2023 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 18?

2023 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 18?0 of 32

Bleacher Report

And then there was one.

Only one week remains in the 2023 NFL season (Yes, it’s 2024 now, but still…), and the postseason picture is taking shape. Compliments of the Baltimore Ravens’ blowout of the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers’ handling of the Washington Commanders, the No. 1 playoff seeds in each conference are set.

The Kansas City Chiefs are AFC West champions (again) after beating the Cincinnati Bengals. And the Cleveland Browns have punched their improbable ticket to the postseason after winning their 11th game of the year.

However, much remains to be decided. After the Eagles were stunned by the Arizona Cardinals in Philadelphia, the NFC East is back in play. So is the AFC East after the Dolphins got thumped by the Ravens and the Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots. The AFC and NFC South are also anyone’s ballgame as we head into Week 18.

All the drama makes for the highest-stakes week of the season, and as we head into this most important of weekends, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together yet again to slot the league’s teams from No. 32 to No. 1.

The bookends are locked in. But there was plenty of movement in between this past week.

32. Carolina Panthers (2-14)1 of 32

Bryce YoungCourtney Culbreath/Getty Images

Last Week: 32

Week 17 Result: Lost at Jacksonville 26-0

In a season filled with lows for the Carolina Panthers, Sunday’s blowout loss in Jacksonville may be the nadir. The Panthers were boatraced by a Jags team starting C.J. Beathard at quarterback.

Oh, and team owner David Tepper appeared to toss a drink at the crowd from his suite in Jacksonville, because of course he did.

The Panthers were completely inept offensively against the Jaguars, and interim head coach Chris Tabor told reporters that the team flat-out didn’t play well.

“If you look statistically, it’s definitely not where you want to be,” Tabor said. “So that would say we never got in a rhythm for (Bryce Young). That wasn’t good. What did we have, 124 yards of total offense? It’s gonna be tough to win games when you do that.”

Sobleski said:

“Congratulations, Carolina, you did it! The organization completely embarrassed itself by throwing for only 67 yards on the same day the team clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft for the Chicago Bears after trading up in last year’s draft to select Bryce Young. Oh, owner David Tepper apparently threw a temper tantrum after Sunday’s shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The ridiculousness of the situation and how quickly the situation spiraled out of control easily makes the Panthers the league’s worst-run franchise.”

31. Washington Commanders (4-12)2 of 32

Sam HowellScott Taetsch/Getty Images

Last Week: 30

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. San Francisco 27-10

The Washington Commanders have had a miserable season. It was miserable before they got drilled by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. It will be miserable until the team starts making changes in the offseason.

As has been the case most of the season, young quarterback Sam Howell struggled, throwing for just 169 yards with two interceptions. But as he has so many times this year, embattled head coach Ron Rivera said that Howell still has considerable potential.

“I thought Sam had some really good moments,” Rivera told reporters. “Obviously there were a couple throws I promise you he would wish he had back, but he did a lot of good things.”

This from a coach who was going to start Jacoby Brissett this week until the QB pulled a hammy.

Here’s the reality in Washington. Week 18 is going to be Rivera’s last game as the team’s head coach. With the Commanders now in possession of the second overall pick after dropping a seventh straight game, Howell’s days as anything but a backup are numbered—and the number is low.

The Commanders are a team that needs to be blown up—and once the offseason begins, it’s going to be.

30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)3 of 32

Khalil MackRyan Kang/Getty Images

Last Week: 27

Week 17 Result: Lost at Denver 16-9

At this point in a miserable season for the Los Angeles Chargers, it’s becoming harder and harder to find positives. Beleaguered Bolts fans have to take what they can get—like edge-rusher Khalil Mack tallying his 100th career sack.

Not only did Mack take down Jarrett Stidham to join the 100-sack club Sunday, but he has also logged 16 sacks this season, the most of his 10-year career. Linebacker Eric Kendricks told reporters after the game that playing next to Mack this season has been a high point in an otherwise rocky campaign.

“He’s a legend,” Kendricks said. “I wish we could have gotten the win for him. I know that’s what he’s upset about. That’s all he wants. That’s not taking away from the season he’s had. He’s been as solid as a rock, as consistent as ever. We all know what kind of a player he is.”

Interim coach Giff Smith said Mack is much more than just a pass-rusher.

“The sacks, you know, are cool and all that,” Smith said. “But the way he plays the run and the amount of snaps he’s having to play since Joey (Bosa) has been out (because of a fractured right foot suffered Nov. 19) and the willingness to give everything to this team speaks volumes.”

If this is Mack’s last season, it’s a shame it happened on such a rotten team.

29. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)4 of 32

Kyler MurrayKathryn Riley/Getty Images

Last Week: 31

Week 17 Result: Won at Philadelphia 35-31

Well, you have to say this about the Arizona Cardinals—there’s no quit in them.

