Three of the NFL’s breakout teams of 2025 headline the Week 14 power rankings.
1. Denver Broncos (10-2) | Last week: 1
It was great to hear Cris Collinsworth rightly talk up Bo Nix during Sunday Night Football, basically indicating throughout the night that he has no idea what the doubters are looking at regarding the rising star’s skill level. The Denver defense struggled at Washington, but the Broncos again showed that they’re an all-around team with a winning quarterback who comes through. From the mainstream, you won’t hear that Nix should get much credit aside from a few people like Collinsworth, though.
2. New England Patriots (11-2) | Last week: 5 (+3)
You can say what you want about the Patriots’ schedule, but the bottom line is they’re taking care of business every week since the early-season losses to Vegas and Pittsburgh. Mike Vrabel has gotten an immediate buy-in from his guys. And people want to talk about Bo Nix having it “easy” as if that’s why he’s performing well, but I’d argue Josh McDaniels hasn’t gotten nearly enough credit for the spot he’s putting Drake Maye in—with much “easier” throws than his fellow second-year quarterback—to have major Year 2 success.
3. Chicago Bears (9-3) | Last week: 10 (+7)
Make that three of the quarterbacks from the 2024 draft class leading the top three teams in the Week 14 power rankings. The ground game for Chicago has quickly become lethal, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai going into Philadelphia on Black Friday to become the first Bears duo with 100+ rushing yards each since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey in 1985. I said before the season it’d be a matter of when not if Ben Johnson builds the Bears up into a threat, but he’s done it already.
4. Los Angeles Rams (9-3) | Last week: 2 (-2)
The MVP favorite heading into last week, Matthew Stafford had three costly turnovers including a pick-six and a late fumble at Carolina, with the Rams’ hot streak coming to an end. The play of the defense was also concerning, with the Panthers operating a balanced attack while Bryce Young tagged them for three touchdowns.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) | Last week: 3 (-2)
Hosting a Black Friday game with a chance to bounce back from the collapse versus the Cowboys the week before, I don’t think anyone saw that coming from the Eagles. Jalen Hurts had a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes including a fumble on a Brotherly Shove, but it was good insight to see on Hard Knocks that he and DeVonta Smith simply had a miscommunication (rather than a very bad miss in terms of accuracy) on the potential would-be touchdown to Smith.
6. Buffalo Bills (8-4) | Last week: 7 (+1)
The stingy outing on both sides of the ball at Pittsburgh is the type of style you want to see from Buffalo, particularly at this time of year. With starting tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown out, the Bills pounded the ball with James Cook III and Ray Davis—taking some pressure off Josh Allen and the receivers in an approach they should stick with. This Sunday against the desperate Bengals is a good test, and hopefully star tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) is back as a guy who can exploit the Cincy defense.
7. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) | Last week: 13 (+6)
The Green Bay wide receivers stepped up for huge plays on Jordan Love’s four touchdown passes in the Thanksgiving win over Detroit, and having two wins over Detroit could certainly be the difference in making the playoffs or not in the crowded NFC North and the conference overall. The first of two matchups with the Bears this weekend will be fun.
8. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Bouncing back from three interceptions in Week 13, Brock Purdy did a nice job of taking care of the ball, taking just one sack, and keeping drives moving in a tough environment at Cleveland. Quietly, the San Francisco defense is turning it on with 17 total points allowed over the past two games.
9. Seattle Seahawks (9-3) | Last week: 12 (+3)
As has been the case multiple times this season, it’s a very positive sign for Mike Macdonald’s squad to totally dominate opponents they should. Seattle’s defense intercepted undrafted rookie Max Brosmer four times in his first career start, and the offense didn’t try to (or need to) do too much in the 26-0 victory.
10. Indianapolis Colts (8-4) | Last week: 6 (-4)
It’s probably fair to say the Colts were robbed with the poor officiating in their loss to the Texans, and they’re now in a major battle for not only the division but a playoff spot. But a key reason for the drop in the power rankings is Daniel Jones playing through a fractured fibula, which certainly limits his mobility as a potent part of his game.
11. Detroit Lions (7-5) | Last week: 4 (-7)
While perhaps not as bad as the officiating against Indy, the Lions also have a seriousgripe with calls not going in their favor for a tight loss to the Packers. That, paired with Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) not playing for most of the game to deliver another blow to a beat-up team, led to a disappointing loss which has the margin of error very thin for a Super Bowl hopeful.
12. Houston Texans (7-5) | Last week: 14 (+2)
The officiating ultimately helped pick up the critical victory, but the Texans were able to get off the field and control the ball on the other side to keep things close and make enough plays in the end. Houston is now within one game in the AFC South, but this Sunday night at Kansas City has obvious wild card implications, too.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) | Last week: 17 (+4)
The Jaguars avoided looking ahead to the Colts and did not slip up for a road divisional matchup with the Titans, with Trevor Lawrence playing a much better game than he did the week before at Arizona. Brian Thomas Jr. was back from his ankle injury, but trade acquisition Jakobi Meyers (6/90/1) continues to gain chemistry with his quarterback.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) | Last week: 15 (+1)
In the win over the Cardinals, Tampa Bay got Bucky Irving back and immediately benefited from the juice he brings in a talented backfield, and Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are practicing and could be back soon. Haason Reddick was able to give the pass rush of the Bucs a boost, but the defense is still surprisingly somewhat of a concern in terms of chunks plays and yards allowed.
15. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) | Last week: 19 (+4)
They put themselves in a hole, but the Cowboys are playing about as well as anyone right now and could be scary if they can work their way into the postseason. Dallas can beat teams in shootouts with Dak Prescott throwing to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and the improvements on defense (with cornerback Trevon Diggs also nearing a return, perhaps as early as tomorrow night at Detroit) have been enough to win games.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) | Last week: 18 (+2)
Justin Herbert showed toughness in the win over the Raiders by playing through a broken left hand that required surgery the next day, and it sounds like he’s going to play a week later when the Chargers host the Eagles. Protecting Herbert and having their own pass rush impact Jalen Hurts is an obvious key in Week 14.
17. Baltimore Ravens (6-6) | Last week: 8 (-9)
While I moved them up quite a bit in the power rankings last week, the five-game winning streak for the Ravens did show some cause for concern offensively—with Lamar Jackson just not in the type of rhythm we’re used to seeing as a passer (while also not doing his typical damage as a runner). The end of the season is going to be a battle in the AFC North, and Baltimore would be wise to ride Derrick Henry in the cold weather.
18. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) | Last week: 11 (-7)
It looks clearly foolish of me to think the Chiefs were “back” when Rashee Rice returned and have them all the way up to No. 1 in the power rankings weeks ago. The danger of missing the postseason is obviously as real as ever, with the next two games—at least both at home—versus the Texans and Chargers being massive in the playoff race.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) | Last week: 16 (-3)
The vibes aren’t encouraging for the Steelers right now, and to see them not only allowing a record number of rushing yards at Acrisure Stadium but also have Aaron Rodgers very frustrated (and beat up) on offense makes this feel like a turning point game at Baltimore. Rodgers had his receivers over to watch film on his 42nd birthday, so hopefully they come together and click this Sunday.
20. Carolina Panthers (7-6) | Last week: 20
The Panthers have upset wins over the Packers and Rams in 2025, and they could be higher in the power rankings given their positioning in the NFC South—with two matchups to come versus the Bucs. The inconsistency is what keeps them at No. 20, but we know they can run the ball when they stick with it and have a quarterback with ice in his veins at the end of games.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) | Last week: 21
I said I certainly wouldn’t count out the Bengals, and the first step went exactly as they needed by defeating the Ravens on Thanksgiving Night in Joe Burrow’s return to the lineup—while the Steelers (and the Browns) also lost in the AFC North. They go to Buffalo this week before a rematch with the Ravens in Week 15—and then they’ll almost certainly be favored the final three games versus Miami, Arizona, and Cleveland.
22. Miami Dolphins (5-7) | Last week: 22
De’Von Achane breaking long touchdowns has become a normal occurrence at this point, and the Dolphins have won three straight games since firing general manager Chris Grier—so Mike McDaniel is making an easy case to remain on board in 2026.
23. Minnesota Vikings (4-8) | Last week: 23
At Seattle is one of the toughest possible spots to play for any quarterback right now, so Max Brosmer struggling as an undrafted rookie was not surprising. Justin Jefferson’s lack of production must be super frustrating, and J.J. McCarthy is entering what might already be a crucial final five games of the season as he returns to the lineup.
24. Arizona Cardinals (3-9) | Last week: 24
Following a couple of blowout NFC West losses in the middle of November, the Cardinals are back to losing close games with a shot at the end—which has been a theme for much of 2025. With the Rams (twice), Texans, and Bengals all on the schedule, Jonathan Gannon’s squad can play the role of spoiler down the stretch.
25. Washington Commanders (3-9) | Last week: 26 (+1)
The Commanders are a team looking to play that spoiler role now, too, with both games versus the Eagles and another showdown with the Cowboys in the final three weeks. First, they go to Minnesota and New York and will look to keep up their much better play since Dan Quinn took over the defense. I’m interested to see when Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, as Marcus Mariota continues the high-level play he’s shown in Washington the past two seasons.
26. New York Jets (3-9) | Last week: 28 (+2)
The move to Tyrod Taylor at quarterback was clearly the right one, and he’s helping get production from midseason trade acquisition Adonai Mitchell (8/102/1 in the win over the Falcons) at receiver. Finding a way to win games like that is an important step in building a winning program.
27. Atlanta Falcons (4-8) | Last week: 25 (-2)
Meanwhile, the Falcons haven’t done that. There are pieces to get excited about, but things haven’t come together in terms of an identity for the type of team they want to build and be.
28. Cleveland Browns (3-9) | Last week: 27 (-1)
The Browns didn’t play as poorly as the 26-8 score might indicate, but I was still expecting them to be closer in the end at home. Look for Shedeur Sanders to be determined against the Titans and No. 1 pick Cameron Ward in a draft he expected to go much higher in.
29. New Orleans Saints (2-10) | Last week: 29
The fight shown by the Saiints in their comeback attempt at Miami was good to see, and receiver Devaughn Vele (8/93/1) was a tremendous target with multiple high-level catches for Tyler Shough in the loss.
30. Tennessee Titans (1-11) | Last week: 30
The Titans are another team I was expecting to keep things closer at home, but they weren’t a match for the playoff-contending Jaguars. At Cleveland will be a challenge for the offense, but it’s an opportunity for the one-win team to get another victory.
31. New York Giants (2-11) | Last week: 31
Jaxson Dart didn’t feel quite the same without running around like he has for most of his rookie season, but it doesn’t help when your defense is lit up and you’re down 17-0 in the first quarter. Joe Schoen’s bye week press conference has many Giants fans begging for a total reset this offseason.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) | Last week: 32
Pete Carroll sounds happier with the offensive coordinator change, but the results were basically the same in the first game. It’s crazy to hear the stuff coming out (and some apparently not yet revealed) about the Raiders’ dysfunction, like not allowing Chip Kelly to run his offense.