Week 12 in the NFL offered a little more clarity and separation around the league. Some contenders kept rolling. Some got off the mat. Some are sliding into the teams they were supposed to be, a little lesser than the earlier version.
On the flip side, some of the teams near the bottom are finding different ways to fight and play spoiler, whether or not they succeed. The final six weeks of the 2025 season set up for a fantastic finish.
Here's AllSportsPeople' updated look at the latest league hierarchy, from a new best at No. 1 through the same worst at No. 32:
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 12
NFL Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Rams 9-2 (previous ranking: 2)
The Rams ripped into the Buccaneers with a red-hot Matthew Stafford and their defense early and didn't let up for Sean McVay. They are looking for sure like the most complete team in the NFC peaking at the ideal time to try to match their Super Bowl 56 run.
MORE: How Matthew Stafford solidified his MVP case in blowout win over Bucs
2. Denver Broncos 9-2 (3)
The Broncos have been ripping through the league with an elite defense giving them a high floor every week and Bo Nix ready to come through in the fourth quarter to ensure some winning finishes. They need to get a little more consistent on offense to be true Super Bowl contenders
3. New England Patriots 10-2 (4)
The Patriots were a little sloppy early in Cincinnati but their defense sparked them into pulling away with better offense. The MVP attention on Drake Maye is taking away from what a complete team they are to have the AFC's best record.
4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-3 (1)
The Eagles did get Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown going together in the passing game against the Cowboys, but when they can't run well and turn over the ball, their defense isn't good enough to recover. They need to pick up the pieces fast with the confident Bears at home next on Black Friday.
MORE: Why Eagles' stagnant offense keep running into the same problem
5. Green Bay Packers 7-3-1 (7)
The Packers went full throttle with their pass defense to slam the Vikings and got plenty of grinding but efficient rushing offense from Emanuel Wilson in place of Josh Jacobs. They should enjoy this get-well game with crucial matchups against Lions and Bears next.
MORE: Updated NFC North standings
6. Seattle Seahawks 8-3 (8)
The Seahawks kept things in simple with their pass to score/run to win formula in Tennessee, with a lot of Jaxon Smith-Njigba early and enough of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet later. JSN really needs some MVP buzz for chasing 2,000 yards.
MORE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba needed just 11 games to set franchise mark
7. Chicago Bears 8-3 (9)
The Bears can make a case they have a second-year QB MVP candidate in Caleb Williams. He saved them after initial sluggishness against the Steelers with great confidence and execution for Ben Johnson. The Chicago winning the NFC North might actually happen.
8. Indianapolis Colts 8-3 (5)
The Colts' defense deserves plenty of credit for keeping them in the game in Kansas City but their offense can have major limitation if an opponent can render Jonathan Taylor a non-factor in the running game. Indy now needs to focus on locking up the division with the Texans and Jaguars next.
9. Buffalo Bills 7-4 (6)
The Bills' defense is becoming a bigger issue against the pass after already looking terrible against the run. Now their offensive limitations are costing them when it's not about James Cook in the running game as Josh Allen is stuck searching for reliable weapons beyond Khalil Shakir.
MORE: Why Chiefs' comeback win over Colts means bad news for rest of AFC playoff contenders
10. Detroit Lions 7-4 (10)
The Lions' defense broke down vs. Jameis Winston and the Giants. They were fortunate that Jahmyr Gibbs was even bigger nightmare for the Giants' defense for almost five quarters. They needed that rebound with the Packers at home next on a short week.
11. San Francisco 49ers 7-4 (13)
The 49ers are getting healthier offensively to help their injury-worn defense at the right time. They'll feel it more with Brock Purdy making his second return start on Monday night vs. The Panthers.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-4 (14)
The Jaguars do things the ugly way with Trevor Lawrence and their defense but it's added up to a tough makeup under Liam Coen that has them right in wild-card playoff position with a sudden chance to catch the Colts.
13. Los Angeles Chargers 7-4 (15)
The Chargers enjoyed a bye week to help regroup as they try to catch the Broncs and hold off the Chiefs in the AFC West. Justin Herbert needs to be more consistent down the stretch, first and foremost.
14. Kansas City Chiefs 6-5 (16)
The Chiefs got their old-school close one-score win over the Colts with Patrick Mahomes getting all the needed support from Kareem Hunt and the running game, plus the defense. They might have turned the corner at the ideal time ahead of a playoff push.
15. Houston Texans 6-5 (19)
The Texans' pass rush stepped up to stymie Allen and the Bills on Thursday night, but the real story is the confidence of backup QB Davis Mills allowing their offense to find more of its groove without C.t. Stroud. It will be interesting to see what happens with Stroud's return.
