Week 18 Power Rankings - Where All 32 Teams Stand

Week 18 is here, and while some teams are gearing up for January football, others are already looking ahead to April. The playoff field is nearly locked, but the storylines across the league are far from finished. Here’s how all 32 teams stack up entering the final week of the regular season.

32. Las Vegas Raiders (2–14)

Week 17: Lost to Giants 34–10 Nothing about this season has gone as planned in Las Vegas. The hope was that a new head coach and veteran quarterback could stabilize the franchise quickly, but instead the Raiders have cratered. Shutting down cornerstone players late in the year signaled that draft positioning has taken priority. While tanking is not unusual in the NFL, frustration stems from preseason messaging that suggested competitiveness would remain the focus.

31. New York Giants (3–13)

Week 17: Beat Raiders 34–10 This was one of New York’s most complete performances of the season, even if it came at an awkward time. The interim coaching staff earned its first win, and the rookie quarterback showed tangible growth. Long term implications remain unchanged, but the performance offered a confidence boost for a team that has struggled to find positives.

30. New York Jets (3–13)

Week 17: Lost to Patriots 42–10 The Jets appear completely out of answers. Public criticism from the head coach raised concerns about locker room buy-in, and the team has steadily regressed as the season progressed. With quarterback uncertainty and coaching stability both in question, this offseason feels pivotal for an organization that has burned through patience.

29.  Tennessee Titans (3–13)

Week 17: Lost to Saints 34–26 The record is bleak, but the quarterback’s development has been a genuine positive. Over the final month, he has shown improved decision making and efficiency despite limited weapons. Tennessee still needs major roster upgrades, but at least there is a young passer trending in the right direction.

28. Arizona Cardinals (3–13)

Week 17: Lost to Bengals 37–14 Arizona is staring at a complete organizational reset. Coaching and front office changes feel inevitable, but the real obstacle is the quarterback contract, which limits flexibility. Any path forward includes financial pain, and whether through a trade or release, the transition is unlikely to be smooth.

27. Cleveland Browns (4–12)

Week 17: Beat Steelers 13–6 Winning may have felt good in the moment, but it solved nothing. Cleveland still lacks direction at quarterback, clarity in leadership, and a clean roster path forward. Even standout defensive performances could not mask the reality that 2026 is shaping up as another transitional year, regardless of whether the team resets immediately or delays a full rebuild.

26. Washington Commanders (4–12)

Week 17: Lost to Cowboys 30–23 Washington has come full circle. The rookie quarterback flashed early promise but struggled with consistency and regression over time. With significant cap space heading into the offseason, the franchise has resources — but must prove it can build effectively around its young core.

25. New Orleans Saints (6–10)

Week 17: Beat Titans 34–26 New Orleans closed the year strong. The rookie quarterback delivered back-to-back high-volume passing games, and the offense finally looks coherent. While the playoffs are out of reach, the Saints appear closer to long-term stability than they have in years.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (6–10)

Week 17: Beat Cardinals 37–14 Dominant wins against weaker competition have highlighted how far Cincinnati fell short of expectations. The offense remains capable, but defensive flaws and cap constraints complicate any quick fix. The pressure is mounting to avoid wasting another prime year of elite quarterback play.

23. Miami Dolphins (7–9)

Week 17: Beat Buccaneers 20–17 Miami’s late-season push changed the conversation around the team. A shift toward a run-centric identity sparked better balance, and a bold quarterback decision paid off in the short term. While the playoff window closed, the Dolphins enter the offseason with a clearer vision than they had midyear.

22. Kansas City Chiefs (6–10)

Week 17: Lost to Broncos 20–13 A rare down season in Kansas City has forced uncomfortable questions. Injuries, salary cap pressure, and aging stars have all converged. Whether this marks the end of an era or merely a reset year will depend on how quickly the roster can be rebalanced.

21. Dallas Cowboys (7–8–1)

Week 17: Beat Commanders 30–23 Dallas found offensive rhythm late, but defensive shortcomings cost them earlier opportunities. The focus now shifts to retaining key offensive contributors while addressing a defense that ranked near the bottom in several key metrics.

20. Atlanta Falcons (7–9)

Week 17: Beat Rams 27–24 Atlanta’s biggest takeaway is clear: the offense should revolve around its star running back. The disappointment comes from failing to capitalize on a weak division. The late surge complicates evaluations of the coaching staff heading into the offseason.

19. Minnesota Vikings (8–8)

Week 17: Beat Lions 23–10 Minnesota leaned heavily on defense and timely plays to stay competitive. Unusual stat lines and veteran leadership defined their wins. The team remains capable of finishing above .500 thanks largely to defensive aggression.

18. Indianapolis Colts (8–8)

Week 17: Lost to Jaguars 23–17 Once injuries struck the quarterback room, Indianapolis unraveled. The offense stalled, losses piled up, and postseason hopes disappeared. The roster has pieces, but durability at quarterback proved decisive.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7–9)

Week 17: Lost to Dolphins 20–17 Tampa Bay’s collapse has been swift. Injuries, defensive breakdowns, and inconsistent execution erased early promise. A division title is still technically possible, but significant offseason changes feel unavoidable.

