Reader Power Rankings – WFDevTeam – Post Week 15 – Defense can still carry the day

Post Week 15 – Defense can still carry the day

Houston has climbed up to the top spot of the strength of schedule rankings, https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other, while on a 6 game winning streak.  Defense kiddos.  Defense.   But the Rams play good defense as well and as such they can hold the top spot with there 2nd best point differential while playing the 2nd hardest schedule.  Seattle has the best point differential and has done it while playing the 11th toughest schedule.  So I have them at 3.  I think they did what they had to against a Cinderella narrative with Rivers and won’t dock them for not winning by as much as they should have.  


Published at 12/16/2025
Scope: Top 15 of 32 teams.



Reader Power Rankings  |    Create My Own  |    Walt’s NFL Power Rankings -12/16/2025

Top 10

#1
Rams (11-3-0)
Differential: 159 (17.3)
Losing Adams isn’t good but this team is deep enough to keep rolling.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Texans(0-0) at Rams(0-0) WIN Texans 9 – Rams 14
Rams(1-0) at Titans(0-1) WIN Rams 33 – Titans 19
Rams(2-0) at Eagles(2-0) LOSS Rams 26 – Eagles 33
Colts(3-0) at Rams(2-1) WIN Colts 20 – Rams 27
49ers(3-1) at Rams(3-1) LOSS 49ers 26 – Rams 23
Rams(3-2) at Ravens(1-4) WIN Rams 17 – Ravens 3
Rams(4-2) at Jaguars(4-2) WIN Rams 35 – Jaguars 7
Saints(1-7) at Rams(5-2) WIN Saints 10 – Rams 34
Rams(6-2) at 49ers(6-3) WIN Rams 42 – 49ers 26
Seahawks(7-2) at Rams(7-2) WIN Seahawks 19 – Rams 21
Buccaneers(6-4) at Rams(8-2) WIN Buccaneers 7 – Rams 34
Rams(9-2) at Panthers(6-6) LOSS Rams 28 – Panthers 31
Rams(9-3) at Cardinals(3-9) WIN Rams 45 – Cardinals 17
Lions(8-5) at Rams(10-3) WIN Lions 34 – Rams 41
#2
Texans (9-5-0)
Differential: 95 (7.0)
Its nice to know defense can carry a team still.  
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Texans(0-0) at Rams(0-0) LOSS Texans 9 – Rams 14
Buccaneers(1-0) at Texans(0-1) LOSS Buccaneers 20 – Texans 19
Texans(0-2) at Jaguars(1-1) LOSS Texans 10 – Jaguars 17
Titans(0-3) at Texans(0-3) WIN Titans 0 – Texans 26
Texans(1-3) at Ravens(1-3) WIN Texans 44 – Ravens 10
Texans(2-3) at Seahawks(4-2) LOSS Texans 19 – Seahawks 27
49ers(5-2) at Texans(2-4) WIN 49ers 15 – Texans 26
Broncos(6-2) at Texans(3-4) LOSS Broncos 18 – Texans 15
Jaguars(5-3) at Texans(3-5) WIN Jaguars 29 – Texans 36
Texans(4-5) at Titans(1-8) WIN Texans 16 – Titans 13
Bills(6-3) at Texans(4-5) WIN Bills 19 – Texans 23
Texans(6-5) at Colts(8-3) WIN Texans 20 – Colts 16
Texans(7-5) at Chiefs(6-6) WIN Texans 20 – Chiefs 10
Cardinals(3-10) at Texans(8-5) WIN Cardinals 20 – Texans 40
#3
Seahawks (11-3-0)
Differential: 163 (14.6)
I’m not going to dock a team that handled a Cinderella story going against them but still won.  If we’re going to ignore an occasional ugly loss by a team because it happens from time to time in the NFL then no reason to ding the Seahawks who have the best point differential BTW.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
49ers(0-0) at Seahawks(0-0) LOSS 49ers 17 – Seahawks 13
Seahawks(0-1) at Steelers(1-0) WIN Seahawks 31 – Steelers 17
Saints(0-2) at Seahawks(1-1) WIN Saints 13 – Seahawks 44
