B/R Experts Week 15 NFL Power Rankings

The calendar has turned to December, with just one month left in the 2025 season, and the NFL playoff picture is coming into focus.

It looks exactly like we expected—said no one.

The two teams with the league's best records (the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots) were regarded as fringe contenders at best. After losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs are both 6-7 and in real danger of missing the postseason altogether. The NFC's best teams in terms of record are both in the West.

Some things have gone according to script. The Philadelphia Eagles are good, and the Cleveland Browns are not. As usual, the NFL continues to surprise.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered to sift through another chaotic week across the league and lot all 32 teams from worst to first.

We have a new cellar-dweller this week—much to the chagrin of the "Just Win Baby" crowd.

32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty

Last Week: 31

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Denver 24-17

It may be time for a full reset in Las Vegas; this roster clearly isn't working.

Given how the Raiders played Sunday, it's fair to question why Kenny Pickett didn't replace the floundering Geno Smith at quarterback long before the veteran hurt his hand against Denver.

The Raiders spent a top-10 pick on a running back who has fewer yards before contact than any qualifying back in the league because the offensive line in front of him is abysmal.

As outlandish as this may sound, Pete Carroll shouldn't be coaching this team in 2026. The decision to hire him and sign Smith has been another fiasco from a franchise that has specialized in fiascos for years.

As things stand, it's the Raiders who would pick first in Pittsburgh next April. They will probably botch that, too. – Davenport

31. Tennessee Titans (2-11)

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Titans QB Cam Ward

Last Week: 32

Week 14 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 31-29

The Tennessee Titans got a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, though it felt like a bittersweet victory.

For now, the Titans have fallen out of the top slot in the 2026 draft, which could cost them a substantial trade haul from a quarterback-needy team. While Cam Ward got the win, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft was largely outplayed by fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders.

The Titans have one of the worst rosters in the NFL, and lingering questions about Ward because of it. On a positive note, win No. 2 and a mostly good performance from the O-line and running game could give Tennessee a little momentum heading into a difficult final month. - Knox

30. New York Giants (2-11)

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Giants QB Jaxson Dart

Last Week: 30

Week 14 Result: Bye

There are several reasons for New York Giants fans to be excited about what's to come in 2026 and beyond.

New York has a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, its roster boasts some other exciting young playmakers—though not all of them are healthy right now—and the Giants will have a new coach next season.

Next season can't get here soon enough, though. New York has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and interim coach Mike Kafka isn't working his way into the full-time job.

Dart's refusal to avoid contact makes it feel like getting him to 2026 without a major injury will be a significant win. - Knox

29. Cleveland Browns (3-10)

AP Photo/David Richard

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Last Week: 27

Week 14 Result: Lost 31-29 vs. Tennessee

Just when things are starting to look up for the Browns, Cleveland still finds a way to make things worse.

Shedeur Sanders showed plenty during his third NFL start by passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns. He adds a vertical element to Kevin Stefanski's offensive attack.

However, the Browns' vaunted defense couldn't stop the run against the Tennessee Titans and fell to the league's worst team. As a result, the Browns find themselves among the top four draft picks once again.

Cleveland is always a winner on draft day, just not when games actually matter. - Sobleski

28. New York Jets (3-10)

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Jets RB Breece Hall

Last Week: 28

Week 14 Result: Lost 34-10 vs. Miami

The New York Jets may have to turn back to quarterback Justin Fields once he recovers from knee soreness. Tyrod Taylor exited in the first quarter of the previous outing with a groin injury.

Gang Green benched Fields for Taylor going into Week 12, and the move sparked the passing attack with the emergence of John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell.

If Fields starts going forward, the Jets should feature his athleticism with the ground game, but he would be a downgrade for the aerial attack, which established some rhythm while Taylor took snaps under center.

Regardless, the Jets are one of the league's worst teams. Kick and punt returners Isaiah Williams and Kene Nwangwu provide some juice on special teams, though. - Moton

27. New Orleans Saints (3-10)

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Last Week: 29

Week 14 Result: Won at Tampa Bay 24-20

A two-win Saints team waltzed into Raymond James Stadium and beat the first-place Buccaneers.

