NFL Power Rankings 2024-25

Our weekly NFL power rankings take into consideration teams’ strength of schedule, trades, injuries, and other factors that make up every squad’s season. Prior to NFL Playoff action, see where all 14 teams vying for the Lombardi Trophy sit in our rankings, projections for their upcoming games, and an outlook toward their season finish. Be sure to also check out our guide on NFL odds before placing your bets with the best NFL betting sites! Don’t forget to check out our guide to the best Super Bowl betting sites before you bet on the big game.

NFL Playoffs Wild Card Power Rankings

We update these rankings weekly so check back regularly.

 Terrion Arnold #0 of the Detroit Lions breaks up a pass intended for Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
The Detroit Lions NFL logo

1. Detroit Lions

#1 Seed in the NFC (15-2 Regular Season Record)

Having largely resided as the top dog in our 2024-25 NFL Power Rankings, the Detroit Lions continue to sit in the top position of our rankings heading into the postseason.

After securing a first-round bye in the playoffs after a dominant performance against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 18, the Lions have truly cemented themselves as the team to beat in this year’s postseason.

While the Lions certainly haven’t experience much success in their franchises history, all things must come to an end and the Motor City appears poised to be the new home for the Lombardi Trophy.

The Lions aren’t just the favourites to win the Super Bowl according to oddsmakers, they’re also our pick to go all the way in this year’s NFL Playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens NFL logo

2. Baltimore Ravens

#3 Seed in the AFC (12-5 Regular Season Record)

Getting better week-after-week, the Baltimore Ravens are the top team in the AFC heading into the Wild Card Weekend. While they weren’t able to claim the top spot in the conference, make no mistake, the Ravens are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

After coming up short in the AFC Championship game last season, potential MVP Lamar Jackson is going to pull out all the stops to finally capture the elusive Super Bowl ring.

Along with Jackson, the Ravens have seen superb play from running back Derrick Henry, as well as improved play in the final weeks of the season from their defence.

Our pick as the most talented overall roster in the NFL, don’t sleep on the Ravens in the 2025 NFL Playoffs as they easily route the Steelers this weekend.

Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the football during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia Eagles NFL logo

3. Philadelphia Eagles

#2 Seed in the NFC (14-3 Regular Season Record)

Back to the well-oiled machine we have come to know under Head Coach Nick Sirianni, the Philadelphia Eagles look like title contenders once again this postseason.

Behind a historic year toting the rock from running back Saquon Barkley, coupled with the continued elite play of quarterback Jalen Hurts and star receiver A.J. Brown, the Eagles possess one of the most dangerous offensive units in the NFL.

While they ended up with a tough draw for the Wild Card round as the two-seed, set to face the Packers, the Eagles are still more than equipped to take care of business on home turf and soar their way to the NFC Championship game.

The Buffalo Bills NFL logo

4. Buffalo Bills

#2 Seed in the AFC (13-4 Regular Season Record)

While many (including myself) were skeptical of the Buffalo Bills offseason roster construction, they’ve certainly shut the NFL world up with their sensational 2024 campaign.

Behind a career-year from quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills have pulled off several impressive wins this season including besting the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions.

Even with limited success experienced in the postseason in recent years, this appears to be the Bills best chance to finally break through and make a title run in the AFC.

Unfortunately, the Bills and Ravens will likely need to go through one another in the second round of the postseason, a matchup that should be viewed as a true AFC Championship game, regardless of who they meet in the actual final.

As far as the Wild Card round is concerned, the Bills hold the second-highest spread against the Broncos as they’re set for a dominant showing in front of the Bills Mafia.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
The Kansas City Chiefs NFL logo

5. Kansas City Chiefs

#1 Seed in the AFC (15-2 Regular Season Record)

Hoping to make history once again this season, the Kansas City Chiefs have continued lived through the words of DJ Khaled, because all they’ve done is win.

Entering into the postseason as the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions, the Chiefs have their sights set on becoming the first team to ever claim three-straight Super Bowl titles.

Even with a 15-1 record, the Chiefs leave so much more to be desired. Having earned several wins by the skin of their teeth, the Chiefs haven’t looked like their dominant selves. With a down year from the superstar tandem of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the usually high-powered offence of the Chiefs has instead had to rely on their defence to keep them in games.

With an advantageous bye through the Wild Card round, the Chiefs are in a solid position to reach the AFC Championship game, but shouldn’t be viewed as Super Bowl contenders regardless of their current record and reputation.