Seahawks(2-1) at Cardinals(2-1) WIN Seahawks 23 – Cardinals 20
Buccaneers(3-1) at Seahawks(3-1) LOSS Buccaneers 38 – Seahawks 35
Seahawks(3-2) at Jaguars(4-1) WIN Seahawks 20 – Jaguars 12
Texans(2-3) at Seahawks(4-2) WIN Texans 19 – Seahawks 27
Seahawks(5-2) at Commanders(3-5) WIN Seahawks 38 – Redskins 14
Cardinals(3-5) at Seahawks(6-2) WIN Cardinals 22 – Seahawks 44
Seahawks(7-2) at Rams(7-2) LOSS Seahawks 19 – Rams 21
Seahawks(7-3) at Titans(1-9) WIN Seahawks 30 – Titans 24
Vikings(4-7) at Seahawks(9-2) WIN Vikings 0 – Seahawks 26
Seahawks(9-3) at Falcons(4-8) WIN Seahawks 37 – Falcons 9
Colts(8-4) at Seahawks(9-3) WIN Colts 16 – Seahawks 18
#4
Broncos (12-2-0)
Differential: 81 (7.0)
Green Bay had some injuries for sure, but even before them the teams felt evenly matched.  It felt like two of the better teams tee’ing off on each other right from the outset.  And the Broncos did not flinch.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Titans(0-0) at Broncos(0-0) WIN Titans 12 – Broncos 20
Broncos(1-0) at Colts(1-0) LOSS Broncos 28 – Colts 29
Broncos(1-1) at Chargers(2-0) LOSS Broncos 20 – Chargers 23
Bengals(2-1) at Broncos(1-2) WIN Bengals 3 – Broncos 28
Broncos(2-2) at Eagles(4-0) WIN Broncos 21 – Eagles 17
Broncos(3-2) at Jets(0-5) WIN Broncos 13 – Jets 11
Giants(2-4) at Broncos(4-2) WIN Giants 32 – Broncos 33
Cowboys(3-3-1) at Broncos(5-2) WIN Cowboys 24 – Broncos 44
Broncos(6-2) at Texans(3-4) WIN Broncos 18 – Texans 15
Raiders(2-6) at Broncos(7-2) WIN Raiders 7 – Broncos 10
Chiefs(5-4) at Broncos(8-2) WIN Chiefs 19 – Broncos 22
Broncos(9-2) at Redskins(3-8) WIN Broncos 27 – Redskins 26
Broncos(10-2) at Raiders(2-10) WIN Broncos 24 – Raiders 17
Packers(9-3-1) at Broncos(11-2) WIN Packers 26 – Broncos 34
#5
Jaguars (10-4-0)
Differential: 84 (6.3)
I felt when they beat KC earlier it meant something to them that they could build on.  They have.  Welcome into to upper tier Jags.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Panthers(0-0) at Jaguars(0-0) WIN Panthers 10 – Jaguars 26
Jaguars(1-0) at Bengals(1-0) LOSS Jaguars 27 – Bengals 31
Texans(0-2) at Jaguars(1-1) WIN Texans 10 – Jaguars 17
Jaguars(2-1) at 49ers(3-0) WIN Jaguars 26 – 49ers 21
Chiefs(2-2) at Jaguars(3-1) WIN Chiefs 28 – Jaguars 31
Seahawks(3-2) at Jaguars(4-1) LOSS Seahawks 20 – Jaguars 12
Rams(4-2) at Jaguars(4-2) LOSS Rams 35 – Jaguars 7
Jaguars(4-3) at Raiders(2-5) WIN Jaguars 30 – Raiders 29
Jaguars(5-3) at Texans(3-5) LOSS Jaguars 29 – Texans 36
Chargers(7-3) at Jaguars(5-4) WIN Chargers 6 – Jaguars 35
Jaguars(6-4) at Cardinals(3-7) WIN Jaguars 27 – Cardinals 24
Jaguars(7-4) at Titans(1-10) WIN Jaguars 25 – Titans 3
Colts(8-4) at Jaguars(8-4) WIN Colts 19 – Jaguars 36
Jets(3-10) at Jaguars(9-4) WIN Jets 20 – Jaguars 48
#6
Patriots (11-3-0)
Differential: 106 (8.3)
It felt like Buffalo was getting the help from the flags that happened while I clicked back and forth.  checking the box score now 5 more penalties against the Pats.  Yes when  team is overmatched they may commit more penalties.  But I also think at times the field gets tilted and suspect that may have been in play.  So I’m going to keep the Patriots one above the Bills because they haven’t lost to the Dolphins 30-13.  
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Raiders(0-0) at Patriots(0-0) LOSS Raiders 20 – Patriots 13
Patriots(0-1) at Dolphins(0-1) WIN Patriots 33 – Dolphins 27
Steelers(1-1) at Patriots(1-1) LOSS Steelers 21 – Patriots 14
Panthers(1-2) at Patriots(1-2) WIN Panthers 13 – Patriots 42
Patriots(2-2) at Bills(4-0) WIN Patriots 23 – Bills 20
Patriots(3-2) at Saints(1-4) WIN Patriots 25 – Saints 19
Patriots(4-2) at Titans(1-5) WIN Patriots 31 – Titans 13
Browns(2-5) at Patriots(5-2) WIN Browns 13 – Patriots 32
Falcons(3-4) at Patriots(6-2) WIN Falcons 23 – Patriots 24
Patriots(7-2) at Buccaneers(6-2) WIN Patriots 28 – Buccaneers 23
Jets(2-7) at Patriots(8-2) WIN Jets 14 – Patriots 27
Patriots(9-2) at Bengals(3-7) WIN Patriots 26 – Bengals 20
Giants(2-10) at Patriots(10-2) WIN Giants 15 – Patriots 33
Bills(9-4) at Patriots(11-2) LOSS Bills 35 – Patriots 31
#7
Bills (10-4-0)
Differential: 87 (8.2)
Even if the field was tilted a bit in their favor the Bills were good enough to make it pay with a W.  I’m a Josh Allen fan but I don’t think these guys can play defense well enough to get where they want to get.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Ravens(0-0) at Bills(0-0) WIN Ravens 40 – Bills 41
Bills(1-0) at Jets(0-1) WIN Bills 30 – Jets 10
Dolphins(0-2) at Bills(2-0) WIN Dolphins 21 – Bills 31
Saints(0-3) at Bills(3-0) WIN Saints 19 – Bills 31
Patriots(2-2) at Bills(4-0) LOSS Patriots 23 – Bills 20
Bills(4-1) at Falcons(2-2) LOSS Bills 14 – Falcons 24
Bills(4-2) at Panthers(4-3) WIN Bills 40 – Panthers 9
Chiefs(5-3) at Bills(5-2) WIN Chiefs 21 – Bills 28
Bills(6-2) at Dolphins(2-7) LOSS Bills 13 – Dolphins 30
Buccaneers(6-3) at Bills(6-3) WIN Buccaneers 32 – Bills 44
Bills(6-3) at Texans(4-5) LOSS Bills 19 – Texans 23
Bills(7-4) at Steelers(6-5) WIN Bills 26 – Steelers 7
Bengals(4-8) at Bills(8-4) WIN Bengals 34 – Bills 39
Bills(9-4) at Patriots(11-2) WIN Bills 35 – Patriots 31
#8
Eagles (9-5-0)
Differential: 49 (3.4)
A soft patch in the schedule may be exactly what this team needs.  Their defense has slipped to 13ish in yards allowed or points allowed.  But its still elite, its just being hung out to dry by an offense that still has a chance to put something together.  I personally would recommend throwing the ball to Barkley out of the backfield more than 3 times a game.  They have only one loss this season when he has more than 3 targets.  Just a thought.  Someone get AJ Brown to tell the Eagles Coaching as its clear he’s in charge over there.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Cowboys(0-0) at Eagles(0-0) WIN Cowboys 20 – Eagles 24
Eagles(1-0) at Chiefs(0-1) WIN Eagles 20 – Chiefs 17
Rams(2-0) at Eagles(2-0) WIN Rams 26 – Eagles 33
Eagles(3-0) at Buccaneers(3-0) WIN Eagles 31 – Buccaneers 25
Broncos(2-2) at Eagles(4-0) LOSS Broncos 21 – Eagles 17
