NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Lions Climb, Cowboys Stumble in NFC Shake-Up
The 2025 NFL season has been anything but predictable, and Thursday night gave us another reminder of just how quickly the landscape can shift. The Dallas Cowboys, riding high on a multi-game winning streak, rolled into Detroit expecting to keep the momentum going. Instead, they walked out with a humbling loss-and a serious dent in their NFC standing.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions, a team that had been searching for a spark, found one in front of their home crowd. With that win, they didn’t just add another tally in the W column-they sent a message.
The NFC playoff picture is still forming, but it’s clear that nothing is set in stone. Here's how the conference stacks up heading into the thick of Week 14 action.
16. New Orleans Saints
The Saints may be out of the playoff race, but they’re not without intrigue. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is giving fans and coaches something to think about.
While the wins haven’t come, Shough’s flashes of promise are hard to ignore. He’s made some throws that make you sit up and take notice-and that’s exactly what you want from a young QB in a rebuilding year.
The next few weeks will be pivotal for his development. If he continues to grow, it could dramatically alter the Saints’ offseason plans.
15. New York Giants
There’s no questioning Jaxson Dart’s competitive fire, but his playing style continues to raise red flags. He’s already missed time this season due to concussions, and the concern is very real.
Dart has all the physical tools to lead an NFL offense, but durability and decision-making-especially when it comes to protecting himself-are becoming critical talking points. The Giants need him on the field, not in the protocol.
If he wants to be the face of the franchise, it starts with staying healthy.
14. Arizona Cardinals
Big changes could be on the horizon in Arizona. The Cardinals have officially shut down Kyler Murray for the rest of the season, and head coach Jonathan Gannon isn’t offering any guarantees about the future-for Murray or himself.
That kind of uncertainty speaks volumes. This team is clearly in evaluation mode, and it’s hard to imagine they won’t be looking at a major reset in 2026.
Whether it’s a new quarterback, a new coach, or both, the Cardinals are headed for a crossroads.
13. Washington Commanders
With their season hanging by a thread, the Commanders put together one of their better offensive performances against Denver. Marcus Mariota stepped in and delivered a gutsy effort, nearly pulling off a comeback before a two-point conversion attempt fell short in overtime.
Now, rookie Jayden Daniels is expected to return to the lineup, and that decision carries weight. On one hand, he needs reps to develop.
On the other, this season is all but lost, and risking a serious injury at this stage could raise serious questions about the team’s long-term planning. It’s a tough balancing act for a staff that may already be coaching for their futures.
As the playoff race intensifies, the NFC remains a conference in flux. The Cowboys’ stumble and the Lions’ surge are just the latest reminders that anything can happen down the stretch. Buckle up-Week 14 is just getting started.