The Minnesota Vikings NFL logo

6. Minnesota Vikings

#5 Seed in the NFC (14-3 Regular Season Record)

Nobody would’ve ever thought we’d see a Sam Darnold led team win 14 games in the big year of 2025, but here we are. Having been one of the best stories of the season, the Minnesota Vikings were one game away from earning the top seed in the NFC this season.

Unfortunately due to the playoff formatting of the NFL, the Vikings will have to play a road playoff game in the first round of the postseason even with the second-best record in their conference.

No matter, the Vikings are set to raid and dismantle in the Wild Card Weekend as they’ll have no trouble routing the Los Angeles Rams on the road, pushing themselves into the second-round of the postseason where they can look to exact revenge against their divisional rivals, the Vikings.

 Emanuel Wilson #31 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Kyler Gordon #6 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers NFL logo

7. Green Bay Packers

#7 Seed in the NFC (11-6 Regular Season Record)

After finishing the season on a low-note losing to the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers stock is somewhat low heading into the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

While it can’t be understated how impressive it is that the youngest team in the NFL has now made back-to-back playoff appearances, they certainly didn’t do themselves any favours down the stretch of their current campaign.

After dropping several key games, the Packers feel to the seven-seed of the NFC playoffs, leaving them with a tough first round clash against an Eagles squad that bested them in Week 1 of the 2024 season.

Still, the Packers hold tremendous upside and could be ripe to pull off yet another shocking postseason upset, which is good enough to land them in the top half of our playoff power rankings.

The Los Angeles Chargers NFL logo

8. Los Angeles Chargers

#5 Seed in the AFC (11-6 Regular Season Record)

One of the best teams in the AFC record-wise, the new-look Los Angeles Chargers are hopeful to make a lasting impact on their upcoming playoff run.

After missing out on the postseason in 2023, and blowing a 27-7 lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars the year prior, the Chargers need to show signs of competitiveness this time around.

Sporting a superb defensive unit, new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has had a major impact on the improved play of this team from top-to-bottom. With top tier play-calling and one of the best young quarterbacks in the game, Justin Herbert, the Chargers could be prepared to make some noise this postseason.

For our moneys worth, we see them as the right pick to take the win in their Wild Card matchup with the Texans this weekend.

Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders scores a receiving touchdown against DaRon Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
The Washington Commanders NFL logo

9. Washington Commanders

#6 Seed in the NFC (12-5 Regular Season Record)

Another surprise entrant into the 2024 NFL Playoff bracket this season, the Commanders have quickly risen up the standings as one of the most exciting teams in the league.

Behind the emergence of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have string together an impressive season and are set to continue it into the postseason.

Sitting as an underdog on the road against the Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend, the Commanders should be looked at as the best value pick on this weekends slate as they’re a great bet at plus money to boost your bankroll.

The Houstan Texans NFL logo

10. Houston Texans

#4 Seed in the AFC (10-7 Regular Season Record)

The darlings of last year’s NFL Playoffs, the Houston Texans are once again in the mix of the Super Bowl race this season.

After an up-and-down regular season, the Texans enter into the playoffs with a sense of questionability. Having failed to continue to be one of the leagues most explosive offences in the second half of the season, it appears that defences have grown wise the Texans tricks.

Relying on their offence to run up the score and earn them wins, this could be a recipe for disaster as they take on the league leader in points allowed per game in the Chargers this weekend.

While not the worst team in the postseason this year, they are unlikely to pull off the upset at home against the Bolts.

Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Pittsburgh Steelers NFL logo

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

#6 Seed in the AFC (10-7 Regular Season Record)

In classic Pittsburgh Steelers fashion, they got off to a red hot start to begin their 2024 campaign, and then took a nose dive down the standings as the year progressed.

While they still possess one of the top defences in the NFL this season, the Steelers have lacked consistency down the stretch and don’t look like a squad that’s built to make a deep run in the postseason.

Drawing the stacked Ravens in the opening round of the NFL Playoffs, don’t expect to see the Steelers pull off a road upset against a team that smacked them with a 17-point defeat just three-weeks ago.

The Denver Broncos NFL logo

12. Denver Broncos

#7 Seed in the AFC (10-7 Regular Season Record)

Sliding their way into the NFL Playoffs, the Denver Broncos will look to replicate their success from their last postseason appearance that saw them win Super Bowl 50.

While expectations should certainly be tempered for their upcoming run, for Broncos fans everything here on out should be gravy. With no real playoff expectations coming into the season, the young Broncos team has proven that they have a bright future ahead of them.

Giving rookie quarterback Bo Nix some much needed postseason reps, their upcoming matchup with the Bills may not be closely contested, but will no doubt serve them well into the future development of their club.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL logo

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

#3 Seed in the NFC (10-7 Regular Season Record)

It’s been a rocky road for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but amidst the chaos they’ve managed to secure a home playoff matchup in the Wild Card round.

