The NFL stands out from other professional sports leagues due to its weekly parity; no team is truly dominant, and outcomes are unpredictable. This season, the distinction between the best and worst teams has been especially narrow heading into Week 11. At the top of both the NFC and AFC standings, there is no clear frontrunner. The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots have regained prominence in the AFC, while the Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC but face stiff competition. The upcoming week will reveal whether these leading teams can hold their positions or if they will be overtaken. These rankings are meant to clarify the unpredictable and competitive landscape that has defined the 2025 season to date.
#32 Tennessee Titans
Heading into Week 11 of the season, it is clear that the Titans were more than just a quarterback away from turning their team around after a disappointing 2024 performance. When the Titans drafted Cam Ward with the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there was a feeling of hope that Tennessee could start to turn things around. Unfortunately, the Titans currently rank 32nd in the NFL with the 32nd-ranked offense, having scored only 130 total points. The Titans are currently riding a four-game losing streak, and this week they face one of the top defenses in the NFL when they host the Houston Texans.
#31 New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints showed some signs of life in Week 10 of the NFL season when they scored 17 unanswered points to defeat the Carolina Panthers. So far this season, the Saints have struggled offensively, scoring only 155 points. However, with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough leading the way, the Saints’ offense is showing signs of improvement. During Week 11, the Saints have a bye week, which will give their staff time to find ways to spark continued improvement on the offensive side of the ball for the remainder of the 2025 season.
#30 New York Giants
Earlier this season, the New York Giants appeared poised to turn the corner in their ongoing rebuild. Quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo injected energy, offering fans hope. With Skattebo now on injured reserve and Dart straining to sustain the offense, setbacks have accumulated. In Week 10, Dart suffered another concussion, and after continued offensive struggles and mounting injuries, head coach Brian Daboll was dismissed. This week, Jameis Winston will start at quarterback against the Green Bay Packers. Winston’s leadership and vibrant personality could create an intriguing dynamic for the Giants’ offense.
#29 Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders jumped out to a fast start in 2025. Early on, their offseason additions, including head coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Geno Smith, wide receiver Tyler Lockett, and first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, looked promising. However, the team quickly slid back into a rut, struggling to score touchdowns and convert on key drives. So far, the Raiders have only managed 139 points, with tight end Brock Bowers as the lone bright spot on offense. In Week 11, they face one of the league’s top offenses on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
#28 Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have been a chaotic mess since the preseason, when the team had five quarterbacks on its roster without a solid plan for any of them. What is clear about the Browns is that they have a strong defense, led by edge rusher Myles Garrett. Offensively, the Browns have settled on Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback. Coming into Week 10, the Browns were expected to go into a game against the New York Jets and pick up another win. However, after allowing a punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Browns failed to recover and suffered a loss to the Jets. This week, the Browns play against their AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens. If Lamar Jackson does not play, the Browns have a chance to pull off an upset; however, if he does play, that upset is unlikely.
#27 New York Jets
Last week, the New York Jets utilized the trade deadline to alleviate several significant contracts from their salary cap situation. New York traded cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. Both moves were viewed as the Jets having a fire sale in preparation for tanking the remaining part of the 2025 season. In their defense, the Jets’ front office denied that they were planning to tank, and the team’s on-field performance showed that they are still fighting, as evidenced by their second win of the season against the Browns. This week, the Jets face the challenge of traveling to Foxboro to face the AFC East-leading New England Patriots. It is not likely the Jets will pull off a major upset, but in the NFL, anything can happen.
#26 Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders started the 2025 season expecting to be a Super Bowl contender. But after several injuries to their top offensive playmakers, the Commanders are simply fighting for survival. Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota has done a serviceable job leading Washington’s offense, but he has not been able to make up for the Commanders’ lack of explosive playmakers. Washington is currently in the midst of a five-game losing streak, having been outscored by 51 points by their opponents. This week, the Miami Dolphins face a motivated team that is coming off a big win against the Buffalo Bills. The Commanders’ defense will need to show up and shut down the Dolphins’ offense for Washington to have a chance to snap their losing streak.
