Shuffling continues, but the top two in the 2025 NFL Week 12 power rankings remain steady.
1. Denver Broncos (9-2) | Last week: 1
Not shy about how big of a game they felt it would be—billed as their most critical in a decade—the Broncos came through to seize firm control of the AFC West while sending the Chiefs to .500 toward the end of November. Ja’Quan McMillan was awesome with two sacks and a critical interception, and Bo Nix has the most fourth quarter comebacks in his first two seasons of any player since 1950.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) | Last week: 2
The top two teams in the power rankings have a case for the top two defenses in football. Philly totally flew around to get off the field in the Sunday night win against the Lions, with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis making a bunch of plays—including five combined pass deflections. Offensively, there’s still obviously upside for a lot more, but Jalen Hurts knows how to play winning, complementary football and do whatever it takes to ultimately emerge victorious.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-2) | Last week: 4 (+1)
Jonathan Taylor and company got a well-deserved rest in Week 11, and they return with a chance to make another major statement in a trip to Arrowhead. If Indy protects Daniel Jones, they certainly have the balanced attack to pull it off.
4. Buffalo Bills (7-3) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Even without Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) and Keon Coleman (healthy scratch for missing a team meeting), Josh Allen put the offense on his back with six total touchdowns (three passing, three rushing)—while also overcoming an early pick-six and eventually lighting up the Tampa Bay defense. Tomorrow night at Houston will be a good measuring stick for an up-and-down group.
5. Los Angeles Rams (8-2) | Last week: 7 (+2)
Underrated second-year safety Kamren Kinchens led the way with two of the Rams’ four interceptions of Sam Darnold, with the unit again having the number of the veteran quarterback. On offense, it was relatively tough sledding for much of the game, but the fast start and a balanced approach helped Sean McVay’s squad get to 8-2.
6. Detroit Lions (6-4) | Last week: 3 (-3)
Dan Campbell is not going to change his approach in terms of aggressiveness, and the Lions defense—with a plethora of injuries in the secondary—continuing to keep them in the game at Philadelphia is a prime example of them being a tremendous all-around team. Look for the offense to get on track when hosting the Giants this Sunday.
7. New England Patriots (8-2) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Patience has paid off for both the Patriots and fantasy owners, with rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson slowly building toward an immense impact on offense with five total touchdowns the past two games with Rhamondre Stevenson out. Along with other additions like a rejuvenated Stefon Diggs, and it’s not a surprise that Josh McDaniels has gotten Drake Maye to play so well in 2025.
8. Baltimore Ravens (5-5) | Last week: 12 (+4)
This might be too big of a rise for the Ravens for escaping at Cleveland with a win, but it was a gritty game they ultimately pulled out to climb back from 1-5 to .500—despite two interceptions from Lamar Jackson. Taking on the Jets this weekend, Baltimore is heavily favored to get to 6-5 ahead of a Thanksgiving Night matchup with the Bengals.
9. San Francisco 49ers (7-4) | Last week: 13 (+4)
Mac Jones was excellent while filling in for Brock Purdy this season, and Purdy stepped back in and probably reminded many doubters that he plays the position at a very high level. He connected with George Kittle twice and Christian McCaffrey once (CMC also had two scores on the ground) while throwing dimes all over the field at Arizona.
10. Chicago Bears (7-3) | Last week: 15 (+5)
Another team making a sizable leap in the power rankings, the Bears have earned it at 7-3 through 10 games under Ben Johnson. I thought it’d be more of a matter-of-time type of thing for Johnson, but it shows how impressive he is as a coach to already have Chicago competing in the NFC North. That said, the Bears play the Steelers, Eagles, and Packers over the next three weeks.
11. Seattle Seahawks (7-3) | Last week: 9 (-2)
Darnold’s struggles were mentioned above, but it’s nice to hear linebacker Ernest Jonest IV state very clearly that the team has the back of their quarterback. Seattle’s defense kept them in the loss to LA and can keep them in every game as an elite group.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) | Last week: 6 (-6)
I genuinely thought weeks ago that the Chiefs would be back as a top team with Rashee Rice in the lineup, but—not only has neither side of the ball been top-notch like expected, that close-game magic just hasn’t been there this season. To be clear, Patrick Mahomes has not played well individually the past two losses, either.
13. Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) | Last week: 14 (+1)
The Green Bay defense had a few interception opportunities and finally came through with Evan Williams sealing the game as the Giants were driving for a potential game-tying score. Jordan Love started slow but came through late (and Malik Willis gave a little jolt when he saw brief action with Love leaving due to injury), but we’ll see if Josh Jacobs (knee) can play this week versus the Vikings.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) | Last week: 11 (-3)
Sean Tucker is showing how talented he is as a running back who has been stuck behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White in Tampa Bay, but the passing game remains in a funk over the past month. Both sides of the ball—as the defense is giving up far too many big plays the past two weeks—must snap out of it for Sunday night against the Rams.
