Multiple teams across the NFL officially secured spots in the playoffs in Week 14, further separating the different teams into those competing for a Super Bowl and those preparing for the offseason.
See where all 32 NFL teams rank in The Dallas Express Week 14 Power Rankings below:
1. Detroit Lions (Previous Ranking: 1)
The Lions have already clinched a playoff spot and only have two concerns leading into the postseason. The first concern is in regard to a large number of injuries, with the defensive unit being decimated by injuries and players being sent to the injured reserve list. The second concern is the over-aggressiveness of Dan Campbell, with the potential for late-game decisions to negatively impact the team in the playoffs. However, neither of these concerns has kept the Lions from competing at the highest level all season and the team’s strengths easily outweigh these issues. The Lions’ offense has learned to completely control the game flow and the defense, when fully healthy, forces turnovers at a very high rate. Detroit is the clear favorite in the NFC leading into the playoffs.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Ranking: 3)
Another week and another close win for the Chiefs. Wins in the NFL are never easy and teams should not be penalized for winning close games, yet Kansas City continues to allow less talented teams to keep a game close. The offense has been stagnant all season and the defense has seemingly regressed as the season has continued. Regardless, the Chiefs have the best quarterback and coach in the league and should be considered the favorite to win the AFC.
3. Buffalo Bills (Previous Ranking: 2)
Josh Allen is spectacular. However, there are valid concerns about whether other pieces of the roster can win at the highest level in the playoffs. The defense has looked suspect at times throughout the season and the late-game decision-making by Head Coach Sean McDermott could lead to the end of the Bills’ season. The good news for this team is that Allen can make up for a lot of mistakes, but that cannot be something that the Bills rely on in their hope for a Super Bowl.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Ranking: 4)
The Eagles have the second-longest active win streak in the league and should be playing with confidence, yet there are reports of locker-room issues between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Philadelphia has one of the most loaded rosters in the league and plays complementary football that should translate well into the playoffs. The major concern for this team leading into the postseason will be whether these issues are accurate and could end the season prematurely.
5. Minnesota Vikings (Previous Ranking: 6)
The Vikings have looked like one of the best teams all season and continued that trend by dismantling the Falcons in Week 14. Injuries have disrupted some of the defensive abilities over recent weeks but the Vikings continue to play well on both sides of the ball. The biggest question for this team entering the playoffs is the exact same question that has been around this team all season. Will Sam Darnold lose the Vikings a playoff game or can he make it through a full playoff run?
6. Green Bay Packers (Previous Ranking: 5)
The Packers have a lot to be excited about in the future, but the current season is unlikely to end in a run to the Super Bowl. Green Bay has played a total of four games against teams that are ranked higher than them in these power rankings and gone 0-4 in those games. On the other hand, the Packers are 9-0 against teams below them in the rankings. The Packers are the youngest team in the league this season and that has shown during some of the most important moments, with unnecessary penalties and drops plaguing this team all season. Although Green Bay can compete with anyone in the league this season, the biggest Super Bowl window for this team will open next year.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Ranking: 7)
Pittsburgh might have the most sustainable formula to winning of any team in the league, but that does not mean this team is destined for a deep playoff run. The Steelers are in an odd category where they can beat any team in a singular matchup, yet the odds of winning the Super Bowl are incredibly low with Russell Wilson playing quarterback. Wilson is having a very solid season and has shown a lot of improvement when compared to the last few years, but he just doesn’t have the ability to elevate players in the way that other AFC quarterbacks have shown. Although the Steelers could eventually find themselves in the second seed in the AFC, the odds of competing for a Super Bowl feel slim for this team.
8. Baltimore Ravens (Previous Ranking: 8)
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have been incredible all season, but the 8-5 Ravens still have major issues on other parts of the roster. The wide receiving core is solid but does not stand out against some of the other contenders in the league and the defense has been terrible for the majority of this season. Baltimore could make a deep run in the playoffs due to the star power on the team, but closer games in the later portion of the postseason could be difficult to win due to the subpar defense.
9. Houston Texans (Previous Ranking: 9)
Houston was a beneficiary of a bye in Week 14 and stays in the exact same spot in the rankings as last week. The Texans will be without linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for three games due to the hit he made on Trevor Lawrence in Week 13, but that is unlikely to affect the outcome of the regular season for this team. Sitting in first place in the AFC South and holding onto the fourth seed in the conference, the Texans are unlikely to move up or down in the remainder of the season. The offensive line poses major issues for this team in the playoffs, but Houston can compete with nearly any team in the league when fully healthy and engaged.
10. Washington Commanders (Previous Ranking: 10)
The Commanders were another team with a bye in Week 14 and likely benefitted massively with the number of injuries suffered by players on the roster. Washington is still an incredibly young team and is unlikely to make a run to the Super Bowl, but this team should be right in the middle of the playoff hunt by the end of the year. Getting healthy and finding a rhythm on offense will be incredibly important for this team to end the year and could determine whether they can win a playoff game this season.
