B/R Experts Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand?
The NFL playoffs are just about set.
There are still seeds to be determined, including the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which will go to the winner of the Week 18 contest between the Lions and Minnesota Vikings in Detroit. The AFC North and NFC South remain up for grabs, as does the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC.
But Week 17 cleared things up somewhat. Atlanta's Sunday night loss to the Washington Commanders put the latter in the postseason and put the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the driver's seat in the NFC South. The Seattle Seahawks downed the Chicago Bears in a hideous Thursday night affair, but a win by the Los Angeles Rams and myriad tiebreaks handed the NFC West to the Rams.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins are still alive in the AFC, but they need help to get in—help that includes the Denver Broncos losing again to a Kansas City Chiefs team that locked up the AFC's No. 1 seed.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the league tomato cans are vying for the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. But some aren't doing it right—wins by the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Raiders have put the New England Patriots in control of who gets first dibs on their choice of rookies come April.
With two sets of teams jockeying for two different things, the NFL's pecking order got the snowglobe treatment again in Week 17. And as the flakes settle to the bottom, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered yet again to rank all 32 teams from worst to first.
There's a new cellar-dweller this week—although it isn't the aforementioned Patriots.
32. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
1 of 32
Last Week: 30
Week 17 Result: Lost at Jacksonville 20-13
Sometimes, bad teams win even when they lose.
It can be argued that was the case in Week 17—Tennessee's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars (coupled with a win by the New York Giants) gets Tennessee that much closer potentially landing the first overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Of course, while talking to reporters after the game, a frustrated head coach Brian Callahan didn't want to hear about silver linings or draft position.
"I hope they're not numb to (losing)," Callahan said. "I sure am not. ... It's terrible. There's no joy in this process. There's no fun in this. It's terrible. I feel it every day I walk into work. I feel it every day I stand up here in front of you guys. Nothing is enjoyable about this, so I don't get numb to any of it, and I hope nobody gets numb to it. And our job is to try to fix it. We'll do whatever we can do to fix whatever problems we got to fix, to add whatever players we have to add, to make sure that we have a better football team moving forward."
Analyst's Take
The Titans won by losing in Week 17, giving themselves a legitimate shot at earning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. I fully expect Tennessee to have a completely new quarterback room next season, and finding a QB is only the first item on the to-do list.
While Tennessee has a respectable defense, its skill group isn't nearly good enough to support another young signal-caller. I'm still not fully convinced that Brian Callahan is the right coach to develop one either. -- Knox
31. New York Giants (3-13)
2 of 32
Last Week: 32
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 45-33
Where the heck have these Giants been all season long?
For most of the year, the Giants have sported one of the most pitiful offenses in the NFL. The G-Men hadn't won a game at home all year. But that all changed Sunday. Quarterback Drew Lock topped 300 passing yards and threw four touchdown passes. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers went off—seven catches for 171 yards and two scores. And the Giants won for the first time since downing the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
After the win, head coach Brian Daboll lauded his team's toughness while speaking to reporters.
"Those guys put a lot into it. They come out, they grind every day. They have good attitudes," Daboll said. "It's never easy when you when are losing. But I'm proud of the character and all the people in the building, and I'm mostly happy for them."
Of course, the win also may have cost the Giants the first overall pick in April's draft.
But no situation is perfect.
Analyst's Take
Malik Nabers is awesome. The rest of the Giants roster? Not so much. While Drew Lock put on a show against the Colts on Sunday, New York is a team with multiple needs right now—though, some are due to injuries.
The good news is that a competent quarterback could make the Giants relevant in 2025. A coaching change may also be in order, but New York has good, young players—like Nabers, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Andrew Thomas—around which it can build. -- Knox
30. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
3 of 32
Last Week: 29
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Miami 20-3
The Cleveland Browns are awful.
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson floundering under center yet again (170 passing yards, an interception and a passer rating of 50.8), the Cleveland offense could do nothing in Week 17. Cleveland's defense has been hung out to dry by that non-existent offense and has been hit hard by injuries. This team is ready for the offseason yet dreading it, because the salary cap situation is atrocious even after restructuring Deshaun Watson's abomination of a contract again.
The team must also try to convince edge-rusher Myles Garrett, who became the first player in NFL history to record 14 sacks in four straight seasons, that the Browns have a plan to return to contention. Because while addressing the media after the game, Garrett once again reiterated that he wants to win as he gets closer to the backside of his career.
"At the end of the day, we play for wins," Garrett said. "The individual stuff is great. It's nice, you want to be remembered for all of the above. But cities remember you for wins and bringing championships back home. That's always been my intention. So, I want to get back on track, want to get back to winning, whether it's the last one or whatever's in store next season."
That last sentence could come back to haunt the Browns—who may well have to seriously consider trading their best player.
The Watson fiasco just keeps on delivering fun week after week after year after year.
Analyst's Take
Things are falling apart quickly for the Browns. Aside from the 3-13 record, last week's restructure of Deshaun Watson's contract served as an admission that the team is locked into that awful deal for at least the next two seasons--whether or not Watson actually plays for the team again. The prior week, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, came out publicly to express his displeasure with the team's ongoing losing ways. Everyone will be waiting to see if owner Jimmy Haslam decides change is necessary in the front office and/or coaching staff. A top-three draft pick serves as the silver lining, with the possibility of landing a top quarterback prospect on a rookie deal. -- Sobleski
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29. New England Patriots (3-13)
4 of 32
Last Week: 27
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Chargers 40-7
The good news for the New England Patriots is that as things stand now, the Pats will have the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft. With a quarterback seemingly already in town in Drake Maye, the Pats can either have their pick of this year's non-quarterbacks or deal the pick for a haul of draft capital.