15. Houston Texans (5-5) | Last week: 16 (+1)
It was a battle, but the Texans ultimately took care of the ball while Davis Mills came through again with C.J. Stroud (concussion) still out. Last season, the Houston defense held Josh Allen to 9/30 for 131 yards and a touchdown, so they’ll be flying around with confidence on TNF.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) | Last week: 17 (+1)
The Jalen Ramsey ejection (after Ja’Marr Chase spit at him) overshadowed things, but the Steelers had a strong bounce back on multiple fronts—both from their October shootout loss to the Bengals and from the ugly Week 10 loss at the Chargers. Aaron Rodgers’ left wrist fracture might force him to miss time, but Mason Rudolph has shown he’s more than capable for Pittsburgh.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) | Last week: 19 (+2)
Speaking of bouncing back, the Jaguars responded the exact right way to their blown Week 11 to the Texans, dismantling the Chargers on both sides of the ball. Josh Hines-Allen pressured Justin Herbert and got home for a sack while Jacksonville’s defense allowed just 135 yards.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) | Last week: 10 (-8)
This was a sizable drop for the Chargers and might be too big, but the inconsistency and concerns over the offensive line’s health are legitimate. Los Angeles gets the bye to regroup before hosting a beatable Raiders team.
19. Carolina Panthers (6-5) | Last week: 18 (-1)
I mentioned last week about Bryce Young and the Panthers passing attack needing to make defenses pay when they want to load up to stop Rico Dowdle, and Young showed he can do just that with 448 passing yards and three touchdowns in a comeback at Atlanta. I love how creatively Carolina used rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan (8/130/2) in a difficult matchup.
20. Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) | Last week: 21 (+1)
The first test for the Cowboys with the reinforcements on defense including trade acquisitions Quinnen Williams (1.5 sacks) and Logan Wilson was passed with flying colors, but the Eagles—even with their offensive disappointment—will obviously be a much bigger test this week. On the other side, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are a force, and I’m interested to see how they fare versus the Philly defense after leaving some plays out there in the season opener.
21. Minnesota Vikings (4-6) | Last week: 20 (-1)
Perhaps a positive to build on for J.J. McCarthy is that he’s been good at the end of games during his first five games as an NFL starter, but the visible frustration from Justin Jefferson, Kevin O’Connell, and others is difficult to overlook. The trouble changing velocity on throws is part of what’s making McCarthy extra streaky.
22. Miami Dolphins (4-7) | Last week: 24 (+2)
The win over Washington in the first NFL game in Spain makes the Dolphins 3-1 in their past four games, and Mike McDaniel is making an easy case to stay on board with an improved front office in 2026. After the bye, Miami takes on the Saints and Jets.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) | Last week: 22 (-1)
The loss to the Steelers went about as bad as possible, with not only the defeat dropping the Bengals to 3-7—but Ja’Marr Chase’s suspension knocking him out of a difficult matchup with the Patriots in Week 12. The Cincy defense needs to find a way to contain all the ways New England can attack.
24. Arizona Cardinals (3-7) | Last week: 23 (-1)
Losing the turnover battle 3-0 is difficult for any team to overcome, and the 49ers took advantage with 41 points on 281 yards of offense. Pass catchers were a bright spot for Arizona, with Michael Wilson breaking out for 15 receptions and 185 yards to complement tight end Trey McBride (10/115/1) while Jacoby Brissett set an NFL record for completions in a game (47).
25. Atlanta Falcons (3-7) | Last week: 25
While I like the talent the Falcons have accumulated, there’s seemingly no sense of the type of football team they want to be to win games—and now quarterback Michael Penix Jr. may miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury. It’s difficult to understand how Atlanta sometimes suddenly goes away from Bijan Robinson, as was the case in the loss to Carolina.
26. Washington Commanders (3-8) | Last week: 26
Marcus Mariota played really well in the Spain loss to the Dolphins, so it’s unfortunate that really his only bad play of the game came on the interception to start overtime. The veteran Commanders roster could use this late bye, and eyes are on quarterback Jayden Daniels as he looks to potentially return soon from his elbow injury.
27. New York Jets (2-8) | Last week: 27
The two-game winning streak before last Thursday’s loss at New England kept Justin Fields in the lineup, but it was time to try something new at quarterback and go with Tyrod Taylor. Not that the Jets are a great situation, but it’s crazy that New York’s new regime signed Fields to so much guaranteed money with the thought that he was their lock to be a franchise guy like Jared Goff immediately was with the Lions.
28. New Orleans Saints (2-8) | Last week: 28
Tyler Shough showed his ability as a passer in his first two NFL starts, and Kellen Moore had an extra week to prepare the rookie for his first home start versus a reeling Falcons team in the division.
29. New York Giants (2-9) | Last week: 30 (+1)
Jameis Winston was unsurprisingly not shy in trying to test the Packers secondary, helping lead to balance offensively with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary finding room to run. Ideally, the Giants will be able to stick with the same balance on offense—which might be a focus under interim head coach Mike Kafka—as rookie Jaxson Dart gets set to return to the lineup from his concussion.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) | Last week: 29 (-1)
The non-competitiveness (in terms of the score) many weeks for the Raiders is tough to watch, and as stated throughout the season, much of it stems from the struggles on the offensive line—where they have dealt with injuries on an already subpar unit. Hosting the Browns and a rookie making his first start this week, Vegas needs a win.
31. Cleveland Browns (2-8) | Last week: 31
That rookie quarterback making his first start is Shedeur Sanders, who might have some extra motivation going against a Raiders team he probably thought would take him at some point during his draft slide. Myles Garrett and the defense should keep Cleveland in the game, so Shedeur must take care of the ball.
32. Tennessee Titans (1-9) | Last week: 32
The missed wide-open touchdown to Mason Kinsey on what might’ve been a miscommunication with Cameron Ward stands out, but it’s still a good sign that the Titans played the Texans tough and had a shot to win the game. This week against the Seahawks will be another challenging test for the No. 1 pick.