December 12, 2024
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NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Eagles Stay Atop the Power Rankings

Walt19 mins
Saquon Barkley
My current NFL Power Rankings of the 2024 NFL season for Week 15. Eagles stay atop the power rankings.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2025 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2024 season. Follow @walterfootball.

NFL Power Rankings updated Dec. 10, 2024



  1. Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) – Previously: 1.
    I wrote two months ago that I thought there was a good chance the Eagles would get their crap together and perform much better in the second half of the season. They had too much talent to perform as poorly as they did to start the season. The Eagles have now won nine in a row to improve to 11-2. They look unstoppable, or at least they did until they nearly lost to the Panthers. However, this was an obvious flat spot for the Eagles because they were coming off a big win versus the Ravens and had the Steelers, Redskins, and Cowboys on the horizon.

    If you haven’t visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we’ve finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.

    Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It’s $7.99 per month, but you’ll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don’t want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!

  2. Detroit Lions NFL Power Rankings Detroit Lions (12-1) – Previously: 2.
    The Lions were sleepwalking through the second half of the Bears game, but they bounced back and had a great start versus the Packers. They nearly lost at the end, but they ended up beating another top-five team, so there’s no shame in that.

  3. Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills (10-3) – Previously: 3.
    The Bills looked like the best team in the AFC until they got tripped up against the Rams. Josh Allen was incredible, becoming the first player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for three touchdowns in the same game. However, the defense and special teams crushed Buffalo.

  4. Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers (9-4) – Previously: 4.
    The Packers lost at Detroit, but they shouldn’t be too upset about the result because they easily could have won. They’re going to be a very tough out in the playoffs.

  5. Kansas City Chiefs NFL Power Rankings Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) – Previously: 5.
    The Chiefs can’t block. They can’t catch. And they can’t cover the middle of the field. And yet, they’ll probably find a way to win the Super Bowl again.

  6. Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) – Previously: 7.
    I never would have imagined that Russell Wilson would throw for 414 yards and three touchdowns in any game this year, but here we are. Wilson didn’t even get to 160 this week, but the important thing is that the Steelers still won, which moved them two games ahead of Baltimore.

  7. Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens (8-5) – Previously: 6.
    It was so odd to see the Ravens play well against the pass and struggle against the run. I mean, sure, it’s Saquon Barkley, but what was this, Opposite Day? How are we supposed to bet props if we don’t know it’s Opposite Day ahead of time?

  8. Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks (8-5) – Previously: 8.
    The Seahawks have transformed into a defensive juggernaunt after struggling so much on that side of the ball earlier in the year. Leonard Williams has been incredible and deserves consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.

  9. Los Angeles Chargers San Angeles Chargers (8-5) – Previously: 9.
    The Chargers lost by two, but didn’t have Ladd McConkey or Denzel Perryman. Perhaps this will give them confidence that they can take down the Chiefs if they battle them in the playoffs.

  10. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings (11-2) – Previously: 10.
    The Vikings have won six in a row, but they’ve had victories that weren’t exactly convincing against five teams that don’t have winning records (Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Cardinals, Falcons). The win over Atlanta was the best victory, but it was a 21-21 game entering the fourth quarter before the Falcons imploded.

  11. Washington Redskins Washington Redskins (8-5) – Previously: 11.
    The Redskins did well to rebound from their pathetic display against the Cowboys. More importantly, Jayden Daniels looked great for the first time since his rib injury. He went 25-of-30 for 206 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. I’d say that’s pretty good.

  12. San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers (6-7) – Previously: 18.
    So, are the 49ers back? They were so dominant against the Bears despite missing Nick Bosa and Trent Williams. It’s hard to trust this for one game, but there’s no denying the upside.

  13. Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins (6-7) – Previously: 12.
    The Dolphins kept their season alive with a win, but their defense was pathetic against Aaron Rodgers. The good news is that Bradley Chubb will be back in Week 15, so he’ll have with a pass rush that couldn’t rattle Rodgers at all.

  14. Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Rams (7-6) – Previously: 15.
    The Rams had a sluggish performance at the Saints, albeit in a win, but they finally reverted to their potential against the Bills. This was the first time they’ve beaten an elite team since they won the Super Bowl.

  15. Houston Texans Houston Texans (8-5) – Previously: 16.
    The Texans won, but they had to survive Mac Jones. It was not the most convincing victory, with the Jaguars having more yards and a better yards-per-play average. The Texans looked like they were playing drunk, and I don’t understand why Joe Mixon had just 20 carries compared to 34 C.J. Stroud passes.

  16. Denver Broncos Denver Broncos (8-5) – Previously: 13.
    The Broncos-Browns game shaved five years off my life. I still have no idea how Denver covered, but I’ll take it. At any rate, the Broncos have just four games after their bye, which is odd, and they’re in good shape to make the playoffs at 8-5.

