Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Shocking Upsets and Big Improvements
The 2024 NFL season is racing toward its conclusion, and here we are in Week 16. Can you believe it? The playoff picture is starting to take shape, but this past weekend threw a wrench into the rankings. Three of the top-10 teams from last week — the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers — all suffered losses, shaking up the standings.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their dominance with a win over the Cleveland Browns, improving to a league-best 13-1 record. The Philadelphia Eagles also soared to 12-2 after a convincing victory. The Dallas Cowboys have now won three of their last four games, while the Arizona Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak with a much-needed win.
As always, our power panel — made up of over 80 writers, editors, and TV personalities — has evaluated how all 32 teams stack up. But this week, we’re not just ranking teams. We’ve also asked our NFL Nation reporters to identify the biggest area of improvement for each team since the start of the season. From red zone efficiency to turnover differentials, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s dive into the latest rankings and see which team has claimed the No. 1 spot.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
Week 15 result: Beat the Steelers 27-13
Week 15 ranking: 3
Biggest improvement: Quarterback turnovers
Jalen Hurts has turned things around in a big way. After committing seven turnovers in the first four games, Hurts has only three giveaways during the Eagles’ current 10-game win streak. The shift to a more ground-heavy offense has helped, but Hurts’ ability to balance conservative and aggressive play was on full display in his 290-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Steelers. — Tim McManus
2. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
Week 15 result: Beat the Browns 21-7
Week 15 ranking: 2
Biggest improvement: Turnover differential
The Chiefs have finally flipped the script on turnovers. After spending much of the season in negative territory, they now sit at plus-2, thanks to six takeaways in their win over Cleveland. Patrick Mahomes has also cleaned up his game, throwing just two interceptions since Week 9 after tossing at least one in each of the first seven games. — Adam Teicher
3. Detroit Lions (12-2)
Week 15 result: Lost to the Bills 48-42
Week 15 ranking: 1
Biggest improvement: Red zone efficiency
The Lions have gone from one of the worst red zone offenses to the best in the league. After ranking 26th in red zone efficiency through Week 3, they now lead the NFL at 78.7%. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have been key contributors, though Montgomery is now sidelined with a sprained MCL. — Eric Woodyard
4. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
Week 15 result: Beat the Lions 48-42
Week 15 ranking: 4
Biggest improvement: Offensive cohesion
Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense have found their rhythm. After scoring touchdowns on just 31.5% of drives through Week 7, they now lead the league at 42.9%. Allen’s chemistry with his receivers and the offensive line’s consistency have been crucial in this turnaround. — Alaina Getzenberg
5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
Week 15 result: Beat the Bears 30-12
Week 15 ranking: 5
Biggest improvement: Jordan Addison’s play
The Vikings’ first-round pick has come alive in the second half of the season. After a slow start, Addison has caught 37 passes for 540 yards and six touchdowns since Week 9, proving to be a reliable target for quarterback Sam Darnold. — Kevin Seifert
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
Week 15 result: Beat the Seahawks 30-13
Week 15 ranking: 7
Biggest improvement: Red zone offense
The Packers have climbed from 29th to 14th in red zone touchdown percentage, thanks to a recent surge. Running back Josh Jacobs has been a key factor, scoring nine rushing touchdowns since Week 11. — Rob Demovsky
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Week 15 result: Lost to the Eagles 27-13
Week 15 ranking: 6
Biggest improvement: Passing offense
Since Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback in Week 7, the Steelers’ passing game has improved significantly, averaging 238.5 yards per game compared to 166.8 with Justin Fields under center. — Brooke Pryor
And that’s just the top seven! The rest of the rankings feature plenty of surprises, including the Houston Texans climbing to No. 9 and the Arizona Cardinals holding steady at No. 16. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game matters, and the race for playoff spots is heating up. Stay tuned for more drama as the season unfolds!
Originally Written by: Tim McManus
