2025 NFL Power Rankings: Midseason Edition
We just completed week 9, which means that we’re at the approximate halfway point of the 2025 campaign. That means it’s also trade deadline time! That has just passed, so as in prior years, it’s time to re-evaluate where everyone stands. Much change has taken place since week 1, and we’ve learned a great deal about the 32 teams. How have our perceptions shifted? Spoiler alert: a lot. For reference, I list each team’s week 1 ranking in parentheses. Enjoy my updated midseason 2025 NFL power rankings!
32. Tennessee Titans (1-8; Previous Ranking: 30)
The first team to fire their coach is often doing very badly, and that’s true here. Tennessee has been the most lifeless team in the league, and if not for incredible stupidity by Arizona, they’d be winless. After drafting QB Cam Ward with the first pick, the focus this year was always about his development, not wins. However, the Titans aren’t even improving. They’ve traded away several defenders, weakening their halfway decent unit. Worst of all, Ward can’t do anything without receivers or an offensive line, so he isn’t actually taking steps forward. I struggle to find another game on the Titans’ schedule that they can realistically win.
31. New Orleans Saints (1-8; Previous Ranking: 32)
At some points, the Saints have to commit to a full rebuild. They gave it their best shot with an aging core, but those former stars are in decline. The rest of the roster isn’t equipped to start carrying the team. If the season ended today, the Saints would pick first. As if their offense wasn’t bad enough, New Orleans traded WR Rashid Shaheed. Since Tyler Shough took over as the starter, this team has been noncompetitive. Right now, the Saints need to see what they have in Shough because they’ll be drafting high enough to replace him if needed. To be totally honest, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen from the first year of the Kellen Moore era.
30. New York Jets (1-7; Previous Ranking: 25)
Sensing a theme here? If you don’t have the QB situation figured out, you’re usually not going to be successful. Justin Fields was a terrible choice to lead the offense, but at least the defense was in good shape. So much for that. The Jets shipped out CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams, two of their best players, at the trade deadline. New York MUST hit on their 4 new premium picks to avoid being an awful team for years to come. In the here and now though, they can’t be considered anything other than one of the worst teams in football. The Jets can’t score (except against the Bengals), and now their stop unit is compromised.
29. Cleveland Browns (2-6; Previous Ranking: 27)
Last time, I said that Joe Flacco being the starter kept the Browns from being ranked lower. That didn’t end up mattering, as the offense is inept regardless of the QB. Based on how Flacco is doing now in Cincinnati, it wasn’t his fault. The line is bad, there are few weapons, and the scheme is uninventive. It’s a real shame because this defense is a top-10 unit. Even a middling offense would have the Browns in playoff contention. That’s not where the team is though: they have two rookie QBs who aren’t “him” and the Deshaun Watson contract still hanging over them. If the defense quits for a second straight year, don’t be shocked.
28. Washington Commanders (3-6; Previous Ranking: 12)
As you know, I was lower on Washington this season than almost anybody. Even I didn’t see THIS sort of disaster coming. The Jayden Daniels injury is a complete killer, but the Commanders had plenty of flaws even with him available. Few teams have been as ravaged by injuries, and the defense was not supposed to struggle this much. CB Marshon Lattimore regressed then tore his ACL, the pass rush is nonexistent, and the safeties are ruthlessly picked on. Without Terry McLaurin, the offense is also weak. Washington is playing for 2026 at this point, which no one thought would be their follow-up to 2024’s magical run.
