For the first time this season, there is a debate about which team should be No. 1 in our NFL power rankings.
The Kansas Chiefs have occupied the top spot in our rankings all season, thanks to their 9-0 start, but their 31-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills has opened talk about the top spot.
Should the 9-1 Chiefs, who are tied for the best record in the NFL and have won two straight Super Bowls maintain their No. 1 spot?
Or should the 9-1 Detroit Lions, who have won eight straight games, be the No. 1 ranked team this week?
What about the Bills, who are 8-2 and beat the Chiefs in their head-to-head matchup?
With some of the best NFL teams going head to head this weekend, it leads to some big movers and shakers in the NFL Week 12 power rankings.
1. Detroit Lions (9-1)
Last week: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars, 52-6
This week: Sunday vs Indianapolis Colts
That’s how you handle one of the worst NFL teams. It only took a half for the Detroit Lions, with Jared Goff throwing for 200-plus yards and the backfield tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs accounts for three first-half touchdowns. The Lions are the best NFL team right now and we remain steadfast in our belief that Detroit is a tier above the other best NFL teams in 2024. The Lions have won eight straight games. They are coming off a 52-6 thrashing of the Jaguars. Jared Goff is playing like an MVP. They deserve to be No. 1 this week. The question is, how long can they stay there?
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Last week: Beat Kansas City Chiefs, 30-21
This week: Off
Yes, the Bills are 9-2 and the Chiefs are 9-1, but head-to-head wins have to count for something, and Buffalo has won six straight games after beating Kansas City at Highmark Stadium, where the Bills are 5-0 this season. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills did it again, taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season. It came because in the biggest moment, Josh Allen drove the dagger into the Chiefs’ heart and ended their undefeated season with a touchdown run that will be on NFL highlight reels for years to come. Just remember, Buffalo beat Kansas City in their regular-season matchup last season and we saw what happened when the rivals had a rematch in the playoffs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
Last week: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 30-21
This week: Sunday vs Carolina Panthers
The Chiefs' impressive win streak has come to an end and so has their reign as the No. 1 team in these power rankings. Still, we wouldn't get too down on Kansas City's loss. They have lost to the Bills in the regular season before. The Chiefs are no longer undefeated, which will finally yield more discussion about this team’s issues. Patrick Mahomes is getting hit because of the turnstile at left tackle and while DeAndre Hopkins was a very nice addition, he’s not a true No. 1 receiver who can’t get separation quickly and make plays when Mahomes is pressured seconds after the snap. Equally concerning, the Chiefs pass defense has taken a massive step backward since the season-ending injury to corner Jaylen Watson. Kansas City’s margin for error is thinner than it’s been in previous years. With that said, this is the team’s first loss of the season and they can flip a switch when the playoffs begin.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
Last week: Beat Washington Commanders, 26-18
This week: Sunday Night Football vs Los Angeles Rams
The Eagles have won six straight. The Saquon Barkley signing is working out OK in Philadelphia, huh ? The rest of the NFL world is starting to buy into the Philadelphia Eagles again. After losses in September to the Falcons and Buccaneers, Philadelphia went on a five-game winning streak out of its bye week. However, many attributed that to facing some of the worst NFL teams – Browns, Giants, Bengals, Jaguars and Cowboys – so Thursday NightFootball in Week 11 was the litmus test. The Eagles outgained the Commanders by nearly 200 total yards and averaged 2.0 yards per play higher than Washington’s offense. With an outstanding defense and elite playmakers on offense, the Eagles are one of the best NFL teams in 2024.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
Last week: Beat Baltimore Ravens, 18-16
This week: Thursday NightFootball vs Cleveland Browns
Russell Wilson is still perfect as the Steelers' starter. Pittsburgh has won five straight and opened up a 2-game lead in the loss column in the AFC North. Never question Mike Tomlin and never bet against him when his team is the underdog. The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 20-6-3 at home as the underdog under Tomlin, once again doing it against the Ravens. Pittsburgh doesn’t play the prettiest style of football, but they made the best NFL offense play ugly and that played right into the strengths of this Steelers defense. Since that bizarre loss to Dallas back on Oct. 6, the Steelers have won five consecutive games and that includes victories over two of the best NFL teams (Ravens and Commanders). There’s nothing left to question, Pittsburgh is for real.
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
Last week: Beat Tennessee Titans, 23-13
This week: Sunday vs Chicago Bears
How's this for distributing the football? Sam Darnold targeted 10 different receivers Sunday, with nine of them catching passes. It’s a step forward for the Minnesota Vikings. The offense isn’t quite as efficient since the season-ending injury to Sam Darnold and this ground game has become far less efficient. Fortunately for Minnesota, Sam Darnold played well against an above-average defense and that’s all you need when Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is cooking up clinics like this.
7. Green Bay Packers (7-3)
Last week: Beat Chicago Bears, 20-19
This week: Sunday vs San Francisco 49ers
They won by blocking a field goal, but a win is a win in the NFL, any way you can get it and the Packers' latest win made them 7-3. A nail-biting win for the Green Bay Packers. Blocking the game-winning field goal saved the day, but what should be remembered even more from that Week 11 performance are the issues Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur are experiencing in the red zone. Entering play on Sunday, the Packers ranked 29th in red-zone touchdown rate (47.06 percent). Love had an interception and a failed fourth-and-goal run. If Green Bay wants to challenge the elite tier of the best NFL teams, this problem needs to be fixed.
8. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 18-16
This week: Monday Night Football vs Los Angeles Chargers (Nov. 25)
The Ravens didn't allow a touchdown, while scoring two of their own on Sunday, but still lost thanks to six (yes, six) Chris Boswell field goals. Last year, drops cost the Baltimore Ravens a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fast forward to Sunday, and self-inflicted wounds cost Baltimore again. Fumbles by Derrick Henry (at the Ravens’ 36-yard line) and Isaiah Likely (Ravens’ 13-yard line) gifted the Steelers six points. Justin Tucker, who is either playing injured or he is just finished as an NFL kicker, missed two field goals. Needless to say, those 12 points proved costly in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh. We still believe the Ravens are one of the best teams in the NFL, but John Harbaugh’s club can’t seem to get out of its own way in big games against physical opponents.
9. Washington Commanders (7-4)
Last week: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 26-18
This week: Sunday vs Dallas Cowboys
Have teams figured out Kliff Kingsbury's offense? After two straight losses, this game against Dallas is huge for Washington. The Washington Commanders are the second-best team in the NFC East. If you asked Washington’s coaching staff and front office if they’d consider being a Wild Card contender that is considered one of the 10 best NFL teams in 2024, they’d sign up for it in a heartbeat. So, while Jayden Daniels (89.6 QB rating, 59.5% completion rate and 232 pass ypg in last four games) is hitting a bit of the rookie wall, Washington remains in a phenomenal spot moving forward.
10. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
Last week: Off
This week: Sunday vs Seattle Seahawks
If the NFL playoffs began today, the Cardinals would be the No. 3 seed in the NFC postseason. We're entering Week 12. Let that sink in. The Arizona Cardinals got the benefit of hitting their Week 11 bye on a high note. During the four-game win streak, including victories over the Dolphins and Chargers, the Cardinals’ offense ranked second in EPA per Play (0.17) and Arizona’s defense placed 11th in EPA per Play allowed (-0.036). It’s come together very quickly for Jonathan Gannon’s team. While the improvements offensively aren’t surprising, the defensive turnaround is stellar, especially with the context of the limited blue-chip talent on that side of the ball. Arizona has a legitimate shot at the NFC West crown.