The NFL regular season is not quite finished. There are a few issues to finalize in Week 18 but not many. Twelve of the 14 playoff spots are decided, and the Broncos and Buccaneers can clinch the two remaining spots with wins. So the Power Rankings are looking ahead to what’s next for every team. That means the postseason for some, quarterback questions for others and head coaching searches for several.
We’ve also shuffled the top of our rankings, which get tougher and tougher to order as the season draws to a close.
1. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Last week: 1
Sunday: Beat New York Jets 40-14
What’s next?: Finishing the job
The last time the Bills won a championship, Lou Saban was their head coach. That was the 1965 AFL title. Since then, it has been a painful history of almosts — four straight Super Bowl losses from 1990 to 1993 and an active streak of five straight playoff appearances that have ended in defeat. The way Josh Allen is playing, this team has a chance to change everything. He was 16-for-27 passing for 182 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown Sunday to keep pace with Lamar Jackson in the MVP race.
Up next: at New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Restacking the NFC: Lions, Eagles or Vikings? Who else is dangerous? Sando’s Pick Six
2. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
Last week: 5
Sunday: Beat Green Bay Packers 27-25
What’s next?: Deciding on a quarterback
Yes, the Vikings still have plenty to play for this season, but their long-term prospects are just as important and that means picking the right quarterback — the suddenly super Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy, who was drafted 10th in April to be the future but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Darnold has been so good (third in passing yards, 4,153, and fifth in passer rating, 106.4), that it’s going to be tough to let him walk, but where does that leave McCarthy?
Up next: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
THAT’S OUR FREAKING QUARTERBACK pic.twitter.com/pEo4aqPHen
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 30, 2024
3. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
Last week: 4
Wednesday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10
What’s next?: Rest
The Chiefs clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed with their Christmas Day win. That means the next time they play a meaningful game, we all will have already given up on our New Year’s resolutions (Jan. 18 or 19). That’s good for Patrick Mahomes’ ankle and 35-year-old Travis Kelce’s energy level. Bad news for the Chiefs haters: Since Week 8, Kelce is fourth in the league in catches (69 for 578 yards).
Up next: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
4. Detroit Lions (14-2)
Last week: 2
Monday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 40-34
What’s next?: Securing home-field advantage
The Lions are wounded and the Vikings are hot, but Detroit has a chance to reset the narrative heading into the playoffs and secure the top seed in the NFC when it hosts Minnesota on Sunday night. If the Lions win, they won’t have to leave Ford Field until a possible Super Bowl trip. Their offense looked capable of it against the 49ers on Monday night, but the defense is going to have to hang on tight.
Up next: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Last week: 3
Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 41-7
What’s next?: Getting Saquon Barkley the record?
The Eagles are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed, meaning they have nothing to play for in Week 18 except history. Barkley carried the ball 31 times for 167 yards Sunday and now has 2,005 for the season. That means he would need only 101 yards against the Giants in Week 18 to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL record of 2,105, set in 1984. Risking Barkley’s health for history is not an easy decision for Philadelphia. For the rest of us, it’s simple. Chase history! Against the Giants, Barkley’s former team!
Up next: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What we learned in NFL Week 17: Vikings alive for top seed, Colts ‘embarrassing’
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Last week: 7
Wednesday: Beat Houston Texans 31-2
What’s next?: Stopping the Chiefs
If Mahomes didn’t exist, this would be the scariest team in the NFL, even though it has five losses. The Ravens are 5-2 against the current AFC playoff field (if the season ended today) and their point margin in those games is a staggering plus-100. They are third in the league in scoring (30.2) and since Kyle Hamilton was moved to a more traditional safety role in Week 11, they are third in defensive expected points added (11.3 per 100 snaps), according to TruMedia.
Up next: vs. Cleveland Browns, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Zach Ertz and the Commanders made some more magic Sunday night in an overtime win against the Falcons to clinch a playoff spot. (Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
7. Washington Commanders (11-5)
Last week: 8
Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 30-24 OT
What’s next?: Spoiling someone’s postseason
After watching Jayden Daniels throw for 227 yards and three touchdowns and run for 127 yards Sunday night to clinch a playoff spot, nobody wants to play Washington in the postseason. The Commanders, who can lock up the sixth seed on Sunday, aren’t as good as the NFC’s elite, but they’re dangerous enough to beat almost anyone once. Washington has scored 30 or more points seven times, including three times in the last four games, and is one of only three teams to score on more than half of its drives this season.