The bad news is that the Patriots need every pick they can get—because after getting mudstomped by the Chargers, New England has dropped six in a row for the second time this season.
Saturday's beatdown featured chants of "Fire Mayo" from Patriots fans. But defensive lineman Deatrich Wise told reporters the embattled first-year coach has the support of the locker room.
"I think he's doing a great job, keeping us motivated and prepared and locked in on our goals every week," Wise said. "It's up to the players. Coaches coach, players play. I only speak about myself, and I felt like there were a lot of games I could have played better to help the team win. I feel like Mayo is putting people in the right positions, he's very positive but also criticizes people in a motivating way. I don't think we should write him off right now. A lot of coaches start off tough, but there are multiple coaches who are OK now and in the playoffs. I feel like we need to continue to believe in Coach and he'll find a way to make everything right next year."
Analyst's Take
Jerod Mayo is reportedly safe as the Patriots head coach. Or is he? A Saturday blowout at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers with the fan base chanting "Fire Mayo" certainly doesn't instill confidence. Everyone understands the Patriots' roster limitations. This season was supposed to be an evaluation year. But the drastic week-to-week swings in level of performance are disconcerting and point toward poor preparation. The Kraft family likely won't make any hasty decisions. However, a strong effort in Week 18 against the rival Buffalo Bills after playing them tough two weeks earlier will go a long way. -- Sobleski
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
5 of 32
Last Week: 31
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 20-13
Not a lot has gone right for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. But the team appears to have found a star in wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas hauled in seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, tying the great Randy Moss for the most games by a rookie with at least 60 yards and a score. While speaking to the media after the win, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was effusive in his praise of the young pass-catcher.
"Randy Moss is a heck of a receiver and Brian just keeps impressing each week," Pederson said. "The way he works, the way he handles himself. For a young kid, it's very impressive. Any time you get Brian Thomas the ball in his hands, it's pretty electric. He does some great things with it."
For his part, Thomas is just glad to be mentioned in the same breath as one of the best to ever play the game.
"It's a great accomplishment just to be in the same conversation as Randy Moss," he said. "He's one of the all-time greats. So, just to be in the same conversation, I'm just grateful and thankful."
Analyst's Take
So, the Jaguars have a little life left in them. Why they chose to show it in Week 17 and potentially open the door for the rival Titans to draft a quarterback early in 2025 is beyond me.
I doubt Sunday's win will be enough to save Doug Pederson's job, and that's probably a good thing. The Jaguars may not need a full-on rebuild with Trevor Lawrence under contract, but it sure feels like this franchise needs some degree of a fresh start. -- Knox
27. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
6 of 32
Last Week: 28
Week 17 Result: Won at New Orleans 25-10
Break up the Raiders!
It can be argued that all the Raiders back-to-back wins have accomplished is making it harder to find a quarterback in the 2025 draft.
However, there were other accomplishments in the win. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers broke Mike Ditka's rookie tight end yardage record Sunday—a record that has stood over six decades. Bowers also has more receptions (108) than any first-year player in league history.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce talked up Bowers in the postgame presser.
"He is special and, at the end of the day, he doesn't want no attention," Pierce said. "The team tried to grab him at the very end, and he doesn't even want to break down the team in a team huddle; all he cares about is winning and smiling. I mean, he can break records but just watch him after victories -- that's the true Brock Bowers. He's a competitor, he's a true pro and, like I said, it's scary how good this kid could be."
Bowers and players like edge-rusher Maxx Crosby will form the foundation of the new Raiders.
But this is a franchise that needs a lot of work—on both sides of the ball.
Analyst's Take
The Raiders are winning too late in the season to make a playoff push, but head coach Antonio Pierce needs these victories. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Pierce's future is in "serious doubt," but back-to-back wins against bottom-tier teams with backup quarterbacks may not be enough to save his job. -- Moton
26. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
7 of 32
Last Week: 25
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Las Vegas 25-10
There probably isn't a team in the league that wants the season to be over more than the New Orleans Saints. The head coach was fired weeks ago. The roster has been obliterated by injuries on both sides of the ball. The season has just been a mess.
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi has done OK given the utter lack of healthy talent on offense. But the Saints were just blown out by a bad Raiders team and have been outscored 59-10 the past two weeks. For John Sigler of Saints Wire, the path forward means big changes in 2025.
"It doesn't matter if Rizzi is beloved in the building," he said. "This version of this Saints team isn't worth keeping together. Mickey Loomis played it safe to this point and he doesn't have any positive results to speak for. The Saints need to move on with a new coach who isn't trying to be Sean Payton, who can bring in their own coaches and players and retool this roster."
Of course, with one of the worst cap situations in the NFL (annually), making major changes to the roster won't be easy. The Saints effectively have two choices—crater for a couple years and get the books cleaned up or live in NFL purgatory as a 6-7 win team for the foreseeable future.
Analyst's Take
The Saints have been competitive under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, but they lack the depth to overcome a slew of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. In Week 17, New Orleans didn't have quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamara or wide receiver Chris Olave because of their injuries. New Orleans will need to reshape an aging roster under a new coaching staff, but this team could bounce back if it can stay relatively healthy and get production out of its young talent. -- Moton
25. New York Jets (4-12)
8 of 32
Last Week: 26
Week 17 Result: Lost at Buffalo 40-14
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers entered Week 17 hoping to salvage something from this train wreck of a season by throwing his 500th career touchdown pass.
He left the game after getting the hook in a 40-0 game in which he became the most-sacked quarterback in league history.
The season has been a catastrophe for Rodgers, and teammate Davante Adams acknowledged to reporters that he isn't sure if his friend will play football in 2025.
