The NFL regular season has just two games remaining, and in the process, the playoff race down the stretch has heated up. Coming into Week 16, two teams had clinched playoff spots, and before Sunday’s action, two more followed suit. During that chase, there were plenty of compelling games throughout the weekend. All in all, it was another great weekend of football, with plenty of potential playoff previews in the process. Who is up and who is down heading into Week 17? Let’s find out in this installment
of WCG NFL Power Rankings.
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) Previous Week: 3
One year after missing the playoffs as a 10-win team, head coach Mike Macdonald has his team rolling to the playoffs as a serious contender. Like any team in their spot, they have a well-rounded roster and few needs on paper. When taking a deeper dive, running back and receiver are the two areas that stand out as “upgradable” spots. With Jaxson Smith-Njigba already being one of the league’s best and Rashid Shaheed being his speedy complement, running back could be the bigger focus with Kenneth Walker set to hit free agency in March. This focus on roster upgrades should give fans and analysts hope for future improvements.
Biggest Offseason Need: Running Back
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) Previous Week: 1
The Rams have one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league, but, like any team, there will always be needs, especially when players potentially leave in free agency. On the plus side, Los Angeles is projected to have roughly $81 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap, so if they want to retain Rob Havenstein, they can. Still, if they want a cheaper and younger option, this is where right tackle becomes a significant need. A developmental quarterback to groom behind Matthew Stafford should also be high on the list, considering the veteran’s age.
Biggest Offseason Need: Right Tackle
3. Denver Broncos (12-3) Previous Week: 2
On paper, it’s hard to find many needs in Denver, but the entire purpose of this exercise is to identify areas where free agency could create needs or where upgrades are needed. Between running back and tight end, both areas could use some attention. Evan Engram signed a two-year, $23 million deal in the offseason, but so far, he has not delivered the impact the Broncos were hoping to get. With Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull headed for free agency, this is an area that could use an upgrade. Running back is also on the list, but a one-two punch of R.J. Harvey and a healthy J.K. Dobbins could make sense for an encore.
Biggest Offseason Need: Tight End
4. New England Patriots (12-3) Previous Week: 4
There have been many surprises this season, but none bigger than the football club in Foxboro. Mike Vrabel took over a Patriots team that had combined for eight wins in the two seasons before he was appointed head coach. The turnaround they’ve seen in one year is nothing short of miraculous. That said, they must continue to add talent to avoid a Year 2 letdown. Although there are upgradeable areas in multiple areas, they must find a way to add another piece to the offensive line’s interior. Garrett Bradbury has been a solid veteran stop-gap, but they need more upside. Even if they plan to move Jared Wilson to his natural position at center, another high upside piece is necessary to cut down on sacks.
Biggest Offseason Need: Interior Offensive Line
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) Previous Week: 10
Heading into the week, it was easy to classify receiver as their top need heading into March. Still, following their three-year, $60 million extension with Jacoby Meyers, the focus shifts to the offensive line. Despite an attempt to rebuild this group in one offseason, they’ll need to take another crack in certain areas to get this unit into the top half of the league heading into 2026. Heading into the final two weeks of the season, they are just below league-average in both rushing efficiency and pass protection. That said, an upgrade (or two) would help push this group into the Top 10.
Biggest Offseason Need: Offensive Line
6. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Previous Week: 5
It doesn’t seem like a 49ers season without plenty of injuries, and 2025 has been no different. For as many holes as this roster has been left with due to the multiple season-ending IR stints, I can’t help but focus back to the offensive side of the ball when I look at their offseason ahead. Bradon Aiyuk’s tenure appears to be over, and Jauan Jennings will be a free agent in March after contract disputes leaked into the preseason. Ricky Pearsall is good when healthy, but the depth behind him is shaky at best. Receiver and defensive line help should be at the top of the priority list when the offseason kicks off, emphasizing strategic planning and a sense of hope for improvement among fans and analysts.
Biggest Offseason Need: Wide Receiver
7. Chicago Bears (11-4) Previous Week: 8
If you had asked Bears fans what the team’s most significant need was heading into the season, they would have said running back. In typical Ben Johnson fashion, he’s found a way to get the most out of his running back room, even if he’s only had a hand in one player on the current depth chart. That said, the value to spend a significant resource on the position isn’t super high, which means that the defensive line needs yet another high-value addition. I’d argue that edge rusher should be the higher priority, but considering Montez Sweat is the only player that could be remotely considered a “difference-maker”, Chicago can’t get too picky when it comes to adding more talent to the defensive side of the trenches and adding players who can consistently get after the quarterback needs to be their top priority starting in March.
