RADIO
32. New York Giants (2-13)
Teams may rise, and teams may fall. There’s been one constant for the second half of the season: The Giants are the worst team in the NFL. Two more losses secure them the top spot in the 2025 NFL Draft and a new quarterback.
31. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Will Levis isn’t the answer. Mason Rudolph isn’t the answer. At least the latter can say he’s completed more than 20 passes on more than one occasion this season.
30. New England Patriots (3-12)
Drake Maye continues to make plays that rookie quarterbacks don’t make. Year two with (hopefully) an improved supporting cast will be fun to watch.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
Would it be unrealistic for Jacksonville to draft only defensive players in the draft? Brian Thomas Jr. is a star wide receiver. The tight end position seems set with Evan Engram and Brenton Strange. Trevor Lawrence isn’t going anywhere. The defense (and a few injuries) has been the issue all season.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
The Raiders defeated the Jaguars on Sunday to jump in the power rankings. But at what cost? Las Vegas tumbled in the projected draft order, hurting their chances of finding a new franchise quarterback.
27. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Say what you want about Jameis Winston, but at least he gave the Browns a chance to win. Dorian Thompson-Robinson also throws interceptions. Unlike Winston, he hindered receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.
26. New York Jets (4-11)
The New York Jets looked great at times this season, like when Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for a touchdown on Sunday. Then, they stall and lose football games. It’s been the case all season long.
25. Chicago Bears (4-11)
While the Chicago offense has taken small steps in the right direction, the defense is going the opposite way. The unit has allowed at least 20 points in six straight games and over 30 in four of those losses.
24. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
There were zero positives from the Monday night blowout loss to the Packers. Although, it’s not exactly a fair audition for Spencer Rattler due to all of the injuries to the Saints’ best offensive weapons.
23. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Carolina’s experienced quite the midseason turnaround under Dave Canales and Bryce Young. The next step is improving the rest of the roster so the young coach and quarterback can consistently compete.
22. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
Now officially eliminated, the focus shifts to San Francisco’s offseason. Can they reload to compete for a Super Bowl? Will Brock Purdy accept a massive contract? Or will they try and run it back with an aging core?
21. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
Road woes finally doomed the Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray’s squad is 2-5 away from State Farm Stadium. An overtime loss in Charlotte eliminated the Cardinals from postseason contention.
20. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
Jonathan Taylor didn’t risk it this time. He held onto the football all three times he crossed the goal line to keep the Colts’ (slim) playoff hopes alive.
19. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
Give it up for the Cowboys. They entered Sunday Night Football with nothing to play for but put together what may be their best game of the season. With four wins in five games, Mike McCarthy may have earned a new contract.
18. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
The change from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr. didn’t move the needle. Luckily, Atlanta was hosting the New York Giants and didn’t need an offensive outburst to win. The Falcons control their destiny due to Tampa Bay’s loss to the Cowboys.
17. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Back-to-back home losses to NFC North foes put Seattle’s postseason hopes in peril. Ultimately, their defense and offensive line need improvements to compete under Mike Macdonald.
16. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
There are still offensive concerns (Tyreek Hill has been mostly quiet) following Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the lineup. However, the Dolphins have done enough to keep their postseason chances alive entering Week 17. They still need two wins and some magic to get in.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Tampa Bay was in a fantastic spot to win the NFC South again. A loss to the Cowboys shifted the divisional landscape. The Buccaneers now need the Falcons to lose one of their last two games to make the playoffs (assuming they beat Carolina and New Orleans.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
If only the Bengals won more than one game in September. Cincinnati is riding a three-game win streak but its postseason odds hinge directly on winning a home game over the Broncos on Saturday. If that happens, the Bengals still need another win and Denver loss.
13. Denver Broncos (9-6)
In a surprise twist, it’s not the Denver offense holding the team back. The defense has struggled over the past month. The Broncos are still in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth. A win over Cincinnati on Saturday will make that dream a reality.
12. Houston Texans (9-6)
C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump and mounting injuries may be too much to overcome in the postseason. Tank Dell joins Stefon Diggs on the sidelines for the rest of the year. At least the division crown is already secured.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
Justin Herbert led a huge comeback over the Denver Broncos to better position the Chargers in the Wild Card race. Plus, J.K. Dobbins’ 21-day window to return from injured reserve is now open. Nobody will want to see the Chargers in the postseason.
10. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
For the second straight season, the Los Angeles Rams are overcoming early-season struggles to (probably) make the postseason. A win over the Cardinals (plus some help) would clinch the NFC West. Otherwise, it’s a winner-take-all battle in Los Angeles between the Rams and Seahawks in Week 18.
9. Washington Commanders (10-5)
Jayden Daniels looks like early-season Jayden Daniels again. The Rookie of the Year favorite has led Washington to three straight wins. He threw a career-high five touchdowns, including one with six seconds remaining, to defeat the Eagles.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
How important is George Pickens? The Steelers have dropped two of three games without him and struggled to pass the ball. There’s suddenly a tie atop the AFC North.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
The Baltimore defense has turned a corner, holding three of their last five opponents to fewer than 20 points. With how efficiently the offense runs, any defensive improvement makes Baltimore very dangerous.
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
The Green Bay Packers are officially playoff-bound. With a strong defense, an elite run game, and Jordan Love under center, no NFC team wants to see Green Bay across the bracket.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
A Jalen Hurts concussion may have cost the Eagles a chance at home-field advantage in the postseason. A win over the Cowboys on Sunday will clinch the NFC East. There hasn’t been a back-to-back NFC East champion since Philadelphia did it in 2004.
4. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
Justin Jefferson is officially on a heater. The All-Pro wide receiver has 24 catches, 349 yards, and five touchdowns in the last three games. There was none more important than the game-winner in Seattle to keep Minnesota in the running for home-field advantage in the NFC.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
The Kansas City Chiefs finished undefeated in front of their fans, who hope to see two more home games. Patrick Mahomes and Co. need one more win to clinch home-field advantage.
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
The Bills also haven’t lost a game this season. Unfortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs have two fewer losses and are in pole position to win home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
The Detroit Lions bounced back from a loss to the Buffalo Bills by beating up on an inferior divisional opponent. A home game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 could determine whether they’re home or on the road to begin the postseason.