27. Miami Dolphins (2-7; Previous Ranking: 22)
Congratulations to the Dolphins for firing GM Chris Grier. I thought it might never happen. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the roster he assembled is still putrid. The offensive line is a mess, and the secondary is somehow worse. Jaelan Phillips is gone from the defensive line as well. The team and QB Tua Tagovailoa seem to be heading toward a divorce, and HC Mike McDaniel could go too. There just isn’t a whole lot of hope in Miami right now, even though I still like Tua, WR Jaylen Waddle, and especially RB De’Von Achane. We may be stuck in a holding pattern until more important decisions are made later.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6; Previous Ranking: 26)
I’m sticking with my initial placement for the Raiders. They would’ve been ranked lower had TE Brock Bowers not returned from injury this week. It’s amazing what one elite TE can do for an offense. Even though the Raiders lost, their attack, especially QB Geno Smith, looked completely different. I still see the least talented team in the AFC West, particular on defense. If you set DE Maxx Crosby aside, LV doesn’t have very much on that side of the ball. I’ve also seen regression on the offensive line, which explains the lackluster season we’ve seen from rookie RB Ashton Jeanty. These Raiders are a multi-year project.
25. New York Giants (2-7; Previous Ranking: 29)
Once rookie Jaxson Dart became the starting QB and fellow rookie Cam Skattebo received more touches at RB, the Giants found much more energy. Fast forward a few weeks, and Skattebo is done for the year, while New York is getting blown out. I’ve seen some flashes from Dart, but much more as a runner than as a passer. More disturbingly, the calling card of this team was its defense, but that unit has taken a major step back. DT Dexter Lawrence is even taking external shots from team legends. HC Brian Daboll has an uphill battle to keep his job, and it all depends on whether he can sell Dart as a franchise QB to ownership.
24. Atlanta Falcons (3-5; Previous Ranking: 21)
It’s weird to rank the Falcons so low given how they trounced the Buffalo Bills. However, they also suffered blowout losses to the Panthers and Dolphins, with the former being a shutout. Poor coaching by Raheem Morris is playing a role, but the players still have to execute. QB Michael Penix Jr isn’t sufficiently accurate yet, and the offense goes dead for quarters at a time. In good news, the defense is much better than it was last year. A team with Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson as its weapons shouldn’t have trouble moving the ball though. Consistency will be the driver of any potential turnaround.
23. Carolina Panthers (5-4; Previous Ranking: 31)
Speaking of the Panthers, I just can’t buy their 5-4 record as the sign of a good team. Their point differential (-35) belies their success, which has come in seemingly fluky situations. Victories over Green Bay and Atlanta don’t seem as impressive in context, and their blowout loss to Buffalo may be closer to reality. Don’t get me wrong; Carolina is much better than I anticipated. Having an average defense enabled them to exceed expectations, and they’ve finally figured out that giving RB Rico Dowdle the ball is a good idea. QB Bryce Young still doesn’t appear to be the answer though, and the offense goes into the tank far too often.
22. Minnesota Vikings (4-4; Previous Ranking: 13)
My fears about QB JJ McCarthy came true. Even in a win against Detroit this week, the defense did all the work. Since his days at Michigan, McCarthy has been carried by good teams. In the NFL, that doesn’t work. Overall, the offense looked better with Carson Wentz, and more importantly, he kept WR Justin Jefferson involved. The Brian Flores-led defense is feast or famine, but given the team’s offensive struggles, that has been necessary. At its best, it’s a scary unit with a ferocious front four. You just won’t get me to buy into McCarthy so quickly, limiting how highly I can rank a team with a weakness at sports’ most important position.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6; Previous Ranking: 7)
A lot has changed since our previous rankings. Joe Burrow is out for months with a foot injury, and you’d think that this would be the root of the Bengals’ problems. It was for a bit with Jake Browning, but a trade for Joe Flacco made the offense unstoppable again. We knew Cincy’s weakness would be the defense, but I’m not sure anyone anticipated historic levels of ineptitude. Do you know how hard it is to score 80 points over two weeks and lose both games? Flacco does, and the fact that it happened against the Jets and Bears makes it even worse. The return of Trey Hendrickson can help, but prepare for shootouts on a weekly basis.
