NFL Week 13 power rankings: Rams, Chiefs, Browns on rise; one question facing each team – The Athletic
Editor’s note: Every week, Chad Graff and Josh Kendall rank and analyze all 32 teams from first to worst.
After a wild Sunday that saw three overtime games and a couple of exciting upsets, we’re left with one truly dominant team and … a bunch of questions after that. The Los Angeles Rams look incredible, but parity reigns from there.
As we head into Week 13, which features NFL games on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, let’s examine one big question facing each team.
1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
Last week: 2
Sunday: Beat Buccaneers 34-7
One big question: Can the playoffs start yet?
It’s not up for debate anymore — the Rams are the best team in the NFL. They’re the only team that ranks in the top five in both offensive and defensive expected points added per play. Matthew Stafford is the league’s top MVP candidate as an impressive Rams season rolls along.
Up next: at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
NFL team tiers based on EPA/play through 12 weeks (pending MNF). pic.twitter.com/FgEFKmwi4k
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 24, 2025
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Last week: 4
Sunday: Bye
One big question: Is Bo Nix good enough?
This is a simple one, but it’s vital when considering whether this team can actually win a Super Bowl. No one is going to have any gripes with the Broncos’ incredible defense. Because of that, Denver doesn’t need a ton from the offense. But can Nix do enough to get them over the hump?
Up next: at Commanders, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
Last week: 1
Sunday: Lost to Cowboys 24-21
One big question: Can they keep it on the rails?
The Eagles blew a 21-0 lead to the Cowboys, Saquon Barkley never got going on the ground and the vibes in Philly look miserable. And yet, they’re 8-3 and remain one of the most talented rosters in the league.
Up next: vs. Bears, Friday, 3 p.m. ET
4. New England Patriots (10-2)
Last week: 5
Sunday: Beat Bengals 26-20
One big question: Can they overcome injuries?
The Patriots have had some of the best injury luck in the league, which helped in their shocking start to the season. Until Sunday. Now, rookie left tackle Will Campbell will miss multiple games, star defensive tackle Milton Williams is on injured reserve and left guard Jared Wilson will miss at least one game. Their schedule remains easy, but their depth doesn’t look great, and it’ll be tested over the next few weeks.
Up next: vs. Giants, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
Last week: 6
Sunday: Beat Titans 30-24
One big question: Can they avoid the Rams?
As long as Sam Darnold isn’t facing that Los Angeles defense, he has looked great. He threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns Sunday (both to Jaxon Smith-Njigba) as the Seahawks built a 30-10 lead and cruised to an easy win.
Up next: vs. Vikings, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Jaxon Smith-Njigba now leads the NFL with 1,313 receiving yards this season, and already has surpassed DK Metcalf for the most receiving yards in a season in Seahawks’ franchise history.
Smith-Njigba is the fifth player ever with at least 1,300 receiving yards in his first 11… pic.twitter.com/72yuepYuSk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2025
6. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
Last week: 3
Sunday: Lost to Chiefs 23-20 (OT)
One big question: Daniel Jones won’t turn into a pumpkin … right?
Jones is not the only reason they lost to the Chiefs on Sunday (Kansas City limited Indy’s talented running game), but this is the fear with the Colts. If their running game has even a so-so game, can Jones carry the offense?
Up next: vs. Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
7. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)
Last week: 10
Sunday: Beat Vikings 23-6
One big question: Is the offense good enough?
In the three games since Tucker Kraft suffered a season-ending injury, the Packers have yet to put up 300 yards of offense in a game. They’re still 2-1 in those three because their defense is very good, but they’re going to need more from Jordan Love and a passing offense that hasn’t eclipsed 170 yards since Week 9.
Up next: at Lions, Thursday, 1 p.m. ET
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs roasted the Giants for 264 yards of offense and three touchdowns on Sunday. (David Reginek / Imagn Images)
8. Detroit Lions (7-4)
Last week: 8
Sunday: Beat Giants 34-27 (OT)
One big question: Is the offense fixed?
Thursday’s Thanksgiving game should be a ton of fun with this high-powered Lions offense against a good Packers defense. After a dud against the Eagles in Week 11, Jahmyr Gibbs carried the offense, running for 219 yards and two touchdowns and adding another 45 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Up next: vs. Packers, Thursday, 1 p.m. ET
Legendary company@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 pic.twitter.com/nJhFkYLMbb
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 24, 2025
9. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Last week: 7
Thursday: Lost to Texans 23-19
One big question: Will they ever stop the run?
The Texans entered last Thursday’s game with the NFL’s worst rushing offense (based on success rate). Then Woody Marks blasted the Bills for 4.6 yards per carry as Houston had few issues on the ground. The Bills are legit in a lot of areas, but they need to figure out their run defense before the playoffs.
