Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season is right here, so we’re nearly on the end line. It is crunch time for a lot of groups trying to break into the playoffs by claiming a spot within the wild-card race. So which groups are trending upward?
The No. 1 group in final week’s Energy Rankings, the Philadelphia Eagles, misplaced a heartbreaker, which introduced motion atop of the record. Plus, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals shedding, the center pack shuffled.
Along with our rankings, we requested our NFL Nation reporters to choose the rookie of the 12 months for every group. From standout quarterbacks to dynamic defenders, which first-year gamers stood out from the remainder?
Let’s begin with a well-recognized group reclaiming the No. 1 spot.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16
Bounce to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 16 end result: Beat the Texans 27-19
Week 16 rating: 2
Rookie of the 12 months: Vast receiver Xavier Worthy
Worthy is the Chiefs’ main wideout with 51 catches, 559 yards and 5 touchdowns. He additionally has 94 yards and three touchdowns as a runner. He was quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ receiver of alternative in Saturday’s win over the Texans, with 11 targets, 7 receptions, 65 yards and the Chiefs’ solely receiving landing. He has grown over the course of the season in his capability to win on quick, intermediate and deeper routes. — Adam Teicher
Week 16 end result: Beat the Bears 34-17
Week 16 rating: 3
Rookie of the 12 months: Cornerback Terrion Arnold
Arnold has been a pivotal participant in Detroit’s first 13-win group with 52 complete tackles and 9 passes defended. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn says Arnold has “ice water in his veins” and has excessive expectations for him going ahead. “We’re placing plenty of stress on this participant by the way in which that we play, however there is no different manner that he would need it,” Glenn mentioned Dec. 12. “So, I am glad we have him for the easy proven fact that he will be one of many prime corners on this league as his years progress.” — Eric Woodyard
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Commanders 36-33
Week 16 rating: 1
Rookie of the 12 months: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round choose, is in competition for Rookie Defensive Participant of the Yr. He’s tied for eighth with 10 passes defensed regardless of being focused simply 61 occasions. Quarterbacks are finishing 56% of their throws in his course whereas averaging 6.4 yards per goal. A key determine for the league’s No. 2 passing protection, Mitchell has allowed one landing in 906 snaps. The one factor that is lacking from his résumé is interceptions (zero). — Tim McManus
Week 16 end result: Beat the Patriots 24-21
Week 16 rating: 4
Rookie of the 12 months: Operating again Ray Davis
Vast receiver Keon Coleman is a robust candidate, however Davis will get the nod due to his full season regardless of splitting carries with James Cook, who’s having one of many prime scoring seasons in franchise historical past. The fourth-round choose has 92 carries for 369 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 14 receptions for 184 yards and two receiving touchdowns. “He runs the ball very laborious,” quarterback Josh Allen mentioned. “He packs a punch, however he is very decisive in his working, and I believe that makes him superb for this group.” — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 16 end result: Beat the Seahawks 27-24
Week 16 rating: 5
Rookie of the 12 months: Kicker Will Reichard
Reichard, a sixth-round choose, has had a powerful 12 months regardless of lacking 4 video games due to a quadriceps harm. He has made 19 of twenty-two discipline aim makes an attempt and all 35 of his further factors. Two of the three misses got here in a sport he tried to push by after struggling the harm. Reichard was notably spectacular in Week 16, drilling discipline targets of 52 and 48 yards on a wet afternoon at Seattle’s Lumen Area. — Kevin Seifert
Week 16 end result: Beat the Steelers 34-17
Week 16 rating: 8
Rookie of the 12 months: Offensive sort out Roger Rosengarten
Rosengarten is the beginning proper sort out for an offense that ranks first in complete yards (423.7) and third in scoring (29.3). A second-round pick of Washington, he has excelled opening lanes for working again Derrick Henry, rating second amongst all tackles with an 83.8% run block win price. “Nothing actually phases him,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “He is a really assured man. On the identical time, I do not suppose he thinks he is ever going to reach. He is very tenacious, and it is paying off.” — Jamison Hensley
1:43
Mark Andrews to McAfee: Lamar is taking part in higher than ever
Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews joins “The Pat McAfee Present” and shares his pleasure about Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry’s play and the group’s constructive momentum.