Biggest Offseason Need: Defensive Line
8. Buffalo Bills (11-4) Previous Week: 6
The Bills are still an excellent football team, as evidenced by their improbable comeback in New England during Week 15. With that said, there are some apparent flaws on this roster, and despite having an MVP-caliber quarterback, they need to give him more weapons. Extending Khalil Shakur was a smart move, but with Keon Coleman not coming around, the need for a true No. 1 is real. It feels like Buffalo has been putting this off since trading Stefon Diggs, but it’s finally time to address the elephant in the room.
Biggest Offseason Need: Wide Receiver
9. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) Previous Week: 12
After winning the Super Bowl in dominating fashion last season in large part due to the trenches, the results have not been the same for Philadelphia a year later. That’s primarily due to who they lost in free agency back in March. It’s a challenging task to replace Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Fletcher Cox. Sometimes, it takes multiple offseasons to replace that production. They did trade for Jaelan Phillips at the deadline, but he’s set to be a free agent in March. After notching a sack in his second game, he’s been quiet since. Adding more juice off the edge is a must.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
10. Houston Texans (10-5) Previous Week: 9
Many people around the league are still scratching their heads at the Texans’ plan for their offensive line last offseason. They traded away a Top 5-7 left tackle in Laremy Tunsil, and somehow made their starting five worse than it was in 2024. After a slow start, the offense has finally started to figure things out, but quarterbacks behind this group are still taking far too many hits for anyone’s liking, and they’re still in the Bottom 10 in team rushing. They should take a page out of Chicago’s book and aggressively pursue at least three upgrades.
Biggest Offseason Need: Offensive Line (Pick A Position)
11. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) Previous Week: 7
For as long as I can remember, the Packers have been one of the best in the league at developing offensive line talent. In 2022, they somehow found their eventual starting tackles on Day 3: Zach Tom (recently extended) and Rasheed Walker. Walker has been solid, but I’m not sure anyone would classify him as a Top 10 left tackle. Now that he’s set to hit the free agent market in a few months, the chance to upgrade should be taken. Maybe they can give Jordan Morgan another try, but they might be better served by drafting one and developing him. Cap space won’t be super tight in 2026, but the bill is coming due with the big contracts to Micah Parsons and Jordan Love.
Biggest Offseason Need: Left Tackle
12. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) Previous Week: 11
From a health standpoint, all the hard work that Jim Harbaugh has put into the offensive line has gone up in smoke for 2025. They’ve lost both starting tackles for the year, and the rotation of subpar play on the interior is concerning as well. They took a gamble on Mekhi Becton this offseason, and it has not paid off. Zion Johnson has been solid opposite of Becton, but center Bradley Bozeman has been about as bad as it gets at center. Health plays a clear role in their issues, but finding a way to get younger, healthier, and better on the interior needs to be a top priority.
Biggest Offseason Need: Interior Offensive Line
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) Previous Week: 14
Despite their record, 2025 has felt uninspiring like last season. Pittsburgh seems content with the same circle of life every season, which is why there’s plenty of reason to believe they’ll have yet another new starting quarterback in 2026. Aaron Rodgers has been OK, but it’s clear he’s lost multiple steps in his game. The passing attack as a whole is not very threatening. This roster is aging and has plenty of needs, but it can continue to limp along (maybe with more upside) by adding a younger, more capable quarterback.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback
14. Carolina Panthers (8-7) Previous Week: 18
Carolina’s pass-rushing issues have continued to be a problem since they traded away Brian Burns. They are once again at the bottom of the league in sacks and pressures. Although there’s reason for optimism with rookies like Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, both are far from proven commodities. Getting a true No. 1 option should be a priority if this defense is to go over the top.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
15. Detroit Lions (8-7) Previous Week: 13
2025 has been a season to forget for an organization that has developed high standards over the past few seasons. Despite losing both coordinators and more assistant coaches than I can count, many expected the Lions to transition seamlessly. Unfortunately for them, that has not been the case, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite edge rusher being the bigger concern heading into the season, their lack of cornerback health (and depth) has been a major issue. Terrion Arnold, despite being a first-round pick, has yet to prove that he can stay healthy or be a consistent producer. If for no other reason than adding competitive depth, this is a group that needs serious attention if they expect their defense to take the next step.
