The Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills climb the NFL Power Rankings, as the NFL Playoff Picture materializes.
Left: Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images, Right:Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

NFL Power Rankings: The Late-Season Playoff Push Begins as January Inches Closer

There are only three weeks remaining in the regular season as the playoff picture is getting clearer as the weeks go on and NFL power rankings shift. In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have clinched playoff berths, but are still battling it out for the NFC East division crown. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings have clinched not only a playoff berth, but do have their division titles. On the other side of the league in the AFC, both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have clinched playoff spots, with the Chiefs also clinching their division. Heading into Week 16, there are several simple playoff-clinching scenarios in play:

  • The Bills can clinch the AFC East with a Win/Tie OR a MIA loss/Tie
  • The Bengals can clinch a playoff spot with a Win/Tie OR a NYJ Loss/Tie
  • The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and the No. 1 Seed in the  with a Win

Now, there are plenty of other scenarios for teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Chargers to clinch playoff berths involving wins and several teams around the league losing, but we will just wait and see for those to play out, if they do. But for now, here are our updated NFL Power Rankings!

1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)

Jalen Hurts #1 and head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Eagles did not have it easy on Sunday but still managed to get the win. W with a win in any one of their final three games, they will have the No. 1 seed locked up in the NFC.

2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)

Despite the snowfall, and the snowballs, The Bills got revenge from their early-season loss to the Dolphins and in doing so, clinched a playoff berth.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)

Down 17-0, the Bengals came back to beat the Buccaneers, and thanks to the Ravens losing the day before, Cincinnati moved into sole possession of the top spot in the AFC North.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)

This is a biased comment, but people called the Vikings and Eagles "frauds" for their close wins with the Colts and Bears, yet there was no word on the Chiefs going to overtime with the worst team in the league.

5. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers signals as he celebrates during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

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Brock Purdy continued his stellar play and the quarterback situation in San Francisco is going to get even more interesting if he continues to perform like this.

6. Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

Down 33-0 and yet they still managed to come back and get the win, but that was against the Colts. This is not something that could happen if they were playing the 49ers or Eagles.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)

The Chargers picked up their second straight win and put themselves comfortably at the sixth spot in the AFC, with only a game out of the top Wild Card Spot.

8. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

The Cowboys almost lost to the Texans last week and that same type of play carried over against the Jaguars as they allowed Jacksonville to come back and win in overtime.

9. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

The argument I am hearing is "Lamar should have signed before getting hurt." But I argue that the way the Ravens are playing without him is actually benefiting him.

10. Miami Dolphins (8-6)

Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

It was a tough loss for the Dolphins on Saturday night, but they have shown that they can play with the best teams in the league and should not be slept on when the playoffs arrive.

11 New York Giants (8-5-1)

With their win on Sunday Night, the Giants secured their first winning season since 2016. But how far can this team really go?

12. Detroit Lions (7-7)

The Lions are 6-1 after starting 1-6 and are one of, if not the hottest team in the league right now as they make a late season rally to get into the playoffs.

13. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)

Commanders' fans can complain all they want about the no call but once again, their issues are the guy playing under center and that is the just of it.

14. Tennessee Titans (7-7)

The Titans have lost their fourth straight game now and their once comfortable lead in the AFC South is down to one with the Jags right on their heels.

15. New York Jets (7-7)

Quarterback Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets passes the ball during the Tennessee Titans vs New York Jets game

Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

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The Jets have lost three straight games and five of their last seven and are currently sitting two spots back of the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.

16. Green Bay Packers (6-8)

It was not the prettiest of wins, but the Packers picked up their second straight win and keep their very slim playoff hopes alive.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8)

The Steelers are still alive for the playoffs, but the odds are stacked up against them as a loss on Christmas Eve could mean possible elimination.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)

The Jaguars have been a hot and cold team all season but with their second straight win and with the way things look like right now They could be going into Week 18 for a winner takes all showdown against the Titans.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)

The Buccaneers have not been able to play a consistent four quarters of football on either side of the ball all season as they blew a 17-0 lead on Sunday.

20. New England Patriots (7-7)

Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots reacts after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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That really happened.

21. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

The Seahawks have become ice cold late in the season, losing two straight and four of their last five games after starting 6-3.

22. Cleveland Browns (6-8)

Since Deshaun Watson took over as QB1, the Browns are 2-1 and have some very small hope at making the playoffs.

23. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)

The Raiders blew their lead once again but thanks to a play we will never see again, like ever, they managed to get the victory and keep their names in playoff conversations.

24. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

Desmond Ridder #4 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the first half of the preseason game

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

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Even at 5-9 the Falcons could still have a chance to make the playoffs and they can thank their sorry division for that.

25. New Orleans Saints (5-9)

*See Above Comment*

26. Los Angeles Rams (4-10)

This is a pretty bad Super Bowl hangover but don't think they were one-and-done after last year. They'll be healthy again next year and should be back to what they were last season.

27. Carolina Panthers (5-9)

*See comments for 24 and 25*

28. Denver Broncos (4-10)

This offense is so bad to watch no matter who is a quarterback, but his defense is pretty freaking good.

29. Arizona Cardinals (4-10)

I mean, they are down to their third-string quarterback, what do you expect?

30. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)

Rodney Thomas II #25 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after intercepting the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

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31. Chicago Bears (3-11)

Justin Fields eclipsed 1,00 rushing yards on the season and gave one of the best defenses in the league fits on Sunday. Get this main a proper wide receiver one and an offensive line and he'll be better than ever.

32. Houston Texans (1-12-1)

The last two weeks have looked promising, but it is kind of a good thing that they have lost the last two weeks given their position in the draft.

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