Eagles(4-1) at Giants(1-4) LOSS Eagles 17 – Giants 34
Eagles(4-2) at Vikings(3-2) WIN Eagles 28 – Vikings 22
Giants(2-5) at Eagles(5-2) WIN Giants 20 – Eagles 38
Eagles(6-2) at Packers(5-2-1) WIN Eagles 10 – Packers 7
Lions(6-3) at Eagles(7-2) WIN Lions 9 – Eagles 16
Eagles(8-2) at Cowboys(3-5-1) LOSS Eagles 21 – Cowboys 24
Bears(8-3) at Eagles(8-3) LOSS Bears 24 – Eagles 15
Eagles(9-3) at Chargers(8-4) LOSS Eagles 19 – Chargers 22
Raiders(2-11) at Eagles(8-4) WIN Raiders 0 – Eagles 31
#9
49ers (10-4-0)
Differential: 51 (3.4)
Got a newsletter in my inbox asking how are the 49ers doing it.  I didn’t read it as I’m sure it wasnt’ going to lead with ‘by playing the Cardinals, Panthers, Browns, and Titans in the last 4 games.’  They clearly are a good team, well coached, and dangerous but their defense isn’t that great and they’ve had an average schedule. 15th in the strength of schedule ratins, that has been soft as of late per the games I highlighted.  They do have marquee wins against both Seattle (season opener) and the Rams back in early October..  So some respect ought be paid.  Like 9th in my Power Rankings, I’d argue.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
49ers(0-0) at Seahawks(0-0) WIN 49ers 17 – Seahawks 13
49ers(1-0) at Saints(0-1) WIN 49ers 26 – Saints 21
Cardinals(2-0) at 49ers(2-0) WIN Cardinals 15 – 49ers 16
Jaguars(2-1) at 49ers(3-0) LOSS Jaguars 26 – 49ers 21
49ers(3-1) at Rams(3-1) WIN 49ers 26 – Rams 23
49ers(4-1) at Buccaneers(4-1) LOSS 49ers 19 – Buccaneers 30
Falcons(3-2) at 49ers(4-2) WIN Falcons 10 – 49ers 20
49ers(5-2) at Texans(2-4) LOSS 49ers 15 – Texans 26
49ers(5-3) at Giants(2-6) WIN 49ers 34 – Giants 24
Rams(6-2) at 49ers(6-3) LOSS Rams 42 – 49ers 26
49ers(6-4) at Cardinals(3-6) WIN 49ers 41 – Cardinals 22
Panthers(6-5) at 49ers(7-4) WIN Panthers 9 – 49ers 20
49ers(8-4) at Browns(2-9) WIN 49ers 26 – Browns 8
Titans(2-11) at 49ers(9-4) WIN Titans 24 – 49ers 37
#10
Colts (8-6-0)
Differential: 89 (6.8)
As a 44 year old man I’m all in on this Cinderella story.  Do it.  Maybe I could join the Eagles and call audibles and throw the ball to Barkley out of the backfield myself.  I’d be over the top with pump fakes pretending I could throw the ball down field…then swing it over and let Barkley inflate my stats.  And the Eagles offense would probably actually get better.  But we’re talking about the Colts here.  The highlights made it clear they were dinking and dunking but they were leading against arguably the best team in the league…you know the one that has the best point differential.  And that team needed a FG kicker to hit from Mercer Island, or some suburb of Seattle, to win the game.  (Oh my I just looked at their remaining schedule…SF, JAX, and HOU, well I’ll keep them here for now as a parting gift for a surprising season and a good story to finish on)
