NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (2024)

NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we're taking a look at what each team should be thankful for.

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1. Detroit Lions (10-1)

Previous rank: 1

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (1)

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Detroit's head coach and general manager have built a monster. The Lions have become one of the NFL's premier organizations and look like the best team in the league this season.

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

Previous rank: 2

Josh Allen. The unstoppable quarterback has been crucial for Buffalo - the Bills remain a Super Bowl contender when many expected them to regress before the season. Allen has accounted for 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

Previous rank: 4

Saquon Barkley. The 27-year-old running back entered the MVP conversation after a huge performance on Sunday Night Football. Barkley has the most yards from scrimmage through 12 weeks, making the Eagles' offense borderline unstoppable.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

Previous rank: 3

Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have won all eight one-score games they've played this season thanks to their superstar QB, who ranks fourth in EPA/dropback in the fourth quarter. Kansas City has five walk-off victories.

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Previous rank: 6

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (2)

The Derrick Henry signing. Not only did the Ravens take some pressure off Lamar Jackson by adding Henry in the offseason, but the move also raised the team's ceiling and helped Baltimore build a top-three offense.

6. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

Previous rank: 7

O'Connell pairing with Flores. Minnesota's defense ranks first in EPA/play and success rate. Head coach Kevin O'Connell's decision to hire Brian Flores as defensive coordinator in 2023 has worked wonders for the franchise.

7. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

Previous rank: 8

Matt LaFleur. After Sunday's victory over the 49ers, LaFleur improved his record to 64-30 as Packers head coach. He's become one of the league's best offensive play-callers.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

Previous rank: 5

Mike Tomlin. The veteran coach deserves a lot of credit for putting Russell Wilson in the starting lineup; the decision helped change Pittsburgh's season. With one more win, Tomlin will secure his 18th non-losing NFL campaign.

9. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

Previous rank: 15

Mike Macdonald. Seattle is starting to reap the benefits of having Macdonald call the defense. The Seahawks shut down the Cardinals' high-powered offense Sunday and now sit first in the NFC West.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

Previous rank: 12

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (3)

Jim Harbaugh's aura. The Chargers have had talented teams in the past but often failed to make a deep run by losing games in inexplicable ways. The team's culture is different now under Harbaugh, who's brought a new energy to town while creating one of the AFC's best teams.

11. Denver Broncos (7-5)

Previous rank: 13

Facing the NFC South. Four of Denver's seven triumphs came against NFC South teams, as Sean Payton - who knows a thing or two about that division - coached the Broncos to a sweep of the Saints, Bucs, Falcons, and Panthers in 2024.

12. Houston Texans (7-5)

Previous rank: 9

A weak AFC South. The Texans have lost three of their last four games but still have a two-game lead atop the South. Houston is the division's only team with a winning record right now.

13. Washington Commanders (7-5)

Previous rank: 10

Jayden Daniels. He's changed the fortunes of the Commanders franchise. The young quarterback has Washington as the 7-seed of the NFC playoff picture through 12 weeks, drastically exceeding expectations for his rookie season.

14. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)

Previous rank: 11

Kyler Murray. The 27-year-old is fourth among all signal-callers in QB rating. Despite a poor performance against the Seahawks, Murray has played well and is giving Arizona a chance to win its division.

15. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

Previous rank: 20

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (4)

Tua Tagovailoa's health. Miami has had ups and downs but has looked very good since Tagovailoa's return. The signal-caller has completed 76% of his passes with 11 touchdowns to one interception since clearing the concussion protocol Oct. 27.

16. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

Previous rank: 14

Young pass-rushers: Braden Fiske and Jared Verse have 81 pressures and 10.5 sacks combined. The two rookies have helped the Rams' defense produce the league's highest pressure rate (41.2%) this season.

17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

Previous rank: 17

Being first in their division. Atlanta is 4-1 in divisional games this season and is the front-runner to win the NFC South. Despite back-to-back losses, the Falcons have plenty of time to get their season back on track.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)

Previous rank: 18

Baker Mayfield. The 29-year-old is third among quarterbacks in touchdown passes and completion percentage after 12 weeks. Due to Mayfield's performance, Tampa Bay's offense ranks fifth in EPA/play.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

Previous rank: 19

The Burrow-Chase duo. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase have been unstoppable. The star QB leads the NFL with 27 touchdown passes this season, while the receiver tops his position with 1,056 receiving yards and 12 TD receptions.

20. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)

Previous rank: 16

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (5)

George Kittle. The veteran tight end has 642 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in nine games this year. He's been a bright spot for a 49ers offense that hasn't lived up to the hype.

21. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)

Previous rank: 21

Easy schedule. The Colts have the NFL's lowest strength of schedule in their remaining games, according to Tankathon. Indy is two games below .500, but its schedule includes a matchup against Denver - the AFC's current No. 7 seed - so making the playoffs remains possible.

22. Chicago Bears (4-7)

Previous rank: 23

Caleb Williams. The first overall pick shined against the Vikings on Sunday, totaling 373 yards and two touchdowns against a strong defense. Chicago's offense is in good hands.

23. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)

Previous rank: 25

CeeDee Lamb. Even with inconsistent quarterback play, Lamb has produced solid numbers. The 25-year-old is under contract long term and will be the focal point of Dallas' offense for years to come.

24. New England Patriots (3-9)

Previous rank: 22

Drake Maye's development. The rookie quarterback has shown positive signs in his first NFL games despite a subpar supporting cast. Maye's nine big-time throws are tied for the 12th-most in the league since his Week 6 debut, according to PFF.

25. New York Jets (3-8)

Previous rank: 24

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (6)

Chance to rebuild. It sounds like the Jets are willing to start a full rebuild by bringing in a new head coach, general manager, and quarterback to replace 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers. They could certainly benefit from going in a different direction.

26. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

Previous rank: 26

Owning their first-round pick. Chicago used Carolina's first-round selection on Caleb Williams in April, but the Panthers now have the chance to use their top pick in 2025. This roster desperately needs young talent.

27. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

Previous rank: 27

A new coaching staff in 2025. The Saints have a small chance of making the playoffs, but fans can get excited about a fresh start next year. New Orleans' next coaching hire could provide hope for long-term success.

28. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

Previous rank: 30

Division wins. It's extra special to beat an archrival, and two of Cleveland's three wins this year came against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Browns most recently came back versus the Steelers with fan favorite Nick Chubb scoring the game-winning touchdown in snowy conditions.

29. Tennessee Titans (3-8)

Previous rank: 31

AFC South. The Titans have had a bad 2024 campaign despite aggressive offseason moves, but at least the rest of the division isn't pulling away. The Jaguars, Colts, and even the Texans have disappointed to a certain degree.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Previous rank: 29

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (7)

The season is almost over. Trevor Lawrence isn't fully healthy, Doug Pederson will likely be fired, and Jacksonville has a real shot at getting the No. 1 pick for the third time in five years. It's already time for the Jaguars to think about 2025.

31. New York Giants (2-9)

Previous rank: 28

A chance at the first overall pick. New York would have the No. 2 selection in the 2025 draft if the season ended today. With Daniel Jones off the roster, the Giants will be looking for their quarterback of the future.

32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

Previous rank: 32

Brock Bowers. It's been a disappointing campaign for the Raiders, but they might already have a top-three tight end in Bowers. The first-round rookie leads all TEs with 74 catches and 744 yards while also scoring three TDs.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for (2024)
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