NFL Week 14 power rankings: Patriots and Bears rise as Chiefs, Rams and Eagles fall


Editor’s note: Every​ week, Chad Graff and Josh Kendall rank and analyze all 32 teams from first to worst. 

In this NFL season of parity, without many — or any? — teams that look truly great, Week 13 delivered plenty of drama. The Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, all trendy preseason Super Bowl picks, lost.

But it’s the week after Thanksgiving, and this is a time for being thankful. So this week’s power rankings give us an exciting, new No. 1 and delve into the best-case scenario for each team over the final five weeks of the regular season. (We’re saving the pessimism for next week.)

1. New England Patriots (11-2)

Last week: 4

Monday: Beat Giants 33-15

Best-case scenario: They fix their red zone offense

This is nitpicking after an easy win, but for New England to make a run in the postseason, the offense has to get more efficient inside the 20. The Pats struggled in that area against the Giants, scoring just one touchdown in five red zone possessions. If they pair their explosive offense with greater success deep inside enemy territory, look out.

Up next: Bye

2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)

Last week: 1

Sunday: Lost to Panthers 31-28

Best-case scenario: Super Bowl or bust

Despite losing in Week 13, the Rams still look like one of the best teams in the NFL. And in a year where Matthew Stafford looked primed to win the MVP award — perhaps until his two untimely interceptions Sunday — there’s only one best-case scenario for the Rams, and it’s hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Up next: at Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

3. Denver Broncos (10-2)

Last week: 2

Sunday: Beat Commanders 27-26 (OT)

Best-case scenario: A first-round bye

It certainly wasn’t pretty (once again) for the Broncos on Sunday night, but they (once again) found a way to win as Bo Nix threw for 321 yards. The drawback for them is that after a matchup in Las Vegas next week, their final four opponents are all at .500 or better.

Up next: at Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

4. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)

Last week: 5

Sunday: Beat Vikings 26-0

Best-case scenario: Sam Darnold avoids turning into a pumpkin

Darnold is no longer in Minnesota largely because of the way he played in his final two games as a Viking. That’s why he’ll be under a microscope in December. Darnold wasn’t great on Sunday (14-of-26 for 128 yards), but he didn’t have to be against his former team.

Up next: at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

5. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)

Last week: 7

Thursday: Beat Lions 31-24

Best-case scenario: The offense hits its stride

There were fair concerns about Green Bay’s offense after Tucker Kraft’s season-ending injury. But after some hiccups, the offense got rolling again on Thanksgiving as Jordan Love threw four touchdown passes.

Up next: vs. Bears, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

6. Chicago Bears (9-3)

Last week: 12

Friday: Beat Eagles 24-15 

Best-case scenario: A home playoff game

The Bears have won the NFC North just once in the last 14 years. Our playoff simulator gives them only a 37 percent chance of doing it this year — even though they’re the No. 1 seed in the NFC — largely because of a difficult remaining schedule that includes games against the Packers (twice), Lions and 49ers.

Up next: at Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

7. Buffalo Bills (8-4)

Last week: 9

Sunday: Beat Steelers 26-7

Best-case scenario: The defense is turning things around

It hasn’t been a great year for that side of the ball in Buffalo, but the defense was dominant against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Sure, maybe that says more about the Steelers offense than the Bills defense, but if the Buffalo D can play even average football the rest of the way, this will be a dangerous team come the postseason.

Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

8. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

Last week: 11

Sunday: Beat Browns 26-8

Best-case scenario: Their injury luck flips

It can’t get much worse for the 49ers injury-wise, right? Now with a week to get healthy, they will be a scary opponent in December as Robert Saleh has this banged-up defense playing well.

Up next: Bye

9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

Last week: 3

Friday: Lost to Bears 24-15

Best-case scenario: The Bears defense is just OK, yet the Eagles managed only 317 yards of offense and 15 points at home on Black Friday. But we’re looking for positives today, and if this offense can get sorted out — which admittedly feels like a big ask 13 weeks into the season — Philadelphia should be fine.

Up next: at Chargers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

10. Detroit Lions (7-5)

Last week: 8

Thursday: Lost to Packers 31-24

Best-case scenario: Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn’t miss time

The Lions offense played pretty well on Thanksgiving Day against a good Packers defense, but St. Brown is what takes that group to a different level. It doesn’t help his prospects that Detroit isn’t on an extended break, with a second straight Thursday game looming.

