NFL Week 16 Power Rankings 2025 – Mahomes’ Injury Shakes the AFC, Playoff Picture Crystallizes
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Week 15 was full of chaos. The Kansas City Chiefs are officially out of the postseason for the first time since 2014. The Detroit Lions, of all teams, are on the ropes. Kirk Cousins still has it. And Philip Rivers is back in the game…five years after initially retiring.
And to think we’ve got three weeks less of action-packed NFL regular-season games. Let’s dive into where all 32 teams stack up after 15 weeks.
Who are the top teams in the NFL power rankings week 16 edition?
32. Las Vegas Raiders (32)
Now’s a good time to wonder if this is the worst team in Raiders history. They have just become the first team since the 2000 Cleveland Browns to be shut out in consecutive games.
The Raiders are truly an embarrassment in every aspect and need a complete overhaul. Even the can’t-miss rookie running back Ashton Jeanty hasn’t been worth watching this year.
Just keep on losin’, Raiders. Fernando Mendoza would look good in your jersey.
31. Tennessee Titans (31)
In a way, this was a win-win for the Titans. Losing is beneficial for securing a higher draft pick, yes. But they were surprisingly competitive against a heavily favored San Francisco 49ers team, putting up 24 points behind a two-touchdown day from Cam Ward.
These last two weeks, we’ve actually seen Tennessee show some life in the NFL’s power rankings. That’s all the fans can ask for when they’re poised to finish as a bottom-five team. Let’s see if Ward can continue his strong play over the final three weeks.
30. New York Giants (30)
The 2025 Giants stink so bad that they made the Marcus Mariota-led Commanders offense look like the 2024 Jayden Daniels-led Commanders offense.
An eighth straight loss dropped the Giants to 29-21. A solid outing from Jaxson Dart went to waste, thanks to the hapless defense doing next to nothing again. Dart looks like the real deal, but these Giants are clearly five more real-quality starters away from being relevant again…
29. Cleveland Browns (29)
Facing a resilient Chicago Bears defense, poor Shedeur Sanders stood no chance in Sunday’s 31-3 blowout loss to Chicago. Woof. That was reaaaaal ugly.
Sanders threw three interceptions and somehow finished as the club’s rushing leader with just 24 yards. With the season winding down, all that’s worth watching is Myles Garrett’s chase for the single-season sacks record.
We suppose that counts for something?
28. Arizona Cardinals (27)
The banged-up and punchless Cardinals stood no chance against Houston’s lights-out defense in a 40-20 blowout loss. Nothing about it is surprising. Their fall in the NFL power rankings isn’t surprising, either. This might be the most directionless franchise in the NFL.
With road contests against the Bengals and Rams following their home finale against Atlanta, a 3-14 finish isn’t out of the question. Ah well. Maybe this team will do something right in 2035.
27. New York Jets (26)
The Jets are certainly in the “giving” mood this holiday season. They did their part in making Trevor Lawrence look like a superstar in a humiliating 48-20 road loss on Sunday.
The Jets never stood a chance with Brady Cook behind center. But giving up 48 points when the D is supposed to be your strength? Oh well. Each loss gets them closer to securing a top-five pick. And boy, do these Jets ever need a QB!
26. Washington Commanders (28)
Well, someone had to win in the class of two NFC East rivals ravaged by injuries…
But strong outings from backup QB Marcus Mariota and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt were enough to lead Washington to a 29-21 victory past the Giants. Hey, snapping an eight-game losing skid has to feel good when you’ve had nothing significant to celebrate this year.
Commanders fans shouldn’t worry about these late-season wins hurting their draft position. Not like you’re eyeing a QB in the draft anyway.
25. New Orleans Saints (25)
Break up the 2025 New Orleans Saints!
One week after stunning the NFC South-leading Bucs in their own barn? Kellen Moore’s squad came home to shock the NFC South-leading Panthers! Who says you can’t commit to tanking with a bit of style?
What’s also funny is that rookie QB Tyler Shough is actually showing some flashes and looks like someone worthy of an extended look in 2026. With the Saints playing their way out of top-five pick territory…maybe they won’t be in position to draft a top QB….after all.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (23)
The Bengals hit rock bottom with a pathetic 24-0 shutout loss at home to the bitter rival Ravens. And we’ve seen how bad Baltimore’s defense has been for most of the year.
He’s not going to. But would anyone blame Joe Burrow if he asked for a trade after the season? All we can say is that it’s absolutely disgraceful how much of his prime they’ve wasted. But don’t worry. Owner Mike Brown won’t make any changes or spend the money to upgrade the roster.
23. Atlanta Falcons (24)
In a year where absolutely nothing has gone right, Thursday night’s thrilling comeback win over Tampa Bay had to feel good.
The Falcons played “spoiler” with a shocking comeback against their NFC South rivals, putting a dent in the Bucs’ playoff hopes. Kirk Cousins put on quite the audition for teams who may have interest in acquiring him next year: 373 yards and three touchdowns.
And since Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick belongs to the Rams, Falcons fans can’t be mad about moving up in the standings. All in all, a very nice week in Atlanta in the NFL, especially in the power rankings.