The number of people who thought the Redbirds had any real shot at beating the Eagles in Philadelphia was—not high. The Eagles were going to cruise past the three-win Cardinals, beat the Giants in Week 18 and win the NFC East.

Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Cardinals—because thanks to three touchdown passes from Kyler Murray and over 200 yards on the ground, Arizona stunned the Eagles to shake up the NFC playoff race.

This was a game Arizona trailed 21-6. A game where Murray had an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown. But as was already said—there was no quit in these Cardinals. And while Arizona’s season will end in a week, head coach Jonathan Gannon applauded the resiliency his team showed against a quality opponent.

“We didn’t do enough to earn the right to play in January,” Gannon told reporters. “I was proud of them. Down 21-6 there against a good team, you could lay down there and get beat by 30.”

The win cost Arizona where next year’s draft is concerned. But given the buzz regarding Kyler Murray’s future with the team, this win may have changed how Arizona approaches the entire offseason.

28. Tennessee Titans (5-11)5 of 32

Derrick HenryCooper Neill/Getty Images

Last Week: 26

Week 17 Result: Lost at Houston 26-3

It’s been a long season for the Tennessee Titans. And Sunday’s lopsided defeat was just another long day in that long year.

There were a couple of bright spots in Week 17—running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins both eclipsed 1,000 yards during the game. But as head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters after the loss, it was just another afternoon where the Titans didn’t make nearly enough plays to win.

“We didn’t finish, and there were mistakes,” Vrabel said. “You have to go out there and be able to make plays, make some guys miss, make some tackles, complete some contested catches. Same thing on defense. We have to be able to (make plays).”

“It is tough,” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair added. “We just have to keep working, and keep showing up. At the end of the day, you have to do (better) on a weekly basis. We just haven’t been consistent.”

The Titans are going to have a lot of questions to answer in 2024. Should Vrabel be brought back for a seventh season? Has quarterback Will Levis (who was injured against the Texans) shown enough to be given the keys to the offense long-term? Is this the end of the line in Nashville for Derrick Henry, who will turn 30 this week?

In short, do the Titans need to be retooled—or rebuilt?

27. New England Patriots (4-12)6 of 32

Bill BelichickRich Barnes/Getty Images

Last Week: 28

Week 17 Result: Lost at Buffalo 27-21

Over a long and storied career as head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has been many things. Chatty with the media isn’t one of them.

So, when the conversation turned Monday to his future with the team after yet another loss in Week 17 while on a conference call with reporters, Belichick gave a very Belichickian answer.

“I’ll deal with that some other time,” he said. “Right now, it’s trying to get the team ready for the Jets, finish up the Buffalo game, continue to coach the team and try to help the players and the team play better.”

Lord knows there’s room for this team to play better—a lot better. It has been a dismal season in Foxborough. The quarterback play has been among the worst in the NFL. The pass-catching talent isn’t much better. New England is 28th in the league in total offense and dead last in the league in scoring.

The Patriots are a bad team. One of the worst in the NFL. New England is headed for a ground-up rebuild. And it’s fair to question whether at 71 years old Belichick is the right coach to put a team together from scratch again.

26. New York Giants (5-11)7 of 32

Saquon BarkleyMike Lawrence/Getty Images

Last Week: 29

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 26-25

One play in Sunday’s loss to the Rams essentially sums up the 2023 Giants. After pulling to within a point with about three minutes to go, the Giants decided to go for two. Brian Daboll dialed up a great play call. Running back Saquon Barkley was wide open in the flat. He would have walked into the end zone.

Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw the ball at his feet. The attempt failed. And the Giants lost again.

“Wins don’t just occur or fall in your lap,” tight end Darren Waller told reporters afterward. “You have to make them happen in this league and we had opportunities to make it happen. When you don’t take advantage of those opportunities, you end up with the L.”

The game was a microcosm for the Giants’ season as a whole. There have been injuries galore. And the offensive line has been a disaster—83 sacks allowed for the season. But the Giants have had opportunities to win games—four of the team’s losses were by one score.

Now the question becomes what the Giants do in an offseason when Barkley is a free agent, and the Daniel Jones extension appears to have potentially been…unwise.

It’s a pivotal time for the G-Men—and they have to tread carefully.

25. New York Jets (6-10)8 of 32

Sauce GardnerCooper Neill/Getty Images

Last Week: 24

Week 17 Result: Lost at Cleveland 37-20

It has been a miserable season for the New York Jets. Beset by poor quarterback play after Aaron Rodgers was hurt in the first week of the season, the Jets have pitched and lurched their way to double-digit losses.

Trevor Siemian was mediocre at best under center on Thursday night, and he told reporters after the loss that mental mistakes and unforced errors have dogged the team all season.

“That’s my job,” he said. “I’m running the show out there. I’m the quarterback, so I have to know how many guys are on the field and make sure we are legal. I have to run the show and obviously didn’t do a good enough job.”