Biggest Offseason Need: Cornerback
16. Baltimore Ravens (7-8) Previous Week 16
2025 felt like the year the Ravens could finally break out of their disappointing postseason history and reach a Super Bowl. Maybe that still happens, but it’s hard to see those dreams becoming a reality with the way their defense has played. Their lack of pressure on the quarterback is their biggest issue, and they must finally fix that during the offseason.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) Previous Week: 15
The Buccaneers are yet another team that appears bound for another winning season, yet has failed to inspire much confidence once they reach the dance. I’m not sure anyone can pinpoint the exact reason, but without changes, they are doomed to repeat the same fate year after year, despite being in one of the weakest divisions in football annually. Jamel Dean is having a career year, but is set to be a free agent. Tampa Bay is set to have a comfortable amount of cap space, but at some point, they’ll need to get younger.
Biggest Offseason Need: Cornerback
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-7) Previous Week: 17
Daniel Jones’ start to the season was nothing short of miraculous, but his season ended after a few so-so games and a torn Achilles. There should be little doubt about whether or not the Colts want to extend Jones, but it sounds like they’ll have plenty of competition. In some ways, this will be like the Kirk Cousins situation (signing a player to big money after a late-season Achilles injury), but Jones is much younger. Either way, Indianapolis’ roster is ready to win now, but having an above-average quarterback is the key to maximizing this group.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback
19. Minnesota Vikings (7-8) Previous Week: 19
Since returning from a concussion, second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been playing considerably better football. The issue is that we’ve seen this story play out many times before, with struggling quarterbacks hitting their stride in the short term. No matter how he finishes out the season, there needs to be a quality veteran brought in to push him during camp next year. Fresh off a 14-win season, the most significant difference between last year and 2025 has been a severe drop in quarterback play. We’ll see how they manage their resources, especially given the tight cap.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback Competition
20. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) Previous Week: 21
Assuming the Cowboys get an extension (or franchise tag) done with George Pickens early in March, the focus should entirely shift to the defensive side of the ball. No matter how hard Jerry Jones tries, he won’t be able to replace Micah Parsons, but the interior of their defensive line is something they can win with. Now, they need to focus on adding better edge depth, and a pair of first-round picks should help that. There are plenty of good players on the roster, but the defense needs work.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
21. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) Previous Week: 23
Pick a side, any side. The offensive line is a disaster. The defensive line, despite multiple first-round investments in recent years, is also, well… a disaster. Assuming that they can keep Joe Burrow from forcing his way out of Cincinnati (who can blame him?), the emphasis on drastically improving both lines needs to be the primary focus of this offseason. It’ll be interesting to see how they allocate resources, especially after making such significant investments in Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. This has been a poorly run organization for quite some time, but the issues have become far too glaring to ignore any longer.
Biggest Offseason Need: The Trenches
22. Miami Dolphins (6-9) Previous Week: 20
Tua has been benched, and despite his guaranteed money carrying into the next few seasons, it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle once a decision like this has been made. Health, especially concussions, has been a concern, but his severe drop-off in play this season has rightfully given the Dolphins pause. There’s plenty that is up in the air heading into the offseason, but quarterback and cornerback are two areas that need some serious help.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback
23. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) Previous Week: 22
For the first time in 10 years, the Chiefs will find themselves sitting at home when the playoffs start in three weeks. They’ve done a better job than most in maintaining their Champion-caliber roster, but the bill has finally come due, and now they must retool on the fly. There are areas all over the roster that could use upgrades, but edge rusher and running back stand out as two primary spots that must be addressed. I cannot justify tabbing running back as their most significant need after this tough of a season. Tight end is another sneaky need, especially if Travis Kelce retires.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
24. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) Previous Week: 24
From a talent perspective, this is a team that should be far better than their records over the past few seasons have reflected. Even so, it’s worth wondering what precisely this current regime has done to justify keeping their jobs another season. I’m not ready to start speculating on job openings yet, so we’ll keep it simple with an evaluation of needs. On paper, the defense has enough to be above-average, yet in many ways, it is not. They spent two big draft resources on the edge, but it’s still not good enough. I’d lean toward a defensive tackle, but any new blood on the defensive line should be welcomed with open arms.
Biggest Offseason Need: Defensive Line
25. New Orleans Saints (5-10) Previous Week: 26
Quarterback Tyler Shough looks like a player who is 100% deserving of a second look in 2026. This is a bad team, but it’s not without some talent. The defense has continued to play relatively well, but poor cap management over a decade has left the roster devoid of young, promising talent. This offseason, especially in the draft, should be wide open. Just get good players and see where you fall at the end of next season. That needs to be the approach in New Orleans. Most importantly, stop kicking the can down the road on pricey veterans.