Up next: vs. Cowboys, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Receiver Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates after his rushing touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Nico Collins had five receptions for 98 yards and a rushing touchdown as the Texans won on the road in Indianapolis in Week 13. (Dylan Buell / Getty Images)

11. Houston Texans (7-5)

Last week: 17

Sunday: Beat Colts 20-16

Best-case scenario: C.J. Stroud gets rolling

While Stroud missed nearly a month, the Texans showed they can win ugly, low-scoring games behind a great defense. Now, with Stroud back, if the offense can get moving again, this could be a tough team to beat in January.

Up next: at Chiefs, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

12. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

Last week: 6

Sunday: Lost to Texans 20-16

Best-case scenario: Daniel Jones improves against pressure

Jones was a top-five quarterback in the league in yards per attempt when pressured over the first eight weeks of the season. Since then, however, he ranks 12th in that stat, which is part of the reason the once red-hot Colts have dropped back-to-back games and three of their last four.

Up next: at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)

Last week: 13

Sunday: Beat Cardinals 20-17

Best-case scenario: They win the NFC South

While the Bucs have the same number of wins as the Panthers, they have a more favorable path to winning the division thanks to their remaining games (other than the two versus Carolina) against the Saints, Falcons and Dolphins.

Up next: vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)

Last week: 14

Sunday: Beat Titans 25-3

Best-case scenario: Win next week

It’s amazing how much the Jags have riding on a Week 14 game. But after handling their business against the Titans, they have a 66 percent chance of winning the division if they beat the Colts next week, compared to a 19 percent chance if they lose.

Up next: vs. Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

15. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

Last week: 15

Sunday: Beat Raiders 31-14

Best-case scenario: The running game clicks

It’s weird for a Jim Harbaugh-led team, but the Chargers have struggled on the ground this season. They entered Sunday ranked 20th in rushing success rate and EPA per rush. But against the Raiders, they ran for 192 yards.

Up next: vs. Eagles, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

16. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)

Last week: 19

Thursday: Beat Chiefs 31-28

Best-case scenario: A wild-card berth

The odds are still against them (our simulator gives them a 24 percent chance of reaching the playoffs), but with three straight wins, the Cowboys have given themselves a chance with a defense that’s suddenly playing better.

Up next: at Lions, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

17. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)

Last week: 10

Thursday: Lost to Cowboys 31-28

Best-case scenario: Just get to the playoffs

If they reach the postseason, they’ll be the team no one wants to play, given their experience and quarterback. But for the first time this season, our playoff simulator gives them less than a 50 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, which is hard to imagine in the midst of Patrick Mahomes’ prime.

Up next: vs. Texans, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Quarterback Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers signals for a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their game Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has had an up-and-down season, but he had another big day in Sunday’s shocking win over the Rams. (Grant Halverson / Getty Images)

18. Carolina Panthers (7-6)

Last week: 20

Sunday: Beat Rams 31-28

Best-case scenario: Winning the NFC South

It’s been easy to discount what the Panthers have done this season — until now. They head into their bye week having knocked off arguably the league’s best team behind an impressive performance from third-year quarterback Bryce Young (15-of-20 for 206 yards and three touchdowns).

Up next: Bye

19. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)

Last week: 16

Thursday: Lost to Bengals 32-14

Best-case scenario: Somehow, Lamar Jackson actually gets healthy

What we’ve seen of late can’t be the healthy version of the two-time MVP. In his last three games, he’s thrown zero touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for just 48 yards.

Up next: vs. Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)

Last week: 18

Sunday: Lost to Bills 26-7

Best-case scenario: A hard reset

Is this unfair for a best-case scenario? Maybe. But even Steelers fans were booing “Renegade” on Sunday in a hard-to-watch performance. It just feels like they need a change. Is it the quarterback? Is it the coach? We’ll see this offseason.

Up next: at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

Last week: 25

Thursday: Beat Ravens 32-14

Best-case scenario: This defensive surge sticks

One week after slowing down the Patriots, the Bengals’ struggling defense bottled up Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. It’s just a two-week sample size, but maybe this Cincinnati defense (which began the season in historically bad fashion) is turning a corner. Oh, and the return of Joe Burrow helped a bit, too.

