There’s a lot to be determined and plenty of depth in each conference, but are the clearest contenders separating themselves in the Week 15 NFL power rankings?
1. Denver Broncos (11-2) | Last week: 1
The 24-17 final score doesn’t paint the full picture of how in control the Broncos were in their Week 14 win at the Raiders. Though he uncharacteristically took three sacks, Bo Nix went 31-of-38 for 212 yards to take what the defense gave him; and I like how rookie running back RJ Harvey ran despite modest numbers (17 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown).
2. New England Patriots (11-2) | Last week: 2
The Patriots have heard a lot about their schedule, but they have a big opportunity to get their second win over the Bills to clinch the AFC East—and had an extra week to prepare with the bye.
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-3) | Last week: 4 (+1)
After kicking into gear in the second quarter, the Rams didn’t look back while racking up 530 yards with a super balanced attack in the 45-17 win over the Cardinals. Blake Corum really stood out with the way he ran, and the numbers matched the tape with 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries.
4. Buffalo Bills (9-4) | Last week: 6 (+2)
I wasn’t optimistic about the Bills’ chances with the way Joe Burrow and the Bengals were lighting it up in the snow. But Josh Allen took over—which he does better than anyone in the league today—with special plays both through the air and on the ground, keeping Buffalo in the game before back-to-back fourth quarter interceptions headlined by cornerback Christian Benford’s 67-yard pick-six.
5. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) | Last week: 7 (+2)
Since the start of Toyotathon, the Packers have defeated all three NFC North opponents and have taken first place in the division—with Jordan Love again playing his best football during this time of year. Green Bay’s offensive line did an excellent job of picking up Chicago’s blitzes, with Love and his weapons (including Christian Watson for both a deep touchdown and a catch-and-run score on a slant) making Dennis Allen’s defense pay.
6. Chicago Bears (9-4) | Last week: 3 (-3)
Caleb Williams made a ton of plays to keep the Bears in the game and give them a shot at the end, and the winning control and pace Ben Johnson has his guys playing at is evident. If Chicago scored on the final drive, they were ready to go for two with little time left for the Packers. The said, the remaining schedule is a challenge for the team that entered last week as the top seed in the NFC—after hosting the Browns, they face the Packers, 49ers, and Lions.
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Christian McCaffrey is on his way to his second 1,000/1,000 season and obviously earned a rest during last week’s bye with the number of touches he’s gotten in 2025. CMC, Brock Purdy, and the Niners should be in good shape versus the Titans if they take care of the ball.
8. Seattle Seahawks (10-3) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Rashid Shaheed jump-started the Seahawks with a kickoff return touchdown to begin the second half at Atlanta, leading to a 31-3 final 30 minutes after they were tied 6-6 at the half. Devon Witherspoon had an interception and a fumble recovery on defense, and it was good to see Jaxon Smith-Njigba (seven receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns) get back on track on the other side of the ball.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) | Last week: 5 (-4)
Jalen Hurts had his worst NFL game in the Monday night loss to the Chargers, but I actually already like the response from the Eagles. Of course, the offense hasn’t found its groove this season, but if there are things to be encouraged about, like Saquon Barkley getting going and A.J. Brown continuing his hot streak. And part of why I like the response is Brown had his quarterback’s back, saying that he could’ve made more plays and that they’re “all in this together”—which feels a little different than the earlier struggles. Certainly, the offense has not been close to good enough, but don’t totally count them out yet.
10. Detroit Lions (8-5) | Last week: 11 (+1)
While the Lions are having a down year, it’s still amazing that they lead the NFL in scoring after losing Ben Johnson and dealing with occasional issues on the offensive line. Jared Goff masterfully distributed the ball in the 44-30 Thursday night win over the Cowboys, and of course the Lions might have the game’s ultimate weapon in Jahmyr Gibbs. I’d think the Rams defensive front will show up with extra energy this week, so I’m very curious to see how the inconsistent Detroit offensive line plays.
11. Houston Texans (8-5) | Last week: 12 (+1)
Houston’s defense is getting a lot of love for perhaps being the best overall unit in the league on either side of the ball, but C.J. Stroud’s play since his return from a concussion has been a major key to DeMeco Ryans’ squad working back into the postseason mix. With a defense like the Texans’, you’re likely to be in every game if you avoid turnovers, sacks, and penalties.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) | Last week: 13 (+1)
Since blowing the big lead to the Texans a month ago, the Jaguars have rattled off four straight wins—with routs of the Chargers and Colts in the process. Now sitting at 9-4, Jacksonville hosts the Jets for a prime opportunity to stay out in front of the crowded field behind the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC playoff picture.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) | Last week: 16 (+3)
Looking at the upcoming schedule for the Chargers—at the Chiefs, at the Cowboys, hosting the Texans, and at the Broncos—escaping with the overtime victory versus the Eagles was huge. As mentioned, Jalen Hurts didn’t play well, but the LA defense also played a great game and might be clicking at the right time.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) | Last week: 19 (+5)
With all the talk about Mike Tomlin, the Steelers apparently had their best practice of the week—and it showed up with an aggressive gameplan featuring shots to DK Metcalf in the upset victory at Baltimore. Pittsburgh’s vibe felt top-notch during the win, including both Aaron Rodgers and Tomlin doing Rodgers’ trademark championship belt celebration.
Rodgers brought back the belt and Tomlin followed suit 😂
PITvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/LnPmTZB8OU
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
15. Indianapolis Colts (8-5) | Last week: 10 (-5)
I feel terrible for Daniel Jones, who did everything the right way with the Colts—and played on a fractured fibula for his teammates before the Achilles tear in the loss to Jacksonville. His absence is an immense blow to Indy’s playoff and championship hopes, but it creates one of the most interesting storylines in NFL history, with Philip Rivers coming out of retirement after five years out of the league to potentially start for his friend Shane Steichen’s team. I hope Anthony Richardson is doing all right, too, as I think he could play well when he’s healthy—and he lost a very close quarterback competition with Jones this year.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) | Last week: 14 (-2)
The Bucs are 1-4 in the past five games, and losing at home to the Saints—in a game where they were controlling things to some extent but let rookie quarterback Tyler Shough get loose for a couple of big touchdown runs—is something that gives them the opportunity to respond on a short week. After hosting the Falcons tomorrow night, two of the final three games of the season come against the Panthers.
17. Carolina Panthers (7-6) | Last week: 20 (+3)
The late bye week gave the Panthers extra time to prepare for the Saints—and to obviously lock in and not take them lightly given that New Orleans is coming off the upset of the Bucs and already won at Carolina this year. I’d like a balanced offensive approach with Rico Dowdle getting involved as a receiver.
18. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) | Last week: 15 (-3)
The Lions offense is a load to handle, but imagine how good the Cowboys would be feeling right now in the NFC East if they were able to kick off Week 14 with a win. Look for a much better performance from the defense this Sunday night, along with a bigger outing from George Pickens on the other side of the ball.
19. Baltimore Ravens (6-7) | Last week: 17 (-2)
The Ravens weren’t happy with the officiating, but watching live (as opposed to slow motion replays) I thought the Isaiah Likely play wasn’t a catch on first instinct. That said, John Harbaugh is 100% correct that the rules on what constitutes a catch are “clear as mud” right now—and I said back in 2018 when the NFL supposedly simplified the rules that it only would make things worse. Anyway, dropping two straight at home in the division obviously puts Baltimore in a hole with a tough remaining schedule.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) | Last week: 18 (-2)
Don’t completely count out the Chiefs, but it’s becoming clearer by the week that a lot of the magic of the past few years just isn’t there in 2025. We saw a glimpse of it with the defense stepping up in the third quarter before the momentum turned upside down on the fourth down miss—and KC couldn’t recover.
