The team that none of their opponents wanted to see in the playoffs, the red-hot Bengals, failed to make the playoffs.
The Seahawks, a 10-win team, don't have any games left.
Exactly half of the NFL's 32 teams finished with winning records, and the other half finished with losing records. Fourteen of the 16 winning teams will advance to the playoffs, but the Bengals and Seahawks are the exceptions.
The final week of the regular season produced some strange results as many playoff-bound teams sat on their starters and poached their quarterbacks. Winning took a backseat to health and even draft position under certain circumstances.
With that in mind, the Post's final power rankings for the 2024 season are as follows:
1. Kansas City Chiefs 15-2 (1)
When will a 38-0 loss to the Broncos not knock them out of the No. 1 spot? When the starters sat with the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs locked up. The biggest loser was pending free agent Carson Wentz, who completed 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards as the Chiefs' six-game winning streak ended.
2. Buffalo Bills 13-4 (2)
MVP candidate Josh Allen took one snap and went to the bench, extending his streak of starts to 115 games. From there, Mitch Trubisky and Mike White split the game, leading to a 23-16 loss to the Patriots just before New England fired head coach Jerod Mayo. James Cook tied O.J. Simpson's single-season franchise record with his 16th rushing touchdown.
3. Detroit Lions 15-2 (3)
Jahmil Gibbs stole the show in the biggest game of the NFL season, scoring four touchdowns in a 31-9 win over the Vikings, increasing his season total to a league-high 20 touchdowns. The injured defenseman attacked Sam Darnold and provided honest man-to-man pass coverage. The Lions received a first-round bye and had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, winning the NFC North title.
4. Minnesota Vikings 14-3 (4)
Darnold's magic that lasted all season was nowhere to be seen in the loss to the Lions. The Vikings converted 3-of-16 third and fourth downs but were unable to find the end zone. Will Reichard made 3 of 4 from the field, but his mistake starting the second half collapse as he was trying to cut the deficit to 17-12.
5. Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 (5)
It was third stringer Tanner McKee's first career start. He threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-13 win against the Giants. Even though Saquon Barkley (who needed 101 yards to set the NFL single-season rushing record) and most other starters were out, the Eagles still beat the Giants for the 12th straight time in Philadelphia.
6. Baltimore Ravens 12-5(7)
MVP candidate Lamar Jackson put the finishing touches on a historic season with a 35-10 victory over the Browns, clinching the AFC North title. He became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards, 40 touchdowns, and fewer than four interceptions. Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman scored touchdowns, but No. 1 option Zai Flowers was sidelined with a knee injury.
7. Green Bay Packers 11-6(6)
A 51-yard walk-off field goal resulted in a 24-22 loss for the Packers, ending their 11-game winning streak against the Bears. Not only did the Packers lose control of the NFC's No. 6 seed, they also lost Jordan Love (elbow) and Christian Watson (knee) to injuries. Brandon McManus made a 55-yard field goal with 54 seconds left, giving the Packers their first lead of the game.
8. Washington Commanders 12-5(9)
Marcus Mariota, filling in for Jayden Daniels who was suffering from a sore foot, threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with seconds left in a 23-19 win over the Cowboys. Mariota scored three touchdowns after the Commanders held Daniels, the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year, to 64 yards in the first half.
9. Los Angeles Chargers 11-6 (10)
The Chargers won 34-20 in Las Vegas, completing a season sweep against the Raiders for the first time since 2018. Justin Herbert completed passes for 346 yards, including 186 yards to second-year pro Quentin Johnston, and had a career-high 13 catches. Ladd McConkie reached at least 50 receiving yards in 10 consecutive games, breaking a rookie record.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7(8)
The Steelers will enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, including a 19-17 loss in the final game of the regular season. Russell Wilson suddenly struggled with control, and Trey Hendrickson's 3.5 sacks derailed Wilson, holding the offense to just 193 net yards. Pat Freiermuth caught a touchdown, but a late fourth-down drop was a disaster.
11. Los Angeles Rams 10-7 (11)
12. Denver Broncos 10-7 (12)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-7 (13)
14. Cincinnati Bengals 9-8 (14)
15. Houston Texans 10-7 (15)
16. Seattle Seahawks 10-7 (16)
17. Arizona Cardinals 8-9 (19)
18. Miami Dolphins 8-9 (17)
19. Atlanta Falcons 8-9 (18)
20. Dallas Cowboys 7-10(20)
21. Indianapolis Colts 8-9(22)
22. San Francisco 49ers 6-11(21)
23. Carolina Panthers 5-12(23)
24. Jets 5-12 (27)
Aaron Rodgers threw his 500th career touchdown pass and added three more in a 32-20 victory over the Dolphins. In what was likely Rodgers' last NFL game, he connected with four different receivers, including two longtime teammates imported from the Packers (Davante Adams and Allen Lazard). Garrett Wilson became the second Jet player in history to reach 100 catches in a season.
25. Chicago Bears 5-12 (28)
26. Las Vegas Raiders 4-13 (24)
27. New Orleans Saints 5-12(25)
28. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-13(26)
29. New England Patriots 4-13 (32)
30. Giants 3-14 (29)
Like most of the season, Malik Nabors was great in the loss to the Eagles. Giants anyway, like most of the season. Nabors made a nice sideline balance beam run for a 45-yard touchdown. Drew Lock had the Giants possession in the last minute and made an interception. This marked the first time in franchise history that the team had an NFC winless record.