Even New York’s vaunted defense has started to buckle. For the first time in 33 games, the Jets surrendered over 300 yards of offense. In fact, the Browns scored 34 of their 37 points in the first half.

“We demonstrated our style in the second half, but it was too late,” cornerback Sauce Gardner said. “I thought we had some opportunities to make plays, but we didn’t make plays. It’s unfortunate. In football, things happen.”

At this point, the Jets will likely be glad when next week’s game against the similarly disappointing Patriots is over and they can put this mess of a season in the rearview mirror.

24. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)9 of 32

Aidan O’ ConnellDylan Buell/Getty Images

Last Week: 23

Week 17 Result: Lost at Indianapolis 23-20

There will be no playoffs for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.

The Raiders couldn’t carry over their momentum from a Week 16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Indianapolis. And after their three-point loss, the Raiders are ensured a losing record for the second straight season.

As Moton wrote, it’s going to be an interesting offseason in Sin City, with questions at head coach and quarterback dominating the conversation.

“The Raiders couldn’t sustain their momentum following a 20-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Overall, they looked flat in the first half of their outing with the Indianapolis Colts, and the offense didn’t wake up until midway through the third quarter,” he wrote. “Las Vegas’ win over Kansas City on Christmas certainly helped interim head coach Antonio Pierce’s push for the full-time lead skipper job, but he’s not a lock for the position without a winning record or playoff berth.

“Whether the Raiders retain Pierce or not, they clearly need to find their franchise quarterback. Don’t let Aidan O’Connell’s box score numbers from the previous contest fool you; he didn’t find a rhythm in the pocket until the second half. You can file the Raiders among teams that may be a quarterback away from playoff contention and good standing in our power rankings.”

23. Denver Broncos (8-8)10 of 32

Russell WilsonAndy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Last Week: 22

Week 17 Result: Win vs. Los Angeles Chargers 16-9

As it turns out, Denver’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers doesn’t mean much—the other outcomes of Week 17 eliminated Denver from the playoffs. So for the Broncos, the focus turns to the offseason.

And what an offseason it’s turning out to be.

The growing feud between quarterback Russell Wilson and the Broncos will tower over the team. Wilson maintains that his benching had as much to do with finances as performance—that he was asked to rework his deal or get the hook. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that head coach Sean Payton had misgivings about Wilson from the jump.

“Payton was wary of Wilson during his interview with the Broncos before they hired him last offseason, sources say,” he wrote. “While he spoke in the interview of how to help turn him into a championship QB and how to fix him, he privately wasn’t as sure it could be done. By taking the job, he committed to trying. It has not worked.”

If the Broncos release Wilson, the team will incur a staggering $85 million dead-cap hit. A trade would need Wilson’s approval, as he has a no-trade clause. And the odds of mending fences appear to be getting slimmer by the day.

Like we said, what an offseason it’s going to be.

22. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)11 of 32

Drake LondonQuinn Harris/Getty Images

Last Week: 17

Week 17 Result: Lost at Chicago 37-17

The Atlanta Falcons have spent most of the 2023 season on the fringes of playoff contention. But the team just can’t seem to punch though, and after getting waxed in Chicago, the Falcons’ postseason aspirations are just about toast.

While addressing the media after the loss, Falcons wide receiver Drake London bemoaned the team’s inability to move the ball consistently this season.

“You want to go out there and try to win, try to execute plays, and it sucks that sometimes we can’t pull through,” London said. “We’ve been trying for a while now and I mean we just got to keep on going and try to make the best of the situation right now.”

For Sobleski, the problem may start at the top.

“Arthur Smith’s squad is stuck on seven,” he said. “If the Falcons fail to win next weekend, they’ll have won seven games in each of the three seasons with Smith leading the way. Is that good enough to keep their head coach when this offseason will be all about finding a starting quarterback and pairing him with the right staff to achieve maximum long-term success? Maybe, but probably not.”

Still, despite the losses and usage of star players that can be…confusing, reports continue to circulate that Smith is on relatively solid ground.

21. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)12 of 32

Jaren HallStephen Maturen/Getty Images

Last Week: 19

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 33-10

Barring a miracle, the Minnesota Vikings are going to miss the playoffs in 2023. And while it isn’t the only reason (or even the biggest), Kevin O’Connell’s decision to start rookie Jaren Hall on Sunday night may have been the straw that broke the Vikings’ backs.

Simply put, Hall was awful against the Packers—five completions in 10 attempts for 67 yards and an interception. By the time the Vikings went to Nick Mullens in the second half, the game (and likely Minnesota’s postseason aspirations) were over.

“The Vikings’ quarterback carousel led the offense into total disarray, and the club laid an egg in a crucial Sunday Night Football matchup with the Packers, scoring just 10 points in a blowout loss,” Moton said. “Whether the Vikings trot out Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall or Joshua Dobbs in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions, they’re unlikely to get the most out of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. You probably won’t see the Vikings in the top half of these power rankings again until they re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins or find his potential successor.”

