- The Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention: The Chiefs lost Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL and became unable to make the postseason with a 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
- The Broncos make a statement: The Broncos defeated the Packers 34-26 in Week 15, taking control of the AFC in the process.
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Estimated Reading Time: 27 minutes
The power rankings below provide clear tiers on each NFL team’s market assessment, offering a comprehensive view of team standings and future prospects. All of the information below and more can be found in PFF’s power rankings tool, which is available with a PFF+ subscription.
It’s important to note that these rankings consider more than just win-loss records and playoff seeding. Factors like player and team-level grades, offensive and defensive efficiency, prior performance from past seasons, and strength of schedule all play a role. This is why teams with worse records and slimmer playoff hopes may rank higher than those with better records who have managed wins against weaker opponents or delivered inconsistent performances from key players.
Click here to jump to a team:
ARZ | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
1. Los Angeles Rams (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 100%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 18%
After a back-and-forth first half, the Rams put on the jets and lifted off against the Lions in Week 15, defeating their NFC foes 41-34 in a matchup that had a big-fight feel to it. The Rams’ offense had success at every avenue. Running backs Kyren Williams (81.9 grade; 7th) and Blake Corum (78.1 grade; 13th) combined for 149 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford (93.3 grade; 1st) threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns, with 181 yards going to Puka Nacua (95.4 grade; 1st).
The Rams have scored 86 points in their last two games, and head into a huge Week 16 showdown against the Seahawks in good standing. They have a 61% chance of winning the NFC West, and a win against the Seahawks would all but seal the division.
2. Green Bay Packers (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 91%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 7%
Even though the Packers still have a 91% chance of making the playoffs and a 51% chance of winning the NFC North, their Week 15 loss to the Broncos came with significant consequences. Edge defender Micah Parsons (92.0 grade; 2nd) suffered a season-ending torn ACL, and his status for 2026 now comes into question, too. Naturally, that’ll leave Packers fans feeling reflective about the offseason trade to acquire Parsons, but the hope is the two-time All-Pro defender can return to his best next season.
Injuries to receiver Christian Watson (85.4 grade; 7th), tackle Zach Tom (83.5 grade; 9th) and safety Evan Williams (71.9; 22nd) also muddied the waters for the Packers in their pursuit of a Super Bowl. But, they’ll still likely have one of the best rosters in the NFC and will stick to the task at hand, even if it is a little tougher without Parsons.
3. Buffalo Bills (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: >99.9%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 9%
The battle for the AFC East isn’t over just yet. The Bills rallied from a big deficit for the second time in two weeks against the Patriots in Week 15, defeating their division foe 35-31 on the road. Overcoming slow starts has been the Bills’ penchant in recent games, and it’s served them well so far. Josh Allen (87.5 grade; 4th) and James Cook (80.7 grade; 8th) led the way in the comeback victory.
The Bills are now 10-4 and still second in the AFC East, but they’ve delayed the Patriots‘ celebrations a little longer and maybe thrown a spanner in the works. The defense played better ball in the second half — but still allowed a 52.2% rushing success rate, and is now 25th in success rate in 2025. The offense is rolling, but the elephant in the room is the defensive struggles.
4. Seattle Seahawks (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 99%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 10%
The Seahawks avoided a pitfall in Week 15, defeating the Colts 18-16 — courtesy of a late field goal from Jason Myers (91.8 grade). The offense had an average 43.3% success rate in the win and struggled in the red zone, but a perfect 6-for-6 kicking performance from Myers — as well as a strong showing from the defense — did enough to get the job done against the Colts and the returning Philip Rivers.
Most importantly, the Seahawks keep pace with the Rams atop the NFC West and walk into a division-deciding showdown in Week 16.
5. Houston Texans (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 95%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 9%
The Texans have hit their stride at the right time, moving to 9-5 on the year after a dominant 40-20 win against the Cardinals in Week 15. The defense remains a juggernaut, ranking first in EPA per play allowed and holding opponents to a league-best 16.3 points per game. But the offense, for a myriad of reasons, has been playing catch-up for most of the year. Since C.J. Stroud has been back under center, the Texans are 10th in EPA per play, and Stroud’s 70.4 grade is 18th among quarterbacks.
