The power rankings ahead of Week 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season includes the Broncos—looking to secure the AFC’s top seed against a Chargers team resting some key players—at the top again.
1. Denver Broncos (13-3) | Last week: 1
I see all this talk about Bo Nix needing to elevate his game and needing to do this and that for the Broncos to win a Super Bowl. Respectfully, do these people watch? Nix elevating his game in crucial spots—yes, that includes Christmas Night when he ran for a touchdown and had the game-winning touchdown toss on a nice scramble; the Chiefs still played with the heart of a champion and didn’t make things easy on Denver—has been perhaps the biggest reason Denver is at 13-3 this year. He’s doing exactly what Patrick Mahomes has done for the Chiefs in recent years, playing to win while realizing the defense can carry a heavy load, too. And actually, it’s the supporting cast among pass catchers that must step up—not only limiting the drops but getting open—when the playoffs begin and defenses tighten up.
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) | Last week: 6 (+4)
An offense that’s having no trouble whatsoever with guys playing well on the outside, the 49ers offense continues to click behind an ultra-confident Brock Purdy operating at a top level at quarterback. The depleted defense has given up some stuff, but Kyle Shanahan’s squad is in position for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
3. Seattle Seahawks (13-3) | Last week: 2 (-1)
The Seahawks only drop a spot because the matchup for the NFC West title and the top seed in the conference comes on the road, and I ultimately trust the Niners offense more right now. However, they were in a gritty battle at Carolina before ultimately pulling away late, and the defense can keep them in any game.
4. Chicago Bears (11-5) | Last week: 3 (-1)
Second-round rookie receiver Luther Burden III is coming off eight receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the 49ers, already looking like a star for Ben Johnson’s attack. Caleb Williams has room to grow on some of the layups, but every quarterback misses some throws, and he’s shown the rare ability that helps make the Bears scary.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) | Last week: 4 (-1)
Yet again, the Eagles did what it took to win at Buffalo despite it not being pretty on offense (16 yards in the second half). But the defense led by should-be All-Pro Jordan Davis and talent at all three levels is playing at a high level, and Jalen Hurts plays winning football even if everyone doesn’t always like how it looks.
6. New England Patriots (13-3) | Last week: 9 (+3)
The Patriots totally routed the Jets at MetLife Stadium, and you might not see a more comfortable five touchdown passes than what Drake Maye had versus the New York defense. Maye has calmly operated an awesome Josh McDaniels offense all year while taking advantage of an insanely light schedule, so I’m really curious to see how they finish up the season and then handle the postseason gauntlet.
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5) | Last week: 5 (-2)
The rare missed extra point and missed throw on the two-point conversion by Josh Allen cost Buffalo a shot at the AFC East, and the offense (particularly whenever stud tight end Dalton Kincaid is out of the lineup) has too high of a degree of difficulty through the air. However, the occasional elite spurts Sean McDermott’s defense has shown in 2025 is hopefully something that will become more consistent throughout January.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) | Last week: 8
The Jaguars overcame two red-zone turnovers to survive at Indy and stay in position to win the AFC South—with the No. 1 seed still a possibility, too—ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Titans. Liam Coen became the first first-year head coach in NFL history to win 12 games after taking over a team that won four or fewer games the previous season, which obviously speaks to the impressive job he’s done and the mindset he’s brought to Jacksonville.
9. Houston Texans (11-5) | Last week: 10 (+1)
The glimpses of an offense that can more than do its share showed up for the Texans as they jumped to a 14-0 lead at the Chargers last Saturday, but the definite championship defense is the big reason they can make noise in the AFC. They’ll likely be going on the road, but DeMeco Ryans’ squad would love to finish with a 12-win regular season.
10. Los Angeles Rams (11-5) | Last week: 7 (-3)
The NFL MVP discourse is just crazy all-around every year, but I think it’s fair to say Matthew Stafford really hurt his chances with his performance in the Monday night loss at Atlanta considering he had a similar costly outing in the loss to the Panthers. Regardless, the Rams have bigger targets as a team, and Sean McVay is understandably not happy with their recent performance—with plans to play the starters in Week 18, likely to get into a rhythm.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) | Last week: 11
We already know Justin Herbert is resting for Week 18. Typically, I’m a proponent of going hard every week, but it makes sense with how beat up Herbert has been behind the injured offensive line this season. The defense giving up big plays early to Houston is something that might ultimately help ensure that doesn’t happen again as the group locks in for the postseason.
12. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) | Last week: 16 (+4)
Fortunately, the Browns victory gives them a shot, as it would’ve been really tough to deal with a “what could have been” from the previous week and much of the year with Derrick Henry not getting fed at times. King Henry stepped up with 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns at Lambeau Field, and I like how Tyler Huntley played to efficiently distribute the ball underneath and make a few plays with his legs at quarterback.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) | Last week: 13
Not saying he would’ve won them the game at Cleveland, but not having DK Metcalf was a noticeable drain on the Steelers offense—and that might ultimately hold them back again for the de facto AFC North title game versus the Ravens. Everyone will be watching the status of T.J. Watt (lung) all week.
14. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) | Last week: 12 (-2)
The Green Bay defense was torched by Bo Nix earlier this month through the air, and King Henry ran all over them last week. That’s not inspiring ahead of the postseason. Offensively, Malik Willis was again awesome in the loss to the Ravens, and—I’ll just come right out with it—it wouldn’t be crazy for the Packers to consider sticking with him as a much cheaper option to Jordan Love given how well Matt LaFleur runs his offense to get top quarterback play.
