Heading into Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, here’s how the teams stack up. The NFC East boasts two teams in the top 10, with the Washington Commanders making a surprising climb.
Kansas City Chiefs (1): The Chiefs stay at the top thanks to their consistency and the star power of tight end Travis Kelce, who now holds the most receptions (945) among active players. Kelce’s 10-catch performance in a win over the Raiders was just part of the story. The Chiefs also welcomed new wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught two passes in his Kansas City debut. To make matters even better, they acquired linebacker Josh Uche, a disruptive force averaging six sacks and 17 pressures over 17 games. The Chiefs’ defense is already top-five in the league, and this addition only makes them stronger. Kansas City hasn’t had a truly dominant game yet, but they haven’t lost a game.
Detroit Lions (3): The Lions’ offense has been on fire, scoring 172 points in the last four games—an all-time franchise record. No team has scored that many points in the last five years in a four-game span. Detroit is on track to join an elite group of teams that have scored at least 500 points in a season. With their offense rolling and defense holding firm, the Lions look like one of the most complete teams in the league
Baltimore Ravens (2): The Ravens are one of the league’s most explosive offenses. They’ve scored over 20 points and gained over 375 yards in every game, joining elite companies like the 2000 Rams, 2007 Patriots, and 2013 Broncos. None of those teams won the Super Bowl, but the Ravens hope to change that trend. Like the Lions, they’re on pace to score 500 points this season but might also allow close to 450. However, adding wide receiver Diontae Johnson could help push them past 525 points.
Buffalo Bills (7): The Bills are sitting pretty in the AFC East, four wins ahead of the rest of the division. This marks their fifth straight year of dominance in the division. They’ll host the Dolphins next, a team they’ve beaten 12 out of their last 13 matchups in Buffalo. It feels almost certain that the Bills will again take home the division title.
Minnesota Vikings (4): The Vikings have been a mainstay in prime-time games recently, appearing in their third nationally televised game in four weeks. They’ve done this without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is one of the best in the league. The recent trade for Cam Robinson should help shore up the offensive line, but Minnesota will have to keep proving they belong in the spotlight.
Green Bay Packers (5): For years, the Packers owned the Lions at Lambeau Field, but now things have shifted. Green Bay is facing the possibility of losing their third straight home game to Detroit. With quarterback Jordan Love dealing with a groin injury and the team’s bye week coming in Week 10, resting Love might be the best option.
Washington Commanders (10): The Commanders have been one of the biggest surprises this season. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington is on pace to score 500 points this year. Sunday’s game was the first time they were held under 20 points all season. The next four weeks will be crucial for the Commanders, as they face all three of their NFC East rivals in that span.
Atlanta Falcons (8): The Falcons are 4-0 in their division, thanks in part to the play of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins has always thrived against NFC South teams, averaging over 280 passing yards per game against them, along with a 104.1 passer rating. Atlanta is well-positioned to compete for the division title.
Houston Texans (6): The Texans have struggled in the passing game recently, averaging just 166 yards through the air over the last three weeks. Now, they face more challenges with wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs both sidelined. Diggs is out for the season with a torn ACL, but with a Thursday night game against the struggling Jets, Houston might be able to survive without them for now.
Philadelphia Eagles (11): The Eagles have been steadily improving, and head coach Nick Sirianni deserves a lot of credit. Once criticized for not running the ball enough, Sirianni now leads a team that runs more than any other in the league (34.3 rushes per game). Philadelphia had a perfect October, going undefeated and not committing a single turnover in the entire month.
Chicago Bears (12): The Bears lost a heartbreaker on Sunday, but the real turning point wasn’t Jayden Daniels’ miracle Hail Mary. It was a fumble at the 1-yard line on a gimmicky play with offensive lineman Doug Kramer carrying the ball. That mistake cost the Bears a crucial touchdown and, ultimately, the game. This is a talented team, but they need to avoid self-inflicted wounds if they want to win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (14): The Steelers made a quarterback switch to Russell Wilson, but it didn’t pay off on Monday night. Wilson was sacked four times, turned the ball over, and only managed to lead one touchdown drive against a struggling team. Head coach Mike Tomlin has some explaining to do, especially with injured quarterback Justin Fields still on the roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9): Baker Mayfield leads the league in touchdown passes with 21, but he’s also tied for the most interceptions with 9. The Buccaneers have lost three of their last four games, and their nine turnovers during that stretch have been costly. They’ll need to clean things up if they hope to make the playoffs for a fifth straight year
Arizona Cardinals (15): The Cardinals have quietly won three of their last four games and are undefeated in the NFC West. They won’t leave Arizona until late November, giving them a chance to build momentum. If they can tighten up their defense, which hasn’t held an opponent under 370 yards since Week 2, they could make a run at the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams (23): The Rams are on the rise after an impressive win over the Vikings. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are healthy again, and reinforcements are coming to the offensive line. The Rams were rumored to be sellers at the trade deadline, but they might become buyers after their recent performances.