"It's unfortunate. I think the competitor he is, based on the way the season is going, it would be hard for me to envision him not [playing]," he said. "But it's not something I talk to him about. You've got to let people think about those types of situations. I think about what my future is like, and I ain't 20 years into playing. If he were to step away, you can't blame the guy. He's put a lot into this and been one of the best quarterbacks ever to play this game. No matter what happens from this moment on, you can't take that away from him."
That anyone believed Rodgers could lead this disaster of a franchise to the playoffs seems laughable in hindsight. Now Rodgers' first full season as New York's starter will end with more losses than the team had with a menagerie of bad quarterbacks last year.
As it turns out, it wasn't all Zach Wilson's fault after all.
Analyst's Take
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner believes some of his teammates have "checked out" on the season. Based on Gang Green's pathetic 40-14 loss to the Bills last Sunday, he might be right. If that's the case, the team needs an experienced head coach who can change the franchise's losing culture. -- Moton
24. Chicago Bears (4-12)
9 of 32
Last Week: 24
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 6-3
Thursday's atrocious offensive showing against the Seattle Seahawks pretty well sums up the 2024 Chicago Bears. 179 yards of offense. Five third-down conversions in 15 attempts. And three lousy points.
After failing to amass 200 yards of offense for the second time in four games, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took the blame for the team's struggles while speaking to reporters.
"I think today was one of those games that I think we played two sides of the ball today pretty well, special teams, and defense," Williams said. "And then offense, we didn't play well. There were miscues. There were stupid sacks that I was taking, losing 10, 14 yards, which is frustrating. But I will say that I will definitely take the heat for this one just because some of the situations that I put us in, like I said, that sack that I took that I didn't need to take, which put us -- we were empty and I brought a guy from the boundary. Just throw it over the guy's head. And you're still playing, obviously you want to get a positive play there. But in that sense, it's a positive play. So got to be better."
Analyst's Take
The Bears have things to offer whoever takes over as head coach in 2025. There's a solid array of offensive weapons. A decent defense. A young quarterback in Williams who showed flashes at times. But the Bears badly need to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball—Chicago's offensive line is average at best. The team ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Get better up front and get improvement from Caleb Williams in his second season, and the Bears will have a real chance to return to respectability next year. -- Davenport
23. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
10 of 32
Last Week: 23
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Tampa Bay 48-14
It admittedly didn't show Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the Panthers got their doors blown off by Tampa. But over the second half of the 2024 campaign, the Panthers (and especially quarterback Bryce Young) have showed considerable improvement.
As Nick Roesch wrote for A to Z Sports, Young's improvement continued Sunday—and it should be the guiding force behind much of what the Panthers do in the offseason.
"Young was able to complete three of six passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns on deep passing attempts (20+ air yards), which doubled his deep touchdown career total from two to four in just one game," he said. "All four of Young's deep passing touchdowns in his career have come over his last five games. That shows tremendous growth and development on Young's part. Among the many issues the Panthers have, such as their No. 31 ranked defense, poor offensive line, and numerous injuries to key players, Young is far from the top of the list. Carolina may bring in a proven quarterback to push Young as the starter in 2025, and probably should, but surrounding an improved Young with a better supporting cast offensively should be the priority."
Analyst's Take
It hasn't been a particularly good season for the Panthers, but it can be considered a successful one. Byrce Young has room for improvement but has largely answered questions about his ability to be a capable starter.
(Head coach) Dave Canales, meanwhile, has shown that he can motivate a roster and keep his team focused amid a lost season. I really like where Carolina is headed. -- Knox
22. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
11 of 32
Last Week: 20
Week 17 Result: Lost at New York Giants 45-33
The Indianapolis Colts were admittedly short-handed in Week 17, with starting quarterback Anthony Richardson sidelined. But all the team had to do to keep their faint postseason hopes alive and get back to .500 was down the NFL's worst team.
That did not happen. The Colts defense imploded against the Giants, surrendering 389 yards of offense and 45 points to one of the league's worst offenses.
Former Colts punter and current ESPN personality Pat McAfee gave the team both barrels after Indy was eliminated from the postseason in humiliating fashion.
"A blind person could see the red flags on this team," he said. "Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams.. Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens on good teams.. Late to meetings, NEVER happens on good teams.. Late to/skipping treatment, NEVER happens on good teams.. The franchise QB tapped out of a game.. on 3rd down.. in the red zone.. because he was tired… NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL."
Geez Pat. Tell us how you really feel.
Analyst's Take
Indianapolis got the bad version of Joe Flacco in Week 17, and his mistakes played a big role in the Colts being eliminated from playoff contention. I'm not so sure that Indy would have won the game with a healthy Anthony Richardson behind center, though.
The Colts defense, which has been frustratingly inconsistent all season, played like a unit that had no interest in making the playoffs. Richardson's future remains a bit of a question mark entering the offseason, but his continued development won't be Indy's only priority in 2025. -- Knox
21. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
12 of 32
Last Week: 22
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 40-34
The outcome of Monday night's game with the Detroit Lions wasn't all that important—San Francisco was already eliminated from the playoffs after a disappointing season defined by injuries galore.
But once the 2025 league year begins, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy is eligible for an extension. And Week 17 did little to clarify whether San Fran should break the bank for the former "Mr. Irrelevant."
There was plenty of good—377 passing yards, three touchdowns and a rushing score. But there were also two ill-advised interceptions that went a long way toward costing San Francisco the game.
Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard wrote before the game that Purdy's payday is coming—it's simply a matter of how much for how long.
