Week 15 marks six consecutive weeks with the Broncos at the No. 1 spot in the NFL power rankings.
1. Denver Broncos (12-2) | Last week: 1
Sure enough, (almost) everyone is coming around to realize how much of a stud Bo Nix is as a franchise quarterback. I was extremely confident it was going to be exactly like Josh Allen, with it only being a matter of time before the groupthink media—as well as average fans that listen to them—eventually cannot deny that the mischaracterization of the prospect was wild. To be clear, the Packers outing isn’t the first time Nix showed off his high-level skillset—but I suppose more people watched the main CBS game on Sunday afternoon, and it’s become unavoidable at this point despite the haters. Patrick Surtain II’s tremendous interception was also a spark for Denver, which started slow defensively.
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-3) | Last week: 3 (+1)
Especially with the Seahawks coming up tomorrow night, I’m very curious to see how the Rams look with Davante Adams (hamstring) likely to miss versus a very tough defense. Adams has been one of the most valuable players in football with his presence and prowess, particularly in scoring territory. But Sean McVay’s offense has gotten the ground game going, which certainly helps.
3. Buffalo Bills (10-4) | Last week: 4 (+1)
Buffalo didn’t panic down 21-0 at Foxboro and willed themselves to not allowing it to be a “hat and t-shirt game” for the AFC East. The Bills defense is making enough plays in critical spots while Josh Allen basically takes over on offense to keep them in games. Ideally, the formula isn’t having—in my opinion—the clear top player in the league right now having to almost carry the team to a Super Bowl, but if there’s a year for that to be the case it might be this crazy wide-open season.
4. Chicago Bears (10-4) | Last week: 6 (+2)
At a frigid Soldier Field, the Bears did exactly what you’d like to see from a hopeful playoff contender against an inferior Browns squad, dominating on both sides of the ball including three interceptions and five sacks by the defense. Caleb Williams’ first of two touchdowns to DJ Moore was a must-watch play, and D’Andre Swift ran extremely well. This Saturday night’s matchup with the Packers is going to be fun.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) | Last week: 9 (+4)
While you don’t want to put too much stock into beating a Raiders team that, frankly, has almost allowed the Broncos and Eagles to look like they’re running a practice session the past two games, Philadelphia got back on track the right way. Saquon Barkley continues to show positive signs of getting going, Jalen Hurts threw three touchdowns, and the Philly defense had its first shutout since 2018.
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Brock Purdy showcased his super underrated playmaking ability in the 49ers’ comfortable win over the Titans, and the ball fake to linebacker Cody Barton—which he immediately apologized for and thought was dumb and regrettable—actually just shows how much freedom and confidence he’s playing with. San Francisco faces the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks over the final three weeks.
7. Seattle Seahawks (11-3) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Kicker Jason Myers was one of the top performers of Week 15, hitting all six of his field goals to survive at home with an 18-16 victory against the Colts. This might be too low for the Seahawks, and they’d certainly jump up the power rankings with a win over the Rams tomorrow night to vault into first place in the NFC West. That’ll require Sam Darnold exorcising some demons versus the Los Angeles defense that’s given him trouble.
8. New England Patriots (11-3) | Last week: 2 (-6)
The Patriots are still in a good spot in the AFC East, as they would still take the division by beating the Jets and Dolphins in Weeks 17 and 18. But—as efficient as Drake Maye has been this season—I want to see more from the passing game versus top teams. The .500 Ravens fighting for a postseason spot will be a great test as New England prepares for a postseason run.
9. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) | Last week: 5 (-4)
The torn ACL for Micah Parsons was tough to see and is a massive blow to not only the Super Bowl upside for the Packers but to their playoff chances—as after a trip to Soldier Field they’ll host the Ravens, with the Lions 1.5 games behind them. Despite some awesome throws early, we saw a rare down outing for Jordan Love during Toyotathon, with Green Bay stalling in a matchup with the tough Denver defense.
