NFL power rankings Week 17: Vikings, Ravens, Commanders, Rams or Chargers win Super Bowl?

Posted by Admin December 23, 2024 NFL

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We’ve spent the entire season praising the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in our NFL power rankings.

But some other teams showed in Week 16 that they could potentially be Super Bowl contenders.

After a 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings are now 13-2 on the season, tied with the Lions for first in the NFC North.

The Baltimore Ravens are now 10-5 on the season, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North after a 34-17 win over their division rivals.

The Washington Commanders also moved to 10-5 with a 36-33 win over the Eagles, coming closer to clinching a playoff berth.

The Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers both improved to 9-6 (the Rams beat the New York Jets 19-9 and the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27) and have defenses that could scare their opponents should they lock up postseason berths.

Could one of those teams win the Super Bowl this season? Their Week 16 results showed that they can’t be counted out.

Check out where those teams and every NFL team ranks in our NFL power rankings after NFL Week 16 (with the Packers set to host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football to end the week today). Previous ranking in parentheses.

32. New York Giants (32)

Last week: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 34-7

This week: Sunday vs Indianapolis Colts

The Giants are in position for the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. How would Cam Ward look in New York?

31. Cleveland Browns (27)

Last week: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals, 24-6

This week: Sunday vs Miami Dolphins

Yes, Jameis Winston can be erratic, but the Browns at least have a chance to win when he is the starter.

30. Tennessee Titans (30)

Last week: Lost to Indianapolis Colts, 38-30

This week: Sunday vs Jacksonville Jaguars

The Titans rushed for 65 yards on Sunday … and gave up 335 rushing yards. Ouch.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (29)

Last week: Lost to Las Vegas Raiders, 19-14

This week: Sunday vs Tennessee Titans

Brian Thomas Jr. (9 catches, 132 yards, touchdown reception) continues to be a bright spot in a dark season for Jacksonville.

28. New England Patriots (28)

Last week: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 24-21

This week: Saturday vs Los Angeles Chargers

The Patriots have lost five straight games and end the season with games against the Chargers and Bills.

27. Las Vegas Raiders (31)

Last week: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars, 19-14

This week: Sunday vs New Orleans Saints

Do the Raiders really deserve to jump four spots in the rankings? They deserve a reward for ending their 10–game skid.

26. Chicago Bears (25)

Last week: Lost to Detroit Lions, 34-17

This week: Thursday Night Football vs Seattle Seahawks

The Bears were 4-2 at one point this season. They are now 4-11.

25. New York Jets (24)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Rams, 19-9

This week: Sunday vs Buffalo Bills

The Jets led Sunday’s game 6-0 in the first quarter but were outscored 19-3 the rest of the game. Big changes could be coming to New York.

24. Carolina Panthers (26)

Last week: Beat Arizona Cardinals in overtime, 36-30

This week: Sunday vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Panthers may be out of the playoffs, but they can have a huge impact on the playoff race in the NFC. They eliminated the Cardinals Sunday and they face the Buccaneers and Falcons in the last two weeks of the regular season.

23. New Orleans Saints (23)

Last week: Monday Night Football vs Green Bay Packers (Dec. 23)

This week: Sunday vs Las Vegas Raiders

22. San Francisco 49ers (21)

Last week: Lost to Miami Dolphins, 29-17

This week: Monday Night Football vs Detroit Lions (Dec. 30)

The 49ers have now lost five of their last six games and are 6-9 overall. The Super Bowl loss hangover is real.

21. Arizona Cardinals (16)

Last week: Lost to Carolina Panthers in overtime, 36-30

This week: Saturday vs Los Angeles Rams

Arizona was 6-4 entering its week off. It has gone 1-4 since, with the latest loss eliminating the Cardinals from playoff contention.

20. Indianapolis Colts (22)

Last week: Beat Tennessee Titans, 38-30

This week: Sunday vs New York Giants

Jonathan Taylor rushed 29 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. The Colts rushed for 335 yards as a team.

19. Miami Dolphins (20)

Last week: Beat San Francisco 49ers, 29-17

This week: Sunday vs Cleveland Browns

Where would Miami be right now if it had a healthy Tua Tagovailoa all season?

