We're just a few weeks from the end of the 2024 NFL regular season, and the final push to the postseason is in full swing.
Week 15 featured a number of games with big-time postseason implications. The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Steelers in a game that could have injury implications for Pittsburgh long past Sunday's loss. The Buffalo Bills won a Super Bowl preview in Detroit—a game in which injuries continued to ravage the Lions. On Sunday night, the Packers dispatched the Seahawks in Seattle in a game where (wait for it) the Seahawks lost quarterback Geno Smith. That defeat, coupled with the Rams' ugly win in San Francisco, vaulted the Rams into first place in the NFC West.
The Houston Texans are champions of the AFC South after defeating the Miami Dolphins, whose postseason hopes are now on life support. The Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos continued their playoff pushes. And the Baltimore Ravens set up a massive Week 16 showdown with the rival Steelers by handing the hapless New York Giants their ninth straight defeat.Oh, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is hurt. Is that important?
The haves and have-nots of the NFL got further separated in Week 15, but with plenty of squads still scratching for a playoff spot, there were a host of competitive games, highlighted by potential Super Bowl previews from the Bills and Eagles. While those two games obviously shook up our Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, a few more key injuries could affect things in the future. Both Patrick Mahomes (ankle) and Geno Smith (knee) exited their respective contests early, and all eyes out West will be on those QBs' statuses this week ahead of showdowns with the Texans and Vikings, respectively.
1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1
The Chiefs got the "easy win" they were looking for by pounding the Browns, but they also were lucky they didn't suffer a much bigger loss with Patrick Mahomes' ankle injury. At the same time, they proved they can possibly earn Mahomes some rest by closing out the Browns without him. Carson Wentz might have to play. And that might not go so well for KC. Additionally, four of the bottom feeders have yet to score 30+ points in any game this year. The Chiefs are 13-1 and also have not scored 30+ points.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 12-2
The Eagles are out to show everyone they are the league's most complete team. They can run to win whenever needed, and they also decided to silence everyone with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the passing game again vs. the Steelers. Questions about the viability of the Eagles’ passing attack were very much answered with Jalen Hurts turning in his best performance of the season. And against one of the NFL’s best defenses, to boot.Their defense also had a big all-around get-well effort.
3. Buffalo Bills 11-3
The Bills rode the Josh Allen express train into Detroit and were relentless in showing no mercy to a depleted defense. Buffalo eventually got into its more comfortable game script to also better protect its own defense. Josh Allen has produced 14 total touchdowns to zero turnovers over the Bills’ last three games. He’s going to be MVP.
4. Detroit Lions 12-2
The Lions are not a team built to erase deficits because their explosive finishing firepower is limited with Jared Goff when they can't afford to stick with the run. The pileup of defensive injuries might be getting more difficult to overcome. The Lions are indeed very banged up and they might lose control of the No. 1 seed and/or NFC North down the stretch.
5. Minnesota Vikings 12-2
The Vikings moved into a tie with the Lions by extending their winning streak to seven with a home win over the Bears on Monday night. Minnesota is rolling with its signature passing game and keeps getting what it needs from the attacking defense. To their credit, the Vikings have fully taken advantage of a soft schedule since losing two games in the middle of the season. But now things get tougher: at SEA, vs. GB, at DET. Not hard to envision them losing at least two of these games.
6. Green Bay Packers 10-4
The Packers came out ready to smash with Josh Jacobs and the running game in Seattle, and they got their defense back to making key big plays. They can be dangerous in the playoffs should Jordan Love get hot again. The Packers aren’t going to be a desirable wild card opponent. They have a legit chance to upset the No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4
The Steelers got smacked around up front by the Eagles, making it clear who is Pennsylvania's best pro football team. Getting T.J. Watt (ankle) hurt didn't help, and neither did not having George Pickens (hamstring). Pittsburgh’s grip on the AFC North lead is slipping. After losing to the Eagles in Philly for the 11th straight time since 1965, the Steelers finish with these three games: at BAL, vs. KC, vs. CIN.
8. Baltimore Ravens 9-5
The Ravens went nuts offensively with an awesome performance by Lamar Jackson against the Giants, but seeing some defensive clean-up was even more inspiring ahead of a huge rematch with the Steelers in Baltimore. The Ravens returned from their bye week to predictably stomp the worst team in the NFL. Now let’s see if they can avoid getting swept by the Steelers.
9. Washington Commanders 9-5
The Commanders came out of bye with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin picking up where they left off, but they could use a lot more help. The Commanders came pretty close to losing in New Orleans. They’re good but they’re not great. The defense, namely Marshon Lattimore, winning a game for them, can be especially encouraging.
10. Houston Texans 9-5 (13)
Congrats to the Texans on winning the Mid Bowl and establishing themselves as THE most mediocre team in the NFL. The Texans needed a feel-good game for C.J. Stroud and for the defense to have a post-bye confidence builder. They will continue to work to be more dangerous in the playoffs. This week at Kansas City will say a lot.