The end of the Thanksgiving holiday week is a common barometer in the NFL. With Week 13 over, it’s becoming clearer which teams are true contenders and which ones are simply pretenders.
The Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers planted their flags as teams poised to make playoff runs with big wins while the back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs continued to look vulnerable despite pulling out a win.
1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
Last week: W 23-20 (vs. Chicago)
Some could argue the Lions should have had an easier time beating the struggling Bears, but Detroit still won their annual Thanksgiving matchup. Quarterback Jared Goff looked sharp once again, posting a 100.2 QBR while completing 61.8% of his passes for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Detroit benefited from now-former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ poor clock management, but the 2024 Lions continue to find ways to win and appear dominant in most games.
Week 14: vs. Green Bay (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET) | Amazon Prime Video
2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
MATT MILLER JOINS GOJO AND GOLIC TO TALK HIS MOCK DRAFT
1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
Last week: W 23-20 (vs. Chicago)
Some could argue the Lions should have had an easier time beating the struggling Bears, but Detroit still won their annual Thanksgiving matchup. Quarterback Jared Goff looked sharp once again, posting a 100.2 QBR while completing 61.8% of his passes for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Detroit benefited from now-former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ poor clock management, but the 2024 Lions continue to find ways to win and appear dominant in most games.
Week 14: vs. Green Bay (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET) | Amazon Prime Video
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
Last week: W 24-19 (at Baltimore)
A week after Saquon Barkley gashed the Rams for a monster 255-yard performance, he helped lead the Eagles to a statement win with 107 yards and a score. Winning on the road in a tough place to play like Baltimore further sent a message to the entire NFL that the Eagles are serious contenders. Gone are the days of fans and media calling for Nick Sirianni’s job.
Week 14: vs. Carolina (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FOX
4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
Last week: W 19-17 (vs. Las Vegas)
The defending champions pulled out a win over the rival Raiders but continue to appear vulnerable. Friday’s victory came despite losing the total yards battle while achieving fewer first downs. While two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes threw for 306 yards, he needed 46 pass attempts and the team only put 19 points on the scoreboard.
Their earlier loss to Buffalo pushes Kansas City down to the No. 4 spot.
Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET) | NBC
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Last week: W 23-22 (vs. Arizona)
Quarterback Sam Darnold and the Vikings did it again on Sunday, rallying from being behind with 10 fourth-quarter points to defeat the Cardinals. Minnesota’s win lets them keep pace in a crowded NFC North. Justin Jefferson caught seven balls for 99 yards in the win.
The Vikings keep planting their flag as the NFL’s most surprising team this season.
Week 14: vs. Atlanta (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FOX
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
Last week: W 44-38 (at Cincinnati)
Russell Wilson had his best game as a Steeler, throwing for 414 yards and three touchdowns, helping Pittsburgh pick up a crucial victory in Cincinnati coming off a tough loss to the Browns. With Wilson continuing to show comfort with Arthur Smith’s offense, the Steelers are looking more like a team capable of making a run in the playoffs.
The Steelers defense also came through when called upon, notably forcing two key fumbles and picking up four sacks.
Week 14: vs. Cleveland (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET)
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7. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Last week: W 30-17 (vs. Miami)
Jordan Love looks like his 2023 form again after battling an injury earlier this season. Love completed 21-of-28 passes for 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Packers offense controlled the game all day.
Two of the Packers’ three losses have come against Detroit and Minnesota, making their future divisional matchups must-win games if they hope to avoid being a Wild Card.
Week 14: at Detroit (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET) | Amazon Prime Video
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Last week: L 24-19 (vs Philadelphia)
Despite losing to the Eagles, Baltimore is still clearly one of the ten best teams in football. Lamar Jackson threw for 237 yards and ran for 79 more. Running back Derrick Henry averaged 4.3 yards per carry and ran for 82 yards against a Philadelphia defense proving to be elite.
Week 14: Bye
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Last week: W 17-13 (at Atlanta)
Despite running back J.K. Dobbins being out with a knee injury, the Chargers were able to defeat the Falcons in Atlanta. Quarterback Justin Herbert was efficient but he also wasn’t asked to do much thanks to the Los Angeles defense picking off Kirk Cousins four times.
Los Angeles has relied more on the run game and their defense than their star quarterback this season, so it remains to be seen how much longer they can keep winning without Dobbins.
Week 14: at Kansas City (Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET) | NBC
10. Washington Commanders (8-5)
Last week: W 42-19 (vs. Tennessee)
Some may want to overlook a win over the 3-9 Titans but Washington won in dominating fashion. Quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 25-of-30 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns. The Commanders offense has hit its stride and could be strong enough to compete with anybody in the NFC.
Week 14: Bye
11. Houston Texans (8-5)
Last week: W 23-20 (at Jacksonville)
The Texans may not be as good as expected this year, but fortune may be in their favor in a weak AFC South.
CJ Stroud has yet to truly explode, but running back Joe Mixon led the way with 101 yards and a score. Houston’s defense stepped up and makes the Texans a dangerous team if they can get their offense going.
Week 14: Bye
12. Denver Broncos (8-5)
Last week: W 41-32 (vs. Cleveland
Any team led by a rookie quarterback is going to go through growing pains from time to time. At least on Monday night, Bo Nix performed well enough to win again, throwing for 294 yards and a touchdown.
It’s the Broncos defense that makes the team a playoff contender. They picked off Jameis Winston three times, returning two for touchdowns.
Week 14: Bye
13. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Last week: W 26-21 (at New York Jets)
Quarterback Geno Smith’s tendency to start slow almost hurt the Seahawks but they were able to pull off a win over an incredibly disappointing Jets team. Seattle’s continued struggles with losing teams make it difficult to see the Seahawks being a true threat in the NFC.
