After Week 15 the playoff picture is starting to settle in. In the AFC the Chargers hold a two-game lead of the 7th wild card spot while in the NFC the Commanders have a one-game lead over the Seahawks. The NFC has a battle at the top with a three-way tie for the one seed between the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles. On the AFC the Bills still trail the Chiefs by two games but with the injury to Patrick Mahomes, the one seed is still up for grabs. Let’s take a look at how every team comes in on Blitz Sports Media’s weekly power rankings.
1. Philadelphia Eagles 12-2 (+1)
For the first time this season, the Eagles slot into the number one spot in the power rankings after a big win against the Steelers. They showcased their passing game getting both AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith more involved this week. Defensively they shut down the Steelers offense all day. They currently are the most complete team in football with their biggest questions being their coaching staff heading into the postseason.
2. Buffalo Bills 11-3 (+1)
The Bills offense is the hottest unit in football with nine straight games over 30 points. Josh Allen is playing the best football of his career right now and has wrapped up the MVP with three weeks left in the season. Their offensive attack is a mix of weapons behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL with the threat of Josh Allen’s legs on any given down. Defensively they have been exposed over the last two weeks and are my biggest concern for this team in the postseason.
3. Detroit Lions 12-2 (-2)
The Lions defense has been trending in the wrong direction for a few weeks, and everything fell apart against the Bills on Sunday. To add to their injuries, they lost Alan McNeil and Carlton Davis which will make this defense much worse. They also lost David Montgomery for the rest of the season due to injury. The injuries on the defense might be too much to overcome despite their historic offensive success this season. With everything going so well to start the season, I don’t believe Detroit has enough talent left on defense for a Super Bowl.
4. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1 (-)
The Chiefs continue to be one of the most frustrating teams to watch this season despite their record. Defensively it was their best performance in weeks generating six turnovers and pressure all night holding the Browns to 7 points. Offensively Mahomes was pressured 54% of the time which is the most since the 2020 Super Bowl. Andy Reid has not made any play calling adjustments which have hurt them more than some want to admit. With the Mahomes ankle injury, the one seed is in real jeopardy with a tough schedule ahead.
5. Minnesota Vikings 12-2 (-)
The Vikings are now tied for first place in the NFC after they took care of business against the Bears. Their defense has an elite pass rush paired with a good run defense to keep opponents on their heels. Offensively they have an elite coach with one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. It still feels like this team will not be able to get over the hump with Sam Darnold at quarterback. I am buying into this team making some noise in the playoffs with the injuries in Detroit and my concerns with Philadelphia’s coaching staff.
6. Green Bay Packers 10-4 (+1)
The Packers continue to take care of business against teams they are more talented then. They dominated the Seahawks from start to finish behind a dominant performance on the ground from Josh Jacobs. The offensive switch mid-season to the run heavy attack has helped Jordan Love cut down on the turnovers. Defensively they have an elite run defense that will allow them to control the game script of games. The Packers are going to be a tough out in the postseason.
7. Baltimore Ravens 9-5 (+1)
The Ravens took care of the Giants by covering the lofty spread. Lamar Jackson is playing better than he did last season, where he won the MVP. Jackson finished with more touchdowns (5) than incompletions (4) in the win. Defensively they are starting to heat up as well holding the Giants to 14 points and limiting the passing attack. The division is on the line this week with a matchup against the Steelers.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4 (-2)
The Steelers are flirting around with losing the division with a 2-2 record in their last four games. Offensively they are desperately missing a playmaker even when George Pickens is healthy. The run game has been nonexistent over the past few weeks and is putting more pressure on the passing game with a lack of weapons. Defensively they are still a good unit but have some problems in the secondary that are concerning. Their final three games will decide their fate in the division against the Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals.
9. Los Angeles Rams 8-6 (+5)
The Rams are heating up and took care of business winning a different way on Thursday Night. The defense dominated holding the 49ers to 6 points, 205 total yards, and generating 3 sacks in the win. The improvements on the defense can be the X factor in this team making a deep postseason run with the talent they have on offense. The Rams feel like the pick to come out of the NFC West.
10. Denver Broncos 9-5 (-)
The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the league and it gave the Colts fits all day on Sunday. Bo Nix was shaky out of the bye week with 3 interceptions and had only 130 passing yards against one of the league’s worst defenses. They will always have a chance with their defense but if the offense plays like it did in Week 15, they will find themselves losing in the wild card round.
