2025 NFL Power Rankings: End of Season Edition
We’ve made it to the end of the regular season, which means it’s time for my final power rankings! Eighteen teams said goodbye this week, though many of them knew the end was upon them weeks ago. Maybe even months ago for a select few. They’ll all have the draft and free agency to try and climb up the rankings later. But for now, here are my end of season 2025 NFL power rankings!
32. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14; Previous Ranking: 26)
The team with the worst record doesn’t always end up last in power rankings. However, when you lose another bottom-5 team in a blowout at home near the end of the season, it makes my decision much easier. In fact, they made it for me! By tanking so hard, the Raiders clearly wanted this “honor”, or at least the #1 draft pick. Now they’ve fired HC Pete Carroll because he didn’t magically turn the league’s worst offensive line into a champion or something. I hope minority owner Tom Brady knows what he’s doing because if he whiffs on this upcoming QB pick, Las Vegas will be worse off than when they started this messed up rebuild.
31. New York Jets (3-14; Previous Ranking: 30)
I almost put the Jets below Las Vegas. They’re nearly a worse team despite actually trying to win. For the first time in NFL history, a team went an entire season without catching an INT on defense. I’d blame this on the team’s trade of CB Sauce Gardner, but he almost never picked off passes himself. Rookie HC Aaron Glenn never had a chance with the trio of Justin Fields, an injured Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook as his QB options. That position has to improve if the Jets want to ever escape from the cellar, though they’ve proven inept at drafting QBs. Even if they hit on one, most of the roster is pretty devoid of talent.
30. Tennessee Titans (3-14; Previous Ranking: 32)
Congratulations to the Titans for climbing out of last place! For a while, things were looking pretty bleak for them. Quietly, we saw some signs of progress late in the season, especially with rookie QB Cam Ward. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen less attention given to a #1 draft pick, but if you’ve been paying attention, you know that his production is ticking upward. His protection needs to get better, he needs a bona-fide #1 receiver, and the defense needs SOMEONE to help out All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons. On top of that, Tennessee needs to get the next coaching hire right. That person will determine how Ward’s development goes from here.
29. Arizona Cardinals (3-14; Previous Ranking: 18)
There’s a world in which Arizona could have entered the home stretch with a winning record. It’s true: many of their games came down to the final seconds, and the Cardinals were really competitive for a while. Once QB Kyler Murray got hurt and Jacoby Brissett came in, the offense improved. TE Trey McBride could suddenly catch TEs, and WR Marvin Harrison came alive before getting hurt himself. However, the bottom fell out for the defense, culminating in an abysmal record and the firing of HC Jonathan Gannon. A split with Murray should come soon, but the #3 draft pick might not get the Cards who they want.
28. Washington Commanders (5-12; Previous Ranking: 28)
I warned you about the regression I was expecting out of the Commanders. This team felt like a classic case of overachieving, but everyone anointed QB Jayden Daniels as the savior. Fast forward a year, and Daniels spent multiple stints in the trainer’s room because his slight frame can’t hold up. Truth be told, this team was not very good before their bad injury luck struck. They’ve truly been decimated, and I’m not sure a healthy Daniels would’ve made a difference. The aging veterans in Washington can only carry them so far. It’s time for this team to build up a young core that can give them sustainable success moving forward.
27. New York Giants (4-13; Previous Ranking: 25)
After a 9-game stretch of looking like a bottom-two team, New York showed signs of life. Interim HC Mike Kafka got more fight out of this squad than ownership really deserved, and they won their final two games. That cost NYG 4 spots in the draft order, but GM Joe Schoen would’ve messed that pick up anyway. I don’t know how he’s safe. On the plus side, people around the league really like rookie QB Jaxson Dart. Hopefully he’ll learn to slide one of these days, but if you squint, you can see potential. WR Malik Nabers should be back by week 1, so we’ll really be able to see how Dart can develop with a #1 wideout.
26. Miami Dolphins (7-10; Previous Ranking: 27)
Surprisingly, the Dolphins are actually slightly higher now than they were the last time we did this, but the vibes are much worse in Miami. The team benched QB Tua Tagovailoa because apparently a rhythm-based passer is supposed to be at his best without WR Tyreek Hill or a functional pass-blocking line. Coach Mike McDaniel has lost all credibility with me as a result, but he’s evidently staying. The defense got better as the season went on and the schedule softened, though I still think several secondary upgrades are warranted. Miami’s next move is to hire a GM, who hopefully won’t be as bad as Chris Grier was.
25. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11; Previous Ranking: 7)
No team fell more in these rankings, but no team had a bigger injury either. I struggled with placing the Chiefs. On the one hand, if you took their roster and began next season with the exact same players, they’d be much better than 25th. On the other hand, I had to take their current performance into account. Since QB Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, this team has been abysmal. In fact, they just lost to the Raiders without either team scoring a TD. This season was a shock to the system, one that ideally will make them refocus on ensuring that Mahomes has the proper support. In the long run, the Chiefs might benefit from this experience.
24. Cleveland Browns (5-12; Previous Ranking: 29)
It’s really a shame that I have to rank a team with such a good defense this low. That unit carried them upward from the previous rankings and single-handedly won the Browns their final 2 games. The mini win streak couldn’t save HC Kevin Stefanski, who got fired while GM Andrew Berry (the architect of this disastrous offense) remains. As always with the Browns, the problem starts at QB. Neither rookie proved to be the answer, and Deshaun Watson is on the books for one more year. Before throwing a high pick at the problem though, I’d suggest upgrading a decrepit line and finding a #1 receiver if they want a new QB to thrive.
23. New Orleans Saints (6-11; Previous Ranking: 31)
Left for dead by many (including me) midway through the year, the Saints have surged forward in recent weeks. Much of the improvement is due to 2nd-round rookie QB Tyler Shough, who is taking major strides each week. Along with his development, the defense that was thought to be too old turned back the clock. New Orleans’ recent first-round tackles look good, and WR Chris Olave is fully back from his concussion-riddled 2024 season. The Saints’ offense improved without star RB Alvin Kamara available. It may be best to forgo a QB in the 2026 draft and give Shough a chance next year with more resources. He’s earned it.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11; Previous Ranking: 21)
So…QB Joe Burrow coming back early didn’t fix things. I didn’t expect it to; Joe Flacco played really well in relief! The defense was just a historically bad unit for most of the season. I’ll give it credit for improving a bit at the end, but it’s still pretty awful, as evidenced by the final drive against the Browns in week 18. Burrow himself had a couple of clunkers but was mostly good. Cincinnati learned that playing without DE Trey Hendrickson is a losing proposition, and he’s now a free agent who’s likely to leave. Their first-round pick MUST be spent on an instant defensive starter. The last few selections haven’t really panned out.
21. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1; Previous Ranking: 19)
Dallas gave us some fool’s gold midway through the season. The acquisition of DT Quinnen Williams gave them a major boost after the trade deadline, but the defense fell back to earth shortly thereafter. DC Matt Eberflus is out as a result. The offense, while still good, understandably couldn’t keep up its incredible pace. This team has a chance to win every game thanks to their scoring prowess. Like the Bengals above though, the defense has to at least become league-average. Many will be quick to blame the Micah Parsons trade. He was a big loss, but even he couldn’t make this defense a respectable unit by himself.
20. Indianapolis Colts (8-9; Previous Ranking: 10)
It appears that I was correct to not believe in the Colts after their 7-1 start. Inside the organization, Daniel Jones tearing his Achilles was the death knell. I disagree. The losses started piling up as soon as the second-half strength-of-schedule enhancement took effect. Philip Rivers played well and became an inspiring story, but he couldn’t save an injured defense that really didn’t do many things well down the stretch. The Colts ended up with the same record as last year but in a different fashion. Both GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen are returning, so I’m not hopeful that things will change.
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9; Previous Ranking: 23)
I’m not sure I’ve ever ranked a division winner lower than the Panthers are here. Then again, I’ve only ever had one division winner with a losing record during this site’s existence, and that team had Tom Brady. Carolina’s most impressive wins feel really fluky to me, especially the game against the Rams. I don’t want to sound like a downer though: what HC Dave Canales has done here is really special. The Panthers were a laughing stock for a long time. Now the defense is respectable and the offense is at least occasionally competent. The jury is still out on QB Bryce Young, but he’s come along way since just last year.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9; Previous Ranking: 5)
Well now, that was quite the collapse. Tampa began the year 6-2, and the common thought was that if they played so well with a plethora of injuries, imagine what would happen once they got their players back! They did indeed get healthier, but they just couldn’t click. The Bucs’ offense felt like a struggle instead of flowing like it did before. Defensively, injuries and predictable play calling from HC Todd Bowles did them no favors. At their best, they can still be a dangerous team. Because they couldn’t generate that sort of power very much in the second half of the year though, their season and reign over the NFC South have both ended.
17. Baltimore Ravens (8-9; Previous Ranking: 15)
For a moment, I had Baltimore a bit higher than 17th and wondered if that was right. As soon as they fired HC John Harbaugh, I dropped them back down immediately. I don’t know what they’re thinking. QB Lamar Jackson missed time and then returned and played poorly for a while. S Kyle Hamilton missed a bit of action too, and the defense clearly isn’t the same when he’s not out there. The Ravens have been one of the better overall teams in the league for a long time, and that stems from their head coach. If they couldn’t succeed in the playoffs before, imagine what will happen without Harbaugh. It could be a rude awakening.
