NFL Power Rankings by division entering Week 13

NFL Power Rankings by division entering Week 13Story byList WireCarolina Panthers linebacker Krys Barnes (40) and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (57) tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.Barry Werner, List WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM UTC·7 min read

Week 12 is in the books, and it saw a monumental comeback by the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles. That dropped the Birds from first place in the Power Rankings. What team moves into the coveted yet treacherous slot? And how about those streaking New England Patriots, who keep winning and opening space on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. The league heads into a busy Thanksgiving week schedule with all 32 teams putting their Power Ranking slots on the line.

AFC East

New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III breaks up a pass to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley.

4. New York Jets (2- 9)

Tyrod Taylor of the New York Jets.

The Jets gave the Ravens a tussle but in the end the result was the same, another loss. This team is going to have to address the QB position through the draft or free agency. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 27

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3. Miami Dolphins (4-7)

Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Washington Commanders in overtime during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bye week. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 21

2. Buffalo Bills (7-4)

Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills runs after a catch.

The Bills were manhandled by the Texans' defense. Josh Allen is showing an old propensity for throwing picks. There has to be serious concern as Buffalo gets ready for a Pittsburgh team that also needs a win. There is a lack of talent at wideout, too. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 10

1. New England Patriots (10-2)

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is stopped at the goal line.

Another week, another win for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots. They are on some kind of role and have the New York Giants next. What more can anyone ask for? Overall NFL Power Ranking: 2

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry celebrates with wide receiver Zay Flowers.

4. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders celebrates with running back Dylan Sampson.

Did the Browns find their quarterback in Shedeur Sanders? Or was he simply playing against the feeble Raiders? Would be fascinating if after all the draft drama Sanders turned out to be a real one. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 26

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3. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas catches a pass in the third quarter.

The Bengals lost, again. The good news is the defense didn't allow 30 points. However, is it worth bringing Joe Burrow back against the Ravens on Thursday? Think long term when the present is bleak. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 25

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

The Steelers are slumping big time. And now the Ravens are sitting atop the AFC North after starting 1-5. Yes, it could be technically tiebreakers but all that can change this weekend with Baltimore playing Cincy and Pittsburgh against Buffalo. And not in a good way. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 18

1. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout (11) and fullback Patrick Ricard celebrate.

The Ravens continued their roll. It wasn't as easy as expected but a win is a win, especially when a team is on a five-game heater. The Bengals are next on Thanksgiving. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 11

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AFC South

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones runs against the Kansas City Chiefs.

4. Tennessee Titans (1-10)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward passes during the fourth quarter.

At least they can get another high draft pick. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 32

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence calls out a play.

Life and death to beat the Cardinals. It was a road win so that is a positive but it is hard to believe in the Jaguars. They have not done enough to create blind faith. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 15

2. Houston Texans (6-5)

Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock celebrates after an interception.

A great win against the Bills and everyone got to see how incredible this defense is in Houston. If the offense could only holds its own but there is no assurance that will happen. Still, a scary opponent. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 14

1. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)

Germaine Pratt of the Indianapolis Colts tackles Patrick Mahomes.

It looked like the Colts had the Chiefs ... and then they didn't. The performance was decent but KC showed other teams how to stop Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor. Indy still has what it takes it just will need to build and learn off a tough defeat. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 6

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AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones reacts in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts.

4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after an incomplete pass.

The Raiders are awful. The Browns made them look terrible. They need to start over, again. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 31

3. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides down as no penalty is called on Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman.

Bye week. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 16

2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice makes a catch.

Just when it looked like the Chiefs were done, Patrick Mahomes willed them to victory. Sets up a fascinating game on Thursday at Dallas. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 8

1. Denver Broncos (9-2)

Nov 16, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) celebrates his game winning filed goal in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Bye week. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 3

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott runs with the ball in attempt to score a touchdown.

4. New York Giants (2-10)

Rock Ya-Sin of the Detroit Lions breaks up a pass intended for Theo Johnson.

The Giants were the first NFL team to be eliminated from playoff possibilities. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 30

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3. Washington Commanders (3-8)

Chris Rodriguez Jr. of Washington Commanders is tackled by Ashtyn Davis of the Miami Dolphins.

Bye week. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 24

2. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)

Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey kicks a field goal to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.

A huge comeback with plenty of inspired play by the Cowboys. One has to wonder what the Steelers didn't realize they had in George Pickens. How were they not able to keep his head in the game? Overall NFL Power Ranking: 17

1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is brought down by Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.

So much for the Eagles being the top team in the Power Rankings. Blowing a 21-0 lead in any game is awful. Against the hated Cowboys is horrendous. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 5

NFC North

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) reacts with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (75) after scoring a touchdown.

4. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs prevents Minnesota Vikings safety Tavierre Thomas from downing a punt.

And now the questions about whether J.J. McCarthy is the answer at QB get louder and louder. And they won't stop in Week 13 when the Vikings see old friend Sam Darnold. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 22

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3. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)

Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie celbrates a second-half interception with safety Javon Bullard (20) and safety Xavier McKinney (29).

That was more like it from Green Bay. The Packers didn't overpower Minnesota but the defense stifled the Vikings. There is still a lot to prove with game at Detroit on Thanksgiving. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 13

2. Chicago Bears (8-3)

Chicago Bears linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (45) and linebacker D'Marco Jackson (48) react after a defensive stop.

The Bears lead the division. That is shocking. Still not convinced they are the second-best team here but Green Bay has shown flaws. So, for the time being the Bears are in front of the Lions ... and behind them here. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 12

1. Detroit Lions (7-4)

Detroit Lions safety Thomas Harper intercepts a pass intended.

The Lions were threatened by the meek Giants. They had to pull out all the stops and needed some bad decisions by Big Blue's coaching staff to escape. They better be ready for Green Bay. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 7

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NFC South

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant runs with the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton after intercepting a pass.

4. New Orleans Saints (2-9)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) looks to throw downfield against the Atlanta Falcons.

Just another loss for the Saints. Kellen Moore is in a bad situation that will need a tremendous amount of overhaul. Why would a 2-9 team bring in Justin Tucker for a kicking tryout? Hasn't this season created enough bad? Overall NFL Power Ranking: 29

3. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo (0) breaks up the pass to New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal.

So, all along Kirk Cousins was the answer at QB. Kidding. Atlanta still is unpredictable and that isn't good. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 23

2. Carolina Panthers (6-6)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan makes a touchdown catch.

The Carolina defense did its job, picking off three Brock Purdy passes in the first half. The offense was no match for Robert Saleh's defense. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 19

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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson celebrates with running back Rachaad White.

The Bucs have lost three in a row and Baker Mayfield left SoFi Stadium in a sling. Troubling. The division is awful and Tampa Bay has played so poorly the Panthers are flirting with them in the NFC South race. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 20

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates with cornerback Cobie Durant after Durant returned an interception for a touchdown.

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Pharaoh Brown) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Bam Knight.

Arizona once again does just enough to stay close ... and then lose. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 28

3. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey rushes for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

This one goes to the defense. It shut down Carolina every way. Brock Purdy needs to sharpen his passing game. Can't keep expect Christian McCaffrey to thrive with 30-plus touches a game. Give him a break and we don't mean during the bye in Week 14. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 9

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2. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold drops back during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.

The final score said the margin was six points. Don't be fooled. Seattle had this one from the opening kickoff. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 4

1. Los Angeles Rams (8-2)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Los Angeles continues to mow down opponents. The Rams are fantastic and balanced on offense and terrifying on defense. Welcome to the top spot in the Power Rankings. Overall NFL Power Ranking: 1

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Week 13: Power Rankings by Division

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