💪 Latest NFL Power Rankings

05.11.2025, 06:50 espn.com

Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season featured plenty of close finishes, including walk-off field goals by the Broncos and the Panthers as well as an overtime win by the Jaguars. There have been 14 walk-off field goals this season, which is the most through nine weeks since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, per ESPN Research. Meanwhile, after the Colts' loss to the Steelers, both the NFC and the AFC have at least three teams tied for the conference's best record in Week 9 or later for the first time since 2002.

How do all of these teams fit in our updated Power Rankings? We restacked the NFL heading into Week 10, which includes byes for four teams (Bengals, Chiefs, Cowboys and Titans). In addition to the 1-32 rankings, our NFL Nation reporters picked the most important game remaining for each team. This could be a rivalry game, a matchup with playoff implications or one that might affect the team's draft standing.

Let's get into it with No. 1, which shifted again from the previous week. Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluated how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.

Jump to a team:ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Week 9 result: Beat the Chiefs 28-21Week 9 ranking: 4

Most important game remaining: Week 15 at the Patriots

The Bills are trying to win a sixth straight AFC East title, but they have significant competition to reach that goal. After the Patriots took the first meeting, this matchup could end up being huge as the Bills look to secure at least one more postseason game in their last year at Highmark Stadium. Winning the division is always emphasized by Buffalo coach Sean McDermott as the first step to reaching the Super Bowl, and this game could prove pivotal. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Week 9 result: ByeWeek 9 ranking: 3

Most important game remaining: Week 10 at the Packers

There's an argument to be made for each of their upcoming three games: at the Packers, home against the Lions then at the Cowboys, who represent the Eagles' biggest (and maybe only) threat in the NFC East. But the Eagles' plans go well beyond a divisional crown. They are involved in a tight race for the NFC's No. 1 seed and can gain the upper hand against one of their top competitors at Lambeau Field. Philadelphia should get a boost from new defensive acquisitions Jaelan Phillips, Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II as well as the potential return of edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. (triceps). A win over Green Bay could help propel Philly through a challenging closing stretch, as the Eagles have the eighth-most difficult remaining schedule, per ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI). -- Tim McManus

Week 9 result: Lost to the Steelers 27-20Week 9 ranking: 1

Most important game remaining: Week 10 vs. the Falcons in Berlin

After the way the Colts played Sunday, with six turnovers and the offensive line getting uncharacteristically pushed around, the question around Indianapolis will be how they bounce back. This was just their second loss this season, but it was the first that raised questions about what kind of team they are. Likewise, quarterback Daniel Jones will have a lot to prove. His three interceptions versus the Steelers are likely to give fuel to the narrative that he hasn't fully turned the page on his Giants era. -- Stephen Holder

Week 9 result: ByeWeek 9 ranking: 5

Most important game remaining: Week 16 at the Panthers

We don't know how the Buccaneers will respond to being without wide receiver Mike Evans (broken collarbone) for an extended period. We also don't know when Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin Jr., Luke Goedeke or Jalen McMillan will return. But we do know that four out of their final five games are against divisional opponents, which do count toward tiebreakers. The Bucs have made a huge point of emphasis on avoiding the midseason slumps they've experienced the past two seasons. But should they need a late-season surge, that road game against Carolina is smack dab in the middle of it. -- Jenna Laine

Week 9 result: Beat the Saints 34-10Week 9 ranking: 8

Most important game remaining: Week 10 at the 49ers

The Rams have six wins, but their Week 9 victory was surprisingly their first over an NFC opponent. Los Angeles has played only one divisional game: a Week 5 loss at home to San Francisco that ended with a turnover on downs in overtime. In what has been a tight NFC West race so far, not losing the head-to-head tiebreaker to the 49ers could be important for a Rams team with aspirations for a deep playoff run. -- Sarah Barshop

Week 9 result: Lost to the Vikings 27-24Week 9 ranking: 2

Most important game remaining: Week 11 at the Eagles

The Lions will get tested by an elite squad in a showdown with the reigning Super Bowl champions on "Sunday Night Football." They will need to bring their A-game to win in Philadelphia, and it'll serve as a good barometer for where the Lions stand among the league's elite teams after already losing to Green Bay and Kansas City on the road. Detroit is looking to secure its third straight NFC North crown. -- Eric Woodyard

Field Yates reacts to Jahmyr Gibbs' disappointing fantasy output vs. the Vikings.