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Dolphins(0-0) at Colts(0-0) WIN Dolphins 8 – Colts 33
Broncos(1-0) at Colts(1-0) WIN Broncos 28 – Colts 29
Colts(2-0) at Titans(0-2) WIN Colts 41 – Titans 20
Colts(3-0) at Rams(2-1) LOSS Colts 20 – Rams 27
Raiders(1-3) at Colts(3-1) WIN Raiders 6 – Colts 40
Cardinals(2-3) at Colts(4-1) WIN Cardinals 27 – Colts 31
Colts(5-1) at Chargers(4-2) WIN Colts 38 – Chargers 24
Titans(1-6) at Colts(6-1) WIN Titans 14 – Colts 38
Colts(7-1) at Steelers(4-3) LOSS Colts 20 – Steelers 27
Falcons(3-5) at Colts(7-2) WIN Falcons 25 – Colts 31
Colts(8-2) at Chiefs(5-5) LOSS Colts 20 – Chiefs 23
Texans(6-5) at Colts(8-3) LOSS Texans 20 – Colts 16
Colts(8-4) at Jaguars(8-4) LOSS Colts 19 – Jaguars 36
Colts(8-4) at Seahawks(9-3) LOSS Colts 16 – Seahawks 18

11–20

#11
Chargers (10-4-0)
Differential: 31 (4.5)
Maybe the Chargers should start looking up 40 year old recently retired offensive linemen, or sumo wrestlers, or whomever.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Chiefs(0-0) at Chargers(0-0) WIN Chiefs 21 – Chargers 27
Chargers(1-0) at Raiders(1-0) WIN Chargers 20 – Raiders 9
Broncos(1-1) at Chargers(2-0) WIN Broncos 20 – Chargers 23
Chargers(3-0) at Giants(0-3) LOSS Chargers 18 – Giants 21
Redskins(2-2) at Chargers(3-1) LOSS Redskins 27 – Chargers 10
Chargers(3-2) at Dolphins(1-4) WIN Chargers 29 – Dolphins 27
Colts(5-1) at Chargers(4-2) LOSS Colts 38 – Chargers 24
Vikings(3-2) at Chargers(4-2) WIN Vikings 10 – Chargers 37
Chargers(5-3) at Titans(1-7) WIN Chargers 27 – Titans 20
Steelers(5-3) at Chargers(6-3) WIN Steelers 10 – Chargers 25
Chargers(7-3) at Jaguars(5-4) LOSS Chargers 6 – Jaguars 35
Raiders(2-10) at Chargers(7-4) WIN Raiders 14 – Chargers 31
Eagles(9-3) at Chargers(8-4) WIN Eagles 19 – Chargers 22
Chargers(8-4) at Chiefs(6-7) WIN Chargers 16 – Chiefs 13
#12
Lions (8-6-0)
Differential: 83 (6.3)
Detroit has had the 6th hardest schedule and its not fair to make Goff play outside.  This is a team that could use a defense.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Lions(0-0) at Packers(0-0) LOSS Lions 13 – Packers 27
Bears(0-1) at Lions(0-1) WIN Bears 21 – Lions 52
Lions(1-1) at Ravens(1-1) WIN Lions 38 – Ravens 30
Browns(1-2) at Lions(2-1) WIN Browns 10 – Lions 34
Lions(3-1) at Bengals(2-2) WIN Lions 37 – Bengals 24
Lions(4-1) at Chiefs(2-3) LOSS Lions 17 – Chiefs 30
Buccaneers(5-1) at Lions(4-2) WIN Buccaneers 9 – Lions 24
Vikings(3-4) at Lions(5-2) LOSS Vikings 27 – Lions 24
Lions(5-3) at Redskins(3-6) WIN Lions 44 – Redskins 22
Lions(6-3) at Eagles(7-2) LOSS Lions 9 – Eagles 16
Giants(2-9) at Lions(6-4) WIN Giants 27 – Lions 34
Packers(7-3-1) at Lions(7-4) LOSS Packers 31 – Lions 24
Cowboys(6-5-1) at Lions(7-5) WIN Cowboys 30 – Lions 44
Lions(8-5) at Rams(10-3) LOSS Lions 34 – Rams 41
#13
Bears (10-4-0)
Differential: 27 (2.1)