The playoffs beckon for Houston after an 0-3 start to the season.
6. Denver Broncos (Up 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 100%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 16%
The Broncos made a statement in their 34-26 win against the Packers in Week 15, making it 11 victories in a row while they moved to 12-2 on the season — taking full control of the top seed in the AFC. The win represented a big moment for quarterback Bo Nix (75.5 grade; 16th), too. The Broncos’ signal-caller completed 23-of-34 pass attempts for 302 yards and four touchdowns, earning an 83.1 overall PFF grade in likely the best game of his young career.
The offense has often been viewed as the unit that can hold the Broncos back from real postseason success, especially after a string of unconvincing performances in 2025. But games like this from Nix prove that the Denver offense — which is now 11th in EPA per play — is moving in the right direction. Maybe they’re real contenders after all.
7. Detroit Lions (Down 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 34%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 2%
The Lions did everything they could on offense. Jared Goff (77.3 grade; 12th) completed 25-of-41 pass attempts for 338 yards and three touchdowns, with receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (90.6 grade; 3rd) and Jameson Williams (75.9 grade; 25th) combining for 298 yards and three touchdowns — but the bunch couldn’t get over the hump against an excellent Rams team. A huge part of that was due to the defense allowing 519 total yards of offense to the Rams, permitting a 62.5% success rate.
The Detroit defense does still have the potential to get the job done, but the unit is now 21st in EPA per play on the year and has surrendered over 25 points in four straight games. The playoffs are still on the cards, but the defense needs to shape up.
8. Baltimore Ravens (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 39%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 3%
Step one for the Ravens was a roaring success. The performance from the offense was better in a 24-0 Week 15 win against the Bengals, with the unit averaging 7.9 yards per play. The damage was done through explosive plays — the Ravens generated four explosive passes and eight explosive runs, as Derrick Henry (70.8 grade; 29th) carried the ball 11 times for 100 yards on an 81.9 overall PFF grade.
The defense, which has taken some slack in 2025, was better, too. Baltimore permitted a 38.2% success rate while adding a pick-six touchdown to the scoring and shutting out the Bengals’ offense. The Ravens are now 7-7 and are doing what they have to do to recover in the race for the AFC North.
9. San Francisco 49ers (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 98%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
It was only the Titans’ defense, but this is the best the 49ers’ offense has looked since Brock Purdy (77.1 grade; 13th) stepped back into the lineup. Purdy compiled a 91.0 overall PFF grade while completing 23-of-30 pass attempts for 295 yards and three touchdowns, and the 49ers strolled to a 37-24 win to move to 10-4 on the season.
The 49ers have been forgotten about in the race for the NFC West title, but they’re still only a game behind the Rams and Seahawks. Plus, they have one more tilt remaining against the Seahawks. Regardless, they’re a near-lock for the playoffs.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 99%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
It feels like the Eagles have had multiple opportunities for a “get-right win” in 2025. A win that just stops the rut, gives you a little more momentum and a little more belief; the chance to put things right. They were presented with that same opportunity against the Raiders in Week 15 and thoroughly obliged, romping to a 31-0 triumph.
The defense swallowed the Raiders whole, holding them to 1.8 yards per play while sacking Kenny Pickett four times. The offense did what it needed to do, with Jalen Hurts (79.1 grade; 10th) throwing for 175 yards and three touchdowns on a 79.5 overall PFF grade. A good win for the Eagles, and one that likely seals their third NFC East title in the last four years.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 93%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
The Chargers have been playing objectively ugly football on offense over the last month of the season, ranking 29th in offensive EPA per play since Week 11. However, they’re 3-1 in that stretch and 10-4 on the season.
The Chargers are ostensibly doing the least Chargers things possible and winning the ugly games. The 16-13 victory against the Chiefs isn’t the Chargers’ best of the season, but it could be their most important. They’ve now got a 93% chance of making the playoffs despite their struggles.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (Up 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 98%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
In the last two weeks, Trevor Lawrence (79.6 grade; 9th) and the Jaguars’ offense have locked in. Lawrence delivered an emphatic performance in the 48-20 Week 15 win over the Jets, completing 20-of-32 pass attempts for 330 yards and six total touchdowns (five passing, one rushing), registering a career-high 93.5 overall PFF grade in the win. Indeed, Lawrence has earned a 94.0 grade over the last three weeks — the highest among quarterbacks.
