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Week 15 in the NFL had its share of heavyweight matchups and playoff knockouts. The playoff field is shrinking and of all teams, the Chiefs won't be in it. The Bengals also are out and the Ravens and Lions may soon follow suit.
While the Patriots and Packers stubbed their toes in tough matchups, other teams at the top flexed more in tricky marquee matchups. Following a critical Week 15 that changed the end-of-season paths for many teams in 2025, here's how they all stack up against each other now going into Week 16:
NFL Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Rams 11-3 (previous ranking: 2)
The Rams stumbled early against the Lions before leaping past Detroit with an explosive offense, this time fueled by the running game. The defense showed a few more holes, but has more margin for error given the success of the Rams' offense.
2. Denver Broncos 12-2 (4)
The Broncos keep showing their doubters why they should believe in them, with a dominant defense making huge plays at right times and a confident QB in Bo Nix. Denver is making a case to be trusted in the playoffs under Sean Payton.
3. New England Patriots 11-3 (1)
The Patriots have cooled off a bit with Drake Maye's passing and revved up their running game. Blowing a 21-0 lead at home to the Bills with the division on the line is a little bit worrisome.
4. Buffalo Bills 10-4 (6)
The Bills were relentless coming back with Josh Allen in New England. That win was a statement of why they look like the team to beat right now. But Buffalo's run defense can come back to bite them big time with more on the line.
MORE: How Josh Allen overcame slow start to stun Drake Maye in Foxboro
5. Seattle Seahawks 11-3 (5)
The Seahawks were contained on the ground and didn't get a lot going on offensively against the Colts with their red zone woes. However, Jason Myers' field-goal dominance and Seattle's defensive stinginess can make up for plenty.
MORE: Seahawks playoff picture after Week 15 win over Colts
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6. San Francisco 49ers 10-4 (7)
The 49ers got Brock Purdy at home against the Titans and after a bye, and he looks more comfortable with all of his weapons at better overall health. San Francisco isn't going away as a Super Bowl contender.
7. Green Bay Packers 9-4-1 (3)
The Packers' defense lost Micah Parsons in Denver after it had a bad day against the Broncos' limited offense. That will make it hard for them to sweep the Bears in Week 16 in Chicago to regain first place.
MORE: Why the Packers won't win Super Bowl 60 without Micah Parsons
8. Chicago Bears 10-4 (8)
The Bears are getting it done with varied receivers helping Caleb Williams from week-to-week and an improved rushing punch with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Watch out if the defense continues to play like it did to freeze out the Browns.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-4 (9)
The Jaguars keep pressuring QBs on lesser teams and getting takeaways to spark big wins, including over the Jets. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. have never looked this good together in the offense and now they have a ton of fun help.
MORE: Trevor Lawrence delivers gift for fantasy managers with stellar showing
10. Los Angeles Chargers 10-4 (10)
The Chargers struck hard with no mercy against the Chiefs knowing they could be responsible for ousting the AFC champions and swing the door wide open. There's no more "charger-ing' here with Jim Harbaugh before the playoffs.
MORE: Chargers playoff picture after Week 15 win over Chiefs
11. Philadelphia Eagles 9-5 (11)
The Eagles needed a complete get-well game and they got it with a 31-0 shutout of the Raiders in which no one complained about the offense or defense for a change. They can keep that up against the Commanders next week.
12. Houston Texans 9-5 (13)
The Texans are seeing C.J. Stroud start to play at an expected level with injury issues behind him and Nico Collins right in front of him. The recent offensive explosion is good for their hopes of winning in the playoffs.
13. Detroit Lions 8-6 (12)
The Lions were game with Jared Goff dueling Stafford well in the classic double-revenge game, but their beat-up defense had to submit and go into the tank in the second half. Dan Campbell's team is headed to have a year off to set up a strong comeback.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6 (15)
The Steelers will want more of the vintage Aaron Rodgers in a Monday night tuneup against the Dolphins and also to ensure they're right on winning the AFC North over the Ravens.
