NFL Power Rankings as Week 18 of the 2024 season begins (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Buffalo Bills (1): The Bills have had an outstanding season, setting records and led by potential MVP Josh Allen. Could this be the year they win their first Lombardi Trophy?
2. Kansas City Chiefs (3): Despite lacking style points, the Chiefs could make history with 16 regular-season wins. With a championship pedigree, can they achieve a historic three-peat?
3. Detroit Lions (2): Overcoming injuries, the Lions are on the brink of their first No. 1 playoff seed. Can they secure their first Lombardi Trophy this year?
4. Minnesota Vikings (5): Led by QB Sam Darnold, the Vikings have a strong chance to claim the top seed. Could this be their breakthrough season?
5. Philadelphia Eagles (6): QB Jalen Hurts and RB Saquon Barkley lead the NFC East champions as they navigate injuries.
6. Baltimore Ravens (7): Riding a strong defense, the Ravens have improved in recent games, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
7. Green Bay Packers (4): Despite potential seeding challenges, the Packers have playoff experience and could surprise in the postseason.
8. Los Angeles Rams (9): Winning their division on a tiebreaker, the Rams need more strong performances to secure their playoff spot.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11): The Buccaneers have shown offensive prowess with multiple 40-point games this season.
They somewhat resemble the 2023 Bucs, who, despite not being widely respected as NFC South champions, possessed enough firepower and playoff experience to come close to reaching the NFC title game.
1. Washington Commanders (10): Among all of rookie QB Jayden Daniels’ impressive stats, one stands out – he has thrown five TD passes in the final 30 seconds or overtime of games this season, which is two more than any other quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
2. Los Angeles Chargers (12): Justin Herbert has joined the ranks of Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson as the only quarterbacks to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 20 TDs in each of their first five seasons.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8): At 36 years old, Wilson needs to rediscover his younger form soon, as his current team has struggled to score and move the ball through the air during a three-game losing streak, indicating a potential early playoff exit for Pittsburgh.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (14): While he may not win the MVP award, QB Joe Burrow has been one of the most impressive players in the league in 2024. Despite facing heavily stacked odds, we hope he and his team can shine in the postseason.
5. Seattle Seahawks (16): Although they missed the playoffs, head coach Mike Macdonald has achieved a winning record in his first year, following in the footsteps of Chuck Knox and Mike Holmgren. This signals the establishment of a winning culture after the previous approach grew stale under Pete Carroll.
6. Denver Broncos (15): None of their players have reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage, with WR Courtland Sutton being the only one to exceed 800 yards.
7. Houston Texans (13): While they are AFC South champions for the second consecutive year, they appear to be a favorable matchup in the opening round of the playoffs.
8. Atlanta Falcons (17): One wonders how the season might have unfolded differently if rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. had been utilized earlier, or if the team had managed their timeouts better.
9. Arizona Cardinals (19): If TE Trey McBride achieves his fourth 12-catch game of the season in Week 18, he will set a new franchise record for receptions in a single campaign with 116.
10. Miami Dolphins (21): The return of QB Tua Tagovailoa from injury would be beneficial, especially considering the Dolphins’ impressive 12-2 record in their last 14 games against the Jets with various quarterbacks.
11. San Francisco 49ers (22): Over the past 22 seasons, they have either reached the NFC championship game or missed the playoffs entirely.
12. Dallas Cowboys (18): Despite average rushing performances under HC Mike McCarthy, Rico Dowdle becomes their third 1,000-yard back in four seasons.
13. Indianapolis Colts (20): Known for their balanced passing game, the Colts have produced three
In last Sunday’s game, Bryce Young, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, faced significant pressure on 69% of his 24 dropbacks. This pressure rate stands as the highest any quarterback has encountered this season, highlighting the challenges Young had to navigate in the game.
Moving on to the New England Patriots, they currently hold the projection to secure the first pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. This top draft position is a valuable asset for any team, particularly advantageous when already equipped with a promising young franchise quarterback like Drake Maye.
Despite facing obstacles, the Las Vegas Raiders have demonstrated admirable perseverance, especially in the latter part of the season. However, their resilience may potentially hinder their chances of landing a first-round quarterback in the upcoming draft.
The New York Jets have seen standout performance from Garrett Wilson, who has become the first player in franchise history to achieve three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. The hope is for Wilson to continue his success with the Jets for a fourth season and beyond.
Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been a bright spot for the Jacksonville Jaguars during a challenging season. Thomas’ impressive 1,227 scrimmage yards significantly outshine his teammates, accounting for a third of the team’s offensive touchdowns, which currently ranks near the bottom of the league.
The New York Giants celebrate the achievement of WR Malik Nabers and RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., who together form the first rookie tandem on a single team to surpass 1,000 scrimmage yards in nearly two decades. Their accomplishments bring to light the potential impact of improved quarterback play, highlighted by Drew Lock’s notable performance in Week 17.
In New Orleans, the Saints experienced an unconventional situation as rookie QB Spencer Rattler emerged as the team’s leading rusher in consecutive weeks. The outcomes of these games seemed almost predetermined given this unexpected development.
The Cleveland Browns made a strategic move by restructuring QB Deshaun Watson’s contract, aiming to enhance roster flexibility. This adjustment, although beneficial in the short term, also solidifies Watson’s presence with the team for the upcoming season.
Finally, Tennessee Titans’ Coach Brian Callahan candidly expressed the challenges and frustrations of the ongoing season, emphasizing the lack of joy and satisfaction in the team’s performance. His sentiments reflect the arduous nature of the season, underscoring the emotional toll experienced by those involved in the day-to-day operations.