18. Dallas Cowboys (19)

Last week: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-24

This week: Sunday vs Philadelphia Eagles

Cooper Rush may not get a lot of headlines, but he is getting the job done in Dallas. The Cowboys have won four of five games.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (18)

Last week: Beat Cleveland Browns, 24-6

This week: Saturday vs Denver Broncos

Three straight wins have kept Cincinnati alive in the AFC playoff race, with a big test against the Broncos on tap.

16. Seattle Seahawks (15)

Last week: Beat to Minnesota Vikings, 27-24

This week: Thursday Night Football vs Chicago Bears

We can’t get over the fact that the Seahawks are now 3-6 at home this season and 5-1 on the road. They end the season at the Bears and at the Rams.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12)

Last week: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 26-24

This week: Sunday vs Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay’s 4-game win streak is over and the Buccaneers are now tied with the Falcons atop the NFC South.

14. Atlanta Falcons (17)

Last week: Beat New York Giants, 34-7

This week: Sunday Night Football vs Washington Commanders

Michael Penix Jr. was 18-for-27 for 202 yards, with one interception in his first NFL start. Two interception returns for touchdowns from his defense certainly helped the Falcons’ cause.

13. Denver Broncos (9)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 34-27

This week: Saturday vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Broncos are not a lock for the postseason, but they are still in a good position with two games left. They end the season against the Bengals and Chiefs.

12. Los Angeles Chargers (14)

Last week: Beat Denver Broncos, 34-27

This week: Saturday vs New England Patriots

The Chargers trailed the Broncos in the second quarter, 21-10, and were behind 24-13 in the third quarter.

11. Houston Texans (10)

Last week: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 27-19

This week: Christmas Day vs Baltimore Ravens

Tank Dell’s injury looms large for the Texans. C.J. Stroud threw two picks against the Chiefs and was only 23-for-39 passing.

10. Los Angeles Rams (13)

Last week: Beat New York Jets, 19-9

This week: Saturday vs Arizona Cardinals

The Rams have now won four straight and are in the driver’s seat in the NFC West. They have allowed 15 total points in their last two games.

9. Washington Commanders (11)

Last week: Beat Philadelphia Eagles, 36-33

This week: Sunday Night Football vs Atlanta Falcons

Jayden Daniels was 24-for-39 for 258 yards and five touchdowns in the win over the Eagles. Did he lock up rookie of the year with the performance?

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (7)

Last week: Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 34-17

This week: Christmas Day vs Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh has lost two in a row and three of its last five games after its 8-2 start and is suddenly tied with the Ravens atop the AFC North

7. Baltimore Ravens (8)

Last week: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-17

This week: Christmas Day vs Houston Texans

Derrick Henry rushed the ball 24 times for 162 yards in the win. He has 278 carries for 1,636 yards on the season.

6. Green Bay Packers (6)

Last week: Monday Night Football vs New Orleans Saints (Dec. 23)

This week: Sunday vs Minnesota Vikings

5. Philadelphia Eagles (2)

Last week: Lost to Washington Commanders, 36-33

This week: Sunday vs Dallas Cowboys

We can forgive the Eagles for seeing their 10-game win streak end after losing Jalen Hurts for the game due to a concussion. The 36 points allowed by Philadelphia’s defense is concerning, however.

4. Minnesota Vikings (5)

Last week: Beat Seattle Seahawks, 27-24

This week: Sunday vs Green Bay Packers

Maybe it’s past time to believe in Sam Darnold. He’s thrown 15 touchdown passes with one pass intercepted in his past six games.

3. Detroit Lions (4)

Last week: Beat Chicago Bears, 34-17

This week: Monday Night Football vs San Francisco 49ers

Detroit rebounded from its loss to Buffalo nicely. This team is dealing with so many injuries but still might be the favorite in the NFC. The regular season finale against the Vikings could be huge.

2. Buffalo Bills (3)

Last week: Beat New England Patriots, 24-21

This week: Sunday vs New York Jets

Buffalo has won nine of its last 10 games and has the Jets and Patriots remaining, the Jets at home. They are one of two NFL teams unbeaten at home this season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)

Last week: Beat Houston Texans, 27-19

This week: Christmas Day vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The other undefeated team at home? That’s the Chiefs, who went 8-0 at Arrowhead Stadium this year. Kansas City plays at the Steelers and at the Broncos to conclude the regular season.