To be frank, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough probably isn't the long-term answer under center in the Big Easy. But to his credit, the 26-year-old has improved as the season has worn on, and while his passing numbers against Tampa weren't great, he scored twice on the ground.

The Saints are a bad team with multiple holes on both sides of the ball, but they are playing hard under first-year head coach Kellen Moore, and with just one game left against a team with a winning record, the Saints could get hot down the stretch.

Shough's late-season surge might end up hurting New Orleans' draft position in 2026. - Davenport

26. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Cardinals QB Michael Wilson

Last Week: 26

Week 14 Result: Lost 45-17 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Change feels inevitable in the desert unless the Cardinals somehow salvage their last four games.

They're amid a five-game losing streak. Jonathan Gannon may be a defensive-minded head coach, but his squad allowed more than 40 points for the third time during that stretch. If the coach is out after three years, quarterback Kyler Murray could follow.

Regression deserves drastic moves. The Cardinals are no longer improving as they've been constructed by the current brain trust. A fourth straight season of missing the postseason demands an organizational reset. - Sobleski

25. Washington Commanders (3-10)

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Last Week: 24

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Minnesota 31-0

Sunday's loss brought a new season-low for the Washington Commanders.

Despite having quarterback Jayden Daniels back in the lineup, Washington simply wasn't competitive against a middling Minnesota Vikings team.

Daniels exited after reinjuring his elbow, too, while tight end Zach Ertz appeared to suffer a season-ending ACL injury.

Less than a week after nearly upsetting the playoff-bound Denver Broncos, the Commanders looked very much like a team ready to quit on the season. - Knox

24. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

Last Week: 23

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 37-9

The Atlanta Falcons are in disarray, on and off the field.

After hanging with one of the NFC's best teams for a half, the Falcons imploded after intermission Sunday, getting outscored by the Seattle Seahawks 31-3.

The second half was riddled with mistakes on both sides of the ball. Kirk Cousins was abysmal once again under center, in part because top wideout Drake London missed another game. The Falcons defense apparently decided that just playing the first half was fine.

This will mark the eighth-straight losing season in Atlanta. And while head coach Raheem Morris was reportedly safe at least through season's end, Sunday's debacle presents team owner Arthur Blank with a dilemma.

It may be time for Blank to reevaluate the futures of Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Given his durability issues to date, the Falcons must seriously evaluate whether Michael Penix Jr. is their long-term answer at quarterback. - Davenport

23. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Last Week: 21

Week 14 Result: Lost 39-34 vs. Buffalo

The Bengals had an outside shot at the postseason if they had won out. Technically, they still do despite Sunday's loss. But the likelihood isn't realistic, even with Joe Burrow back in the lineup.

Burrow made his way off injured reserve and performed well against the Baltimore Ravens. However, he wasn't quite ready for the snow in Buffalo, with a pair of back-breaking interceptions that swung the game in the Bills' favor.

The performance is just another microcosm of a Bengals team relying on an improperly built roster that can't compete with the AFC's best. - Sobleski

22. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)

AP Foto/Matt Krohn

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Last Week: 25

Week 14 Result: Won 31-0 vs. Washington

Let J.J. McCarthy cook—when the run game complements him. The Minnesota Vikings need to help him with an effective ground attack, so he's not the one to carry the offense.

McCarthy flourished at Michigan in a run-heavy offensive system that didn't require him to post gaudy passing numbers.

Though he plays with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings need to gradually develop the 22-year-old signal-caller with a low-volume passing attack until he establishes consistency in the pocket. - Moton

21. Miami Dolphins (6-7)

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

Dolphins RB De'Von Achane

Last Week: 22

Week 14 Result: Won 34-10 vs. New York Jets

Don't write off Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel yet.

He's still under a microscope, but he may have cooled the temperature on his hot seat as the Dolphins enter Week 15 on a four-game winning streak. Keep in mind their run started with a dominant 30-13 home victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Miami is running the ball effectively, averaging about 166 rushing yards in its last six games. McDaniel is bringing a physical style of football that may help the team reach .500 for the first time since opening week. - Moton

20. Indianapolis Colts (8-5)

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Colts QB Daniel Jones

Last Week: 11

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Jacksonville 36-19

Watching a 7-1 record melt into an 8-5 mark would be bad enough for the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, they find themselves in even more of a nightmare scenario.

