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 Colts and Texans aren’t my top teams.
NFL Power Rankings updated Jan. 9, 2023
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Chicago Bears (3-14) – Previously: 31.
Congratulations to the Bears for not being stupid like the Texans and clinching the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They’ll be able to auction off the pick for a king’s ransom because so many teams need quarterbacks. Check out my 2023 NFL Mock Draft for more.
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Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) – Previously: 30.
The Colts are set up to make a trade with the Bears for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They’ll be able to leap their divisional rival to obtain the quarterback they want. I guess they were the true winners versus Houston in the finale!
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Houston Texans (3-13-1) – Previously: 32.
Nice win, Texans. Ask the Jets how they feel about their nice wins late in the 2021 season that caused them to miss out on Trevor Lawrence.
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Arizona Cardinals (4-13) – Previously: 29.
The Cardinals had a great finish to their regular season, losing all of the games they nearly could have won. Assuming the Bears trade out of the top pick, Arizona will be in position to select the best non-quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Atlanta Falcons (6-11) – Previously: 28.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Tennessee Titans (7-10) – Previously: 22.
Credit Joshua Dobbs for playing a beautiful game until his horrible interception. Still, he was impressive, given the severe offensive line issues. He should be able to compete with Ryan Tannehill next year.
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Los Angeles Rams (5-12) – Previously: 26.
Baker Mayfield and Cam Akers looked like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith against the Broncos, but that didn’t last very long. They were dominated in the Chargers-Rams Battle of LA, and then Mayfield threw the game away in Seattle with a horrible overtime interception. Akers, however, has remained solid, which is encouraging moving forward.
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Denver Broncos (5-12) – Previously: 27.
Hmm… maybe Russell Wilson wasn’t to blame this entire time. The Broncos have been so much better since Nathaniel Hackett was fired. If only they listened to me when I said that they should have fired him after Week 1!
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Washington Redskins (8-8-1) – Previously: 25.
Ron Rivera had the derp moment of the year by starting Carson Wentz against the Browns. What was he thinking? This is not something for which we’re criticizing him in hindsight. Everyone knew this was a stupid decision. It only looked worse with Slingin’ Sammy Howell thriving against Dallas. I was always a fan of Howell in North Carolina, so I hope he gets a chance to start next year.
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New York Jets (7-10) – Previously: 24.
What a disappointing ending to the Jets’ season. The silver lining is that Garrett Wilson may have clinched the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. They’ll need to figure out a solution to their huge quarterback dilemma. I’ve heard Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo mentioned, but both of those options are underwhelming.
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Seattle Seahawks (9-8) – Previously: 21.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Cleveland Browns (7-10) – Previously: 18.
So much for listing the Browns as underrated, and so much for Myles Garrett’s motivation for knocking out a hated rival. Why do I get the feeling that they could have pulled off the upset if they started Jacoby Brisett?
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Miami Dolphins (9-8) – Previously: 23.
I guess Mike McDaniel won’t have to worry about being fired as a result of losing to the Jets. It was an underwhelming win, but Miami got into the playoffs. The Dolphins might be the most dangerous No. 7 seed ever if Tua Tagovailoa and Terron Armstead can return from injury.
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New England Patriots (8-9) – Previously: 20.
The Patriots blew their chance to reach the playoffs, though they had a tall task to beat the Bills with all of the Damar Hamlin emotion. They actually outgained Buffalo, but the two kickoff returns allowed the Bills to win by double digits. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Mac Jones played a solid game to close out the year.
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New York Giants (9-7-1) – Previously: 19.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) – Previously: 16.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Raiders are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Minnesota Vikings (13-4) – Previously: 15.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New Orleans Saints (7-10) – Previously: 14.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Saints are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Carolina Panthers (7-10) – Previously: 17.
I’m glad the Panthers won because my alt-win total ticket for them cashed, but there should be some sort of NFL bylaw that says a team must forfeit a victory if their quarterback completes only five passes in a dome game.
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Green Bay Packers (8-9) – Previously: 13.
It’s hard to believe that Aaron Rodgers didn’t log a single 300-yard passing performance this year. Much of that was because of his troublesome thumb, which appeared to give him problems in the second half against the Lions.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) – Previously: 12.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Buccaneers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) – Previously: 11.
The Jaguars won to claim the division, but Trevor Lawrence was a huge disappointment. Lawrence was bailed out by the defense, and if he plays like that against the Chargers, he’ll have a quick exit in the playoffs.
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Detroit Lions (9-8) – Previously: 10.
I’m often an advocate for teams losing meaningless Week 17/18 games to help improve draft positioning, but I liked that the Lions went all out to beat the Packers. Not only did they knock out their arch nemesis; they also finished with a winning record for the first time since 2017.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) – Previously: 9.
The Steelers were the best of the No. 7 seed candidates in Week 18, but the Jets couldn’t pull the upset. On the bright side, Kenny Pickett had a strong final performance. Oh, and Mike Tomlin kept his impressive winning-season streak alive. I’m not sure which one will make Steeler fans happier.
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Baltimore Ravens (10-7) – Previously: 8.
These latest losses by the Ravens don’t mean much as long as Lamar Jackson can return to the field at 100 percent. Will that happen though? I thought Jackson would be back three weeks ago, yet he hasn’t been able to practice at all!
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San Angeles Chargers (10-7) – Previously: 7.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Chargers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Dallas Cowboys (12-5) – Previously: 6.
The Cowboys beat the Eagles in Week 16, but they were outgained in total yards and yards per play. Their defense is far less fearsome if they can’t get to the quarterback, which they struggled to do against Philadelphia’s elite offensive line. Their defense looked completely toothless versus the Redskins in the regular-season finale. Now, they get a Tampa Bay offensive line that’s improving…
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San Francisco 49ers (13-4) – Previously: 5.
Brock Purdy can’t lose! That said, he’s gone against some sketchy teams during his starts. That will continue, however, in the first round with the Seahawks coming to town.
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Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) – Previously: 4.
The Chiefs beat the Raiders by 18, but they still didn’t put together a full game. They scored only seven points in the second half, but they were able to coast to an easy victory because the Raiders constantly shot themselves in the foot.
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Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) – Previously: 3.
The Bengals took care of business against the Ravens and avoided the field goal, but wow, they were so sluggish in that game. They scored just six points if you remove the three Anthony Brown turnovers. Tee Higgins looked like he forgot how to play football. We’ll see if this was a one-week issue amid the Damar Hamlin drama, but something like that could linger.
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Buffalo Bills (13-3) – Previously: 2.
The Bills really needed those Nyheim Hines touchdowns to beat the Patriots because they were outgained in the game. That said, it was a tough week for them, and I doubt there was much preparation for New England. I wouldn’t read anything into it.
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Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) – Previously: 1.
Jalen Hurts looked terrible in his return from injury. He barely completed half of his passes, threw a horrible interception, and barely ran. The good news is that he’ll have a week off to heal before Philadelphia’s playoff schedule begins.
2022 NFL MVP Race:
1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
4. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
5. Micah Parsons, DE, Cowboys
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
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 |
