NFL power rankings: Bills, Eagles fall from top tier; Steelers, Rams, Vikings move up for Week 15 | Sporting News

Week 14 in the NFL had a lot of big matchups, and many featured either a lot of scoring or tense, close finishes. Some gave us both. That’s what you get when the December stretch run arrives and that pre-playoff feel is in the air.

The NFC and AFC contenders are tuning up ahead of potentially deep January runs. The fading or faded teams are looking to play major spoilers as they try to take more positive steps ahead of next season. The intersection will continue to be fun through the end of the regular season.

Here’s checking in again on where all 32 teams stand from best to worst going into the final month.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 15

1. Detroit Lions 12-1 (previous ranking: 1)

The Lions knew they were in for a doozy vs. the Packers, and they kept answering with clutch plays with their running backs and Jared Goff. They will continue to get battle-tested well for the playoffs with AFC power Buffalo visiting next.

MORE: Dan Campbell lives up to reputation with gutsy 4th-down calls | Jared Goff praises Campbell’s ‘stones’

2. Kansas City Chiefs 12-1 (4)

The Chiefs knew they were in for a gritty, physical grind against the Chargers again, and they survived with their clutch three-phase moxie, with the help of a fortunate bounce. Their ninth straight division title may feel like luck, but remember that also can be defined as the residue of design.

MORE: Why Justin Reid was kicking off for Chiefs | Chris Jones sums up latest win: ‘We keep the ratings, baby’

3. Minnesota Vikings 11-2 (5)

The Vikings have been questioned for some holes in their defense and having limited balance to help them on offense. But when they’re rolling with Sam Darnold and his weapons in the passing game and coming up with key pressure and turnovers, they can beat anybody.

MORE: Vikings have a Sam Darnold problem — in 2025

4. Philadelphia Eagles 11-2 (2)

The Eagles were maybe caught looking ahead to the Keystone State bragging right battle in Pittsburgh, but given their rushing prowess and recent defensive dominance, they should have not played down to the Panthers. However, the 1-2 punch of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley still makes it difficult to outscore them.

MORE: A.J. Brown gives blunt assessment of what’s wrong with Eagles’ offense

5. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3 (7)

The Steelers handled the Browns this time around cleaning up their mess from the first meeting with improved clutch defense and better offensive red-zone play. They are developing into an AFC title threat ahead of their clashes with the Eagles and Chiefs.

MORE: Steelers get help in race for AFC’s No. 1 seed

6. Buffalo Bills 10-3 (3)

The Bills’ defense, special teams, and traditional running game all got lost in Los Angeles, but Josh Allen didn’t. They can’t afford a similar breakdown around their MVP QB again with the Lions next on the road.

MORE: Allen sews up MVP despite loss | Bills have just 9 players on field during final play

7. Green Bay Packers 9-4 (6)

The Packers did their best with Josh Jacobs to pound on the Lions, but they simply didn’t get the ball back to have a shot at the end. They are right there with the Vikings and Lions in their capacity to get hot in the playoffs.

MORE: What’s ahead for top teams in NFC North

8. Baltimore Ravens 8-5 (9)

The Ravens got a much-needed bye to reset a bit for the stretch run and playoffs, more so to get their defense resettled than to worry about Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the offensive upside going forward.

WEEK 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

9. Los Angeles Chargers 8-5 (8)

The Chargers are sorting through some offensive injuries again but are hanging tough with the running game and defense continuing to do their part for Jim Harbaugh. The division title isn’t happening in his first season, but they’re still in great shape for a wild card.

10. Washington Commanders 8-5 (10)

The Commanders are looking better for locking down a wild-card berth after beating the Titans before the Week 14 bye. Their schedule sets them up well the rest of the way beyond a Week 16 home rematch with the Eagles.

11. Seattle Seahawks 8-5 (13)

The Seahawks are revving up again with their defense finding more answers for Mike Macdonald and the offense getting a spark from backup back Zach Charbonnet. They will get better tests with the Packers and Vikings back-to-back at home.

MORE: NFC West standings after another wild set of games

12. Los Angeles Rams 7-6 (15)

The Rams were relentless with their loaded passing attack, led by the dazzling Puka Nacua, and it paid off with a massive upset over the Bills to keep L.A. right with the rival Seahawks in the NFC West race. The division may come down to the teams’ rematch in Los Angeles in Week 18.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

13. Houston Texans 8-5 (11)

The Texans needed to fix some things with their offense and defense after the bye to play better complementary football and rise above the lack of competition in the AFC South.

