ProFootballTalk’s Week 12 power rankings, published on NBC Sports, assess NFL teams after games through Week 11 and place the Los Angeles Rams at No. 1 (8-2), with notable top-10 movement including the Broncos (9-2) rising and the Colts (8-2) staying near the top. The list highlights a close home win in the opening Seahawks–Rams showdown, looming tests for contenders such as the Colts versus the Chiefs, and several divisional races that remain unsettled as the season approaches its midpoint. The rankings mix results, recent form and roster changes to project playoff odds and seeding implications heading into the next slate of games.
Key takeaways
- Rams hold No. 1 after Week 11 with an 8-2 record; their home win over Seattle was narrow and set up a rematch.
- Broncos are No. 3 at 9-2, the best record in the rankings and a clear top-tier contender.
- Patriots (No. 5; 9-2) are viewed as having underachieved relative to expectations — PFT suggests they “should be 11-2 at the bye.”
- Colts (No. 2; 8-2) face a major upcoming test on the road against the Chiefs, a game with significant playoff ramifications.
- Several middle-tier clubs (Seahawks 7-3, Bears 7-3, Bills 7-3, 49ers 7-4) have fluctuating projections based on recent form and matchup difficulty.
- Teams at the bottom (Raiders 2-8, Titans 1-9) show coaching and roster instability; the rankings single out potential coaching turnover and structural issues.
Background
Power rankings such as PFT’s synthesize wins, losses, strength of schedule and roster context to present a midseason picture. With most teams around Week 11, the list is intended to reflect both recent results and forward-looking assumptions about health, coaching and matchup leverage. This season has seen several unexpected risers and fallers: the Broncos’ 9-2 start contrasts with the Chiefs’ 5-5 mark, while perennial powers are showing cracks or resilience depending on depth and quarterback play.
Coaching moves and staff changes have been a thread: the entry notes Ben Johnson’s departure affecting Detroit and raises questions about some staffs’ job security in Atlanta, Oakland (Las Vegas) and Carolina. Personnel shifts — whether a midseason GM change in Miami or shifting quarterback plans in Green Bay and New York — also shape how PFT ranks teams beyond raw records. These rankings are not predictive guarantees but a snapshot combining measurable results and informed judgment.
Main event (what changed this week)
The Rams remain No. 1 at 8-2 after a razor-thin home victory over Seattle in what PFT calls the first round of a two-part showdown. That result preserved L.A.’s top billing but left the matchup pendulum swinging toward a meaningful rematch in the coming weeks. The Seahawks, ranked No. 6 at 7-3, showed they could stay in the game even with an off day from their quarterback, keeping their divisional hopes alive.
Denver’s climb to No. 3 (9-2) marks it as the season’s most consistent winner to date; the write-up frames the Broncos as having established control of their identity and market position in the AFC. The Colts, sitting at No. 2 with an 8-2 record, now face a major road test against the Chiefs — a matchup PFT highlights as a measuring stick for Indy’s title credentials.
Several other changes reflect narrative swings: New England (No. 5; 9-2) receives praise tempered by surprise at its current record relative to projected wins, while Green Bay (No. 10; 6-3-1) is urged to consider creative quarterback packages. Detroit’s ranking (No. 9; 6-4) is discussed in light of coaching turnover after Ben Johnson’s exit, suggesting growing pains are surfacing.
Analysis & implications
Top of the board: the Rams and Broncos occupying elite positions alter the AFC/NFC balance of power. Denver’s 9-2 record makes it a likely division winner and a high seed if they maintain form; L.A.’s narrow wins imply vulnerability but still position them as favorites in the NFC. For playoff seeding, strength of record and tiebreaker scenarios will matter most over the next six weeks.
Midpack volatility increases uncertainty about wild-card slots. The Colts and Patriots both at or near 9-2 suggest multiple AFC contenders, yet the Chiefs (5-5) and Chargers (7-4) remain threats; a single upset or injury can cascade through the standings. PFT’s note that the Chiefs’ Week 6 loss to the Jaguars could be decisive underscores how an early-season upset can carry postseason consequences.
Bottom-tier turbulence signals potential front-office shakeups. Teams listed in the 20s and 30s show a mix of quarterback instability, coaching scrutiny and roster gaps; several franchises (e.g., Raiders, Falcons, Cardinals) are flagged for leadership questions, which often accelerates roster turnover in the offseason. That instability will influence draft positioning and free‑agency strategy moving forward.
Comparison & data
| Rank | Team | Last week | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rams | No. 1 | 8-2 |
| 2 | Colts | No. 2 | 8-2 |
| 3 | Broncos | No. 3 | 9-2 |
| 4 | Eagles | No. 5 | 8-2 |
| 5 | Patriots | No. 7 | 9-2 |
| 6 | Seahawks | No. 6 | 7-3 |
| 7 | Bears | No. 10 | 7-3 |
| 8 | Bills | No. 12 | 7-3 |
| 9 | Lions | No. 4 | 6-4 |
| 10 | Packers | No. 11 | 6-3-1 |
This table shows the top 10 as PFT lists them, pairing current records with last week’s placements to highlight movement. The top five include three teams with at least nine wins through Week 11, underscoring a clustering of high-performing clubs that will likely contest home-field advantages late in the season.
Reactions & quotes
“Round one of the two-part Seahawks showdown went to the home team — barely,”
ProFootballTalk / NBC Sports (media)
The PFT summary emphasized the narrow margin in the Rams–Seahawks matchup as pivotal for narrative momentum and rematch stakes.
“A major test looms” for Indianapolis as it travels to Kansas City,
ProFootballTalk / NBC Sports (media)
PFT frames the Colts–Chiefs matchup as a barometer game for Indy’s championship window; analysts will watch quarterback play and turnovers closely.
“Can they move the ball and score points against Houston’s defense?”
ProFootballTalk / NBC Sports (media)
That line captures uncertainty around Buffalo’s offense against a stingy Houston unit, a matchup that could reshape AFC wild-card projections depending on the outcome.
Unconfirmed
- The suggestion that the Chiefs’ Week 6 loss could “keep them out of the playoffs entirely” is speculative; playoff trajectories depend on several games and tiebreakers.
- Whether the Jaguars’ recent signature win will have lasting momentum is unconfirmed and contingent on roster health and subsequent opponents.
- Rumors about specific coaches being on the hot seat (e.g., Atlanta, Carolina) are based on performance patterns and media reports, not official team announcements.
Bottom line
PFT’s Week 12 rankings portray a crowded top tier with the Rams and Broncos leading but not untouchable. The Colts and Patriots sit near the summit too, creating a competitive AFC and a fluid NFC picture where rematches and divisional games will determine seeding. Readers should treat these rankings as informed guidance — useful for gauging momentum — rather than definitive predictions.
Key upcoming games (Colts at Chiefs, Rams rematch vs. Seahawks, Bills vs. Texans) will materially affect the next iteration of these lists and have real playoff implications. Teams flagged for instability should be watched for organizational changes that often follow poor stretches; conversely, high-performing clubs need to maintain consistency to secure home-field advantages and favorable postseason paths.
Sources
- ProFootballTalk / NBC Sports — sports news and analysis (media)
- NFL.com Standings — official league standings (official)