16. Minnesota Vikings (9-8; Previous Ranking: 22)
Among all 32 teams, this is the one I think could be SO GOOD if not for their QB. Kevin O’Connell has proven to be an excellent coach. Playmakers are everywhere, led of course by WR Justin Jefferson. The defense is so ferocious that DC Brian Flores is a hot HC candidate again. Everything here is in fantastic shape…except at one spot. JJ McCarthy is making this team rue letting so many superior options walk out the door. Even if he somehow improves his play, he’s made of glass and gets hurt every few quarters. Not much separates this team from the 14-3 Vikings of 2024. Just the most important position in all of sports.
15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9; Previous Ranking: 24)
If Kirk Cousins had started all year, the Falcons would’ve won the NFC south. Instead, they rode the inconsistencies of 2nd-year QB Michael Penix Jr until his knee blew out. By the way, that’s his third ever ACL tear. Cousins led a resurgence and won the team’s final 4 games, no doubt because his presence made RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts focal points. Poor roster management caused Atlanta to clean house, and they’re now the only team with both HC and GM openings. On the whole, the defense looks better, and the offense has talent. Someone needs to put it all together. We’ll see if that includes Penix.
14. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1; Previous Ranking: 11)
Green Bay had a roller coaster ride of a season. If I did weekly power rankings, you’d see them rise and fall throughout the year. Right now, they’re honestly in shambles. QB Jordan Love is just now returning from concussion protocol, and I don’t fully trust him anyway. The defense started to falter as soon as Micah Parsons got hurt, and the Packers have lost 4 straight games. At their peak, Green Bay is a real threat with no glaring weaknesses. For obvious and unavoidable reasons, they’re not in that state right now. I applaud them for making it this far without some of their best players. How much further can they really go though?
13. Detroit Lions (9-8; Previous Ranking: 9)
Yes, the Lions lost to Minnesota and Green Bay twice each but are still ranked ahead of them. That’s simply because I consider them the better team. Realistically, they haven’t been that better team consistently this year. For the second straight season, the defense dealt with a slew of injuries. I think the entire starting secondary is on IR now. What changed in 2025 is that the O-line took some hits, and Detroit couldn’t overcome that. You saw their greatness in spurts this year, just not all the time. The fact that 9-8 is considered a major disappointment tells you how good the Lions can be when they’re at full strength.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7; Previous Ranking: 12)
While the Steelers are VERY lucky to have won the AFC North, they were the most deserving option among the 4 teams. This team is considerably better than the one that went 2-5 in the middle of the season. Defensively, a highly paid and brand-name unit hasn’t been perfect, but it has improved. Just as crucially, QB Aaron Rodgers looks more comfortable in the offense, particular when WR DK Metcalf is available and not suspended. It still seems like a stretch to say that Pittsburgh has a shot at the Super Bowl, but they certainly won’t be an easy out for their opponents. A Mike Tomlin-coached team never is.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6; Previous Ranking: 14)
QB Justin Herbert is trying his best, but both of his tackles are gone. It’s laudable that the Chargers have continued to earn some wins without both LT Rashawn Slater and RT Joe Alt. Eventually though, all those hits on Herbert are going to catch up to the Bolts. With that in mind, I wanted to highlight the defense. Without much fanfare, DC Jesse Minter has this unit in the top 10. I haven’t seen S Derwin James play this well in a long time, and DE Tuli Tuipulotu is breaking out before our eyes. The entire defense plays with a relentless combined motor, and that alone gives LA a fighting chance each and every week.
10. Chicago Bears (11-6; Previous Ranking: 17)
There’s a certain skill required to win so many one-score games. However, there’s also some luck involved. The fact that Chicago produces so many amazing comebacks is less fluky, but they also aren’t the most convincing 11-6 team out there. While the Bears do go dead for stretches at a time, you can’t deny their 4th-quarter magic. QB Caleb Williams finally looks like a #1 pick with HC Ben Johnson guiding him. Offensively, Chicago is excellent now. On defense, they cannot rush the passer when DE Montez Sweat gets double teamed (so always), meaning that games may be shootouts. For once, the Bears can win those.