15. Carolina Panthers (8-8) | Last week: 14 (-1)
I like how underrated cornerback Mike Jackson and the Carolina defense basically went toe-to-toe with Seattle in a low-scoring first half, but the Panthers offense ultimately couldn’t get into a rhythm against a stingy defense. Consistency has been a problem for the Panthers, but we know Bryce Young can be trusted in close games.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) | Last week: 18 (+2)
Meanwhile, the struggles at the end of tight games continued for Baker Mayfield in the loss to the Dolphins, and it’s crazy how much the Bucs have fallen off from their fast start. Tampa Bay needs the Saints to help them out on Sunday, but the pieces are there to suddenly take off and give themselves a shot with a Saturday victory.
17. Detroit Lions (8-8) | Last week: 15 (-2)
The Lions were my Super Bowl LX pick, with the caveat that if the new interior offensive line didn’t play to the level they’re accustomed it’d look like a foolish pick. Unfortunately, that group just never gelled together for more than small stretches. That, paired with the injuries on defense, led to a highly disappointing campaign culminating in the stunning loss at Minnesota.
18. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) | Last week: 20 (+2)
As stated last week, it’s really surprising the Vikings are at around .500 with how the season has felt—which speaks to the job Kevin O’Connell, Brian Flores, and the coaching staff do there. Minnesota now hosts Green Bay with a chance to finish with a 9-8 record.
19. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) | Last week: 21 (+2)
The Falcons have felt somewhat like the Vikings in that high preseason expectations not working out might’ve made the season feel worse than it really was. Upsetting the Rams on Monday night certainly helps, and the rookie class looking awesome (two more interceptions by Xavier Watts as the recent highlight) is something to build on.
20. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) | Last week: 19 (-1)
Waiving Trevon Diggs ahead of the final week of the season was a surprise, but the relationship clearly wasn’t great, and the move saves Dallas cap space for a huge offseason in 2026. Dak Prescott missed some throws to CeeDee Lamb but overall had a solid Christmas outing to help put the Cowboys in position for a .500 finish.
21. Indianapolis Colts (8-8) | Last week: 17 (-4)
While it didn’t work out like anyone with the Colts hoped, it was still cool to see Philip Rivers make an NFL comeback that gave Indy a fighting chance. Whatever the Week 18 result, this’ll be three consecutive 9-8 or 8-9 seasons for the Colts.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) | Last week: 23 (+1)
Bengals offensive lineman Cody Ford coming back to the ball before a catch-and-run on his 21-yard reception was great, and it was an example of everything going right for the Cincy offense in the win over the Cardinals. For superstar receiver Ja’Marr Chase, it was refreshing to get into the end zone for the first time since October—and he did it twice.
23. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) | Last week: 22 (-1)
As stated above, the Chiefs showed championship heart despite being very depleted with injuries including to their leader Patrick Mahomes. Chris Oladokun even made some Mahomes-like plays versus the Broncos, which was cool. Travis Kelce and company are looking to end the season (and perhaps Kelce’s career) on a high note at Vegas.
24. Miami Dolphins (7-9) | Last week: 24
Quinn Ewers did a nice job of showing progress in his second career start, again showing an ability to throw with touch and anticipation to beat the Bucs. Tight end Greg Dulcich (5/58/1 in the win) is another guy showing a lot down the stretch for Miami.
25. New Orleans Saints (6-10) | Last week: 25
With the win over the Titans—sparked in part by Chase Young taking the ball away and for a defense touchdown—it locks in a winning record for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. It’s been evident even when Shough wasn’t under center to begin the year that Kellen Moore was off to a good start as a first-year head coach.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-12) | Last week: 30 (+4)
As you’d expect at this point in the season, the Browns were seemingly treating the opportunity to have some say in the AFC North as their Super Bowl—and Shedeur Sanders and the defense both came through. The early touchdown by Harold Fannin Jr.—the star rookie tight end who should be getting way more OROY buzz—was critical in a low-scoring game.
27. Washington Commanders (4-12) | Last week: 26 (-1)
Journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson took advantage of his opportunity to play on Christmas, giving the Commanders a shot to win—with a boost from Jacory Croskey-Merritt (105 yards, two touchdowns) and the ground game.
28. Arizona Cardinals (3-13) | Last week: 27 (-1)
Arizona’s been blown out in three of the past four games, with the wheels perhaps falling off a little bit for a team that’s been hammered by injuries but was in close games for much of the season. One of those teams that blew them out was the Rams, so they’ll look for a little redemption to conclude the year.
29. Tennessee Titans (3-13) | Last week: 28 (-1)
Cameron Ward is having a strong finish to his rookie campaign, both avoiding interceptions and making some of the highlight throws that had many infatuated with him as a prospect. This Sunday will be a good final test for Ward versus a Jags team that limited the Titans to three points a month ago.
30. New York Giants (3-13) | Last week: 31 (+1)
Jaxson Dart was unleashed a bit more than he had been in weeks against a Raiders defense—without Maxx Crosby—that’s really struggled down the stretch. Also, No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter is another player around the league that’s putting things together as his rookie year comes to a close.
31. New York Jets (3-13) | Last week: 29 (-2)
There was a glimpse of hope in the middle of the season via a two-game winning streak versus the Bengals and Browns, but it’s been ugly the past four games—with Week 17 arguably being the low point with how easy things looked for the rival Patriots.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) | Last week: 32
The Maxx Crosby situation says it all about the Raiders right now. He wanted to keep playing. Plays about as hard as anyone in the league. Is one of the best players in the league. Made clear he doesn’t care about draft positioning (nor should he). He’s a guy that wanted to keep doing his job for two games left. And people who have steered the ship to a two-win season told him he’s not allowed to play. It’s a terrible look and a loser mentality by Vegas.