Up next: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
8. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Last week: 6
Sunday: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 27-25
What’s next?: Proving they belong among the elite
The Packers’ five losses have come by a combined 22 points. That feels like an encouraging statistic until you dig a little deeper. Those five losses have come in the six games in which they have played likely NFC playoff participants. Green Bay is in the top eight in the league in both offensive and defensive EPA per play, but it has padded those numbers against a lot of mediocre teams.
Up next: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
9. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Last week: 11
Saturday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 13-9
What’s next?: Getting ready for the playoffs
Oddly, the Rams saw their playoff spot clinched Sunday night by Washington’s win over Atlanta. The Rams are NFC West champs, regardless of what happens against the Seahawks in Week 18. They have won five in a row and six of their last seven. They have won their last three despite not scoring 20 points in any of those games.
Up next: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
10. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
Last week: 12
Saturday: Beat New England Patriots 40-7
What’s next?: Jim Harbaugh’s contract extension
OK, it’s probably too early for that, but Harbaugh is taking this team to the playoffs for just the second time in six years. In his first year after taking over what was a five-win team last season, Harbaugh has doubled the win total with one game left and has the Chargers in the top 10 in the league in point differential (plus-87). Justin Herbert passed for three touchdowns and 281 yards Saturday as they rolled the Patriots.
Up next: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
‘He’s that guy’: Jim Harbaugh cements turnaround as Chargers clinch playoff spot
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Last week: 9
Wednesday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 29-10
What’s next?: Finding a quarterback
Pittsburgh’s playoff potential is low. The Steelers have lost three straight and haven’t scored more than 17 points in any of those games. It’s time to start thinking about the future, and Russell Wilson’s comeback story looks stalled. He has had a negative EPA per dropback in each of his last four games. The 36-year-old and Justin Fields were both one-year experiments in Pittsburgh, which doesn’t have a quarterback under contract for the 2025 season.
Up next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught two of Baker Mayfield’s five touchdown passes on Sunday. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Last week: 15
Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 48-14
What’s next?: Clinch the NFC South
All Tampa Bay has to do to win its fourth straight NFC South title is beat New Orleans in Week 18. An Atlanta loss to Carolina would also do the trick. The Buccaneers entered Week 12 on a four-game losing streak. Since then, they are second in the NFL in scoring (32.7 ppg) and third in points allowed (16.7). After throwing five touchdown passes against the Panthers, Baker Mayfield is tied for second in the NFL with 39 for the season. Since the start of the 2023 season, he’s first with 67.
Up next: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
13. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Last week: 14
Saturday: Beat Denver Broncos 30-24 OT
What’s next?: Signing Tee Higgins (please)
The Bengals wide receiver had 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, including the game-winner in overtime in what might have been his final home game in Cincinnati. Let’s hope it’s not, though. Higgins is playing on the final year of his contract, and there’s skepticism the Bengals will pay him big money because they’re definitely going to have to pay Ja’Marr Chase. Breaking up the NFL’s most entertaining pass-catching trio (Higgins, Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow) feels wrong, though. Higgins and Chase both are averaging more than 75 receiving yards per game this season.
Up next: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
14. Denver Broncos (9-7)
Last week: 10
Saturday: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals 30-24 OT
What’s next?: Trying to hang on
The Broncos could have clinched Saturday, but Joe Burrow’s heroics in overtime prevented that. Now they have to beat Kansas City in Week 18 or hope both the Dolphins and Bengals lose to break an eight-year playoff drought. The good news for the Broncos is the Chiefs are expected to rest their most important players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Up next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Broncos defensive front has been NFL’s best this season — and must deliver once more
15. Houston Texans (9-7)
Last week: 13
Wednesday: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 31-2
What’s next?: Self-scouting for the offensive coaching staff
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik did so well in 2023 that he got head coaching interviews in the offseason. He might get fired this offseason. Houston has dropped from 12th in yards per play (5.4) and 15th in EPA per play (.03) a year ago to 24th (5.1) and 25th this year (minus-.08). They are 18th in the league in scoring (21.8 ppg) despite having C.J. Stroud at quarterback and the fifth-best turnover margin in the league (plus-10).
Up next: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Last week: 17
Thursday: Beat Chicago Bears 6-3
What’s next?: Figuring out how to start faster next season
Seattle was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday despite having won five of its last seven games. In the end, it couldn’t overcome its 4-5 start under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks can take hope from the fact that they started to figure out Macdonald’s defensive system late in the season. After their bye week in Week 10, they were fourth in the league in points allowed (17.4 per game) and third in defensive EPA (10.7 per 100 snaps).