  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) – Previously: 17.
    The Buccaneers are back to 7-6, thanks to the return of Mike Evans, Jamel Dean, and Tristan Wirfs the past three weeks. Their schedule is very easy down the stretch, so there should be many more wins to come.

  18. Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – Previously: 14.
    The Cardinals were -115 to win the division, ranking first in offensive EPA heading into Week 12. Since then, they were limited to six points against Seattle, blew a 19-6 lead to the Vikings, and then lost by 12 to Seattle again. Kyler Murray was so hot prior to the bye, but he’s been dreadful since. What did he do during his week off? That’s a rhetorical question, by the way, because we know he played video games the entire time.

  19. Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) – Previously: 19.
    The Bengals got quite the break against the Cowboys with that blocked punt. They’re technically alive at 5-8 because they can catch three teams, but they’re on life support.

  20. Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts (6-7) – Previously: 20.
    The Colts have a chance to sneak into the playoffs, but they need their offensive line to get healthy. The right side was entirely out last week, and that even includes the backup center. Luckily for Indianapolis, the bye is coming up.

  21. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons (6-7) – Previously: 22.
    The Falcons had what seemed like an insurmountable lead in the division when they swept the Buccaneers, but they are now in second place. On the bright side, the Falcons have as many sacks in the past two weeks (9) as they did in the first 11 weeks.

  22. Chicago Bears Chicago Bears (4-9) – Previously: 21.
    If you reverse the Hail Mary, the blocked field goal, the result in overtime versus Minnesota, and the dumb sequence by Matt Eberflus on Thanksgiving, the Bears would be 8-5 right now. They’re a candidate to have a big reversal next year if they find a better coach. Their interim coach is not the answer after that embarrassing performance in San Francisco.

  23. Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns (3-10) – Previously: 24.
    The good news is that Jameis Winston didn’t throw an interception this week. The better news is that the Browns lost to the Steelers, which helped preserve their draft positioning.

  24. Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers (3-10) – Previously: 25.
    Unless Bryce Young looks horrible down the stretch, the Panthers will likely pass on a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Young looked solid against the Chiefs and then was even better against the Buccaneers. He had his first real test since returning from benching against the Eagles, and he did some great things. The Panthers should feel optimistic with Young heading into 2025.

  25. Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys (5-8) – Previously: 26.
    “How many stupid people are A) talking up the Cowboys as a potential wild-card team, and B) suggesting that Mike McCarthy is a good coach? What a joke.” This was written last week. So much for those wild-card chances. The Cowboys had a shot to beat the Bengals, but variance didn’t go their way with the blocked punt bounce.

  26. New England Patriots New England Patriots (3-10) – Previously: 28.
    The Patriots lost, but easily could have won. They had multiple touchdowns negated by holding calls and missed a 25-yard field goal. This is all for the best though because New England was able to boost its draft positioning.

  27. New York Jets New York Jets (3-10) – Previously: 29.
    The Jets gave their best effort against the Dolphins, with Aaron Rodgers having his best game of the year. And yet, it didn’t matter because the Dolphins still ended up winning.

  28. Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans (3-10) – Previously: 27.
    The Titans looked like they had a chance to win, but Will Levis got hurt on a Hail Mary right before halftime. The Titans wisely kept him in the game in the second half, which sabotaged a potential victory. Unfortunately for Tennessee, they’re pretty high up in the log jam of 3-10 teams in the draft order.

  29. New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints (5-8) – Previously: 23.
    The Saints won, but they plummet in these power rankings because Derek Carr fractured his hand. We know this is one of the worst teams in the NFL with either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener at quarterback.

  30. Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) – Previously: 30.
    Aidan O’Connell was great in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, but wasn’t nearly as sharp against the Buccaneers. He got hurt in the second half, so we’ll likely see Desmond Ridder next week.

  31. Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) – Previously: 31.
    The Jaguars ruined a chance to secure the No. 1 pick with a win over the Titans. They could have sold the top pick to a quarterback-needy team for a high price, but they screwed it up.

  32. New York Giants New York Giants (2-11) – Previously: 32.
    The Giants should teach a master class in tanking. This is how you do it: Make all the veterans angry by benching the best quarterback on the roster in favor of a third-string meme. New York has all but secured a top-two draft choice. The strength of schedule between the Giants and Raiders is very close.



2024 NFL MVP Projection:

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
5. Jared Goff, QB, Lions


Go to 2025 NFL Mock Draft




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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11


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2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4







2022 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Post-Free Agency Power Rankings | Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings | Post-Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |

2020 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Playoffs |

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