11. Houston Texans 9-5 (+2)
The Texans played their best game in a few weeks with convincing win over the Dolphins. The defense forced four turnover and had three sacks limiting the Dolphins to 12 points. Offensively they did just enough to win this one with slightly over 200 yards and 20 points. The issues on the offensive line persist and will be a big problem with a matchup against the Chiefs this week. The Texans will almost certainly wind up as the 4 seed in the playoffs.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6 (+2)
The Bucs were ready to go for this matchup against the Chargers. 40 points on offense with four touchdown passes for Baker Mayfield. The ground game led by Bucky Irving was in full force and totaled over 200 yards. Defensively they did a great job without Antoine Winfield Jr. holding the Chargers to 17 points. Their final three games are all teams below .500 and will likely clinch the South before the last week of the season.
13. Los Angeles Chargers 8-6 (-4)
The Chargers were the most disappointing team of the week after they got blown out by the Bucs. The offense has scored 17 points in three straight games and is desperately missing a ground game since J.K. Dobbins went down with an injury. They were due for one of these games defensively after coming in as the number one scoring defense. Baker and company cooked them all game long totaling over 500 yards. They will likely get in with two games against the Patriots and Raiders left.
14. Washington Commanders 9-5 (-2)
The Commanders did not do a good job of convincing me they made improvements out of the bye week. They moved the ball well all day against the Saints but only managed 20 points in a game they were favored by 7.5 points. Defensively the pass rush got after the Saints all day and forced some turnovers which allowed them to maintain the lead for the majority of the day. They have not clinched a spot yet and need to win two of their next three games to get in.
15. Seattle Seahawks 8-6 (-4)
The Seahawks got bullied by the Packers on Sunday Night and now find themselves tied for the division lead. Red zone turnovers have been a killer for this offense all season long and I’m not sure Geno Smith is back as the team’s quarterback next season. It looks like Geno will play this week which is a positive sign for the team. Defensively they are close to being a dominant unit and I believe they will get there next season.
16. Arizona Cardinals 7-7 (+2)
The Cardinals snapped their losing streak giving a glimmer of hope to potentially make the playoffs. The offense had a great day with James Conner totaling two touchdowns and Kyler Murray having an efficient day. Drew Petzing refuses to get Trey McBride his touchdown as his drought continues. They did the right thing by locking Budda Baker up to a three-year extension. Their future relies on letting go of Drew Petzing this offseason and finding a new OC.
17. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8 (+4)
The Bengals have a glimmer of hope with two straight wins while needing some help from some other teams. Offensively they continue to rely on Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown to carry the load at an unsustainable usage rate. Defensively early turnovers helped them maintain a solid lead but struggled once Mason Rudolph entered the game. If their record was better Joe Burrow would be in the MVP race,
18. San Francisco 49ers 6-8 (-1)
The 49ers followed the script with another disappointing performance after a convincing win to officially sink their playoff hopes. To add to the drama, we saw veteran LB DeVondre Campbell quit on the team mid-game. The 49ers offense does not have the same luster as it did in years past in large part due to the struggles on the offensive line. Brock Purdy has been wildly inconsistent as well but the defense looked much better with a few players back from injury this week.
19. Miami Dolphins 6-8 (-3)
The Dolphins took a major blow to their playoff chances after a brutal loss to the Texans. Tua Tagivailoa did not show up with 3 questionable interceptions and Mike McDaniel had a bad game plan. Defensively they gave them a shot with multiple sacks and limiting Joe Mixon all day. Tua has not beaten the allegations of failing to win big games and is still a long-term concern for the Dolphins.
20. Atlanta Falcons 7-7 (-)
The Falcons won an ugly game against the Raiders to stay within a game of the Bucs in the NFC South. The offense was once again uninspiring with another rough performance from Kirk Cousins. The team officially made the switch to Michael Penix Jr. which will ultimately help this team compete at a higher level in the next three games. Defensively I do not think they have enough pass rush to win out down the stretch.
21. Dallas Cowboys 6-8 (+1)
I’m very impressed with the job Mike McCarthy has done to get this team close to .500 over the last month. Offensively Cooper Rush is playing solid football while they have found their running back in Rico Dowdle. Defensively they are starting to gel in Mike Zimmer’s scheme but still allow a big play or two a game which is concerning. The Cowboys aren’t good but might have turned things around enough to save Mike McCarthy’s job.