Up next: at Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

22. Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Last week: 22

Sunday: Beat Saints 21-17

Best-case scenario: A .500 record

After a 1-6 start, the Dolphins have won four of their last five and play the Jets and Steelers next. It would be quite the turnaround, given how bad this team looked early in the season.

Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

23. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)

Last week: 21

Sunday: Lost to Jets 27-24

Best-case scenario: Some sort of offseason jolt

Even with how dreadful they’ve been — losers of six of their last seven, including losses to the Jets and Saints — they don’t have the benefit of a top-10 pick waiting for them because they sent their 2026 first-round choice to the Rams in what has turned out to be an ill-fated move. The franchise could be headed for some significant offseason changes.

Up next: vs. Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

24. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)

Last week: 23

Sunday: Lost to Seahawks 26-0

Best-case scenario: The NFL scraps the rest of the season

No team has gotten worse quarterback play this season than the Vikings, whose best performances have come from Carson Wentz. J.J. McCarthy, who missed Sunday’s loss with a concussion, has been terrible. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer had a tough task in his starting debut against a great Seattle defense. But he looked even worse than McCarthy, tossing four interceptions, including one of the worst pick sixes in recent memory.

Up next: vs. Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates a reception against the Denver Broncos during their game Sunday at Northwest Stadium.

Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin returned to the lineup with a bang Sunday against the Broncos, making seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. (Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

25. Washington Commanders (3-9)

Last week: 26

Sunday: Lost to Broncos 27-26 (OT)

Best-case scenario: Jayden Daniels’ return goes well

The Commanders aren’t shutting down their second-year quarterback, even though he’s missed time this season due to injuries to his knee, hamstring and elbow. But he’s one of the biggest reasons for hope with this franchise. Now that Terry McLaurin is back and healthy, Washington needs Daniels to play well (and stay healthy) when he comes back.

Up next: at Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

26. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)

Last week: 24

Sunday: Lost to Buccaneers 20-17

Best-case scenario: Quarterback clarity

The Cardinals would actually incur more cap savings than dead money if they trade Kyler Murray this offseason, setting up some fascinating questions about what they’ll do — and where Murray could be next year.

Up next: vs. Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

27. New York Jets (3-9)

Last week: 30

Sunday: Beat Falcons 27-24

Best-case scenario: A late-season surge

It’s too much to ask the Jets to really get on a roll. But if they’re still competing hard and showing improvement even with a depleted roster after the trade deadline, that’s a good sign for first-year coach Aaron Glenn.

Up next: vs. Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

28. Cleveland Browns (3-9)

Last week: 27

Sunday: Lost to 49ers 26-8

Best-case scenario: Quarterback clarity

Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur Sanders will remain Cleveland’s quarterback, and he should have an easier game next week against the Titans. Maybe “clarity” is too ambitious for the Browns, but it’d be nice to know they have a definitive plan after this season at the game’s most important position.

Up next: vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

29. New York Giants (2-11)

Last week: 28

Monday: Lost to Patriots 33-15

Best-case scenario: Jaxson Dart learns to slide

There are plenty of reasons for the Giants to be optimistic about their rookie quarterback. But in his first game back from a concussion, Dart was pulverized by a massive hit near the sideline instead of simply sliding or getting out of bounds. To stay in games and prolong his career, he has to learn to get down and protect himself.

Up next: Bye

30. New Orleans Saints (2-10)

Last week: 29

Sunday: Lost to Dolphins 21-17

Best-case scenario: A Week 17 loss

That’s when the Saints play the Titans in what’s going to be a matchup no one should have to watch. That said, it will be important in deciding draft positioning at the top of Round 1. If New Orleans loses that, it will have a 28 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.

Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

Last week: 31

Sunday: Lost to Chargers 31-14

Best-case scenario: Clarity with their decision-making

The Las Vegas offense didn’t look much better without Chip Kelly calling the plays after his firing led to questions about the organizational structure. The Raiders managed just 156 yards of offense Sunday — and, amazingly, it wasn’t their lowest output of the season.

Up next: vs. Broncos, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

32. Tennessee Titans (1-11)

Last week: 32

Sunday: Lost to Jaguars 25-3

Best-case scenario: The No. 1 overall pick

The Titans have been bad enough that they already have a 52 percent chance of earning the No. 1 pick and are basically guaranteed a top-five pick (95 percent). The offseason can’t get here quickly enough.

Up next: at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET





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