2. Denver Broncos 12-2 (4)<\/p>\n
The Broncos<\/a>\u00a0keep showing their doubters why they should believe in them, with a dominant defense making huge plays at right times and a confident QB in Bo Nix. Denver is making a case to be trusted in the playoffs under Sean Payton.<\/p>\n 3. New England Patriots 11-3 (1)<\/p>\n The Patriots<\/a>\u00a0have cooled off a bit with Drake Maye’s passing and revved up their running game. Blowing a 21-0 lead at home to the Bills with the division on the line is a little bit worrisome.<\/p>\n 4. Buffalo Bills 10-4 (6)<\/p>\n The Bills<\/a>\u00a0were relentless coming back with Josh Allen in New England. That win was a statement of why they look like the team to beat right now. But Buffalo’s run defense can come back to bite them big time with more on the line.<\/p>\n MORE: How\u00a0Josh Allen overcame slow start to stun Drake Maye in Foxboro<\/a><\/p>\n 5. Seattle Seahawks 11-3 (5)<\/p>\n The Seahawks<\/a>\u00a0were contained on the ground and didn’t get a lot going on offensively against the Colts with their red zone woes. However, Jason Myers’ field-goal dominance and Seattle’s defensive stinginess can make up for plenty.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Seahawks playoff picture after Week 15 win over Colts<\/a><\/p>\n Kyle Terada-Imagn Images <\/p>\n 6. San Francisco 49ers 10-4 (7)<\/p>\n The 49ers<\/a>\u00a0got Brock Purdy at home against the Titans and after a bye, and he looks more comfortable with all of his weapons at better overall health. San Francisco isn’t going away as a Super Bowl contender.<\/p>\n 7. Green Bay Packers 9-4-1 (3)<\/p>\n The\u00a0Packers<\/a>‘ defense lost Micah Parsons in Denver after it had a bad day against the Broncos’ limited offense. That will make it hard for them to sweep the Bears in Week 16 in Chicago to regain first place.<\/p>\n MORE: Why the Packers won’t win Super Bowl 60 without Micah Parsons<\/a><\/p>\n 8. Chicago Bears 10-4 (8)<\/p>\n The Bears<\/a>\u00a0are getting it done with varied receivers helping Caleb Williams from week-to-week and an improved rushing punch with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Watch out if the defense continues to play like it did to freeze out the Browns.<\/p>\n 9. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-4 (9)<\/p>\n The Jaguars<\/a>\u00a0keep pressuring QBs on lesser teams and getting takeaways to spark big wins, including over the Jets. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. have never looked this good together in the offense and now they have a ton of fun help.<\/p>\n MORE: Trevor Lawrence delivers gift for fantasy managers with stellar showing<\/a><\/p>\n 10. Los Angeles Chargers 10-4 (10)<\/p>\n The Chargers<\/a>\u00a0struck hard with no mercy against the Chiefs knowing they could be responsible for ousting the AFC champions and swing the door wide open. There’s no more “charger-ing’ here with Jim Harbaugh before the playoffs.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Chargers playoff picture after Week 15 win over Chiefs<\/a><\/p>\n The Eagles<\/a>\u00a0needed a complete get-well game and they got it with a 31-0 shutout of the Raiders in which no one complained about the offense or defense for a change. They can keep that up against the Commanders next week.<\/p>\n 12. Houston Texans 9-5 (13)<\/p>\n The Texans<\/a>\u00a0are seeing C.J. Stroud start to play at an expected level with injury issues behind him and Nico Collins right in front of him. The recent offensive explosion is good for their hopes of winning in the playoffs.<\/p>\n 13. Detroit Lions 8-6 (12)<\/p>\n The Lions<\/a>\u00a0were game with Jared Goff dueling Stafford well in the classic double-revenge game, but their beat-up defense had to submit and go into the tank in the second half. Dan Campbell’s team is headed to have a year off to set up a strong comeback.<\/p>\n 14. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6 (15)<\/p>\n The Steelers<\/a>\u00a0will want more of the vintage Aaron Rodgers in a Monday night tuneup against the Dolphins and also to ensure they’re right on winning the AFC North over the Ravens.<\/p>\n 15. Indianapolis Colts 8-6 (14)<\/p>\n The\u00a0Colts<\/a>\u00a0tried to play enough viable offense with Philip Rivers dinking and dunking playing off the run, but it wasn’t either, wasting a good effort by the defense with a dream season turning into a nightmare fast.<\/p>\n 16. Baltimore Ravens 7-7 (20)<\/p>\n The Ravens<\/a>\u00a0are seeing the real Lamar Jackson again with his hamstring injury not bothering him. It also helps when Derrick Henry is rolling for chunk runs. They will hope they can still make amends for the Steelers loss in Week 14.