- Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense excite: San Francisco continued its strong run with a 42-38 win over the Bears in Week 17.
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Estimated Reading Time:27 minutes
The power rankings below provide clear tiers on each NFL team's market assessment, offering a comprehensive view of team standings and future prospects. All of the information below and more can be found in PFF’s power rankings tool, which is available with a PFF+ subscription.
It’s important to note that these rankings consider more than just win-loss records and playoff seeding. Factors like player and team-level grades, offensive and defensive efficiency, prior performance from past seasons, and strength of schedule all play a role. This is why teams with worse records and slimmer playoff hopes may rank higher than those with better records who have managed wins against weaker opponents or delivered inconsistent performances from key players.
Click here to jump to a team:
ARZ | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams entered Week 17’s Monday Night Football matchup with little at stake, having already been eliminated from contention for the NFC West title. In their 27-24 loss to the Falcons, Los Angeles often looked like a team that had taken its foot off the gas. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has earned a position-best 93.2 PFF grade this season, but he was pressured on 34.1% of his dropbacks and threw three interceptions from a clean pocket.
Despite the Week 17 result, the Rams will still enter the postseason as one of the Super Bowl favorites.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were on the brink of being shut out at home for the first time since 2008 in Week 17. Trailing 13-0 against the Eagles and searching for answers, Buffalo mounted a second-half push behind a strong defensive effort, but quarterback Josh Allen and the offense struggled in key moments. A second Allen rushing touchdown cut the deficit to 13-12 as time expired, but he missed wide receiver Khalil Shakir on the two-point attempt, sealing a strange, rain-soaked home loss that handed the AFC East back to the Patriots.
There is some concern surrounding Allen’s health, as he moved gingerly in and out of the pocket for much of the game while dealing with an ankle injury. With the Bills’ postseason outlook in mind, sitting their franchise quarterback in Week 18 may be the prudent option.
3. Seattle Seahawks
An improved Panthers defense stifled the Seahawks’ usually productive passing offense, but Seattle leaned on its consistently strong defense and running back Zach Charbonnet in a 20-10 Week 17 win. Charbonnet carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns while eclipsing 100 rushing yards for the second time in his career.
Seattle’s ability to win in multiple ways should serve it well heading into the postseason, as attention now turns to a Week 18 showdown with the 49ers for the NFC West title and the top seed in the NFC.
4. Houston Texans
Playoff-bound teams should take notice, as the Houston Texans have emerged as a force down the stretch. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has molded this group into one of the league’s most formidable defenses, ranking first in EPA allowed per play while boasting arguably the NFL’s top pass-rushing duo in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, along with an elite secondary.
That unit gave Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert constant trouble in Week 17, pressuring him on 47.6% of his dropbacks and recording seven sacks.
The 20-16 victory moved Houston to 11-5, eliminated the Colts from playoff contention and kept the Texans firmly in the AFC South title race. Even if Houston hits the road in the postseason, it profiles as a team few opponents will be eager to face.
5. Denver Broncos
First and foremost, the Denver Broncos took care of business with a Week 17 win over the Chiefs, moving one step closer to the AFC’s top seed while also clinching their first division title since 2015 (thanks to the Chargers’ loss to the Texans). The defense delivered as expected, limiting Kansas City to 3.3 yards per play, but the offense struggled to pull away and never fully hit top gear.
While the Chiefs’ defense is a solid unit, ranking 15th in EPA allowed per play, there is some concern with Denver’s inability to put the game away. The Broncos have not been one of the league’s most explosive offenses, and while they ultimately got the job done, the performance was less convincing than the result suggests.
6. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers won a classic in Week 17 against the Bears, with the game remaining deadlocked all the way to 35-35. Brock Purdy turned in another excellent performance, completing 24-of-33 passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns and an early interception. He also added 28 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground as the 49ers offense continued its dominant recent run.
If San Francisco defeats the Seahawks in Week 18 behind another strong showing, it will secure the top seed in the NFC and avoid leaving Levi’s Stadium throughout the postseason. With the 49ers peaking at the right time, Kyle Shanahan’s case for Coach of the Year continues to strengthen.
