2024 NFL Power Rankings: Midseason Edition
We just completed week 9, which means that we’re at the approximate halfway point of the 2024 campaign. That means it’s also trade deadline time! That has just passed, so as in 2023, it’s time to re-evaluate where everyone stands. Much change has taken place since week 1, and we’ve learned a great deal about the 32 teams. How have our perceptions shifted? Spoiler alert: a lot. For reference, I list each team’s week 1 ranking in parentheses. Enjoy my updated midseason 2024 NFL power rankings!
32. New Orleans Saints (2-7; Previous Ranking: 16)
When you lose to the team that would’ve otherwise been ranked 32nd (Carolina) as part of a 7-game losing streak, you take their place at the bottom. Things have gotten so bad that the Saints fired their coach. An aging defense can no longer stop the run like it once did, while the offense has no consistency from one drive to the next. A perennially bad cap situation makes potential fixes hard to spot, but there is one solution. Blow everything up and build from scratch like a normal team. You’re already at the bottom of the rankings New Orleans, so you may as well save cash while you’re at it.
31. Carolina Panthers (2-7; Previous Ranking: 30)
The team that beat New Orleans is ranked ahead of them, but just barely. Carolina is still one of the biggest messes in the league. I haven’t seen anything yet to suggest that Bryce Young is a functional NFL QB, and the defense that carried the Panthers a year ago is too injured to have an impact. Still, Carolina needs to keep starting Young to make sure they evaluate him properly. It would be terrible to give up on him and then have him blossom with another team. Other QBs have failed here and then played better elsewhere; the Panthers can’t afford to mess up yet again given what the trade for Young cost them.
30. New England Patriots (2-7; Previous Ranking: 32)
I’ll give the Patriots credit for being competitive most weeks, and QB Drake Maye makes them an interesting watch. The 3rd overall pick of this year’s draft is a work in progress, and he turns the ball over too much, but his upside is enticing. You can see the arm talent and athleticism, though you’d much rather see him behind a competent offensive line and possessing some weapons. Rookie HC Jerod Mayo is also learning on the job (don’t publicly call your own team soft), but his defense looks good most of the time. This is a full-scale rebuild, so patience is key here. Can Patriots fans spoiled by a legendary 20-year run wait?
29. Tennessee Titans (2-6; Previous Ranking: 26)
This ranking only applies if Mason Rudolph remains at QB. Whenever Will Levis returns, the Titans will sink again. It’s not a coincidence that Rudolph played most or all of the two games that they won: there’s direct causation. WR Calvin Ridley has started producing with Rudolph under center, while RB Tony Pollard and the running game have provided balance. The defense is quietly allowing fewer yards per game than any other team in the league, though they oddly haven’t been a great scoring defense. Tennessee has some pieces, but they’re clearly not a highly talented team and won’t be until they solve their QB problems.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7; Previous Ranking: 27)
Las Vegas’ season has gone off the rails, but that’s kind of what we expected out of them. HC Antonio Pierce, who just got the permanent job this offseason, has already fired his OC and a couple of position coaches. He has also benched QB Gardner Minshew three separate times and watched his front office trade WR Davante Adams. The Raiders are wasting DE Maxx Crosby because they likely won’t be competitive during his prime. LV’s roster is in disrepair, they don’t have a QB or much on offense outside of rookie TE Brock Bowers, and owner Mark Davis whiffed on his coaching hire. Tough times could be ahead.
27. New York Giants (2-7; Previous Ranking: 31)
We seem to be getting our answer to the Daniel Jones question based on what we’re NOT seeing. The Giants aren’t passing unless they have to, and when they do, they struggle. I think the entire point of this season is now to save the jobs of HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. Jones is probably going to need a new home after this campaign ends, but will the decision-makers face the same situation? My sense is that owner John Mara wants to maintain continuity if he can, but something like a 5-12 finish could make him change his mind. I like the defensive line, and rookie WR Mailk Nabers is a star. What NYG does next matters most.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7; Previous Ranking: 13)
I debated whether to place Jacksonville ahead of the Giants, but I think they’ve shown more signs of life in recent weeks. They’re also more talented overall (despite their exodus via trades). However, they’re the much greater disappointment. After crumbling down the stretch last year to finish 9-8, we did not expect a 2-7 start from this particular roster. HC Doug Pederson is in major trouble, as QB Trevor Lawrence isn’t going anywhere with his new contract. The Jaguars always churn through coaches instead of letting them build something, and the poor fans have to endure endless rebuilding cycles. Here we go again.