I’m in on the Bears.  I’m hoping the climb up here.  But they have had a soft schedule and having a nice record might be all this season needed to be about for them to build on.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Vikings(0-0) at Bears(0-0) LOSS Vikings 27 – Bears 24
Bears(0-1) at Lions(0-1) LOSS Bears 21 – Lions 52
Cowboys(1-1) at Bears(0-2) WIN Cowboys 14 – Bears 31
Bears(1-2) at Raiders(1-2) WIN Bears 25 – Raiders 24
Bears(2-2) at Redskins(3-2) WIN Bears 25 – Redskins 24
Saints(1-5) at Bears(3-2) WIN Saints 14 – Bears 26
Bears(4-2) at Ravens(1-5) LOSS Bears 16 – Ravens 30
Bears(4-3) at Bengals(3-5) WIN Bears 47 – Bengals 42
Giants(2-8) at Bears(5-3) WIN Giants 20 – Bears 24
Bears(6-3) at Vikings(4-5) WIN Bears 19 – Vikings 17
Steelers(6-4) at Bears(7-3) WIN Steelers 28 – Bears 31
Bears(8-3) at Eagles(8-3) WIN Bears 24 – Eagles 15
Bears(9-3) at Packers(8-3-1) LOSS Bears 21 – Packers 28
Browns(3-10) at Bears(9-4) WIN Browns 3 – Bears 31
#14
Steelers (8-6-0)
Differential: 10 (-0.3)
They looked good last night.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Steelers(0-0) at Jets(0-0) WIN Steelers 34 – Jets 32
Seahawks(0-1) at Steelers(1-0) LOSS Seahawks 31 – Steelers 17
Steelers(1-1) at Patriots(1-1) WIN Steelers 21 – Patriots 14
Vikings(2-1) at Steelers(2-1) WIN Vikings 21 – Steelers 24
Browns(1-4) at Steelers(3-1) WIN Browns 9 – Steelers 23
Steelers(4-1) at Bengals(2-4) LOSS Steelers 31 – Bengals 33
Packers(4-1-1) at Steelers(4-2) LOSS Packers 35 – Steelers 25
Colts(7-1) at Steelers(4-3) WIN Colts 20 – Steelers 27
Steelers(5-3) at Chargers(6-3) LOSS Steelers 10 – Chargers 25
Bengals(3-6) at Steelers(5-4) WIN Bengals 12 – Steelers 34
Steelers(6-4) at Bears(7-3) LOSS Steelers 28 – Bears 31
Bills(7-4) at Steelers(6-5) LOSS Bills 26 – Steelers 7
Steelers(6-6) at Ravens(6-6) WIN Steelers 27 – Ravens 22
Dolphins(6-7) at Steelers(7-6) WIN Dolphins 15 – Steelers 28
#15
Packers (9-4-1)
Differential: 67 (7.6)
I do agree that Parsons injury means this team has lost its status.  Life’s not fair.  You heard it here first.
View Game Log
Game Result Score
Lions(0-0) at Packers(0-0) WIN Lions 13 – Packers 27
Redskins(1-0) at Packers(1-0) WIN Redskins 18 – Packers 27
Packers(2-0) at Browns(0-2) LOSS Packers 10 – Browns 13
Packers(2-1) at Cowboys(1-2) TIE Packers 40 – Cowboys 40
Bengals(2-3) at Packers(2-1-1) WIN Bengals 18 – Packers 27
Packers(3-1-1) at Cardinals(2-4) WIN Packers 27 – Cardinals 23
Packers(4-1-1) at Steelers(4-2) WIN Packers 35 – Steelers 25
Panthers(4-4) at Packers(5-1-1) LOSS Panthers 16 – Packers 13
Eagles(6-2) at Packers(5-2-1) LOSS Eagles 10 – Packers 7
Packers(5-3-1) at Giants(2-8) WIN Packers 27 – Giants 20
Vikings(4-6) at Packers(6-3-1) WIN Vikings 6 – Packers 23
Packers(7-3-1) at Lions(7-4) WIN Packers 31 – Lions 24
Bears(9-3) at Packers(8-3-1) WIN Bears 21 – Packers 28
Packers(9-3-1) at Broncos(11-2) LOSS Packers 26 – Broncos 34