7. Detroit Lions
Given the manner in which the Lions fell to the Vikings in Week 17, a lopsided 23-10 road loss that ended their playoff hopes, it would be easy to question the team’s long-term outlook. Quarterback Jared Goff is set to carry a $69.6 million cap hit in 2026 — barring any restructuring — while several key defensive contributors are also headed for free agency.
Detroit should rebound, however. The Lions have produced a 93.2 PFF team grade, third-best in the NFL, and there is enough talent throughout the roster to believe their competitive window remains open. That said, the Week 17 performance was indefensible, as six turnovers proved too much to overcome.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Watching the Chargers can often feel like a stress test in just how much one player can endure. Quarterback Justin Herbert was pressured on 47.6% of his dropbacks and sacked seven times against the league’s top defense in Week 17, yet he still completed 21-of-32 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 20-16 Week 17 loss to the Texans.
Herbert and the defense continue to hold up their end, and the return of running back Omarion Hampton has added another dimension. However, as long as the offensive line continues to collapse, the Chargers’ ceiling remains firmly capped — even for a quarterback of Herbert’s caliber.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
The contrast between the first and second halves of the Eagles’ 13-12 Week 17 win over the Bills perfectly reflected their season. Philadelphia looked sharp early, posting a 38.9% offensive success rate in the first half as quarterback Jalen Hurts distributed the ball effectively and the defense shut down one of the league’s top offenses.
That momentum disappeared after halftime. The Eagles managed just an 11.1% offensive success rate in the second half as Buffalo closed the gap, failing to complete a pass after the break for the third time this season. While the defense again carried its weight, the offense’s inability to sustain competent play for a full game remains a glaring issue. Without Vic Fangio’s defense, it is fair to question where this Eagles team would be.
10. Green Bay Packers
The Lions’ early Week 17 loss clinched a playoff spot for the Packers, likely making it easier for Green Bay to rest quarterback Jordan Love as he continued to recover from a concussion. In his place, Malik Willis delivered an eye-opening performance, completing 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 rushing yards and a rushing score, earning a 95.6 PFF grade.
From a broader perspective, the Packers have now dropped three straight games entering the postseason. The question is whether that skid is cause for concern or simply the result of injuries and a team easing off with its playoff position secured.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville rallied from an early 10-0 deficit to grind out a 23-17 road win over Indianapolis, moving one step closer to its first division title since 2022. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence scored two rushing touchdowns and earned an 81.1 PFF grade, and kicker Cam Little added three second-half field goals to seal the victory and lift the Jaguars to 12-4. In the process, head coach Liam Coen became the first first-year head coach in NFL history to win at least 12 games after taking over a team that had won four or fewer games the previous season.
The job Coen has done cannot be overstated, and Jacksonville’s late-season momentum makes it a difficult matchup for any postseason opponent. A win in Week 18 would clinch the division.
12. New England Patriots
The Patriots looked every bit like one of the NFL’s most dominant offenses in their 42-10 rout of the Jets in Week 17. Quarterback Drake Maye continued to exceed expectations for a second-year passer, completing 19 of his 21 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns, earning a 90.6 PFF grade.
The Patriots will face stiffer competition in the postseason than they have for much of the regular season, but they are 3-2 this year against teams with records of .500 or better. They have proven they are an elite offense with Maye under center, but whether that success translates on the biggest stage remains to be seen.
The AFC’s top seed is still within reach, though New England will need a win over Miami and a Broncos loss to get there.
13. Chicago Bears
Even before their 42-38 loss to the 49ers in Week 17, the Bears arrived at Levi’s Stadium — where they hope to return in less than two months — as NFC North champions for the first time since 2018 thanks to the Packers’ loss to the Ravens.
Despite the defeat, Chicago’s offense was rolling. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed 25 of his 42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 76.4 PFF grade, as the Bears went blow for blow with one of the NFL’s top offenses.
What a ride it has been, and it may only be getting started for Chicago.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
After putting themselves in position to enter Week 18 with the division clinched and little at stake, the Steelers stumbled in Week 17, dropping an ugly 13-6 road loss to the Browns. The run game, which ranks third in EPA per play over the past three weeks, was efficient once again. However, Pittsburgh struggled in critical situations, going 3-of-15 on third down and 0-of-3 on fourth down. Those failures proved decisive, and now the Steelers head into Week 18 against the Ravens knowing only a win will suffice.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
Since quarterback Joe Burrow returned from injury, the Bengals’ offense ranks ninth in EPA per play and 11th in success rate. Outside of an ugly blowout loss to the Dolphins, Cincinnati has scored at least 30 points in every game Burrow has started.
