We are entering the final quarter pole and heading down the stretch. One thing is clear this season: there is no “Secretariat” out of these teams. The league has gotten what they always strive for…parity. With that being said, let’s take a look at the NFL Week 15 power rankings:
Season is Over:
32. New York Giants: The Giants had the bye this week and remain at the bottom of the barrel.
31. Las Vegas Raiders: There was a ton of controversy surrounding this week’s Broncos-Raiders game, and with good reason. With no chance to win, the refs threw a very peculiar flag with five seconds left in the game to stop the clock. Pete Carroll sent out the kicker to kick a last-second, meaningless field goal. The game switched from the Broncos covering and the under coming in, to the Raiders covering, and the total going over the number. No exaggeration, there needs to be an investigation…nothing is more important than the integrity of the game.
30. Arizona Cardinals: In a week that saw some of these bottom feeders actually win, the Cards did not disappoint, losing again.
29. Cleveland Browns: The Browns played well enough to win, led by Shaddeur Sanders. But at the end of the game, Sanders was kept on the sideline for their attempted two-point conversion. It failed, and the Browns lost, giving the Titans their second win of the year. Can anyone say, “tanking”?
28. Tennessee Titans: To the Titans’ credit, they won a game they may ultimately regret. Their win gives them two on the season.
27. New York Jets: The lower half of the AFC East has gone in two directions. The Dolphins are nearly back to .500, while the Jets have fallen off a cliff.
26. Atlanta Falcons: The loss this weekend has officially ended the 2025 season for the Falcons.
25. New Orleans Saints: Even though the Saints won a spunky game against the Buccaneers, who had everything to play for, they, too, are officially out of the playoff race.
24. Washington Commanders: Although their loss this week has officially ended the Commanders’ playoff chances, the season seemed to be over long before this. And on top of it, Jayden Daniels has reinjured himself.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: While there is still a sliver of hope for the Bengals to make the postseason, Jim Carry had a better shot with Lauren Holly in Dumb and Dumber. The Bengals had the game well in hand, but found a way to throw it away. Surprisingly, Joe Burrow threw a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
22. Minnesota Vikings: It may have only been a victory over the Commanders, but for a team like the Vikings, putting up 31 points and pitching a shutout can be a building block.
Not Looking Good:
21. Kansas City Chiefs: I can’t believe the Kansas City Chiefs are in the 20s. A year ago at this time, people were debating whether Patrick Mahomes was better than Tom Brady. Now, they are wondering if the dynasty is over. Both statements are way too premature.
20. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have actually fought valiantly, beating the Chiefs and Eagles…but as we saw this week, maybe neither win was that impressive. The Lions, who needed the win as badly as the Cowboys did, took them to the woodshed. It was a pseudo-elimination game, and the Cowboys failed.
In The Running:
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Everyone has been focused on the Colts collapse, but there is a collapse going on in Tampa Bay too. It is inexcusable for the Bucs to lose to the Saints.
18. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are currently on the outside looking in, and their only path seems to be to win the NFC South Division. Their matchup against the Bucs on December 21st in Carolina will most likely determine which team makes it to the playoffs.
17. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins won again and are now 6-7. They have practically no shot at the postseason, but what they are doing is impressive. They have a pivotal game this week in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are no juggernaut, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Miami leave with a 7-7 record.
16. Baltimore Ravens: There is something just not right with this Ravens team. Lamar Jackson isn’t his dynamic self, and he looks like a mere mortal. Losing at home against the Steelers is a devastating loss, which hurts their playoff chances dramatically.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: How many times do we have to see this from Mike Tomlin and the Steelers? Where is Bill Murray, because the Steelers are the Groundhog Day of the NFL.
14. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have lost Daniel Jones and have called upon…Philip Rivers??? Yup, that’s right…players get drug tested, do team executives, because this is a head scratcher.
13. Houston Texans: I am a believer. The Texans have the best defense in the league, and in a year where there is no truly dominant AFC team, I believe they will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: While I don’t think the Jags have the horses on either side of the ball to make a big splash in the playoffs, this may be a turning point in Trevor Lawrence’s career.
11. Detroit Lions: The Lions somehow are still not in the playoffs if the season ended today. They have a huge game this week against the Rams, and face the Bears in wk.18, which may decide who makes the playoffs, and who stays home.
True Contenders:
10. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are not right, but until they are ultimately defeated or knocked out of the playoffs, they are the defending champs. At 8-5, they still hold the no.3 seed in the NFC, and could be a problem for whoever they face in the postseason.
9. Chicago Bears: The Bears went into hostile territory, playing the Packers in Green Bay, and were one play away from scoring a game-tying touchdown. It was an ill-advised throw from Caleb Williams, but hopefully, he’ll process it and do better the next time.
8. Buffalo Bills: Don’t look now, but here come the BIlls. There is a ton of chatter around Drake Maye and Matt Stafford winning the MVP, but no QB is more valuable to his team’s success than Josh Allen is with the Bills. Oh, and they have a huge game this week against the Patriots in New England.
7. Green Bay Packers: The Packers are very quietly the no.2 seed in the NFC, only a tie away from being the top dog. It seems like everyone’s been talking about the NFC West, and the Eagles, and the Lions, but here are the Packers, sitting with one of the best home-field advantages in the league.
6. San Francisco 49ers: They are sitting with a 904 record and currently the sixth seed in the NFC. They are one game behind the Rams and Seahawks, and face Seattle in wk.18, which could determine the AFC West champion.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: I don’t think I ever gave Justin Herbert credit for being tough. I won’t make that mistake again after seeing his game on Monday night against the Eagles. He played only seven days removed from surgery on his left hand. He also banged up his elbow. He was also sacked seven times. And although his numbers weren’t gaudy, he did enough to lead his team to victory.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Granted, they only defeated the Falcons, but this Seahawks team is really good…on both sides of the ball. They are second in pts scored, and first in defensive DVOA.
3. Los Angeles Rams: Week 13 against the Panthers feels like a blip. They dominated the Cardinals in Arizona, 45-17, and have a huge home matchup this week against the Lions. A win may knock the dangerous Lions team out, and after last season’s playoff loss, Matt Stafford and Sean McVay will have extra motivation.
2. New England Patriots: The Pats are coming off a bye and will host the Bills this Sunday. This feels like Luke Skywalker facing Darth Vader. As Ric Flair says, “To be the best, you have to beat the best”. The Bills have been the best for the better part of the last decade, and the Pats need this win to officially slay the dragon and take the division title.
1. Denver Broncos: They never do it pretty, but they just keep winning. The most impressive thing about their win this week in Las Vegas was their three long drives that knocked nearly half the time off the clock. Bo Nix may be a game manager, but he may just game-manage his team into the Super Bowl.
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