NFL power rankings entering Week 12 of the 2024 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Detroit Lions (2): With K.C. finally falling from the ranks of the unbeaten – flimsy as the champs’ ‘perfection’ was – there’s no more denying Motown is currently the epicenter of the NFL universe. The Lions’ +159 point differential is more than 50 clear of anyone else. Their 46-point win over Jacksonville on Sunday was the largest in the franchise’s 95-season history, and the 645 yards gained were also Detroit’s most ever. This is the third team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to win three of its first 10 games by at least 35 points and the second since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to score at least 50 in back-to-back home games. Good luck, Indy.
2. Buffalo Bills (4): Their regular-season dominance of the Chiefs continued Sunday, for whatever that’s worth – and the Bills will tell you, not all that much. But Buffalo is getting healthier and hotter, winners of six in a row while scoring at least 30 points in the past five games. This is the only team aside from Detroit to outscore the opposition by at least 100 points. The AFC East is basically in the bag – again – but the goal is to host the first conference championship game in 31 years … and much, much more.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (5): If anyone but the Lions are going to be kings of the NFC jungle, it might be these increasingly tough birds – who, remarkably, have five winning streaks of at least five games over the past three seasons. They’ll likely continue leaning on their best player, RB Saquon Barkley (the first Philly back in a decade with with at least 100 total yards in eight games) as this show hits a tough road that next winds through LA (Rams) and Baltimore.
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8. Washington Commanders (7): The team contends nothing is wrong with rookie QB Jayden Daniels … even though he’s played his least efficient (59.1% completion rate, 74.9 passer rating) and impactful (23 rushing yards, 1 TD generated) football during the current two-game losing streak.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (15): Soul-crushing losses the past two weeks significantly reduce their chances of surviving into postseason. But no one wants to see Joe Burrow and Co., the quarterback the first in the Super Bowl era to lose three games in a season when throwing for at least 300 yards, three TDs and zero INTs, per NFL Media.
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23. Chicago Bears (23): Changing offensive coordinators ended their touchdown drought at 25 possessions, dating to their Hail Mary loss at Washington. But Da Bears will need a Hail Mary to reach postseason given they play what is – by far – the hardest schedule (.729 opponents’ winning percentage) in the league over the final seven weeks.
25. New York Jets (24): Their interim coach is 1-5. And their interim GM is 0-0.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (32): The newly installed Turner-and-son offense is the best the Silver and Black has employed all season.
29. Dallas Cowboys (29): The sky is literally falling at AT&T Stadium, where ‘America’s Team’ has now lost its last six games … and trailed by at least 20 in all of them. Even worse Monday night? Houstonians largely took over North Texas.
31. New York Giants (31): Will QB Daniel Jones ever play for this team again? He was basically fired coming out of the bye week, demoted to third string and likely headed for the door in a few months.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (28): Will HC Doug Pederson ever work for this team again? Quite feasible he could be fired sometime during the bye week after the 2-9 Jags suffered the worst loss of their 30-season existence. But he’s doubtless headed for the door … at any time.
This story has been updated with new information.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.