14. Denver Broncos 8-5 (12)

The Broncos can feel that playoff berth with rookie QB Bo Nix, thanks to his growing confidence and some key defensive support, but they need to be ready to turn back the scrappy Colts next.

15. San Francisco 49ers 6-7 (16)

The 49ers got some offensive things back on track with Brock Purdy leading the way, but it was a bummer to lose promising Isaac Guerendo to another key running back injury.

MORE: Isaac Guerendo injury update

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-6 (17)

Baker Mayfield got a little shaky for a while, and losing Bucky Irving also didn’t feel good against the Raiders. However, the Bucs pulled away and may have found a key young star in rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

17. Arizona Cardinals 6-7 (14)

What was that? The Cardinals have gone cold right along with the wild play of Kyler Murray. They also went back to losing their defensive mojo at home for Jonathan Gannon. The overachieving has come to an end with a three-game losing streak.

18. Indianapolis Colts 6-7 (19)

The Colts should be pleased that Anthony Richardson looked like a much steadier playmaker before the bye. They are capable of getting hot and getting into the playoffs should they keep letting him loose.

19. Miami Dolphins 6-7 (21)

The Dolphins remain sloppy defensively and got too kind toward the Jets’ passing game. Their offense still feels compressed to protect Tua Tagovailoa, but things are starting to open up well when needed.

20. Atlanta Falcons 6-7 (18)

What was that? Kirk Cousins passed rather well in his return to Minnesota, but his turnovers and some limitations in using all of his receivers are making the team too reliant on Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in the running game. The pass defense, however, is the real consistent culprit for Atlanta’s issues.

MORE: Is Kirk Cousins on hot seat after ‘revenge game’ flop vs. Vikings

21. Cincinnati Bengals 5-8 (22)

The Bengals remain alive in the AFC playoff race with no margin for error, so that Cowboys escape on Monday night can be a huge spark. Joe Burrow is doing his part at an MVP level, and that makes their outside chance better than most teams.

22. New Orleans Saints 5-8 (24)

The Saints saw Derek Carr get hurt, but they outdueled the Giants in a defensive slugfest with the better special teams — not a shock with Darren Rizzi rallying the team.

MORE: Derek Carr injury update

23. Dallas Cowboys 5-8 (20)

The Cowboys’ fading playoff hopes went to near black on Monday night with their tough last-minute loss to the Bengals. They will try to rebound quickly in a winnable road game at the Panthers.

24. Chicago Bears 4-9 (23)

The Bears’ offense stumbled in San Francisco, perhaps not helped by Thomas Brown also needing to play coach as well as coordinator. The run defense and middle-field coverage are big offseason issues to address.

25. Carolina Panthers 3-10 (26)

Bryce Young has done plenty to show the Panthers he’s their keep as a No. 1 overall pick franchise QB for 2025, even in tough losses to the Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Eagles.

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26. Cleveland Browns 3-10 (25)

The Browns are doing their best to ride with and rally around Jameis Winston, but it’s difficult when he’s trying to get pass-happy with little running game and a regressing defense.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-10 (30)

The Jaguars dug deep around Mac Jones to find enough offensive pop to take down the Titans with a much-improved overall defense. Doug Pederson’s future is still up in the air.

28. New York Jets 3-10 (28)

The Jets, in some ways, showed what they could have been with Aaron Rodgers vs. the Dolphins. In other ways, the mistakes they made in key moments are why they’re exactly who they are.

29. New England Patriots 3-10 (29)

The Patriots enjoyed a bye and got a lot more company with their 3-10 record. Jerod Mayo needs to get an inspired all-around finish to feel good about his tenure going forward.

30. Tennessee Titans 3-10 (27)

The Titans can’t seem to mesh their often-sound defense and high-upside offense together in the same game — a sign they are a young team still learning to win. They still have some hope for a much better Year 2 with Brian Callahan.

31. New York Giants 2-11 (32)

The Giants showed some resilience with their defense but ran out of what they needed from their offense and special teams. The fate of Brian Daboll is still not looking good.

32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-11 (31)

The Raiders got riddled with more bad quarterback injury news and had to turn to Desmond Ridder in Tampa with no chance. They need to hope they have the first shot at Shedeur Sanders.

MORE: Aidan O’Connell injury update