Biggest Offseason Need: Young Talent
26. Washington Commanders (4-11) Previous Week: 25
Following an impressive 2024 campaign, reality hit hard this year with the league’s oldest roster. Washington’s roster has plenty of flaws that are likely to take multiple years to get fixed, but with better health (and quarterback play), it’s easy to see this team being at least a Wild Card contender as early as next season. Edge rusher was a significant need during the offseason, and as the season has progressed, it has remained their most glaring weakness. While Von Miller has been a fun story (leading the team in sacks), maybe it’s time to start targeting players who are entering the prime years of their careers.
Biggest Offseason Need: Edge Rusher
27. Cleveland Browns (3-12) Previous Week: 27
The Shadeur Sanders discourse has been about as bad as I’ve ever seen, which really says something considering the hot-button topic of quarterback conversations in Chicago for most of my lifetime. That said, he’s shown flashes, but nothing that should preclude them from taking a swing, IF, and that’s a big “if”, they have someone they love. Dillon Gabriel is a backup quarterback at best, and that should have been reflected had they not reached on him during the draft. Of all the teams in the bottom 10 of our rankings, the Browns could have the brightest future. That said, they need the right quarterback and to start fielding a modern-day NFL offense. With two first-round picks, there’s a good launching point available. All the front office needs to do is execute it.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback
28. Arizona Cardinals (3-12) Previous Week: 28
If there’s one thing that has become clear during this regime, it’s that they clearly do not feel comfortable with Kyler Murray at quarterback. A 33-year-old Jacoby Brissett clearly isn’t the answer, so now what? First, they must decide whether to make wholesale changes at the top; after that, they need to determine whether they are OK with hitting the reset button on this roster or going the veteran route with a more proven, higher-upside quarterback. I don’t know, man. On paper, this team should have taken off, yet they haven’t. If Murray isn’t the answer, then their options will be limited, even if they make a big move to draft a younger quarterback.
Biggest Offseason Need: Quarterback
29. Tennessee Titans (3-12) Previous Week: 31
Remember back in July (or August) when ESPN put out an article about how the Titans were poised to break the cycle of setting up No. 1 overall pick quarterbacks to fail? Even in the moment, it felt like a comical narrative, considering how unstable their organization has been at the top. Lo and behold, they fired their head coach before any other team did this season, and rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been an up-and-down disaster, despite showing the natural gifts that made him the top pick in April’s draft. Now, they’ll be tasked with not only improving a poor roster but also talking a new head coach into stepping into an organization that has alternated years of firing head coaches and general managers for far too long. Assuming that Ward’s skillset outweighs all of the other organizational issues, finding the best offensive mind to get him back on track will be of the utmost importance.
Biggest Offseason Need: A Head Coach Who Can Unlock Cam Ward
30. New York Giants (2-13) Previous Week: 29
Jaxson Dart has shown plenty of promise in an otherwise broken year for the Giants, but even so, he’s dangerously toeing the line of being on the Tua plan of needlessly reckless play. All early rumors have pointed to New York targeting a defensive-minded coach, which I don’t understand. Either way, we’ve seen the “right” head coach elevate both sides of the ball. Assuming Malik Nabers comes back healthy, this roster is built for a relatively quick turnaround into at least being relevant in December. They just need to find a way to actually hire the right head coach, which has been a continual challenge since Tom Coughlin was shown the door.
Biggest Offseason Need: The Right Coaching Staff
31. New York Jets (3-12) Previous Week: 30
Like I pointed out last week, credit to first-year general manager Darren Mougey for pulling the plug on a lost season and maximizing value on two star players. On paper, this group is far away from competing for anything. Like, years away. The only way to successfully rebuild a roster is to hit on draft picks, and the Jets are now in a position to do that over the next two years. Quarterback is a primary need, but hopefully they’ve learned from past mistakes and don’t force a pick without the proper supporting staff.
Biggest Offseason Need: Everything
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) Previous Week 32
Remember in March and April when anyone worth their salt was deterring the Raiders from taking the sexy pick in Ashton Jeanty at No. 6, and instead going with an offensive lineman? Good times. Unsurprisingly, even someone as talented as Jeanty hasn’t been able to overcome one of the league’s offensive lines. Las Vegas’ awful run has continued despite multiple new regimes, and it’s worth wondering if head coach Pete Carroll will be out the door at the conclusion of Week 18. No matter what they decide to do with this coaching staff, and even at quarterback, not many players in this world, including Jeanty, will have success without a considerably better group up front.
Biggest Offseason Need: Offensive Line