#25 Miami Dolphins
Winning has a tendency to cover up issues that an NFL team has to manage during a less-than-stellar season. During recent weeks, the NFL rumor mill had mentioned that Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would be the next head coach to be fired this season. But then the Dolphins pulled off a huge upset win over the Buffalo Bills at home. This week, the Dolphins travel to Madrid to face a Washington Commanders team that is currently on a five-game losing streak. If the Dolphins can come together and defeat the Commanders, then there is a chance they could find a way to finish the season strong.
#24 Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have disappointed in 2025. After the Bengals committed to their future by re-signing wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, many expected them to field one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. Unfortunately, Joe Burrow landed on injured reserve early this season because a toe injury required surgery. Since then, Jake Browning and Joe Flacco have led the offense as the Bengals imploded. In addition to the offensive issues, the Bengals field the NFL’s worst defense so far this season. Surprisingly, the Bengals still retain an outside chance to compete for the AFC North because the Baltimore Ravens have stumbled and the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost recently. If the Bengals upset the Steelers for a second time this season, they can put themselves back in contention for the division title.
#23 Atlanta Falcons
At times this season, the Atlanta Falcons appeared to be close to playing well enough to challenge the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South. That was before the Falcons embarked on a four-game losing streak. That includes last week’s overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts, in which the Falcons failed to pick up a first down on any of their 3rd down attempts. This week, the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers, and if they are willing to lean on their running game, they have a chance to pick up an important divisional victory. The Falcons have had one of the best defenses in the league this season, so if Atlanta can get Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. back on track, then they could make a late push this season.
#22 Arizona Cardinals
During each week of the 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals’ injury situation continues to get worse and worse. Currently, the Cardinals are without quarterback Kyler Murray, running backs Trey Benson and James Connor, and this week, Arizona has lost wide receiver Zay Jones for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Also, today the Cardinals announced that wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. would be out for at least this week due to needing emergency surgery to remove his appendix. Despite those challenges, the Cardinals’ offense has still managed to score points, thanks to quarterback Jacoby Brissett and tight end Trey McBride. This week, the Cardinals will have to try to pick up a big win against another division rival that has been hit hard by injuries when they host the San Francisco 49ers.
#21 Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys set the tone for the 2025 season by trading edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers to start the season. That roster move established expectations that the Cowboys would struggle on the defensive side of the ball. Up to this point in the season, those expectations have been accurate, but on the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have played well. Currently, the Cowboys have the 4th highest scoring offense in the NFL, and they made the move to add defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to their defense after a trade with the New York Jets. This week, the Cowboys have a chance to end their two-game losing streak when they face a Las Vegas Raiders team that has struggled to score points this season.
#20 Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a team that seems to take a step back every time they take a few steps forward. Last week, the Vikings were in a good position to get themselves back into the division race in the NFC North. Minnesota simply needed to handle its business at home against a Baltimore Ravens team that has struggled to find consistency this season. Unfortunately, the Vikings missed that opportunity due to eight false-start penalties, which made it difficult for the Vikings’ offense to get into a rhythm. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy blamed himself for the false starts, but regardless of whose fault those mistakes belonged to, Minnesota’s chances of contending for a playoff spot continue to diminish. This week, the Vikings face the Chicago Bears in a “must-win” game that will determine whether they will still be in the fight for the NFC North division.
#19 Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens find themselves one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in a battle for the top of the AFC North division. Baltimore began the 2025 season with several disappointing performances, which were further exacerbated by a hamstring injury to quarterback Lamar Jackson. A few weeks ago, Jackson returned to the lineup, and the Ravens have won three straight games. At the same time, the Pittsburgh Steelers have failed to establish a significant lead over the Ravens. So if Baltimore can pick up a road win in Cleveland, they will have a chance to pull themselves into a tie with the Steelers this week. However, there are reports that Lamar Jackson once again missed practice this week, and it is questionable whether Jackson will play this week in Cleveland.
#18 Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ offense has been hit hard by injuries this season. They started the year without running back Joe Mixon, and quarterback C.J. Stroud has spent several weeks in concussion protocol. In his absence, Davis Mills has stepped in to fill the role. The Texans’ strong defense, among the NFL’s best, has been crucial. Last week, Houston earned an important win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. To contend for a Wild Card spot, the Texans need several more wins in the season’s second half. This week, they face the struggling Tennessee Titans; a win would bring Houston back to 5-5.