Up next: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
17. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
Last week: 16
Sunday: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 41-7
What’s next?: Extend Mike McCarthy (or not)
The Cowboys’ fifth-year head coach seemed to have saved his job down the stretch. They had won four of five coming into Sunday but then got embarrassed by the Eagles. McCarthy’s supporters can point out that Dak Prescott played only eight games this season. His detractors can counter with the fact that the Cowboys are 27th in the league in point differential (minus-114). That’s on pace to be their worst since at least 1989, according to TruMedia.
Up next: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
18. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Last week: 18
Sunday: Lost to Washington Commanders 30-24 OT
What’s next?: Grief counseling
After hiring a new head coach, paying a free-agent quarterback $90 million guaranteed for what looks like it’s going to be 14 games of service, drafting a quarterback in the top 10 and trading a third-round pick for one year of a veteran pass rusher, the Falcons look like they’re headed for a seventh consecutive season without making the playoffs. That’s after starting 6-3 and building a two-game lead in their division (and controlling the tiebreaker by sweeping Tampa Bay). They lost for the fifth time in their last seven games Sunday night after coach Raheem Morris mismanaged an end-of-game clock management situation, leading to a long field goal miss.
Up next: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Tyler Huntley helped the Dolphins beat the Browns on Sunday to improve to 5-8 as a starter in his career, but Miami needs better Tua insurance. (Jason Miller / Getty Images)
19. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Last week: 20
Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 20-3
What’s next?: Paying a backup quarterback
Miami is committed to Tua Tagovailoa, but he has played only 11 games this year because of injury. He missed Sunday with a hip injury, and he has played more than 13 games in a season just once in his five-year career. Tyler Huntley was good enough to beat the reeling Browns on Sunday, and Miami is now 2-3 without Tua this season. The Dolphins need to invest in a backup who can help them through the inevitable moments they’ll be without Tagovailoa.
Up next: at New York Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
20. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
Last week: 21
Saturday: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 13-9
What’s next?: Revamping the offense
Quarterback Kyler Murray told the NFL Network broadcasting team calling Saturday’s game that he wanted to use his legs more next year. Might as well try it. Murray is one of the most dynamic athletes in the league, and whatever the Cardinals have tried the last six years hasn’t worked. Since Murray joined the team in 2019, Arizona is 27th in win percentage (.394), 21st in scoring margin (minus-191) and 18th in scoring (22.7 ppg), according to TruMedia. The Cardinals have played in one playoff game in that time, losing it by 23 points.
Up next: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
21. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Last week: 22
Monday: Lost to Detroit Lions 40-34
What’s next?: Relax
It seems like Kyle Shanahan ages a decade and everyone writes the 49ers’ obituary with every loss this season, but things are probably fine. Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey should be healthy next year. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brock Purdy will be back next year. Purdy looked great for much of Monday night’s game before leaving with an injury in the final two minutes. He led San Francisco to touchdowns on four of its first five drives and threw for a career-high 377 yards.
Up next: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
22. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
Last week: 19
Sunday: Lost to New York Giants 45-33
What’s next?: Make a decision on Anthony Richardson
In one more week, Richardson will be halfway through his rookie contract, and the Colts still probably don’t know what to do with him. Despite entering the season with high expectations, he is 41st in EPA per dropback this season (minus-.13) among quarterbacks with more than 50 attempts, according to TruMedia. Richardson missed Sunday’s game with back and foot injuries. The 6-foot-4, 244-pounder has played only 15 games in two years because of injury and a brief benching. If Indianapolis wants to move on, there’s no sense in waiting. After Sunday’s embarrassment, the Colts may want to move on from the head coach and general manager, too.
Up next: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
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23. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
Last week: 23
Sunday: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-14
What’s next?: Fix the defense
The Panthers have allowed 496 points this season. The NFL record for points allowed in a season is 533 (the 1981 Baltimore Colts), according to StatMuse. Getting defensive tackle Derrick Brown back from a season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 1 will help in 2025, but Carolina needs more than that. Pass rusher probably is the biggest need. No Panther is in the top 50 in the league in sacks and only two — A’Shawn Robinson and Jadeveon Clowney — are in the top 96.
Up next: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
24. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
Last week: 28
Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 25-10
What’s next?: Not a quarterback, apparently
The Raiders have won two games in a row, so instead of having the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, they are sitting at No. 8, according to Tankathon. Is that going to be too low to get the quarterback of the future they so desperately need? Dane Brugler has only two quarterbacks being picked in the first round of his most recent mock draft and both of them — Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders — go by No. 3. If Las Vegas goes into 2025 with incumbent Aidan O’Connell starting again, it won’t matter who the coach is.