22. Indianapolis Colts 6-8 (-3)
The Colts are the lowest-ranked team still in the playoff race and their chances took a major blow with a loss to the Broncos. Anthony Richardson is the main reason this team continues to struggle with a 47% completion percentage on the season with more interceptions than touchdowns. The defense had one of their better games of the season forcing three turnovers, but it was not enough to slow down the Broncos. The Colts have an interesting offseason ahead.
23. New York Jets 4-10 (+4)
The Jets offense has been hot the last two weeks with vintage Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams in full effect. Despite the improvements on offense, this team has been in close battles the last two weeks due to the regressions on the defensive side of the ball. Since Robert Saleh left this unit has taken a major dip and is more concerning for me if they bring in an offensive mind next season.
24. New Orleans Saints 5-9 (-1)
Despite having every key player hurt on the offensive side of the ball, the Saints continue to battle. This week Spencer Rattler just came up short with a missed 2-point conversion to win the game. Defensively they have been much better as of late and have allowed them to stay in games. It will be interesting to see a potential youth movement next year in New Orleans and what happens to all of the veterans on the team.
25. Carolina Panthers 3-11 (-1)
The Panthers were favored for the first time in a while and laid an egg against the Cowboys. Bryce Young played his worst game since returning as the starting quarterback while the run game provided no assist. Defensively they continued to struggle allowing the Cowboys to run all over them and mix in three passing touchdowns. The Panthers need to provide Bryce Young a chance to compete next year with a more talented roster.
26. Chicago Bears 4-10 (-1)
The Bears are now on an eight-game losing streak after starting the season 4-2. Caleb Williams continues to struggle on a weekly basis and looks less confident on the football field. Defensively they played better but are still playing below their talent level. The Bears assembled a talented roster, and it failed due to the lack of success on offense under Shane Waldron to start the season. They are in desperate need to hire either Ben Johnson, Joe Brady, or Mike Vrabel.
27. Cleveland Browns 3-11 (-1)
The Browns are officially making a change at quarterback with Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over for Jameis Winston. Winston struggled against the Chiefs taking 5 sacks and throwing 3 interceptions in the loss continuing his turnover problems. Defensively they played great holding the Chiefs to 4 yards per play while making life miserable for Patrick Mahomes. I’m not sure if the move at quarterback helps this team and might contribute more to the tank.
28. New England Patriots 3-11 (-)
It feels like the Patriots play the same game every week. They get bullied on the defensive side of the ball and Drake Maye makes a few plays that convince you that he is the franchise quarterback. This week was no different in the Cardinals’ loss as the team tallied 0 sacks, had no receiver over 45 yards, and fumbled three times. The Patriots need playmakers and have the money/draft capital to add them in the offseason.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11 (-)
The lone bright spot for the Jaguars was the continued second-half breakup of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas had 10 catches for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns finding his way open in every big moment. The connection between Lawrence in him will be fun to watch for a full season. Defensively they still stink and need to make some big moves to fix that unit quickly.
30. Tennessee Titans 3-11 (-)
The Will Levis experiment has officially run its course with a mid-game benching after more turnovers. Mason Rudolph filled in nice only throwing 5 incompletions with 2 touchdown passes. Tennessee’s defense did not have a chance in this one with all of the turnovers on offense. The Titans will be in the market for a quarterback either in the draft or potentially a veteran like Sam Darnold.
31. New York Giants 2-12 (+1)
The Giants moved up a slot despite getting blown out by the Ravens and testing the waters with Tim Boyle at running back. Malik Nabers had a good day with 10 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown which was his best day since the quarterback change. Defensively they fought admirably sacking Lamar Jackson three times, forcing a fumble, and holding Derrick Henry to under 5 yards per carry. With a change at head coach and quarterback, it could be a quicker turnaround than expected in New York.
32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-12 (-1)
The Raiders’ defense played well against the Falcons holding them to one touchdown despite being outmatched most of the season. Offensively it was their worst showing of the season in large part due to the disappointing performance of Desmond Ridder. Ridder had no business being on an NFL field with his current skill set. The Raiders are in desperate need of a quarterback to compete in a tough division.