Minnesota’s quarterback situation is going to be one of the more interesting in the league in the offseason—especially with Cousins recovering from a torn Achilles.

20. Chicago Bears (7-9)13 of 32

Justin FieldsQuinn Harris/Getty Images

Last Week: 25

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 37-17

Decision time looms in the Windy City.

The Chicago Bears have been hot of late, winning four of five. And after one of his best performances as a Bear in a blowout win over the Falcons, quarterback Justin Fields drew praise from head coach Matt Eberflus.

“There are sometimes you’re creating because that’s the critical down, we need to get that down, he will create,” Eberflus told reporters. “Before it was mostly with his legs but now, you’re starting to see him work out of the pocket and look down field and make some big strikes. The last couple weeks are a great example of that. That’s how you gut a defense and makes it really hard when you’ve got a scrambling guy like that, can move around, is very accurate on the deep passes too.”

The thing is, Carolina’s shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars guaranteed the Panthers the first overall pick in 2024—a pick that now belongs to the Bears.

Fields has had his moments with the Bears. But he hasn’t exactly been the model of consistency. Now the team has to measure the merits of keeping Fields moving into Year 4 of his career or dealing him in favor of their pick of the Class of ’24 under center.

It’s going to be a fascinating offseason at Halas Hall.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)14 of 32

Sam HubbardJamie Squire/Getty Images

Last Week: 16

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Kansas City 25-17

It’s all over now. After falling Sunday in Kansas City, the Cincinnati Bengals have been eliminated from playoff consideration. But given all the injuries they have endured this season, on some level just the fact that they are a .500 team with a week to play is an achievement.

Quarterback Joe Burrow has been sidelined for weeks with a wrist injury. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase played through a shoulder injury Sunday. Tee Higgins injured his hamstring during the contest but gutted it out.

As edge-rusher Sam Hubbard told reporters, that mentality has permeated the Bengals locker room throughout this trying season.

“This locker room is special. I love these guys. The way they handled themselves and carried themselves through the adversity of the year,” Hubbard said. “I feel great (about the future). We’ve got a lot of great players that are going to take the adversity of this year and turn it into a positive. Work extra hard, come back hungry next year to do what we need to do. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Head coach Zac Taylor put it even more succinctly.

“Every guy left it on the field,” said Taylor.

This season may have been a disappointment.

But the Bengals will be back in 2024.

18. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)15 of 32

Bobby WagnerJane Gershovich/Getty Images

Last Week: 12

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 30-23

The Seattle Seahawks are floundering, losers of five of their last seven games. And it’s not hard to see why it’s happening.

Seattle can’t stop the run.

Against the Steelers, the Seahawks allowed 202 yards on the ground—and in the opinion of head coach Pete Carroll, that was the difference between winning and losing.

“Really disappointing missing this opportunity right here, at home,” Carroll told reporters. “Everybody was ready. This was a great one, and we missed it. We weren’t right on defense, in the running game again, so it’s been repetitive. I see it. We played better in the second half, got 40 something yards in the second half but in the first half they had their way with it… The tackling just seemed like it was really off. Seemed like we just did not make the tackles that we had to, didn’t knock the piles back like we’d like to. I really want to see the film and see where it was happening to guys other than scheme and make sure that I understand that issue well.”

Seattle’s postseason aspirations aren’t completely done. But at this point, the team needs help. In addition to beating a Cardinals team that just took down the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Seahawks also need the Packers to lose to the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.

Seattle sneaked into the playoffs in a similar scenario last year. But given how the team has played the past two months, their odds of a repeat aren’t great.

17. New Orleans Saints (8-8)16 of 32

Derek CarrCliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last Week: 20

Week 17 Result: Won at Tampa Bay 23-13

The New Orleans Saints went into Week 17 with their backs against the wall. Lose to the red-hot Buccaneers, and that’s it—no playoffs.

Well, behind a defense that forced four turnovers and an efficient game from quarterback Derek Carr, the Saints are still alive in the NFC South. But while addressing the media after the game, Carr said his team can’t afford to relax ahead of next week’s meeting with the Atlanta Falcons.

“We can’t feel satisfied because we got a win. We came in with the expectation to win. We had to win and we did,” the quarterback added. “It feels good, but we’ve got to play another team that we haven’t beat this year. I’m looking forward to that matchup. Until we run out of time, I’m going to keep believing and keep working.”

Frankly, next week’s matchup at the Superdome may not matter—if the Buccaneers beat the two-win Carolina Panthers next week, they’ll win the South and the Saints and Falcons are out of luck.

But with both teams taking the field at 1 p.m. ET next week, the Saints won’t know whether hope lives until well into their own game—so there’s all sorts of motivation for New Orleans to bring its A-game.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)17 of 32

Jaylen WarrenConor Courtney/Getty Images

Last Week: 18

Week 17 Result: Won at Seattle 30-23

The Pittsburgh Steelers have never had a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin—and that isn’t going to change in 2023.