#17 Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have been a team that has struggled with inconsistent performance from one week to the next. Offensively, the Panthers have had a strong running game this season with running back Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard leading the way. However, the Panthers’ quarterback position has been hit hard by injuries to Bryce Young. Last week, all signs pointed to the Panthers picking up a big win against the Saints and earning their first winning record in several seasons. Unfortunately, after jumping out to a 7-point lead, the Panthers collapsed and allowed the New Orleans Saints to score 17 unanswered points. This week, the Panthers travel to Atlanta to face a Falcons team against whom they historically play well. If Carolina can continue that trend against the Falcons, then they will have a chance to get back into the race for the top of the NFC South.
#16 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a gut-wrenching setback with their loss to the Houston Texans. Until then, the Jaguars had been battling to stack victories and stay within striking distance of the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts. Making a bold move at the trade deadline, they added more wide receiver talent, aiming to turbocharge their playoff push for the 2025 season’s second half. But then came another blow: electrifying first-round draft pick Travis Hunter needed LCL surgery. While the operation was a success, Hunter will be sidelined for six months. Now, all eyes are on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who must take charge and elevate his game with the high-stakes Los Angeles Chargers clash looming at home. If the Jaguars shock the Chargers, the dream of a postseason run is still alive.
#15 Pittsburgh Steelers
After having a strong start to the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have hit a wall with their aging roster. Last week, the Steelers’ quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, had significant issues with turnovers, throwing two interceptions and fumbling the ball in his own end zone, which allowed the Los Angeles Chargers to secure a safety. The biggest problem with the Steelers’ offense is their inability to establish a consistent running game. That issue has forced Pittsburgh to rely on passing the ball, which does not align with the team’s historic identity. Despite those challenges, the Steelers remain in first place in the AFC North, largely due to the other division teams’ failure to meet expectations this season.
#14 Kansas City Chiefs
After appearing in the last three Super Bowls, the Kansas City Chiefs have struggled offensively this season, largely due to an inability to establish their running game and heavy defensive pressure preventing Patrick Mahomes from getting comfortable. However, the defense has excelled, ranking among the NFL’s top five. This week, the Chiefs face a huge road matchup against the division-leading Denver Broncos.
#13 San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have beaten the odds this season by keeping their head above water in a strong division despite significant injury problems with their top playmakers on offense and defense. Last week, the 49ers missed a chance to move closer to the top of the division by defeating the Los Angeles Rams. However, a playoff run remains a realistic goal. If the 49ers match their performance from the Rams game against the Arizona Cardinals, they can continue to hope for a playoff position.
#12 Chicago Bears
During the off-season, the Chicago Bears made trades and free-agent signings to strengthen both their offensive and defensive lines. As a result, they now have one of the NFL’s top offensive lines and hold a 6-3 record. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have a real shot at the NFC North and a playoff berth. With two straight wins, quarterback Caleb Williams is proving himself as a consistent playmaker. Although the defense hasn’t matched the offense’s success, it’s performed well enough each week to keep games within reach. This week, the Bears visit the Minnesota Vikings with a chance to take the division lead.
#11 Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have everything that they need to be one of the best teams in the NFC. Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs have led a strong attack on the offensive side of the ball, and the addition of Micah Parsons has added strength to the Packers’ defense. However, whenever the Packers have a chance to climb past their NFC North division rivals in Chicago and Detroit, they find ways to come up short. Last week, the Packers were hit hard by turnovers as they attempted to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles. Those mistakes ultimately proved too much for Green Bay to overcome. This week, the Packers travel to New York to face a Giants team that is in disarray. That makes this week’s game a “must-win” for the Packers if they want to remain contenders for the championship.
#10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For the second week in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a big challenge against strong competition from the AFC East. Last week, the Buccaneers came up just short of defeating the New England Patriots at home. This week, they face a Buffalo Bills team that is coming off a loss to the Miami Dolphins. The key to the Buccaneers’ success will be their ability to establish their running game against Buffalo’s struggling defense. Defensively, the Buccaneers will need to contain Bills quarterback Josh Allen and force him into making bad decisions. This game will be a significant test to see if the Buccaneers are capable of beating a team that is likely to be playing in the playoffs this season.