22. Minnesota Vikings (22)
JJ McCarthy looked a lot more like the QB the Vikings envisioned in Sunday night’s win over the Cowboys. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something to build off amid a lost year in the Gopher State.
All Minnesota can ask for the rest of the way is strong performances from McCarthy. Winning a shootout over Dak Prescott at Jerry World is nothing to scoff at. It’s something to take joy in during a frustrating season.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (21)
Stick a fork in ‘em. They’re done.
As if being eliminated from playoff contention wasn’t bad enough already, Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear. This season is over, yes. But will Mahomes even be ready for the start of 2026?
Even before Mahomes’ injury, the Chiefs showed no desperation or urgency in a must-win against the Chargers. Is it a stretch to call the 2025 Chiefs the most disappointing team of the 21st century thus far?
20. Dallas Cowboys (18)
That was the unofficial dagger for the Cowboys. It might be for their final standing in weekly NLF power rankings, too. Losing 34-26 at home is a tough pill to swallow, considering how bad JJ McCarthy has been this year.
Dallas is done for and headed for a second straight non-playoff season. The defense can be blamed for this. Ten days after giving up 44 to Detroit in a must-win, they give up 34 in an even bigger must-win at home. Go get a defense this offseason, Jerry. Not like you can’t afford it.
19. Miami Dolphins (19)
I guess we should have known that Miami would make the Steelers look like bona fide Super Bowl contenders. Forgot how horrible Tua Tagovailoa is in cold games.
The Dolphins’ second-half surge was admirable and all, but the playoff hopes were always gonna be a pipe dream. It’s over now with the Steelers beating them. Nothing but pride to play for over the last three weeks.
18. Indianapolis Colts (13)
Philip Rivers’ return after a five-year retirement was…adventurous. But asking him to lead Indy to victory over Seattle was a tall task. In a defensive slash field goal slugfest, Indy fell short 18-16.
With Indy’s AFC playoff challengers also winning, it added up to an awful week for Shane Steichen’s group. We simply have no hope for the Colts. As fun as Rivers’ return is, you can’t win when your QB can’t accurately throw more than five yards.
17. Carolina Panthers (15)
Three days after the Bucs were stunned by the Falcons on Thursday Night Football, the Panthers inexcusably lost to the Saints. So much for Bryce Young’s squad taking sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
So now the Panthers and Bucs enter Week 16 with identical 7-7 records. They face each other on Sunday and in Week 18. Both teams are trying to give the division away. Who’s going to step up on Sunday and improve their ranking in next week’s NFL power rankings?
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16)
A lot of calls for Todd Bowles to get fired followed the Bucs’ shocking meltdown and loss to the Falcons on Thursday. Understandably so.
But Bowles isn’t going anywhere if Tampa can gut it out and take this division from the Panthers. Who’da thought at the start of the year that their Week 16 clash in Carolina would carry such meaningful implications?
15. Baltimore Ravens (20)
The Ravens kept their playoff hopes very much alive with a dominant shutout win over Joe Burrow and the Bengals. That’s no small feat. Shutting out Joe Cool in his own barn? Amazing work by John Harbaugh’s defense.
But the job is far from over. The Ravens face the Patriots, Packers, and Steelers to close out the year. With Pittsburgh having an easier schedule to close out the year, the Ravens probably have to win out to snag the AFC North.
14. Detroit Lions (12)
Terrible and inexcusable loss to the Rams. There’s no other way to sugar-coat it.
Yes. The Rams are a great team. But you can’t lose by a touchdown when you put up 34 points against these guys. Your defense has to step up and do something.
But nope. The Lions dropped another one-score heartbreaker and fell to 8-6. They’re still out of the playoff picture and need some help now if they’re to sneak in. All because the defense can’t stop a nosebleed.
A loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday will be the final dagger for Dan Campbell’s disappointing squad.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (17)
We know the Dolphins aren’t a juggernaut. But a vintage performance from Aaron Rodgers has to be a welcoming sight. The Steelers cruised to a 28-15 victory, improving to 8-6 and maintaining their lead in the AFC North division crown.
Up next, Rodgers will face a familiar foe in the Lions at Ford Field. Detroit will be fighting with urgency. Another vintage A-Rod performance would help!
12. Philadelphia Eagles (14)
Beating the 2025 Raiders is hardly an accomplishment. But boy, did the Eagles need that offensive explosion – a 31-0 shutout win to snap a two-game losing skid.
With the way the offense has struggled, the onslaught had to serve as a mega-confidence builder. The Eagles are also one step closer to locking down a second straight NFC East crown — a feat not accomplished in 21 years!
11. Houston Texans (11)
What a nice week in Houston. Aside from blowing out Arizona to extend their win streak to six, the Colts and Chiefs also lost. In other words, DeMeco Ryans’ squad is this-close to securing a playoff berth after an 0-3 start.
They have the hapless Raiders, the banged-up Bolts, and Daniel Jones-less Colts to finish up the season. Houston just needs to win out to lock down a playoff berth. Can’t be that hard…we think? Not with the way their D is playing.
