NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Patriots Climb, Texans Surge, and Bears Make Noise
With Week 14 on the horizon, the playoff picture is starting to take shape - and so are the power rankings. The New England Patriots are riding high with the league’s best record at 11-2, while teams like the Texans, Bills, and Bears are making serious moves into the top 10. Let’s break down where every team stands and why.
1. Los Angeles Rams (1)
Yes, they lost - and yes, it was ugly. A rainy East Coast trip saw Matthew Stafford throw two first-quarter picks, matching his season total entering the game.
But before we hit the panic button, let’s remember: this defense had a rare off day against the run, and Stafford’s miscues were out of character. Chalk it up as a mulligan.
The Rams are still the team to beat.
2. New England Patriots (3)
At 11-2, the Patriots have the best record in football. Drake Maye continues to impress, but there’s still a sense that this team hasn’t been fully tested against the league’s elite.
The defense is stout, the offense is efficient - but until they notch a signature win against a top-tier opponent, they sit just shy of the top spot.
3. Seattle Seahawks (2)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba called it “the best defense in the world,” and while Seattle’s D is certainly elite, the offense needs to hold up its end of the bargain. Sunday’s quiet outing from Smith-Njigba (just 23 yards) highlights a growing concern: Can this team make a deep run if the offense keeps disappearing?
4. Green Bay Packers (5)
The Packers just swept the NFC North in a three-week span. That’s not just impressive - it’s a statement.
Sunday’s win over the rival Bears capped a dominant run that could catapult Green Bay to the top of the NFC standings if they keep this momentum going.
5. Denver Broncos (4)
Denver's defense continues to wreak havoc, but their quarterback play remains a rollercoaster. At their best, they look like a top-five team.
At their worst, they’re frustratingly inconsistent. It’s a bit of a Seahawks-in-the-mountains vibe - dominant D, unpredictable QB.
6. Houston Texans (11)
Seattle might say they have the best defense, but the Texans have the stats to back it up: fewest points and yards allowed per game. That’s no fluke.
Now, the question is whether that defense can finally snap a five-game losing streak to Kansas City. We’ll find out soon.
7. Buffalo Bills (12)
Buffalo’s ground game just ran wild for 249 yards - the most Pittsburgh has allowed at home in 50 years. That’s not just a good day; that’s historic.
The Bills are peaking at the right time, and their physicality up front is turning them into a real postseason threat.
8. Chicago Bears (15)
The Bears have swept the NFC East. They’ve swept Pennsylvania.
And now, if they can knock off the Packers at Lambeau this weekend, it’s time to stop questioning their legitimacy. This team is playing with confidence and proving it every week.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (13)
Since returning from London, the Jags are 4-1. They’ve got a shot to take full control of the AFC South with a win over the Colts this weekend.
Quietly, Jacksonville is rounding into form at just the right time.
10. San Francisco 49ers (14)
The Niners are 9-4 and only have one more road trip left in the regular season. That’s a huge advantage as they chase home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
With their talent and schedule, don’t count them out of the top seed conversation.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (6)
A.J. Brown’s usage is telling: in losses, he’s averaging over 90 yards per game; in wins, under 50.
The Eagles are better when he’s involved early and often. If Philly wants to get back on track, feeding their star receiver might be the key.
12. Detroit Lions (9)
Even if they avoid back-to-back losses this week, the Lions are still on the outside looking in for the NFC playoff field. The coaching turnover is clearly taking a toll.
This team hasn’t looked the same since the staff shake-up.
13. Indianapolis Colts (8)
The addition of Sauce Gardner was supposed to shore up the secondary, but with Gardner now sidelined indefinitely, Indy has just one win since the trade. The timing couldn’t be worse as they gear up for a divisional showdown with the Jags.
14. Dallas Cowboys (19)
Javonte Williams has quietly been a bright spot in a chaotic season. He’s now just 45 yards away from his first 1,000-yard campaign - a remarkable turnaround for a player who’s battled injuries and inconsistency.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (7)
The offensive line is banged up, and with Houston’s pass rush coming to town, that’s a serious concern. Mahomes can work magic, but he needs time.
If the protection doesn’t hold up, this could get ugly.
16. Baltimore Ravens (10)
Three weeks, three turnovers per game, and just 20 points per outing. The Ravens' offense is sputtering.
Lamar Jackson looked a bit more mobile in the Thanksgiving loss, but they need more than flashes to stay in the playoff hunt.
17. Carolina Panthers (20)
Chuba Hubbard’s reintegration into the offense paid immediate dividends. He had a season-high 19 touches for 124 yards in Sunday’s upset win over the Rams.
If the Panthers want to play spoiler, Hubbard could be the key.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16)
The Bucs are getting healthier at just the right time - and that’s huge with four of their final five games coming against NFC South rivals. The division is still up for grabs, and Tampa’s experience could give them the edge.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (17)
With their quarterback recovering from surgery on his non-throwing hand, the Chargers have a decision to make ahead of Monday night: roll the dice with a banged-up starter or turn to Trey Lance. Either way, Philly’s defense won’t make it easy.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (23)
Joe Burrow’s return is obviously a big deal, but the defense deserves just as much credit for the win over Baltimore. The locker room pointed to that unit as the difference-maker, and they’ve been trending up for weeks now.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (18)
Steelers fans might be frustrated, but firing Mike Tomlin? That’s not the move.
If anything, trade him for a first-rounder. He’s still one of the best in the business - even if this year has been rocky.
22. Arizona Cardinals (21)
Trey McBride outproduced both of Arizona’s top two running backs combined in yards and touchdowns. That’s not something you see every week - especially from a tight end.
He’s becoming a focal point in this offense.
23. Cleveland Browns (24)
Myles Garrett lining up against Cam Ward - the league’s most-sacked quarterback - might be must-see TV. With the single-season sack record in sight, Canton might want to keep a close eye on what happens in Cleveland this Sunday.
24. Miami Dolphins (25)
De’Von Achane just joined an exclusive club: only the fifth running back this century to score 10+ touchdowns in each of his first three seasons. Quietly, he’s been one of the most consistent playmakers in the league.
25. Washington Commanders (27)
Sunday night’s loss to Denver wasn’t a win, but it was a testament to this team’s fight. Dan Quinn has kept the group engaged, and they’re still playing hard - even with nothing tangible on the line.
26. New York Jets (30)
The Gardner trade brought in two first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell. That’s a sneaky-good haul, and if Mitchell develops, this deal could swing heavily in the Jets’ favor down the line.
27. Atlanta Falcons (26)
Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are the only RB duo in the league with 7+ touchdowns each. That’s impressive - but it’s not translating to wins.
The offense still lacks consistency where it matters most.
28. Minnesota Vikings (22)
Sunday’s shutout loss in Seattle was bad. The sideline body language?
Maybe worse. Rookie QB Max Bromser drawing Nathan Peterman comparisons says it all.
This offense is in disarray.
29. New Orleans Saints (29)
Cam Jordan just joined Terrell Suggs as the only players this century with 125+ sacks and 745+ tackles. It’s about time he got the recognition he deserves - even if the Saints aren’t giving him