David Helman
NFL Reporter
The beautiful thing about this week’s power rankings is that there’s not much of a shelf life.
With two Christmas Day games, the usual Thursday night matchup and a Saturday tripleheader, almost half the league will have played its Week 17 games by the time we get to Sunday. So, if you don’t like your team’s placement this week, you won’t have to wait long for a change.
Read on to find out how everything shakes out heading into the holidays (click on team labels to reveal the blurbs).
Here are the latest power rankings for 2024 (with Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook).
NFL Power Rankings
It’s not a shock that a Bills team coming off an emotional statement win struggled early with a divisional rival, no matter the records involved. We won’t hold it against Buffalo, though it is fair to say Josh Allen’s MVP bid could hinge on how strongly he finishes these final two games.
Super Bowl odds: 390
Right around the time Detroit called a fake fumble touchdown pass, you started to wonder if Ben Johnson was trying to stick it to the Bears — or maybe impress the executives who will hire Chicago’s next head coach. The Lions’ offense is the reason they still have a Super Bowl ceiling, despite the injuries.
Super Bowl odds: 1100
You can try to tell me that the Vikings’ tendency toward drama isn’t sustainable, but I’ll tell you that Minnesota has won 71% of its one-score games since Kevin O’Connell became the head coach. It won’t be easy, but the Vikings are two wins away from having the NFC’s path to the Super Bowl run through Minneapolis.
Super Bowl odds: 450
Not a surprise to see Patrick Mahomes start six days after twisting his ankle. Bit of a surprise to see Mahomes rush for 33 yards and a touchdown on that ankle, as the “unimpressive” Chiefs improved to 6-1 against teams that are currently in the playoff field.
Super Bowl odds: 650
I’m not going to overreact to the Eagles’ first loss since September on a day when Jalen Hurts got injured five minutes into the game. But it is a wild reminder of the margin for error in the NFL. If DeVonta Smith catches a wide open third down, the Eagles are 13-2. Instead, they’ve likely lost their chance at the No. 1 seed.
Super Bowl odds: 1300
The Packers were never going to make a statement against a mangled Saints team, but that’s irrelevant. They’ve officially reached the postseason. Now, they can set their sights on sending a message with a huge road trip to Minnesota.
Super Bowl odds: 750
On Nov. 17, the Ravens lost the turnover battle and missed two field goals in a loss to Pittsburgh. On Dec. 21, the Ravens won the turnover battle and made two field goals in a comfortable win against Pittsburgh. As incredible as Lamar Jackson is, it’s going to matter how well the Ravens’ defense and special teams perform in the playoffs.
Super Bowl odds: 4000
We already knew Jayden Daniels was good, but this was something else entirely. As much success as he’s had, it’s a different level of impressive to dig your team out of a two-score deficit by throwing five touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards. The Commanders are as good as they’ve been since 1991 and their young QB looks like a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Super Bowl odds: 2500
Sometimes, it’s as simple as letting the opponent make the mistakes. After halftime, the Jets’ four possessions against the Rams ended with two turnovers on downs, a fumble and a missed field goal. Simply playing the cleaner game has the Rams in position to claim a playoff spot.
Super Bowl odds: 4000
The way the Steelers’ schedule was backloaded, you figured the adversity was coming eventually. Now, the only way they can ensure they don’t let go of the AFC North lead is by beating Kansas City on Wednesday. Sounds like a tough task, but it’d be a hell of a Christmas present in Pittsburgh.
Super Bowl odds: 4000
It’s so fun to get a national TV reminder that Justin Herbert is one of the very best quarterbacks in this league. In an otherwise even matchup against Denver, Herbert was the difference time after time to put the Chargers on the cusp of a postseason berth.
Super Bowl odds: 5500
Even with a loss in L.A., things look pretty good for Denver. The Broncos got a long weekend off and still hold a 79% playoff probability. Things could get pretty scary, however, if they lose this weekend’s game in Cincinnati.
Super Bowl odds: 4000
It’s a huge blow from a football perspective to lose Tank Dell to an injury. But you could also see on the field how much that injury devastated his Texans’ teammates. Rebounding in a short week to play the Ravens is going to be tough — physically as well as mentally.
Super Bowl odds: 4500
This league will humble you quickly. The Cowboys have been playing better football for a month now, but this was still a game Tampa Bay couldn’t afford to drop. The opportunities were there, and the Bucs refused to seize them — and now, they have to hope Atlanta gifts them with a similar slip-up in the next two weeks.
Super Bowl odds: 17000
Geno Smith has joined the Dak Prescott Club for Lightning Rod Players. I can show you a 10-minute cut-up of this guy playing quarterback at an exceptional level all season long, but I also can’t deny he’s got a knack for a backbreaking miscue at the worst possible times. Smith still gives the Seahawks the best chance to win, but this season has featured its fair share of missed opportunities.