Week 16 end result: Beat the Saints 34-0
Week 16 rating: 6
Rookie of the 12 months: Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper, a second-round choose, has received the NFC Defensive Participant of the Week award twice. Not defensive rookie of the week, defensive participant of the week. Regardless of lacking three video games due to a hamstring harm, he is the one rookie within the NFL this season with three-plus sacks, an interception, a fumble restoration and a pressured fumble. “There’s actually nothing he is bodily not in a position to do,” defensive finish Kingsley Enagbare mentioned of Cooper. “The sky is the restrict for him. He will be a hell of a participant someday — or proceed to be a hell of a participant.” — Rob Demovsky
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Ravens 34-17
Week 16 rating: 7
Rookie of the 12 months: Middle Zach Frazier
With an interception and two fumble recoveries (together with one for a landing), inside linebacker Payton Wilson additionally has a robust case for this title. However Frazier, who ranks third amongst all facilities in run block win price (73.7%), has been a difference-maker at a place that has struggled to seek out continuity for the reason that retirement of Maurkice Pouncey in 2021. Although the Steelers’ run sport has slowed not too long ago, it nonetheless ranks eleventh within the league (126 yards per sport), and Frazier is an enormous cause. — Brooke Pryor
Week 16 end result: Beat the Eagles 36-33
Week 16 rating: 10
Rookie of the 12 months: Quarterback Jayden Daniels
The No. 2 choose will doubtless be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Yr, so there is no doubt he is additionally that for Washington. Daniels is a key cause the Commanders have received 10 video games for the primary time since 2012. He has thrown for 3,303 yards and 22 touchdowns and is tied for first with 11 within the fourth quarter. He additionally owns the NFL’s fourth-highest QBR at 71.9, trailing solely Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and top-rated Josh Allen. Daniels additionally has rushed for 737 yards and 6 touchdowns. — John Keim
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Chiefs 27-19
Week 16 rating: 9
Rookie of the 12 months: Cornerback Kamari Lassiter
Lassiter has locked down at his place, permitting the bottom completion share amongst cornerbacks with no less than 200 protection snaps (43.8%). He has performed an enormous position within the Texans having the sixth-best go protection (200.5 passing yards per sport). He additionally holds up lengthy sufficient in protection to let the Texans’ go rush, led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.’s mixed 22.5 sacks, to get dwelling to the quarterback. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 16 end result: Beat the Broncos 34-27
Week 16 rating: 12
Rookie of the 12 months: Vast receiver Ladd McConkey
Proper sort out Joe Alt and cornerback Tarheeb Still have robust circumstances, however McConkey has been the Chargers’ most essential offensive participant not named Justin Herbert. McConkey and Herbert have already change into one of many league’s greatest quarterback-receiver pairings. Out of 34 QB-receiver combos with no less than 75 targets this season, the 2 rank within the prime 5 of QBR, completion share and yards per try. McConkey leads the Chargers in receptions (69), targets (94) and yards (960). — Kris Rhim
Week 16 end result: Beat the Jets 19-9
Week 16 rating: 13
Rookie of the 12 months: Outdoors linebacker Jared Verse
The skin linebacker has 66 quarterback pressures this season, which ranks first amongst rookies (17 extra pressures than the Dolphins’ Chop Robinson, who ranks No. 2). The Rams drafted Verse with their first Spherical 1 choose since 2016, and he has been a difference-maker for a protection that misplaced star defensive sort out Aaron Donald this offseason. — Sarah Barshop
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Chargers 34-27
Week 16 rating: 11
Rookie of the 12 months: Quarterback Bo Nix
The salary-cap-strapped Broncos have had appearances from six of their seven draft picks this season, however Nix has began from the primary snap. He is tied for tenth within the league in landing passes (22), together with 12 previously six video games. The 24-year-old has been repeatedly lauded by his teammates for his work ethic, composure and management. Nix is coach Sean Payton’s first rookie starter at quarterback in his lengthy tenure as a head coach. Payton believes Nix is the long-term resolution on the place for a group that has sought one since Peyton Manning retired after the 2015 season. — Jeff Legwold