That form continued in Week 17, as the Bengals rolled to a 37-14 win over the Cardinals. Burrow completed 24-of-31 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns, earning an 82.8 PFF grade, while running back Chase Brown averaged 4.5 yards per carry and totaled 141 yards from scrimmage with two scores.
The Bengals have now missed the playoffs in three straight seasons. Given the amount of offensive talent on the roster, the pressure is mounting. Next season shapes up as a pivotal one for Cincinnati.
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ defense played the role of executioner in Week 17, forcing six turnovers and sacking Jared Goff five times in a 23-10 win over the Lions that ended Detroit’s playoff hopes. Safety Harrison Smith turned back the clock with a sack, an interception, two tackles for loss and three passes defended in a dominant defensive showing.
Both teams averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per play, but a late 65-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Jordan Addison put the game away. Minnesota’s defensive performance only added to the growing case for Brian Flores to be a head-coaching candidate in the upcoming cycle.
17. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys controlled the clock against the Commanders on Christmas Day, jumping out to a 21-3 lead before Washington clawed back in the second half. Nearly a dozen penalties and an 8-for-20 showing on third down kept Dallas from scoring another touchdown after halftime, but a pair of Brandon Aubrey field goals proved sufficient to close out the win.
Dallas’ perfect 6-for-6 performance on fourth down was pivotal in sustaining drives. With the Giants up next in Week 18, the Cowboys are staring at an 8-8-1 finish, a fitting outcome for a team defined by an explosive offense and a leaky defense.
18. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were officially eliminated from playoff contention following the Texans’ win over the Chargers in Week 17 and entered their matchup with the Jaguars with little at stake. Despite that, Indianapolis pushed to play spoiler, but quarterback Philip Rivers and the offense struggled, posting a 39.7% success rate in the 23-17 loss. The Colts have now dropped six straight games.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ rough stretch continued with their sixth loss in seven games since the bye, a 20-17 defeat at the hands of the Dolphins. The offense turned in one of its better performances during that span, posting a 52.2% success rate, as quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 33-of-44 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns while earning a 70.0 PFF grade, but two interceptions and a third turnover proved costly in what may have been a must-win game.
Tampa Bay also caught a break thanks to the Panthers’ loss, leaving the Buccaneers with a chance to salvage their season in Week 18. A win over Carolina would secure a fifth straight NFC South title.
20. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons flashed their young potential with a 27-24 upset win over the Rams in Week 17. Running back Bijan Robinson delivered another explosive performance, rushing for 195 yards and a touchdown while adding five receptions for 34 yards and a score, earning a 91.0 PFF grade.
There is plenty to like about Atlanta heading into 2026, but questions at quarterback and potential coaching or front office decisions will take center stage this offseason.
21. Baltimore Ravens
With quarterback Lamar Jackson ruled out due to a back injury, the Ravens’ lose-and-out road matchup against the Packers appeared even more daunting. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken responded by leaning heavily on Derrick Henry, and the veteran delivered in a 41-24 win, carrying the ball 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns while forcing six missed tackles and ripping off four runs of 10 yards or more.
Baltimore also caught a break elsewhere, as the Browns’ 13-6 upset win over the Steelers set up a decisive Week 18 showdown between the Ravens and Steelers with the AFC North title on the line.
22. Carolina Panthers
Clinching the NFC South in Week 17 was always going to be a tall task for the Panthers, as it required knocking off the top-seeded Seahawks and one of the league’s best defenses. Carolina put up a strong fight in the first half, keeping Seattle’s offense in check, but failed to capitalize, as the Seahawks scored three second-half touchdowns to pull away for a 27-10 win.
The offensive struggles were concerning, however, as the Panthers stalled out with a -0.539 EPA per play. If Carolina beats the Buccaneers in Week 18 and reaches the postseason, the offense will need to take a significant step forward.