Indy has lost four of its last five, just seen Daniel Jones—who is on a one-year contract—suffer a torn Achilles, and knows it won't have first-round picks in 2026 or 2027 because of the Sauce Gardner trade.

This is a team that went all-in on 2025 at the trade deadline and may now miss the playoffs. The final month will bring a brutal schedule.

After that, serious questions about Jones, Anthony Richardson and the Colts' long-term outlook at quarterback will dominate the early offseason. - Knox

19. Baltimore Ravens (6-7)

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Last Week: 17

Week 14 Result: Lost 27-22 vs. Pittsburgh

Something is seriously wrong with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

He's now in the midst of a career-long, five-game streak of completing less than 60 percent of his pass attempts. Obviously, a hamstring injury plagued the quarterback earlier this season, but he is nowhere near the threat to run as everyone is accustomed to seeing.

As a result, the Ravens had the ideal setup to run the table and claim an AFC North title. Without quality quarterback play, the team is coming up short, as it did Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. - Sobleski

18. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Cowboys WR George Pickens

Last Week: 18

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 44-30

The Dallas Cowboys have been better at stopping the run since adding Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams. Unfortunately, their defense still isn't dependable against the pass, which was an obvious problem against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

If CeeDee Lamb doesn't miss extended time with concussion, the Cowboys are potent enough offensively to win out and finish with a 10-6-1 record. The Chargers, who will visit Dallas, loom as the only playoff-caliber challenger left on the schedule.

The problem is that 10 wins might not be enough for a wild-card spot in the NFC this year. - Knox

17. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Last Week: 16

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Houston 20-10

The Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty era appears to be in serious jeopardy.

After losing for the fourth time in five games, they cannot win the AFC West for a 10th consecutive season. At 6-7 and two games out of the No. 7 seed, they are not going to make the playoffs.

Last year, the Chiefs were undefeated in one-score games on the way to the AFC's top seed. This year, they have one win in seven tries.

Sunday night against the Texans and their top-ranked defense, the Chiefs scored just 10 points—the lowest total in any game Patrick Mahomes has started in his career. He also had the longest string of incompletions in his career, although to be fair he did complete one over that span—to a Texan.

We've been waiting for the Chiefs to flip a mystical switch and morph into the team that dominated the AFC for the past decade and represented the conference in the last three Super Bowls.

It's not happening this year. This season, Mahomes hasn't been able to conjure the late-game magic fans are used to seeing. - Davenport

16. Carolina Panthers (7-6)

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Panthers QB Bryce Young

Last Week: 19

Week 14 Result: Bye Week

The next four games are the most important of Bryce Young's three-year career.

After shocking the Rams in Los Angeles last week, the Panthers headed to the bye week at 7-6. After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were stunned at home by the New Orleans Saints, Carolina is tied with the Bucs for first place in the NFC South.

The Panthers have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.

However, making the postseason is going to take the best football of Young's career. After a winnable contest against the Saints in Week 15, Carolina has to run a three-week gauntlet: two matchups with the Bucs sandwiched around a visit from another NFC West power in the Seattle Seahawks.

There's a lot riding on those four games for the Panthers, including (potentially) whether Carolina picks up Young's fifth-year option in 2026. - Davenport

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin

Last Week: 14

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. New Orleans 24-20

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have problems.

After getting stunned by the last-place Saints at home Sunday, a Buccaneers team that was 6-2 and being talked about as a potential No. 1 seed in the NFC at its bye week is 1-4 since.

The elements played a part in the weekend defeat, but Baker Mayfield still completed less than half of his pass attempts for just 122 yards. Tampa converted just three of 13 third downs. Most importantly, the Bucs scored fewer points than a bad Saints team.

Tampa has just two games left against teams with a winning record—both against the 7-6 Carolina Panthers. But even if Mayfield gets the Buccaneers to the finish line in the NFC South, it's becoming harder by the week to imagine them doing any damage in the playoffs. - Davenport

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

AP Photo/Nam Huh

Steelers WR DK Metcalf

Last Week: 20

Week 14 Result: Won 27-22 vs. Baltimore

Just when everyone was ready to bury the Steelers after losing three of their previous four contests and five of their last seven, Mike Tomlin's squad went out and played the caliber of football representative of a division leader.