"People I trust don't think it's very tough to decipher," he said. "Purdy deserves a big deal, probably worth over $50 million a year, but well short of resetting the market for the position. The 49ers are sure about him, but realistic. He's their best option at QB for now and should only get better as this contract ages. If he's good, the Shanahan/Lynch era will continue, and they'll be contenders almost every season. And the 49ers' negotiators will also make sure they're protected in some way in case Purdy isn't so good in 2025 and 2026. Either way, Purdy will likely have another shot at a huge payday before he's 30."
Analyst's Take
Purdy is going to get paid. And at least some of his regression in 2024 can be traced to all the injuries around him. But this contract could define the next few years for the 49ers. Once teams have that massive quarterback deal on the books, it has a significant effect on roster construction. So, John Lynch would well-served to bake some insurance into the deal, whether it's an out a few years in or just a shorter-term deal. Because while Purdy was a lock to be San Fran's quarterback for the long term at this time a year ago, that certainty is shakier now. -- Davenport
20. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
13 of 32
Last Week: 21
Week 17 Result: Lost at Philadelphia 41-7
Granted, the Dallas Cowboys were without star receiver CeeDee Lamb on Sunday. But in Philadelphia the Cowboys looked the part of a team that just wanted the season to be over.
Left guard Tyler Smith admitted that the 2024 campaign has been a frustrating one. But he told reporters he hopes the Cowboys will use this season's disappointment as fuel for 2025.
"As a competitor, I mean it just hurts," Smith said. "It hurts to have no dreams after Jan. 5, but I think we got to use this. I think every setback is a set up for a comeback. I truly do, and so just using this experience, feeding off of this. I never want to feel like this again. I never want to lose a football game -- I know eventually you will -- but we're a winning team. We got winning guys on this team. We built a winning culture. We just gotta get back in the offseason ... First things first, next week against the Washington Commanders, but we just got to clean it up. And it's on us."
Now, the talk will turn to the future in Dallas—and whether head coach Mike McCarthy will be a part of it.
Analyst's Take
Dallas has probably played well enough down the stretch to secure Mike McCarthy's job—should he choose to sign a new contract in 2025. Without CeeDee Lamb in the offense, though, Dallas will likely struggle to play spoiler in the season finale.
Finding a high-end No. 2 receiver should be a priority for the Cowboys in the offseason, both to complement Lamb and to provide insurance for the rare occasion when he doesn't suit up. That's only part of the to-do list. Dallas needs a deeper receiving corps, a more stable offensive line, a better backfield and a healthier roster to enter the Super Bowl picture in 2025. -- Knox
19. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
14 of 32
Last Week: 19
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 13-9
There was a time not that long ago when the Cardinals were a 6-4 first-place team with a soft schedule down the stretch. Since then, the Redbirds are a one-win flop that will miss the postseason—again.
Six years into his NFL career, there are genuine questions abut Kyler Murray's viability as a franchise quarterback. But as Cardinals beat writer Dan Bickley wrote for Arizona Sports, the harsh reality is that Murray is the best the Cards are going to get—at least for now.
"Murray has yet to prove he can shine in a really big game, the moments that come with real consequences," he said. "He's been in the NFL for six years and still hasn't won a playoff game. The latter is a screaming indictment of someone. But even Murray's harshest critics will agree that credentialed successors and qualified replacements are hard to find, a shallow pool of affordable free agent quarterbacks who would bring much less skill and much less excitement. There are no better options at the position in 2025. We will be doomed by Murray's potential or rewarded for our unfailing patience. Join me in welcoming Murray to one last chance and one last dance in the Valley. For better or worse."
Analyst's Take
The Cardinals passing offense has been a disappointment. It ranks 18th and 28th in yards and touchdowns, respectively. Quarterback Kyler Murray admitted he needs to strengthen his rapport with rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. On a positive note, Arizona has a star tight end in Trey McBride, who has 104 catches for 1,081 yards and a touchdown. Eventually, McBride will rack up scores, though he's already one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends. -- Moton
18. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
15 of 32
Last Week: 18
Week 17 Result: Won at Cleveland 20-3
The Miami Dolphins faced something of an uphill climb in Week 17—trying to keep their slim postseason hopes alive without the services of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed the game with a hip injury.
Luckily, Miami faced the hapless Browns, who have a tendency to make every opponent look good.
Now, the Dolphins need a Week 18 win over the New York Jets and a Denver loss to Kansas City to make the postseason. And head coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged to reporters that he has no idea if Tagovailoa will be available for that must-win game.
"You try to forecast how things will heal based upon the only thing that you have to work with, which is the previous week's forecast," McDaniel said. "So, we were hoping and anticipating for a timeline similar to that, and as the week progressed, we didn't see the improvement we'd hoped. ... Ultimately, he absolutely wanted to play. It wasn't a pain tolerance thing; that was not in the equation for him. The main thing was that he not only was super susceptible to a much more significant injury based upon that injury, if he were to fall in harm's way, but a major factor was the lack of strength due to the injury and his inability as we forecast to protect himself and his teammates within the pocket doing the things that he normally has to do."
Analyst's Take
No Tua Tagovailoa? No problem. The Dolphins handled business Sunday against the Cleveland Browns with Tyler Huntley behind center. In doing so, Miami kept its playoff hopes alive. Granted, the Dolphins must win next weekend and get help from the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle could be back for the regular-season finale, which bodes well for the squad. Considering the injuries and slow start Miami endured this season, a shot at the postseason is more than the team could have hoped for two months ago. -- Sobleski
17. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
16 of 32
Last Week: 16
Week 17 Result: Won at Chicago 6-3
On some level, it's fitting that the Seattle Seahawks were eliminated from the playoffs despite a win in Chicago Thursday night.