25. Cleveland Browns (2-7; Previous Ranking: 17)
I might be overrating the Browns a bit based on their most recent debacle against the Chargers, but I expect the team to be better overall with Jameis Winston at quarterback. That said, trading some of your best players does not improve the on-field product. It’s a reflection of where the Browns are at this point, i.e., square one. We can officially call the Deshaun Watson experiment a complete disaster, but we probably already knew that. His cap hold will make it hard to build a competitive roster, though their win against Baltimore gives you hope. For this season, a high draft pick seems like the only real reward.
24. Dallas Cowboys (3-5; Previous Ranking: 6)
I really whiffed on this one in my kickoff rankings. In my defense, I did not expect OLB Micah Parsons, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, and CB DaRon Bland to all miss significant time. Now QB Dak Prescott may miss the season with a detached hamstring, so this season is practically over. I’d rank the Cowboys lower if some of those defenders weren’t coming back or if Cooper Rush looked significantly worse than Prescott. As it stands, we’re probably staring at the final games of the Mike McCarthy era in Dallas, while owner/GM Jerry Jones will deny all accountability and wonder how this top-heavy roster can’t win a title.
23. Miami Dolphins (2-6; Previous Ranking: 8)
No team has flipped more on its head in the past two weeks. When QB Tua Tagovailoa was out, the defense played good football and kept the team competitive, though they only won a single game in his absence (against NE). Tua has played the last two games and put up 27 points in each of them, but what happened to that defense? They have blown several games in a row in the final minutes, and thus Miami still isn’t winning any games. It’s getting very late for the Dolphins, and they’ll have to upset several teams to even claw into contention. Building for 2025 might be the only course of action before too long.
22. Chicago Bears (4-4; Previous Ranking: 18)
When the Bears were 4-2 and #1 pick Caleb Williams was showing strong development, I was beginning to buy into this team. The last two weeks have undermined everything I thought I knew. Williams is struggling to connect with his receivers, and the offensive line appears unable to protect him. On defense, the side of the ball that had been carrying the team, Chicago is starting to falter, especially against the run. The first part of their schedule was supposed to be easier, and their remaining schedule is the hardest among all teams. This isn’t looking like a playoff year after all, but development was always going to be the metric.
21. Indianapolis Colts (4-5; Previous Ranking: 21)
What we have here is a team without a direction. As you’ve probably heard, 2nd-year QB Anthony Richardson was benched due to poor play and tapping out before a 3rd down. Joe Flacco had been better in earlier games, but he did not have his finest outing this past week. HC Shane Steichen is sticking with Flacco for now, and it’s the correct move. Richardson needs to take a step back and learn or else he’ll end up like other draft busts who were thrown into the fire too soon. The tricky part is that the Colts are still in a playoff race. Thus, Steichen must go with whoever he thinks gives him the best chance to win each week.
20. New York Jets (3-6; Previous Ranking: 9)
I know it’s tempting to boost the Jets after their second-half eruption against the Texans. They showed some real signs of life in that game, but they dug themselves a deep hole. At 3-6, they probably can’t afford to lose more than one game from here on out if they reasonably expect to make the playoffs. What we did see though was excellent: the swarming pass rush (including Haason Reddick!), the great play of WR Garrett Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and his connection with Davante Adams. If they can keep this up, they’re a major threat, but I have to see it for more than 30 football minutes to actually believe in this team.
19. Denver Broncos (5-4; Previous Ranking: 23)
For all the good that Denver’s defense showed us over the first 8 games of the season, that 9th game against Baltimore told us not to get carried away. While dominating bad offenses is certainly something good defenses do, it doesn’t mean you can stop one of the NFL’s premier teams. With the Ravens running roughshod, it was up to the offense to save the day. Rookie QB Bo Nix is improving, but he’s really not close to being a franchise player just yet. His best asset currently is his legs, but when those are minimized by a defense, his struggles. I like the trajectory of this team, but let’s pump the brakes on the playoff talk for a bit.