11. Denver Broncos (Previous Ranking: 11)
Sean Payton has put together an incredibly impressive season with a roster that was expected to easily miss the playoffs this year. The Broncos should make the playoffs but a difficult schedule to close the year should demonstrate whether this team can compete with anyone or if the wins are only coming against the bottom half of the league. Regardless, the future is bright for a Broncos team that will have more cap space in the offseason and young players who will continue to grow in the coming years.
12. Seattle Seahawks (Previous Ranking: 13)
Seattle officially controls its own destiny for the playoffs following a win over the Cardinals in Week 14. The Seahawks still have a difficult schedule to finish the season but are in a position to win the NFC West and host a playoff game in the first round this season. The biggest issue for the Seahawks entering the playoffs is the offensive line, with the unit grading as one of the worst offensive lines in the entire league. Combine a struggling offensive line with playcalling that often sends players deep and that is a recipe for a lot of sacks. Seattle will take on the Packers in Week 15 in a game that could have major implications for both teams.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (Previous Ranking: 12)
The Chargers have looked incredibly impressive all season, but this team does not yet have the offensive firepower to compete with the other explosive offenses in the league. Matchups that rely heavily on the game flow and ball control will often result in a win for the Chargers, but Los Angeles does not have the necessary playmakers at wide receiver and running back to consistently score a high number of points. In a similar fashion to the Broncos, the Chargers are well-positioned to compete for a Super Bowl in the future but do not have all the pieces on the roster required for a deep playoff run.
14. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (Previous Ranking: 14)
The Buccaneers are finally back in the playoffs despite the injuries suffered throughout the roster. Tampa Bay has an easy schedule to end the season and currently controls its own destiny to make the playoffs and host a game in the first round. The offense has remained explosive for the majority of the season while the defense continues to look solid against good teams. While the Buccanneers should not be considered contenders to win the Super Bowl, this team can compete with anyone in a singular matchup.
15. Los Angeles Rams (Previous Ranking: 16)
The Rams needed every point possible to beat the Bills in Week 14 and managed to walk away with a 44-42 victory despite a historic performance by Josh Allen. A fully healthy Rams team can match any team in the league on offense, but the slow start to the season may have already doomed the Rams’ playoff hopes. Los Angeles will likely have to win the division to make the playoffs due to the Vikings and Packers each holding tiebreakers for the wild card spots. Los Angeles could sneak into the final playoff spot if the Commanders begin to struggle, but the Rams’ playoff hopes will likely hinge on a Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks.
16. Arizona Cardinals (Previous Ranking: 15)
The Cardinals had a major opportunity to take down the Seahawks and grab control of the NFC West, but this team ended Week 14 with a loss and is now likely to miss the playoffs. The Cardinals are still a very young team and have the potential to compete at a high-level next season, but the lack of defensive personnel and offensive playmakers at wide receiver have haunted this team all season. Arizona should continue to improve over the next few seasons, but this team is still far from competing for a Super Bowl this year.
17. Miami Dolphins (Previous Ranking: 18)
The Dolphins squeaked out a win against the Jets in Week 14, but that win did not move the team much closer to competing for a playoff spot this season. Although the eventual elimination from playoff contention is largely due to Tua Tagovailoa missing time early in the year, the Dolphins will still have a lot of holes to fix on the roster during the offseason. The defense will likely need a complete overhaul and the offense would benefit from an improved offensive line and a big receiver or running back who can impose their will against less physical teams.
18. San Francisco 49ers (Previous Ranking: 19)
The 49ers showed how dominant they can be when playing at their best in Week 14, but the vast number of injuries to players on the roster have effectively ended the 49ers’ season already. San Francisco is still alive for the playoffs but will likely have to finish the season undefeated, which is a task that has gotten increasingly difficult as more players are placed on the injured reserve list. Although the 49ers are in the midst of a down season, the growth of the younger players on the roster provides optimism that this team can remain successful in the coming years.
19. Atlanta Falcons (Previous Ranking: 17)
Kirk Cousins might already be seeing his time in Atlanta coming to a close after a fourth consecutive game with at least one interception and zero touchdowns. Atlanta has now lost four straight games and is no longer in control of its own destiny for the playoffs, which is a scary thought for a team that was hoping to compete at the highest level this season. Despite signing Cousins to a $180 million contract during the offseason, the Falcons may have to move on to Michael Penix before the end of this season.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous Ranking: 20)
The Bengals have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, but combining an explosive offense with one of the worst defenses in the league is a recipe for a team to finish slightly below .500 on the season. Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase have been impressive all season, but the Bengals must focus on improving the defense during the offseason if there are any hopes of competing for a Super Bowl in the future.