Thanks to a ground game that piled up over 200 rushing yards Sunday, the Steelers downed the Seahawks in Seattle to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. After the win, Tomlin talked up his backfield while speaking to reporters.

“I thought (Najee Harris) was determined, as was Jaylen (Warren),” he said. “I thought we got appropriate efforts from all parties involved and not to minimize it, it was just a critical time, and so if you’re a competitor you’re going to be at your best.”

Pittsburgh still needs help to make the postseason. Provided it beats a Baltimore Ravens team that has clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Steelers need either the Buffalo Bills or Jacksonville Jaguars to lose.

If that doesn’t happen and the Steelers miss the postseason, it will mark the second playoff miss in a row. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016 and has just one season with double-digit victories since 2018.

So, while Tomlin’s Steelers may not be losing a lot, it’s not like the team is really winning a lot, either.

15. Green Bay Packers (8-8)18 of 32

Jordan LoveDavid Berding/Getty Images

Last Week: 21

Week 17 Result: Won at Minnesota 33-10

The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings entered Week 17 with identical scenarios—win their final two games and make the postseason.

The Packers looked the part of a team that knew those stakes—and wanted to play on past Week 18.

Green Bay dominated every facet of Sunday night’s game. Green Bay had more than twice as many total yards as the Vikings. The Packers piled up 177 yards on the ground. And Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and tallied a passer rating north of 125.

For Moton, Sunday’s win was another step forward for a quarterback who is proving his worth more and more each week.

“As a starting quarterback, Jordan Love has grown up before our eyes,” he wrote. “In his first three games, he threw seven touchdown passes and just one interception but completed less than 57 percent of his passes in all of those games. Now, Love can throw for just as many touchdown passes while connecting with his budding group of pass-catchers on well over 60 percent of his throws.

“Green Bay’s offense has enough firepower to build big leads in a short period, and that’s what we saw against the Vikings last Sunday,” he continued. “Even with a suspect defensive unit, Green Bay performs at the level of a top 12-14 squad, which is in line with its spot in the NFC playoff hunt.”

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)19 of 32

Josh AllenCourtney Culbreath/Getty Images

Last Week: 15

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Carolina 26-0

The Jaguars came into Week 17 as a reeling team starting a backup quarterback in need of a win in the worst way imaginable.

Thanks in no small part to the hapless Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars stopped their skid, and now with a win in Week 18, the AFC South will be theirs.

Offensively, tight end Evan Engram eclipsed 100 receptions for the season, and running back Travis Etienne scored twice. Defensively, edge-rusher Josh Allen set a franchise record for sacks in a season with 16.5, beating the previous record of 14.5 set by Calais Campbell in 2017.

“He texted me the other day: ‘Go break the record,'” Allen told reporters. “‘Records are meant to be broken. I can’t wait for somebody to break my record.’ For me to be in the history books, it’s huge. I’m a legacy type of guy. I want to leave a legacy everywhere I go. This is a huge accomplishment for myself, the team and for my family as well.”

Davenport wrote:

“Given that the Jaguars face a bad Titans team in Week 18, Jacksonville has a good shot at taking the division. The larger question is whether that actually matters. As things stand, the Jags would face an 11-win Browns team in the Wild Card Round. That’s going to be no easy task, especially given how inconsistent the team has been over the past month-plus.”

13. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)20 of 32

Jonathan TaylorDylan Buell/Getty Images

Last Week: 13

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas 23-20

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Indianapolis Colts. There have been injuries to prominent players. Inconsistent play. But with a win Sunday against the Raiders, the Colts stayed alive in the race for the AFC South or a wild-card berth.

While speaking to reporters after the win, running back Jonathan Taylor said the Colts were well aware of the stakes in this game.

“Everybody knew what was at stake,” he said. “I think having that mindset that no matter how the game was turning out, every single time we stepped on that field—offense, defense or special teams—you guys have to do your job at a high level, higher than you’ve ever done it before, because we’ve been in that situation before and we know what we have to do. We have to win.”

Sobleski wrote:

“The Colts have kept themselves in the playoff picture when injuries ravaged the lineup and the squad spent the majority of the season with Gardner Minshew as its starting quarterback. Keeping that spot as the AFC’s seventh seed will be difficult, though. A matchup with the rival Houston Texans, as a battle to make the postseason, should be a slugfest. The Colts have their formula. They’re going to run the ball, take a couple of deep shots when the opportunity arises and play fundamental defense. It’s not flashy, but it led to a winning season when one wasn’t expected.”

12. Houston Texans (9-7)21 of 32

C.J. StroudCooper Neill/Getty Images

Last Week: 14

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 26-3

Expectations for the Houston Texans were modest in 2024. No one thought this team would enter Week 18 with a chance to win 10 games and make the playoffs. There have been multiple reasons the Texans have smashed expectations, but the biggest is easily the play of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The time Stroud missed with a concussion will likely prevent him from breaking Andrew Luck’s rookie passing record. But the former Ohio State star has been a revelation, and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was very happy to have him back on the field against the Titans in Week 17.