Week 9 result: Beat the Texans 18-15Week 9 ranking: 9

Most important game remaining: Week 17 at the Chiefs

Yes, the Broncos have their first meeting against the Chiefs in Week 11 as well as a Week 15 matchup with the Packers and the regular-season finale versus the Chargers (after Los Angeles beat Denver in Week 3). But the Christmas night tilt at Kansas City could have a lot on the table. Perhaps most notably -- beyond any playoff seeding implications -- is that a victory at Arrowhead Stadium could mean the Broncos are truly over their eight seasons of struggles following Peyton Manning's retirement. The Chiefs have won every AFC West title since the Broncos last claimed the divisional crown in 2015, and Denver hasn't triumphed at Arrowhead since Sept. 17, 2015. -- Jeff Legwold

Week 9 result: Beat the Falcons 24-23Week 9 ranking: 10

Most important game remaining: Week 15 vs. the Bills

The Patriots already beat Buffalo in Week 5, and sweeping the season series would give them the edge in a potential tiebreaker in the AFC East standings. The Bills have won the past five division titles. On the day New England coach Mike Vrabel was hired in January, he said the team's goals are to win the division, host home playoff games and compete for championships. -- Mike Reiss

Week 9 result: Beat the Commanders 38-14Week 9 ranking: 11

Most important game remaining: Week 16 vs. the Rams

For the sake of picking one game, we'll go with the late-season, prime-time matchup against the team currently tied with Seattle atop the NFC West standings. But you could go with either of the Seahawks' two games against Los Angeles (the first meeting will be in Week 11) or their regular-season finale at San Francisco. According to the FPI, the 49ers -- despite all their injuries -- have almost the same chance to win the division (35%) as the Rams (37%), so Seattle (28%) might very well be in a three-team race the rest of the way. -- Brady Henderson

Field Yates and Daniel Dopp break down Rome Odunze’s zero-point fantasy performance.

Week 9 result: Lost to the Bills 28-21Week 9 ranking: 6

Most important game remaining: Week 11 at the Broncos

Following their bye week, the Chiefs will face the current AFC West leader. The easiest way for the Chiefs to regain command in the division is to sweep the Broncos. Kansas City coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team should have plenty of motivation too. In the 2024 regular-season finale, the Broncos, needing a win to clinch the conference's final playoff spot, beat Kansas City 38-0. One could argue the Chiefs, who already had clinched the top seed and rested their starters, didn't enjoy Broncos coach Sean Payton running up the score. -- Nate Taylor

Week 9 result: Lost to the Panthers 16-13Week 9 ranking: 7

Most important game remaining: Week 12 vs. the Vikings

We could've picked any of the remaining NFC North games because the Packers still have five of them left in a hotly contested division. The Vikings game marks the beginning of three straight divisional games, so let's go with that one. The Packers have won their only NFC North matchup so far, beating the Lions way back in Week 1. Last season, Green Bay went just 1-5 in the division; right now, the Pack are clinging to a half-game lead in the standings. -- Rob Demovsky

Week 9 result: Beat the Colts 27-20Week 9 ranking: 13

Most important game remaining: Week 14 at the Ravens

Though the Steelers continue to lead the division, every AFC North game is important. At the top of that list is their first meeting with Baltimore. With quarterback Lamar Jackson back from a hamstring injury, the Ravens are poised to make a run in the division, and Pittsburgh needs to keep them at bay. It lost both games in Baltimore a season ago, including a 28-14 playoff defeat in which running back Derrick Henry ran all over the Steelers' defense. -- Brooke Pryor

• Why Marvin Harrison Sr. can't watch Jr.• How 'bout them Cowboys at midseason?• How Colts were humbled by Steelers• Where 7-2 Patriots can improve

Week 9 result: Beat the Titans 27-20Week 9 ranking: 14

Most important game remaining: Week 15 at the Chiefs

It's been 12 years since the Chargers swept the Chiefs. In one of the league's most competitive divisions, this game could mean the difference in a playoff spot. But beyond that, sweeping the proverbial big brother of the AFC West would give the Chargers more confidence as they look to contend for the franchise's first Super Bowl title. In their opening game of the season, the Bolts beat the Chiefs in Brazil, which Harbaugh called "monumental." -- Kris Rhim

Week 9 result: Beat the Giants 34-24Week 9 ranking: 12

Most important game remaining: