After Week 13 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 11-1 (-)
The Lions continued their win streak but should have been heading to overtime against their division rival. The injuries on defense are starting to pile up and the offense has not been as dominant as of late. The Lions are still the best team in the NFL with their talent on offense, but they have a tough schedule that may push them out of the 1 seed ahead of the playoffs.
2. Buffalo Bills 10-2 (-)
The Bills bullied the 49ers at home with another impressive win. Josh Allen did not have to do much in this game but made one of the season’s best plays by throwing and catching a touchdown. Allen is on track to win his first MVP with his performances to start the season. The Bills have been the best team in the NFL over the last month and are peaking at the right time. Is this another Bills team that falls short or are they the ones to finally finish the job?
3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-2 (+1)
The Eagles are moving up in the power rankings after a big win over the Ravens. Once again, the offense started slowly, and then Saquon Barkley had another big game. Defensively they limited one of the best offenses in football and have established themselves as the top defense in football. The only thing that concerns me about the Eagles’ is their coaching. If they continue to play like they have, they might steal the 1 seed from the Lions.
4. Kansas City Chiefs 11-1 (-1)
The Chiefs slide in the rankings after surviving another game they should have lost. The concerns are real for this team due to their struggles at LT and a reeling defense. Defensively they went from one of the best units in football to a middle-of-the-pack group. They look tired on that side of the ball, and it will not get easier with three games in 10 days ahead. Offensively the LT issues are the main thing hurting this offense, Wanya Morris allowed 12 pressures on Sunday. As long as DJ Humphries is not the worst tackle in football, they get an upgrade at the position
5. Green Bay Packers 9-3 (+1)
The Packers continue to handle business winning seven of their last eight games. Jordan Love was lights out in this one with an efficient 274 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. Defensively they dictated the game script holding one of the most efficient rushing attacks to 2.8 yards per carry. The Packers are looking for revenge against the Lions on the road this week in the best Thursday Night Football matchup of the season.
6. Minnesota Vikings 10-2 (+1)
The Vikings continue to win ugly football games but that just might be their style. They aren’t overly talented but have one of the best-run defenses paired with one of the best offensive minds in football. Sam Darnold has been much better as of late with two straight good outings. Aaron Jones has struggled with fumbles lately and could find himself in a diminished role ahead. They are still in the division race and need some help from the Packers this week.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-3 (+1)
The Steelers‘ offense had their best performance in years behind a monster day from Russell Wilson. The veteran finished with 400 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Wilson has been impressive this season and has turned some heads with his performances. They have a tough schedule ahead but with this defense and the offense trending upwards, I expect the Steelers to hold onto the division lead.
8. Baltimore Ravens 8-5 (-3)
The Ravens finally got off to a hot start, but it was not enough to hold on and beat the Eagles. The defense has played better as of late but it’s the offense that has cost them in recent weeks. Outside of Zay Flowers, they lack separation and playmaking from the other receivers. The Diontae Johnson trade has been a complete waste as they are not even utilizing him. If the ground game is not working early for the Ravens, they have a hard time winning football games. The division is not out of reach just yet and they need to fix things quickly if they want a home playoff game.
9. Los Angeles Chargers 8-4 (-)
The Chargers got their second win against a .500 or better opponent by beating the Falcons. Defensively they dominated the Falcons and forced Kirk Cousins to throw 4 interceptions. Offensively I am concerned that without J.K. Dobbins this offense might become one-dimensional. They do not have the playmakers in the passing game to throw the ball 35+ times a game and expect success. The AFC West comes down to the Chargers and Chiefs Sunday night matchup in Arrowhead.
10. Denver Broncos 8-5 (-)
The Broncos have officially put themselves in a great position to make the playoffs by notching their 8th win last night. Bo Nix looks like a polished quarterback in his rookie season and has carried an offense with no running game this far. Defensively they struggled at times last night but have created turnovers at a high rate while dominating many matchups. They haven’t locked up a spot yet, but the Broncos are trending in the right direction in the first year of the Bo Nix era.
11. Seattle Seahawks 7-5 (+2)
The Seahawks have rattled off three straight wins and find themselves atop the NFC West. It has been behind the defense which has made major strides over the last few weeks. Offensively I have my concerns about how far Geno Smith can take this team behind a brutal offensive line. Their next five games are no joke with four teams fighting for playoff spots and the Bears who are better than their record suggests.
12. Washington Commanders 8-5 (-)
The Commanders’ offense had a get-right game with a monster performance on the ground from Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez. Jayden Daniels was efficient and effective in the win with multiple touchdowns. Defensively they have been improving throughout the season and it’s a credit to Dan Quinn’s ability to elevate a defense that lacks talent. Washington does not feel like a true contender but is a fun team to watch.
13. Houston Texans 8-5 (-2)
The Texans continue to play uninspiring football this season with another close call against the Jaguars. Joe Mixon had a bounce-back performance totaling over 100 rushing yards and the defense held up just enough to win the game. The Texans will be a one-and-done playoff team this season with their poor offensive line play and the struggles against the big plays on defense.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-6 (+1)
The Buccaneers are back to .500 with only 1 team left on their schedule in the current playoff picture. Baker Mayfield continues to play high level football while they found a gem in Bucky Irving. Irving has gone over 140 total yards in back-to-back games while averaging over 6 yards per carry this season. Defensively they did not perform well against the Panthers but forced the fumble at the end that changed the game. The Bucs will win the NFC South this year.
15. Los Angeles Rams 6-6 (+2)
The Rams were on the verge of a big loss to the Saints before they found a way to grind out an ugly win. Defensively they have trouble limiting the run and big plays which will constantly haunt them. Offensively they have not been as good as expected this season. Their offensive line has a lot to do with the lack of scoring in the last few weeks. Can a talented group of playmakers overcome a bad offensive line to win the West?