“He raises everyone’s level of confidence because everyone knows the type of player that he is,” Ryans told reporters. “He’s a big-time playmaker and he continues to show it week after week. We’re all excited to have C.J. back because he’s a really great player.”

Davenport wrote:

“The Texans still need to win in Week 18 over the Colts to make the postseason. But to even be discussing the Texans and the playoffs is wild. Ryans has his team playing sound football on both sides of the ball. Players like Stroud and edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. have the look of foundational pieces. Even if the Texans don’t make the postseason, the 2023 campaign has to be considered a rousing success. The future is bright in Space City.”

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)22 of 32

Rachaad WhiteKevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Last Week: 10

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. New Orleans 23-13

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 17 as one of the hottest teams in the league. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was playing as well as he ever had. If the Bucs beat an inconsistent Saints team in Tampa, and they would win the NFC South.

That is not what happened. Tampa played flat. Made mistake after mistake. And after a 10-point loss, head coach Todd Bowles didn’t mince words while speaking to reporters.

“It doesn’t matter who we played today. Good team, bad team, a college team, high school team, we wouldn’t have won,” he said.

Running back Rachaad White echoed those sentiments.

“Very disappointing, to be honest with you,” White said. “This is sickening. We didn’t come out to play. They got on us out of the jump. We came out dry. No juice, no energy, and they hit us in the mouth.”

However, Mayfield tried to put a positive spin on things.

“Luckily we have one more game to seal this thing,” Mayfield said. “Again, backs against the wall. It’s somewhere we’ve been before. We’ve got to get it fixed and move forward. All you need is a chance to get in and we’re still sitting right where we need to be.”

He has a point—beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, and Tampa makes the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

Of course, the team we saw Sunday will get killed in the Wild Card Round by the Eagles or Cowboys. But that’s a problem for another day.

10. Los Angeles Rams (9-7)23 of 32

Kyren WilliamsDustin Satloff/Getty Images

Last Week: 11

Week 17 Result: Won at New York Giants 26-25

To be fair, the Los Angeles Rams didn’t play especially well Sunday. The Rams and Giants posted almost identical statistics—except for three Rams turnovers. Los Angeles converted just 25 percent of their third-down attempts. And had Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor not missed a wide-open Saquon Barkley on a two-point try late in the game, the Rams may well have lost.

But they didn’t. And coupled with Seattle’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Rams team exactly no one predicted would make the postseason has earned a wild-card berth.

While speaking to reporters, head coach Sean McVay said this squeaker may serve the team well once the playoffs begin.

“We are never going to take for granted being able to get wins,” he said. “There were things that we did to try to not win this game today. But our guys found a way. Sometimes you need these types of games. It seemed we were a little off, but they kept staying together.”

Moton wrote:

“The Rams won’t garner much praise for beating the Giants 26-25, but they’ve been on a hot streak following their Week 10 bye, winning six of their last seven games. Running back Kyren Williams has emerged as a star ball-carrier, logging his first hat-trick scoring game (three rushing touchdowns) against Big Blue.

“With Williams in the backfield as a quality complement to the passing game, the Rams can field a balanced offensive attack in the playoffs, which makes them a dangerous wild-card team similar to the 2021 squad. At this point of the season, the Rams belong in the top 10 in the power rankings.”

9. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)24 of 32

Jalen HurtsKathryn Riley/Getty Images

Last Week: 5

Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Arizona 35-31

One month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles had one loss and were considered by quite a few folks the No. 1 team in the league.

Fast forward five games, and the Eagles have lost four of five. Their lone win over that stretch was a single-score victory over a bad Giants team. And in Week 17 Philly lost at home to a three-win Arizona team in a game the Eagles led 21-6 and the Redbirds didn’t punt.

Despite the extended slide, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters that the Eagles aren’t going to panic.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of people trying to point the finger at different things and everybody’s got to stick together,” he said. “We win as a team, we lose as a team, and together is the most important thing we can be right now. We’re in the playoffs—a lot of teams want to be in the playoffs. We still can do some things here and our goals are still in front of us.”

For his part, Moton thinks that maybe they should panic.

“What happened to the Eagles? The same team that started the season 10-1 has fallen from grace in just a month,” he wrote. “In December, the Eagles went 1-4, and they’re coming off a 35-31 home loss to the Cardinals. Philadelphia came into the 2023 campaign as a Super Bowl contender, but now the club looks destined for a Wild Card Round exit. Philadelphia fields a bottom-fourth scoring defense, and its offense runs hot and cold through 60 minutes. Because of their record, the Eagles remain in the top 10, but they’re barely a top-20 team right now.”