21. Indianapolis Colts (Previous Ranking: 22)
The Colts had a bye in Week 14 and did not move down in the rankings, but the hope for a playoff run is coming to a close with the Colts likely needing to win every game to finish the season. The good news for the Colts is that Anthony Richardson has taken very noticeable strides with his accuracy throughout the season, which is a positive sign for the competitive hopes of this team in the future. Small tweaks at various positions on this roster during the offseason could be incredibly beneficial for the future.
22. New Orleans Saints (Previous Ranking: 21)
New Orleans walked away with a narrow win over the Giants in Week 14 but the injury issues continue to pile up, with Derek Carr now likely out for the season with a concussion and hand fracture. This season has been a roller coaster for the Saints after starting well and then collapsing due to injuries, but the Saints must now start thinking about potential salary cap solutions during the offseason. New Orleans could have some difficult decisions to make during the offseason, but there is no telling what direction that plan will go.
23. Dallas Cowboys (Previous Ranking: 23)
Cooper Rush is very clearly not the answer for the Cowboys this season and Jerry Jones’ obsession with starting him makes no sense. Trey Lance may also not be the answer for the Cowboys this season or in the future, but Dallas traded a fourth-round pick for him last season and has only allowed him to throw the ball six times in regular season games. The Cowboys’ hopes for a playoff run are over and this team must begin taking a long-term approach to the four remaining games this year.
24. Cleveland Browns (Previous Ranking: 25)
The Browns moving up in these rankings is more of a reflection of a team that moved down, as Cleveland was not impressive during the 27-14 loss to the Steelers in Week 14. Cleveland still has multiple holes on the roster that will have to be fixed before competing at a serious level next season, but at least Jameis Winston is fun to watch and root for at quarterback.
25. Chicago Bears (Previous Ranking: 24)
Bears players spent the entire week talking about how the coaching staff was at fault for nearly every loss this season and proceeded to get destroyed by the 49ers in the first game without former Head Coach Matt Eberflus. This season is already over for a Bears team that will likely be making a selection in the Top 10 of the draft again.
26. Carolina Panthers (Previous Ranking: 27)
Bryce Young has finally begun to emerge as a solid quarterback for the Panthers following nearly two seasons of disappointment, and that is a good sign for a franchise that desperately needs stability. The Panthers have put together a much more impressive season in 2024 than in 2023, with the team actually competing for wins at the end of games this year. While the Panthers are still not ready to consistently compete this season, that track could be right around the corner with a solid offseason.
27. New York Jets (Previous Ranking: 26)
The Jets have easily been the most disappointing team this season and somehow it continues to get worse. Despite kicking a potential game-winning field goal with just 52 seconds remaining in the game, the Jets allowed the Dolphins to march down the field and tie the game before winning in overtime. New York will benefit from a complete rest in the offseason, but the next steps forward are blurry and confusing.
28. New England Patriots (Previous Ranking: 28)
The good news for the Patriots is that Drake Maye has continued to look like a franchise quarterback. The bad news for the Patriots is that nearly every other aspect of the team needs improvement. Nearly every position on offense is below average in comparison to the rest of the league and very few pieces of the defense have played well this year, which is a clear sign that the overall roster needs a lot of work. There are now also rumors circulating around the league that the Patriots could move on from head Coach Jerod Mayo this offseason. Every person within this organization should be prepared for drastic changes.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (Previous Ranking: 29)
The final score of the Raiders’ matchup against the Buccanneers in Week 15 does not tell the entire story, as Las Vegas was actually in the game until a late drive by Tampa Bay. Regardless, the Raiders still cannot move the ball on offense and will need serious personnel changes for this to change. The upcoming offseason must be focused on a subpar offense while only making small tweaks to a solid defensive unit.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous Ranking: 31)
Jacksonville will have a golden opportunity to revamp the roster around Trevor Lawrence next season with a potential new head coach and multiple young players coming in from the draft. The Jaguars still have some holes on the roster but the franchise quarterback is already in place, meaning the starting point for this team will be much better than other organizations selecting near the top of the draft.
31. Tennessee Titans (Previous Ranking: 30)
The path forward for the Titans is very unclear with concerns at a variety of positions on the offense. The defensive side of the ball has been solid for the majority of the season while the offense has struggled to score points all year. Making a change at quarterback is the most likely outcome for this team, but there is no clear indication about whether that change will come through free agency or the draft.
32. New York Giants (Previous Ranking: 32)
New York will likely need a complete reset following this season with another mistake costing the Giants a win in Week 14. The remainder of the Giants’ season should be about focusing on which players will be on the roster next season and have the potential to take a step forward. New York is expected to draft a quarterback in the offseason, but that is all there is to look forward to for the rest of the year for this franchise.