Week 16 end result: Beat the Giants 34-7
Week 16 rating: 17
Rookie of the 12 months: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
The No. 8 choose received his first begin Sunday and carried out nicely. Total, between that and garbage-time snaps, Penix is 21-of-32 for 240 yards with no touchdowns and an interception that wasn’t his fault. Aside from Penix, the Falcons haven’t gotten as a lot as they’d hoped from their 2024 draft class. Second-rounder Ruke Orhorhoro has performed in simply six video games due to harm, and third-round choose Bralen Trice tore an ACL within the preseason. Linebacker JD Bertrand, working again Jase McClellan and vast receiver Casey Washington have all been injured, too. — Marc Raimondi
2:08
Adam Schefter breaks down Kirk Cousins’ Falcons future
Adam Schefter lays out the choice forward for the Falcons after benching Kirk Cousins.
Week 16 end result: Beat the Browns 24-6
Week 16 rating: 18
Rookie of the 12 months: Proper sort out Amarius Mims
Relationship again to offseason exercises, Mims has confirmed he has the expertise to be a beginning sort out for years to come back. In his most intensive motion relationship again to highschool, he has dealt with the workload nicely and shored up the precise facet of go safety for quarterback Joe Burrow. Although Mims’ 83.5% go block win price ranks 57th of 67 qualifying tackles, he has allowed simply 4 sacks, per ESPN Analysis. — Ben Child
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Vikings 27-24
Week 16 rating: 15
Rookie of the 12 months: Linebacker Tyrice Knight
Defensive sort out Byron Murphy II is having a greater season than his underwhelming stats recommend, however Knight’s manufacturing provides him the nod. The fourth-round choose went from fill-in to full-time starter in Week 11. Together with Ernest Jones IV, he has helped solidify an inside linebacker corps that was remade on the fly. Knight ranks fourth on the group with 72 tackles, together with three for loss and a sack. — Brady Henderson
Week 16 end result: Beat the 49ers 29-17
Week 16 rating: 20
Rookie of the 12 months: Outdoors linebacker Chop Robinson
No disrespect to receiver Malik Washington and even offensive lineman Patrick Paul, however Robinson has been one of many Dolphins’ greatest defensive gamers total. He turned a starter in Week 5 and leads all rookies with six sacks — closing in on Jaelan Phillips‘ franchise rookie file of 8.5. Since Week 5, Robinson has the league’s third-highest stress price (15.2%) and the fifth-highest go rush win price (21.7%). Some followers questioned basic supervisor Chris Grier taking a go rusher within the first spherical with each Phillips and Bradley Chubb on the roster, however Robinson, the No. 21 total choose, seems like probably the greatest worth picks. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Cowboys 26-24
Week 16 rating: 14
Rookie of the 12 months: Operating again Bucky Irving
Regardless of not even technically being the No. 1 working again on his personal group — and being hampered by a toe, hip and again accidents — Irving’s 1,240 scrimmage yards are probably the most of any Bucs participant and probably the most of any rookie. The fourth-rounder ranks nineteenth in scrimmage yards and sixteenth amongst all working backs. Irving has proven an distinctive capability to slide tackles. His pressured missed sort out price of 36.8% is the best amongst all gamers with no less than 50 touches. — Jenna Laine
Week 16 end result: Beat the Buccaneers 26-24
Week 16 rating: 21
Rookie of the 12 months: Middle Cooper Beebe
Beebe, the Cowboys’ third-round choose, has began each sport he has performed, lacking one due to a concussion. He had by no means performed middle in a sport earlier than this season, however he has dealt with the accountability nicely with minimal points snapping the ball. He has been strong along with his calls, although he would possibly have to be extra authoritative, which ought to include extra expertise. A full offseason program will make him stronger, and he strikes nicely sufficient to offer the Cowboys choices within the run sport. — Todd Archer
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Panthers 36-30
Week 16 rating: 16
