Being an Atlanta Falcons fan is a curse. This Thanksgiving weekend may have been one of the best weekends of football from the entire league, from massive upsets to incredible performances throughout the weekend,
the NFL showed why it is the preeminent sports league in the country.
But if you’re a Falcons fan, there’s always that tinge of disappointment surrounding the weekend because this lowly franchise can’t figure out how to finish a very winnable game against the Jets.
Besides that, this was an incredible weekend of football, and I hope that you were able to enjoy it with your family with a full feast of food. With four teams on the final bye of the season, the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers, let’s get into this week’s power rankings.
1) Seattle Seahawks (9-3) (+1)
Beating up on bad teams is what good teams do, and the Seattle Seahawks feasted on a Minnesota Vikings team with a UDFA at quarterback. Forcing four INTs, the Seahawks defense forced its way into the number-one spot this week.
2) New England Patriots (11-2) (+5)
Drake Maye is continuing to make his MVP case and the Patriots defense is playing some of the best ball in the league right now. Not even five years removed from their last playoff berth, the Patriots are back to being the standard in the AFC.
3) Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) (even)
I can’t quit them. The talent is too great and they are starting to come together to show some continuity, stringing together three good wins at the end of November. Now, it’s time for the Packers to get hot just in time to contend for the #1 seed in the NFC.
4) Los Angeles Rams (9-3) (-3)
Bad games happen, especially on the road, but the Rams losing to the Panthers at this juncture, as they are pushing to contend for the #1 seed, is not ideal. Still one of the best teams in the league, though.
5) Denver Broncos (10-2) (+1)
When you have a defense like Denver’s, you can win nine straight despite the offense having its ups and downs. Now, the offense is starting to find its teeth while the defense is having its struggles (relatively).
6) Detroit Lions (7-5) (-1)
The loss to Green Bay hurt, and worse, it momentarily knocked the Lions out of the playoffs. Hopefully, they can bounce back against a red-hot Dallas Cowboys team on Thursday night.
7) Indianapolis Colts (8-4) (-3)
Welcome to every Colts fan’s worst nightmare. That the first 10 weeks were a mirage, and with one of the hardest schedules down the stretch, they go from first in the conference to battling for the final playoff spot.
8) Buffalo Bills (8-4) (even)
Finding a way to win an ugly, gritty game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is quite the feat. That’s usually their domain. Let’s see if they can avoid the upset bid from a suddenly-inspired Cincinnati team on Sunday.
9) Chicago Bears (9-3) (+6)
May we present, ladies and gentlemen, the new #1 seed in the NFC: The Chicago Bears. Ben Johnson has been everything this franchise has needed and more.
10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) (+2)
Snapping that three-game skid was crucial for Tampa as they look to hold off the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South crown. The last three weeks, with two head-to-head bouts with those Panthers, are going to be must-see TV.
11) San Francisco 49ers (9-4) (+2)
So, not the cleanest performance, but what do you expect with the DPOY on the other side using every ounce of his alien skillset to make life hell for your quarterback? All things considered, this 49ers team is looking primed to make a run at the NFC West…after this week’s bye week.
12) Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) (+2)
Monday Night Football: Justin Herbert vs. Jalen Hurts. Two teams that have cooled off from hot starts, looking to solidify a playoff berth. This one is going to be good.
13) Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) (-3)
The Eagles need something to get off the ground, or maybe to get their ground game going. In their past two games, both losses, the Eagles have failed to gain over 100 yards on the ground. Their balanced attack is out of whack, and the Chargers’ defense isn’t necessarily the unit to “get right” against.
14) Houston Texans (7-5) (+2)
Speaking of defenses, welcome back to the playoff push, Houston Texans. DeMeco Ryans, I never doubted you.
15) Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) (-6)
It’s getting grim in KC as of late. Patrick Mahomes is still playing like a top-ten quarterback, but it’s not enough right now. With a loss against the Houston Texans on Sunday night, we may have to start asking some uncomfortable questions about the Chiefs.
16) Baltimore Ravens (6-6) (-5)
Lamar Jackson looked like himself a bit, but it’s clear he’s still working back from his knee injuries, and the offense suffered because of it. Still atop the AFC North, the Ravens have a date with the Steelers in what has all the machinations of a good old-fashioned early 2000s slobberknocker.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) (even)
Even I can attest how unfair this is for Jaguars fans, but come on, we’ve all seen this movie. Better yet, prove to me that you deserve to be in the upper echelon talks this season by beating Indianapolis this Sunday at home.
18) Carolina Panthers (7-6) (+2)
*cue The Office ‘snip-snap’ meme* One week, the Panthers look powerless against the San Francisco 49ers. Next week, they’re dethroning the best team in the league. I don’t know what to make of these cardiac cats…But I like it.
19) Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) (even)
The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat division winner in over two decades. And if the Cowboys and Eagles stay on their current trajectories, that streak will stay active.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) (-2)
This is the last of the true playoff teams, at least for now, and the Steelers are showing so many holes on both sides of the ball. Luckily, none of that matters when they head to Baltimore, because all bets are off in that heavyweight bout.
21) Miami Dolphins (5-7) (+1)
Listen, a win in the NFL is a great thing, especially when you’re continuing to have to fight for your coach to keep his job. Now, will he? That’s another story.
22) Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) (+4)
I mean…the Cincinnati Bengals are only two games out of the division lead with over a month of football to be played. Stranger things have happened.
23) Washington Commanders (3-9) (+1)
What is with the Commanders and their snakebitten history with Heisman-winning, dual-threat quarterbacks? Heal up, Jayden. We’ll see you in 2026.
24) Minnesota Vikings (4-8) (-3)
So, the first year of the Vikings’ decision to go with…‘Nine,’ has been a dud. Add in that Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are both putting up top-ten production with their respective rosters, and this one may sting for Vikings fans for a while.
25) Arizona Cardinals (3-9) (even)
Jacoby Brissett has sort of played his way into vying for a starting role in 2026, whether that’s with Arizona or otherwise. Defense is pretty good, too.
26) Atlanta Falcons (4-8) (-3)
I have but four words for you: Everyone. Needs. To. Go.
27) New York Jets (3-9) (+3)
Tyrod Taylor turned back time to find just enough avenues to beat the Falcons on Sunday. While this season hasn’t always been fun for Aaron Glenn and his squad, finding a way to win on a last-second field goal in late November had to feel good.
28) New York Giants (2-11) (-1)
The Giants ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday and that’s not by any fault of theirs. The bye couldn’t have come at a better time for them to lick their wounds before ramping up to potentially play spoiler in week 18.
29) Cleveland Browns (3-9) (-1)
Myles Garrett is the only attraction worth watching anymore. Oh, and the nasty man has been designated to return, I guess.
30) Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) (-1)
Could Las Vegas be the team to derail Denver’s 10-game win streak? I don’t think so, but man, how funny would that be?
31) New Orleans Saints (2-10) (even)
If New Orleans wanted to keep Shough for a season or two to continue building the rest of the roster, it may not be the worst of ideas. He’s not good, but…he’s servicable
32) Tennessee Titans (1-11) (even)
Just keep Cam Ward healthy, that’s all I ask.
