NFL Power Rankings Show a League Divided: The Once Mighty Fall While New Challengers Rise
The NFL power rankings entering Week 10 of the 2025 season reveal a landscape marked by upheaval and contention. As teams vie for supremacy, the rankings reflect not just victories and losses but the broader dynamics that shape the league: momentum, injuries, and the unpredictable nature of competition.
At the top, the Philadelphia Eagles, now at 6-2, have reclaimed their position as the NFC’s premier team following a timely bye week. Their strategy focuses on a robust defense and an offense that capitalizes on their opponents’ mistakes. With a critical matchup against the Green Bay Packers on the horizon, the Eagles have a chance to solidify their dominance in the conference. The return of key players from injury could further bolster their already formidable lineup.
The Buffalo Bills have also surged back into contention, now ranked second with a 6-2 record. Quarterback Josh Allen, alongside running back James Cook, showcased a potent offensive performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. Their ability to control the game and limit the Chiefs’ scoring opportunities signals that Buffalo is heating up at an opportune moment. As they prepare for the rest of the season, maintaining this momentum will be crucial for their playoff aspirations.
The Los Angeles Rams, now at 6-2, have climbed to third place in the rankings. Under the guidance of head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have developed a simple yet effective game plan that emphasizes scoring while minimizing defensive breakdowns. However, the health of key players like wide receiver Puka Nacua will be essential for sustaining their Super Bowl ambitions.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also sitting at 6-2, took advantage of their bye week to regroup. Quarterback Baker Mayfield will need to lead the team effectively in the second half of the season, starting with an important game against the New England Patriots. The Buccaneers have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be the key to maintaining their playoff position.
The Indianapolis Colts, with a record of 7-2, experienced a setback in their recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where they failed to execute their game plan effectively. The Colts’ reliance on a strong running game and solid pass protection is critical, and they will need to rebound quickly as they face tougher competition in the coming weeks.
In a surprising twist, the Denver Broncos, now 7-2, have established themselves as serious contenders in the AFC West, thanks in part to quarterback Bo Nix’s ability to deliver in clutch situations. Their upcoming game against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders will be an opportunity to further assert their dominance in the division.
Conversely, the Kansas City Chiefs have slipped to seventh place with a 5-4 record after a disappointing performance against the Bills. This loss highlighted vulnerabilities in their defense and raised questions about the consistency of their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. A strong response in the coming weeks will be essential for their playoff hopes.
The Green Bay Packers, once seen as a potential powerhouse, have fallen to eighth place with a 5-2-1 record. Their unexpected losses to lower-ranked teams have raised alarms about the effectiveness of their offensive strategy under quarterback Jordan Love. With critical games ahead, the Packers will need to find a way to regain their form and capitalize on their defensive strengths.
The New England Patriots, ranked ninth, have shown resilience with a 7-2 record, relying heavily on rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s leadership. However, their defensive struggles could hinder their ability to maintain success in the face of tougher opponents.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, at 5-3, have demonstrated a solid defensive presence that could play a pivotal role in their bid for the AFC North title. Their performance against high-powered offenses will be closely scrutinized as they seek to build on their recent successes.
As the rankings progress, teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions are grappling with inconsistencies. The 49ers remain competitive at 6-3, but their reliance on quarterback Mac Jones to maintain momentum raises concerns. The Seahawks, also at 6-2, are navigating their way through a challenging schedule while trying to fend off the surging Rams and 49ers.
The Lions, now at 5-3, must address defensive vulnerabilities that have emerged against potent offenses. Without a reliable running game, their offensive strategy could become increasingly predictable, putting them at risk against more formidable opponents.
Mid-tier teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars are battling for playoff contention, while the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are showing flashes of potential. The Bears, at 5-3, are hoping to capitalize on their recent successes to secure a stronger position in the NFC North.
As the season progresses, lower-ranked teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are fighting to stay relevant. The Ravens, at 3-5, have seen a resurgence with quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the charge, while the Cowboys struggle to find their identity amid a disappointing season.
The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans hover at the bottom of the rankings, highlighting the challenges they face. The Dolphins are grappling with injuries and inconsistency, while the Jets and Titans are in dire need of a turnaround.