While this is typically an indicator of a solid team, don’t put too much stock into the Buc’s this postseason. Winning the NFC South is akin to scoring a slam dunk on a Fischer Price hoop, it feels cool, but not really that impressive.

Navigating through a plethora of injuries across their roster, the Buccaneers simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the upper echelon of the NFL. With a depleted starting lineup on both sides of the football, the Buc’s are sure to struggle in their upcoming clash with the high-octane Commanders.

If the Buccaneers were at full-strength, they’d likely be slotted near our top-five of playoff teams, but due to the talent they have to draw from, second-to-last is the best spot they can get.

The Los Angeles Rams NFL logo

14. Los Angeles Rams

#4 Seed in the NFC (10-7 Regular Season Record)

If I’m being honest, I am still scratching my head at how the Los Angeles Rams were able to punch their ticket to the postseason this year.

With a weak defensive unit and a mediocre offence, the Rams are nowhere near the calibre of the other squads competing in this year’s postseason. If we were to include teams that fell short of the playoffs, we’d have the Rams slotted at #20 in our Power Rankings.

Heading into what should be a squash match against the Vikes, don’t expect to see much from the Rams this postseason as they’re quickly shown the door to the offseason in the Wild Card round.

Key NFL Matchups to Watch – Wild Card Weekend

Set to kick off the 2025 NFL Playoffs, the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans is going to be a barnburner. In what should be a tightly contested battle between two of the top young teams in the NFL, this matchup will be a true clash of styles.

Along with this, we will be treated to a great quarterback battle as C.J. Stroud goes head-to-head with Justin Herbert as both star QBs hope to continue establishing their legacies in the NFL.

The other matchup we highly-recommend you tune into is the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles. In a rematch from their thrilling battle in Sao Paulo, Brazil in Week 1, this tilt features the highest-combined win-percentage of any two teams facing each other this weekend.

With both teams looked at as viable Super Bowl contenders, there’s no telling what could go down as these two star-studded squads take the gridiron.

Latest NFL Injury News – Wild Card

Get the latest NFL news and injury updates below heading into the opening round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs and be sure to take this into account when placing your bets on the upcoming action.

Jordan Love Questionable with Elbow Injury

After suffering an elbow injury in the final week of the regular season against the Bears, Packers franchise quarterback, Jordan Love has not practiced so far this week.

With his status in jeopardy for this weekends duel with the Eagles, this could be a major story to follow as without hime the Packers offence will tae a notable hit.

Additionally the Packers have also lost wide receiver Christian Watson due to a torn ACL, leaving them with a poorly dealt hand heading into the playoffs.

Jalen Hurts Back Practicing with the Eagles

Having missed the Eagles last two games after being dealt a concussion against the Commanders, Jalen Hurts has returned to practice with his team.

While he is still featured on the Eagles injury report, this is a promising development for their team as they will heavily rely on him in their upcoming clash with the Packers.

Zay Flowers Out for the Ravens

Officially announced on Thursday, the Ravens will be without their top wide receiver Zay Flowers against the Steelers. After putting up his first 1,000 yard season of his career in 2024, the speedy wideout has been a preferred target of Lamar Jackson.

In his absence, the Ravens will turn to their tight end duo of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely to due the heavy lifting for their squad through the air, as well as an increased workload for wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.

Impact of Recent NFL Trades

There have been some major trades made throughout the 2024-25 NFL season thus far and are already sending shockwaves across the league. Below we’ve highlighted some of the biggest moves of the season to date and how they’ve translated to on-field production.

✈️ Davante Adams to the New York Jets

The first major trade made during the 2024 NFL season reunited one of the leagues most dominant duos of the past decade as Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers got the band back together. Along with Allen Lazard in the wide receiver room, fans of the late 2010s Packers might be feeling nostalgic while watching the Jets play football this season.

Since being dealt to the Jets, Adams has certainly made his presence felt, having hauled in 175 yards through the air and a touchdown grab in his first three games, Adams is quickly blossoming in his new surroundings. With their backs against the wall for the remainder of the season, Adams will be crucial in any playoff hopes the Jets may have.

🏹 Deandre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs

Seemingly an unfair move to have made, the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions just got one of the best wide receiver talents the game has ever seen in Deandre Hopkins. A three-time All-Pro wide receiver, Hopkins has immediately been a boost to the Chiefs offence.

Filling the void left by Rashee Rice who was lost for the season due to injury in Week 4, Hopkins has linked up effortlessly with quarterback Patrick Mahomes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in just two games played. To the chagrin of the rest of the league, the undefeated Chiefs, may now be unbeatable.

