Zak Drapeau's Updated NFL Power Rankings and Tiers

Zak Drapeau
1 day ago
10 min read

by Zak Drapeau

12/2/2025

Sportz Nation

Tier 1

Elite Teams

Tied-1. Seattle Seahawks

9-3 (Won 6 of last 7)

Problems: Sam Darnold once a month

Solutions: Rest of Team

The Seahawks have the most complete team in football and probably the best defense as well. With their only loss in the last two months coming against the other team tied for 1st, it's clear they are a REAL Super Bowl Contender. This team will truly go as far as Sam Darnold allows them to go but in big games... I still don't trust him.

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Tied-1. Los Angeles Rams

9-3 (Won 6 of last 7)

Problems: Not really

Solutions: Offense

The Rams are probably still the best team in the league but their defense had a very poor showing in their loss in Carolina this week. With Matthew Stafford finally falling off the record pace he's been on, even though this team is elite... one can wonder if they can still be elite if Stafford doesn't have a brilliant game.

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Tier 2

Best of the Rest

3. New England Patriots

10-2 (Won 9 in a Row)

Problems: Inexperience

Solutions: Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel

Spoiler Alert... the Patriots are the only AFC team in my Top-6 and top 2 tiers. That being said they aren't elite because of their schedule and their inexperience. Their win in Buffalo remains their only great win of the season in my opinion but that can no longer keep them from being among the very best especially in their own conference.

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4. Chicago Bears

9-3 (Won 9 of last 10)

Problems: Inexperience

Solutions: Ben Johnson

Only 3 weeks ago did I have the Bears at #15 on my rankings and I will own up to that mistake. I do think there's a bit of credence to a "soft schedule" claim but seeing as they just beat the Eagles in Philly amidst a 5-game winning streak... that isn't holding much water. In truth, I really see the Bears as being a perfect NFC's clone of the Patriots... A terrific team with a bright future but might not get a playoff win this year.

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5. Green Bay Packers

8-3-1 (Won 3 in a Row)

Problems: Lack of Consistency

Solutions: Defense and Coaching

I've struggled with the Packers placement all season but I think they're finally settling into the #5-7 range nicely. With a GIGANTIC matchup against the Bears this week happening in Green Bay, we will know a lot more about both teams as the winner will take sole possession of the NFC north and maybe the whole conference.

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6. Philadelphia Eagles

8-4 (Lost 2 in a Row)

Problems: Offense

Solutions: Defense and Experience

There is something going on with Philly's offense. I'm not saying their offensive woes happened as soon as A.J. Brown started demanding the ball more the past month... but I'm also not NOT saying that. Philly is still right on the cusp of being elite and could still end up their by the end of the year, but they need to figure something out quick if they want to make another Super Bowl run.

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Tier 3

Great Teams with a Ceiling

7. Denver Broncos

10-2 (Won 9 in a Row)

Problems: Too Many Close Games

Solutions: Defense and Coaching

It's been said that the Broncos are the "Worst 10-2 team" ever and I think that' way too much. This team's record is a lot better than their team is; sure. But the Broncos still have a GREAT defense and Sean Payton has given them an excellent ability to win close games. Still, I don't see them beating the better teams in a playoff environment.

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8. Detroit Lions

7-5 (Lost 3 of last 5)

Problems: Other Good Teams

Solutions: Experience

Detroit is having very similar problems as Philly right now and with Amon-Ra set to miss 1-3 games, their problems may get worse. The Lions have shown that they are sorely missing Ben Johnson and while this team is still a playoff team, they are also 3-4 against teams that are .500 or better and 3-3 on the road this season.

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9. Buffalo Bills

8-4 (Won 2 of last 3)

Problems: Josh Allen

Solutions: Josh Allen

I almost included the Bills in the next tier with other dominant teams over the past 5 years but decided to keep them in the Top-10. Josh Allen has shown that he is a step behind this year compared to previous ones but he can still go off at any time and as always, the Bills' defense is coming together nicely at the end of the season.

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10. Houston Texans

7-5 (Won 4 in a Row)

Problems: Scoring Points

Solutions: Defense

Making their first appearance in the Top-10 are the Texans who are on 1 4-game heater and still have the best defense in the league. While their offense is still shaky and the officiating in their win in Indianapolis was VERY questionable, this team is legit and are coming together nicely after their slow start.

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11. San Francisco 49ers

9-4 (Won 4 of last 5)

Problems: Injuries

Solutions: Coaching

The 49ers are one of if not the most injured team in football and have only lost to the Rams, Texans, Jaguars and Buccaneers this season. As impressive of a coaching staff as any team in the league, San Fran is looking better and better every week now especially with Brock Purdy finally getting healthier.