As the NFL enters the second half of the season, the power rankings serve as a reflection of not just the teams’ performances but also the broader narratives of resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The league remains as unpredictable as ever, with every game potentially reshaping the hierarchy and the fate of franchises.
NFL power rankings: Bills, Rams, Broncos back near top; Packers, Chiefs, Lions slide into Week 10 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With some huge upsets in the NFL involving a couple of NFC North powers, there was some Week 9 results craziness affecting the Week 10 ranking of all 32 teams.
Who’s got more power now? Who’s got less? Who’s still power less? Here’s the latest look at the league hierarchy in the 2025 regular season, from best to worst:
NFL Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles 6-2 (previous ranking: 2)
The enjoyed their bye with the Packers going down to the Panthers. This makes Philadelphia the top team in the NFC again. The Eagles can fortify that position coming out of the bye against Green Bay in Week 10.
2. Buffalo Bills 6-2 (5)
The flexed again with Josh Allen and James Cook taking over the Chiefs, limiting the chances of a comeback. Buffalo is getting hot again at the right time.
MORE:Inside Josh Allen’s 5-1 record vs. Chiefs in regular season
3. Los Angeles Rams 6-2 (9)
The didn’t get many style points but still scored plenty and don’t allow many with simple game plans. Sean McVay has Los Angeles positioned to make another Super Bowl run, but it would require a healthy Puka Nacua.
MORE: Latest news on Puka Nacua’s Week 9 injury
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-2 (7)
The also enjoyed their bye week and have more time to get Baker Mayfield and the offense healed and back on track for a big second half, starting with the Patriots.
Jim Dedmon, Lon Horwedel
5. Indianapolis Colts 7-2 (4)
The went against everything they did well, falling apart in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis didn’t run the ball well and didn’t protect it or the quarterback. It was a terrible mess of a game for the offense, perhaps overdue with Daniel Jones. There will be another real test in three weeks against the Chiefs after a Berlin trip and a much-needed bye week.
MORE:What went wrong for Daniel Jones in loss to Steelers
6. Denver Broncos 7-2 (12)
The Broncos got another last-minute comeback performance from Bo Nix to stake a claim for the top spot in the AFC West. Next up is a Thursday night matchup against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders.
7. Kansas City Chiefs 5-4 (3)
The could have made an important statement to the rest of the AFC by stomping Buffalo, but instead they got stampeded for most of the game until some flashes of Patrick Mahomes’ heroics. It was a rare disappointing outing for the previous red-hot defense.
MORE:Chiefs playoff picture takes a hit after Week 9 loss to Bills
8. Green Bay Packers 5-2-1 (1)
What was that? For some odd reasons, the have lost to the Browns and Panthers this season. Just when the offense seemed fixed with Jordan Love, it got stripped down to a mess on his birthday, ruining another strong defensive performance.
9. New England Patriots 7-2 (9)
The got to their same old offensive work with Drake Maye but they were fortunate it held up with the defense breaking down. That’s bad timing for a second-half full of more challenging offensive teams.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-3 (12)
The needed that defensive get-well game against a great offense at home. That made Aaron Rodgers’ job so much easier and bodes well for their push to win the AFC North.
11. San Francisco 49ers 6-3 (11)
The used the Giants to get Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey rolling to protect their defense. Brock Purdy may be back as early as next week, but Jones has done a bang-up job to keep them in division-winning contention.
12. Seattle Seahawks 6-2 (13)
The went to the "other" Washington and forgot to tell Sam Darnold to have some time zone jetlag. Seattle is handling the surge from San Francisco and Los Angeles well to stay ahead in the NFC West and can keep it up with a rather weak second-half slate outside of playing those two teams a combined three times.
13. Detroit Lions 5-3 (6)
The need to figure out what’s going on with their defensive issues against other dangerous offenses. Also, if teams have been able to shut down the Lions’ running game they can pretty much shut down anything else from them.
14. Los Angeles Chargers 6-3 (14)
The got sloppy again in Tennessee until Justin Herbert got into his gunslinging groove. The results are still there but the process can get better, starting with the Steelers in Week 10.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-3 (15)
The escaped with a sloppy win in Las Vegas with the offense being shoddy around Trevor Lawrence and the defense showing too many new holes. Jacksonville’s playoff spot is hanging on by a thread.
