FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The 2024 regular season is no more, and the playoff field looks like one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Save for a few teams that made late pushes, the same group has been out in front all year long. Many of the teams we expected to be in the hunt — Kansas City, Buffalo, Philadelphia — enter the postseason with legitimate dreams of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. There are a few who we didn't see coming, though. Teams like Minnesota and Washington answered a lot of questions throughout the year to finish among the league's best. Now that the dust has settled, let's take a look at the final rankings.
Here are my updated NFL power rankings after Week 18.
(15-2)
1
2
Detroit Lions
The Lions have been the defining team of 2024, and they punctuated that Sunday night.
(15-2)
2
1
Kansas City Chiefs
The quest for a three-peat is looking strong. So is the AFC playoff field...
(14-3)
3
2
Philadelphia Eagles
In any other year, the Eagles might be the league's best team.
(13-4)
4
2
Buffalo Bills
Von Miller is on a tear and could be a game-changer in the playoffs.
(14-3)
5
1
Minnesota Vikings
Not the ending the Vikings wanted, but it could provide a valuable lesson for the postseason.
(12-5)
6
Baltimore Ravens
Playoff success is the only thing left to question with Lamar Jackson. He feels poised to answer that.
(12-5)
7
Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels has been the league's most fun rookie — can he keep it up in the playoffs?
(11-6)
8
2
Los Angeles Chargers
Since Week 8, the Chargers are 8-3. Those three losses came against the Ravens, Chiefs and Bucs.
(11-6)
9
1
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are limping into the playoffs, and a great Eagles team is waiting for them.
(10-7)
10
1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs went 6-1 after their bye and are the hottest team entering the playoffs.
(10-7)
11
3
Denver Broncos
Denver ranks No. 1 in defensive EPA, a good strength to have this time of year.
(9-8)
12
1
Cincinnati Bengals
A five-game win streak wasn't enough to extend the Bengals' season. Better luck next year.
(10-7)
13
1
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams lost more games before Oct. 7 than they did the rest of the year.
(10-7)
14
1
Seattle Seahawks
Despite missing the playoffs, there's a lot Seattle can build off in Mike Macdonald's first year.
(10-7)
15
2
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers feel like a team built for the playoffs, but a four-game losing streak is not good.
(10-7)
16
1
Houston Texans
Two years ago, a 10-7 season was unthinkable for Houston. Now, though, it feels disappointing.
(8-9)
17
4
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona faded down the stretch, but this year was a step in the right direction.
(8-9)
18
2
Atlanta Falcons
A lot of questions on defense, but the future looks bright for Atlanta's offense.
(8-9)
19
3
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are stuck in NFL purgatory. They have 8 or 9 wins in three of the last four seasons.
(8-9)
20
2
Miami Dolphins
Injuries played a big role, but this was a very disappointing season for the Dolphins.
(7-10)
21
1
Dallas Cowboys
It's shaping up to be another offseason filled with drama in Dallas.
(5-12)
22
1
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young's play after his return as starter is one of the NFL's best storylines.
(6-11)
23
4
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco should be at the top of the list of 2025 bounce-back teams.
(5-12)
24
1
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers had five wins as the Jets' starter. Zach Wilson had four last year.
(5-12)
25
2
Chicago Bears
Beating the Packers to break a 10-game losing streak is at least a small silver lining.
(5-12)
26
2
New Orleans Saints
The Saints played the Buccaneers tough, but they seem in store for a shakeup.
(4-13)
27
1
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas is headed for its fifth head coach (interim or otherwise) in as many seasons.
(4-13)
28
2
New England Patriots
After decades of stability, the Patriots are at a big crossroads.
(4-13)
29
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Can a new coach get more out of a roster that should be better than four wins?
(3-14)
30
1
New York Giants
The Giants are sticking with their leadership status quo. They need to find a QB.
(3-14)
31
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is a long way away from winning 23 games during the 2020-21 seasons.
(3-14)
32
Cleveland Browns
Can Cleveland find success at QB before a decent roster goes to waste?