Because that "win" was the ugliest display of victory we have seen in a while—265 yards of offense and a pair of field goals.
It was the 2024 Seahawks in a nutshell. Seattle was a good team that just couldn't be consistently good. There were stretches where the Seahawks looked like they could hang with any team in the NFC—and others where Seattle didn't look like they could beat anyone.
As Brent Stecker wrote for Seattle Sports, Mike Macdonald's first season as head coach of the Seahawks was equal parts success and failure.
"Seattle has gone through an up-and-down first year under Macdonald," he said. "The Seahawks had multiple stints in first place in the NFC West, but their streakiness kept them from holding on in any consistent manner. Seattle opened the year with three straight wins, then lost three in a row and five of six. The Hawks rebounded with a season-best four-game win streak, but lost two straight to Green Bay and Minnesota before holding off the lowly Chicago Bears 6-3 on Thursday night. The good news is Seattle's defense has looked legit ever since a midseason retooling, but the bad news is a troublesome offensive line and run game prevented the offense from making much headway in 2024."
Analyst's Take
The Seahawks are about to embark on a critical offseason. The team has skill-position talent in place. The defense improved as the season went on. And while Geno Smith may not be an elite quarterback, he's a competent starter. But Seattle's offensive line needs improvement, and the team has to figure out a way to be more even-keeled. Becoming potentially the first 10-7 team to miss the postseason could be motivation. Or it could be a harbinger that Seattle is where no team wants to be—mired in the middle of the pack. -- Davenport
16. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
17 of 32
Last Week: 15
Week 17 Result: Lost at Washington 30-24 (OT)
The Atlanta Falcons entered Week 17 with a clear edict. With control of their own destiny. Win their last two games, and the team would be champions of the NFC South.
Now, after falling in overtime at Washington, the Falcons have to win against the Carolina Panthers and hope that what's left of the New Orleans Saints can upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While addressing the media after the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that the Falcons have to focus on what they can control and not worry about what they can't.
"Control what your controllables are," Morris said. "Go out there and win our football game. That's all we can do. Everything else is out of our control. Those things don't matter. Thing we got to do is prepare for this football game. Prepare for the Panthers."
Frankly, it's fair to wonder if things might have worked out differently had Atlanta made the switch at quarterback from veteran Kirk Cousins to rookie Michael Penix Jr. earlier in the season.
Analyst's Take
The Falcons had a plan that started at the quarterback position, hence the organization's decision to sign Kirk Cousins as a free agent, then double-dip by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with this year's eighth overall draft pick. Well, Cousins has been benched. Penix has flashed as the starter late in the season. Atlanta, meanwhile, remains in nearly the same spot it's been since before Dan Quinn left as head coach. Eight wins may be a slight improvement, but the Falcons remain a mediocre team in need of help to sniff a playoff appearance. -- Sobleski
15. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
18 of 32
Last Week: 17
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Denver 30-24 (OT)
The Cincinnati Bengals are still alive.
Granted, the team's postseason hopes aren't good—in addition to beating the Steelers in Week 18, the Bengals need both the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos to lose. The latter isn't especially likely, given that the Kansas City Chiefs will be resting starters next week.
However, as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters, the team isn't about to throw in the towel—no matter how remote their postseason aspirations may be.
"We know we can hang with anybody," Burrow said. "We've proven that this year. We played everybody this year close. It's just about making the plays down the stretch to win those games. Today we did. The last four weeks we have. We've got to continue to do it."
Were the Bengals an 11-win team, Burrow might well be an MVP candidate. But Cincinnati's a flawed team with one win over an opponent with a winning record, and odds are they will watch the playoffs on TV before facing some serious personnel questions in the offseason.
Analyst's Take
The Bengals pulled out an overtime win that saved head coach Zac Taylor from heavy criticism for mishandling the clock late in the fourth quarter of their previous game. Taylor could've instructed quarterback Joe Burrow to slide down, forcing Denver to burn a timeout in regulation and set up Cade York for a game-winning field goal. The Bengals left too much time on the clock, but it didn't come back to bite them. -- Moton
14. Houston Texans (9-7)
19 of 32
Last Week: 10
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Baltimore 31-2
The Houston Texans are in the playoffs as champions of the AFC South and the conference's No. 4 seed.
If Christmas Day's home thrashing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens was any indication, they won't be in the tournament for very long.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud failed to throw for 200 yards. Houston barely cracked that modest baseline as a team. The Texans defense was gouged on the ground to the tune of 251 yards and almost six yards per carry.
Jamie Erdahl of the NFL Network, who worked the Houston sideline during the Week 17 debacle, said the Texans seemed exhausted before the game ever began.
"The Texans seemed to be exhausted in our meetings and on gameday. ... What we saw in our meetings is exactly the team that we saw on the sidelines on Christmas Day," Erdahl said on the show. I think [Stroud] was really badly affected by the Tank Dell injury. When we asked him 'How you doing man? How's Tank doing?' he goes, 'Goes I feel like that injury was two minutes ago. ... He was still feeling the after effects of the Tank Dell injury. I'm worried about this Texans' team."
Analyst's Take
The Texans are in a tricky situation. After back-to-back losses, the team could use some momentum heading into the postseason. But if Houston truly is "exhausted," a week off could do the starters more good than beating the Tennessee Titans. Whatever DeMeco Ryans decides, this much is clear—if Houston plays in the Wild Card round the way they did in Week 17, they are going to be a one-and-done football team. -- Davenport
13. Denver Broncos (9-7)
20 of 32
Last Week: 13
Week 17 Result: Lost at Cincinnati 30-24 (OT)
If you're the glass-half-full type, then the Denver Broncos have already exceeded expectations in 2024. The defense has been mostly solid. The team appears to have found their quarterback of the future in Bo Nix.