10. Houston Texans (9-5) | Last week: 11 (+1)
Nico Collins jumpstarted Sunday action with a 57-yard touchdown reception, and the Texans didn’t look back in a 40-20 victory that included running back Jawhar Jordan emerging with 101 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Winners of six in a row, Houston now hosts Vegas as two-touchdown favorites.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) | Last week: 12 (+1)
Trevor Lawrence totaled six touchdowns and Travis Etienne Jr. scored three times, as the Jaguars coasted to defeat the Jets. The play designs by head coach Liam Coen were exceptional, and I’m anxious to see how both sides of the ball fare for this Sunday’s matchup with the Broncos.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) | Last week: 13 (+1)
The Chargers defense was hitting in the win at Arrowhead to end the Chiefs’ playoff chances, and it’s a group that looks to be clicking as we enter the final stretch of the regular season. Safety Derwin James Jr. again starred in the victory, including a game-sealing interception.
13. Detroit Lions (8-6) | Last week: 10 (-3)
Lions quarterback Jared Goff made it clear that he’s not happy with fans thinking the team is done this season, and I expect the offense—which leads the NFL in scoring—to continue giving them a shot. The question is if the defense, which has yet again been hammered by injuries, can hold up. The Rams were too much (and I should mention that the officiating was again very poor against Detroit, which has become a theme), but the Lions must win out starting with a less-potent Steelers squad.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) | Last week: 14
In what might be the final Monday Night Football game of Aaron Rodgers’ career, he led four consecutive touchdown drives—headlined by an insane play by wide receiver DK Metcalf—to help the franchise extend its home MNF winning streak to 23 games. The vibes remain on track for Pittsburgh during the two-game winning streak, and hopefully T.J. Watt is feeling all right after the partially collapsed lung due to a dry needle treatment.
15. Baltimore Ravens (7-7) | Last week: 19 (+4)
The pick-six hand-off from Kyle Van Noy to Alohi Gilman was a textbook Baltimore Ravens defense play to me, so maybe it’s a group getting its swagger and confidence. Getting Ar’Darius Washington back at safety in his return from a torn Achilles is one of the most underrated late-season additions in the league, and the Ravens will look to carry forward the momentum from the 24-0 win at Cincy.
16. Indianapolis Colts (8-6) | Last week: 15 (-1)
They didn’t light up the scoreboard, but you could see why Shane Steichen and the Colts targeted Philip Rivers to come out of retirement to play quarterback. Rivers was in command and basically controlled the ball in the tough loss at Seattle, and his experience and intelligence—with the defense stepping up—gives Indy a fighting chance in the crowded AFC.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) | Last week: 16 (-1)
Some help from the Saints made it not so much of a potential catastrophe, but the Bucs losing at home to Atlanta for their fifth loss in six games had the look of a team that’s pressing. Mike Evans and Todd Bowles were among those visibly frustrated, and Tampa Bay shockingly drops to 1-9 in primetime games since Tom Brady’s retirement.
18. Carolina Panthers (7-7) | Last week: 17 (-1)
If the Panthers beat the Saints, it would’ve set up the chance to clinch the NFC South this weekend at home against the Bucs. Instead, it’s one week at a time after they appeared to be in control at New Orleans before giving up 10 points in the final few minutes. Containing Bucky Irving this Sunday should be a top priority after he killed them as a rookie.
19. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) | Last week: 18 (-1)
I don’t think they took the Vikings too lightly or anything like that, but the Cowboys appeared a bit off and out of focus in the Sunday night home loss, delivering a likely critical blow to their realistic playoff chances. The defense showed positive signs during the middle of the year but ultimately has been a unit that feels like it should be playing a lot better given some of the pieces they have.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) | Last week: 20
The Chiefs appeared to have an offseason that would help them again be Super Bowl contenders, but it just didn’t come together—leading to a total shocker of the three-time defending AFC champions being eliminated with three weeks remaining in the regular season. There are a lot of questions for Kansas City (e.g., the future of Travis Kelce), and now Patrick Mahomes faces a nine-month rehab from the knee injury that sadly added injury to insult on the final drive.