16. Detroit Lions (8–8)

Week 17: Lost to Vikings 23–10 After a dominant season last year, Detroit took a major step back. Coordinator departures had a larger impact than anticipated, and the offense never fully recovered. Missing the playoffs before Week 18 was a bitter outcome.

15. Baltimore Ravens (8–8)

Week 17: Beat Packers 41–24 Baltimore leaned entirely on its run game when it mattered most. A historic rushing performance kept postseason hopes alive, but questions remain about whether the passing attack can deliver in a must-win finale.

14. Carolina Panthers (8–8)

Week 17: Lost to Seahawks 27–10 Despite the loss, Carolina’s season has been a success relative to expectations. The quarterback showed growth, the roster improved, and the team enters Week 18 with a legitimate shot at a division crown.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (8–8)

Week 17: Lost to Browns 13–6 Pittsburgh’s inconsistency resurfaced at the worst time. Injuries at receiver crippled the offense, and the quarterback struggled against quality coverage. The season now comes down to a winner-take-all showdown.

12. Green Bay Packers (9–6–1)

Week 17: Lost to Ravens 41–24 Run defense remains Green Bay’s Achilles’ heel. Even knowing what was coming, the Packers failed to slow the ground game. That vulnerability could end their playoff run quickly.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (11–5)

Week 17: Lost to Texans 20–16 Los Angeles has playoff talent but a fragile offensive line. Protection issues have limited the offense’s consistency and threaten to derail another postseason appearance. The Chargers have the roster and coaching to compete, but protection issues up front threaten everything. Against elite pass-rushing teams, those flaws become magnified, and the postseason offers no easy matchups.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (11–5)

Week 17: Beat Bills 13–12 Philadelphia is winning ugly — and that matters. The team has shown resilience in close games and poor conditions, distancing itself from last year’s late-season collapse. Philadelphia escaped Buffalo with a win, but offensive concerns persist. A second half with no completed passes underscores the issue. While the defense carried the day, sustained offensive struggles could derail any playoff run.

9. Houston Texans (11–5)

Week 17: Beat Chargers 20–16 Houston is surging. Rookie contributors are making explosive plays, and the defense remains disciplined. Momentum and confidence make the Texans a dangerous playoff matchup.

8. Chicago Bears (11–5)

Week 17: Lost to 49ers 42–38 Chicago proved it belongs with the NFC’s elite. The offense traded punches with one of the league’s best, but the inability to close late remains the next hurdle. Despite the loss, Chicago’s offense showed its ceiling. Caleb Williams continues to demonstrate growth in high-pressure moments, offering confidence that the Bears can score with anyone in the postseason.

7. Buffalo Bills (11–5)

Week 17: Lost to Eagles 13–12 Aggressive decision making nearly paid off but ultimately backfired. Health concerns linger, and execution in critical moments will define Buffalo’s postseason fate. Sean McDermott’s decision to go for two against Philadelphia reflected a calculated aggressiveness. Given Buffalo’s playoff situation, ending the game quickly made sense. The call didn’t work, but the reasoning was sound.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (12–4)

Week 17: Beat Colts 23–17 Jacksonville’s turnaround has been impressive. Improved defense and efficient quarterback play have the Jaguars one win away from a division title after finishing near the bottom a year ago. Jacksonville continues to answer challenges. A strong defensive finish powered another comeback win, and one more victory clinches the division. Liam Coen’s first season has been a resounding success, and the Jaguars look capable of a deep run.

5. Los Angeles Rams (11–5)

Week 17: Lost to Falcons 27–24Late-season mistakes have reshaped the Rams’ outlook. Turnovers and defensive lapses cost them division control and likely forced a difficult road playoff path. The Rams stumbled at a critical moment, and Matthew Stafford’s three interceptions were costly. While still a strong team, recent performances raise legitimate concerns as the postseason approaches.

4. San Francisco 49ers (12–4)

Week 17: Beat Bears 42–38San Francisco continues to win despite injuries everywhere. Depth, coaching, and resilience have kept them on track for the top seed with one game remaining. San Francisco’s defense remains a concern, but the offense is unmatched right now. Even after allowing significant production, the 49ers keep winning with scoring power. A top seed would put them two home wins away from a Super Bowl appearance.

3. Denver Broncos (13–3)

Week 17: Beat Chiefs 20–13 Denver has locked up the division, but offensive inconsistency clouds championship expectations. The defense can carry them far, but January margins are thin. Denver’s recent form hasn’t been flawless, but the overall résumé remains strong. A Week 18 win could secure the AFC’s top seed, and despite some inconsistency, the Broncos remain one of the conference’s most complete teams.

2. New England Patriots (13–3)

Week 17: Beat Jets 42–10 New England is peaking at the right time. The quarterback delivered a historically efficient performance, and the team continues to dominate weaker opponents while building momentum. Drake Maye elevated an already elite season to another level over the past two weeks. Career highs in yardage and touchdowns highlight a quarterback peaking at the right time, paired with a proven coaching structure built for playoff success.

1. Seattle Seahawks (13–3)

Week 17: Beat Panthers 27–10 Seattle’s bold offseason decision paid off. With the top seed in sight and confidence surging, the Seahawks enter Week 18 as the NFC’s most complete team. Seattle controls its own destiny. A win locks up the No. 1 seed, and that opportunity alone defines success. The looming matchup between their defense and San Francisco’s offense sets the stage for one of the season’s most compelling games.