NFL Analysis
Week 14 NFL Power Rankings: Top Teams Keep Rolling
Week 13 of the NFL season was not one for the underdogs. Only one of the top 13 teams from last week’s power rankings lost. That loss belonged to the Baltimore Ravens, who lost to the higher-ranked Philadelphia Eagles.
Only four teams in the bottom half of the rankings emerged victorious, and all three came at the expense of even lower-ranked teams. The Rams, Buccaneers, Colts, and Cowboys all won. However, the four teams they beat are a combined 12-37 in 2024.
The top five teams all have two or fewer losses. The Lions and Chiefs lead the way, each sporting 11-1 records. By contrast, four teams already have ten losses. The most impressive win last week was courtesy of the Eagles, who beat the Ravens 24-19 on the road. Philadelphia moved up a spot in this week’s rankings despite nobody above them losing. The last Eagles loss came in Week 4, as they rolled to their eighth straight win.
There was not much movement in this week’s power rankings, but the Buccanneers and Colts moved up three spots. Heading in the opposite direction were the 49ers and Dolphins. Both teams fell to 5-7 with losses last week and saw their playoff hopes take a hit.
Also Read – Kelley: Ten Fair Criticisms of the 2024 New England Patriots
A look at the entire Patriots Football Now NFL Power Rankings entering Week 14:
1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1
Week 13 Result: Beat Chicago 23-20
The Bears gave them all they could handle on Thanksgiving, but it still wasn’t enough.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2
Week 13 Result: Beat Las Vegas 19-17
It’s tough to be critical of a two-time defending Super Bowl champion that is 11-1, but Kansas City needs to start playing better if they hope to three-peat.
3. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 3
Week 13 Result: Beat San Francisco 35-10
Winners of Week 13’s most lopsided win looks very capable of winning their first Lombardi Trophy this game.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 5
Week 13 Result: Beat Baltimore 24-19
After eight-straight wins, it’s time for folks to stop overlooking the Eagles as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 4
Week 13 Result: Beat Arizona 23-22
By Week 13 it’s time to admit there is nothing fluky about the success of Kevin O’Connell’s squad.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 6
Week 13 Result: Beat Miami 30-17
After dismantling the Dolphins, can they avoid a second loss to the Lions in Week 14?
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 7
Week 13 Result: Beat Cincinnati 44-38
Scoring 44 points proves Pittsburgh can win in multiple ways; and they may have ended Cincinnati’s season in the process.
8. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 9
Week 13 Result: Beat Atlanta 17-13
Chargers rebounded from a tough Monday Night Football loss to pick up an impressive road win.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 8
Week 13 Result: Lost to Philadelphia 24-19
No shame in losing to the Eagles, but the Ravens’ loss keeps them in the second tier of contenders for now.
10. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 10
Week 13 Result: Beat NY Jets 26-21
Suddenly, Seattle is the team to beat in the NFC West.
11. Denver Broncos (8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 11
Week 13 Result: Beat Cleveland 41-32
A 93-yard touchdown pass and two pick-sixes for Denver helped make this the most entertaining game of Week 13.
12. Houston Texans (8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 12
Week 13 Result: Beat Jacksonville 23-20
They barely beat the No. 32 team in the rankings, but the Texans did get the win.
13. Washington Commanders (8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 13
Week 12 Result: Beat Tennessee 42-19
The Commanders hope ending their three-game losing streak is a sign of good things to come.
14. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 14
Week 13 Result: Lost to Minnesota 23-22
Almost upset the Vikings, but still within a game of division-leading Seattle.
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 15
Week 13 Result: Lost to LA Chargers 17-13
The bad news was falling to .500, but the good news is that no NFC South team over over .500.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 19
Week 13 Result: Beat Carolina 26-23
Consecutive wins have Tampa Bay back to .500 and in the playoff hunt.
17. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 20
Week 13 Result: Beat New England 35-24
Anthony Richardson is far from perfect, but he did enough to eke out a win, and he’s certainly not boring.
18. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 16
Week 13 Result: Lost to Green Bay 30-17
Their struggles when Tua Tagovailoa was out left them little margin for error.
19. Los Angeles Rams (5-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 17
Week 13 Result: Beat New Orleans 22-14
Whenever people start writing their eulogy, the Rams seem to win again.
20. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 18
Week 13 Result: Lost to Buffalo 35-10
Their Super Bowl window might not be closed yet, but it certainly looks shut for 2024.
21. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 22
Week 13 Result: Beat NY Giants 27-20
Dallas is now 3-1 vs. the NFL East and 2-6 vs. everyone else.
22. New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 27
Week 13 Result: Lost to LA Rams 21-14
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi suffers his first loss to fall to 2-1.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 23
Week 13 Result: Lost to Pittsburgh 44-38
It is tough to imagine a quarterback having as good of a year as Joe Burrow on a team struggling as badly as the Bengals.
24. Chicago Bears (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 24
Week 13 Result: Lost to Detroit 23-20
Six straight losses cost head coach Matt Eberflus his job in Chicago.
25. Tennessee Titans (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 25
Week 13 Result: Lost to Washington 42-19
Completing less than 50% of pass attempts and allowing 42 points is not a winning formula.
26. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 126
Week 13 Result: Lost to Denver 41-32
It’s feast or famine when Jameis Winston throws the ball, but it’s certainly not dull.
27. New England Patriots (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 24
Week 13 Result: Lost to Indianapolis 25-24
The Patriots just needed to stop one of three fourth-down attempts or a two-point conversion for the win, but they couldn’t do it.
28. Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 28
Week 13 Result: Lost to Tampa Bay 26-23
The Panthers appeared ready to pull off the upset the entire game, right up until an overtime fumble.
29. New York Jets (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 29
Week 13 Result: Lost to Seattle 26-21
New York led 21-7, but the offense failed to score after the first quarter and Seattle reeled off 19 straight points.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 30
Week 13 Result: Lost to Kansas City 19-17
Good teams find a way to win and the Raiders found a way to lose after almost upsetting the Chiefs.
31. New York Giants (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 31
Week 13 Result: Lost to Dallas 27-10
The Giants appear comfortable with a high-draft pick, other than head coach Brian Daboll who might not have much time left in New York.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 32
Week 13 Result: Lost to Houston 23-20
Jacksonville lost their tenth game and lost quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the foreseeable future. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft might be the Jaguars new goal.