16. Arizona Cardinals 6-6 (-)
The Cardinals’ stretch of a few wins before the bye week was not an accurate representation of this team. The defense is playing great as they have only allowed 54 points in the last four weeks. Offensively they have not seen the same success as they continue to struggle against zone teams. Kyler Murray’s EPA per play takes a significant hit between man and zone. Drew Petzing needs to do a better job of scheming plays open in zone coverage or the Cardinals will fall short of the playoffs.
17. Miami Dolphins 5-7 (+2)
The Dolphins continued their struggles in the cold allowing Green Bay to jump out to an early lead and it was never close after that point. Their offense got going in the second half with their 10-15 yards digs and Jonnu Smith working the whole field. The Dolphins only have one game left against a team above .500 and are not completely out of the race.
18. Atlanta Falcons 6-6 (-4)
The Falcons are truly in serious trouble. Kirk Cousins looks like a shell of himself and his four interceptions this week were the main reason they lost. Defensively they have the worst pass rush in football allowing other teams to put together deep crossing routes at ease. YoungHoe Koo has continued his slump over the last few weeks. Everything seems to be falling apart in Atlanta, will a QB change help?
19. Indianapolis Colts 6-7 (+2)
The Colts got a gritty win against the Pats late behind an Anthony Richardson game-winning drive. After the bye week, they face the Broncos which will be a massive game for the seventh seed but after that face three teams below .500. I’m not sure they are consistent enough on the offensive side of the ball with a bad defense to make the playoffs.
20. San Francisco 49ers 5-7 (-2)
The 49ers season couldn’t have gotten any worse with the season-ending injury to Christian McCaffrey which led to a blowout loss in Buffalo. The roster is top-heavy, and the injuries have hurt this team on both sides of the ball. Kyle Shanahan deserves some criticism as well for the lack of adjustments in the second half of games this season. It’s a lost year for San Francisco.
21. Cincinnati Bengals 4-8 (-1)
What an absolute disaster of a season for the Bengals. The defense allowed the Steelers to have their best day on offense since 2017 and argues for being the worst defense in football. In the offseason they will have to make decisions with Zac Taylor, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins to get the franchise back on track.
22. Chicago Bears 4-8 (+1)
The Bears continued to lose in the most improbable ways, and it led to Matt Eberflus being the first Bears coach to be fired mid-season. You have to be encouraged if you are a Bears fans by the recent play of Caleb Williams and DJ Moore returning to himself after a few down weeks. I’m interested to see if they are still as good defensively after the coaching change.
23. New Orleans Saints 4-8 (-1)
The best way to describe the Saints is a bunch of veteran players fighting hard despite a bad record. Offensively they aren’t flashy by any means but there is enough there between Alvin Kamara on the ground with Derek Carr to be competent. Defensively they have been better as of late holding four straight opponents to 23 points or less.
24. Cleveland Browns 3-9 (-)
The Browns continue to be one of the most fun teams to watch with the constant rollercoaster we get with Jameis Winston. They are the best three-win team in the NFL with the talent they have on both sides of the ball. It would have been interesting to see where this team would have been if Jameis Winston was the starter in Week 1.
25. Dallas Cowboys 5-7 (+2)
The Cowboys are inching closer back to .500 with another win. The offense has played much better and may have found their lead back in Rico Dowdle. The defense has been forcing turnovers as of late creating good field position for the offense. They still are in no position to compete for a playoff spot this season.
26. Carolina Panthers 3-9 (-)
Bryce Young is starting to look like a franchise quarterback in Carolina. We have seen three straight games where Young has had fourth-quarter drives to tie or win the game. His accuracy under pressure might be his best trait and has a bright future ahead of him. Carolina needs to build the trenches around Young, and they might have a chance in 2025.
27. New York Jets 3-9 (-2)
The Jets continue to find new ways to lose and this week it featured a defensive lineman 92-yard pick-six that shifted the momentum in the game. I never expected Aaron Rodgers to look like a bottom-five quarterback but that’s what we have gotten from him this season. It’s time for him to find a new situation or call it quits in 2025.
28. New England Patriots 3-10 (+1)
I truly think that Jerad Mayo will be one-and-done for the Patriots. He continues to coach an undisciplined style, and he has not elevated an untalented defense to be better this season. Drake Maye is a special talent, and they have a chance to build around him the right way with a new coach.
29. Tennessee Titans 3-9 (-1)
The Titans got bullied by the Commanders on the ground ruining their hot streak against stopping rushing attacks. Offensively it was a typical Will Levis game with some high-level throws and some more head-scratching plays. They are in a weird spot with the veterans on this roster while trying to rebuild at the same time.
30. Las Vegas Raiders 2-10 (-)
The Raiders outplayed the Chiefs, but a late-game fumble cost them against their division rival. Defensively they wreaked havoc on the Chiefs offensive line and Aidan O’Connell had a career day. Despite the loss, the Raiders stay on track to earn a top pick in 2025.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-10 (-)
Things couldn’t be worse for the Jaguars right now and I’m glad that Trevor Lawrence walked away from that hit okay. It’s wild that this defense who was a solid unit for two straight years has regressed into the worst unit in the NFL despite losing no major contributors. I fully expect the Jaguars to invest a lot of capital on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.
32. New York Giants 2-10 (-)
The Giants played better than they did last week but were still not able to get over the hump against their division rivals. I’m not convinced that a change at QB will turn them into contenders right away despite a talented roster. There are many problems up and down the Giants organization that need to change heading into 2025.