Week 17 brought more shakeups to the NFL hierarchy as teams jostled for playoff positioning heading into the final stretch. The Kansas City Chiefs vaulted back into the No. 1 spot on the heels of a solid win, while the Detroit Lions leapfrogged the Philadelphia Eagles after Philly’s surprising loss. Let’s examine how all 32 teams stack up and which rookies are shining brightest.
Chiefs Reclaim Top Spot
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs handled their business against the Texans to improve to 14-1 and retake the top spot in our rankings. Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy continues to impress, pacing KC with 7 catches for 65 yards and a TD. As Mahomes noted, his ankle is “in a lot better place” as they gear up for the Steelers next.
Lions Rise, Eagles Slide
Detroit’s 34-17 thumping of the Bears, combined with Philly’s 36-33 loss to Washington, propelled the Lions (13-2) to the No. 2 spot. Rookie CB Terrion Arnold is becoming a shutdown force, with DC Aaron Glenn predicting he’ll be “one of the top corners in this league.” The Eagles (12-3) slip to 3rd but remain a top contender.
Rookie Standouts
From Chiefs WR Worthy to Lions CB Arnold to Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (3,303 pass yds, 22 TDs, 737 rush yds), this rookie class is leaving its mark. Chargers WR Ladd McConkey and Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper are also in the ROY mix. Cooper already has 3+ sacks, a pick, a fumble recovery and a TD.
- Rookies are making an immediate impact for contenders
- Chiefs, Lions, Commanders among teams with key rookie contributors
Jockeying for Position
The playoff race remains tight, with the surging Dolphins up to 7-8 after besting the slumping 49ers. The Bengals, Seahawks, Cowboys and others are still battling for seeding. Every game takes on added importance with just two weeks left.
There’s literally nothing Edgerrin Cooper is physically not able to do. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s going to be a hell of a player one day — or continue to be a hell of a player.
– Packers DE Kingsley Enagbare on rookie LB Cooper
The final two weeks will determine much in terms of playoff seeding and draft slotting for 2025. Teams like the Texans, Broncos, Cardinals and others are looking to finish strong and build momentum for next year. Rookies still have time to strengthen their cases for postseason honors.
The 2024 season has delivered its share of surprises, from the Lions’ emergence as an elite team to the Eagles’ late stumble to the immediate impact of guys like Worthy, Daniels, McConkey and more. With a fascinating Week 18 on tap, the only certainty is more memorable moments await as we hit the homestretch and hurtle towards an exciting postseason.
