Whose struggles in Week 11 raised more questions about their future?
Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaka break down JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold’s Week 11 performances and what this means for them going forward.
- The Los Angeles Rams have won five straight games and remain at the top of the power rankings.
- Denver’s defense is on pace to set a single-season sack record, while Philadelphia’s defense has held top offenses to single-digit points in recent weeks.
- The Tennessee Titans became the first team this season to be eliminated from the division championship race.
NFL power rankings entering Week 12 of the 2025 season (previous rankings in parentheses):
1. Los Angeles Rams (1): How is a team doing on a recent five-game winning streak? LA hasn’t been trailing since Week 6. Are there any underrated aspects of this team? How about the offensive line, which allowed just 14 sacks? QB Matthew Stafford isn’t giving up on the play at all. The biggest question right now is how many Midnight Mode uniforms they plan to keep in next year’s rotation.
2. New England Patriots (3): Their league-leading nine wins already exceed their wins from the past two seasons… combined. And with the AFC’s remaining schedule being the easiest remaining schedule, there’s a good chance the Pats get 13 or 14 wins.
3. Seattle Seahawks (2): It turns out the Rams were Kryptonite for Southern California native Sam Darnold. But his team almost came away with the victory despite recording four INTs on Sunday. We also know that Darnold was a great win in this locker room, considering LB Ernest Jones IV took over on defense after the loss to Los Angeles.
4. Denver Broncos (4): The AFC West leader is on pace to set a single-season record with 75 sacks. But they were also excellent against the run, allowing a league-low 3.6 yards per attempt. Even better, All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II could be back on the other side of this week’s bye.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (5): Thanks to a replenishing defense, they’ve held two high-octane offenses to single-digit points for several weeks in a row. This is even more good news in an offense that was already cluttered with injured RT Lane Johnson set to miss significant time with a Lisfranc injury.
6. Buffalo Bills (7): 7 to 6? Anyone? It wouldn’t be surprising to see this team go the same way as QB Josh Allen, who was great against the Bucks on Sunday. But with just one home game left before Christmas, it’s hard to imagine the Bills overtaking the Pats for first place in the AFC East.
7. Green Bay Packers (6): Around 6 to 7 o’clock? Anyone? QB Jordan Love and running back Josh Jacobs were among the players who appeared to avoid major injuries Sunday. There’s nothing wrong with DE Micah Parsons. The Pack will need a full complement of studs as they embark on a three-week swing against all NFC North opponents.
8. Indianapolis Colts (10): Now we know about this team – Indy, the AFC South leader, is not scheduled to play another team with a losing record for the remainder of the season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (8): Their luck had to run out at some point. There’s an argument to be made that this year’s KC roster is better than last year’s. But while last year’s Chiefs were 12-0 in one-score games, this year’s team is 0-5 in such scenarios. The rested Colts come to Arrowhead on Sunday.
10. Detroit Lions (9): They have won and lost their last six games, and their inconsistency has currently kept them out of the NFC playoff field. But for a team that won’t play on the road again until Dec. 14, it’s time for some tears at Ford Field.
11. Baltimore Ravens (12): It’s time to shed some tears at M&T Bank Stadium for a team that won’t play on the road again until Dec. 14. And congratulations to TE Mark Andrews. He currently holds the franchise record for receiving yards with 5,806, taking the franchise receiving record from Derrick Mason (471) with just four catches, and suddenly giving Derrick Henry the team’s best rushing total. Go back.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11): Does it seem like it’s time for third-year running back Sean Tucker to find a more permanent role in this offense, regardless of the status of the still-injured Bucky Irving?
13. Houston Texans (13): How strong is this defense? He has allowed passes of over 200 yards twice this season. He has allowed more than 100 rushing yards twice this season. Allen is scheduled to test Thursday night, but hmmm.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (14): It’s interesting to note that the Jags are using QB Trevor Lawrence as a runner (almost five rushes per game) as he pitches his worst season since his rookie year. more than at any point in his five-year career. Perhaps he and DE Josh Hynes-Allen can really catch fire while facing three sub-.500 opponents over the next four weeks.
15. San Francisco 49ers (15): That’s why the talk that QB2 Mac Jones should be installed as the permanent starter over Brock Purdy for any length of time was complete nonsense. Jones did his job and so did Purdy. Purdy’s return comes at the same time as the Niners emerge into the NFC’s projected playoff field.
16. Chicago Bears (18): It’s remarkable and admirable that they sit atop the NFC North. Right now. Also, this is something to note, and considering they have yet to beat a team with a winning record, it may not be possible in the end. For now.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (16): Duval County is a veritable house of horrors for QB Justin Herbert, who along with the rest of the injured roster really needs a week off.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (17): Giant tight end Darnell Washington (6-7, estimated weight 264 pounds) is arguably one of the most notable athletes in the league. If QB Aaron Rodgers needs to get through any period of time without getting injured, this offense may need him more than ever, whatever his ability.
19. Carolina Panthers (20): In a division full of big (and big) receivers, rookie Tetairoa McMillan is proving he just might be as good as any of them. He should be at his best against the Niners’ secondary in a game that could have huge playoff implications for both clubs.
20. Minnesota Vikings (19): A team with a sluggish offense and a shaky quarterback will need Lambeau Fields and Lumen Fields to get back on track over the next two weeks. oh yeah.
21. Arizona Cardinals (22): Trey McBride could become the first tight end to lead a team’s offense in touches, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns in a single season.
22. Dallas Cowboys (23): It was definitely a blessing for them to get back to work emotionally against the Raiders…because the next two weeks are games for last season’s Super Bowl team.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (21): This team, dude. Cincy probably wasn’t going to beat New England on Sunday anyway, but to lose their best player to a spitting incident when the Stripes really can’t afford to lose is… typical of the Bengals.
24. Cleveland Browns (25): Let’s hope rookie Shedur Sanders was taking copious notes as Dak Prescott analyzed Cleveland’s next opponent, the Raiders, on Monday night.
25. Miami Dolphins (26): They certainly would have felt themselves Sunday in Spain after Mike McDaniel and others did everything they could to give the exhausted managers a win.
26. Atlanta Falcons (27): They are currently projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft, but that pick has already been handed to the Rams.
27. Commander Washington (24): Currently ranked 14th overall in the NFC with a 3-8 record, their next game is against the Broncos in Week 13, but considering the circumstances, would they (or should they) really consider having QB Jaden Daniels back on the field if he’s “healthy” against that ferocious Denver pass rush?
28. New Orleans Saints (28): It would be fair to cast them as something of a spoiler going forward – except their schedule is so bad (actually the easiest in the league) that they might just mess up their spot in the 2026 draft.
29. New York Jets (29): The connection between Tyrod Taylor and AD Mitchell is going to be magical. Trust the process.
30. New York Giants (30): Kam Scatterbo – Injured Kam Scatterbo – Pushing and Shoving at WWE Event? It certainly seems like a good idea.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (31): Boise State running back Ashton Giunty averaged 7.0 yards per carry last year. That was cut by almost half (3.7) during a rookie season that seemed mostly wasted. On Monday night, he gained 7 yards on 6 carries, which means at least another abysmal 6-7.
32. Tennessee Titans (32): With seven weeks remaining, they are one of only two teams (the Giants) with a losing record already locked in, and the only team already eliminated from district championship consideration.
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