The Jaguars have won six of their last seven games coming out of their bye week, and are 10th in offensive success rate since Week 9. They have a 49% chance of winning the AFC South, and one more win would secure their best regular-season record since 2007.
13. Chicago Bears (Up 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 77%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 3%
The Bears got back to winning ways in Week 15 after a tough loss against the Packers the previous week. The Browns’ defense had the potential to provide a challenge, but the Bears were effective and efficient — generating 361 yards of offense and scoring four touchdowns — while the defense forced three interceptions of Shedeur Sanders. The Bears now have 30 total takeaways on the season, the most in the NFL.
Though the defense has its weaknesses, if it’s able to consistently generate turnovers, the unit can put the offense in good positions. The Bears now have 10 wins for the first time since 2018, and have a 77% chance of making the postseason.
14. New England Patriots (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: >99.9%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
The Patriots let an opportunity slip to all but seal the AFC East in Week 15, giving up a 21-0 lead against the Bills to lose 35-31 in Foxborough. The offense was dominant in the first half, with Drake Maye (87.0 grade; 6th) completing 14-of-23 passes for 155 yards and an interception. Still, he showed off his ability to create out of the pocket, adding four carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns, while TreVeyon Henderson (66.8 grade; 42nd) carried the ball 14 times for 148 yards. The rookie ripped off two huge touchdown runs en route to an 83.3 overall PFF grade.
Killing off the Bills in the second half was a problem. The offense stalled out, while the Bills’ offense got things going on the ground, and Josh Allen — as Allen does — took over. This could have been a crowning performance for Maye on his MVP ballot, and for the Patriots in pursuit of their first AFC East title since 2019. For now, the wait goes on.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 61%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 2%
After two defeats in a row put their playoff chances in jeopardy, the Steelers have responded with toughness and grit — an answer indicative of the Mike Tomlin era. The Steelers are now 8-6 with a 61% chance of making the playoffs after a comfortable 28-15 win against the Dolphins in Week 15. Aaron Rodgers (65.7 grade; 32nd) completed 23-of-27 pass attempts for 224 yards and two touchdowns in the win, notching a 73.0 overall PFF grade, while the offense rushed for 132 yards.
The Steelers face a tough test against the Lions in Week 16.
16. Minnesota Vikings (Up 3)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Vikings will be pleased on two fronts. They’ve now won back-to-back games for the first time with J.J. McCarthy (63.7 grade; 33rd) under center, and they’ve not done it despite him. McCarthy has been playing great football over the last two weeks and compiled an 89.7 overall PFF grade against the Cowboys — a career-high for the 2024 first-round pick.
In that time, McCarthy has had five big-time throws against zero turnover-worthy plays. That’s a positive sign for a player who tallied 12 turnover-worthy plays in his first six games.
17. Dallas Cowboys (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 1%
Chance of winning Super Bowl:
Despite playing turnover-free football, outgaining the Vikings by close to 100 yards and forcing a turnover, the Cowboys fell 34-26 in Week 15 and are now 6-7-1. They also have just a 1% chance of making the playoffs.
The offense has been hot all season, but scoring on just two of five red zone drives — as well as the usually automatic Brandon Aubrey (94.6 grade) missing two field goals — meant the Cowboys came up short. Their playoff hopes are dashed for the second straight season.
18. Indianapolis Colts (Up 4)
Chance of making playoffs: 14%
Chance of winning Super Bowl:
For a guy who hadn’t played an NFL game in nearly five years, Philip Rivers did just about as well as anyone could in those circumstances, especially when starting against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Rivers notched a 55.5 overall PFF grade, completing 18-of-27 passes for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the 18-16 loss to the Seahawks.