If you're the glass-half-empty type, the Broncos are in danger of blowing their chances at making the playoffs after back-to-back losses where the defense allowed at least 30 points.
However, Denver still controls its own destiny—beat a Chiefs team with nothing to play for this week in Week 18, and Denver is in the postseason. While speaking to reporters, head coach Sean Payton said that it's good to have actual stakes to play for as the season winds down.
"This is what we do it for — meaningful games here," Payton said. "I think it's important that you embrace it, and it is exciting. There's nothing worse than playing games in the last part of the season where there's nothing at stake. So, I think it's something we'll all be excited about."
Of course, a win likely sets Denver up to head to Buffalo to face a Bills team that's undefeated at home this season. But just making the playoffs puts the Broncos farther ahead as a franchise than most expected at this point.
Analyst's Take
In Week 16, Bo Nix played a good half, but that wasn't enough to beat the Chargers. Last Saturday, he put together a solid outing with some wow moments, but the Broncos fell short again. Yet Denver should feel confident about its Week 18 matchup with the Chiefs, who may rest starters. -- Moton
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
21 of 32
Last Week: 14
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Carolina 48-14
Last week's setback in Dallas robbed the Buccaneers of control of their own destiny in the NFC South. But Tampa certainly held their end in Week 17, walloping an overmatched Carolina Panthers team in a game in which Tampa quarterback Baker Mayfield threw five touchdown passes.
Tampa wide receiver Mike Evans had 97 receiving yards against Carolina, leaving him 85 yards short of hitting 1,000 for the 11th consecutive season. A victory against the woeful Saints is the Buccaneers top priority next week, but while addressing the media Mayfield sounded like a guy who will be targeting Evans early and often next week.
"Obviously Mike's a huge part of this offense and the record is pretty important for us to get — for him to achieve it but for us to make sure it happens," Mayfield said. "Having it right there in front of us and not having to force things. When he's in the game, he's a huge part of that and he creates the explosive plays in the passing game. Looking forward to seeing what happens next week."
Analyst's Take
Tampa isn't guaranteed a playoff spot entering Week 18, which is the unfortunate result of the team's midseason injuries. If the Bucs can sneak in as NFC South champions, though, they'll have an opportunity to make some noise.
This is a team that owns victories over Detroit and Philadelphia and one capable of matching points with almost anyone. Tampa's defense is suspect, but it's not hard to envision a convincing wild-card win for the second straight season. -- Knox
11. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
22 of 32
Last Week: 12
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Arizona 13-9
They aren't piling up style points doing it, but after downing the Arizona Cardinals Saturday the Los Angeles Rams have won 10 games in back-to-back seasons. By virtue of the strength of schedule tiebreakers, we won't try to explain whether the Rams win or lose against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18; Los Angeles is the champion of the NFC West.
Matthew Stafford hasn't thrown for 200 yards in any of the past three games, but the Rams have won them all. Per Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic, the LA offense having issues isn't a new problem.
"The Rams' offense has struggled with slow starts and stop-start offensive drives for most of the year, regardless of the health of their roster," he wrote. "Saturday, they had a 13th first quarter without a touchdown this season and an 11th shutout in the first quarter, this time at the hands of Arizona's defense. By the time they got the ball for their first possession of the fourth quarter, up 10-9 with 14 minutes to play, they only had 186 total yards of offense. Nacua accounted for most of those yards, while everybody else combined had 85."
Analyst's Take
The Rams can beat an injury-riddled 49ers squad, the four-win Jets and the underwhelming Cardinals without scoring 20 points, but their offense needs to pick up steam if they're going to win a playoff game. Over the last three weeks, quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for one touchdown and an interception, averaging just 153 passing yards per game. -- Moton
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
23 of 32
Last Week: 8
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Kansas City 29-10
Not that long ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like one of the best teams in the AFC. But after getting blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs for their third straight defeat, the Steelers now appear a team that could be headed for more disappointment in the first round of the playoffs.
While addressing reporters after the team's latest letdown, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin pledged that Pittsburgh is going to need to change some things if the team is going to win their first postseason game since 2016.
"Not the type of ball we want to play and really kinda eerily similar to our last performance in that we're not doing the fundamental things well enough," Tomlin said. "In terms of schematics, in terms of the division of labor, I'm open to whatever's necessary in an effort to change the outcome. We're not going to continue to do the same things and hope for a different result."
The question is how much the Steelers can really change 17 weeks into the season.
Analyst's Take
The Steelers appear headed for status as a Wild Card team--and quite possibly for another one-and-done postseason appearance. Russell Wilson's limitations at quarterback are becoming more apparent by the week. The Steelers have dropped three straight to contenders. And the team's two best wins came by a combined three points. Could this team go on the road and upset the Houston Texans? Yes. But it's equally possible that Pittsburgh loses to the Bengals in Week 18 and backs into the playoffs as the sixth seed--which would mean facing the rival Ravens in Baltimore again. -- Davenport
9. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
24 of 32
Last Week: 11
Week 17 Result: Won at New England 40-7
The Los Angeles Chargers have exceeded expectations this season. The Bolts have won 10 games and have earned a spot in the playoffs. But there is some question as to how the Chargers will fare against the AFC's best—a question that wasn't answered by pounding the tomato can that is the New England Patriots.
Still, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has done an excellent job in his first season at the helm, and while speaking to the media Harbaugh made it clear he couldn't be happier with how the 2024 season has played out.
"You talk to them and there's more to do," Harbaugh said. "There's no coach who could have it better than to be coaching these players. Nobody. Maybe the only person would be future us, could have it better than us."
