Ed Zurga/Matt Patterson/AP; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
- We're on to Week 15 of the NFL season, with the Eagles still holding onto the top spot in our Power Rankings.
- Just behind the Eagles are a slew of AFC contenders — the Bills, Chiefs, and Bengals — who could all make a run at the Super Bowl.
32. Houston Texans
Record: 1-11-1
Week 14 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 27-23
Week 15 opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: The development of rookie running back Dameon Pierce has been the best part of a difficult season for the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, he could be out for the next two weeks due to an ankle injury. If you are desperate for fantasy football depth, Rex Burkhead could be worth an add this week.
31. Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson makes a throw against the Kansas City Chiefs. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Record: 3-10
Week 14 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 34-28
Week 15 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Despite the game ending in a loss, the Broncos showed more heart than they have all season against the Chiefs on Sunday. After falling in a 27-0 hole, Denver fought back to make it a game in the fourth quarter. Their 28 points on the day are the most they've scored all season.
30. Chicago Bears
Record: 3-10
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Let's hope that the Bears got enough rest during their bye week, because they have the toughest schedule left to play in the NFL, with games against the Eagles, Bills, Lions, and Vikings still to come.
29. New Orleans Saints
Record: 4-9
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: Star running back Alvin Kamara has been awfully quiet of late, failing to score a touchdown or rush for more than 50 yards in a game since October. Maybe a game against Atlanta can kickstart his production, as the Falcons are currently giving up 129.5 rushing yards per game.
28. Los Angeles Rams
Baker Mayfield celebrates after a play against the Las Vegas Raiders. AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
Record: 4-9
Week 14 result: Beat the Raiders, 17-16
Week 15 opponent: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: Baker Mayfield boarded a cross-country flight and then led a remarkable comeback win for the Rams in less than 48 hours. It was as unlikely a win as you will ever see in the NFL.
27. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 4-8-1
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: The Colts needed their bye week in a big way. The last thing they did before getting a week off was lose 54-19 to the Cowboys in a game that saw Dallas win the fourth quarter 33-0. It was the second-most points any team has ever scored in a fourth quarter.
26. Cleveland Browns
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Lost to the Bengals, 23-10
Week 15 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: Deshaun Watson has led the Browns offense to just one touchdown in his two games as quarterback for the team, joining a rather disappointing list of slow-starting QBs. His deal is fully guaranteed and goes for the next four years.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Lost to the Ravens, 16-14
Week 15 opponent: at Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: Head coach Mike Tomlin's infamous run of two decades without a losing season is officially at risk, with one more loss sending the Steelers over the tipping point. Even if the streak ends, it's a testament to Tomlin's consistency as a head coach that he's made it this long.
24. Atlanta Falcons
Desmond Ridder throws before a game against the Washington Commanders. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder is taking over under center for the Falcons this week. At 5-8, Atlanta should be essentially out of the playoff race and simply looking toward their future, but thanks to the horrendous play across the NFC South, the Falcons are still very much alive to win their division with four games left to play.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Lost to the Rams, 17-16
Week 15 opponent: vs. New England Patriots
One thing to know: The Las Vegas Raiders made the wrong kind of history with their loss to the Rams on Thursday, becoming the first team to ever lose four games in a single season during which they were leading at halftime by double digits. Should Josh McDaniels get this team to figure out how to keep their foot on the pedal, they could be dangerous. Until then, they're chokers.
22. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 4-9
Week 14 result: Lost to the Patriots, 27-13
Week 15 opponent: at Denver Broncos
One thing to know: The Cardinals lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray to an ACL tear on Monday night, the non-contact injury coming on just the third offensive play of the game. Between now and the start of next year, Arizona's leadership might see quite a lot of changes.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Beat the Titans, 36-22
Week 15 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: Trevor Lawrence played the best game of his young career on Sunday, throwing for 368 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans. The Jaguars have now won three of their past five games, and still have an outside shot at contending for the AFC South title if they can get hot.
20. Carolina Panthers
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Beat the Seahawks, 30-24
Week 15 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: Interim head coach Steve Wilks appears to have righted the ship a bit in Carolina, winning three of its past four. Every team left on Carolina's schedule currently has a losing record. If the Panthers keep contending through the end of the year, Wilks might wind up holding on to the top job in Carolina a bit longer.
19. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers during a Packers game in 2022. Rick Osentoski/AP Images
Record: 5-8
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: The Packers officially have no room for error. FiveThirtyEight currently puts their chances of making the playoffs at 6%, but if they can win out through their final four games of the year, that number jumps to 57%. Aaron Rodgers said he wanted to stay on the field for as long as the Packers are still mathematically alive to make the playoffs. It's do-or-die time.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Lost to the Panthers, 30-24
Week 15 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: Geno Smith appears to have cooled off a bit after an extremely hot start to the season, with the Seahawks now having dropped three of their past four games. This week is a strong chance to reset against the 49ers, who Seattle has beaten in four of their past five meetings.
16. New England Patriots
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Beat the Cardinals, 27-13
Week 15 opponent: at Las Vegas Raiders
One thing to know: The best play of the football weekend came from Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor. After noticing that his teammate, fellow receiver DeVante Parker, was in need of medical attention, Agholor took a knee and then waved down the officials to stop the game and make sure Parker was assisted.
