\u2014 ESPN (@espn) December 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)<\/p>\n Last week: 1<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Panthers 31-28<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Super Bowl or bust<\/p>\n Despite losing in Week 13, the Rams still look like one of the best teams in the NFL. And in a year where Matthew Stafford looked primed to win the MVP award \u2014 perhaps until his two untimely interceptions Sunday \u2014 there\u2019s only one best-case scenario for the Rams, and it\u2019s hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.<\/p>\n Up next: at Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 3. Denver Broncos (10-2)<\/p>\n Last week: 2<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Commanders 27-26 (OT)<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A first-round bye<\/p>\n It certainly wasn\u2019t pretty (once again) for the Broncos on Sunday night, but they (once again) found a way to win as Bo Nix threw for 321 yards. The drawback for them is that after a matchup in Las Vegas next week, their final four opponents are all at .500 or better.<\/p>\n Up next: at Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 4. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)<\/p>\n Last week: 5<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Vikings 26-0<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Sam Darnold avoids turning into a pumpkin<\/p>\n Darnold is no longer in Minnesota<\/a> largely because of the way he played in his final two games as a Viking. That\u2019s why he\u2019ll be under a microscope in December. Darnold wasn\u2019t great on Sunday (14-of-26 for 128 yards), but he didn\u2019t have to be against his former team.<\/p>\n Up next: at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 5. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)<\/p>\n Last week: 7<\/p>\n Thursday: Beat Lions 31-24<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: The offense hits its stride<\/p>\n There were fair concerns about Green Bay\u2019s offense after Tucker Kraft\u2019s season-ending injury. But after some hiccups, the offense got rolling again on Thanksgiving as Jordan Love threw four touchdown passes.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Bears, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 6. Chicago Bears (9-3)<\/p>\n Last week: 12<\/p>\n Friday: Beat Eagles 24-15\u00a0<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A home playoff game<\/p>\n The Bears have won the NFC North just once in the last 14 years. Our playoff simulator<\/a> gives them only a 37 percent chance of doing it this year \u2014 even though they\u2019re the No. 1 seed in the NFC \u2014 largely because of a difficult remaining schedule that includes games against the Packers (twice), Lions and 49ers.<\/p>\n Up next: at Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 7. Buffalo Bills (8-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 9<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Steelers 26-7<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: The defense is turning things around<\/p>\n It hasn\u2019t been a great year for that side of the ball in Buffalo, but the defense was dominant against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Sure, maybe that says more about the Steelers offense than the Bills defense, but if the Buffalo D can play even average football the rest of the way, this will be a dangerous team come the postseason.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 8. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 11<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Browns 26-8<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Their injury luck flips<\/p>\n It can\u2019t get much worse for the 49ers injury-wise, right? Now with a week to get healthy, they will be a scary opponent in December as Robert Saleh has this banged-up defense playing well.<\/p>\n Up next: Bye<\/p>\n 9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 3<\/p>\n Friday: Lost to Bears 24-15<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: The Bears defense is just OK, yet the Eagles managed only 317 yards of offense and 15 points at home on Black Friday. But we\u2019re looking for positives today, and if this offense can get sorted out \u2014 which admittedly feels like a big ask 13 weeks into the season \u2014 Philadelphia should be fine.<\/p>\n Up next: at Chargers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 10. Detroit Lions (7-5)<\/p>\n Last week: 8<\/p>\n Thursday: Lost to Packers 31-24<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn\u2019t miss time<\/p>\n The Lions offense played pretty well on Thanksgiving Day against a good Packers defense, but St. Brown is what takes that group to a different level. It doesn\u2019t help his prospects that Detroit isn\u2019t on an extended break, with a second straight Thursday game looming.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Cowboys, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n \n Nico Collins had five receptions for 98 yards and a rushing touchdown as the Texans won on the road in Indianapolis in Week 13. (Dylan Buell \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n 11. Houston Texans (7-5)<\/p>\n Last week: 17<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Colts 20-16<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: C.J. Stroud gets rolling<\/p>\n While Stroud missed nearly a month, the Texans showed they can win ugly, low-scoring games behind a great defense. Now, with Stroud back, if the offense can get moving again, this could be a tough team to beat in January.<\/p>\n Up next: at Chiefs, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 12. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 6<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Texans 20-16<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Daniel Jones improves against pressure<\/p>\n Jones was a top-five quarterback in the league in yards per attempt when pressured over the first eight weeks of the season. Since then, however, he ranks 12th in that stat, which is part of the reason the once red-hot Colts have dropped back-to-back games and three of their last four.