21. Miami Dolphins (6-8) | Last week: 21
The Dolphins played tough for a while, but the offense stalling made it a challenge to get a win at Pittsburgh and remain in the playoff mix. Head coach Mike McDaniel is open about the possibility for a quarterback change from Tua Tagovailoa, and it makes sense given the two intriguing options behind Tua in Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers.
22. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) | Last week: 23 (+1)
The five-week stretch for J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings is going about as well as they could hope so far, with wins over the Commanders and Cowboys and McCarthy looking much more confident since his return. Minnesota has a good opportunity to keep that up when they face the 2-12 Giants this week.
23. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) | Last week: 28 (+5)
Kyle Pitts had a memorable performance with 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the Thursday night win at the Bucs, and he’s probably made himself a ton of money with the way he’s played over the past three weeks. In the fourth quarter comeback, Kirk Cousins, who looks better another year removed from the Achilles tear, showcased the experience that can still make him dangerous at quarterback.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) | Last week: 22 (-2)
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was very honest with his teammates and himself with the way he played in the shutout loss to the Ravens, bluntly stating that no team in the NFL would’ve won with the way he played. Expect him to respond and perform well over the final three games.
25. New Orleans Saints (4-10) | Last week: 24 (-1)
The Saints drop a spot in the power rankings only due to the Falcons making a jump up, but I continue to be encouraged with Year 1 under Kellen Moore despite the record—and he and the offense might’ve found something at the end of games with Tyler Shough. Taking on the Jets, Titans, and Falcons to conclude the regular season, New Orleans can end 2025 on a high note.
26. Washington Commanders (4-10) | Last week: 26
Jayden Daniels’ disappointing season is over, and being unable to build on the stellar rookie campaign could be something that has long-term ramifications, as the reps he’s missing as a young quarterback is unfortunate. That said, Washington is in good hands with Marcus Mariota, who again played very well in a win versus the Giants, as they look to upset the Eagles on Saturday.
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-11) | Last week: 25 (-2)
Trey McBride (12/134/2) and Michael Wilson (5/54/1) showing up against the stingy Texans defense is yet another sign that those are two guys you can rely on down the stretch and beyond for a franchise and regime that’s no doubt looking at a critical offseason.
28. New York Jets (3-11) | Last week: 27 (-1)
The Jets having no interceptions still through 14 games is simply mind-blowing, and the lack of turnovers on the season paired with the inability to find answers versus the Jaguars led to Aaron Glenn making a surprising move by firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Week 16 at New Orleans is an opportunity to get a fourth win, and we’ll see what New York does at quarterback after Brady Cook did a pretty nice job in his first career start.
29. Tennessee Titans (2-12) | Last week: 29
Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons’ touchdown by finding open space in the end zone during a Cameron Ward scramble was one of the most of impressive plays of Week 15, and it was especially cool after Simmons and Ward had a disagreement during training camp. The commitment to the run game, with Tony Pollard going over 100 yards again, has also been a positive.
30. Cleveland Browns (3-11) | Last week: 30
No one really played well for the Browns offense, and Shedeur Sanders was in a tough spot on the road versus Chicago. Cleveland returns home to host Buffalo and Pittsburgh the next two weeks, so that’ll provide two chances to grow and measure up against two more winning squads.
31. New York Giants (2-12) | Last week: 31
Second-year running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown in the loss to the Commanders, displaying the skillset that makes him an exciting piece to keep involved next year. With the Vikings, Raiders, and Cowboys to close the book on this season, you’d like to see this team learn to win games.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) | Last week: 32
As stated above for the Eagles, it genuinely has looked and felt like opposing offenses were running a practice with the ability to just run their plays and do whatever to move the ball. The Eagles pulling their starters and having that unit go on a 79-yard drive that took over 11 minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter—gaining more than the Raiders did all afternoon (75 yards) really says it all.