I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2023 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2022 season. Follow @walterfootball.
I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Jets and Texans aren’t my top teams.
NFL Power Rankings updated Oct. 18, 2022
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Carolina Panthers (1-5) – Previously: 32.
The Panthers’ new coaching staff at least knew to involve Christian McCaffrey. It didn’t matter, however, as McCaffrey accounted for all but 30 of the passing yards in a 24-10 loss. Carolina might be historically bad if McCaffrey is traded.
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Washington Redskins (2-4) – Previously: 29.
The Redskins could easily be 0-6 right now if the Jaguars didn’t shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly in Week 1, and the Bears took two field goals during their three trips inside the 5-yard line on Thursday night. Washington was outgained in that game, 392-214!
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Houston Texans (1-3-1) – Previously: 31.
The Texans are 22 combined points away from being 5-0 right now! That said, they were getting smoked by the Chargers before scoring some garbage-time points. I don’t understand why they beat Jacksonville, but this team seems close to being blown out; they were outgained by the Jaguars, 422-248!
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Chicago Bears (2-4) – Previously: 30.
The Bears lost to the Redskins, but they are ahead of the Redskins because they legitimately outgained them, 392-214. I can’t believe they scored zero points during three trips inside the Washington 5-yard line! Justin Fields, by the way, isn’t looking very good, but it’s not like he has any help.
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Seattle Seahawks (3-3) – Previously: 28.
The Seahawks, with Geno Smith, two rookie offensive tackles and dreadful defense, are tied for first in the division. What in the world is happening this year?
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Atlanta Falcons (3-3) – Previously: 27.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) – Previously: 26.
It would have been nice for the Steelers had Kenny Pickett delivered those third-down completions. Pickett, however, was concussed when Mitchell Trubisky did so. I’d say this was a hollow win for the Steelers. Not only did Pickett get concussed; they also ruined their draft positioning.
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Detroit Lions (1-4) – Previously: 25.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Lions are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Arizona Cardinals (2-4) – Previously: 21.
Since halftime of the Raiders game in Week 2, the Cardinals have allowed just 82 points. Their defense has been better than people make it out to be, but their offense was truly pathetic versus Seattle. I don’t understand why the Cardinals scored only nine points. DeAndre Hopkins’ return will help matters, though Marquise Brown was lost to a major injury.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) – Previously: 19.
How did the Jaguars lose to the Colts? They out-rushed Indianapolis by a wide margin, and Trevor Lawrence threw only two incompletions!
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New York Jets (4-2) – Previously: 24.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Jets are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Tennessee Titans (3-2) – Previously: 23.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Titans are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) – Previously: 22.
The Colts finally had success in the red zone. Once Matt Ryan hit Parris Campbell for a touchdown, the floodgates opened. They even scored a touchdown at the end when all they needed to do was kick a field goal to win! Everyone buried the Colts after some underwhelming performances, but Matt Ryan had an incredible game to give the fans some hope.
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New York Giants (5-1) – Previously: 20.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Los Angeles Rams (3-3) – Previously: 17.
The Rams had a must-win game against a team replacing a head coach, defensive coordinator, and quarterback, and yet they struggled to put away their opponent. This is obviously not a good sign.
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New Orleans Saints (2-4) – Previously: 15.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Saints are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Minnesota Vikings (5-1) – Previously: 13.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Cleveland Browns (2-4) – Previously: 12.
The Browns would have been 5-0 heading into Week 6 if Nick Chubb had not scored his third touchdown against the Jets, and the entire team didn’t implode in Atlanta with countless mistakes, and Cade York hit a field goal in the final seconds. However, the Browns legitimately lost to the Patriots. They couldn’t run at all, while Jacoby Brissett was absolutely miserable.
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New England Patriots (3-3) – Previously: 18.
The Patriots are winning games with great defense, a strong running game, and first-year quarterback who was drafted in the late rounds. Wait, that sounds familiar.
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Las Vegas Raiders (1-4) – Previously: 14.
The Raiders are definitely better than their 1-4 record indicates. They endured plenty of injuries earlier, and they were one point away from winning at Arrowhead prior to the bye. I’d say they’re an above-average team that has endured some terrible luck thus far.
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Dallas Cowboys (4-2) – Previously: 16.
I’d call the Cowboys overrated because they’ve beaten the exhausted Bengals, pedestrian Giants, miserable Redskins and overrated Rams, but they’ve gotten some reinforcements back lately, and Dak Prescott will return to the field soon. That said, I’m not sold that Prescott will be 100 percent in the next couple of weeks.
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Denver Broncos (2-4) – Previously: 11.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Miami Dolphins (3-3) – Previously: 10.
I can’t believe the Dolphins didn’t beat the Vikings. They legitimately had double the yardage (458-234) and averaged 1.6 more yards per play. They made so many mistakes, I’m going to have nightmares about it after betting eight units on them.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) – Previously: 9.
And here I thought the only way the Buccaneers wouldn’t cover against the Steelers is if they allowed a back-door cover. I don’t understand how Tampa mustered only 18 points versus a miserable Pittsburgh pass defense that was missing four of five starters.
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Green Bay Packers (3-3) – Previously: 8.
The Packers didn’t lose to the Jets because they were the inferior team. They lost because they absolutely imploded with countless mistakes. Matt LaFleur had major problems traveling to London, and I wonder if he was still affected by the overseas travel.
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Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) – Previously: 7.
The good news for the Bengals is that they were able to win to crawl back to .500. The bad news is that they barely got past the Saints, who were missing their top three receivers. The pass protection continued to struggle despite the Bengals battling a team with the 30th-ranked pressure rate.
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Baltimore Ravens (3-3) – Previously: 6.
The Ravens could be 6-0 right now. They lost fourth-quarter leads against the Dolphins and Bills, and they should have defeated the Giants. They outgained New York, 406-238, and averaged almost four more yards per play!
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San Angeles Chargers (4-2) – Previously: 5.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Chargers survived the Broncos in overtime with the help of a muffed punt. The Chargers easily could’ve lost, but they were missing numerous key starters, including Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley. They should at least get Allen and Linsley back very soon.
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San Francisco 49ers (3-3) – Previously: 4.
Ignore the loss to the Falcons. The 49ers were missing 10 starters, and they’ll have some of them back, including Nick Bosa, against the Chiefs next week. I am not factoring in that San Francisco-Atlanta game into my analysis or handicapping whatsoever.
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Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) – Previously: 3.
The Eagles nearly blew a 20-3 lead against the Cowboys in the second half because of Lane Johnson’s concussion. The good news is that Johnson will have two weeks to get cleared with the bye week on the horizon.
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Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) – Previously: 2.
Patrick Mahomes lost as a home underdog for the first time in his career. There was a reason why he was a home underdog, however, as Buffalo is the best team in the NFL. The Chiefs will likely now have to win in Buffalo to reach the Super Bowl again.
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Buffalo Bills (5-1) – Previously: 1.
The Bills beat the Chiefs, yet they didn’t even play their “A” game. They made a number of mistakes, yet were able to overcome them and prevail. The difference at the end was Von Miller, forcing an interception because of pressure. That’s exactly why Buffalo acquired him.
2022 NFL MVP Race:
1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
5. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Cowboys
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
2022 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Post-Free Agency Power Rankings | Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings | Post-Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |
2020 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Playoffs |