Aaron Rodgers preached accountability a week before and made sure he set the example for the entire team by throwing for a season-high 284 yards. Also, DK Metcalf finally got rolling, with seven receptions for 148 yards.

If that duo can connect each week at or near the same level, the Steelers will become far more dangerous than expected. - Sobleski

13. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)

AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Last Week: 8

Week 14 Result: Lost vs. Chargers 22-19 (OT)

The Philadelphia Eagles just don't look like title contenders right now.

The offense remains out of sync, the O-line is banged up, Jalen Hurts is back to being turnover-prone, and the team's biggest strength, its defense, hasn't been elite week in and week out.

Despite losing three straight, though, the Eagles will probably still win the NFC East by default.

The question is whether Philly can find answers during the final month of the season. The defense is good enough, when at its best, to notch a win in the postseason.

However, the Eagles aren't likely to make a deep run without better balance and efficiency on offense. - Knox

12. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)

AP Photo/William Liang

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Last Week: 15

Week 14 Result: Won vs. Philadelphia 22-19 (OT)

An argument can be made that we have undersold the Chargers all season.

The Bolts just beat the reigning Super Bowl champions with a quarterback who had surgery on a broken hand a week ago. Their defense was fantastic, forcing five Jalen Hurts turnovers.

However, there is an important caveat: Herbert was sacked a career-high seven times by an Eagles team that had struggled to rush the passer this season. He was also the team's leading rusher. He threw for 139 yards. And the Bolts turned it over three times in their own right.

The Chargers are a 9-4 team, but they are a flawed 9-4 team with a brutal schedule the rest of the way—including three on the road.

Will the Chargers make the playoffs? Yes. Will they do any damage there? No. - Davenport

11. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

Last Week: 13

Week 14 Result: Bye Week

The Niners entered their bye week on a three-game winning streak.

San Francisco already endured the worst with the season-ending injuries to linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa. Quarterback Brock Purdy also missed multiple games.

Yet the 49ers sit in a good position with a 9-4 record and upcoming games against the Tennessee Titans and Daniel Jones-less Indianapolis Colts.

San Francisco could easily be 11-4 going into Week 17 with having an postseason appearance all but sewn up. - Sobleski

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)

AP Photo/John Raoux

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 10

Week 14 Result: Won vs Indianapolis 36-19

The Jaguars took control of the NFC South on Sunday, and there's a good chance they secure their first division title since 2022 by winning three of their final four games.

With Daniel Jones injured for Indianapolis, the Denver Broncos are probably the only playoff-caliber challenge left on Jacksonville's schedule. If the Jags don't play down to the competition against the Colts, Jets and Titans, they'll host a playoff game.

How Jacksonville actually fares in the postseason will hinge on Trevor Lawrence's play and the defense's ability to force turnovers. The Jaguars haven't won the turnover battle and lost a game since Week 2. - Knox

9. Detroit Lions (8-5)

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Last Week: 9

Week 14 Result: Won 44-30 vs. Dallas

Last Thursday, the Detroit Lions did what they do best: respond well after defeat in the previous week.

They've won 15 consecutive games following a loss. They have experienced their ups and downs with two new coordinators this season, but they're still a playoff-caliber squad that can drop 40 on a defense if necessary.

Detroit will lose Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch for the foreseeable future, though. He tore his Achilles tendon late in the last outing, which is a significant loss for a secondary that's already without All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph and second-year starting cornerback Terrion Arnold.

The Lions defense must hold it together against the Los Angeles Rams this week. – Moton

8. Houston Texans (8-5)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

Last Week: 12

Week 14 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 20-10

The Houston Texans' early-season struggles may prevent them from winning the AFC South, but they've become the type of defensive powerhouse that can beat virtually anyone on the road in January.

Sunday night's win in Arrowhead showed how Houston is capable of performing in a high-pressure game. The Texans seem to still be searching for offensive consistency, but they've gotten enough during their five-game winning streak to put themselves in playoff positioning.