10. Green Bay Packers (5)
An all-around horrible Sunday for the Packers. Losing a game to a powerhouse Denver team is one thing. But now Micah Parsons is done for the season? Now your Super Bowl dreams have taken a massive hit. As a result, they slipped from five to ten in this week’s NFL power rankings.
Oh yeah, and the Bears won to reclaim first place in the NFC North. Green Bay has no time to fret. Not with a road game against those Bears next on the schedule this Saturday.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (10)
The Chargers gutted out a 16-13 victory over the Chiefs to clinch the season-series sweep and a second consecutive double-digit win season. The Bolts did the entire AFC a favor by knocking Kansas City out of playoff contention, too.
It’s incredible what Jim Harbaugh’s squad has done with so many injuries, especially on the offensive line. With wins over the Eagles, Broncos, Chiefs, and Steelers in their back pocket, the Bolts are certainly a team nobody will wanna face in the playoffs.
8. Chicago Bears (9)
What a nice early Christmas gift for the Bears! A blowout win over Cleveland, followed by Packers and Rams losses in the late afternoon slate? When was the last time Bears fans were this happy in December?!
The NFC North is now in the Bears’ grasp. A win over the Packers on Sunday would really send Windy City into premature Christmas celebration mode.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (7)
The Jags just keep on rolling!
Five touchdown passes and a rushing TD from Trevor Lawrence paced Jacksonville to a 48-20 blowout win over the Jets. With the Colts also losing, the Jags are a step closer to clinching a playoff berth.
Winners of five straight, the Jags have clinched their first 10-win season since 2017. A victory in Denver next week would make the chase for the AFC’s top seed a lot more interesting. A red-hot T-Law vs. Denver’s defense will be can’t-miss TV.
6. Buffalo Bills (8)
Just a kind reminder that Josh Allen and the Bills haven’t gone anywhere. Thanks for asking.
A 21-point deficit on the road was nothing for Allen and the Bills to worry about. He put on the Superman cape and willed Buffalo to a shocking 35-31 comeback win, keeping Buffalo’s slim hopes for the AFC East alive.
With the Chiefs getting eliminated from the postseason, it was a near-perfect Sunday for Buffalo. Their Kryptonite is out of the picture. And as we saw against the Pats, these guys can turn it on and beat anybody when their MVP quarterback is playing like a superhero.
5. San Francisco 49ers (6)
Huge days from Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings led the way in the 49ers’ 37-24 home win over Tennessee. And boy, did they need that with Seattle and the Rams also winning.
A Lions’ loss pushed the 49ers one step closer to locking down a playoff berth. They visit the Colts on Sunday, then wrap up at home against the Bears and Seahawks. Gotta think they win at least two of those, which would be enough to secure a playoff spot. Plus, a top-five finish in the weekly NFL power rankings.
And hey, the NFC’s top seed is still up for grabs…
4. Seattle Seahawks (4)
On one hand, it’s wild that the Seahawks needed six Jason Myers field goals just to get past the Philip Rivers-led Colts at home. On the other hand, it’s always a good sign when you can beat a quality opponent despite bringing your “C-minus” game.
Seattle didn’t do a whole lot right against the Colts. But Myers’ six field goals and another strong effort by Mike Macdonald’s defense were enough to will Seattle to an 18-16 victory. Winners of four straight, they keep pace with the NFC-leading and division rival Rams, who come to Emerald City on Sunday.
3. New England Patriots (1)
We don’t want to forget about all the success the Pats have enjoyed under Mike Vrabel. But man, what a humiliating collapse that was.
A 21-0 lead evaporated because New England had no answer for Josh Allen or James Cook. The result? A heartbreaking 35-31 loss. Buffalo is now very much alive for the AFC East, and the Pats probably won’t be the No. 1 seed now. Just a bad week for their defense not to show up.
Oh yeah, and it doesn’t get much easier with a road game against Baltimore next on the schedule.
2. Los Angeles Rams (3)
No, it wasn’t pretty. But the Rams did just enough to beat the Lions in a Hollywood-style barn burner at SoFi Stadium. How about 368 passing yards and two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford to keep the good vibes rolling?
The 11-3 Rams maintain the inside track for the NFC West and the conference’s top seed. After visiting Seattle on Thursday, they close out vs. Atlanta and Arizona. In other words, beating Seattle would almost clinch the No. 1 seed.
1. Denver Broncos (2)
The Broncos. Cannot. Be. Stopped.
Another statement win over the powerhouse Packers after a sluggish first half. This time, a 34-26 victory to extend the winning streak to 11. Oh yeah, and the Patriots losing means they’re basically two games up for the AFC’s top seed with three games to go.
So many people are writing off Sean Payton’s squad. But what else do you want to see? They’re 12-2 despite a daunting schedule up to this point. If they clinch the AFC’s top seed, who in the conference do you actually think can come in and beat Denver in their own barn?
The Broncos are undefeated at home. Their last road game is against the Mahomes-less Chiefs. They should have this top seed clinched soon.
