Welcome to Gridiron’s Week 18 power ranking as the 2024 NFL regular season heads into its final throes. Who earns the accolade of being top dog through the long slog since September, and who is positioning themselves nicely to mount an assault through the playoffs?

GRIDIRON POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 18

1. Buffalo Bills (13-3) =

With the likely MVP at quarterback and a top-10 defense, the Bills are perfectly set up for the gauntlet of the postseason. Even if you believe the Bills lack sufficient playmakers on the offensive side, Josh Allen has played at a level to suggest that deficiency can be overcome.

2. Minnesota Vikings (14-2) +1

Somewhat fortunate to edge the Packers in Week 17, the Vikings now need to go on the road and outgun the Lions to clinch the NFC North and the one seed in the conference. Should they do so, the path to the Super Bowl will run through the imposing atmosphere of U.S. Bank Stadium, surely making them favourites to reach the Super Bowl.

3. Detroit Lions (14-2) -1

The Lions are a juggernaut on offense but, as their unconvincing Monday night win over the banged-up 49ers illustrated, their extremely injured defense is a mess. They’ll be relying on winning shootouts and forcing enough turnovers to be successful in the postseason. History says that’s not likely to be a winning formula.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) =

The Chiefs have the luxury of being able to rest Patrick Mahomes and his troublesome ankle for two weeks. Does that make this fragile 15-1 team any easier to trust in the playoffs? Absolutely not.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) =

Destroying the Cowboys while using both Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee at quarterback was evidence of the a formidable roster strength that will serve the Eagles very well in the playoffs if Jalen Hurts is healthy and able to throw the ball consistently.

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) +2

The last two games have allayed a lot of concerns around the Ravens, who are now on the cusp of the AFC North title. On paper, few teams are as built for January as Baltimore. Still, memories of last season’s shortcomings linger and there remains the big question around the waning accuracy of Justin Tucker.

7. Green Bay Packers (11-5) -1

The Packers were left feeling somewhat aggrieved by the controversial ending to their loss to the Vikings. Still, they have played seven games against teams that definitely will be in the playoffs this season and have won just two, unconvincing victories against the Rams and Texans. That may be a simplistic way of looking at things, but it’s not the resumé of a true Super Bowl contender.

8. Washington Commanders (11-5) +3

When the Commanders lost at home to the Cowboys to make it three defeats in a row, it looked as if their playoff hopes were in significant danger. Since then, they’ve won four on the bounce to secure postseason football, with that streak including dramatic victories over the Eagles and Falcons that only served to increase confidence in their rookie quarterback’s ability to handle the playoff pressure.

9. Los Angeles Rams (10-6) +3

The Rams started the season 1-4 and looked dead in the water. Now, they have the luxury of resting starters for their regular-season finale having clinched a first NFC West title since 2021. They’ve proven they can win defensive struggles and shootouts alike. With Matthew Stafford under center and with at least one home playoff game on the horizon, the Rams will be dangerous in January.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) +3

While they haven’t been quite as potent as their SoFi Stadium landlords, the Chargers have an excellent playoff recipe. Boasting one of the best quarterbacks in the game, a defense that has made great strides and a head coach with a sparkling resumé in the postseason, they will not be an easy out.