 and are buried in the AFC, but it was nice to see Tagovailoa back on the field and playing well.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Bills
24. New York Jets (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 22
We can officially stop talking about the New York Jets as a playoff team. Their loss to the Patriots showed just how bad this team is, and things won't get turned around anytime soon.
New York's biggest issue is its defense, which has become one of the worst units in the league. It has taken a big step backward this year, and it’s the primary reason why they are 2-6.
Next Game: Thursday, Oct. 31 vs. Texans
25. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 27
The Las Vegas Raiders had plenty of chances to beat the Chiefs in Week 8, but turnovers, penalties, and poor coaching held them back. The Raiders picked off Patrick Mahomes and returned the ball to KC’s 3-yard line. Still, the Raiders, somehow, did not end up with points on that drive.
A touchdown there would have given the Raiders a 20-17 lead late in the third quarter, but they couldn’t get out of their own way. With a record of 2-6, the season is just about over for Las Vegas. And with no franchise quarterback in place, there isn’t a lot of hope or excitement surrounding the team.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Bengals
26. New York Giants (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 25
The New York Giants hung with the Steelers for the majority of the night, but the pre-snap penalties and unnecessary sacks by Daniel Jones cost them the win.
New York's defense did not put up much resistance against Russell Wilson, and it's a shame, considering how dominant Dexter Lawrence has been this season. But sitting at 2-6, it certainly feels like another lost season for New York.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Commanders
27. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 28
What a win for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Jameis Winston delivered the game-winning touchdown pass as they defeated the Baltimore Ravens in an emotional game after Jim Donovan, the long-time play-by-play man, passed away this week.
Cleveland has not had many bright spots this season, but getting a win against the Ravens might be the highlight.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Chargers
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 29
The Jacksonville Jaguars had plenty of chances to upset the Packers in Week 8, but the defense could not get off the field. They allowed Malik Willis to put together a winning field goal drive and gave up 30 points again this week.
Jacksonville sits at 2-6 and just lost both starting receivers for a good portion of the 2024 season. It’s officially over in Jacksonville.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Eagles
29. New Orleans Saints (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 26
The New Orleans Saints have now lost six straight games, and things are somehow looking even worse. Spencer Rattler was benched in favor of Jake Haener, but there was no noticeable difference in the offense.
The Saints scored only twice on offense, kicking two field goals against the Chargers. They could get Derek Carr back next week, but that might not change anything. This is another rough season for the Saints, and they are without a lot of hope at the end of the road.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Panthers
30. New England Patriots (2-6)
Previous Ranking: 31
The New England Patriots certainly responded after Jerod Mayo called his team “soft” in the postgame press conference last week.
New England bounced back and won against the Jets, essentially ending New York's season. It was tough to see Drake Maye leave with a head injury, but this was a needed win for a team that has not looked good during the past few weeks.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Titans
31. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Previous Ranking: 30
There is no debate about who the two worst teams in the NFL are, and that includes the Tennessee Titans. The Titans don’t do anything well right now and just allowed 52 points against the Detroit Lions.
Mason Rudolph didn’t play well, but there has been no difference between him and Will Levis this season. The passing game has looked rough all year, and now the defense is starting to fall apart. Look for the Titans to be drafting inside the top three selections during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Patriots
32. Carolina Panthers (1-7)
Previous Ranking: 32
Who is at No. 32 on this list should be no surprise. Bryce Young returned to the field after being benched in Week 3, but nothing changed.
He still had multiple giveaways and his accuracy was all over the place. Worse yet, the defense continues to struggle, and Bo Nix had a career performance. The Carolina Panthers are in rough shape, and it could be a while before things get turned around.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 3 vs. Saints