Whether that sort of performance can stick for the Colts is key. If they want to make the playoffs — and they still have a 14% chance of doing so — they’ll need Rivers to play competent football against the 49ers in Week 16.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (Down 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Bengals’ playoff hopes officially ended with a whimper in Week 15, losing 24-0 to the Ravens just two weeks after defeating them 32-14 in Joe Burrow’s (88.5 grade; 3rd) return to action. The Bengals have now missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, and Burrow’s comments last week are indicative of a quarterback who’s had enough of losing.
Things have to change in Cincinnati in the offseason, especially if they want to appease Burrow. The poorly-timed injuries to Burrow in recent seasons, including in 2025, haven’t helped, but the Bengals just don’t feel like a well-constructed roster — especially on defense, where the Bengals rank dead last in EPA per play allowed.
There’s a lot of work to be done in Cincinnati. Does it start with a head coaching change?
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 76%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 1%
The Buccaneers let a 14-point lead slip against the Falcons in Week 15, losing 29-28 in an upset. That opened the door for the Panthers to take control of the NFC South, but count the Buccaneers lucky. The offense looked better with Mike Evans (70.4 grade) back on the field, and that should aid the Buccaneers down the stretch. Evans caught six passes for 132 yards, compiling an 84.8 overall PFF grade and averaging 22.0 yards per reception.
But ultimately, the Buccaneers’ defense was carved up by Kirk Cousins, and the unit couldn’t hold on. Tampa Bay caught a break with the Panthers losing, but the Week 16 showdown between the two 7-7 teams will likely decide the fate of the division.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (Down 14)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
It’ll be hard not to eulogize the Chiefs after their 16-13 loss to the Chargers in Week 15. That firmly, and finally, shut the door on the Chiefs’ postseason ambitions, but the bigger storyline coming out of the loss was the torn ACL suffered by Patrick Mahomes (76.0 grade; 15th). The Chiefs were likely heading into an offseason of transition — something that needed to happen if they wanted to compete in 2026 and beyond — but with Mahomes likely on the shelf to start next season, their path to contention becomes less clear.
Mahomes will presumably return to full health and take his rightful seat at the table once again, but it’s fair for Chiefs fans to feel the doom and gloom of it all. There’s been some Chiefs fatigue over the last few seasons — purely because of their continued success — but the NFL will be a little less exciting without Mahomes on the field. But he’ll be back.
22. Miami Dolphins (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The curtain is likely coming down on Tua Tagovailoa’s (62.8 grade; 34th) stint as the Dolphins’ starter. His 2026 cap hit does mean there is a chance he’s still on the roster next season, but the Dolphins could be on the hunt for a new quarterback regardless.
The Dolphins have shown in recent weeks that they’ve got the chops to be a strong power-run team, even if it didn’t appear in the 28-15 loss against the Steelers. In their four-game win streak, they were fifth in rushing success rate and 25th in passing success rate. It’s a small sample size, but if Mike McDaniel is still the head coach, that could be the vision.
23. Atlanta Falcons (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Falcons watched Kirk Cousins (74.9 grade; 17th) roll back the years against the Buccaneers in Week 15, delivering an excellent performance on top of the best game of Kyle Pitts’ (71.7 grade; 19th) career. The former first-round pick caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 90.4 overall PFF grade, while Cousins passed for 373 yards and three touchdowns on a 78.0 grade.
While there’s nothing left to play for for the Falcons, it does serve as a reminder that the team possesses a wealth of talent on the offensive side of the ball.
24. Arizona Cardinals (Up 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Cardinals’ season is ending with a whimper. They’ve lost 11 of their last 12 games and given up 40 points in four of their last six defeats. A season that started with promise has unraveled, and the Cardinals are in a familiar position of dread heading into 2026.
There’s a growing sense that the team will move on from quarterback Kyler Murray (72.1 grade; 20th), and if they do, they’re likely going to be in range for a top-5 pick. If they’re not, even bigger questions will be asked moving forward.
25. Washington Commanders (Down 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
With a 4-10 record and little to play for over the final three weeks of the season, the Commanders made the smart decision to sit Jayden Daniels (74.9 grade; 17th) for the rest of the season and allow him to get healthy for the 2026 season. It’s waving the white flag, but it’s the pragmatic move. The Commanders’ franchise quarterback has been banged up too many times in 2025, and there’s no sense in throwing him into the fire while he’s already fighting multiple injuries.
