NFL’s top rankings: Lions stay on top: Eagles, Chiefs move up; Debts are falling
Four teams have qualified for the play-offs so far, but not all of them are high in my rankings. When the Lions, Eagles and Chiefs were playing each other in week 14, the Bills showed some weakness, dropping 44 points in a loss to the Rams.
Because of this, Buffalo is falling while the Eagles, Chiefs, Vikings and Steelers are rising. The Lions have won an NFL-high 11 games in a row, but it’s the Eagles, who have won nine in a row, that look like the most complete team in the league right now. The Kings keep finding new ways to get a W, while the Vikings and Steelers keep moving just below the radar.
Here are my top 10 picks for Week 14 of the 2024 season.
The Eagles are closing in on the No. 1 ranking with a nine-game winning streak that shows their steady progress as a contender. As the most complete team in football, the Eagles can rely on their offense or defense to force opponents to commit. With Nick Sirianni showing growth and maturity as a leader, the Eagles have the necessary pieces of the championship puzzle.
The defending champions continue to find different ways to knock down top contenders. Whether it was a bank shot with 0:00 on the clock or an unexpected bounce, the Chiefs’ luck and execution produced a 15-game winning streak in the one-game series. Given the nature of the playoffs, Chiefs’ success in the last game gives them the opportunity to complete three penalties.
Kevin O’Connell has done wonders with Sam Darnold as QB1 for the Vikings. The former No. 3 overall pick is finally looking like the franchise player some thought he would be when he entered the league from USC. While the Vikings’ star-studded supporting cast makes it look easy for the passer-by, Darnold’s emergence as an elite player makes the Vikings a formidable contender in the NFC.
The Steelers keep rolling behind a stout defense and an opportunistic offense behind Russell Wilson. It’s not always easy for the AFC North leaders, but it’s hard to dismiss their success by playing the kind of old-school football that’s perfect for the postseason.
Just when the Bills were in line to take the No. 1 seed from the defending champions, the team dropped a tough game along the way. The loss exposed another weakness of the Bills (run defense), but also showcased Josh Allen’s magical playmaking abilities. In a one-and-done competition that is often decided by the play of the quarterback, the Bills have a shot at No. 17 on the list.
Despite a few losses for the No. 1 in the league, the Packers have the potential to go far. If Jordan Love can recapture his magic from 2023, Green Bay’s offense could cause problems for opponents who lack the depth and talent to match the Packers’ dynamic players in the center and backfield.
Sean Payton may swipe the Coach of the Year Award for his performance this season. The one-time Super Bowl champion turned an overachieving team into a playoff contender behind sensational rookie quarterback Bo Nix and a stifling defense.
After taking a good week to rest and recover, the Ravens should re-emerge as the top team in the AFC. John Harbaugh’s team has a great pitching staff, but Baltimore needs consistent play to increase its potential as a title contender.
Mike Macdonald has the Seahawks playing their best football downfield. An opportunistic defense comes with timely stops and moves to stop the league’s most explosive offense. If Geno Smith continues to take care of the ball, the Seahawks could struggle in the postseason.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the NFL Network game again as the host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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