As the NFL heads into Week 14, power rankings show a mix of dominance, surprises, and playoff pressure. The Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots sit at the top of the list, while teams like the Titans and Raiders struggle at the bottom. Detroit’s Lions are facing a tough road after a disappointing Thanksgiving loss, leaving their playoff chances in the balance.
The NFC East is led by the Dallas Cowboys, followed by the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders. In the NFC North, the Chicago Bears have the top spot, with the Lions second, Green Bay Packers third, and Minnesota Vikings fourth. The NFC South sees the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the NFC West includes the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.
The AFC East has Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. In the AFC North, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked. The AFC South features Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. The AFC West ranks Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Teams that have won 15 games in one season usually remain strong, but there are exceptions. The 2008 New England Patriots went 11-5 without Tom Brady and missed the playoffs due to tiebreakers. The 2016 Carolina Panthers dropped to 6-10 after their 15-win season. This season, the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions risk joining that group.
The Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, dropping to 7-5. DVOA projects their playoff chances at 50%. Detroit still has a challenging schedule, including games against the Cowboys, Rams, and Bears. Key injuries to cornerback Terrion Arnold and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown make their path harder. Even if they miss the playoffs, the Lions remain a young team with elite talent, but this season’s slip would be disappointing.
The Rams remain No. 1 in the power rankings at 9-3, despite a loss to the Panthers. They have close losses against strong teams and a victory over Seattle recently. The Seahawks sit just behind them at No. 2 with a 9-3 record, holding top spots in offense, defense, and special teams. Denver Broncos are No. 3 at 10-2, while the Patriots are No. 4 at 11-2.
Other top teams include the Packers at No. 5, Bears at No. 6, and Eagles at No. 7. The Buffalo Bills sit at No. 8, with the 49ers at No. 9. Indianapolis Colts are ranked 10th, followed by Detroit at 11th. Jacksonville Jaguars are No. 12, LA Chargers No. 13, and Houston Texans No. 14. The Chiefs are at No. 15, showing inconsistency despite a strong roster.
In the lower half, teams struggle with injuries, turnovers, and execution. The Pittsburgh Steelers rank 20th at 6-6, the Carolina Panthers 19th at 7-6, and the Miami Dolphins 21st at 5-7. The Bengals are 22nd, Falcons 23rd, and Commanders 24th. The Vikings sit at 25th, Jets 26th, Browns 27th, and Giants 28th. Cardinals rank 29th, Saints 30th, Raiders 31st, and Titans at the bottom at 32nd.
Detroit’s upcoming games will define their season. A win against the Cowboys on Thursday night could boost morale, but road games against strong NFC teams like the Rams and Bears remain challenging. Jared Goff’s outdoor performance is also a factor. To finish 10-7 and reach the playoffs, the Lions must play consistently and avoid further injuries.
The NFL Week 14 power rankings highlight the volatility of this season. Teams like the Chiefs and Lions face playoff uncertainty despite past success. At the same time, the Rams, Seahawks, and Patriots continue to assert dominance. As the final stretch of the season approaches, every game will matter for playoff positioning and postseason hopes. Fans should expect intense matchups and surprising outcomes.