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12. Jacksonville Jaguars

8-4 (Won 4 of last 5)

Problems: Trevor Lawrence

Solutions: Defense

The Jaguars have now won 4 of their last 5 and are in the lead in the AFC South. While it took Trevor Lawrence 12 games and a Titans' defense to finally put up a 100+ passer rating this season, the rest of the team has really stepped up especially on defense where they've kept their opponents to 20 or less points in 6 of their 12 games.

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13. Indianapolis Colts

8-4 (Lost 3 of last 4)

Problems: Other Good Teams

Solutions: Jonathan Taylor

The Colts have now dropped 3 of the last 4 to Pittsburgh, Kansas City and now Houston and have slowed down considerably on offense. With news of Daniel Jones' leg injury and multiple unfavorable officiating calls over the last few weeks playing some part in it, the truth is this once great team is definitely slipping at the same time they're schedule turned from one of the easiest to one of the toughest.

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Tier 4

Missing Something

14. Kansas City Chiefs

6-6 (Lost 3 of last 4)

Problems: Road Games

Solutions: Home Games

The Chiefs are 5-1 at home this season and 1-5 on the road. A problem that is easy enough to fix in my opinion but one that may keep them out of the playoffs this season for the first time in the Mahomes-era. In typical-Chiefs fashion they only have 3 difficult games left on the schedule including the Texans, Chargers and Broncos... all at Aarowhead.

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15. Baltimore Ravens

6-6 (Won 5 of last 6)

Problems: Lamar Jackson

Solutions: Lamar Jackson

Since Lamar Jackson returned from injury they were 4-0 before the Bengals game but it may not all be thanks to the former-MVP. Jackson is averaging 197 pass yards, 0 Touchdowns and 1 interception in his last 3 games and whether he's in a dry spell or nursing an injury possibly, this team won't make it to the playoffs if he doesn't get it together.

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Tier 5

Looking For a Playoff Win

16. Los Angeles Chargers

8-4 (Won 4 of last 5)

Problems: Injured Players

Solutions: Healthy Players

The Chargers are quietly putting together an excellent midseason run even despite their injury woes. The thing is their injuries just got worse with Justin Herbert breaking his non-throwing hand. The Chargers are a bonafide Top-5 team without injuries but with their Tackles, Top-3 Running Backs and Top Linebacker out... what can they do?

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17. Dallas Cowboys

6-5-1 (Won 3 in a Row)

Problems: Start of Season

Solutions: Trade Deadline

The Cowboys have had one of the best offenses all season long but since the trade deadline, they've now had at least a serviceable defense and have won 3 in row including both participants in last year's Super Bowl in a 4-day span. The Cowboys have a favorable schedule after the Lions this Thursday and might actually have a shot at the playoffs still.

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18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7-5 (Lost 3 of last 4)

Problems: Injuries and Defense

Solutions: Baker Mayfield

The Buccaneers finally got Bucky Irving back but that still hasn't improved the team much as they continue to dwindle in mediocrity. After falling down a 3-game skid to great teams, they barely escape a home game against the Cardinals with a win. It looks like Baker really isn't Superman after all and is getting almost no help from the team around him.

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19. Carolina Panthers

7-6 (Won 2 of last 3)

Problems: Consistency

Solutions: Home Games and Defense

The Panthers have taken over from the Falcons as the most inconsistent team in football but one with a lot of potential. Bryce Young has now had 2 insanely good games against great defenses in the Falcons and Rams in the last two weeks which is great to see. But has also had his worst game of the year in a home loss to the Saints earlier this month...

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20. Pittsburgh Steelers

6-6 (Lost 3 of last 4)

Problems: Offense

Solutions: Coaching and Defense

The Steelers have been on a major decline from their "hot" start to the season. Losing to the Bills, Bears and Chargers in the past few weeks are good losses but the way they've been losing and more importantly, Aaron Rodgers' poor play in those games have the Steelers on a trend that I don't see them pulling out of.

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Tier 6

Technically In the Hunt

21. Miami Dolphins

5-7 (Won 4 of last 5)

Problems: Coaching

Solutions: Easy Schedule

Ever since the "Mike McDaniel should be fired but is being allowed to coach the rest of the season" news came out of the Dolphins' management, the Dolphins have kind of been on a tear. One of the easiest 2nd half-schedules in the entire league has helped them out and even though they've won 4 of their last 5, don't be fooled; they're still not a great football team.

