There is no change at the top of the Power Rankings this week after my top three teams were all victorious – a rarity indeed given the wild and unpredictable nature of this 2025 season.
But there is movement into the top five for the New England Patriots, who continue to prove they are playoff contenders much earlier than any of us could have expected. Here are my rankings from 1 to 32.
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS --
The Seahawks are tough to defend at the moment. They commit to the run more than any other team in the NFL and when defenses creep towards the line, Sam Darnold strikes deep. He leads the league with 14 downfield (10+ air yards) touchdown strikes.
- LOS ANGELES RAMS --
The Rams continue to roll and Matthew Stafford is playing like the NFL MVP front-runner. Over the past three games – all wins – Stafford has thrown 13 touchdown passes and no interceptions. The Rams have not lost since October 2.
- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS --
Jonathan Taylor led the way in a big overtime win against Atlanta in Germany and Daniel Jones had some brave moments at quarterback, but I am ever-so-slightly worried about the increasing pressure the passer is coming under.
- DETROIT LIONS +1
Dan Campbell inserted himself into the offensive play-calling duties last week and it served as a reminder to everyone that the Lions are way more potent when they can run the football effectively. Feed Jahmyr Gibbs and then let Jared Goff feast off play action.
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS +4
The Patriots won a seventh straight last week and winning in Tampa suggests this team is for real. And it's not just Drake Maye, even though he continues to play at an extremely high level. TreVeyon Henderson is heating up as a score-from-anywhere running back.
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES +1
It doesn't always look pretty, but the Eagles nearly always find a way to win grind-it-out games; just like they did in Green Bay on Monday. The defense was outstanding at Lambeau but more points will be needed against the Seahawks, Rams or Lions in the playoffs.
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS --
The Chiefs come out of their bye week at 5-4, knowing they have very little room for error in the AFC West. But they still have three games against Denver and the LA Chargers to come. The first of those against the Broncos in Week 11 will test KC's pass protection.
- DENVER BRONCOS +2
During their seven-game winning streak, Denver have needed to battle harder than expected to beat the likes of the Jets, Giants, Texans and Raiders. But any long winning run in this league should be applauded. The D leads the NFL with
- BUFFALO BILLS -5
The Bills are a complete enigma and a real worry. They went from beating Kansas City at home to getting blown out by Miami on the road. The Bills have now lost three of their last five and are showing signs of not being able to handle physical run games.
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -2
The Bucs have cooled off in recent weeks, but they are still in great shape at 6-3 and they remain in control of their division. All three losses have come against playoff teams, so I don't have major concerns about the Bucs at the moment.
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS +3
The offensive line concerns are real when it comes to the Chargers, but they can stay afloat in the AFC playoff race thanks to an elite quarterback, playmaking passing game targets and an extremely physical and productive defense.
- BALTIMORE RAVENS +3
The Ravens are starting to look more like their old selves and now sit just one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North. And they play their division foes twice between now and the end of the season. Lamar Jackson is always the headline, but the D is much improved.
- GREEN BAY PACKERS -2
Is it time to add Jordan Love to a group of quarterbacks who have questions around their game while earning more than $50 million per year. The erratic play that has plagued Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence is starting to creep into Wisconsin.
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -1
The Niners are another team paying big money to a quarterback in Brock Purdy, who has missed eight games this season. Would they consider a full-time move to Mac Jones, who has played very well in relief. I don't think so and the Niners are still alive.
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS -3
The Steelers have gone ice cold at the season's mid-point, losing three of their last four after opening 4-1. And while the defense was stout in the first half against the Chargers, it eventually broke down as Aaron Rodgers failed on the offensive side of the ball.
- CHICAGO BEARS +1
The Bears scrambled to another dramatic victory in Week 10 and it means they are now an exciting 6-3 under rookie head coach Ben Johnson. Chicago have now won six of their last seven behind exciting quarterback Caleb Williams and an opportunistic defense.
