After Week 14 the playoff picture is about as clear as it has been all season. On the AFC side of things, we have seven clear playoff teams who all find themselves inside the Top 13 in the power rankings. On the NFC’s side of things, they have a battle for the one seed between the Lions, Eagles, Vikings, and Packers while some other teams are fighting to win their division close to .500. Let’s take a look at how every team comes in on Blitz Sports Media’s weekly power rankings.
1. Detroit Lions 12-1 (-)
The Lions once again found themselves on the right side of a one score game. This week it was Jared Goff through the air that shredded the Packers secondary. Tim Patrick caught two touchdown passes and has filled in nicely for Kalif Raymond. Defensively I am starting to get concerned about this team’s performance in the second half. This is a few weeks in a row where the defense has gone heavy man coverage and other teams have shredded them. If they make some small adjustments, the one score games turn into blowouts.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 11-2 (+1)
The Eagles took care of business against a tough Panthers team and extended their winning streak. Despite the team success, A.J. Brown is complaining about a lack of targets which is starting to cause a rift in the offense. This is a similar situation to what we got last year with the locker room starting to fall apart towards the end of the season. This team is more talented than last year’s team, but can they overcome bad coaching and locker room problems to win a Super Bowl?
3. Buffalo Bills 10-3 (-1)
The Bills slow start ultimately might cost them a chance at the one seed. Offensively a few three and outs with no run game led to a pass happy attack the rest of the game. Defensively this was an embarrassing showing as they got cooked by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp all day long. Sean McDermott deserves a lot of blame for this loss due to a poor game-plan. On the bright side, Josh Allen’s six total touchdowns likely locked up his first career MVP.
4. Kansas City Chiefs 12-1 (-)
The Chiefs continue to find unbelievable ways to win football games. This week it was a doinked 31-yard field goal that the general public is claiming was “voodoo magic”. It’s not luck as to why the Chiefs find themselves on the right side of so many one score games, it’s because of their quarterback. When trailing in the 4th quarter Patrick Mahomes now has a .500 record all time which is the best in NFL history. This team may be flawed but in a one score game in the 4th quarter, Mahomes is going to go win the game.
5. Minnesota Vikings 11-2 (+1)
The Vikings might not be the flashiest team in the NFL but they consistently find ways to win. They are now on a six-game win streak with three division games left on their schedule. If the Lions slip up against Buffalo this week, we could have a showdown for the number one seed in the NFC and the NFC North in Week 18.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3 (+1)
The Steelers took care of business and find themselves now two games ahead of the Ravens with four games left. The Steelers have had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this season but will get tested in the next four weeks against the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals to close out the season. Getting George Pickens healthy will be a big step in the right direction. Without Pickens on Sunday, the passing game regressed and it won’t be enough to beat the teams they have ahead.
7. Green Bay Packers 9-4 (-2)
The Packers came close to taking down the Lions by playing a perfect second half on offense. They started the game too slow which ultimately was the main reason for their loss. Defensively their run defense has been stout now for a few weeks, but the pass defense desperately needs Jaire Alexander back. Alexander and an improved pass rush in the postseason will be the X-Factor in a deep postseason run for Green Bay
8. Baltimore Ravens 8-5 (-)
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9. Los Angeles Chargers 8-5 (-)
The Chargers were close to taking down the Chiefs but ultimately couldn’t get a stop against Patrick Mahomes on the final drive of the game. They found two steals in the draft at cornerback in Cam Hart and Tarheeb still that will form a deep corner back room when Asante Samuel Jr. returns. The Chargers can make some noise in the playoffs behind that elite defense and Justin Herbert.
10. Denver Broncos 8-5 (-)
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11. Seattle Seahawks 8-5 (-)
The Seahawks are on a win streak behind the improved play of the defense. This week against the Cardinals, it was the offensive line that left me most impressed. They have struggled all season, but they were able to average 5.7 yards per carry and allow 0 sacks against the Cardinals. They have a brutal schedule ahead of them, but the improved play of the offensive line is a big step in the right direction.
12. Washington Commanders 8-5 (-)
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13. Houston Texans 8-5 (-)
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14. Los Angeles Rams 7-6 (+1)
The Rams are heating up with a statement win over the Buffalo Bills. The biggest reason why I am so high on the Rams is their ability to pick apart defenses with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams. The offensive line has struggled this season but was great on Sunday against a strong Bills pass rush. Defensively they were better than the box score suggested by limited the Bills ground game early and forcing them to throw with Josh Allen almost every play. The Rams are right in this race for the NFC West.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-6 (-1)
The Buccaneers continued their win streak with a 28-13 win over the Raiders. It wasn’t pretty but Baker Mayfield threw for 3 touchdowns while Rachaad White added one on the ground in the win. I’m interested to see how long Bucky Irving is out for as he has been a key part in their success this season. Defensively the injury to Antoine Winfield Jr. is huge and will make a bad unit even worse. I do believe they will wind up taking the NFC South this season.
16. Miami Dolphins 6-7 (+1)
The Dolphins are starting to heat up as Tua Tagovailoa has been balling out. The offense in the last two weeks has gotten Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle involved resulting in their third 30-point outing in four weeks. My biggest concern for the Dolphins ahead is their defense. The defense has largely looked good on paper this season but against above average offenses, they have been shredded through the air. Beating the Texans this week will go a long way in helping their playoff chances.