8. Cleveland Browns (11-5)25 of 32

Joe FlaccoCooper Neill/Getty Images

Last Week: 9

Week 17 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 37-20

You cannot stop Joe Flacco. You can only hope to contain him.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Browns quarterback topped 300 passing yards and threw multiple touchdown passes—this time against one of the league’s better pass defenses and without No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper.

Flacco’s big game Thursday came with his children in attendance, and he told reporters that this surreal season is made all the better by the fact that he can share it with his kids.

“You don’t know how many of these moments you’re going to get,” Flacco said. “Not too many people get the opportunity to have kids as old as mine and that understand what’s going on—get to witness this. And I think it’s cool for them, but ultimately, it’s really cool for me. I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. And anything that you get to do with people that you love, especially your children, they just make everything that much more special.”

Cleveland’s fourth straight win and seventh in nine games clinched a playoff spot for the Browns. But given how this team and its 38-year-old quarterback are playing, Cleveland’s aspirations are quite a bit loftier now than just making the playoffs.

7. Detroit Lions (11-5)26 of 32

Jared GoffCooper Neill/Getty Images

Last Week: 3

Week 17 Result: Lost at Dallas 20-19

The Detroit Lions are probably still salty.

Saturday’s controversial penalty on offensive tackle Taylor Decker that wiped out what could have been a game-winning two-point conversion has been a hotly debated topic since it happened. But after that penalty, the Lions could have kicked an extra point and played for overtime. After the game, head coach Dan Campbell said that was never really an option.

“I told the offense that we were going down, 1:41 left, we’re going to go down and score and then we’re going to go for two and finish this game off,” he told reporters. “I told them that, and so that’s what we’re doing.”

After the loss, Lions quarterback Jared Goff admitted that he was stunned.

“It’s unfortunate, man,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve had this feeling before where you feel like you won and then you didn’t.”

The Lions need to shake this off quickly, though. Odds are, Detroit is locked into the No. 3 seed in the NFC. But were the Cowboys to stumble in Washington and the Eagles lose to the Giants in New York (Hey, they just fell at home to Arizona), then the No. 2 seed could still be in play.

Regardless, the Lions will host at least one playoff game this year.

The last time that happened was all the way back in 1993.

6. Miami Dolphins (11-5)27 of 32

Tua TagovailoaMichael Owens/Getty Images

Last Week: 4

Week 17 Result: Lost at Baltimore 56-19

The good news for the Miami Dolphins is the team will make the playoffs in 2023.

The bad news is…just about everything else that happened Sunday.

The Dolphins once again faced a litmus test—a battle with a good team. The type of team the Dolphins will face from here out. And once again, Miami came up short. As a matter of fact, the Dolphins were pulverized by the Baltimore Ravens, making the team 1-4 this season against opponents with winning records.

But wait, it gets worse!

Ahead of a Week 18 visit from a Bills team that drilled the Dolphins 48-20 in Week 4, the injuries are mounting. Running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle missed Sunday’s beatdown. Edge-rusher Bradley Chubb suffered a season-ending ACL tear Sunday. Even quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got banged up.

However Tagovailoa insisted to reporters that he’s fine, and that there’s no panic in the Miami locker room.

“We’ll look at the film tomorrow, see what we can do better and move on to the Bills,” Tagovailoa said. “Everything is still in front of us for what we want to accomplish as a team.”

We’ll see if he’s still singing the same tune next week if the Dolphins lose an AFC East that seemed all but locked up a month ago.

“Let’s take away the fact Baltimore embarrassed Miami this past weekend and look at the major hits the Dolphins endured,” Sobleski wrote. “The squad’s top pass-rusher, Bradley Chubb, suffered a torn ACL. Cornerback Xavien Howard has to be carted off the field with a foot injury. Also, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a sore shoulder. The Dolphins are banged up and don’t seem fully prepared to play against the AFC’s best.”

5. Buffalo Bills (10-6)28 of 32

Josh AllenLauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

Last Week: 8

Week 17 Result: Won vs. New England 27-21

The Buffalo Bills are one of the AFC’s hottest teams—Sunday’s win over the Patriots was Buffalo’s fourth in a row and fifth in six games. With a win over the Miami Dolphins next week, the Bills will not only make the postseason but also win the AFC East.

The thing is, the Bills didn’t play especially well offensively. Josh Allen completed just half his passes for 170 yards and posted a passer rating south of 55. The Bills averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on the ground. But the Buffalo defense held the Pats under 300 yards of offense and forced four turnovers.

Following the victory, head coach Sean McDermott lauded Buffalo’s toughness, not just on Sunday but over the last month or so.

“They’ve been very resilient. And just the things that they’ve learned, I think, through the journey that have gotten us to here and then using them week to week to find a way to win games,” McDermott told reporters. “Today we knew wasn’t going to be easy and I thought that their resilient nature was on display in the second half.”