Quarterback Justin Herbert was similarly pleased with how the Chargers performed—even against an overmatched opponent.
"We had a good opportunity tonight and we went out and took it," Herbert said. "We had a good plan. All week we knew how big of a game this was for us. Guys were dialed in, focused and we executed today."
Analyst's Take
The Chargers should legitimately look to add another weapon at wide receiver next offseason to help quarterback Justin Herbert. The previous statement doesn't downplay anything that rookie Ladd McConkey has accomplished this season. McConkey eclipsed 1,000 yards with Sunday's eight-catch, 94-yard effort against the New England Patriots. In doing so, this year's 34th overall draft pick tied the NFL rookie record set by Odell Beckham Jr. with nine straight games of 50 or more receiving yardage. As long as the Chargers get something out of Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and/or their tight ends, they'll be a difficult matchup once the postseason begins. -- Sobleski
8. Washington Commanders (11-5)
25 of 32
Last Week: 9
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 30-24 (OT)
It has been two decades since the Washington Commanders won a postseason game. The last time the team won 11 games in the regular season was over three decades ago. The franchise hasn't accomplished the former yet this season, but after outlasting the Atlanta Falcons Sunday night, the Commanders are an 11-5 playoff team.
There's little question that Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be the NFL's offensive rookie of the year, and the effect the second pick in last year's draft has had on the franchise. As veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner told reporters after the win, the players in Washington believe they are in every game with No. 5 leading the offense.
"You want to be in these moments," said Bobby Wagner. "Him getting hit and making big plays, his confidence, his demeanor never changes. You know that he knows he's going to make a play, and everybody on the sideline and on the field believes he's going to make a play."
Analyst's Take
Jayden Daniels is special. More importantly, he's dangerous. The Commanders are set to enter the postseason for the first time in four seasons mainly due to the play of the future NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels has been calm late in games to help the Commanders escape with victories. He's dealing from clean pockets. He's also a historically good running quarterback, setting the league's rookie rushing record for the position after Sunday's 127-yard effort. Daniels can and will make mistakes. He'll make up for them as well, which makes the Commanders a difficult opponent once the playoffs begin. -- Sobleski
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
26 of 32
Last Week: 7
Week 17 Result: Lost at Minnesota 27-25
That the Green Bay Packers are a good team isn't in question—the Pack has won 11 games and earned a playoff spot.
But after another loss to an NFC power, it's fair to question whether the Packers have greatness in them.
Green Bay has lost five games this season—two to the Vikings, two to the Detroit Lions and one to the 13-3 Philadelphia Eagles. However, quarterback Jordan Love told reporters that he believes Green Bay can hang with (and beat) any team it faces.
"We know what type of team we are," Love said. "There's just a lot of stuff to clean up."
Safety Xavier McKinney, on the other hand, was a little less confident.
"I can't sit up here and say, 'Yeah, we're on the same level,' if we ain't beat them," McKinney said. "We've got to be more on our details. We've got to play cleaner. We've got to start faster."
Analyst's Take
The Packers are good. They're a playoff-caliber squad, of course. Yet a clear delineation exists between the NFC's best--the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings--and their NFC North counterpart. Green Bay finished 2-2 in December, having lost to the two aforementioned opponents, including Sunday's defeat at the hands of the Vikings. In those particular matchups, Jordan Love wasn't overly effective. The Packers can lean on running back Josh Jacobs. Once the postseason begins, Love must show he's capable of outplaying some of the league's best signal-callers. He hasn't recently. -- Sobleski
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
27 of 32
Last Week: 6
Week 17 Result: Won at Houston 31-2
If Christmas Day is a preview of what the Baltimore Ravens have in store for opponents in the postseason, the rest of the AFC had better buckle up.
The Ravens dominated the AFC South champions in every facet of the game, Baltimore outgained Houston by a ratio of over two to one. Running back Derrick Henry gouged Houston for 147 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. And Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson broke Mike Vick's career rushing record for a quarterback.
While addressing reporters after the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said it was just another day at the office for Baltimore's megastar signal-caller.
"It's just another phenomenal performance," Harbaugh said. "He set the all-time NFL record for rushing yards (for a quarterback) in pro football. That kind of speaks for itself. It's just kind of what he does every week."
Now the only thing standing between Baltimore and the AFC North title is the hapless Cleveland Browns.
Analyst's Take
The Texans may not be on the same level as teams like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs—the Ravens have already defeated the former and lost to the latter. But the ease with which the Ravens dispatched Houston on the road should terrify the rest of the AFC. For much of the season, the Ravens have had one glaring weakness—the secondary. But Baltimore gave up just 153 passing yards to Houston. If the Ravens play like that defensively in the postseason, this team is absolutely capable of making it all the way to New Orleans and Super Bowl LIX. -- Davenport
5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
28 of 32
Last Week: 5
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Dallas 41-7
The Philadelphia Eagles faced more than a little adversity Sunday as they tried to lock up the NFC East. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive signal-caller Nakobe Dean both missed Week 17 with injuries. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett had to leave the game after aggravating his rib injury.
You wouldn't know any of that from the final score—largely because running back Saquon Barkley piled up 167 yards on the ground to become the ninth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards for the season.
Barkley told reporters that 2,000 yards and a division title are both well and good. But Philly's goals are higher—a trip to New Orleans and Super Bowl LIX.
"It's cool, I'm not going to downplay it," Barkley said. "At the end of the day, you're not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ."
Head coach Nick Sirianni said much the same thing.
"We always want to do special things. I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here," Sirianni said. "I think we've got special guys."