Right now, Houston feels like the scariest wild-card team in the AFC. - Knox

7. Chicago Bears (9-4)

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift

Last Week: 6

Week 14 Result: Lost 28-21 vs. Green Bay

The Chicago Bears are a playoff-caliber team, though they must win their divisional matchups. They are 1-3 against NFC North opponents, with losses to each of their rivals.

The Bears shouldn't feel ashamed about losing to the division-leading Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, but they must even the season series against the Packers and the Detroit Lions in the final four weeks.

If Chicago loses those games, it could be a double-digit win team that misses the playoffs. - Moton

6. Buffalo Bills (9-4)

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

Bills QB Josh Allen

Last Week: 7

Week 14 Result: Won 39-34 vs. Cincinnati

Despite questions about their pass-catching group, the Buffalo Bills are built to win scoring shootouts, and Josh Allen shines in big moments.

The Bills needed the MVP version of their star quarterback, and that's who they saw throw for three touchdowns and rush for 78 yards and a score on nine carries in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Buffalo's defense has allowed 30 or more points in three of the team's previous five outings, which raises concerns for this club down the stretch, but Allen is the ultimate equalizer with his arm and legs. - Moton

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Last Week: 4

Week 14 Result: Won 37-9 vs. Atlanta

The Seahawks took care of business despite making the difficult west-to-east coast trip while playing during the NFL's early window.

Seattle took over during the second half, starting with a 100-yard kickoff return by Rashid Shaheed. His emergence as a playmaker on offense and special teams could be the boost the team needs.

The Seahawks are so Jaxon Smith-Njigba-dominant within their offensive approach that a secondary threat, particularly with Shaheed's speed, changes the math for opposing defenses.

Shaheed has caught four passes for 67 yards as his biggest contributions on offense since being acquired from the New Orleans Saints in early November. - Sobleski

4. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

Packers QB Jordan Love

Last Week: 5

Week 14 Result: Won 28-21 vs. Chicago

The Green Bay Packers are clearly the best team in the NFC North, with a 4-0 record against their rivals and the best division record.

They have beaten their division foes in three consecutive weeks and won a fourth consecutive game in Week 14.

If head coach Matt LaFleur continues to lead his team to strong finishes through December, the Packers will remain atop the NFC North with one of the league's best records. - Moton

3. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Rams WR Puka Nacua

Last Week: 3

Week 14 Result: Won 45-17 vs. Arizona

Weird things happen during an NFL schedule.

For example, the Rams were rolling with a six-game winning streak before being upset by the Carolina Panthers last weekend. That outcome looked more of an aberration than indictment of the Rams.

Los Angeles responded with a dominant victory over the rival Cardinals. Quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to MVP form. The defense held Jacoby Brissett under 300 yards passing for the first time in four weeks.

Any concerns about the Rams were quickly dispelled, because they are the NFC's best squad. - Sobleski

2. Denver Broncos (11-2)

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Broncos edge Nik Bonitto

Last Week: 2

Week 14 Result: Won at Las Vegas 24-17

Denver's win over the hapless Raiders in Las Vegas Sunday was the 2025 Broncos in a nutshell.

The final score doesn't appear all that impressive, and the offensive stats aren't blowing anyone's socks off. This was the first game all season in which the Broncos didn't trail at some point.

However, this was a game they controlled throughout, largely due to a dominant defense that allowed just 229 total yards (many of which came with the game decided).

The Broncos have offensive talent, but they don't need to be electrifying; they just need to be efficient and avoid mistakes.

Denver is balanced, talented and well-coached. It has also peeled off 10 straight wins. However, the last month of the season won't be easy, as every upcoming opponent entered the week .500 or better. - Davenport

1. New England Patriots (11-2)

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Last Week: 1

Week 14 Result: Bye Week

The New England Patriots hang on to the No. 1 spot in the power rankings after they demolished the New York Giants last Monday.

They rank fifth in scoring offense while seventh in points allowed, with a plus-110 point differential. 

Unlike the Denver Broncos, who've mastered winning close games, New England can put opponents away early. The Patriots won five of their 11 games by 13 or more points.

They are clearly the league's best team with four weeks remaining in the regular season. - Moton