NFL power rankings: Who’s No. 1? Three teams make compelling cases
NFL power rankings entering Week 14 of the 2024 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Detroit Lions (1): Now 11-1 for the first time in club history after snapping a seven-game Thanksgiving skid, they’ll take aim at their first-ever 11-game winning streak this Thursday night. Two massive games ahead with the Packers and Bills coming to Ford Field and threatening Detroit’s very precarious perch atop the NFC standings … though hopefully they won’t discourage more pass attempts from 335-pound RT Penei Sewell, who was sacked during his only opportunity on Turkey Day.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (2): Should they be considered the league’s top team? They have a very strong case and will overtake the Lions atop the conference table this week if they beat the Panthers and Detroit loses. One unheralded aspect of Philly’s success has been the arrival – literally and figuratively – of Zack Baun, who seems to make impact plays every week and is ranked by the NFL analytics site PFF as the league’s No. 1 off-ball linebacker.
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6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6): In the four games since he was acquired from the Jets, WR Mike Williams has been targeted once – his game-winning 32-yard TD catch at Washington. If volatile WR1 George Pickens goes off the rails at any point, this offense is in serious trouble.
7. Baltimore Ravens (7): Their five losses are by an average of 4.4 points, and they’re rolling with the league’s least-accurate kicker – in 2024 anyway. Justin Tucker’s 10 missed kicks are the most in the league after he misfired a career-worst three times (1 PAT, 2 FGAs) in Sunday’s five-point setback against Philly.
14. Houston Texans (12): Now that LB Azeez Al-Shaair has been hit with a three-game suspension for his brutal hit on Jags QB Trevor Lawrence, a defense that was already suspect at the second level could be in serious trouble against upcoming opponents (Dolphins, Chiefs, Ravens) that thrive while exploiting the middle of the field.
15. Atlanta Falcons (15): Maybe some (previous) home cooking will do Cousins some good. He averaged 266.1 yards and two TDs passing in his 44 appearances at Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium, where he’s headed Sunday. Over the last three weeks, all losses, Cousins has averaged 241.3 yards and two picks with nary a TD pass.
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21. San Francisco 49ers (19): It’s legitimately been a tragic season, LT Trent Williams and CB Charvarius Ward both losing children in recent weeks. Between the lines, a sinking team’s most reliable play Sunday night was a Deebo Samuel Sr. kickoff return – which averaged 34.7 yards. The fact he had six of them tells you all you need to know about how the snow job in Buffalo went otherwise.
27. Cleveland Browns (26): Whether it’s Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston, amazing how wildly productive – and entertaining – this offense is when operated by veteran quarterbacks not named Deshaun Watson. Winston threw six touchdowns Monday night – four to his teammates and two to the Broncos.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (30): Need evidence that DE Maxx Crosby is unique? Per Next Gen Stats, he hasn’t missed a snap in six games. Talk about a unicorn.
This story has been updated with new information.
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