It is therefore Detroit which will have a week off. Winners of Minnesota, the Lions finished at the top of the NFC conference for the first time in their history.
In the AFC, the Chiefs did not want to help the Bengals and it was the Broncos who benefited. At the bottom, the Titans benefit from the victory of the Patriots to recover the first choice of the next draft and a last place, deserved, in this ranking.
As a reminder, this hierarchy is not only based on the number of successes, but also on current form. If two teams are close and haven't played each other recently, one wonders which one would win if the match were played today. Beating the strongest is not going to propel you to the top in the blink of an eye. Losing to one of the dunces won't plunge you into the abyss either. One can win and tumble, bow and climb. This is the merciless law of Power Ranking…
1. Detroit Lions (15-2) +2
Led by Jahmyr Gibbs in great form, Detroit took first place in the NFC conference, a historic performance for a franchise which had never had this honor.
Wild Cards Rounds: rest
2. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) -1
The Chiefs didn't want to help the Bengals and they didn't even pretend to try.
Wild Cards Rounds: rest
3. Buffalo Bills (13-4) -1
A ball given to his running back, a wave of the hand towards the public and then that's it. Josh Allen and the Bills were already looking toward their first round of the playoffs.
Wild Cards Rounds: Broncos reception
4. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) +1
The Eagles didn't want to take a risk with Saquon Barkley, the record will wait.
Wild Cards Rounds: reception of the Packers
5. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) +1
A final victory which allows Baltimore to retain its division title before getting down to business this weekend.
Wild Cards Rounds: Steelers reception
6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) -2
Sam Darnold completely missed out in Detroit and Minnesota made it very difficult for itself.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Rams
7. Washington Commanders (12-5) +1
The Commanders scared themselves but will seek sixth place in the conference in the final moments.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Buccaneers
8. Green Bay Packers (11-6) -1
Had they not blocked Cairo Santos' field goal in Chicago, the Packers would have finished their season 0-6 in their division.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Eagles
9. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) +1
Los Angeles regains, right under the Steelers' noses, fifth place in the conference and avoids the perilous trip to Baltimore.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Texans
10. Denver Broncos (10-7) +4
Faced with an opponent who didn't want to win, the Broncos did the job and ended 9 years without playoffs.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Bills
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) +1
In Tampa Bay we respect its legends, even if it means jeopardizing their qualification for the playoffs.
Wild Cards Rounds: receiving Commanders
12. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) -3
The Rams have chosen to rest their starters and therefore offer third place in the conference to the Buccaneers.
Wild Cards Rounds: Vikings reception
13. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The Bengals will have missed a success, who ended the season with five victories. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will not make the playoffs this year.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) -3
The Steelers therefore end their regular season with a fourth consecutive defeat. Not ideal for a team that hasn't won a playoff game since 2017.
Wild Cards Rounds: trip to the Ravens
15. Seattle Seahawks (10-7) +1
A last match for butter which had the merit of making Geno Smith a rich man.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
16. Houston Texans (10-7) +1
After complicated last outings for the Texans attack, CJ Stroud and Nico Collins only needed one series to reassure themselves before entering the playoffs.
Wild Cards Rounds: Chargers reception
17. Arizona Cardinals (8-9) +2
For his last outing of the year Kyler Murray reassured and the Cardinals had fun.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
18. Miami Dolphins (8-9) -3
A final defeat made anecdotal by the victory of the Broncos over the Chiefs. The Dolphins are now preparing for what promises to be a turbulent period.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
19. Atlanta Falcons (8-9) -1
This Atlanta team did not deserve to qualify and will be weighed down by the contract offered to a Kirk Cousins far from expectations. All is not dark for the Falcons, Michael Penix Jr looks like a serious quarterback, something they haven't had since Matt Ryan retired.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
20. Indianapolis Colts (8-9) +2
Never very close, never dropped, the Colts once again miss the playoffs. Orphaned by Andrew Luck since 2019, the Indiana franchise has struggled to make people dream since.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
21. Dallas Cowboys (7-10) -1
Last year, the Cowboys won all 8 games played in Dallas. This year, they finished with a 2-7 record at home.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
22. Carolina Panthers (5-12) +3
First victory of his away career for Bryce Young who enjoyed himself in Atlanta. The Panthers continue a seventh season with a negative record but have probably found their quarterback.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
23. San Francisco 49ers (6-11) -2
End of a catastrophic season for the 49ers far from the expectations placed on them.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
24. Chicago Bears (5-12) +3
This time, Cairo Santos was not blocked. We had to wait until week 18 to discover that the Bears can be fun.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
25. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) -2
The only satisfaction of the season is Brock Bowers. Behind its remarkable tight end, the Raiders will have work to fill the many holes in this squad.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
26. New York Jets (5-12)
The Jets' entire season has been topsy-turvy. For his potential last outing with New York, Aaron Rodgers went for his 500th passing touchdown and joins Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Payton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) in this very exclusive club.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
27. New Orleans Saints (5-12) -3
The Saints will have made Tampa Bay fans tremble until the end. Plagued by injuries, it was time for the season to end for New Orleans.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
28. New England Patriots (4-13) +2
Drake Maye will not be the only rookie quarterback to have shone this year for New England. Facing the Bills replacements, Joe Milton III will seek victory for his first outing in the NFL. A success which does not save Jerod Mayo, fired before the start of Black Monday.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) -1
After a lackluster season, the Jaguars pushed the vice to the limit by taking their fans into an overtime, without stakes, which they managed to lose.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
30. New York Giants (3-14) -1
Considering the quarterbacks who have succeeded one another, Malik Nabbers' season is remarkable. The rookie is the only source of satisfaction this year for the Giants.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
31. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
End of a season far from expectations for Cleveland which will have the second choice in the next draft.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
32. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
A sixth consecutive defeat which gives the Titans the first choice in the next draft. The Will Levis Experience probably lived his last hours in Tennessee.
Wild Cards Rounds: Holiday