16. Chicago Bears 5-3 (16)
The survived a wild offensive explosion in the jungle, bullying the Bengals a little more through the end. Caleb Williams needed that breakout to give his team a shot at stealing the NFC North.
MORE: How the Bears beat the Bengals in wild fourth quarter
17. Carolina Panthers 5-4 (17)
The are kind of crazy because home or away, day or later in the day, offense or defense, they can stay in any given game or just as easily get blown out. They are much improved in learning how to win with Dave Canales, even with an inconsistent identity.
18. Minnesota Vikings 4-4 (21)
The turns out just needed their young QB healthy again to solve their issues at quarterback. J.J. McCarthy’s boosted play gives them a real chance to make the playoffs and push for the NFC North.
MORE: How Vikings win over Lions, Packers stunning loss impacts NFC North
19. Baltimore Ravens 3-5 (24)
The are back flying into the AFC North race but the Steelers will still be hard to catch. Baltimore is a whole different team with Lamar Jackson setting the tone.
MORE: Lamar Jackson scores 4 TDs in blowout win over Dolphins
20. Dallas Cowboys 3-5-1 (18)
The have little margin for error in a tough NFC as the East is out of reach. They just lost even more ground with a bad loss to the Cardinals at home.
21. Houston Texans 3-5 (19)
The ‘ defense did its best to hold up with C.J. Stroud leaving hurting the offense even more. But in the end, field goals won’t cut it and they cannot expect to win consistent battles of attrition.
MORE:Latest news on C.J. Stroud’s Week 9 injury
22. Atlanta Falcons 3-5 (20)
The flapped more offensively with Michael Penix and Drake London back in New England but their overall defense is going backward after flashing well earlier in the season.
23. Arizona Cardinals 3-5 (25)
The can’t seem to get Kyler Murray back on the field but they seem to be more competitive with Jacoby Brissett. Jonathan Gannon’s defense is the bigger growing concern when not playing the dysfunctional Cowboys.
24. Washington Commanders 3-6 (23)
The are a defensive mess and that has made it very difficult for them to get rolling with Jayden Daniels joining their mounting offensive injuries.
MORE:Latest news on Jayden Daniels’ Week 9 injury
25. Cincinnati Bengals 3-6 (24)
The are doing their best with Joe Flacco to stay in games with high-scoring affairs to make up for continued unbelievably poor coverage and tackling defense.
26. New York Giants 2-7 (26)
The are doing their best to get going with Jaxson Dart but there’s not much else going on for their offense unless he digs deep to make plays. The defense continues to be a big problem despite having good pass rushers.
27. Cleveland Browns 2-6 (27)
The had a bye week to see whether they need to see more of Dillon Gabriel and what more they can do to accelerated their youth movement. Now watch to see what veteran pieces (not Myles Garrett) they move at the trade deadline.
28. Las Vegas Raiders 2-6 (29)
The had nothing to lose by going for two at home in overtime to try to beat the Jaguars. At least Pete Carroll got plenty of energy and rah rah with Brock Bowers back to boost Geno Smith.
MORE: Brock Bowers torches Jaguars defense in career-high game
29. Miami Dolphins 2-7 (28)
The were feeling a little well after beating the Falcons with Tua Tagovailoa coming through. But then he got roughed up and went into the tank in Baltimore. Mike McDaniel will do his best to get the most of his frustrating offense the rest of the way.
MORE: What the departure of Dolphins’ GM means for Mike McDaniel
30. New York Jets 1-7 (30)
The had a bye to reflect on getting their first victory under Aaron Glenn. Justin Fields has a second half to prove whether he still should be in the longer-team plans at QB.
31. New Orleans Saints 1-8 (31)
The should be pleased they saw some good flashes from rookie second-round QB Tyler Shough. His evaluation mode needs to happen despite the defense giving little chance for them to be competitive.
32. Tennessee Titans 1-8 (32)
The showed a little more defensive life early against the Chargers but quickly ran out of juice when their offense couldn’t help an injury-riddled team. Cam Ward is still looking for more positives.