Up next: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
25. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
Last week: 26
Sunday: Lost to Las Vegas Raiders 25-10
What’s next?: A statue for Cam Jordan
It looked a lot like the last game in New Orleans for Jordan on Sunday when he made a lap around the field to speak to fans and sign autographs. Jordan has played 236 games (including the playoffs) for the Saints. The No. 24 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, he reached sack No. 121 1/2 in Sunday’s loss, moving him into a tie with Clyde Simmons for 22nd on the NFL’s official all-time list.
Up next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
❤️ @camjordan94 made a lap around the stands to thanks the fans after the game 🥹#WPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/cQIhuYZvcr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 29, 2024
26. New York Jets (4-12)
Last week: 24
Sunday: Lost to Buffalo Bills 40-14
What’s next?: The head coaching hire
There are reasons to be wary about the Jets’ job — chiefly the documented dysfunction at the ownership level to the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers at quarterback — but this is still an NFL head coaching job in New York. The Jets should have plenty of options, but do they want a culture coach (Mike Vrabel), a defensive guru (Brian Flores) or the next offensive whiz kid (Ben Johnson)? So far, no name has been solidly attached to this job.
Up next: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
27. Chicago Bears (4-12)
Last week: 25
Thursday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 6-3
What’s next?: Buying a clock
Chicago has now had two of the most inexcusable end-of-game clock management situations in the league with two different head coaches on the sideline. It kind of sums up the season for the Bears, who have lost 10 in a row after starting the season 4-2. Caleb Williams passed for 122 yards against the Seahawks, and it was only his third-lowest total of the season.
Up next: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
‘Sell the team!’: Bears fans vent their anger in home finale of calamitous season
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Last week: 30
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 20-13
What’s next?: Making a move at head coach most likely
Everyone thought Doug Pederson was going to be fired during the bye week. That was Week 12, and he hasn’t done anything heroic to save his job since. The only team Jacksonville has beaten since Week 7 is Tennessee (twice). Unless the Jaguars can upset Indianapolis in Week 18, this will be the third time in the last five years they have won three or fewer games. Whoever replaces Pederson (assuming Pederson is actually fired) will have their work cut out for them.
Up next: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
29. New York Giants (3-13)
Last week: 32
Sunday: Beat Indianapolis Colts 45-33
What’s next?: Deciding who to blame
Sure owner John Mara gave head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen a vote of confidence in October, but something has to change, right? The Giants have lost 10 of their last 11, and the team seems to be making it clear through back channels that Daboll’s and Schoen’s fates are linked. That suggests someone is taking the fall for this. Now Mara just has to decide who.
Up next: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
30. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Last week: 29
Sunday: Lost to Miami Dolphins 20-3
What’s next?: Giving Myles Garrett whatever he wants
Garrett had two more sacks Sunday to move into a tie for the NFL lead with 14 for the season. He’s the first player in league history with 14 or more sacks in four consecutive seasons. Since 2017, he’s second in the league with 102 1/2 sacks, and he’s about the only bright spot left for a team that has decisions to make at head coach and quarterback. Garrett said two weeks ago he wanted the team to show him a plan for making things better in Cleveland. The Browns need to get on that.
Up next: at Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Myles Garrett asked if the thought that today could be his last home game in Cleveland crossed his mind.
“I don’t think about that kind of stuff.”
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) December 30, 2024
31. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Last week: 31
Sunday: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 20-13
What’s next?: Making up their mind about Will Levis
The Titans are projected to pick second after losing for the seventh time in their last eight games. That’s new quarterback territory, and this team can’t love its current quarterback. Among quarterbacks with more than 50 pass attempts this year, Levis is 43rd in EPA per dropback (minus-.17). The positives are he’s halfway through a rookie contract, and he has all the physical tools. Will that be enough to convince them to try this another year?
Up next: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
32. New England Patriots (3-13)
Last week: 27
Saturday: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers 40-7
What’s next?: Encasing Drake Maye in bubble wrap
The rookie quarterback left the game to be evaluated for concussion in the first half and then returned only to get hit in the head again while sliding and then suplexed by Derwin James for one of the four sacks he absorbed against the Chargers. The Patriots have given up the fifth-most sacks in the league this year (51), and the last thing they need is to get Maye hurt. He’s the only bright spot in a pretty dark room right now. “If changes aren’t made, then what are we doing?” defensive lineman Keion White said after Saturday’s game.
Up next: vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Top photo of Cam Akers and Sam Darnold: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