#9 Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills return home after unexpectedly losing to the Miami Dolphins. Miami exposed how easily teams can defeat the Bills. First, the Dolphins dominated the line of scrimmage and minimized James Cook’s control of the game. Then, they tightened their pass coverage in intermediate zones. This combination of strategies made life very difficult for Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills will likely face similar game plans each week because they lack a legitimate deep-threat wide receiver to stretch opposing defenses. This week, the Bills must elevate their play in every area to earn a home win against the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
#8 Detroit Lions
Week 11 is a big week for the Detroit Lions and their mission to win the NFC North. This week, the Lions must go on the road to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in primetime. The Lions’ identity is based on playing tough football on offense and fundamentally sound play on the defensive side of the ball. However, the Philadelphia Eagles share a similar identity with the Lions and boast a stronger defensive line. The Lions will need to come in ready to control the tempo of the game with their strong running game and allow Jared Goff to move the ball with quick passes. Detroit is capable of grinding out a tough win against the Eagles, but they will need to execute at a high level and avoid turning the ball over.
#7 Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are another NFL team that has been hit hard by injuries. Many of those injuries have occurred to the Chargers’ best running backs and offensive linemen. Despite those injuries, the Chargers have found a way to grind out key wins and are hanging near the top of their division. The Chargers secured a significant win last week against the AFC North division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. This week, they face another playoff contender on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is crucial that the Chargers utilize their passing game, led by Justin Herbert, to construct lengthy drives and keep the Jaguars’ offense off the field.
#6 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have done everything that they have needed to do to climb to the top of the NFC West standings. In addition to being the top team in the West, they are also one of the best teams in the NFC this year. However, questions remain about whether the Seahawks are truly the best team in the West. This week, that question will be answered as the Seahawks face the Los Angeles Rams. If Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense can continue to consistently score points, the Seahawks will have a great chance to pick up a huge win against the Rams. A win in Los Angeles would give the Seahawks a two-game lead over the Rams in the division.
#5 Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford has been on fire the last three weeks for the Los Angeles Rams. During that three-week stretch, Stafford has thrown four touchdowns with no interceptions in each of those games. That level of efficiency from the quarterback position, along with their strong running game, makes the Rams a very difficult team to beat. Despite the Rams’ recent success, Week 11 is a huge test as they face the Seahawks at home. If the Rams can control the pace of play of the offensive side of the ball, they have a chance to pull even with the Seahawks at the top of the NFC West standings.
#4 Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles simply continue to grind out tough wins. As the Eagles work to put themselves in position to make a run to another Super Bowl, they have demonstrated the value of being a balanced team. Offensively, the Eagles boast a strong running game with Saquon Barkley and an effective passing game led by Jalen Hurts. The biggest opponent the Eagles face is their own expectations and willingness to maintain their run-pass balance. Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have made some noise about getting more opportunities, and in their defense, they continue to make plays when given the chance. This week, the Eagles need to maintain their balance when facing a Detroit Lions team that shares many of the same characteristics as their own.
#3 Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos come into Week 11 riding an impressive seven-game win streak. And the Broncos have played exceptional football on special teams and defense. The weakness of the Broncos lies on the offensive side of the ball. Denver has not played poorly on offense, but it has not shown the ability to take control of games. That means that the Broncos’ margin for error is very small. That small margin of error was evident during the Broncos’ 10-7 win against the Raiders. This week, the Broncos will need to gut out another tough win against the Kansas City Chiefs. This game will feature two of the best defenses in the NFL.
#2 New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season so far. When New England hired head coach Mike Vrabel, the expectation was that the team would become championship contenders again during the next few seasons. However, Patriots fans did not need to wait that long, as the Patriots have looked like one of the best teams in the AFC so far this year. The Patriots are relying on a strong running game to help Drake Maye have time to manage the game. New England does not appear to be a finished product due to an underperforming offensive line, but they are better than it has been in recent seasons. And they have some marquee wins over the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to hang their hats on so far this season.
#1 Indianapolis Colts
Coming into the 2025 season, the Indianapolis Colts were not expected to have one of their best seasons in recent history. However, the combination of outstanding play by quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor has allowed the Colts to win consistently this season. In addition to playing well offensively, the Colts’ revamped defense has stepped up and made big plays this season. The Colts are also one of the few teams in the NFL that have not had to deal with major injury issues, which has kept them ahead of the curve in their division and the AFC. This week, the Colts have a bye week to rest and recover.