The Commanders did piece together a nice 29-21 win against the Giants in Week 15. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (73.2 grade; 23rd) carried the ball 18 times for 96 yards and a touchdown, forcing six missed tackles and earning a 70.7 overall PFF grade. That’s good work for the rookie who’s struggled to find playing time in recent weeks.
26. Carolina Panthers (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 24%
Chance of winning Super Bowl:
The Panthers had a golden chance to move to the top of the NFC South in Week 15. They just had to avoid the same pitfall that plagued the Buccaneers in Week 14: don’t lose to the basement-dwelling Saints. If they could do that, they’d be 8-6 heading into a potential division-clinching tie against the Buccaneers in Week 16. But, as is the norm for the NFC South, they couldn’t make it happen.
The Carolina offense had a low 36.8% success rate in the loss, though Bryce Young (66.9 grade; 31st) connected on 5-of-7 throws of over 10 yards for 126 yards and a touchdown. That included a beautiful 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker (72.3 grade; 40th) while compiling a 78.4 overall PFF grade. It all comes down to next week.
27. New York Giants (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
More than the 29-21 loss to the Commanders in Week 15 is the fact that Jaxson Dart (69.1 grade; 27th) was evaluated for a concussion for the fifth time this season. That’s nothing short of a terrifying prospect.
Dart’s style of play naturally means he’s going to incur more hits, but between now and the end of the season, there may be a concerted effort to dial back those high-risk plays. There’s a franchise quarterback in there — it’s not difficult to see — and that probably exists in part due to Dart’s reckless abandonment. The Giants have to protect their guy out there.
28. Cleveland Browns (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
After an impressive display against the Titans in Week 14, Shedeur Sanders (45.9 grade; 42nd) and the Browns’ offense snapped back to reality against a league-average defense, losing 31-3 to the Bears in Week 15. Sanders threw three interceptions, had four turnover-worthy plays and notched a 33.2 overall PFF grade in the loss.
With time and improved surroundings, Sanders could be better — but he’ll still, justifiably, be graded on his performances between now and the end of the season. So far, the signs aren’t great.
29. New Orleans Saints (Up 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Saints have won back-to-back games to move to 4-10, beating their division rival Carolina Panthers, 20-17 in Week 15. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (77.4 grade; 11th) was excellent once again, completing 24-of-32 pass attempts for 272 yards and a touchdown, registering an 80.6 overall PFF grade.
Shough has put together a nice stretch of play in 2025. As the Saints move further away from challenging for the No. 1 pick, there’s every reason to believe that Shough can earn the starting spot in 2026.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Raiders were shut out for the second time this season in their second 31-0 loss of the year in Week 15 against the Eagles. With Geno Smith (61.2 grade; 36th) out, backup Kenny Pickett got the start against his old team, but looked lost against an aggressive Eagles defense.
The Raiders feel like a roster beyond hope. The Pete Carroll hire hasn’t worked out in Year 1, and though you want the former Super Bowl-winning head coach to earn the benefit of the doubt, things have played out so poorly. Sure, the offensive line has been bad, and that’s exacerbated some issues, but can Carroll turn it all around?
31. New York Jets (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
The Jets fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks off the back of their 48-20 loss against the Jaguars in Week 15. Though it’s never nice to see someone lose their job, the Jets had to make a move. The defense is 28th in EPA per play allowed on the year, and has cratered since losing their top two defensive players, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner.
That’s to be expected, but something has to change. The Aaron Glenn era hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts and is going to end with little noise.
32. Tennessee Titans (No change)
Chance of making playoffs: 0%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 0%
It only took 15 games, but the Titans played a full contest where they didn’t allow a sack in a 37-24 losing effort to the 49ers. Cam Ward (56.1 grade; 39th) had some nice flashes, including two touchdowns and two big-time throws, but was limited to just a 59.1 overall PFF grade.
The Titans’ run game has been impressive in recent weeks and is fifth in rushing success rate over the last two weeks. That, combined with the sack-free game for Ward, is a sign that this offensive line is starting to play a little better.