20. Houston Texans (3-5; Previous Ranking: 10)
Remember all of the hang-wringing about the Texans’ offensive line? There was a good reason for it. Houston’s defense is one of the league’s very best, and it explains their +47 point differential. Offensively, this team is very challenged. The line can’t run block or protect QB CJ Stroud, who is now out with a concussion. Stroud is in danger of career sabotage because of that unit, as he’s under constant duress. The Texans are essentially the anti-Bengals. Led by Derek Stingley, the secondary is arguably unmatched in the NFL. Will Anderson and the pass rush are also dominant, but it won’t matter if the offensive line keeps tanking games.
19. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1; Previous Ranking: 18)
Another team with imbalanced units, Dallas has the second-worst defense in the NFL but one of the best offenses. On the positive side, the trade for WR George Pickens and the signing of RB Javonte Williams have been homeruns. Defensively though, the Cowboys are a train wreck. LB Logan Wilson and DT Quinnen Williams were imported at the trade deadline, and they should help a lot. I still don’t trust the secondary to hold up, but the new additions raise Dallas’ ceiling. It sure seems like they’ll have to get in a shootout most weeks to win, but they’re capable of pulling that off. Perhaps not quite as often as Jerry would like though.
18. Arizona Cardinals (3-5; Previous Ranking: 24)
This team is so close to having a great record. Walk-off FGs, game-winning drives, and excruciating close calls have all befallen the Cardinals. After a 2-0 start, it took 6 more games for Arizona to earn a win, and I think a realization came with it. Jacoby Brissett is a better quarterback than Kyler Murray. The offense has moved much more with Brissett, and WR Marvin Harrison Jr suddenly looks like a stud with the veteran under center. Arizona remains the least-talented team in the NFC West, but they’re not that bad. You wonder what their record would be if Brissett had started since week 1. Better late than never I suppose.
17. Chicago Bears (5-3; Previous Ranking: 17)
New coach Ben Johnson has been a definite success, but the Bears remain a bit too hot-and-cold for my liking. Overall, the offense looks vastly improved this season, and I’m liking the growth from 2024 #1 overall pick Caleb Williams. He’s not 100% reliable yet, but he’s getting the ball out faster and taking more advantage of his physical gifts. An injured secondary has performed admirably, but the pass rush is a clear weak spot. The most telling sign is that the Bears have won games that they definitely would’ve lost a year ago. This is a more disciplined team, and they’re right in the thick of the playoff hunt.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3; Previous Ranking: 19)
The Jags are eerily similar to the Bears. Their new young, offensive-minded HC (Liam Coen) is a hit, they have a former #1 pick at QB who hasn’t quite made the leap, and the team is somewhat streaky. That QB, Trevor Lawrence, has still not proven worthy of his mega-contract, though he’s been solid overall. The Jags’ WR room has been a disappointment, with Brian Thomas Jr in a sophomore slump and #2 pick Travis Hunter hurt. Defensively, Jacksonville has been a takeaway machine, but when the turnovers don’t flow, the team struggles. I place them just outside of playoff status, but that’s way better than the 2024 Jags.
15. Baltimore Ravens (3-5; Previous Ranking: 4)
It’s important to note that these rankings aren’t necessarily projections. They have to take what teams have actually done into account. Baltimore is assuredly on the upswing with Lamar Jackson back in the fold. Even die-hard Ravens fans will admit though that this team’s start was anything but abysmal. At 1-5, with several losses coming while Jackson was healthy, Baltimore looked cooked. Defensive injuries compounded the problem, but as the team has gotten healthier, they’ve won 2 in a row. They’ll need to prove themselves against better teams in the weeks ahead, but the Ravens are certainly talented enough to make a run.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3; Previous Ranking: 20)
From one Harbaugh to another, Jim’s team started off really well before disaster struck. Since training camp, the Chargers have lost two top-tier tackles for the season: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. The latter will have a massive impact on LA. Justin Herbert, as good as he is, is a different QB when his protection isn’t solid. Without ALT, the Bolts lost to the Giants and suffered a blowout against Washington. With him back, LA dominated the Vikings before struggling against the lowly Titans following his re-injury. I can’t include the Chargers as contenders, even at 6-3. They have one of the league’s worst lines now, and it’ll be their undoing.