🦁 Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions

Being dealt to the Lions to kickoff Week 10 of the NFL season, this could be a major move for a team hopeful to make a Super Bowl appearance this year.

After losing star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson earlier this year, the Lions went out and found a suitable replacement in the three-time Pro Bowler, Za’Darius Smith. Having racked up five sacks in nine games played for the Cleveland Browns this season, Smith will now find himself as a prominent piece of a top-tier team in the NFL.

πŸ¦… Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens

Looking to finally give Lamar Jackson a component receiving corps to play with, the Ravens made a great move by rescuing Diontae Johnson from the football purgatory known as the Carolina Panthers. Pairing him alongside the speedy Zay Flowers and the standout tight end tandem of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, the Ravens are in their best position to win in the Lamar Jackson-era.

While it’s been a slow start to the migration of Johnson into the Ravens lineup, this move will pay dividends down the stretch of the season, especially in the playoffs when they need a sure-handed receiver to make a clutch play.

πŸƒ Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills

The last of the notable wide receivers moved in the 2024 season, Amari Cooper was shipped off from Cleveland to join forces with Josh Allen out in Buffalo. After toughing it out with a horrendous Deshaun Watson under centre, Cooper will now be taking passes from arguably the best quarterback in the NFL today.

In his debut with the Bills, Cooper wasted no time making an impression, snagging a touchdown pass to go along with 66 total yards. Set to emerge as the team’s new top wideout threat, Cooper could be key in helping bring the Bills to the promised land in the AFC.

βš”οΈ Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders

Going all-in on a potential deep run in the NFL Playoffs, the Commanders have improved upon their weakest point of their roster by acquiring four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

By adding Lattimore ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline, the Commanders are now a well-balance squad that teams are going to have a hell of a time facing on both sides of the football.

NFL Power Rankings Offer Valuable Handicapping Information

Different formulas are used to form the wide variety of NFL Power Ranking charts available. Websites backed by billions have access to every NFL stat, employ mathematicians to add up and dissect the numbers and hire smart people who bring algorisms into the mix. That said, they don’t have crystal balls so their NFL rankings are usually by the numbers without much human opinion.

Beyond wins and losses, there are plenty of facts that can be uncovered by studying the standings. Points for and against are a good place to start, as high scoring teams, that are fielding a decent defense, are tough to beat. Super Bowl contenders are often at or near the top of the PF/PA differential category. As with all trends, there are some outliers that are tough to read prior to the playoffs. Apart from Giants fans, very few saw New York knocking out New England during Super Bowl 46.

Wrapping Up: NFL Power Rankings 2025

The 2024-25 NFL season has been pretty crazy so far. Who knows what can happen next? Some teams can move up and down the rankings based on their divisional matchups. The fun part is finding out who those teams will be. Rest assured, as things happen throughout the season, we will keep these power rankings up-to-date.

If you want to stay in the loop on all the NFL news and get top-notch betting tips, head on over to our NFL News page.

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NFL Power Rankings 2025 FAQ

Who are the strongest teams in the NFL?
The strongest teams in the NFL right now heading into the playoffs are the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs.

What’s the best defense in the NFL right now?

While this is a subjective question, the Philadelphia Eagles sports arguably the best defence. Allowing the fewest total yards per game, as well as the second-least total touchdowns, the Eagles defence has been fierce this season.

What is the best team in the NFL in 2025?

Currently the best team in the NFL in 2025 is the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been dominant against virtually every opponent faced. The Kansas City Chiefs are also 11-1 but have inferior NFL team stats in almost every way compared to the Lions.

Has a team ever gone 0-2 and made playoffs?

Yes, teams have gone 0-2 and made the playoffs. Since 1990, 11.3% of teams that started 0-2 have reached the postseason1. Recent examples include the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 and the Houston Texans in 2023. While an 0-2 start significantly reduces playoff chances, it’s not impossible to overcome. The expanded 14-team playoff format introduced in 2020 has slightly improved odds for 0-2 teams. However, historically, about 1-2 teams per year manage to make the playoffs after starting 0-2.

Has there ever been an NFL team to have a perfect season?

Yes, there has been one NFL team that achieved a perfect season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins went undefeated and untied throughout the regular season and playoffs, finishing with a 17-0 record. They won all 14 regular season games, two playoff games, and Super Bowl VII, becoming the only team in NFL history to complete an entire season undefeated.

What is an NFL wild card?

NFL wild card teams are teams with the best records among the teams that did not win their divisions or automatically earn a playoff spot.