Super Bowl odds: 17000
Do you dare to believe? The Bengals’ chances of making the postseason still sit at an abysmal 7%, according to NFL.com. But if they beat the Broncos and Steelers to wrap up the regular season, stranger things have happened. After such a frustrating year, you might as well have some fun and trust in Joe Burrow.
Super Bowl odds: 9000
On his first day as an NFL starter, Michael Penix Jr. went 1-0 and grabbed the division lead in the NFC South. Not a bad day at the office. But let’s see how Penix handles his next test: A road game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders is a much steeper test than the New York Giants.
Super Bowl odds: 25000
Injuries factor into the conversation, but I was struck Sunday afternoon by how not entertaining the Dolphins are this year. The offense is plenty effective with Tua Tagovailoa under center, but the nonstop explosive plays from 2022 and 2023 feel like a distant memory this year. Miami has just nine catch-and-run plays of 20-plus yards, tied for last in the NFL.
*eliminated from playoff contention
The Cowboys played arguably their best game of the season roughly an hour after learning they’d been eliminated from the playoffs. Only Jerry Jones knows for sure, but it’s starting to feel like Mike McCarthy has a real shot at returning in 2025 — especially if the Cowboys can spring one or two more upsets over the Eagles and Commanders.
Super Bowl odds: 40000
If I’m going to point out the Bengals’ playoff odds, you can’t forget the Colts. If Cincinnati beats Denver this weekend, the door is open for a ton of fun scenarios in Week 18. And judging from the way Jonathan Taylor ran the ball Sunday, you can’t just cross off Indianapolis.
*eliminated from playoff contention
Even during a four-game losing streak, it’s been obvious that the Panthers are a rapidly improving team. How rewarding must it have been to finally turn those gains into a dramatic win Sunday — and ending an NFC foe’s playoff hopes in the process?
*eliminated from playoff contention
Even if the Cardinals were a year ahead of schedule, it’s still brutal how they got here. A month ago, they were 6-4 with everything in front of them. Today, they’ve lost four of five after having their playoff hopes dashed in Carolina. Maybe late-season collapses are more than just a Kliff Kingsbury problem.
*eliminated from playoff contention
The team that had played in three-straight NFC Championship Games and two of the past five Super Bowls was eliminated before they could even kick off in Week 16. A fitting end to a depressing season.
*eliminated from playoff contention
It’s so fitting that the Patriots played well enough to scare the Bills on the same day they fumbled a toss sweep to give the Bills an easy defensive touchdown. There’s a lot to like about the Pats, but they’re still a lousy team.
*eliminated from playoff contention
For Caleb Williams’ sake, I hope Bears’ brass was impressed enough by the display Ben Johnson put on at Soldier Field to make a real run at hiring him. Williams is too talented to risk his development on a lesser candidate.
*eliminated from playoff contention
It was obvious before kickoff that the Saints weren’t healthy enough to offer the Packers a real challenge. But even still, some of the mistakes made by this team were not up to NFL standard. This team needs the offseason in the worst way.
*eliminated from playoff contention
Myles Garrett became the youngest player to record 100 career sacks, in a game where Cleveland failed to score more than 14 points for the seventh time this season. Garrett turns 29 next week, and I’m curious how patient he’s going to be about reaching milestones during lost seasons.
*eliminated from playoff contention
Truly remarkable the way the Jets manage to implode in the fourth quarter. Not that it truly matters now that they’re mathematically eliminated, but it’s been a consistent theme for a full, forgettable season.
*eliminated from playoff contention
They’d never admit it, but I bet the folks in the Raiders’ front office weren’t all that thrilled about a close win over Jacksonville. That victory bumps Las Vegas up to the No. 6 slot in the current draft order, whereas a loss would have them fighting with the Giants for the No. 1 pick. I also bet the players in the locker room don’t care about that at all. It had to feel good to be on the winning side of a game for the first time since September.
*eliminated from playoff contention
Brian Thomas Jr. continues to be the only bright spot in a dismal Jags campaign. Sunday was Thomas’ seventh game with at least 60 receiving yards and one touchdown this season. In the Super Bowl era, only Randy Moss did that more often as a rookie.
*eliminated from playoff contention
The one thing the Titans have been able to count on this season is a salty defense. So, naturally, Week 16 saw them surrender 335 rushing yards and lose a game in which the opponent needed to attempt only 11 passes.
*eliminated from playoff contention
Longest losing streak in franchise history. A real shot at holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1965. Might go winless at home for the first time since 1974. It’s fair to wonder if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen survive a season this abysmal.
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David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He previously spent nine seasons covering the Cowboys for the team’s official website. In 2018, he won a regional Emmy for his role in producing “Dak Prescott: A Family Reunion” about the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.
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