With 13 weeks down, we have a good idea of who is good and who is planning for next season, but there is still a lot of time for teams to make a late push.
In this week's power rankings, we'll examine how teams have shifted based on their performances through seven weeks, taking into account injuries, standout players, and overall team trajectory.
Learn where each NFL team stacks up in our updated power rankings and the best NFL teams for the 2024 season.
NFL Power Rankings, 2024:
| Power Rank | Team | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bills | +2 |
| 2 | Lions | -1 |
| 3 | Chiefs | -1 |
| 4 | Eagles | 0 |
| 5 | Steelers | +2 |
| 6 | Ravens | -1 |
| 7 | Vikings | -1 |
| 8 | Packers | 0 |
| 9 | Texans | 0 |
| 10 | Commanders | 0 |
| 11 | Chargers | 0 |
| 12 | Broncos | 0 |
| 13 | Seahawks | 0 |
| 14 | Rams | +2 |
| 15 | Cardinals | -1 |
| 16 | Buccaneers | +1 |
| 17 | 49ers | -2 |
| 18 | Dolphins | 0 |
| 19 | Falcons | 0 |
| 20 | Bengals | 0 |
| 21 | Colts | 0 |
| 22 | Bears | 0 |
| 23 | Browns | +2 |
| 24 | Panthers | 0 |
| 25 | Cowboys | +3 |
| 26 | Saints | -3 |
| 27 | Titans | -1 |
| 28 | Patriots | -1 |
| 29 | Raiders | 0 |
| 30 | Jets | 0 |
| 31 | Jaguars | 0 |
| 32 | Giants | 0 |
Subscribe to the Sharp Football Email Newsletter to receive FREE BETS from NFL expert Warren Sharp this weekend:
NFL Team Rankings:
1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills became the first team in 15 years to clinch their division title this early in the season, marking their sixth straight postseason appearance. The Bills have scored 30+ points in six consecutive games while Josh Allen became the first quarterback since 2022 to record passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in a single game. Next goal: secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
2. Detroit Lions
This is the Lions' best start to a season in franchise history. The duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles,” has been historically productive as the first pair of running backs to have 800+ scrimmage yards and 9+ touchdowns through the first 10 games of any season in NFL history. It's hard not to look at this team as one with a true chance of winning the Super Bowl.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have guaranteed themselves a shot at a historic three-peat, aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth in the 2024 season, their 10th straight postseason appearance. With five weeks remaining in the regular season, the Chiefs will focus on securing the AFC's No. 1 seed and the first-round bye that comes with it. In their 11 wins, nine have been by one score.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are in a tight race with the Detroit Lions (10-1) for the NFC's top seed. To win a tiebreaker against the Lions with a 15-2 record, the Eagles need to win out and hope Detroit loses to Green Bay in Week 14. Otherwise, the Eagles need the Lions to lose at least two games to have a realistic shot at securing the top playoff spot. The running game, led by Saquon Barkley, has been impressive, with Barkley rushing for triple digits in three straight games.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have secured their 21st consecutive season without a losing record, tying the NFL record set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1985. It is a testament to the leadership of head coach Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing season in his 18-year tenure. Now in a commanding position to win the division title, the Steelers' offense has seen a remarkable turnaround, largely due to the revival of quarterback Russell Wilson. They are well-positioned for a deep playoff run.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson's dual-threat capabilities continue to be a cornerstone of the offense, but his and Derrick Henry's abilities are not translating to wins. All five of their losses have come by a combined 22 points. Kicker Justin Tucker continues to unexpectedly struggle, missing two field goals and an extra point against the Eagles. Next, they face the Giants, Steelers, and Texans in their next three games. A strong performance during this stretch could help them challenge for the division title or solidify their Wild Card position.