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS -1
The Jaguars have bounced back from a loss before this season, but it will be tough to get off the mat this time around following a disastrous blown lead against Houston in Week 10. The Jags are 5-4 but have tough challenges to come in the Chargers, Colts (twice) and Broncos.
- HOUSTON TEXANS --
The Texans just about stayed alive in the AFC playoff race with their come-from-behind win over Jacksonville. They remain powered by one of the very best defenses in the NFL and when CJ Stroud returns he needs to find a way to get the ball into the hands of Nico Collins more.
- CAROLINA PANTHERS --
Last week's loss at home to New Orleans was a real sucker punch, but the overall feel around the Panthers should be positive this season. They have taken a real step forward at 5-5. And yet I am still often wondering if Bryce Young is the long-term answer at quarterback.
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS --
JJ McCarthy is now 2-2 as a 2025 starter after last week's home loss to Baltimore. And it felt like he took a real backward step in that game and it now means the Vikings have lost three of their last four. The defense remains elite, but the offense is not firing well right now.
- ATLANTA FALCONS +1
The Falcons have lost four in a row to fall to 3-6. They put up a real fight in Berlin and have some key playmakers on both sides of the ball. But the most important player of all, quarterback Michael Penix Jr, is maddeningly inconsistent; especially in key moments.
- ARIZONA CARDINALS -1
There was a flicker of hope for the Cards after they halted their five-game losing streak with victory over Dallas in Week 9. But that was followed with a get-your-doors-blown-off showing in Seattle. This is another wasted season and what becomes of Kyler Murray at QB?
- DALLAS COWBOYS --
The Cowboys come out of their bye week two games back from the final playoff spot in the NFC. If they are going to make a run, it has to be now. Will the additions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson help one of the league's worst defenses. Dak and the offense is just fine.
- MIAMI DOLPHINS +5
As bad as Miami's season has been, they have shown signs of life in recent weeks by winning two of their last three. In those wins over Atlanta and Buffalo, the Dolphins have scored 64 points. The next three (Washington, New Orleans, NY Jets) offer a chance for more wins.
- CINCINNATI BENGALS --
The Bengals have mathematical hope at 3-6, but a run at the playoffs seems far-fetched; even with Joe Burrow back at practice. The defense is historically bad and there are just too many better teams ahead of them who are unlikely to slip terribly down the stretch.
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS -2
The wheels have come off for the injury-riddled Commanders and that has resulted in five straight losses, with the last four coming by at least 21 points per outing. If things continue to slide, I don't see much point in rushing Jayden Daniels back from his elbow injury.
- NEW YORK GIANTS -1
The Giants were all at sea following another blown-lead defeat in Chicago. And now they are starting from square one all over again following the sacking of Brian Daboll. Their lone bright spark – Jaxson Dart – has a concussion and Jameis Winston starts at QB this weekend.
- NEW YORK JETS +3
Special teams bailed out an offense that was stale as months-old bread last Sunday as the Jets scored on kick-off and punt return touchdowns in the same game. Justin Fields is a nice guy and all that, but he is not the answer at QB. That decades-old search continues in NY.
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS -2
Big changes are coming to the two-win Raiders in 2026, starting at quarterback where Geno Smith has just not proven to be the answer. Las Vegas can get very little going on offense and that can undo the good defensive work that was shown against Denver in Week 10.
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS --
Tyler Shough played well in Sunday's defeat of the Carolina Panthers, connecting with Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson. He's the only real point of interest in New Orleans between now and the end of the season. Can he show enough to be considered the 2026 starter?
- CLEVELAND BROWNS -3
The Browns dipped into the quarterback market in last year's NFL Draft with the selections of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. They will be back at the well in 2026 and rolling the dice in the first round this time. There is very little juice with this team and it starts at QB.
- TENNESSEE TITANS --
Coming out of their bye week with just one win, it threatens to be a bleak mid-winter for the Titans and their fans. The current state of the team could free up some time for Titans supporters. Sundays might be a good time to get some Christmas shopping done!