Rookie of the 12 months: Vast receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Whereas cornerback Max Melton made a robust push for the group’s rookie of the 12 months, Harrison has had extra of an influence with out placing up gaudy numbers. The No. 4 choose has 51 catches for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns. His presence has modified how defenses method Arizona, opening up the sphere for different offensive gamers, thus impacting the group greater than what reveals up within the field rating. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 16 end result: Beat the Titans 38-30
Week 16 rating: 22
Rookie of the 12 months: Defensive finish Laiatu Latu
Latu has been quieter in latest weeks after creating important disruption earlier within the season. He nonetheless ranks second on his group with 41 quarterback pressures regardless of being fourth in snap counts among the many Colts’ defensive linemen. Latu can also be third amongst all rookies in pressures. He has solely 4 sacks, however he has had a number of close to misses, and the Colts suppose he’ll finally convert these into takedowns. And when Latu has managed to get sacks, he has made them depend with two strip sacks. — Stephen Holder
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Dolphins 29-17
Week 16 rating: 19
Rookie of the 12 months: Offensive lineman Dominick Puni
Puni has been an immediate success on an in any other case struggling offensive line. By way of 16 video games, he is tied for twelfth in go block win price (93.7%) and ninth in run block win price (73.9%) amongst all guards. The Niners have loads of different holes to fill on their offensive line within the offseason, however they will take some solace in the truth that Puni has persistently carried out since claiming the beginning job in coaching camp. — Nick Wagoner
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Packers 34-0
Week 16 rating: 23
Rookie of the 12 months: Left sort out Taliese Fuaga
The Saints put Fuaga at beginning left sort out early within the preseason, and he has been certainly one of solely two gamers to take nearly each offensive snap (together with proper sort out Trevor Penning). Fuaga has been probably the most persistently dependable and out there gamers in a season filled with accidents at each place. — Katherine Terrell
Week 16 end result: Beat the Cardinals 36-30
Week 16 rating: 28
Rookie of the 12 months: Inside linebacker Trevin Wallace
A lot of the Panthers’ rookie class has been impacted by accidents, together with Wallace, who’s on injured reserve and out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder harm. Earlier than his harm, the third-rounder had began eight out of 13 video games, changing veteran Shaq Thompson after he was misplaced for the season in Week 2. Wallace remains to be sixth on the group in tackles (64) and confirmed promise of being a fixture inside for years to come back. — David Newton
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Lions 34-17
Week 16 rating: 24
Rookie of the 12 months: Quarterback Caleb Williams
The No. 1 choose has been a vibrant spot in a disappointing season for the Bears. Williams turned the primary rookie in franchise historical past to throw for 3,000 yards and is on tempo to complete with the third-most passing yards (3,707) in a season by a Bears quarterback. Whereas it hasn’t at all times seemed fairly amid a nine-game shedding streak, he has raised a really low bar for quarterback play in Chicago and generated optimism for the long run. — Courtney Cronin
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Rams 19-9
Week 16 rating: 26
Rookie of the 12 months: Left sort out Olu Fashanu
It is a comparatively small physique of labor (seven begins, 503 snaps), however Fashanu — a first-round choose — has demonstrated the abilities essential to be a long-term beginning left sort out. He has the foot pace and consciousness to develop right into a prime go protector. Proper now, his problem is consistency. He ranks forty first amongst certified tackles in go block win price (87.6%). He additionally has to scrub up his approach (seven holding penalties). Fashanu’s standing for the following two weeks is up within the air, as he suffered a foot injury Sunday. — Wealthy Cimini
1:59
Rodgers says he’d be open to mentoring a rookie QB subsequent 12 months on Jets
Aaron Rodgers joins Pat McAfee to debate the opportunity of mentoring a rookie quarterback subsequent season with the Jets.