Up next: at Steelers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)
Last week: 16
Sunday: Beat Colts 23-20 (OT)
One big question: Can they fix the running game?
As Mike Sando outlined in his “Pick Six” column, the Chiefs rank last in the NFL in explosive run percentage and have just eight carries of 12-plus yards this season. It has made them largely dependent on the passing game, which has looked stagnant at times.
Up next: at Cowboys, Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET
11. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Last week: 11
Monday: Beat Panthers 20-9
One big question: There’s no QB competition … right?
In his second game back from injury, Brock Purdy was intercepted three times (all in the first half) and managed only 193 passing yards. The 49ers leaned on Christian McCaffrey (for good reason), but they’re going to need more from Purdy down the stretch.
Up next: at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Christian McCaffrey currently leads the NFL in receptions with 81 🔥
The last RB to be the NFL’s single-season leader in catches? Niners legend Roger Craig in 1985 👀@49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/6BzPdDPBos
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 25, 2025
12. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Last week: 12
Sunday: Beat Steelers 31-28
One big question: Is this sustainable?
Caleb Williams had one of the ugliest plays of any quarterback this season — yet also threw for three touchdowns on Sunday. The defense also let the Steelers convert more than half of their first downs, raising legitimate questions about how real this eight-win team is.
Up next: at Eagles, Friday, 3 p.m. ET
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
Last week: 9
Sunday: Lost to Rams 34-7
One big question: What happened to the offense?
Through the first six weeks of the season, Baker Mayfield was an MVP candidate, and the Bucs offense ranked seventh in expected points added per play. In the last six weeks, the unit ranks 28th in that stat. Will the dinged-up Mayfield play this weekend?
Up next: vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
Last week: 14
Sunday: Beat Cardinals 27-24 (OT)
One big question: Is Trevor Lawrence still the guy?
The Jags look a lot better in a lot of areas with Liam Coen — just not at quarterback. Lawrence ranks 30th in the league in completion percentage, 25th in yards per attempt and 29th in EPA per dropback.
Up next: at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
15. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Last week: 15
Sunday: Bye
One big question: Can the O-line find a way?
It seems unlikely, but if they can just find a way to stabilize their front five, this is a team that could make a run. But the injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater may be too much to overcome.
Up next: vs. Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
16. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
Last week: 17
Sunday: Beat Jets 23-10
One big question: Is Lamar Jackson actually healthy?
Nothing means more for the Ravens’ hopes this season than Jackson’s health, but the quarterback hasn’t looked like himself since returning four games ago. He hasn’t thrown for more than 205 yards or topped 40 yards rushing in any of those games.
Up next: vs. Bengals, Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Will Anderson of the Texans had a dominant performance last Thursday against Josh Allen and the Bills, totaling 2.5 sacks and nine pressures. (Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
17. Houston Texans (6-5)
Last week: 19
Thursday: Beat Bills 23-19
One big question: Can the defense carry them?
The Texans sacked Josh Allen eight times and forced three turnovers, as they continue to look like one of the NFL’s best defenses. But, like the Broncos, is that unit good enough to carry a just-OK offense?
Up next: at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
anyone else see a person riding an elephant? pic.twitter.com/y0Nw15vvN1
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 21, 2025
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Last week: 13
Sunday: Lost to Bears 31-28
One big question: What’s the long-term plan?
Pittsburgh has won nine or 10 games in four straight years, and this one looks like it could go similarly. Is that enough, though? Is the Steelers’ brass OK sitting barely above .500 every year? With Pittsburgh’s difficult schedule to close the season, our playoff simulator gives them just a 20 percent chance of reaching the postseason.
Up next: vs. Bills, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
19. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)
Last week: 20
Sunday: Beat Eagles 24-21
One big question: Did Jerry Jones actually fix the defense?
It’s a small sample size, but since the Cowboys traded for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, they’ve shut down the running game (allowing just 100 total rushing yards over the last two games) and have five sacks. That, and Sunday’s upset of the Eagles, has given them an outside shot at the playoffs.
Up next: vs. Chiefs, Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET
20. Carolina Panthers (6-6)
Last week: 18
Monday: Lost to 49ers 20-9
One big question: Is Bryce Young the guy?
Amazingly, Monday night was Young’s 39th NFL start. And now, that hot streak he was on to close the 2024 season feels like ancient history. Young was bad against the Niners — 18-for-29 passing for 169 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions — and ranks outside the top 25 in both EPA per play and yards per attempt.
Up next: vs. Rams, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
21. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Last week: 25
Sunday: Beat Saints 24-10
One big question: Are changes coming?
The baffling move in the spring of 2024 to sign Kirk Cousins to a massive deal and draft a quarterback who was 24 as a rookie (only to sit him for 15 weeks) looked bad then. But it may look even worse now. Is Arthur Blank going to give general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris another year?
Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
“It was fun to compete. Fun to be in the fight and I was grateful for the opportunity to do it.” @Kristina_Pink caught up with @KirkCousins8 after the @AtlantaFalcons snapped their 5-game losing streak ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ggd7nyYqzS
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 24, 2025
22. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
Last week: 24
Sunday: Bye
One big question: Will Mike McDaniel stay?
It’s not often a team fires its general manager midseason but keeps its head coach, as the Dolphins did. Now they’ve quietly rattled off back-to-back wins with the Saints and Jets up next. Is there a chance McDaniel is back next season?
Up next: vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
23. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
Last week: 21
Sunday: Lost to Packers 23-6
One big question: What in the world can they do with J.J. McCarthy?
Coach Kevin O’Connell has been the NFL’s biggest proponent that it’s teams that typically fail quarterbacks, not the other way around. But how do the Vikings keep playing McCarthy when he so clearly isn’t ready and has been historically bad? On the other hand, can you really bench him for an undrafted rookie? Maybe they won’t have to make a decision this week with McCarthy in concussion protocol.
Up next: at Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
24. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
Last week: 22
Sunday: Lost to Jaguars 27-24 (OT)
One big question: What happens with Kyler Murray?
The Cardinals need to decide on Murray before March 22, 2026, when his 2027 salary guarantees. With the way they seem to enjoy the offense with Jacoby Brissett running it, a split seems possible (if not likely) between Murray and the team that drafted him No. 1 overall.
Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has missed the last nine games due to injury but is expected to return on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens. (Sam Greene / The Enquirer / USA Today via Imagn Images)
25. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)
Last week: 23
Sunday: Lost to Patriots 26-20
One big question: Is there a point in bringing Joe Burrow back?
The star quarterback appears to be primed for a return on Thanksgiving night, but it seems like it’s coming in a lost season for the Bengals. Their defense is still terrible, and Burrow will need to run the table just to have a shot at the postseason. Our playoff simulator suggests there’s just a 3 percent chance of that happening.
Up next: at Ravens, Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
26. Washington Commanders (3-8)
Last week: 26
Sunday: Bye
One big question: Why bring Jayden Daniels back?
This feels similar to the Bengals. The teams are both 3-8, have terrible defenses and are preparing to bring back their injury-prone star quarterbacks. Is it more important for Daniels to grow at the end of Year 2, or is it more important that he’s healthy for next year?
Up next: vs. Broncos, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
27. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Last week: 31
Sunday: Beat Raiders 24-10
One big question: Can Shedeur Sanders keep the job?
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that the team will stick with Sanders after he threw for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Browns’ first win in over a month. Now, can he do enough to keep the job the rest of the season? (A second big question: How amazing is Myles Garrett? He had three sacks and six QB hits in Sunday’s pounding of the Raiders.)
Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Shedeur Sanders has a message for his haters. pic.twitter.com/tWtiMwjEmv
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 24, 2025
28. New York Giants (2-10)
Last week: 28
Sunday: Lost to Lions 34-27 (OT)
One big question: Why was Russell Wilson ever starting?
It seems like ages ago, but Wilson was actually the Giants’ starting quarterback for the first three games this fall. After they switched to Jaxson Dart, the offense clearly improved. And even if they didn’t want to start a rookie out of the gates, Jameis Winston showed Sunday that he brings more juice to the offense than Wilson.
Up next: at Patriots, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
29. New Orleans Saints (2-9)
Last week: 27
Sunday: Lost to Falcons 24-10
One big question: How do you fix this mess?
The Saints have the league’s worst roster, a terrible cap situation and no long-term plan at quarterback. So what’s next? Will they draft another QB in 2026? Will they make a change in the front office? Or will they really keep the status quo?
Up next: at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
30. New York Jets (2-9)
Last week: 29
Sunday: Lost to Ravens 23-10
One big question: What’s the QB plan?
It seemed obvious a month ago that the Jets would use a first-round pick to draft a quarterback. But after trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, is it worth building up the rest of the roster first, then going after the QB? Or should they draft a quarterback in April regardless?
Up next: vs. Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)
Last week: 30
Sunday: Lost to Browns 24-10
One big question: Who is calling the shots?
Pete Carroll got his quarterback, but is he also the one who chose Chip Kelly, the league’s highest-paid offensive coordinator, who was fired Sunday after 11 games? Is Tom Brady in charge? John Spytek? There’s just a lot that isn’t known about the Raiders’ new structure and who will be calling the shots this offseason.
Up next: at Chargers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
32. Tennessee Titans (1-10)
Last week: 32
Sunday: Lost to Seahawks 30-24
One big question: Is it January yet?
No team would rather fast-forward through these final few weeks more than the Titans, who don’t have much to look forward to until they hire their next head coach. Well, that and following their projected odds of landing the No. 1 pick for a second straight draft. (We have them at 47 percent.)
Up next: vs. Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