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22. Cincinnati Bengals

4-8 (Lost 3 of last 4)

Problems: 52 of their 53-man Roster

Solutions: Joe Burrow

The Bengals have won the last 8 games in a row that Joe Burrow has started. This team was a disaster without him and a legit contender with him plain and simple... I was a big advocate for Burrow for MVP last year when everyone wrote him off because of team success. While the Bengals are basically out of playoff contention already, think of where this franchise would be without their QB. Now think of what the word "Valuable" means to you.

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23. Minnesota Vikings

4-8 (Lost 4 in a Row)

Problems: J.J. McCarthy

Solutions: Coaching and Defense

The Vikings have the opposite problem as the Bengals, a good team but a Quarterback who can not go out and win games. Kevin O'Connell has been the proclaimed "QB-whisperer" but I don't think even he can salvage this situation.

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24. Atlanta Falcons

4-8 (Lost 6 of last 7)

Problems: Offense

Solutions: Defense... Sort of

The Falcons have had the biggest downfall of any team this season. Especially now without Michael Penix for what is likely to be the rest of the year, this team has no direction and very few leaders. Bijan might enjoy carrying the ball 30 times a game but that isn't a recipe for success seeing as they just lost to the Jets.

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Tier 7

In Limbo

25. Arizona Cardinals

3-9 (Lost 4 in a Row)

Problems: Offense

Solutions: Good Pieces

Jacoby Brissett may be throwing more interceptions than fans are comfortable with but there's no question it was the right move to start the veteran. That being said this team still can't win ball games and that comes down to play-calling and maybe even coaching. I believe in Jonathan Gannon and a good amount of this roster but something serious will need to change and that will have to begin this offseason.

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26. New York Jets

3-9 (Won 3 of last 5)

Problems: Roster and... Coaching?

Solutions: Draft Picks

The Jets have certainly looked better in the second half of the season and some of that has to do with a soft schedule but I do believe players are starting to buy into Aaron Glenn's team. Where this team can go through a rebuild remains to be a story we've seen fail too many times but with Glenn's ability, some of the pieces this team has and the draft pick capitol they've built up... it's a start.

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27. Washington Commanders

3-9 (Lost 7 in a Row)

Problems: Jayden Daniels

Solutions: Jayden Daniels

The NFC Championship participant from last year has come back to Earth and weren't a great team even before their 7-game skid. Now that Jayden Daniels has been injured for most of the season, the Commanders' defense has been really exposed and left out to dry. The good thing about their situation is they have another 2 years of Daniels' rookie contract to optimize their roster and go for another playoff run.

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28. Cleveland Browns

3-9 (Lost 4 of last 5)

Problems: Quarterbacks

Solutions: Youth

So I think it's fair to say the Shedeur Sanders has been the best of the Browns' starting Quarterbacks this season and deserves to get the rest of the snaps for this season. The Browns have one of the highest amounts of Top-2 round picks on their roster and thus have some potential for success but it starts with the Quarterback. Even though They are not in my "Tanking" tier... that may be the way to go.

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29. New York Giants

-10 (Lost 6 in a Row)

Problems: Coaching

Solutions: Youth

The path is their and very clear... Last night was an ugly game vs the Patriots but the comparison between the two teams is very interesting. Last year, the Patriots and Bears were deemed the "Best scenario" for a new Head Coach based on their high-potential roster and this year I believe the Giants will. Can they be the next turnaround team? We'll have to wait and find out.

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Tier 8

Tanking

30. New Orleans Saints

2-10 (Lost 6 of last 7)

Problems: Slow Rebuild

Solutions: Good Pieces

Tyler Shough has been pretty alright since getting the starting job but the team around him just isn't ready to win games. Kellen Moore could be the guy to turn this team around but it certainly won't happen this season and will take a mighty effort to do so in the future.

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31. Las Vegas Raiders

2-10 (Lost 6 in a Row)

Problems: Everything

Solutions: Jeanty, Bowers and Crosby

Whether Pete Carroll is the man for this particular job is up for debate but the Raiders will have to replace a lot more than just him this offseason. In need of a COMPLETELY new defense beside Maxx Crosby and a Quarterback and O-line to help Bowers and Jeanty, the upcoming Vegas-rebuild will likely be 2 seasons or more.

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32. Tennessee Titans

1-11 (Lost 7 in a Row)

Problems: Everything

Solutions: Rebuild

Cam Ward was thought to be the lone bright spot on this team's future but I'm starting to doubt even that now. The Titans only win on the season was their remarkable comeback against the Cardinals when Arizona did everything they could to choke that game. If that colossal collapse didn't happen, it'd be very likely this Titans team would have been the 4th winless team in NFL history.

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