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Payments 24-21
Week 16 rating: 27
Rookie of the 12 months: Quarterback Drake Maye
Maye is the plain alternative due to how nicely he has performed … and the shortage of influence from many of the remainder of the Patriots’ rookie class. Maye has accomplished 67.6% of passes for two,159 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions whereas including 48 rushes for 389 yards. He has thrown no less than one landing in every of the previous seven video games, tying Jim Plunkett’s file for a New England rookie quarterback (1971). — Mike Reiss
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Bengals 24-6
Week 16 rating: 25
Rookie of the 12 months: Defensive sort out Mike Hall Jr.
The Browns have not obtained many contributions from their rookie class, however Corridor has been a vibrant spot amid a disappointing season. His taking part in time has elevated in latest weeks due to accidents to veterans, and he recorded his first profession sack in opposition to the Bengals. He has performed in solely six video games due to suspension and accidents, however he has recorded an 11.9% stress price, which might rank fifteenth if he had sufficient snaps to qualify. As Cleveland seems to retool its roster in 2025, Corridor is a constructing block. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Colts 38-30
Week 16 rating: 29
Rookie of the 12 months: Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
Brownlee has just one interception, however he’s persistently across the ball with eight passes defended. The fifth-round choose snatched a beginning position when veteran free agent additions Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed went down with accidents. Brownlee gladly took on assignments in opposition to two of the very best receivers within the sport when he helped maintain Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase underneath 100 receiving yards every. “He was going up in opposition to well-respected receivers that lots of people do not problem,” defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson mentioned. “He was press, being bodily, rerouting and stayed linked on the prime of the routes.” — Turron Davenport
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Raiders 19-14
Week 16 rating: 30
Rookie of the 12 months: Vast receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Not solely has he set franchise rookie data for catches (73), receiving yards (1,088) and receiving touchdowns (9), however Thomas additionally leads all rookie go catchers in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and yards per catch (14.9). Offensive coordinator Press Taylor mentioned this week that Thomas’ soccer IQ is so excessive he realized all three receiver spots and might function from a excessive degree at every. He has had two video games with 100 receiving yards and a landing this season, which is tied with Allen Hurns for many by a rookie in group historical past. — Michael DiRocco
Week 16 end result: Beat the Jaguars 19-14
Week 16 rating: 31
Rookie of the 12 months: Tight finish Brock Bowers
From “Brocktimus Prime” to the “Brocket Man,” no nickname leveled upon Bowers but by Raiders radio announcer Jason Horowitz has fairly captured the rookie’s influence upon the group. His 101 catches are tied for second within the NFL and already a league file for many catches in a season by a rookie tight finish. He’s 5 catches away from breaking Puka Nacua‘s year-old file for many receptions by any rookie and desires simply 10 yards to interrupt Mike Ditka’s file (1,077) for many receiving yards in a season by a first-year tight finish. Bowers is in line to change into the fourth rookie tight finish in league historical past named first-team All-Professional. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 16 end result: Misplaced to the Falcons 34-7
Week 16 rating: 32
Rookie of the 12 months: Vast receiver Malik Nabers
Nabers set the group’s rookie receptions file Sunday, passing two fairly good gamers in Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley along with his 92nd catch of the season. “Kudos to me however … we did not win,” Nabers mentioned afterward. He is doing injury in a troublesome scenario because the Giants and their offense stumble to the end line. Nabers is now at 97 catches for 969 yards with two video games remaining. So he is nearly actually going to prime 100 catches and 1,000 yards, albeit whereas main the league in targets (155) and averaging simply 10 yards per catch. — Jordan Raanan