16. Baltimore Ravens 6-5 (17)
The Ravens got a huge win over the Jets with Derrick Henry and the defense taking a key burden off Lamar Jackson. The reward was rallying from a 1-5 start to first place again in the AFC North.
MORE: How Ravens win, Steelers loss shake up AFC North race in Week 12
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-5 (11)
The Buccaneers have seen their offensive and defensive injuries catch up to them with three consecutive losses. Streaky Baker Mayfield has been cold of late with limited experience around him. The pass defense isn't holding up well, anymore, either. They are lucky to play in the weak NFC South once again.
MORE: Latest Baker Mayfield injury updates
18. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5 (12)
The Steelers got a game Mason Rudolph and.a dynamic overall offense minus Aaron Rodgers against the Bears. But they didn't finish well defensively after setting the tone early and that might be the story of their season.
19. Dallas Cowboys 5-5-1 (20)
The Cowboys kept heir emotions high for their massive home game to fuel the epic comeback against the Eagles. On the field, it was made most possible by Dak Prescott new favorite big-play target, George Pickens, maybe the pickup of the year by any team.
MORE: What win over Eagles means for Dallas’ NFC Wild Card chances
20. Carolina Panthers 6-5 (18)
The Panthers are hoping to hang in there in the NFC South and wild-card races with more of that top-level offense led by Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan. Outscoring the 49ers and old friend Christian McCaffrey will be tough on Monday night.
21. Miami Dolphins 4-7 (22)
The Dolphins are working on trying to save Mike McDaniels' job with a late rally revolving around their still dangerous offense and a more inspired defense. Miami needs to look good and pull off some more wins for McDaniel to see 2026.
22. Atlanta Falcons 4-7 (23)
The Falcons didn't look all that pretty with Kirk Cousins leading the offense, but they dug deep to find playmakers without Drake London, led by Darnell Mooney. It is important for Zac Robinson and Raheem Morris they finish strong.
23. Minnesota Vikings 4-7 (21)
The Vikings will not be returning to the playoffs after getting buried in the tough NFC North standings. Looking at J.J. McCarthy in relation to the other quarterbacks in the division, it's clear where the most important disparity is.
24. Washington Commanders 3-8 (26)
The Commanders are hoping they can get hot down the stretch to be more respectable in Jayden Daniels' second season, including some positive health and production from Daniels and his offensive assets. The defense, however, needs a lot of work in the offseason for Dan Quinn.
25. Arizona Cardinals 3-8 (24)
The Cardinals have been a spirted team with Jacoby Brissett leading the passing game, making it feel like they're not missing Kyler Murray or even Marvin Harrison Jr. He just doesn't have quite enough pop and the defense is relying more on big plays than any kind of steady play.
26. Cincinnati Bengals 3-8 (25)
The Bengals didn't want to force Joe Burrow back against the Patriots and given Joe Flacco struggled and threw a pick-six in the game, it was still a good decision to preserve as much as possible in a longshot playoff situation. Cincinnati will be a dangerous spoiler with Burrow to close the season, starting Thursday in Baltimore.
27. Cleveland Browns 3-8 (31)
The Browns got their desired spark from Shedeur Sanders in a most winnable game against the Raiders, taking advantage of their defensive domination with Myles Garrett to make the offensive job much more relaxed for the rookie to shine.
MORE: Grading Shedeur Sanders' first NFL start
28. New York Giants 2-10 (29)
The Giants should be happy with how ready Jameis Winston and their offense was to carry the team minus Jaxson Dart but they can't be pleased how their defense kept giving up too many big runs and big passes in Detroit despite a talented pass rush.
MORE: Jameis Winston scores on electric play vs. Lions
29. New Orleans Saints 2-9 (27)
The Saints are seeing the typical ups and downs from Tyler Shough and couldn't recover with no running game and no Alvin Kamara checkdowns with the Falcosn taking away his deep shots.
30. Las Vegas Raiders 2-9 (28)
The Raiders need to look at another QB not named Geno Smith soon down the stretch. They are doing their best with him and limited weapons. The offensive line hasn't helped and the defense puts him in bad spots, too.
MORE: Why the Raiders fired OC Chip Kelly
31. New York Jets 2-9 (30)
The Jets are just trying to play out the string but throwing Tyrod Taylor out there didn't make any sense with nothing to evaluate. Aaron Glenn might need one more sparked flash for his team to fully guarantee a second season.
32. Tennessee Titans 1-10 (32)
The Titans showed a little more fight with Cam Ward aaainst the Seahawks, but the defense might need a lot more work than the offense in the 2026 offseason.