NFL power rankings entering Week 18 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Los Angeles Rams (1): Say what? They’re still atop these rankings after successive losses that have relegated them to wild-card status? In a word: Yep. Matthew Stafford remains this season’s best quarterback. Puka Nacua remains this season’s best wideout. The defense is one of the NFC’s best when fully stocked. LA will be getting WR Davante Adams, DB Quentin Lake and some starting offensive linemen back for the playoffs. The Rams’ beleaguered special teams even made a big play in Monday night’s loss at Atlanta − a game that suddenly didn’t mean all that much after the weekend’s developments … and the Rams, not all that surprisingly, took a half to wake up. But yep, we’ll continue riding with a talented, veteran team coached by a football savant in Sean McVay that can beat anybody and, more importantly, do it anywhere.
2. Seattle Seahawks (2): Why aren’t they No. 1 … even though they might wind up there in the overall NFC standings? The defense is formidably elite, and the special teams aren’t far behind. But QB Sam Darnold still doesn’t have a playoff win on his résumé, and Seattle’s run game can be feast or famine. This team could struggle to get out of a two-score hole against playoff competition. And, oddly, the ‘Hawks are actually better on the road.
3. New England Patriots (5): Why aren’t they No. 1 … even though they might wind up there in the overall AFC standings? Drake Maye looks like a future MVP … and maybe even the next one if Stafford loses enough momentum. But this is an inexperienced squad that’s benefited from a weak schedule − one of its 13 wins against opponents that currently have a winning record. And Tuesday’s breaking news regarding WR Stefon Diggs’ sudden legal concerns − and, equally important, his alleged behavior − are a worrisome and unwelcome distraction … best case. Are the Next Gen Pats ready to win big now? TBD.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3): Why aren’t they No. 1 … even though they might wind up there in the overall AFC standings? Their seven-game winning streak, most of those victories of the decisive variety, is currently second only to Houston’s. The Jags are committed to the run, take the ball away and can rush the passer. But as well as QB Trevor Lawrence has played since Thanksgiving, he also remains an unproven commodity − at the professional level anyway − when it comes to January football.
5. San Francisco 49ers (4): Why aren’t they No. 1 … even though they might wind up there in the overall NFC standings? They’re not even two years removed from a near-miss Super Bowl, can light up a scoreboard with anybody − largely because QB Brock Purdy has a blazingly hot hand, and RB Christian McCaffrey has become a helluva rhythm guitar for this offense. But have the Niners lost too many key bodies, especially on defense, to survive in January … even if LB Fred Warner somehow returns at some point in the playoffs? Run enough track meets, and you’re bound to get dangerously fatigued.
6. Denver Broncos (6): Why aren’t they No. 1 … even though they might wind up there in the overall AFC standings? The defense is as scary as any in the league. And while the Broncos consistently play to the level of their competition, that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you enter the postseason. But second-year QB Bo Nix remains something of a wild card, and his pattern of salvaging wins in the fourth quarter could be tough to maintain against top-level competition.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (13): They’re desperately hoping to be a fourth seed with Aaron Rodgers. Hard to see this limited team being much more than one-and-done in the playoffs … if it even gets that far.
14. Baltimore Ravens (15): Everyone seems to be expecting another big game from RB Derrick Henry on Sunday night. Just a note − he’s averaged 57.3 rushing yards in three career games in Pittsburgh.
16. Atlanta Falcons (17): They’re 3-0 in their gorgeous throwback uniforms this season and 4-9 otherwise. Maybe they should change their wardrobe before they change management?
18. Detroit Lions (14): A team that hadn’t had a losing streak since 2022 could end this season on a four-game tailspin − one that would leave the Lions below .500 for the first time since 2021.
19. Dallas Cowboys (21): Given how the last 12 months have gone − notably the departures of former coach Mike McCarthy and DE Micah Parsons − a .500 finish in 2025 would have seemed rather admirable. One more win will get Dallas there.
21. Indianapolis Colts (19): Nunc Coepi, fellas … just not sure who you’re beginning with next.
29. New York Giants (30): Who’s Richard Johnson, you ask? The last player − prior to Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson − to have a 1,000-yard receiving season despite being 5-8 or shorter. If only the Giants had shorter odds for the draft’s No. 1 pick after their costly win in Las Vegas.