15. Indianapolis Colts 8-6 (14)
The Colts tried to play enough viable offense with Philip Rivers dinking and dunking playing off the run, but it wasn't either, wasting a good effort by the defense with a dream season turning into a nightmare fast.
16. Baltimore Ravens 7-7 (20)
The Ravens are seeing the real Lamar Jackson again with his hamstring injury not bothering him. It also helps when Derrick Henry is rolling for chunk runs. They will hope they can still make amends for the Steelers loss in Week 14.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-7 (17)
The Buccaneers got a little sloppy with their defensive coverage minus real pressure and put the Falcons in too many comfortable situations on Thursday night. Baker Mayfield is fortunate he can still lead a first-place team down the stretch with a huge Panthers revenge game next.
18. Carolina Panthers 7-7 (18)
The Panthers somehow have beaten the Rams and Packers but now have been swept by the Saints. Dave Canales' team keeps tantalizing its fans who expect to get a reality check against the Buccaneers.
19. Dallas Cowboys 6-7-1 (16)
The Cowboys have been going in the wrong direction right when they need to rally with their offense but their defensive shortcomings have been much too hard to overcome.
20. Miami Dolphins 6-7 (21)
The Dolphins have been splashing around to save Mike McDaniel and it might have just have worked with them rallying from a 1-6 start. A win against the Steelers keeps playoff hope alive.
21. Minnesota Vikings 6-8 (22)
The Vikings were playing for pride and trying to see more positive flashes for J.J. McCarthy in Dallas and he came through with a strong offensive night. The Vikings need every good vibe to close the season.
22. Kansas City Chiefs 6-8 (19)
The Chiefs are seeing all their issues from the past two seasons all come together to trip them up at the wrong time. Now the only concern is getting Patrick Mahomes back on the field to start next season.
MORE: Six reasons for the Chiefs disastrous Super Bowl hangover
23. Atlanta Falcons 5-9 (24)
The Falcons are rallying in trying to save Raheem Morris and getting a spoiler road win at Tampa Bay helps. Their defense, however, remains a major letdown.
24. New Orleans Saints 4-10 (25)
The Saints keep marching toward more positive vibes with Tyler Shough as Kellen Moore is finding an offensive spark through his young stars. The defense also is fighting harder to make plays with its veteran core.
25. Cincinnati Bengals 4-10 (23)
The Bengals should not be shut out with the level of offensive skill they have around Joe Burrow. The lack of pop against the Ravens when the defense was trying its best was rather disconcerting.
MORE: Joe Burrow gives brutal assessment of Bengals loss to Ravens
26. Washington Commanders 4-10 (27)
The Commanders should be thrilled on what Marcus Mariota is doing with the Kliff Kingsburgy offense minus Jayden Daniels. It should also make them regret not shutting down Daniels earlier in the season.
27. Arizona Cardinals 3-11 (26)
The Cardinals are not playing enough good defense to save Jonathan Gannon. The offense at least is saving some face with Trey McBride dominating.
28. New York Jets 3-11 (28)
The Jets showed a little life with Brady Cook at quarterback before he got overwhelmed because the defense couldn't stop anything or making any big plays per usual. Aaron Glenn got a tough deal and needs a lot of personnel help.
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order through Week 15
29. Cleveland Browns 3-11 (29)
The Browns crashed back to earth with Shedeur Sanders in the chill of Chicago. Their offensive line and shaky running game aren't helping and they need to add a lot more weaponry last season. Without Myles Garrett, they wouldn't be relevant.
MORE: Bears defense overwhelms Shedeur Sanders with three interceptions, five sacks
30. New York Giants 2-12 (30)
The Giants are showing plenty more flash with Jaxson Dart and their defense is playing hard, too, for Mike Kafka They are setting up to be much better with an overhaul soon.
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31. Tennessee Titans 2-12 (31)
The Titans stayed competitive as long as they could against the 49ers but the defense has grown into being a bigger problem than their offense for next season.
32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-12 (32)
The Raiders seem to be getting worse for Pete Carroll with their offense tanking even more without Chip Kelly. At least they're trending toward having their choice of franchise QB in the 2026 draft.
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