The Detroit Lions remain top of the NFL Power Rankings for another week, but I'm keeping an eye on those Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. They look every bit as capable of mounting a Super Bowl challenge at the business end of this season.
- Detroit Lions --
Detroit's injuries have not been to front-line offensive stars such as Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. But they have been significant. The bar is so high for the Lions that back-to-back games scoring in the 20s – albeit while winning – have raised some concerns.
- Buffalo Bills --
Josh Allen is one of the very brightest NFL stars, but he no longer has to operate alone in Buffalo. James Cook leads an explosive ground attack and the defense can get after the passer, led by Greg Rousseau. The Bills look the most likely to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC.
- Philadelphia Eagles --
The Eagles are in a groove now. They have won eight in a row and Sunday's win over Baltimore saw Saquon Barkley top 100 rushing yards in a game for the eighth time this season. But the defensive effort against Lamar Jackson's Ravens was also hugely impressive in Week 13.
- Kansas City Chiefs --
The Chiefs are not convincing me and they seem to be losing believers with each passing week. And they probably couldn't care less! They have the NFL's best record at 11-1, they know how to win close games and they have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
- Green Bay Packers +1
The Packers have got back-to-back clean games from quarterback Jordan Love and this is a team that could be really dangerous in the race to and during the NFC playoffs. Win a big test on the road in Detroit on Thursday and the NFL will really pay attention.
- Pittsburgh Steelers +2
The Steelers were powered by Russell Wilson against Cincinnati in Week 13 as their quarterback threw for more than 400 yards. There were just enough big plays from the defense to give the impression that this Pittsburgh team can hold on in the AFC North race.
- Minnesota Vikings --
The Vikings have needed to dig deep to win their most recent outings against Chicago and Arizona. But the fact remains that they did indeed get the job done and Kevin O'Connell's team reaching 10 wins on the season with Sam Darnold at the helm remains a huge story.
- Baltimore Ravens -3
This is a confusing and, ultimately, a flawed team. On their day, the Ravens can look like the absolute class of the NFL and a team capable of winning it all. But this fact cannot be avoided – they have lost five games this season, including four in their own conference.
- Los Angeles Chargers --
The Chargers won with defense last Sunday as that unit intercepted Atlanta's Kirk Cousins four times. That was the good news. The bad news was that the offense could just not get going. That struggle could continue, but this team is 8-4 and on course to make the playoffs.
- Denver Broncos --
I'm a little bit concerned that Jameis Winston was able to carve up what has been a good Denver defense. But at least the Broncos responded with a couple of pick-six touchdowns. At 8-5, this has been a season of success in Denver. Can they keep it going to the finish line?
- Washington Commanders --
The Commanders snapped their three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion last Sunday and their big three of Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson and Terry McLaurin were influential from the very beginning against the Tennessee Titans. A wild card spot in the NFC is very likely.
- Houston Texans --
The Texans head into their bye week off the back of a win against Jacksonville that was much closer than most could have imagined. Houston will be glad of the victory, of course, but there is much to work on during their weekend away, primarily putting together a complete game.
- Seattle Seahawks +1
The less said about Seattle's special teams the better after that unit's outing against the New York Jets. Fortunately, the Seahawks defense completely shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in the final three quarters of Week 13. They're not convincing, but Seattle are 7-5.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +4
Baker Mayfield is always a fun story to track but Tampa Bay's scrap back to a 6-6 record has been led by their ground attack. Bucky Irving rushed for more than 150 yards in a testing battle against the Carolina Panthers and Rachaad White also made some vital plays towards the end.
- Arizona Cardinals --
The Cardinals have not been able to recapture the momentum that saw them win four straight games before their bye. Since then, two losses have followed and the Cardinals are not scoring enough touchdowns. They kicked six field goals in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
- Miami Dolphins -3
After yet another cold weather failure against a good team, the equation is clear for the Dolphins – at 5-7 they likely have to win out to make the AFC playoffs. It's not impossible as there are some winnable games ahead, but does anyone trust this team to be that consistent?
