Bills, Eagles shake up top 5 with big wins

On December 17, 2024By Littum

A lot can change in a week in the NFL.

Includes every position in the top 5 of our NFL rankings.

The Buffalo Bills‘ win over Detroit Lions and that Philadelphia Eagles‘ win over Pittsburgh Steelers has created a major shift in our rankings this week, shaking up the top 5 and beyond.

Who is no. 1? Who is in the top 5? Check out all NFL teams’ NFL Week 16 power rankings after the conclusion of NFL Week 15.

Unlike the NFL playoff picture, which strictly considers record, style points matter in our Week 16 NFL power rankings. And some teams certainly won in style in NFL Week 15.

Previous position in parentheses.

32. New York Giants (32)

Last week: Lost to Baltimore Ravens35-14

This week: Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons

Why are the Giants ranked last? They have lost nine games in a row and are 0-8 at home this season. They are also the NFL’s lowest scoring team.

31. Las Vegas Raiders (31)

Last week: Lost to the Atlanta Falcons, 15-9

This week: Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Raiders have lost 10 games in a row. Need we say more?

30. Tennessee Titans (30)

Last week: Lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 37-27

This week: Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts

There are four AFC teams with three wins on the season right now. The Titans are ranked lowest because they have arguably the worst QB situation.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (29)

Last week: Lost to the New York Jets, 32-25

This week: Sunday vs Las Vegas Raiders

We had higher hopes for Jacksonville this season after the Jaguars went 9-8 last season. It seems like a lifetime ago.

28. New England Patriots (28)

Last week: Lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 30-17

This week: Sunday vs Buffalo Bills

Drake Maye was 19-for-23 for 202 yards and a touchdown, with an interception, in the loss to Arizona. At least he seems to be moving on.

27. Cleveland Browns (27)

Last week: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs21-7

This week: Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals

Jameis Winston had no touchdown passes and threw three picks against the Chiefs. What should Cleveland do at QB?

26. Carolina Panthers (25)

Last week: Lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 30-14

This week: Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals

The Panthers have a big question to answer: Is Bryce Young the answer at QB?

25. Chicago Bears (24)

Last week: Lost to Minnesota Vikings30-12

This week: Sunday against the Detroit Lions

The Bears have lost eight in a row and are 0-7 on the road after their loss at Minnesota.

24. New York Jets (26)

Last week: Beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 32-25

This week: Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams

The Jets ended their 4-game skid with the win in Jacksonville, but Aaron Rodgers leading rusher with 45 yards isn’t exactly a recipe for success.

23. New Orleans Saints (22)

Last week: Lost to the Washington Commanders, 20-19

This week: Monday Night Football vs. Green Bay Packers (Dec. 23)

The Saints trailed by two and won after scoring late in the game against the Commanders, but missed. Still, we give them props for trying.

22. Indianapolis Colts (18)

Last week: Lost to Denver Broncos31-13

This week: Sunday against the Tennessee Titans

Trailing 17-13 with 13 minutes left in the game, the Colts attempted a trick play. It resulted in a touchdown for the Broncos, making the score 24–13, one of five turnovers in the game for Indianapolis. Practice

21. San Francisco 49ers (17)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Rams, 12-6

This week: Sunday against the Miami Dolphins

The 49ers are just 6-8 after the loss to the Rams and have a cloud hanging over the team after De’Vondre Campbell reportedly refused to enter the game in the third quarter.

20. Miami Dolphins (16)

Last week: Lost to Houston Texas20-12

This week: Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers

Even if they are not eliminated from the playoffs yet, it will be very difficult for Miami to make the postseason in a very disappointing year for the Dolphins.

19. Dallas Cowboys (23)

Last week: Beat the Carolina Panthers, 30-14

This week: Sunday Night Football vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Amazing to think the Cowboys are 1-6 at home this season and 5-2 on the road. Maybe they should request to play all their games on the road?

18. Cincinnati Bengals (21)

Last week: Beat the Tennessee Titans, 37-27

This week: Sunday against the Cleveland Browns

The Bengals finish the season with the Browns, Broncos and Steelers on the schedule. With very slim playoff hopes, maybe they can build momentum for next season?

17. Atlanta Falcons (20)

Last week: Beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 15-9

This week: Sunday against the New York Giants

Atlanta had lost four straight before beating the Raiders and now has a very winnable game against the Giants as they chase the Buccaneers in the NFC South.