Week 14: at Arizona (Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET) | FOX
14. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
Last week: L 23-22 (at Minnesota)
Despiting sacking Sam Darnold four times, the Cardinals’ defense blew a late lead and the Cardinals lost to the Vikings by one point. Arizona’s defense and ability to create turnovers with the likes of Dante Stills and Kyzir White, coupled with a potentially explosive offense, make them a dangerous team.
Arizona faces a true test next week against Seattle, looking to avenge their 16-6 loss from two weeks ago.
Week 14: vs. Seattle (Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET) | FOX
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Last week: W 26-23 (OT) (at Carolina)
Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s tremendous season continued and he enjoyed having wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field Sunday, connecting with his primary target for 118 yards and a score.
Tampa’s win makes them a favorite in the wide-open NFC South.
Week 14: vs. Las Vegas (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
16. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
Last week: W 25-24 (at New England)
Anthony Richardson’s return to the starting quarterback role provided a spark to the Colts, as he used both his arm and legs to beat the Patriots. As long as he doesn’t make simple mistakes or check himself out of games again, the Colts could actually get into the AFC South race.
Week 14: Bye
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Last week: L 17-13 (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Kirk Cousins was supposed to stabilize the Falcons offense and make Atlanta a contender. Instead, he threw four costly interceptions and posted a 40.0 QBR. If Cousins can’t figure things out soon, Atlanta may need to turn to Michael Penix a year ahead of schedule.
Week 14: at Minnesota (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FOX
18. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
Last week: W 21-14 (at New Orleans)
The Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford won’t go away, but Los Angeles isn’t going to prove anything with a win over the Saints. The team has too many bad losses on their resume to rank any higher.
Week 14: vs. Buffalo (Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET) | FOX
19. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
Last week: W 27-20 (vs. New York Giants)
A rough start to the season and losing Dak Prescott to injury left most counting the Cowboys out. While Dallas is still a long way from contending the team has shown heart with back-to-back divisional wins.
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati (Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET) | ESPN
20. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Last week: L 30-17 (at Green Bay)
Tua Tagovaila passed for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Jonnu Smith made 10 catches for 113 yards while Tyreek Hill added six receptions for 83 yards, but the Dolphins’ lack of a running game wasted everything they did through the air. Miami remains too one-dimensional.
Week 14: vs. New York Jets (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Last week: L 44-38 (vs. Pittsburgh)
Cinninati’s defense has ruined an otherwise elite season by quarterback Joe Burrow, but any team with the weapons the Bengals do can compete with anyone.
Week 14: at Dallas (Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET) | ESPN
22. San Francisco (5-7)
Last week: L 35-10 (at Buffalo)
After coming so close to a championship a season ago, the 49ers are just too banged up to be relevant this season. San Francisco was exposed further by Buffalo this week and appears headed for a last-place finish.
Week 14: vs. Chicago (Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET) | FOX
23. Chicago Bears (4-8)
Last week: L 23-20 (at Detroit)
Chicago has dealt with the growing pains of rookie quarterback Caleb Wiliams for weeks now, losing six in a row, but the offensive line did show signs of life in their loss to the Lions.
Perhaps a coaching change will help the Bears the rest of the season.
Week 14: at San Francisco (Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET) | FOX
24. New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Last week: L 21-14 (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Alvin Kamara picked up 112 yards on 23 attempts, but it wasn’t enough to carry the Saints offense against the Rams.
Week 14: at New York Giants (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FO
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25. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Last week: L 41-32 (at Denver)
Jameis Winston had a historic day passing for 497 yards but he also was responsible for three interceptions in a loss to the Broncos. Two of the three were run back for defensive scores.
Jerry Jeudy caught nine balls for 235 yards against his former team, but it didn’t matter.
Week 14: at Pittsburgh (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
26. Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Last week: L 26-23 (vs. Tampa Bay)
Bryce Young had one of his better games of the season, throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown. Adam Thielen posted eight receptions for 99 yards. It still wasn’t enough to slow Baker Mayfield and the Bucs handed Carolina another loss.
Week 14: at Philadelphia (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FOX
27. Tennessee Titans (3-9)
Last week: L 42-19 (at Washington)
Tennessee lost by double digits for the seventh time this season. Quarterback Will Levis didn’t turn the ball over but he also completed just 48.6% of his passes.
Week 14: vs. Jacksonville (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
28. New York Jets (3-9)
Last week: L 26-21 (vs. Seattle)
New York almost secured a rare victory but wound up losing to Seattle nonetheless. Aaron Rodgers threw his eighth interception of the season and the Jets dropped the eighth of their last nine games.
The Rodgers trade continues to look worse each week.
Week 14: at Miami (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
29. New England Patriots (3-10)
Last week: L 25-24 (vs. Indianapolis)
Quarterback Drake Maye was efficient and only threw six incompletions all game in a loss to the Colts. Maye’s progression is the most important part of the season so far for New England.
Week 14: Bye
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Last week: L 23-20 (vs. Houston)
A disappointing season grew worse for the Jaguars, losing to Houston but also watching quarterback Trevor Lawrence go down after an ugly hit that left him needing to be carted off the field.
Week 14: at Tennessee (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | C
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31. New York Giants (2-10)
Last week: L 27-20 (at Dallas)
The Giants were competitive in their first game after moving on from former first-round pick Daniel Jones but still came up short in Dallas. Drew Lock got the start and passed for only 178 yards and an interception.
Week 14: vs. New Orleans (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | FOX
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Last week: L 19-17 (at Kansas City)
Las Vegas played their rival close, but that may be more about the Chiefs’ issues than anything else. Aidan O’Connell does deserve recognition for throwing for 340 yards – his single-game best.
Week 14: at Tampa Bay (Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET) | CBS