- Los Angeles Rams +3
The Rams don't seem to have a handle on offensive consistency, but they do have the firepower to get hot in a hurry as they showed in last week's win over New Orleans. I don't trust this team to be a major player in the NFC race, but they could sneak into the playoffs.
- Indianapolis Colts +3
It shouldn't be as much hard work to win games as it was for the Colts against lowly New England last week. But I have to give credit for way Anthony Richardson delivered the victory, throwing a TD pass with 12 seconds remaining and running in the winning two-pointer.
- Atlanta Falcons -2
Is Kirk Cousins going to start hearing the calls for rookie Michael Penix Jr. soon? Kirk has thrown six interceptions and no touchdown passes in Atlanta's three-game losing streak. Getting back on track this week won't be easy as Brian Flores' D lies in wait in Minnesota.
- Dallas Cowboys +2
The Cowboys need to slow their roll on all the NFC playoff talk. They have won back-to-back games against Washington and the New York Giants, but they hardly presented good football to the masses on either occasion. There are still major limitations with this disappointing side.
- San Francisco 49ers -5
The wheels have not only fallen off the 49ers' Super Bowl bandwagon. They've rolled down a hill, through the front door of a fireworks factory and been blown to smithereens in a fiery explosion. The division may still be up for grabs, but this proud franchise has been brought to its knees.
- Cincinnati Bengals -3
I can't keep giving the Bengals a pass because Joe Burrow is brilliant, fun to watch and being let down by those around him. No more sympathy votes. This Bengals team is so poor on defense that it has undone all of the good work done by one of the league's greatest QBs.
- Chicago Bears --
Whoever becomes Chicago's full-time head coach in 2025 – replacing the fired Matt Eberflus – their first task should be to re-watch the second half of the Bears' Thanksgiving Day loss to Detroit. That will tell you that there is much to be excited about with rookie Caleb Williams.
- New Orleans Saints --
The Saints are working under the leadership of energetic interim head coach Darren Rizzi, but they still remain a relatively-anonymous franchise. The defense played well against the Rams in the first half, but it could not be sustained. There's only pride to play for from here on out.
- Cleveland Browns --
He's far from perfect but Jameis Winston remains entertaining to watch. All he does is throw touchdowns – Monday night saw four go for the Browns and two to the Broncos. But you have to love his absolute passion for the game that is constantly on display.
- Carolina Panthers +2
The Panthers have maintained their competitive fire for their past four games now – wins over New Orleans and the New York Giants, coupled with game-ending field-goal losses to Kansas City and Tampa Bay. That's encouraging for first-year head coach Dave Canales.
- Tennessee Titans -1
The biggest task for the Titans between now and the end of the season is to find out if Will Levis is the guy at quarterback. I'm not really sure on the answer to that particular question and neither are the Titans, I believe.
- New England Patriots -1
It was another week of frustration for the Patriots in what has been a lost season, but it was another game that showed just how exciting the future could be with Drake Maye at quarterback. His form and development is all that matters between now and the season's end.
- New York Jets --
There have been further calls to bench Aaron Rodgers following last week's blown game against Seattle. But what good would it do to go Tyrod Taylor now? To do so would be just another desperate move for a franchise that is going nowhere fast this season.
- Jacksonville Jaguars +2
The Trevor Lawrence head injury was a real worry and I wonder how long he will be out for or if he will return at all this season? Mac Jones provided a late rally but – as has been the case so often this year – the Jags were on the wrong end of another close loss.
- Las Vegas Raiders --
The Raiders surprised us all and almost shocked the Kansas City Chiefs with their showing on Black Friday. Now, can that be sustained or was it a one-off? Any late-season revival will have to be led by the defense.
- New York Giants -2
There really is nothing to get excited about if you are a Giants fan. They are not only losing football games, they are looking bad while doing it. There was some effort against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, but there were far too many mistakes and examples of really bad football.
