⚡ FLASH NEWS: Rams shock the league by seizing No. 1 as Eagles, Bills, and Steelers stumble while Bears and Cowboys climb in Week 13 rankings.QQ

Week 12 in the NFL offered a little more clarity and separation around the league. Some contenders kept rolling. Some got off the mat. Some are sliding into the teams they were supposed to be, a little lesser than the earlier version.

On the flip side, some of the teams near the bottom are finding different ways to fight and play spoiler, whether or not they succeed. The final six weeks of the 2025 season set up for a fantastic finish.

Here’s Sporting News’ updated look at the latest league hierarchy, from a new best at No. 1 through the same worst at No. 32:

NFL Power Rankings

1. Los Angeles Rams 9-2 (previous ranking: 2)

The Rams ripped into the Buccaneers with a red-hot Matthew Stafford and their defense early and didn’t let up for Sean McVay. They are looking for sure like the most complete team in the NFC peaking at the ideal time to try to match their Super Bowl 56 run.

2. Denver Broncos 9-2 (3)

The Broncos have been ripping through the league with an elite defense giving them a high floor every week and Bo Nix ready to come through in the fourth quarter to ensure some winning finishes. They need to get a little more consistent on offense to be true Super Bowl contenders

3. New England Patriots 10-2 (4)

The Patriots were a little sloppy early in Cincinnati but their defense sparked them into pulling away with better offense. The MVP attention on Drake Maye is taking away from what a complete team they are to have the AFC’s best record.

4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-3 (1)

The Eagles did get Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown going together in the passing game against the Cowboys, but when they can’t run well and turn over the ball, their defense isn’t good enough to recover. They need to pick up the pieces fast with the confident Bears at home next on Black Friday.

5. Green Bay Packers 7-3-1 (7)

The Packers went full throttle with their pass defense to slam the Vikings and got plenty of grinding but efficient rushing offense from Emanuel Wilson in place of Josh Jacobs. They should enjoy this get-well game with crucial matchups against Lions and Bears next. 

6. Seattle Seahawks 8-3 (8)

The Seahawks kept things in simple with their pass to score/run to win formula in Tennessee, with a lot of Jaxon Smith-Njigba early and enough of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet later. JSN really needs some MVP buzz for chasing 2,000 yards.

7. Chicago Bears 8-3 (9)

The Bears can make a case they have a second-year QB MVP candidate in Caleb Williams. He saved them after initial sluggishness against the Steelers with great confidence and execution for Ben Johnson. The Chicago winning the NFC North might actually happen.

8. Indianapolis Colts 8-3 (5)

The Colts‘ defense deserves plenty of credit for keeping them in the game in Kansas City but their offense can have major limitation if an opponent can render Jonathan Taylor a non-factor in the running game. Indy now needs to focus on locking up the division with the Texans and Jaguars next.

9. Buffalo Bills 7-4 (6)

The Bills’ defense is becoming a bigger issue against the pass after already looking terrible against the run. Now their offensive limitations are costing them when it’s not about James Cook in the running game as Josh Allen is stuck searching for reliable weapons beyond Khalil Shakir.

10. Detroit Lions 7-4 (10)

The Lions’ defense broke down vs. Jameis Winston and the Giants. They were fortunate that Jahmyr Gibbs was even bigger nightmare for the Giants’ defense for almost five quarters. They needed that rebound with the Packers at home next on a short week.

11. San Francisco 49ers 8-4 (13)

The 49ers are getting healthier offensively to help their injury-worn defense at the right time. They felt it more despite the mistakes from Brock Purdy after winning Monday night vs. the Panthers.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-4 (14)

The Jaguars do things the ugly way with Trevor Lawrence and their defense but it’s added up to a tough makeup under Liam Coen that has them right in wild-card playoff position with a sudden chance to catch the Colts.

13. Los Angeles Chargers 7-4 (15)

The Chargers enjoyed a bye week to help regroup as they try to catch the Broncs and hold off the Chiefs in the AFC West. Justin Herbert needs to be more consistent down the stretch, first and foremost.

14. Kansas City Chiefs 6-5 (16)

The Chiefs got their old-school close one-score win over the Colts with Patrick Mahomes getting all the needed support from Kareem Hunt and the running game, plus the defense. They might have turned the corner at the ideal time ahead of a playoff push.

15. Houston Texans 6-5 (19)

The Texans’ pass rush stepped up to stymie Allen and the Bills on Thursday night, but the real story is the confidence of backup QB Davis Mills allowing their offense to find more of its groove without C.t. Stroud. It will be interesting to see what happens with Stroud’s return.

16. Baltimore Ravens 6-5 (17)

The Ravens got a huge win over the Jets with Derrick Henry and the defense taking a key burden off Lamar Jackson. The reward was rallying from a 1-5 start to first place again in the AFC North.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-5 (11)

The Buccaneers have seen their offensive and defensive injuries catch up to them with three consecutive losses. Streaky Baker Mayfield has been cold of late with limited experience around him. The pass defense isn’t holding up well, anymore, either. They are lucky to play in the weak NFC South once again.