It would take a miracle, but Miami and Cincinnati can still believe it. Conversely, the Broncos put themselves in an uncomfortable situation. They will have to win against Kansas City, otherwise the Bengals or Dolphins will take advantage. The Chiefs have guaranteed themselves a week of rest.
In the other conference, the suspense remains for first place. Minnesota offered itself a final in Detroit while Tampa Bay and Atlanta will compete for the last qualifying place. At the bottom of the rankings, the Giants end their impressive losing streak and can say goodbye to the first pick of the next draft.
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. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
One week before the end of the season, Kansas City has still not exceeded 30 points. With a defense like that, they can afford it.
Week 18: trip to the Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Manhandled by the Patriots last week, the Bills this time did not provide details against the Jets.
Week 18: trip to the Patriots
3. Detroit Lions (14-2)
The Lions received 8/8. For the first time in franchise history, Detroit won all of its away games.
Week 18: Vikings reception
4. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
It will be increasingly complicated for Minnesota to consider 2025 without Sam Darnold.
Week 18: trip to the Lions
5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Saquon Barley enters the very exclusive club of runners with more than 2,000 yards in a season. For the first time since 2011, Philadelphia won its two games against the Cowboys.
Week 18: Giants reception
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) +1
Derrick Henry finally finds the endzone. A month without a touchdown is a very long time for a running back of this caliber. With the Steelers' loss, Baltimore now has a clear path to the division title.
Week 18: Browns reception
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5) -1
Green Bay has only lost five games this season, once to the Eagles, twice to Lions and Vikings. Faced with the big guys in the NFC, things are stuck for the Packers. This is bad for them, their first round of playoffs should take place in Philadelphia.
Week 18: Bears reception
8. Washington Commanders (11-5) +2
The Commanders validated their ticket for the playoffs and took advantage of Green Bay's defeat to move to sixth in the conference. A victory against Dallas on Sunday would allow them to avoid the Eagles in the wild card.
Week 18: trip to the Cowboys
9. Los Angeles Rams (10-6) +1
Third consecutive game where the Rams concede less than 10 points. If the offense seems a little stuck, the defense is on top at the best of times. Qualified thanks to the results of the other matches, the Rams will not be able to rest on Sunday otherwise they will finish fourth and cross the second in the formidable NFC North.
Week 18: Seahawks reception
10. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) +1
Crushing victory for the Chargers who can still hope to regain fifth place in the conference, synonymous with a trip to Houston instead of, most likely, Baltimore.
Week 18: trip to the Raiders
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) -3
Third consecutive defeat for the Steelers who fall against the Chiefs after having suffered the law of the Ravens and the Eagles. If there is no shame in losing against these three formidable opponents, it shows that there is still a gap between Pittsburgh and the top of the basket.
Week 18: Bengals reception
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) +1
With the support of a duck and facing the team that concedes the most passing touchdowns, Baker Mayfield had a blast.
Week 18: Saints reception
13. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) +3
Fourth consecutive victory for the Bengals who have the right to dream until the end.
Week 18: trip to the Steelers
14. Denver Broncos (9-7) -2
Easy to say now, but they certainly would have been better off attempting the two-point conversion. Instead, the Broncos preferred to go into overtime where they were completely harmless.
Week 18: reception of the Chiefs
15. Miami Dolphins (8-8) +2
Despite the absence of Tagovailoa, Miami wins in Cleveland. A victory against the Jets on Sunday, combined with a defeat by the Broncos against the Chiefs, would give the Dolphins an improbable qualification for the playoffs.
Week 18: trip to the Jets
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-7) -2
Tariq Woolen spared spectators a potential overtime during the most difficult match of the season. Unfortunately for Seattle, this victory was insufficient and the season will end on Sunday.
Week 18: trip to the Rams
17. Houston Texans (9-7) -2
The second year is much more complicated than the first for CJ Stroud and the injuries to his receivers do not excuse everything.
Week 18: trip to the Titans
18. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Riley Patterson was just yards away from giving the Falcons a valuable victory in the race for the playoffs. It would now take a miracle for Atlanta's season not to end on Sunday.
Week 18: reception of the Panthers
19. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
Since returning from the bye week, Kyler Murray's performances have been catastrophic and his starting place may no longer be indisputable in 2025.
Week 18: 49ers reception
20. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
After their great victory against Tampa Bay, the return to earth was violent for Dallas. In Philadelphia, the Cowboys did not exist.
Week 18: receiving Commanders
21. San Francisco 49ers (7-9)
Sixth defeat in 7 games for the 49ers. The end of the season is a nightmare for San Francisco.
Week 18: trip to the Cardinals
22. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
The Colts have achieved the feat of making Drew Lock look like an NFL quarterback.
Week 18: Jaguars reception
23. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) +5
The Raiders continue, carried by Ameer Abdullah, unstoppable on the ground against the Saints.
Week 18: Chargers reception
24. New Orleans Saints (5-11) -1
0 points against the Packers, only 10 against the Raiders, without Alvin Kamara, the Saints attack can't do it.
Week 18: trip to the Buccaneers
25. Carolina Panthers (4-12) -1
Without Chubba Hubbard, the step was far too high for the Panthers.
Week 18: trip to the Falcons
26. New York Jets (4-12) -1
It wasn't until we saw Tyrod Taylor on the field that this team scored points. The Jets under Aaron Rodgers will have a worse record than with Zach Wilson. It may be time for the former Packers glory to think about retirement.
Week 18: Dolphins reception
27. Chicago Bears (4-12) -1
Tenth consecutive defeat for the Bears. The early season hype around Chicago was justified, this team is breaking franchise records.
Week 18: trip to the Packers
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) +3
The downside of winning a game between the Jaguars and Titans is that no one saw it.
Week 18: trip to the Colts
29. New York Giants (3-13) +3
After ten consecutive defeats, the Giants and Drew Lock put an end to the Colts' dream.
Week 18: trip to the Eagles
30. New England Patriots (3-13) -3
Crushed by the Chargers, the Patriots find themselves with the potential first choice of the next draft.
Week 18: Receiving the Bills
31. Cleveland Browns (3-13) -2
Dorian Thompson-Robinson achieved the feat of throwing the ball 47 times for a gain of only 170 yards.
Week 18: trip to the Ravens
32. Tennessee Titans (3-13) -2
The good thing about losing a game between the Titans and Jaguars is that no one saw it.
Week 18: reception of the Texans