<\/p>\n 17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-7 (17)<\/p>\n The Buccaneers<\/a>\u00a0got a little sloppy with their defensive coverage minus real pressure and put the Falcons in too many comfortable situations on Thursday night. Baker Mayfield is fortunate he can still lead a first-place team down the stretch with a huge Panthers revenge game next.<\/p>\n 18. Carolina Panthers 7-7 (18)<\/p>\n The Panthers<\/a>\u00a0somehow have beaten the Rams and Packers but now have been swept by the Saints. Dave Canales’ team keeps tantalizing its fans who expect to get a reality check against the Buccaneers.<\/p>\n 19. Dallas Cowboys 6-7-1 (16)<\/p>\n The Cowboys<\/a>\u00a0have been going in the wrong direction right when they need to rally with their offense but their defensive shortcomings have been much too hard to overcome.<\/p>\n 20. Miami Dolphins 6-7 (21)<\/p>\n The Dolphins<\/a>\u00a0have been splashing around to save Mike McDaniel and it might have just have worked with them rallying from a 1-6 start. A win against the Steelers keeps playoff hope alive.<\/p>\n 21. Minnesota Vikings 6-8 (22)<\/p>\n The\u00a0Vikings<\/a>\u00a0were playing for pride and trying to see more positive flashes for J.J. McCarthy in Dallas and he came through with a strong offensive night. The Vikings need every good vibe to close the season.<\/p>\n 22. Kansas City Chiefs 6-8 (19)<\/p>\n The Chiefs<\/a>\u00a0are seeing all their issues from the past two seasons all come together to trip them up at the wrong time. Now the only concern is getting Patrick Mahomes back on the field to start next season.<\/p>\n MORE: Six reasons for the Chiefs\u00a0disastrous Super Bowl hangover<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n 23. Atlanta Falcons 5-9 (24)<\/p>\n The\u00a0Falcons<\/a>\u00a0are rallying in trying to save Raheem Morris and getting a spoiler road win at Tampa Bay helps. Their defense, however, remains a major letdown.<\/p>\n 24. New Orleans Saints 4-10 (25)<\/p>\n The Saints<\/a>\u00a0keep marching toward more positive vibes with Tyler Shough as Kellen Moore is finding an offensive spark through his young stars. The defense also is fighting harder to make plays with its veteran core.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Bengals<\/a>\u00a0should not be shut out with the level of offensive skill they have around Joe Burrow. The lack of pop against the Ravens when the defense was trying its best was rather disconcerting.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Joe Burrow gives brutal assessment of Bengals loss to Ravens<\/a><\/p>\n 26. Washington Commanders 4-10 (27)<\/p>\n The Commanders<\/a>\u00a0should be thrilled on what Marcus Mariota is doing with the Kliff Kingsburgy offense minus Jayden Daniels. It should also make them regret not shutting down Daniels earlier in the season.<\/p>\n 27. Arizona Cardinals 3-11 (26)<\/p>\n The Cardinals<\/a>\u00a0are not playing enough good defense to save Jonathan Gannon. The offense at least is saving some face with Trey McBride dominating.<\/p>\n 28. New York Jets 3-11 (28)<\/p>\n The Jets<\/a>\u00a0showed a little life with Brady Cook at quarterback before he got overwhelmed because the defense couldn’t stop anything or making any big plays per usual. Aaron Glenn got a tough deal and needs a lot of personnel help.<\/p>\n MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order through Week 15<\/a><\/p>\n 29. Cleveland Browns 3-11 (29)<\/p>\n The Browns<\/a>\u00a0crashed back to earth with Shedeur Sanders in the chill of Chicago. Their offensive line and shaky running game aren’t helping and they need to add a lot more weaponry last season. Without Myles Garrett, they wouldn’t be relevant.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Bears defense overwhelms Shedeur Sanders with three interceptions, five sacks<\/a><\/p>\n 30. New York Giants 2-12 (30)<\/p>\n The Giants<\/a>\u00a0are showing plenty more flash with Jaxson Dart and their defense is playing hard, too, for Mike Kafka\u00a0 They are setting up to be much better with an overhaul soon.<\/p>\n Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images <\/p>\n 31. Tennessee Titans 2-12 (31)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_25087352.jpg.webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27815987.jpg.webp.webp\")
11. Philadelphia Eagles 9-5 (11)<\/p>\n![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27691580.jpg.webp.webp\" "\\"Joe")
25. Cincinnati Bengals 4-10 (23)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27546617.jpg.webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n