21. Miami Dolphins (6-7) | Last week: 22 (+1)
De’Von Achane did what he does early, but running back Jaylen Wright (24 carries, 107 yards, one touchdown) was one of the standout performers of Week 14 with the way he ran after Achane exited with a rib injury. The Miami defense did work, getting after rookie Brady Cook after Tyrod Taylor left with a groin injury and holding New York to 1/12 on third down.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9) | Last week: 21 (-1)
Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense put up a heck of an effort at snowy Buffalo, again showcasing the confidence they have every single week—and the upside of the pieces they have on offense, including tight end Mike Gesicki stepping up with some incredible catches with Ja’Marr Chase having a quiet game.
23. Minnesota Vikings (5-8) | Last week: 23
As the 31-0 score correctly indicates, the Vikings had one of the best all-around performances of any team this season versus the Commanders. They ran the ball well with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, J.J. McCarthy looked more confident in his return to the lineup, and the Minnesota defense showed it is especially dangerous with a healthy Andrew Van Ginkel (one interception).
24. New Orleans Saints (3-10) | Last week: 29 (+5)
I’ll give the Saints a nice boost in the Week 15 power rankings after the upset win at Tampa Bay. They’ve been overmatched at times (e.g., at the Seahawks and at the Rams), but—despite the 3-10 record—Kellen Moore has had his team competitive in his first year at the helm.
25. Arizona Cardinals (3-10) | Last week: 24 (-1)
It’s difficult to find bright spots in a 45-17 loss, but wide receiver Michael Wilson has been sensational with Marvin Harrison Jr. out in three of the past four games, putting up lines of 15/185, 10/118, and 11/142/2. How Wilson fares against Houston’s stingy defense this week will be fun to watch.
26. Washington Commanders (3-10) | Last week: 25 (-1)
A letdown for the Commanders—after expending so much energy in the Sunday Night Football loss to the Broncos that ended past midnight—probably shouldn’t have been surprising, but Dan Quinn understandably wasn’t happy with his team’s showing at Minnesota. It was tough to watch tight end Zach Ertz take a low hit to his knee, resulting in a torn ACL for a productive player and leader for Washington.
27. New York Jets (3-10) | Last week: 26 (-1)
Undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook was in a very difficult spot with his first NFL action, being thrust in the game following Tyrod Taylor’s injury, but he showed a willingness to make throws and take hits. No matter who is under center for the Jets, they must be able to run the ball better with Breece Hall.
28. Atlanta Falcons (4-9) | Last week: 27 (-1)
Tight end Kyle Pitts (six receptions for 90 yards) was a standout performer for the Falcons in the blowout loss to the Seahawks, and it could’ve been an even bigger game if not for a couple of just-misses. Unless the Bucs suddenly get hot on offense, the Falcons should be in it for Thursday Night Football—and the NFC South foes played a very entertaining Thursday night game last season.
29. Tennessee Titans (2-11) | Last week: 30 (+1)
Tony Pollard exploded for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ victory at Cleveland, and they did a really nice job of containing stud rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on the other side. They’ll need to get things sorted out with the pass defense against the 49ers this Sunday, though.
30. Cleveland Browns (3-10) | Last week: 28 (-2)
Cleveland hasn’t been quite as good at defending opposing runners the past handful of games, but it was still surprising to see that type of showing from the unit at home. But Shedeur Sanders had a highly encouraging performance, joining Joe Burrow as the only rookie in the Super Bowl era with 350+ passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown in a game. Burrow was actually a strong comp for Sanders as a prospect.
31. New York Giants (2-11) | Last week: 31
Jaxson Dart didn’t look like quite himself the last time out a couple of weeks ago, so we’ll see if he’ll go back to using his legs more following the bye week. The Giants have winnable games, with three of the final four at home and their lone remaining road matchup in Week 17 coming at the Raiders.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) | Last week: 32
Pete Carroll is very unlikely to bench Geno Smith (status uncertain for Sunday), but there’s no denying Kenny Pickett entered the game and gave the offense a serious (and much-needed) jolt in the loss to Denver. Either way, at Philadelphia is going to be a tall task, but—as someone facing the Eagles D/ST in the fantasy playoffs—I’d very much like to see how Pickett fares.