Sobleski wrote:

“The Bills are the proverbial team that no one wants to face at the moment. After a disappointing 6-6 start, the light came on for one of the NFL’s most talented squads and it won four straight. Buffalo has gone from being the team everyone viewed as an underachiever to possibly claiming a division title. A win over the Miami Dolphins this coming weekend will give the Bills their fourth straight AFC East crown and home-field advantage to start the postseason.”

4. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)29 of 32

CeeDee LambMatthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last Week: 6

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Detroit 20-19

Given how the rest of Week 17 played out, the Dallas Cowboys’ controversial one-point win over the Lions on Saturday night could have monumental stakes. And there’s no question who the MVP of the win was.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had himself a day.

He caught 13 passes for a career-high 227 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown. The big game gave Lamb two franchise records. He passed Michael Irvin, who was at the game, for receptions (122) and receiving yards (1,651) in a single season.

Lamb has played wide receiver as well as anyone in the NFL this year, and he told reporters he’s not going to be an easy player to stop in the playoffs.

“Just having that confidence about myself, being able to play all of the positions,” Lamb said. “It would be hard (to stop me). If you do, congrats. If not, we’re going to keep this ball rolling.”

Davenport believes the Cowboys just might.

“Winning Saturday was one thing,” he wrote. “But after the Eagles were stunned by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Cowboys suddenly have a very viable path to the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Given that Dallas has won 16 in a row at AT&T Stadium, that completely changes the dynamic for Dallas and the NFC playoffs—provided they can take care of business next week in Washington.”

3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)30 of 32

Patrick MahomesScott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last Week: 7

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 25-17

Let’s just get it said: This Chiefs team isn’t as good as the teams that have been to the Super Bowl three out of the last four years. Especially on offense.

But in downing the Bengals on Sunday, the Chiefs won the AFC West for a staggering eighth season in a row—and quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters that now that Kansas City is back in the postseason tournament, it isn’t backing down from anybody.

“Obviously, we’re not winning this in Week 12 or Week 13 like before. We had to battle through adversity and find a way to win,” said Mahomes. “Now you’re in the playoffs, it’s one game, single elimination, and I think we can play with anybody.”

However, at least one of our analysts has a hard time seeing these Chiefs making much noise in the postseason.

“It would be foolish to ever count any team led by Patrick Mahomes out of a single-elimination tournament,” Davenport said. “But these Chiefs have struggled mightily to move the ball through the air, especially down the field. As fantastic a player as Mahomes is, it’s hard to see this limited Chiefs team going into Baltimore or Buffalo and putting up enough points to win.”

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)31 of 32

Christian McCaffreyGreg Fiume/Getty Images

Last Week: 2

Week 17 Result: Won at Washington 27-10

The best thing that happened to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday may not even have occurred in Washington. Sure, the Niners made relatively easy work of an overmatched Commanders team in the nation’s capital, but Arizona’s upset of the Eagles in Philadelphia settled things where the NFC’s No. 1 seed is concerned.

Linebacker Fred Warner told reporters after the win that some rest will do the team good.

“Thank you, Cardinals,” he said. “Back in ’19, it took us winning in Seattle on the very last play of the game to secure the 1 seed, and the fact that we were able to get it with one game left in the season is big. We’re going to continue to get better. We’ve got to make sure we’re our best when our best is needed for when our moment comes.”

There’s one player in particular who really needs that rest. Star running back Christian McCaffrey left the game in the third quarter with a calf injury, and head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that McCaffrey may need some time off.

“We think he’ll be all right,” Shanahan said. “I don’t know if he would’ve been able to go next week or not, but we’ll have to find out more (Monday). He was moving around all right on the sideline, so hoping it’s not too bad.”

Now, the team won’t have to worry about rolling McCaffrey out there until the Divisional Round.

1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3)32 of 32

Lamar JacksonRob Carr/Getty Images

Last Week: 1

Week 17 Result: Won vs. Miami 56-19

The Baltimore Ravens were apparently in a message-sending mood in Week 17. It’s not the first time the Ravens have demolished a good team at M&T Bank Stadium—they blew out the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions earlier in the year.

But dropping a piano on the Dolphins just before the playoffs begin was the most emphatic message of the lot. It guaranteed the Ravens the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. And after Lamar Jackson had two more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (three), the MVP race is probably all but over as well.

After the win, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh praised his team while talking to reporters.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen a more impressive performance in a game. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more impressive performance in a season to date,” said Harbaugh. “Obviously we have a lot more to do. We’ve got a lot of work to do in front of us, but this is a mature football team.”

Davenport wrote:

“After what we saw from the Ravens on Sunday, I don’t know how you can call them anything but the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson has receivers now. Baltimore’s defense is as good as any in the league. The Ravens have won six straight, including victories over the Rams, Jaguars, 49ers and Dolphins. They look like the best team in the NFL—and it isn’t especially close.”

Salary-cap info via Spotrac unless otherwise noted.