<\/p>\n Up next: at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)<\/p>\n Last week: 13<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Cardinals 20-17<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: They win the NFC South<\/p>\n While the Bucs have the same number of wins as the Panthers, they have a more favorable path to winning the division thanks to their remaining games (other than the two versus Carolina) against the Saints, Falcons and Dolphins.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n things you love to see https:\/\/t.co\/7egQVMXJ5Y<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/XjLeWDbS5b<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 14. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 14<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Titans 25-3<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Win next week<\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing how much the Jags have riding on a Week 14 game. But after handling their business against the Titans, they have a 66 percent chance of winning the division if they beat the Colts next week, compared to a 19 percent chance if they lose.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 15. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)<\/p>\n Last week: 15<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Raiders 31-14<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: The running game clicks<\/p>\n It\u2019s weird for a Jim Harbaugh-led team, but the Chargers have struggled on the ground this season. They entered Sunday ranked 20th in rushing success rate and EPA per rush. But against the Raiders, they ran for 192 yards.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Eagles, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Kimani Vidal forced 12 missed tackles against the Raiders, the most by a Chargers player since Week 2, 2020 (Austin Ekeler, 13 vs. KC).<\/p>\n Vidal gained 89 yards off missed tackles, the 8th-most by any player in a game this season.#LVvsLAC<\/a> | #BoltUp<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OlXxZ6Gndi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 16. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)<\/p>\n Last week: 19<\/p>\n Thursday: Beat Chiefs 31-28<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A wild-card berth<\/p>\n The odds are still against them (our simulator gives them a 24 percent chance of reaching the playoffs), but with three straight wins, the Cowboys have given themselves a chance with a defense that\u2019s suddenly playing better.<\/p>\n Up next: at Lions, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 17. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)<\/p>\n Last week: 10<\/p>\n Thursday: Lost to Cowboys 31-28<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Just get to the playoffs<\/p>\n If they reach the postseason, they\u2019ll be the team no one wants to play, given their experience and quarterback. But for the first time this season, our playoff simulator gives them less than a 50 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, which is hard to imagine in the midst of Patrick Mahomes\u2019 prime.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Texans, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n \n Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has had an up-and-down season, but he had another big day in Sunday\u2019s shocking win over the Rams. (Grant Halverson \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n 18. Carolina Panthers (7-6)<\/p>\n Last week: 20<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Rams 31-28<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Winning the NFC South<\/p>\n It\u2019s been easy to discount what the Panthers have done this season \u2014 until now. They head into their bye week having knocked off arguably the league\u2019s best team behind an impressive performance from third-year quarterback Bryce Young (15-of-20 for 206 yards and three touchdowns).<\/p>\n Up next: Bye<\/p>\n 19. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)<\/p>\n Last week: 16<\/p>\n Thursday: Lost to Bengals 32-14<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Somehow, Lamar Jackson actually gets healthy<\/p>\n What we\u2019ve seen of late can\u2019t be the healthy version of the two-time MVP. In his last three games, he\u2019s thrown zero touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for just 48 yards.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 20. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)<\/p>\n Last week: 18<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Bills 26-7<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A hard reset<\/p>\n Is this unfair for a best-case scenario? Maybe. But even Steelers fans were booing \u201cRenegade\u201d on Sunday in a hard-to-watch performance. It just feels like they need a change. Is it the quarterback<\/a>? Is it the coach<\/a>? We\u2019ll see this offseason.<\/p>\n Up next: at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)<\/p>\n Last week: 25<\/p>\n Thursday: Beat Ravens 32-14<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: This defensive surge sticks<\/p>\n One week after slowing down the Patriots, the Bengals\u2019 struggling defense bottled up Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. It\u2019s just a two-week sample size, but maybe this Cincinnati defense (which began the season in historically bad fashion) is turning a corner. Oh, and the return of Joe Burrow helped a bit, too.<\/p>\n Up next: at Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 22. Miami Dolphins (5-7)<\/p>\n Last week: 22<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Saints 21-17<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A .500 record<\/p>\n After a 1-6 start, the Dolphins have won four of their last five and play the Jets and Steelers next. It would be quite the turnaround, given how bad this team looked early in the season.<\/p>\n Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 23. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)<\/p>\n Last week: 21<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Jets 27-24<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Some sort of offseason jolt<\/p>\n Even with how dreadful they\u2019ve been \u2014 losers of six of their last seven, including losses to the Jets and Saints \u2014 they don\u2019t have the benefit of a top-10 pick waiting for them because they sent their 2026 first-round choice to the Rams in what has turned out to be an ill-fated move. The franchise could be headed for some significant offseason changes.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 24. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)<\/p>\n Last week: 23<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Seahawks 26-0<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: The NFL scraps the rest of the season<\/p>\n No team has gotten worse quarterback play this season than the Vikings, whose best performances have come from Carson Wentz. J.J. McCarthy, who missed Sunday\u2019s loss with a concussion, has been terrible. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer had a tough task in his starting debut against a great Seattle defense. But he looked even worse than McCarthy, tossing four interceptions, including one of the worst pick sixes in recent memory<\/a>.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Did the Vikings play their worst offensive game ever by DVOA yesterday?<\/p>\n HOLY HELL YES.<\/p>\n No. 30 worst offensive DVOA game ever, even after adjusting for Seahawks D which is now No. 1 again.<\/p>\n 30% worse than any other game. #Skol<\/a> #Vikings<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GN4Vl4rDhU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Aaron Schatz \ud83c\udfc8 (@ASchatzNFL) December 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \n Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin returned to the lineup with a bang Sunday against the Broncos, making seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. (Scott Taetsch \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n 25. Washington Commanders (3-9)<\/p>\n Last week: 26<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Broncos 27-26 (OT)<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Jayden Daniels\u2019 return goes well<\/p>\n The Commanders aren\u2019t shutting down their second-year quarterback, even though he\u2019s missed time this season due to injuries to his knee, hamstring and elbow. But he\u2019s one of the biggest reasons for hope with this franchise. Now that Terry McLaurin is back and healthy, Washington needs Daniels to play well (and stay healthy) when he comes back.<\/p>\n Up next: at Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 26. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)<\/p>\n Last week: 24<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Buccaneers 20-17<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Quarterback clarity<\/p>\n The Cardinals would actually incur more cap savings than dead money if they trade Kyler Murray this offseason, setting up some fascinating questions about what they\u2019ll do \u2014 and where Murray could be next year.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 27. New York Jets (3-9)<\/p>\n Last week: 30<\/p>\n Sunday: Beat Falcons 27-24<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A late-season surge<\/p>\n It\u2019s too much to ask the Jets to really get on a roll. But if they\u2019re still competing hard and showing improvement even with a depleted roster after the trade deadline, that\u2019s a good sign for first-year coach Aaron Glenn.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 28. Cleveland Browns (3-9)<\/p>\n Last week: 27<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to 49ers 26-8<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Quarterback clarity<\/p>\n Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur Sanders will remain Cleveland\u2019s quarterback, and he should have an easier game next week against the Titans. Maybe \u201cclarity\u201d is too ambitious for the Browns, but it\u2019d be nice to know they have a definitive plan after this season at the game\u2019s most important position.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 29. New York Giants (2-11)<\/p>\n Last week:\u00a028<\/p>\n Monday:\u00a0Lost to Patriots 33-15<\/p>\n Best-case scenario:\u00a0Jaxson Dart learns to slide<\/p>\n There are plenty of reasons for the Giants to be optimistic about their rookie quarterback. But in his first game back from a concussion, Dart was pulverized by a massive hit near the sideline instead of simply sliding or getting out of bounds. To stay in games and prolong his career, he has to learn to get down and protect himself.<\/p>\n Up next:\u00a0Bye<\/p>\n Players had to be separated after Patriots LB Christian Elliss hit Jaxson Dart along the sideline. pic.twitter.com\/wZPTVasGSw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ESPN (@espn) December 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 30. New Orleans Saints (2-10)<\/p>\n Last week: 29<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Dolphins 21-17<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: A Week 17 loss<\/p>\n That\u2019s when the Saints play the Titans in what\u2019s going to be a matchup no one should have to watch. That said, it will be important in deciding draft positioning at the top of Round 1. If New Orleans loses that, it will have a 28 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.<\/p>\n Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)<\/p>\n Last week: 31<\/p>\n Sunday: Lost to Chargers 31-14<\/p>\n Best-case scenario: Clarity with their decision-making<\/p>\n The Las Vegas offense didn\u2019t look much better without Chip Kelly calling the plays after his firing led to questions about the organizational structure. The Raiders managed just 156 yards of offense Sunday \u2014 and, amazingly, it wasn\u2019t their lowest output of the season.<\/p>\n Up next: vs. Broncos, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n The Las Vegas Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention.<\/p>\n The Raiders’ playoff-win drought will continue, as they have not won a postseason game since 2003. pic.twitter.com\/8G6R2Sliqa<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Receiver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2249226962-scaled.jpg\")
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