13. San Francisco 49ers (6-3; Previous Ranking: 14)
I have to hand it to HC Kyle Shanahan: this might be his finest coaching work. The new contract his front office gave to QB Brock Purdy wrecked the depth chart. Talented players including Deebo Samuel, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw couldn’t be re-signed. Then, to make matters worse, Purdy hurt his toe early in the year and has barely played since. Most of the receiving corps has been out as well. Somehow, led by backup Mac Jones and the dependable Christian McCaffrey, the Niners continue to compete and win. Once people like Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk return, this team could be really scary for the stretch run.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3; Previous Ranking: 9)
So far so good on the Aaron Rodgers experiment. While the explosive plays aren’t really there, opponents have to respect the Steelers’ passing game for once. The offensive line has grown immensely, which has aided the rushing attack as well. It’s the defense that has been the biggest disappointment. Their big names in the secondary have gotten shredded by most teams, while the front seven hasn’t forced many turnovers. That all changed this past week against the Colts, so we’ll see if that’s a sign of things to come. At their worst, the Steelers are a competent team, but I believe they can reach another level soon enough.
11. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1; Previous Ranking: 15)
I’ve always thought that QB Jordan Love was mercurial. Apparently, that description now applies to the team as a whole. Sometimes, Green Bay looks elite, such as when they took over against the Steelers. However, their two losses are to Cleveland and Carolina. Yeesh. Wins over the Bengals and Commanders don’t look as good anymore either. That said, this team remains dangerous and highly talented. Nobody really wants to play them if they’re rolling, but who knows when that will be at any given time? As the NFC North tightens, Green Bay will need to be at their best. It’ll be interesting to see if they can sustain it.
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-2; Previous Ranking: 28)
I thought I’d be forced to rank the Colts much higher than I wanted to. Then they played Pittsburgh, and some of my feelings were validated. Daniel Jones, who previously played the best football of his career by far, had one of his trademark meltdowns against the Steelers. Regardless, Indy is still wildly exceeding expectations. I for one thought they’d be among the league’s worst teams, and that hasn’t been true. While they’ve been buoyed by an extremely easy schedule, they deserve credit for beating the teams in front of them. Now armed with CB Sauce Gardner (albeit at a heavy price), the Colts are trying to lock the AFC South down.
9. Detroit Lions (5-3; Previous Ranking: 5)
As expected, when you lose both coordinators to head coaching jobs, growing pains will be felt. The Lions have had some weird results, with two in the last couple of weeks: a home loss to Minnesota but a dominating win over Tampa Bay? The flashes of elite play poke out from time to time. Injuries have ravaged the defense (particularly in the secondary) for the second straight year, so their roller coaster performance is expected. I’ve been a little disappointed in the offensive consistency. The retirement of C Frank Ragnow may have been the most painful loss of all. I’m confident they’ll start firing on all cylinders soon.
8. New England Patriots (7-2; Previous Ranking: 23)
Like the Colts but to a lesser degree, the Patriots have feasted on one of the league’s easiest schedules. In fact, their strength of schedule is 32nd in the league. Once again though, you can only play who’s in front of you, and New England has beaten 7 of those teams, including Buffalo. You can call this team’s performance the Mike Vrabel effect. The new coach, who Tennessee never should’ve fired, has immediately turned the Pats around. Half of the defense is playing career-best football, and QB Drake Maye is a dark-horse MVP candidate under the tutelage of OC Josh McDaniels. Who had them leading the AFC East this late?
7. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4; Previous Ranking: 3)
Looking just at KC’s record would make you think that I’m being biased toward them with this ranking. Watching QB Patrick Mahomes play, however, tells the real story. The Chiefs aren’t winning one-score games like we’re accustomed to seeing, but that prior pace was unsustainable anyway. Mahomes is the leading MVP candidate because he’s playing smart, clean football. He’s hitting passes at all levels of the field, overcoming injuries to his teammates, and even running more than usual. The defense is starting to coalesce, so the Chiefs’ best football may be in front of them. Nobody should be surprised by that anymore.
6. Denver Broncos (7-2; Previous Ranking: 11)
If the only quarter that ever got played was the 4th, Denver would be the best team in football. The offense seems to sleepwalk through most of the game before erupting in the final frame. While that’s not a recipe for success, the Broncos’ elite defense definitely is. There’s talent at every level of the unit, even with reigning DPOY Pat Surtain out right now with an injury. Bo Nix probably should stop taking so many deep shots and sustain drives with short and intermediate throws. That would stop the attack from being so boom-or-bust. As things stand now, Denver is still one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2; Previous Ranking: 8)
In this one case, I have to consider a team’s upside beyond where they are at the current moment. The week 9 bye came at a perfect time for the Bucs, who are winning games but still reeling from injuries. RB Bucky Irving; WRs Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Emeka Egbuka; and RT Luke Goedeke are either out or playing hurt. Thanks to playing in the NFC South, Tampa has had some margin for error, but they really haven’t needed it. Baker Mayfield is keeping the offense afloat while HC Todd Bowles schemes his defense to success. We’ve seen the Bucs play well with a bare cupboard. Imagine how they’ll look healthy.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2; Previous Ranking: 1)
With everything that’s supposedly “wrong” with the Eagles, particularly on offense and in the secondary, they still look pretty darn good. They just no longer qualify for the “champs until they’re not” distinction that would put them at #1. For some reason, the rushing attack hasn’t gotten off the ground. I suspect QB Jalen Hurts not running as much has something to do with it. WR AJ Brown has been invisible at times, but the passing attack can still strike when needed. With some trades made to help an already good defense, the Eagles are in fine shape. They’re 6-2 while still figuring things out, which is a great place to be.
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-2; Previous Ranking: 16)
I was one of the seeming few who believed in Sam Darnold, but he has definitely been far better than even I could’ve imagined. Two factors have helped him out immensely: WR Jaxon Smith-Njgba making the leap to a top-tier #1 receiver and vast improvement from the offensive line. I have to switch to the defense though, because Mike Macdonald has these guys playing lights out. Seattle’s front four is very scary, but even if you keep them at bay, the secondary is very strong. Aside from one game against Tampa, the Seahawks have been shutting opposing offenses down like few other. This is a very complete team.
2. Buffalo Bills (6-2; Previous Ranking: 2)
After an odd little hiccup earlier in the season, Buffalo is back to being the best team in the AFC. They still have Josh Allen, the reigning MVP, even if he hasn’t been QUITE as good as his incredible 2024 self. He has help though in the form of James Cook, who has been one of the league’s best backs thus far. Following some ugly games, the defense is starting to play much better, though injuries are starting to pile up. Despite their earlier loss to the Patriots, I favor the Bills to win the AFC East yet again. They’re a proven team with high-end talent. Whether they can beat KC in the playoffs is the only question with them.
1. Los Angeles Rams (6-2; Previous Ranking: 6)
You know I’ve been high on the Rams for a while. Normally though, they have a slow start before going on a tear to close out the season. In 2025, they skipped the struggle and went straight to beating teams up. QB Matthew Stafford, with his insane 21/2 TD:INT ratio is currently my MVP. He and WR Davante Adams have clicked immediately, and the offense as a whole is a well-oiled machine. A young defense that performed well in 2024 has gained experience, and now they’re even better. If not for kicking issues, this team could very well be 8-0 right now. Once that’s solved, the rest of the league should fear the Rams.