9. Buffalo Bills (12-5; Previous Ranking: 2)
Something seems a bit off about the Bills. Maybe it’s the lack of a threatening WR anywhere on the roster. It could also be a porous run defense that’ll be a major liability when snow falls. Buffalo is still a 12-win team, and QB Josh Allen isn’t playing much worse than he did during his 2024 MVP season. With him around, the team always has a chance. That’s doubly true this year without the Chiefs, Bengals, or Ravens standing in the way of their Super Bowl dreams. Allen needs to be his very best though because this isn’t his greatest supporting cast. It’ll be up to him to get the Bills where they want to go.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6; Previous Ranking: 4)
Good news Eagles fans: they didn’t have that 2023-style collapse I was worried about. Bad news: the offense is still maddeningly inconsistent. RB Saquon Barkley isn’t getting the running lanes he saw last year, QB Jalen Hurts is inaccurate at times, and WR AJ Brown occasionally goes incognito for no apparent reason. On defense though, Philly is elite. Led by the league’s best DT duo of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, there are three levels of young talent that attack any offense in their way. That’s the Eagles’ recipe for success: play ball control and let DC Vic Fangio and his unit soar. Their defense is a Super Bowl-caliber lineup.
7. New England Patriots (14-3; Previous Ranking: 8)
Ranking the Patriots was tough. Under new HC Mike Vrabel, they’ve clearly improved immensely from where they were a season ago. As a counterpoint, New England played the league’s easiest schedule (their SOS was a putrid .391), which may be inflating their performance. I don’t think they’re as stout on the lines of scrimmage as some other teams are, but QB Drake Maye has blossomed into a real star. New England is much better than I thought they’d be, but still don’t seem like true contenders just yet. Our ability to even have that discussion tells you what an outstanding job Vrabel has done with this franchise.
6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5; Previous Ranking: 13)
I’ve heard people say that this is the best coaching job ever done by Kyle Shanahan. I happen to completely agree. There’s no reason San Francisco should’ve been alive for the #1 season in week 18 with all the injuries they’ve had. Both on offense and defense, so many key players have missed or are currently missing significant time. SF’s offense has been hot since QB Brock Purdy returned (the Seattle game notwithstanding), but the defense is getting worse because even more players are out (LB Tatum Bethune is the latest). The 49ers have too many injuries to win it all, but they’re still a very good team.
5. Denver Broncos (14-3; Previous Ranking: 6)
Going in the complete opposite direction from San Francisco, the Broncos have the #2 defense in the league. They could probably be #1 if they played with a bit more discipline, but that’s nitpicking. Where I really need to see improvement is on offense. That group is capable, but I see games like the recent ones against the Chargers and Chiefs where they don’t play to their potential. HC Sean Payton is a mastermind on that side of the ball, so I trust him to figure it out, especially with a bye week ahead. His ability to pull that off will tell us whether Denver is just lucky in one-score games and the 4th quarter or if they’re for real.
4. Houston Texans (12-5; Previous Ranking: 20)
Next we come to our biggest riser in the rankings. Appropriately, they’re one rank ahead of Denver, as they’re also one spot above them as the top defense in football. There’s no weakness on that unit, with elite talent at all three levels. No team has an edge rushing tandem like Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. The Texans’ offensive line didn’t completely sabotage them like I thought it would, but the offense still goes quiet for quarters at a time. At this point in the season, they are who they are: a defense-led team that only needs to score 20 points a game to feel good about their chances of winning. They can do the job.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4; Previous Ranking: 16)
Our second-biggest riser follows our first. First-year HC Liam Coen could win coach of the year based on what he’s done for the Jaguars. Former #1 pick Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career by far. I’m not just seeing flashes anymore; it’s consistent excellence. Jacksonville’s defense is #1 against the run and one of the best at creating turnovers. Despite their quick ascent, these Jags seem to be legitimate and a very complete team. Their wins against the Broncos and Chargers are two of the biggest statements on any resume. A win against Buffalo this weekend could propel them much further.
2. Los Angeles Rams (12-5; Previous Ranking: 1)
Losing two of their last 3 games had to cost the Rams their #1 ranking. LA is still too inconsistent for my comfort, but those losses were pretty fluky, and I still believe in them as an elite squad. In week 18, they got LT Alaric Jackson and TE Tyler Higbee back from injury, and the offense instantly looked better. QB Matthew Stafford is still my MVP pick, and Davante Adams will rejoin Puka Nacua this week to restore his incredible WR tandem. As long as the defense pulls its weight (i.e., not what they did against the Seahawks), you can still make a case for the Rams as the team to beat in the entire NFL.
1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3; Previous Ranking: 3)
As someone who believed in QB Sam Darnold before many others did, this top-ranked Seahawks team is very satisfying. He still commits a few too many turnovers, but few people are better throwers of the football. My OROY pick is G Grey Zabel because he has completely stabilized what used to be a poor line. We can’t talk about Seattle without discussing the defense though. That smothering group is a high-end unit that can win a ring. Even San Francisco’s offense couldn’t score on them. They say that defense wins championships, which means that few teams have a better shot this season than the swarming Seahawks do.