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 Panthers and Texans aren’t my top teams.
NFL Power Rankings updated Nov. 29, 2022
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Houston Texans (1-9-1) – Previously: 32.
What happened to the Texans? They were always competitive early in the year, yet they’ve been a complete disaster recently. I wonder if there was some sort of quit factor when Brandin Cooks began talking about exposing some truths in the wake of not being dealt at the trade deadline. I can’t wait to find out what those truths are!
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Los Angeles Rams (3-8) – Previously: 30.
It sounds like Matthew Stafford may miss the rest of the season. That makes sense because the Rams are effectively eliminated from playoff contention. However, they don’t have their first-round pick, so it’s not like losing will allow them to have a better draft choice.
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Chicago Bears (3-9) – Previously: 29.
These losses are great for the Bears. They might be able to auction off the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the highest bidder, as there will be plenty of teams desperate to move up for a quarterback. Go here to see my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
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Atlanta Falcons (5-7) – Previously: 28.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) – Previously: 27.
The Jaguars’ three wins this year prior to the Baltimore game have come against two injury-ravaged teams (Colts, Chargers) and the Raiders, who were completely lifeless in the second half. However, Trevor Lawrence took a huge step forward in his development with an amazing game-winning drive. Perhaps this is something that will carry over into 2023.
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Denver Broncos (3-8) – Previously: 26.
The Broncos would be 9-2 right now if their offense averaged 20 points per game. That’s how great their defense has been, and also how terrible their offense has been. You’d think the front office would’ve been smart enough to fire Nathaniel Hackett by now, but apparently not.
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Green Bay Packers (4-8) – Previously: 20.
The Packers’ season is effectively over in the wake of their latest loss to the Eagles, but at least they should get a good look at Jordan Love down the stretch.
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Las Vegas Raiders (4-7) – Previously: 24.
The Raiders won their second-consecutive road game, but Josh McDaniels’ time management in this game was horrendous. He’s fortunate that Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams bailed him out.
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New York Giants (7-4) – Previously: 18.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New Orleans Saints (4-8) – Previously: 22.
The Saints were gifted a win on a silver platter by a tired 49er team, but they fumbled the game away. I mean that quite literally, as Alvin Kamara fumbled twice. Not winning was a huge deal because the Saints could have moved within half a game of the Buccaneers for the NFC South lead.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) – Previously: 15.
I was wondering if the Buccaneers’ win over the Seahawks in London was just a byproduct of the Seahawks struggling with an 8:30 a.m. local start, and it appears as though that is the case. How could Tampa not score more than 17 points against Cleveland’s miserable defense? And why is Todd Bowles so inept at time management? Bruce Arians left the team in terrible hands.
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Carolina Panthers (4-8) – Previously: 31.
The Panthers are just one game out of the divisional lead, and they’ve already beaten the Buccaneers. They have a legitimate chance to win the division with their stellar defense. The offense, meanwhile, looks functional with Sam Darnold, which is why they’re getting a big bump this week.
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Cleveland Browns (4-7) – Previously: 25.
The Browns improved to 4-7 with a win over the Buccaneers. The win was meaningless, but you have to wonder where the Browns would be if they hadn’t blown leads against the Chargers, Ravens, and Bills.
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Detroit Lions (4-7) – Previously: 23.
The Lions are 4-7, but check out their schedule. It’s been brutal, and they’ve been competitive in almost every game. They easily could have defeated the Bills on Thanksgiving, but they fell just slightly short, which has been a theme this season. The good news is that Jameson Williams will be available soon.
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Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) – Previously: 21.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Arizona Cardinals (4-8) – Previously: 19.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Cardinals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) – Previously: 17.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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San Angeles Chargers (6-5) – Previously: 14.
