NFL power rankings entering Week 16 of the 2024 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Buffalo Bills (3): They’ve scored at least 30 points in their past eight games – only the fifth team ever to manage that in a single season – while averaging 35 during that stretch. Per NFL Media, they’re also the only team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to score at least five touchdowns in three consecutive games without giving up any sacks or turnovers. The Bills play the Patriots twice and the Jets once over the final three weeks – which would suggest the AFC East champs will score a lot more points, wind up 14-3 and have a great shot at the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed – all while QB Josh Allen should produce another 12 TDs or so in the ongoing bid for his first league MVP award.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (2): After winning their club-record 10th straight game Sunday, they’re one victory shy of putting a Christmas bow on the NFC East. Now officially the league’s No. 1 defense in terms of points and yards allowed, opponents are only averaging 15.1 points during Philly’s heater. Hopefully the ‘little something’ that began bothering RB Saquon Barkley on Sunday doesn’t turn into a more serious issue that could potentially derail another season.
3. Detroit Lions (1): In an autumn full of body blows, the combo punch of losing DL Alim McNeill and RB David Montgomery is at least as cruel as DE Aidan Hutchinson’s trip to injured reserve. Maybe this prideful but depleted pride can keep winning shootouts … and maybe it won’t even get a home playoff game.
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6. Kansas City Chiefs (4): On the day QB Patrick Mahomes became the fastest player to generate 300 career TDs (282 passing, 18 rushing in 128 games), he also suffered an ankle injury … again. Some big decisions ahead for K.C., which could rest the three-time Super Bowl MVP – though the AFC West champs currently need to win two of their final three games, which are probably all against playoff teams (Houston, Pittsburgh, Denver), if they want to guarantee resting all of their players in the wild-card round.
8. Baltimore Ravens (8): However if they can finally beat the Steelers at home, they’ll at least secure a playoff berth – yet will have more work to do in order to reclaim the AFC North perch. Yet a win could also very much boost QB Lamar Jackson’s recently atrophying résumé for consecutive MVP awards … though he’ll have to overcome a 2-5 record and 66.7 career passer rating against Pittsburgh. Maybe bringing back WR Odell Beckham Jr. would help?
18. Atlanta Falcons (21): A lackluster effort against a lackluster opponent with another lackluster performance from QB Kirk Cousins. But a win in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas when you can still somehow earn a home playoff game.
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26. New Orleans Saints (25): RB Alvin Kamara has a shot to join Lydell Mitchell as the only players to lead their teams in rushing and receiving yards on more than one occasion in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (30): Brian Thomas Jr. is 44 yards away from being the Jags’ first 1,000-yard rookie receiver. Now if they can only find a way to pair him with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter …
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.