18. Seattle Seahawks (4-5; Previous Ranking: 19)
Remember when the Seahawks were 3-0 and leading this division? They’ve gone 1-5 since and dead last in the NFC West. QB Geno Smith is making a few too many mistakes, but it’s not like his line is helping him. The RT position has been a revolving door in the absence of the injured Abraham Lucas. Top WR DK Metcalf is also hurt, though the passing game is explosive enough. My concerns are actually more about the defense. While the run defense has actually gotten better, I’m seeing major lapses in the back 7. Aside from CB Devon Witherspoon, nobody is playing great. In this tough a division, that won’t cut it.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3; Previous Ranking: 29)
When you look at a Jim Harbaugh-coached team, what do you expect? I anticipate a physical squad that tries to control the lines of scrimmage, plays good defense, and runs the football. Check, check, and check thus far, as the Chargers have been among the league’s best scoring defenses. The Baltimore imports at RB have also re-energized the ground game. I must caution you though: the Bolts have faced an incredibly weak schedule. They’ve lost to every team they’ve played who currently has a winning record except for Denver. For that reason, I’m not quite sold on them yet, but these are definitely not your same old Chargers.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (4-5; Previous Ranking: 4)
Nobody should be surprised about Cincinnati’s awful start. They do this every year before rebounding. I am much more shocked about the giant step back taken by the defense. DC Lou Anarumo is pretty good, so I believe this is a personnel issue. The corners give up big plays every week, while the DTs cannot stop the run. DE Trey Hendrickson leads the league in sacks and is elite, but that’s all they’ve got. Offensively, QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase are playing great. The former is putting up MVP numbers, and the latter is going to get PAID this offseason. Time is running out to put a complete performance on display.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5; Previous Ranking: 22)
This is approximately where I thought the Buccaneers would be at this point in terms of record. How they got here is simply wild. QB Baker Mayfield has not regressed at all and has been excellent. He led the team to a win over Detroit, which no other team has yet accomplished. Alas, injuries to WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have put a damper on the offense. Evans will be back in a few weeks, but Godwin is done for the year. This past week, Tampa fought the Chiefs hard but ultimately came up short due to being overmatched. The Bucs are better than I thought, but it might not matter if they can’t get healthy.
14. Arizona Cardinals (5-4; Previous Ranking: 28)
Talk about a surprising division leader! Arizona is on top of a highly clustered NFC West, and it seems legit. HC Jonathan Gannon has this team looking much better in his second season, with a healthy Kyler Murray the main reason for their success. The diminutive QB is playing beyond his statures, not so much in terms of gaudy stats but letting the offense flow, particularly when rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr is involved. The Cardinals’ no-name defense is also punching above its weight. Arizona has a ceiling that limits how far they can go, but this is a promising step forward for a franchise that has seen little recent success.
13. Los Angeles Rams (4-4; Previous Ranking: 11)
Left for dead at 1-4, the Rams have rebounded to win 3 straight games. Several causes can be identified, and they all have me bullish. First, we’ve got the mind meld between HC Sean McVay and QB Matthew Stafford, but that’s nothing new. The returns of WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have been godsends, elevating the offense to its previous heights. It’s the defensive improvements that have me excited though. Rookie DE Jared Verse looks like a keeper, and fellow rookie DT Braden Fiske is combining with him to revitalize the defensive line. Depth remains an issue, but a healthy Rams team is really good.
12. Houston Texans (6-3; Previous Ranking: 12)
I keep harping on this in my weekly takeaways, but Houston’s pass protection is a major weakness. The injuries suffered by WRs Nico Collins (expected back soon) and Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) have definitely hurt, but none of it matters if QB CJ Stroud doesn’t have to seconds to throw. That’s a shame because this team is otherwise really good. RB Joe Mixon has upgraded the rushing attack, while DEs Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson have become a fearsome combo. Something has to change with the blocking up front because the rest of this roster is too good to squander.
11. Green Bay Packers (6-3; Previous Ranking: 15)
People are starting to question whether QB Jordan Love has an interception problem. I say he does, as well as a possible injury issue. He has dealt with several ailments this season, but that could be fluky. Bad decisions with the football are becoming a trend. In spite of that, this is a winning football team. Part of that is Love offsetting some of his turnovers with great throws, but the rest is simply about having a young, talented roster. The league’s youngest team is still getting better, so I’m optimistic about Green Bay’s future. It helps that two imported veterans, S Xavier McKinney and RB Josh Jacobs, and having great years.
10. Washington Commanders (7-1; Previous Ranking: 25)
I know; this is the “it” team in the NFL and I’m crazy to rank a 7-1 squad this low. Answer this though: who have they beaten? Their wins against the Giants (twice), Bears, Panthers, Browns, and Bengals (early-season edition) have not aged well. A week-4 victory over Arizona looks best at the moment, and they’ve lost to Baltimore and Tampa, the two best teams they’ve faced. I love what HC Dan Quinn has done with this team in terms of both new players and a new culture. QB Jayden Daniels is a shoo-in for the OROY award at this point. I’m just not ready to declare them elite at this juncture. They’re good though, and an easy schedule awaits.
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-3; Previous Ranking: 10)
QB Kirk Cousins was signed to a large contract because the Falcons thought they had all the necessary pieces to win the NFC South except the guy under center. To this point, Cousins is having the desired effect. After shaking off a bit of rust following his torn Achilles, he looks like a top-10 passer once again. The running game was always good, so this is a potent offense. What happened to the pass rush though? Trade acquisition Matt Judon has been nonexistent, and nobody else has stepped up. With just an injured Tampa team in the running, the NFC South belongs to the Falcons. They’ll need to pressure QBs to go further.