23. Arizona Cardinals
If the Cardinals lose to the Rams in Week 18, their season will end on a nine-game losing streak with just one win since Week 3. For a team that entered 2025 with high expectations, that outcome is far from acceptable.
Injuries to quarterback Kyler Murray undoubtedly shaped the season, but Arizona was still hoping to take meaningful steps forward. Instead, the Cardinals head into the offseason facing potential roster restructuring and a defense that ranks among the league’s worst. There is significant work ahead in Arizona.
24. Kansas City Chiefs
All eyes were on tight end Travis Kelce in what could be his final home game with the Chiefs, and the veteran came alive in the fourth quarter after a quiet night, catching three passes for 23 yards. Kansas City’s offense struggled against the Broncos’ defense, totaling just 139 yards, yet managed to keep the game within reach.
If this is the end for Kelce, it falls short of a storybook sendoff, but football rarely provides fairy-tale endings. Meanwhile, the Chiefs now sit at 6-10 and are tracking toward a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
25. New Orleans Saints
The Saints appear to have found a gem in rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. The 2025 second-round pick has guided New Orleans to four straight wins following the 34-26 victory over the Titans and now has back-to-back 300-yard passing performances, earning an 80.4 PFF grade over the win streak.
His connection with wide receiver Chris Olave has been central to that success, as Olave caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in Week 17. There is more than enough evidence for the Saints to feel confident moving forward with Shough as their quarterback.
26. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins got another look at rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in his second start of the season, and the former Texas signal-caller helped guide Miami to his first NFL win in a 20-17 victory over the Buccaneers.
Ewers flashed upside, completing 14-of-22 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, though the Dolphins still project as one of the more active teams in the offseason quarterback market.
27. New York Giants
The Giants won the game but lost ground in the race for the No. 1 overall pick, as their Week 17 victory over the Raiders helped Las Vegas move into position atop the 2026 NFL Draft order. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart led the way in the 34-10 win, completing 22-of-30 passes for 207 yards while adding nine carries for 48 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 76.1 PFF grade.
New York leaned further into Dart’s mobility, and the rookie responded, while fellow first-round pick Abdul Carter also impressed with seven pressures, a sack and two tackles for loss.
28. Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ defense struggled again in a 30-23 Week 17 loss to the Cowboys, allowing a 47.8% offensive success rate to one of the league’s best units, though it did tighten up after halftime by surrendering just six points. The Josh Johnson-led offense showed some life, however, as rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 69.5 PFF grade.
The offseason priorities for Washington are clear: get younger and improve defensively. If the Commanders can accomplish that and quarterback Jayden Daniels remains healthy, they should not be far from re-entering the playoff picture.
29. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders took control of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after being routed 34-10 by the Giants in Week 17. While the loss brings obvious upside — including the opportunity to draft a franchise quarterback such as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team — it also leaves a lingering sense of dysfunction that will hang over the organization in the weeks ahead.
Las Vegas elected to shut down edge defender Maxx Crosby before the game, and there is growing speculation that the star pass rusher could be traded this offseason. Crosby was sidelined with a knee injury, yet videos of him playing basketball and jumping on a trampoline surfaced shortly thereafter.
30. Cleveland Browns
Despite an ugly offensive showing that produced just a 32.7% success rate, the Browns played spoiler in Week 17, knocking off the Steelers 13-6 and preventing Pittsburgh from clinching the AFC North ahead of Week 18.
In some respects, the win against a tough opponent represents progress for Cleveland, but it also came at a cost, as it eliminated the Browns’ chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
31. Tennessee Titans
Titans quarterback Cam Ward continues to show why he was the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite Tennessee’s 34-26 loss to the Saints and fellow rookie Tyler Shough, Ward impressed, completing 21-of-40 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.
There is reason for optimism in Tennessee heading into the offseason based on Ward’s rookie campaign, with the next priority being surrounding him with an offensive-minded head coach or coordinator capable of maximizing his skill set.
32. New York Jets
The Jets looked ready for the offseason, and there is little way around it. Their performances over the past few weeks have reflected a team that has lost its edge, a troubling sign for head coach Aaron Glenn as he navigates his first season in charge.
With no clear answer at quarterback and undrafted rookie Brady Cook forced into action, the offense predictably struggled, but the larger concern has been a defense that has completely cratered.