San Francisco 49ers (17): Christian McCaffrey has been battling an Achilles injury, and with the 49ers on bye this week, they’ll hope he’s back at full strength soon. McCaffrey could see more time as a slot receiver going forward, with running backs Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo continuing to handle duties out of the backfield.
Dallas Cowboys (13): Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb accounts for 28% of the Cowboys’ total offense, but the team needs more diversity in their attack. Running back Rico Dowdle and tight end Jake Ferguson could help, but they haven’t been utilized enough. The offense needs to find ways to spread the ball around.
Los Angeles Chargers (19): The Chargers are getting great contributions from their rookies. Right tackle Joe Alt didn’t allow a single pressure on 38 pass-blocking snaps last week, one of the best performances by a rookie in the last three years. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey also had a breakout game with 111 yards and two touchdowns, becoming quarterback Justin Herbert’s new favorite target.
Denver Broncos (20): The Broncos have had a strong start at 5-3, but upcoming games against the Ravens and Chiefs will provide a true test of where they stand.
Indianapolis Colts (21): The Colts have set a new NFL record by having each of their first eight games decided by six points or fewer. While that makes for exciting games, it can be exhausting to watch. Joe Flacco will look to elevate the offense, but the Colts’ season has been a nail-biter every week.
Cincinnati Bengals (16): The Bengals converted 77% of their third downs on Sunday, the best mark in the NFL this season, yet they still lost by 20 points. It’s been that kind of year for Cincinnati, where nothing seems to go right despite some impressive statistics.
Seattle Seahawks (18): The Seahawks have lost three straight games at home, and the supposed home-field advantage at Lumen Field seems to be fading. Tensions are rising on the sideline, as the Seahawks struggle to find consistency on the field.
Cleveland Browns (32): Since acquiring Deshaun Watson, head coach Kevin Stefanski has nearly the same record with Watson (9-10) as without him (11-12). Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston showed flashes of brilliance on Sunday, reminding fans that this team was a playoff contender just last year under Joe Flacco.
Miami Dolphins (24): The Dolphins’ offense is much more potent with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the field, but interestingly, their defense allows fewer points when he’s not playing. It’s an odd trend, but Miami’s success will hinge on keeping Tua healthy.
Jacksonville Jaguars (25): The Jaguars are about to play their fifth road game in the last seven weeks, and they’ll be doing it without left tackle Cam Robinson, who was traded to Minnesota. It’s been a tough stretch for Jacksonville, but they’ll need to find a way to regroup quickly.
New England Patriots (27): Rookie quarterback Drake Maye got his first NFL win while still in concussion protocol. The Patriots have been criticized for being “soft,” but Maye’s performance showed they still have some fight left in them.
New York Jets (22): The Jets continue to slide down the rankings, and at 3-5, they don’t seem to have much hope for turning their season around.
New York Giants (30): Quarterback Daniel Jones is now 0-8 on Monday Night Football, making him a historically bad performer in prime-time games. The Giants’ struggles continue.
New Orleans Saints (26): The Saints are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the longest they’ve had since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Things aren’t looking good in New Orleans.
Carolina Panthers (28): The Panthers have lost nine of their last 11 home games and won’t leave Charlotte until December. Unfortunately, staying at home hasn’t been an advantage for this struggling team.
Las Vegas Raiders (29): Rookie tight end Brock Bowers is one of the few bright spots for the Raiders this season. He’s already put up 500 receiving yards in his first eight games, joining an elite group of rookie tight ends.
Tennessee Titans (31): The Titans played like a team that had just traded away their best wide receiver and linebacker. Moving on from DeAndre Hopkins and Ernest Jones might be the right call long-term, but it’s clear the Titans are in a rebuild mode after a disappointing offseason.
