Week 15 NFL Power Rankings: You Think You Understand This League? Think Again.

Week 14 felt like the Betting Gods punishing anyone who tried to apply logic to the NFL. You had the Saints beating the Bucs in Tampa Bay. Miami won for the first time in sub-40 degree weather since the Ice Age. The Browns and Titans combined for 60 points. Shedeur Sanders threw for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns. Minnesota got shut out last week against Seattle then beats the Commanders this week with Jayden Daniels making a cameo, 31-0. Justin Herbert defeated the defending Super Bowl champions in their place on the opposite coast while playing with one hand tied behind his back.

Here’s how Week 14 reshaped the power rankings, with each team’s movement from last week shown after its record.

32. Raiders (2–11) 🔻1

The Raiders have overtaken the Titans as the worst team in the NFL. Uh, Congratulations?

31. Tennessee (2–11) 🔺1

31 points? Against the Cleveland defense? In Cleveland? The Titans had scored 20 or more points only four times all year. Running back Tony Pollard had rushed for more than 67 yards only once in twelve games and hadn't rushed for over 92 yards in a game all season. He rushed for 161 yards against the Browns.

30. New Orleans (3–10) 🔻1

Maybe they don't deserve to flip-flop with Cleveland considering they beat Tampa Bay in Tampa and Cleveland lost at home to Tennessee, but this is my party and I will cry if I want to.

29. Cleveland (3–10) 🔺1

But seriously... even though Cleveland lost, I would be much more afraid to play them right now than New Orleans. It may have been a one-off, but Shedeur Sanders (23/42, 364 yards passing, 3 TD, 1 INT) showed for one week that he might belong in the NFL, after all.

28. NY Jets (3–10) 🔻3

The Jets laid a stinker in New Jersey against Miami. Did anyone notice?

27. NY Giants (3–10) 🔺1

The battle for New York supremacy continues. The Giants have a quarterback. The Jets don't. That's why I rank the Giants ahead of them.

26. Washington (3–10) ➡️

As Nancy Kerrigan once asked (quite a few times), "Why? Why? Why?" Washington fans (as well as NFL fans, in general) are asking, "Why risk rushing back Jayden Daniels last week? Why play him at all anymore this year? Why? Why? Why?" Shut him down, get your high draft pick, and start over next season.

25. Arizona (3–10) 🔻3

The wheels might be completely falling off for the Cardinals now. Jacoby Brissett was a nice story for a while, but this team is ready to pack it in.

24. Minnesota (5–8) 🔺3

Similar to Shedeur Sanders: for one week, J.J. McCarthy (3 TD, 0 INT) showed he might be able to play in the NFL. Let's see if he can put a couple of good games together.

23. Atlanta (4–9) ➡️

The Falcons were tied at halftime with the Seahawks, 6-6. Somehow they lost, 37-9. Their nightmare season continues. They are too talented to be this bad.

22. Cincinnati (4–9) 🔺2

As long as Joe Burrow is playing, Cincinnati can beat anybody.

21. Miami (6–7) ➡️

Check this out: Miami has the same record as the Kansas City Chiefs. If it weren't for a 1-6 start, the Dolphins might be competing with the Bills and Patriots for the AFC East title. But they did have a 1-6 start.

20. Baltimore (6–7) 🔻2

The Ravens and Chiefs were expected to battle it out in the AFC Championship Game this year. Instead they are both 6-7 – same as the Dolphins. The Ravens still have a legit chance of making the playoffs, though, because of how weak their division is. But losing to the Steelers was killer.

19. Indianapolis (8–5) 🔻8

Speaking of "killer," the Colts saw their playoff chances flush down the drain when Daniel Jones popped his Achilles. Now they are working out 44-year-old Philip Rivers. You read that right.

18. Tampa Bay (7–6) 🔻5

Somebody needs to protect Baker Mayfield from himself. He won't let on how hurt he is, but something is not right with him. And he is hurting his team by playing through his left shoulder injury.

17. Kansas City (6–7) 🔻2

Everything broke right for the Chiefs for a better part of a decade. This year, they are paying the piper.

16. Pittsburgh (7–6) 🔺3

For at least one week, Aaron Rodgers proved he can play in this league. Just kidding. But he did find the Fountain of Youth for one game. He picked a good game for it – against the Ravens.

15. Carolina (7–4) 🔺2

The door is wide open for the Panthers to win the division. Eminem said it best:

Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

14. Dallas (6–6–1) 🔻5

The Cowboys didn't seize their one shot, their one opportunity, to sneak into the playoffs by losing at home to the Lions on Thanksgiving.

13. Chicago (9–4) 🔺3

Moments like the one at the end of the Green Bay game remind us that Caleb Williams isn't ready to seize his opportunity just yet. Will he ever be?

12. LA Chargers (9–4) 🔺8

Justin Herbert is the new Baker Mayfield. He showed his toughness on Monday night taking hit after hit on his broken left hand.

11. Detroit (8–5) 🔻1

The Lions are still the Lions – which is to say they are still very dangerous.

10. Houston (8–5) 🔺3

Remember the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. Houston has been the Tortoise all year, and they are creeping up on the leaders.

9. Philadelphia (8–4) 🔻6

The Eagles have now lost three in a row. Head coach Nick Sirianni has no clue what to do with Philadelphia's floundering offense.

8. San Francisco (9–4) 🔻1

Maybe no team needed a bye week this year more than the 49ers needed one. If they get healthy, watch out.

7. Buffalo (9–4) 🔺1

That was a close call for the Bills. They were down 21 to the Bengals when Joe Burrow decided to be Santa and give Buffalo two early Christmas gifts on back-to-back plays.

6. Jacksonville (9–4) 🔺8

It is between Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, and Mike Vrabel for Head Coach of the Year honors. Who ya got? And they are all first-year guys with their teams. You think the Raiders and Jets are having major regrets right about now?

5. Denver (11–2) 🔺1

Denver keeps winning ugly, but they are winning. Their defense is among the best in the NFL. Bo Nix still remains a question mark, though.

4. Green Bay (9–3–1) 🔺1

Green Bay may finally be rising up to meet the lofty expectations put on them by pundits all season long.

3. New England (10–2) 🔺1

It’s been a long time — at least by Boston standards — since Patriots fans could say this: “This week in Foxboro is a hat-and-T-shirt game.”

2. Seattle (10–3) ➡️

Sam Darnold in a big game still gives me pause, but the Seahawks and Rams sit alone at the top — unless the Patriots come knocking at the door if they beat Buffalo.

1. LA Rams (10–3) ➡️

Matthew Stafford has raised his game to a whole other level altogether. When talent and high football IQ merge with veteran experience, it becomes a rare joy to behold.