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 Nov. 15, 2022
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Houston Texans (1-7-1) – Previously: 32.
The Texans continue to be competitive with their opponent. They’ve stayed within 12 of both the Eagles and Giants, and they may have beaten New York if Dameon Pierce didn’t lose a fumble in the red zone, and if a Brandin Cooks touchdown not been negated by a penalty. They outgained the Giants, both in overall yardage and yards per play, but the two red zone turnovers killed them.
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Atlanta Falcons (4-6) – Previously: 29.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Carolina Panthers (3-7) – Previously: 31.
If Eddy Pineiro drilled a 33-yard field goal in overtime two weeks ago, the Panthers would be looking like a good bet to win the division at 4-6. Somehow, they’re still not out of it at 3-7, but they need some things to break their way. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield will start in Week 11 because Phillip Walker got hurt.
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Los Angeles Rams (3-6) – Previously: 21.
The Rams were not a good team prior to Week 10, but they at least had Cooper Kupp and a solid defense. Kupp is now injured, while the defense couldn’t stop Colt McCoy.
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Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) – Previously: 26.
The Colts game was do-or-die for the Raiders. At 3-6, they could have made a run to the playoffs, but they are toast at 2-7. Their defense is atrocious, but really, their offense as a whole could use a complete overhaul. I have the Raiders selecting a quarterback in my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
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Cleveland Browns (3-6) – Previously: 19.
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. They really needed those wins because they’ve entered the tough part of their schedule. They stood no chance against the improved Dolphins. Cleveland’s defense is a total disaster.
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Chicago Bears (3-7) – Previously: 24.
Justin Fields is amazing, but wow, he has nothing at his disposal. His offensive line gave him no chance at the end of the Detroit game, while his defense couldn’t offer any resistance.
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Detroit Lions (3-6) – Previously: 28.
The Lions are 3-6, but check out their schedule. It’s been brutal, and they’ve been competitive in almost every game. This is why I’ve listed them as underrated for so long.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) – Previously: 25.
The Jaguars’ three wins this year have come against two injury-ravaged teams (Colts, Chargers) and the Raiders, who were completely lifeless in the second half. Oh, and what was up with Doug Pederson trying an onside kick to begin the game, then punting shortly later on a fourth-and-2 on Kansas City’s 44-yard line? Seriously, where’s the logic?
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Washington Redskins (5-5) – Previously: 23.
The Redskins had a nice revenge victory over the Eagles, but it’s not like they got Philadelphia at its best. This result will be misleading for ESPN viewers who only look at team records.
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Denver Broncos (3-6) – Previously: 22.
I’m sure Nathaniel Hackett’s great offensive game plan was in ruin as soon as Jerry Jeudy suffered an injury. Unfortunately for Hackett, not even the Madden player he hired to help him manage games could save him from Jeudy’s injury. Seriously though, why hasn’t Hackett been fired yet?
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San Angeles Chargers (5-4) – Previously: 16.
The Chargers are missing so many players, but it sounds like they might get some reinforcements when they take on the Chiefs on Sunday night. Mike Tirico mentioned that one of the top receivers could return.
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New Orleans Saints (3-7) – Previously: 15.
The Saints achieved just 10 first downs at Pittsburgh. I know T.J. Watt was back, but still. Also, why did Alvin Kamara get eight carries? It was a tie game at halftime, so it’s not like the Saints were getting blown out.
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Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1) – Previously: 27.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Green Bay Packers (4-6) – Previously: 20.
If the Packers can keep getting great play from Christian Watson, they may just emerge as a sleeper in the playoffs. We’ll have to see if Watson’s performance against the Cowboys was a fluke because he was so bad in previous games.
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Arizona Cardinals (4-6) – Previously: 17.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Cardinals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New York Giants (7-2) – Previously: 14.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) – Previously: 18.
The Buccaneers crawled back to 5-5 from being 3-5 two weeks ago, but it’s difficult to be impressed. They trailed the Rams for nearly the entire game in Week 9, and then they took advantage of Roger Goodell’s incompetence when he decided that it would be a good idea for the Seahawks to play a 6:30 a.m. local time affair in Germany versus an East Coast opponent.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) – Previously: 30.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New York Jets (6-3) – Previously: 13.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Jets are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Tennessee Titans (6-3) – Previously: 12.
Mike Vrabel is an amazing coach. How do they keep winning/covering these games? The Titans were down half their defense after playing 100 defensive snaps against the Chiefs, and yet they completely dismantled Denver’s offense aside from one fluky play.
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New England Patriots (5-4) – Previously: 10.
The Patriots beat the Colts 26-3, but don’t look at Mac Jones as a reason why this happened. The Patriots scored 14 points off turnovers, so Jones mustered only 12 points. I’m willing to bet that Bailey Zappe would have enjoyed more success, if only by default. Still, the Patriots have the best defense in the NFL, according to adjusted EPA, so they should be ranked highly.
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Seattle Seahawks (6-4) – Previously: 9.
If the loss to the Buccaneers is impactful for Seattle’s playoff standing, everyone should blame Roger Goodell for making the team play a 6:30 a.m. local start time in Germany versus an East Coast team. Every time I think Goodell has sunk to a new low, he keeps surprising me.
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Minnesota Vikings (8-1) – Previously: 11.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) – Previously: 8.
I moved the Bengals to the overrated list in the wake of their win over the Panthers because Ja’Marr Chase’s absence would drag down the offense. However, there’s a chance Chase will return soon, perhaps even this week.
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Dallas Cowboys (6-3) – Previously: 5.
Mike McCarthy sucks. He’s going to find a way to cost the Cowboys in the playoffs. Of course, the Packer fans who just beat McCarthy know this quite well.
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Miami Dolphins (7-3) – Previously: 7.
I received some e-mails from people confused about why I moved Miami up so much for its win over the Bears. The shift was more so the reaction to the Bradley Chubb trade. We saw that impact against the Browns, as Miami’s usually pedestrian pass rush swarmed Jacoby Brissett on most plays.
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Baltimore Ravens (6-3) – Previously: 6.
The Ravens could be 9-0 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! Baltimore’s defense has gotten a huge boost with Roquan Smith.
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San Francisco 49ers (5-4) – Previously: 4.
It’s hard to believe that the 49ers are only 5-4. They are much better than their record indicates, as they suffered some losses earlier in the year when they were extremely banged up. They’re healthier now, so they could have a nice run to close out the regular season before Jimmy Garoppolo inevitably chokes in the playoffs.
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Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) – Previously: 3.
The Eagles didn’t look like they tried very hard against the Redskins, and yet they probably would have won had Quez Watkins not fumbled after catching a deep pass.
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Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) – Previously: 2.
The Chiefs are back in first place in the AFC, but I’m concerned about their defense. They were 27th in net adjusted EPA entering Week 10! Thanks to Jacksonville’s incompetence, the Chiefs have improved to 23rd in defense, so baby steps, I guess.
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Buffalo Bills (6-3) – Previously: 1.
Considering that Josh Allen wasn’t supposed to play against the Vikings, and that the Bills would have won had they just not fumbled a quarterback sneak, I’m not moving them off the top spot. They’re still the best team in the NFL, and it won’t be long until Allen is healthy again.
2022 NFL MVP Race:
1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
4. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
5. Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
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 |