17. San Francisco 49ers 6-7 (+3)
The 49ers bullied the Bears on Sunday putting up over 300 yards at halftime while the defense completely shut down the Bears offense. The passing game was reignited getting Jauan Jennings and George Kittle involved while sprinkling in Isaac Guerendo on the ground game. The 49ers have four teams in playoff contention on their schedule so while a 10-7 finish is possible it seems unlikely with the number of injuries they have on both sides of the ball.
18. Arizona Cardinals 6-7 (-2)
The Cardinals’ mid-season hot streak seems like an afterthought after their recent performances. The defense struggled against Seattle this week letting the ground game control the game script. On offense, they continued their struggles with another performance under 20 points. I believe the best move for them this offseason would be to move off of Drew Petzing.
19. Indianapolis Colts 6-7 (+2)
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20. Atlanta Falcons 6-7 (-2)
The Falcons disastrous second half of the season continued with their loss to the Vikings. They played well on offense a majority of the day, but a muffed punt return changed the flow of the game after the Vikings went up two scores. Kirk Cousins was slightly better but has still thrown 8 interceptions since his last touchdown pass. Defensively they have the worst pass defense in the NFL in large part due to their lack of pass rush. Atlanta is not as close as many think to being a contender.
21. Cincinnati Bengals 5-8 (-)
The Bengals are back in the win column and before people say they are going to run the table; it took a touched ball on a punt return for them to win. The duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is the best in the NFL right now as both players are having career seasons. They almost get to pass happy at times and failed to give Chase Brown enough volume to get going against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Trey Hendrickson had another big game and might be one of the few defensive starters returning next year.
22. Dallas Cowboys 5-8 (+3)
The Cowboys continue to be a scrappy football team over the last few weeks and if it wasn’t for a special team’s miscue, they likely are 6-7. Offensively they have found a gem in Rico Dowdle. I would not be surprised if they add a third down running back to complement him next year and try to rebuild the offensive line. Defensively the problems are still there, and they need to make a decision at corner back. I believe that Trevon Diggs will likely be a cut candidate this offseason.
23. New Orleans Saints 5-8 (-)
The Saints added another win and continue to avoid elimination behind their veterans. The defense has played better as of late not allowing more than 21 points in the last two weeks. Offensively they have been able to do just enough to hang in there but with the injury to Derek Carr things might get ugly quick. I’m interested to see if we get Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler at quarterback this week.
24. Carolina Panthers 3-10 (+2)
The Panthers continue to play good football but just can’t seem to get over the hump against playoff teams. This week it was a dropped touchdown from Xavier Legette that ultimately costed the Panthers the game. Bryce Young’s play as of late has sparked this team and given them more fight on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, they lost rookie running back Jonathan Brooks to another torn ACL and he has a long recovery road ahead. I can buy into the Panthers being a sneaky contender in 2025.
25. Chicago Bears 4-9 (-3)
The Bears got even worse after the firing of Matt Eberflus. I was expecting a slight regression from the defense but instead the whole team showed no signs of life before halftime. Caleb Williams development has been hampered by poor offensive coaching. He takes too many sacks right now and is not a decisive decision maker. The Bears either need to bring in an offensive minded coach or a leader of men to help fix the culture in Chicago.
26. Cleveland Browns 3-10 (-2)
The Browns gave the Steelers a good test until the wheels fell off in the second half. The turnover from Jameis Winston and Kadarius Toney were back breakers in this game. Defensively they played well limiting the Steelers ground game efficiency and held the Steelers pass game in check for most of the day. I’m interested to see if they will ever get a run game going this season. It has been their identity for years and it will be hard to beat the Chiefs if they don’t at least try to run the ball.
27. New York Jets 3-10 (-)
The Jets dropped their 10th game of the season after putting together one of their best offensive performances of the season. Aaron Rodgers had his first 300-yard game in years, the ground game was effective, the duo of Wilson and Adams were cooking, and the o line pass protected well. Unfortunately, the defense has not been the same since Robert Saleh was fired and allowed Miami to kick a game tying field goal in less than 40 seconds then went on to win in OT. The Jets are just a dysfunctional group right now and not exactly sure what direction they will be heading in the offseason.
28. New England Patriots 3-10 (-)
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-10 (+2)
The Jaguars snapped their five-game losing streak with a gritty win over the Titans. Defensively they stepped up big time against the Titans passing attack that was starting to heat up. Mac Jones had some bad moments but did enough when it mattered to help put them in field position to seal a win with a Tank Bigsby touchdown. Although they moved up in the draft this team desperately needs talent on both sides of the ball to get back to the playoffs.
30. Tennessee Titans 3-10 (-1)
The Titans lost a disgusting game against the Jaguars likely signaling the end of the Will Levis experiment. Against the 32nd ranked defense, Levis finished 19/32 with 168 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Their run defense the past few weeks has been dominant with multiple performances under 3.5 yards per carry. It’ll be interesting to see where they go in the draft or potentially get a veteran QB.
31. Las Vegas Raiders 2-11 (-1)
The Raiders once again battled against a Bucs team competing for a playoff spot. Sincere McCormick was a bright spot on Sunday with another efficient performance. They are also building a nice two tight end set with Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers. On the bright side, Shedeur Sanders seems ready to be a Raider based on his snap chat story!
32. New York Giants 2-11 (-)
The Giants put up a good fight against the Saints but the missed field goal at the end led to another disappointing loss. Nothing was impressive from the Giants offense as Drew Lock struggled all day while Tyrone Tracy averaged under 3 yards per carry. The duo of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns were active on Sunday with 2 sacks. Those two and Dexter Lawrence are some key pieces on the defense to build around.