The Chargers have suffered some tough losses this year, going down to the 49ers, Seahawks, and Chief twice. Their fifth loss was that defeat to the Jaguars where Justin Herbert wasn’t supposed to play. I’d say they have an “easy” game coming up against the Raiders to improve to 7-5 heading into their big game against the Dolphins, but the Chargers never make anything easy.
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Seattle Seahawks (6-5) – Previously: 11.
The Seahawks had the excuse of playing a ridiculous 6:30 a.m. local start time against the Buccaneers in London, but what happened against the Raiders? Seattle had a week to prepare, yet its defense looked pathetic, especially when trying to stop the run.
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Washington Redskins (7-5) – Previously: 13.
Washington’s defense has suddenly become awesome, while the running game has improved. The Redskins also have some talented receivers. They would be a legitimate Super Bowl contender if they just had stronger quarterback play, but Taylor Heinicke continues to loft miserable floaters that are begging to be intercepted. Sadly, this is still better than what Washington was getting out of Carson Wentz.
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New England Patriots (6-5) – Previously: 12.
It was weird to see a Bill Belichick-coached team constantly shoot itself in the foot, but that’s what happened against Minnesota. The Patriots allowed 14 points on special teams and dropped two passes that effectively cost them 14 points.
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Minnesota Vikings (9-2) – Previously: 10.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Tennessee Titans (7-4) – Previously: 9.
People were surprised to see the Titans slated as home underdogs, but the only team they’ve beaten with a winning record since Week 2 was the Redskins, and that was when Carson Wentz was still starting.
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Baltimore Ravens (7-4) – Previously: 7.
The Ravens could be 11-0 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. The Ravens just lost to the Jaguars, but they outgained them as well! Baltimore’s defense has gotten a huge boost with Roquan Smith. However, their offense is so sluggish with no receiving talent. Signing Odell Beckham Jr. makes so much sense.
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New York Jets (7-4) – Previously: 16.
I listed the Jets as overrated when Zach Wilson was the quarterback, but Mike White gives them a legitimate chance to make a playoff run. Jets fans shouldn’t be too excited because White just torched Chicago’s miserable defense, but there’s no doubt that he’s an enormous upgrade over Wilson.
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Miami Dolphins (8-3) – Previously: 6.
We’re going to see just how great Miami’s enhanced pass defense is next week against the 49ers, but the early returns with Bradley Chubb have been very promising thus far. I’m concerned about Terron Armstead’s injury.
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Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) – Previously: 8.
Cincinnati’s offensive line continues to look improved, which is how the Bengals continue to win without Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals held out Chase for one more week so that he could be 100 percent for the Week 13 battle against the Chiefs.
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Dallas Cowboys (8-3) – Previously: 5.
The Cowboys didn’t even play well on Thanksgiving, yet they were up 15 points before the final Giants drive in garbage time. I don’t exactly blame them for not bringing their “A” game after their ridiculously lopsided statement victory over Minnesota just four days earlier.
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San Francisco 49ers (7-4) – Previously: 4.
The 49ers were extremely flat after winning in Mexico City, and understandably so. Their defense was still ridiculous, as it allowed the team to prevail while the offense was struggling with fatigue.
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Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) – Previously: 3.
The Eagles looked miserable against the run in the first half against the Packers, but did much better after halftime. It shouldn’t be too long until they get Jordan Davis back from injury. If so, it’ll be extremely difficult to beat Philadelphia.
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Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) – Previously: 2.
The Chiefs once again failed to distance themselves from an inferior opponent. They’re 9-2, but they haven’t been overly impressive in many of their games this season. Don’t get me wrong, I still have the Chiefs second in my power rankings, but they are definitely vulnerable because of their poor run defense.
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Buffalo Bills (8-3) – Previously: 1.
The Bills aren’t even playing well right now, and yet they’re winning for the most part. They beat the Browns and Lions, and they would have defeated Minnesota had they taken over at the 1-yard line rather than the 1-inch line. Buffalo will snap out of its “slump” soon and begin dominating 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 |