16. Arizona Cardinals (19)

Last week: Beat the New England Patriots, 30-17

This week: Sunday against the Carolina Panthers

Arizona ended a 3-game skid with the win against the Patriots to move to 7-7, but the Cardinals’ playoff chances don’t look good. They need the Seahawks and Rams to fall apart.

15. Seattle Seahawks (11)

Last week: Lost to Green Bay Packers30-13

This week: Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings

The NFC West race is one of the divisional races to watch over the next three weeks. The Seahawks don’t have an easy schedule with the Vikings, Bears and Rams over the last three weeks.

14. Los Angeles Chargers (9)

Last week: Lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 40-17

This week: Thursday Night Football vs Denver Broncos

Los Angeles is still in position for the final AFC playoff spot despite losing three of its last four games. The AFC is just so top heavy this season.

13. Los Angeles Rams (15)

Last week: Beat the San Francisco 49ers, 12-6

This week: Sunday against the New York Jets

The Rams have gotten hot at the right time, with three straight wins and the Jets, Cardinals and Seahawks remaining on the schedule. Could they be the NFC West favorite now?

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14)

Last week: Beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 40-17

This week: Sunday Night Football vs Dallas Cowboys

The Buccaneers are rolling with four straight wins. They trailed the Chargers at the half, 17-13, before outscoring Los Angeles in the second half, 27-0.

11. Washington Commanders (12)

Last week: Beat the New Orleans Saints, 20-19

This week: Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles

The connection between Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin is becoming something special, but the Commanders were lucky to come away with a win in New Orleans.

10. Houston Texans (13)

Last week: Beat the Miami Dolphins, 20-12

This week: Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs

We were down on Houston after its loss to the Titans, but the Texans have bounced back nicely with wins over the Jaguars and Dolphins. They have the chiefs and ravens next.

9. Denver Broncos (10)

Last week: Beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-13

This week: Thursday Night Football vs Los Angeles Chargers

Make it four straight for the Broncos ahead of the huge AFC West showdown against the Chargers this week. Interestingly, both Los Angeles and Denver have allowed an AFC-best 247 points this season.

8. Baltimore Ravens (8)

Last week: Beat the New York Giants, 35-14

This week: Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Ravens are suddenly just 1 game behind the Steelers in the AFC North ahead of this week’s game. Lamar Jackson had five touchdown passes against the Giants.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5)

Last week: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-13

This week: Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens

How about the last three games? The Steelers finish the regular season at the Ravens before hosting the Chiefs and Bengals.

6. Green Bay Packers (7)

Last week: Beat the Seattle Seahawks, 30-13

This week: Monday Night Football vs. New Orleans Saints (Dec. 23)

The Packers are 10-4 on the season and in third place in the NFC North.

5. Minnesota Vikings (3)

Last week: Beat the Chicago Bears, 30-12

This week: Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks

The Vikings have won seven straight games and finish the regular season with games against the Seahawks, Packers and Lions.

4. Detroit Lions (1)

Last week: Lost to the Buffalo Bills, 48-42

This week: Sunday against the Chicago Bears

The Lions could realistically still win it all, and very well could. But head-to-head wins should matter if the record is close and the Bills beat the Lions in Detroit.

3. Buffalo Bills (6)

Last week: Beat the Detroit Lions, 48-42

This week: Sunday against the New England Patriots

We considered placing Buffalo at No. 1. The win in Detroit was so impressive, but the Bills have three losses on the season, so some might think the No. 3 is too high. When this team is on, however, they are very hard to beat.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (4)

Last week: Beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-13

This week: Sunday vs Washington Commanders

The Eagles have now won 10 straight, the longest current streak in the NFL, and they handled the Steelers in impressive fashion. An Eagles-Lions NFC Championship game would be fascinating.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2)

Last week: Beat the Cleveland Browns, 21-7

This week: Saturday against the Houston Texans

Welcome back to the top, Kansas City. The Chiefs haven’t exactly been impressive week-to-week, but the NFL-best 13-1 record speaks for itself. That record will be tested with the Texans, Steelers and Broncos rounding out their regular season schedule. And speaking of potentially fascinating conference title games, wouldn’t a Bills vs Chiefs AFC Championship Game be must-see TV?

Well Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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