Analyst's Take
The Eagles managed to beat a scrappy Cowboys team despite the absence of quarterback Jalen Hurts. It certainly helped that CeeDee Lamb wasn't in the lineup for Dallas, but Philly's latest win serves as another example of how much talent and depth this team accumulated in the offseason.
The Eagles struggled last week with Kenny Pickett coming off the bench, but they rebounded nicely against Dallas. This is a team built to navigate the postseason grind. -- Knox
4. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
29 of 32
Last Week: 4
Week 17 Result: Won vs. Green Bay 27-25
The Minnesota Vikings just keep on stacking wins. And now, after downing the Green Bay Packers in a game that wasn't as close as the score for much of the afternoon, Minnesota is one Week 18 win away from something that would have seemed laughable back in Week 1—the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold continued his miraculous 2024 campaign against the Packers, throwing for a career-high 377 yards and three touchdowns.
While speaking to the media after Sunday's win, Minnesota head coach Kevin O' Connell said that Darnold continues to impress week after week.
"He's playing quarterback at a very, very high level," O'Connell said, "and has been for the majority of the season. You can tell by the locker room. You can tell by the way I call plays. I know for us to get to where we want to go, we've got to be aggressive, and we've got to play football in a way that allows us to have our whole offense at our disposal."
If Darnold can avenge one of Minnesota's two losses against the Lions, it will put a bow on one of the more improbable regular seasons in recent memory.
Analyst's Take
If you're waiting for the Cinderella story that is Sam Darnold's career reemergence to turn into a pumpkin, it's time to give it up. With the Vikings vying for the NFC's No. 1 seed, Darnold established a new career-high with 377 passing yards. Another outstanding Darnold performance has become commonplace. During Sunday's contest, Jalen Nailor emerged as more of a threat than he's been all season. The third-year wide receiver helped Minnesota's passing offense click, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison off to slow starts. Nailor set a season-high with 81 receiving yards. Minnesota's offense has answers to pretty much every problem. -- Sobleski
3. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
30 of 32
Last Week: 3
Week 17 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 40-14
The Buffalo Bills are rolling.
After blasting the hapless Jets in a game that looked like a collegiate contest between an SEC team and a Sun Belt school, the Bills have won 13 games and locked up the second seed in the AFC playoffs. The only team to beat the Kansas City Chiefs this season is undefeated at home in 2024, so home-field advantage for the first two rounds is a big deal for the team.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen didn't post huge numbers in the game—182 passing yards and two scores through the air with another touchdown on the ground. But as head coach Sean McDermott told reporters after the victory, in his opinion Allen is clearly the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2024.
"I think Josh Allen continues to show why he should be the MVP," McDermott said. "I've been around this league long enough to know to see MVP every year for many years. And what he has done on this team and this organization in this community — and no offense to anybody else — but I've got a hard time believing that someone's done more."
Analyst's Take
Sunday, the Bills clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed, which is huge for a team that's undefeated at home this season. They would go on the road for an AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, but this Buffalo team seems equipped to get over the Kansas City playoff hump. The Bills beat the Chiefs in November, and they've scored 30-plus points in nine of their last 10 games. -- Moton
2. Detroit Lions (14-2)
31 of 32
Last Week: 2
Week 17 Result: Won at San Francisco 40-34
Heading into the final game of Week 17, there was plenty of speculation that the Lions should rest their stars. After all, the game with San Francisco was meaningless—win or lose the NFC North and the conference's top seed will come down to next week's home date with the Vikings.
But in news that should surprise exactly zero people, Lions head coach Dan Campbell wasn't hearing any of that.
"I'll make this easy for everybody that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking, but that way you don't have to debate them anymore," Campbell told reporters. "We're bringing everything we got to this game and we are playing, I don't care what it looks like and where it's at and who's this, who's that. We're going out to play and win this game, out on the West Coast. So, there you go."
Sure enough, the Lions went full-out at the Niners, and now the final game of the regular season will feature something never before seen in the NFL—two 14-win teams playing for the division title.
Analyst's Take
Next week's regular-season finale will be must-see TV, but for as great as the Lions have been this year there is cause for real concern. The Lions allowed 34 points and a staggering 475 yards of offense to a beat-up Niners offense. All the injuries on the Detroit defense having cost the team yet. But expecting Jared Goff to post 40 points every week is a tall ask—even for Detroit's explosive offense. One thing's for sure—take the over against the Vikings. -- Davenport
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
32 of 32
Last Week: 1
Week 17 Result: Won at Pittsburgh 29-10
The Kansas City Chiefs sport the NFL's best record and could secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs with a victory in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day. But for all the team's success in 2024, there hadn't been many statement wins.
That changed in Week 17—playing a 10-win Steelers team on the road, the Chiefs dominated every facet of the game. The road to the Super Bowl on the AFC side goes through Arrowhead Stadium—again.
The Chiefs forced a pair of turnovers in the contest while limiting the Steelers to just a single touchdown, and after the win, cornerback Trent McDuffie told reporters that the defense had upped their level of play at the ideal time.
"Man, I think it's happening at the right time," McDuffie said. "We've talked a lot about just, over this year, the lack of turnovers we had in the beginning of the season. This is something we've been working really hard to get. Things are starting to fall into place and we're starting to make plays on the ball. I'm just happy that we're doing it right now and continuing to just climb as we get to the playoffs."
Analyst's Take
The Chiefs have been winning nailbiter after nailbiter, giving some pause as to whether Kansas City could make it to a third consecutive Super Bowl. But the team we saw on Christmas was dominant on both sides of the ball, with Patrick Mahomes topping 300 passing yards and the defense putting the clamps on the Seahawks. The Chiefs aren't unbeatable. But when they play like they did in Week 17, Kansas City is awfully close. -- Davenport
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