8. San Francisco 49ers (4-4; Previous Ranking: 3)
This may be a controversial ranking, but I still consider the Niners the best team in the NFC West. At their best, few can hang with them, and they’ll be a bit closer to their best in the near term. No, WR Brandon Aiyuk won’t return this year, but RB Christian McCaffrey is coming back this week, and LB Dre Greenlaw could soon follow. QB Brock Purdy and DE Nick Bosa are franchise talents, which tips the scales. San Francisco has started seasons slowly before, and Kyle Shanahan teams typically turn things around after a bye week (which just took place). When all is said and done, I think they’ll claim the division crown.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2; Previous Ranking: 5)
Last year’s collapse was fresh on my mind when I thought about this ranking. I wondered about the differences that would enable the 2024 Eagles to avoid that same fate. The answer is simple: they’re on the exact opposite trajectory. Philly actually started slowly this season, but they’re improving every week, and RB Saquon Barkley keeps balling out. The young defense is adjusting, and QB Jalen Hurts is playing much cleaner than he did last year. I don’t believe the Eagles are firing on all cylinders yet, but they’re formidable anyway. Be worried if they maximize their potential, as they’ll be quite deadly.
6. Baltimore Ravens (6-3; Previous Ranking: 7)
Baltimore is a very good team but not quite in the way we expected. We associate Baltimore football with defense, but they’ve been atrocious against the pass. Offensively, this might be the best Ravens unit we’ve ever seen. QB Lamar Jackson is playing better than he did in his MVP season of 2023, and that’s in no small part due to the arrival of RB Derrick Henry. He is still the king and has surpassed 1000 yards rushing in just 9 games (along with scoring in each of them). One curious point: the legendary Justin Tucker is having issues kicking beyond 50 yards. This may be a blip, but it’s something to watch.
5. Minnesota Vikings (6-2; Previous Ranking: 24)
Welcome to our biggest riser in the rankings. When I said last time that the Vikings could “overachieve if everything goes right”, even I didn’t expect things to go this right. Give all the credit to HC Kevin O’Connell and DC Brian Flores. The former has Sam Darnold playing QB at basically a Pro Bowl level, while the latter has authored perhaps the best defensive turnaround in the NFL. WR Justin Jefferson remains football’s best, RB Aaron Jones was a stellar addition, and the secondary might actually be fixed this time. Put it all together, and you’ve got a team thriving despite inhabiting the league’s best division.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2; Previous Ranking: 20)
We all knew what the question would be with the Steelers: do they have a quarterback? They might very well have two, but one has unlocked the offense. Justin Fields played efficient football to start the season, and the team was winning on the back of its elite defense. HC Mike Tomlin still switched to Russell Wilson once he returned from injury, and many complained. It was undoubtedly the right move, as the explosive plays have suddenly arrived. Nobody is happier than WR George Pickens. This version of Wilson gives Pittsburgh a complete Super Bowl-contending team. Tomlin’s non-losing season streak is safe.
3. Buffalo Bills (7-2; Previous Ranking: 14)
Like several other teams we’ve seen, Buffalo had a bit of a tough start, which is understandable when you consider that both of their top WRs and safeties left the squad. Rookie Keon Coleman and now Amari Cooper have replaced the receivers, and the offense is humming along. Damar Hamlin has been one of the safety replacements, which is fantastic for obvious reasons. The defense, too, is excelling for Buffalo, and there are very few weaknesses to be found here. Winners of 4 in a row, the Bills are rolling toward an easy AFC East crown. If only they could make it past the Chiefs once the playoffs start.
2. Detroit Lions (7-1; Previous Ranking: 2)
If not for my rule to keep undefeated defending champions in first place, the Lions would be ahead of the Chiefs. Detroit has won 6 straight games with ruthless efficiency. That’s exemplified by QB Jared Goff, who has led his team to more TDs than incompletions over the past several weeks. We know the offensive line is great, the skill position players are superb, and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph anchor that secondary. Losing DE Aidan Hutchinson for the season really hurt, but acquiring Za’Darius Smith at the trade deadline should fix a lot. Clearly the NFC favorites, the Lions might be Super Bowl-bound.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-0; Previous Ranking: 1)
Kansas City has made it really easy for me to keep them at the top: they haven’t lost once. A defense that was key to last year’s Super Bowl triumph has gotten even better. DC Steve Spagnuolo is the MVP of the team right now, and I mean that with sincerity. QB Patrick Mahomes always has greatness in him, but he struggled for a while to connect with his new pass catchers. In an almost unfair manner, the Chiefs acquired WR DeAndre Hopkins, and if their past game against Tampa is an indication, he’s going to take the offense to another level. Here’s a scary thought: the 8-0 two-time defending champs are getting better.