15. Tennessee Titans
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Lost to the Jaguars, 36-22
Week 15 opponent: at Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: The Titans are still well-positioned to make the playoffs, leading a pretty weak AFC South division by two games. That said, they've lost three straight games and are trending entirely in the wrong direction. After two straight seasons that have ended in losses in their first playoff game, the Titans are going to have to find something between now and the end of the year if they're going to change their postseason fate.
14. New York Jets
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Lost to the Bills, 20-12
Week 15 opponent: vs. Detroit Lions
One thing to know: Quarterback Mike White is currently listed as "day-to-day" as he deals with a rib injury. If he can't go, it's possible Zach Wilson, who was benched mid-season after a disappointing stretch of play, may get another chance to prove that he has what it takes to start for the Jets.
13. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley makes a run against the Chicago Bears. AP Photo/John Minchillo
Record: 7-5-1
Week 14 result: Lost to the Eagles, 48-22
Week 15 opponent: at Washington Commanders
One thing to know: After starting the season 6-1, the Giants have won just one game since the end of October, and now find themselves fighting to stay in the playoffs. After tying with the Commanders two weeks ago, this week's rematch could go a long way in determining which of the two teams in their division make it through to the postseason.
12. Detroit Lions
Record: 6-7
Week 14 result: Beat the Vikings, 34-23
Week 15 opponent: at New York Jets
One thing to know: Don't look now, but the Lions are one of the hottest teams in football, having won five of their past six games and scoring more than 30 points in four of those five wins. While they're still currently on the outside looking in with regard to the playoffs, they have one of the easiest schedules left to play in the NFL.
11. Washington Commanders
Record: 7-5-1
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15 opponent: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: Due to a quirk in the NFL schedule, the Commanders are playing the Giants in two straight games, with only a bye week between them. Given the importance this game has to the NFC playoff race, you can be sure that Washington spent much of their free time over the past week planning on how to improve on their previous tie with the Giants.
10. Miami Dolphins
Record: 8-5
Week 14 result: Lost to the Chargers, 23-17
Week 15 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Dolphins offense appears to have hit a bit of a snag, with Miami managing just 17 points in each of their past two games after scoring 30 points or more for four straight weeks. How first-year head coach Mike McDaniel is able to steer his team out of this curve will go a long way in showing Miami's potential in the postseason.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Beat the Dolphins, 23-17
Week 15 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: Justin Herbert is one of one. In the Chargers win over the Dolphins, Herbert threw 51 times, completing 39 of them for 367 yards. His placement is absolutely absurd.
8. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 9-4
Week 14 result: Beat the Steelers, 16-14
Week 15 opponent: at Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: Lamar Jackson is still dealing with a knee injury. With backup quarterback Tyler Huntley able to get the Ravens the win last week against Pittsburgh, Baltimore might opt to roll with him again if Jackson isn't 100% ready this weekend. The Ravens have more important games in mind come January.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 10-3
Week 14 result: Lost to the Lions, 34-23
Week 15 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: The Vikings didn't get a lot of respect for a 10-2 team last week. Up against the 5-7 Lions, Minnesota was a two-point underdog. The Lions proved themselves the rightful favorites, outlasting the Vikings in Detroit. This week's game against the Colts is an important bounce-back spot for Minnesota if they hope to convince the rest of the league they are still contenders.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 10-3
Week 14 result: Beat the Texans, 27-23
Week 15 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: The Cowboys can win on the ground, in the air, and with their defense. They should not, however, have to mount a desperate second-half comeback against the worst team in football, as they did on Sunday. Dallas needed to drive 98 yards in three minutes for a touchdown in order to beat the Texans. At their best, the Cowboys can beat anybody, but at their worst, they can lose to anyone as well.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy looks to throw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. AP Photo/Tony Avelar
Record: 9-4
Week 14 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 35-7
Week 15 opponent: at Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: Brock Purdy's first NFL start was one to remember, defeating Tom Brady in San Francisco and bringing his parents to tears after a beautiful touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey. Not bad for the very last pick in the draft.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 9-4
Week 14 result: Beat the Browns, 23-10
Week 15 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Joe Burrow and the Bengals are starting to look like the team that made a run to the Super Bowl last year. Even down two of his best receivers last week, Burrow was able to control the flow of the game, and the Cincinnati defense found a new gear to hold Cleveland run-game in check. If the Bengals start getting healthy at the right time, they could have another run in them.
3. Buffalo Bills
Record: 10-3
Week 14 result: Beat the Jets, 20-12
Week 15 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: Josh Allen appears to have found his footing again. After throwing 10 interceptions through his first nine games of the year, Allen has thrown just one pick in his past four games. Allen's ability to protect possession will be a crucial factor in how far Buffalo can make it in the coming postseason.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes makes a throw against the Arizona Cardinals. AP Photo/Matt York
Record: 10-3
Week 14 result: Beat the Broncos, 34-28
Week 15 opponent: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: Patrick Mahomes is a miracle. In the off-season, the Chiefs completely overhauled its passing attack, with tight end Travis Kelce the only consistent man running routes for Mahomes. Now through 13 games, Mahomes has thrown for 400 more yards and six more touchdowns than any other quarterback in the NFL.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 12-1
Week 14 result: Beat the Giants, 48-22
Week 15 opponent: at Chicago Bears
One thing to know: To understand what a good season Jalen Hurts is having, just know that despite the numbers Patrick Mahomes is currently putting up, Hurts just took over as the betting favorite to win NFL MVP this year. If the Eagles can hold on to the top seed in the NFC, he will have undoubtedly earned the award.