7. Minnesota Vikings
After overcoming a 19-6 deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Cardinals 23-22, the Vikings are now 10-2. This the the second time in three years that head coach Kevin O'Connell has led the team to a 10-2 start. The team still has a chance for a first-round bye if they can overtake the Lions. Concern: the team's tendency to fall behind early and rely on comebacks may not be sustainable against stronger opponents.
8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have been on a hot streak, winning three straight games. Josh Jacobs had another notable performance in Week 13, this time forcing nine missed tackles on the ground and seven as a receiver. The competitive nature of the NFC North means they have little room for error in the coming weeks.
9. Houston Texans
The Texans currently lead the AFC South by two games over the Indianapolis Colts (6-7). This cushion provides them with some breathing room as they head into their bye week in Week 14. Concerns: Depth issues, particularly on the offensive line and in the defensive interior. Plus, the team has shown a tendency to struggle in closing out games, with blown second-half leads against stronger opponents like the Packers and Lions still fresh in memory.
10. Washington Commanders
The Commanders snapped a three-game losing streak, keeping them ahead of other Wild Card contenders like the Cardinals and Buccaneers. As they head into their bye week, they lead the Cardinals by 2.5 games, which provides a buffer as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey had a breakout game with 117 receiving yards in Week 13, with a win over the Falcons despite failing to score an offensive touchdown, although he did go down with a knee injury in that game. The upcoming game against the Chiefs will be a significant test and could have major implications for their playoff seeding.
12. Denver Broncos
The Broncos survived a wild game on Monday night, beating the Browns 41-32 to move to 8-5. The defense unexpectedly struggled to slow down a passing attack led by former Bronco Jerry Jeudy’s 235 receiving yards, but that same unit also helped out their offense with two pick sixes to help secure the win. Denver heads into the bye week in a great position to secure a Wild Card spot.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Their recent 26-21 victory over the New York Jets has bolstered their standing in the NFC playoff picture and propelled them to the top of the NFC West division after overcoming an early 14-0 deficit. Depth has improved, with new players stepping up as key components of the team. Less-heralded players such as Coby Bryant and Josh Jobe have bolstered the defense. If they can address their slow starts, the Seahawks have a good chance of making the playoffs.
14. Los Angeles Rams
The close NFC West division race means the Rams have a realistic shot at claiming the NFC West title if they can maintain their momentum in the coming weeks. The running game has become a significant asset with Kyren Williams, while young talent on defense like Braden Fiske and Byron Young is stepping up and making contributions. The Rams have shown improvement, putting themselves back into playoff contention.
15. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' loss to the Vikings was a setback, as they allowed Minnesota to come back from a 19-6 deficit in the third quarter but still have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Their ability to bounce back and perform consistently in the final stretch will be key to their postseason aspirations.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers' playoff chances remain alive following a comeback win against the Panthers in overtime. They have now won two in a row coming out of the bye, something they had not done since the opening two weeks of the season, and find themselves tied with the Falcons atop the NFC South, though Atlanta holds the tiebreaker. With a very manageable schedule the rest of the way, the Bucs can make a play for the division.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Weird to write: The 49ers have won twice in a row just once this season. They currently sit at the bottom of the NFC West division but are within striking distance of the division lead, trailing the Seahawks by only two games. To make the playoffs, they'll likely need to win the NFC West, as the Wild Card spots are becoming increasingly difficult to reach. Every game from this point forward is essentially a must-win situation, one made more difficult by the season-ending injury to Christian McCaffrey.
18. Miami Dolphins
To have a realistic shot at the postseason, the Dolphins will likely need to win out their remaining games and finish with a 10-7 record. This is a tall order given their remaining schedule and recent performances. All five of their victories have come against teams at or below .500. Penalties and self-inflicted wounds have been a recurring issue, while the running game has failed to top 100 yards in their last four games.
19. Atlanta Falcons
While the Falcons still hold the NFC South lead, their recent losing streak opened the door for the Buccaneers to tie them in the standings. The Falcons' struggles have been evident: Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions in their loss to the Chargers, all in Los Angeles territory, while the secondary is a heavy concern. They are trending in the wrong direction.
20. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are in a dire situation, marking one of the most disappointing campaigns. Their playoff hopes have all but evaporated after losing three consecutive games despite scoring 99 points during this stretch, the most in NFL history for a team losing three straight games. Their 44-38 loss to the Steelers in Week 13 marked their fourth loss this season when scoring at least 33 points, an NFL record. That sums up their season.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback Anthony Richardson led an impressive 19-play drive capped off by a gutsy two-point conversion in a crucial 25-24 win over the Patriots. This win kept their playoff hopes alive. The matchup against the Broncos in Week 15 is particularly important, as a win would give the Colts the head-to-head tiebreaker and significantly boost their playoff chances.
22. Chicago Bears
This is the Bears' fourth consecutive season starting 4-8 or worse, the longest active streak in the NFL. A positive: Caleb Williams has set a new franchise record for rookie passing touchdowns with 12. While the 2024 season has been disappointing, the Bears have shown flashes of potential and will look to finish strong under interim head coach Thomas Brown.
23. Cleveland Browns
Jameis Winston might not always be a winning quarterback, but he is a fun one. He was vintage on Monday night, throwing for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns but also tossing 3 interceptions including two pick sixes. Either way, we have seen this Browns passing game be high-flying anytime they have had a competent quarterback over the last two seasons, which should make Cleveland’s stretch run at the very least fun to watch.
24. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are..good? At least better than the start of the season. They've lost their last two games but have been more competitive against both the Chiefs and the Bucs, even pushing Tampa Bay to overtime before ultimately falling short. Bryce Young has shown progress while the defense is getting healthy. They will look to build momentum for the 2025 campaign.
25. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys still have a slim chance of making the playoffs, though it will require a strong finish and some help from other teams. To have a realistic shot, the Cowboys will likely need to win at least four of their remaining five games. This schedule provides opportunities for wins, and while making the playoffs remains a long shot, the Cowboys have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Their defense has been playing well, and quarterback Cooper Rush has been steady in relief of injured starter Dak Prescott.
26. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have struggled throughout the season including a seven-game losing streak that ultimately cost head coach Dennis Allen his job. They did win two in a row heading into their bye week, but they had a lackluster showing on offense against the Rams in Week 13. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi has stated that “the product is unacceptable.”
27. Tennessee Titans
In a 42-19 loss to the Commanders, the Titans offense was completely shut down while the defense allowed 28 points in the first quarter alone, in part from two fumbles lost in a span of 90 seconds. For the remainder of the season, the Titans will likely focus on positioning themselves for a high draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
28. New England Patriots
The Patriots suffered a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to the Colts in Week 13 and are now officially eliminated from the playoffs. Despite a strong performance from rookie quarterback Drake Maye (238 passing, 59 rushing), the Patriots defense couldn't hold off a late Colts rally. As it stands now, they currently hold the 4th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
29. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers leads the team with 844 receiving yards, widely considered a generational talent. Bowers has been the brightest spot on this team, on pace to break the single-season receptions record for a tight end.
30. New York Jets
Despite having Aaron Rodgers as quarterback, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year. There is uncertainty surrounding Rodgers' future with the Jets beyond this season. Reports suggest it's a “long shot” for him to return to the team in 2025, with potential financial implications including a $35 million option bonus and significant cap hits. While the 2024 season has been disappointing for the New York Jets, the team remains committed to Rodgers for now.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have registered only 3 offensive touchdowns in their last 12 quarters of play. Head coach Doug Pederson's position may be in jeopardy. The relationship between Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke is reportedly strained.
32. New York Giants
Tommy DeVito, who was named the starter following the departure of Daniel Jones, now is dealing with a forearm injury. Drew Lock has taken over as the starter in DeVito's absence. Lock made things interesting late against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, but he threw for just 5.6 yards per attempt with 0 touchdown passes and 1 interception.
