NFL Power Rankings - Week 17: One gift on every team's wishlist
NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
This week, Santa Claus joins us to drop off a gift for each team in celebration of the holidays.
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ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS
1. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
Previous rank: 1
π A helping hand: The holidays are all about being with loved ones. The Bills are hoping that the Steelers and Broncos will let them spend more time with their beloved fans this postseason. Pittsburgh and Denver victories over the Chiefs is Buffalo's only possible route to the No. 1 seed.
2. Detroit Lions (13-2)
Previous rank: 3
π A quality camera: Detroit better record its best memories of Ben Johnson before the coordinator's inevitable departure. Arguably the most coveted 2025 coaching candidate, Johnson and the Lions put on another offensive masterpiece in a 34-17 win over the Bears.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
Previous rank: 4
π More Christmas miracles: The Chiefs have won games in the most unbelievable ways this season. Patrick Mahomes and Co. will be praying the odds keep swinging in their favor during the playoffs.
4. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
Previous rank: 5
π Bubble wrap for the entire team: Minnesota has mostly had good injury luck with the playoffs just around the corner. The Vikings will remain one of the NFC's strongest teams as long as their current starters stay healthy and in sync.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
Previous rank: 2
π An alarm clock: Philadelphia has one of the league's most potent offenses but sits 25th in first-quarter scoring through 15 games.
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
Previous rank: 6
π More lottery tickets: Green Bay has consistently added key contributors past the first round. The team's draft gems collected in the second round or later since 2022 include linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, safety Evan Williams, tight end Tucker Kraft, lineman Zach Tom, and receivers Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Jayden Reed.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
Previous rank: 8
π Yard signs: The Ravens receive a ton of "Lamar for MVP" yard signs that they can stick in various cities around the league. Hopefully, voters can rightfully appreciate Jackson putting forth his best effort yet.
8. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
Previous rank: 9
π More first-rounders: Los Angeles just drafted Jared Verse 19th overall, its first Round 1 selection since 2016. Verse has been excellent. Selecting more promising franchise cornerstones could make L.A. a Super Bowl contender again.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
Previous rank: 7
π Healing potion: This offense has been unable to muster much without George Pickens. The defense has also been banged-up. Perhaps the doctors in Pittsburgh can provide a magic remedy to get the Steelers right before the postseason.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
Previous rank: 11
π Muscle: The Chargers have had no problem flexing on inferior foes, holding a 6-1 record against teams that currently have a losing record. However, they're 3-5 against clubs with a winning mark. They'll have to beef up against tougher opponents if they make the playoffs.
11. Washington Commanders (10-5)
Previous rank: 14
π Ball security: After suffering only three turnovers in its first nine games, Washington has turned the ball over 11 times in its last six contests, including five giveaways Sunday. Improving ball security would be huge for the team to make a playoff run.
12. Denver Broncos (9-6)
Previous rank: 12
π Coming of age for Bo Nix: The 24-year-old quarterback is about to enter the two biggest games of his career against the Bengals and Chiefs. Nix will need to transform from promising rookie to polished pro if he wants to end Denver's postseason drought and win matchups against the likes of Burrow and Mahomes.
13. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Previous rank: 13
π Glasses for Geno Smith: The Seahawks' quarterback has thrown the ball to the wrong team way too often this year. Smith has been intercepted 15 times after his two picks Sunday, the second most in the league.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Previous rank: 10
π Binoculars for Baker to find Evans downfield: With two weeks left, Mike Evans is 182 receiving yards away from recording his 11th straight 1,000-yard season to start his NFL career.
15. Houston Texans (9-6)
Previous rank: 15
π A happy Diontae Johnson: The Texans will find it in their best interest to keep Diontae Johnson smiling after his messy Ravens exit. They can't afford to lose another receiver.
16. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
Previous rank: 18
π Even more takeaways: The Falcons' defense has forced six turnovers in the last two games and scored two touchdowns Sunday in Michael Penix's first NFL start. The unit giving the rookie quarterback extra possessions is huge with Atlanta fighting for the NFC South crown and a tough matchup versus Washington coming up.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Previous rank: 17
π A Brinks truck: Cincinnati will need one to hold all the money that the team will need to pay Ja'Marr Chase. The star wide receiver became the franchise's first 1,500-yard receiver Sunday.
18. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
Previous rank: 19
π The downfall of their rivals: The Dolphins aren't dead yet, but they need a ton of chaos to occur over the last two weeks to get in. We don't condone hating, but Miami and its 6% playoff chance will be praying on the Broncos and Bengals slipping up.
19. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
Previous rank: 21
πNoise-cancelling headphones and blinders: Anthony Richardson continues to improve. He can block out the social media complaints with these.
20. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
Previous rank: 22
π A VHS tape of their 90s Super Bowl wins: After a disappointing season riddled with injuries, Dallas fans can live in the glory days before looking ahead to 2025.
21. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Previous rank: 24
π More patience: Dave Canales has been able to help Bryce Young elevate his game, so the Panthers will head into the new offseason with plenty of hope at football's most important position.
22. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
Previous rank: 16
π A Trey McBride touchdown: McBride has the second-most receptions among tight ends this season with 92, but the Cardinals pass-catcher has yet to find the end zone. That's the most catches in a single campaign without a receiving TD in NFL history.
23. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
Previous rank: 20
π A scrapbook: The 49ers were officially eliminated from playoff contention this week. Looking back at memories from recent Super Bowl appearances, including last season, is San Francisco's best option for the holidays.
24. New York Jets (4-11)
Previous rank: 25
π Madden NFL 26: The Jets have a lot of questions about the future with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Getting their hands on an early release of next year's Madden to evaluate the player ratings would give Woody Johnson and Co. a head start on decision-making.
25. Chicago Bears (4-11)
Previous rank: 23
π Some home cooking: Chicago remains the NFL's only winless team on the road in 2024, having posted a 0-7 record away from Soldier Field.
26. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
Previous rank: 26
π A new paper shredder: They have to find a way to destroy their salary books, right? New Orleans is projected to have minus-$63 million in cap space for 2025, a big challenge for a team looking to rebuild.
27. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Previous rank: 27
π A time machine: Going back in time to undo decisions, like the signing of Deshaun Watson, would be the fastest way to get the Browns back on track.
28. New England Patriots (3-12)
Previous rank: 28
π A gift card to Drake Maye: It's too late for the Patriots to give their rookie quarterback new weapons right now. But a guarantee they'll purchase him shiny new toys on offense in 2025 would be great.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
Previous rank: 30
π A chance to lure Shedeur Sanders: The Raiders' victory Sunday was costly in terms of draft position. Now they'll need to bank on losses from the other basement dwellers or an opportunity to convince Sanders to force his way to Las Vegas.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
Previous rank: 29
π Throwback uniforms: The Jaguars might as well look good if they're going to keep losing.
31. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Previous rank: 31
π A button to phone a friend: No team has thrown more interceptions than the Titans this season. From now on, the quarterbacks will be able to freeze time and call the coach before attempting any pass attempt.
32. New York Giants (2-13)
Previous rank: 32
π A new franchise QB: New York will secure the top selection in the 2025 draft if it loses its final two games. The Giants are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback.