Welcome to the NerdBall NFL Power Rankings. We love data here, and produce many statistics to help you identify those edges needed to help you win your fantasy leagues and DFS bets. One of the key stats we bring to you are out team NEFF rating. This is a statistical analysis of team performance that allows us to rank the 32 NFL teams to show you who’s statistically good, and not so good.
In these weekly power rankings, I take each team’s NEFF rankings and add layer of my own tape review to give an alternative view of how the teams in the NFL should be ranked.
The dominant defenses of the Cowboys and Patriots see both teams climbs the ranks this week, with the Cowboys on the verge of breaking into the top-3. Dallas’ defense sent the Vikings careening down the rankings.
Without further ado, let’s get into my NFL power rankings heading into Week 12.
| Rank | Team | Last Week | +/- | NEFF Rank | ONEFF Rank | DNEFF Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Stuttered past the Colts but still the team to beat in the NFL right now |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs (8-2) | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 21 | The game-winning drive vs the Chargers was nails and Mahomes is playing at an MVP level |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills (7-3) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Back on track against the Browns in a super competitive AFC |
| 4 | Dallas Cowboys (7-3) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Demolished the Vikings to bounce back from the loss to Green Bay. The best defense in the NFL right now |
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers (6-4) | 6 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 4 | Impressive victory over the hapless Cardinals and they look like a force in the NFC |
| 6 | Miami Dolphins (7-3) | 7 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 29 | Move up a spot due to the Vikings' capitulation |
| 7 | Minnesota Vikings (8-2) | 4 | -3 | 27 | 21 | 22 | Found out by the Cowboys' smothering defense and now face another top outfit in the Patriots in Week 12 |
| 8 | Baltimore Ravens (7-3) | 8 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 10 | It wasn't pretty but the defense is beginning to soar and dominated the Panthers bottom-3 offense |
| 9 | Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) | 9 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 13 | Winning what turned out to be a near shootout with the Steelers to keep pace with the Ravens |
| 10 | Tennessee Titans (7-3) | 10 | 0 | 11 | 26 | 12 | Produced their best offensive output of 2022 and are head and shoulders above the rest of the AFC South |
| 11 | Seattle Seahawks (6-4) | 11 | 0 | 20 | 18 | 27 | Bye week keeps the Seahawks in 11th |
| 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) | 12 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 7 | Another bye week non-mover |
| 13 | New England Patriots (6-4) | 16 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 2 | Offense is misfiring but the defense is becoming dominant for New England |
| 14 | Los Angeles Chargers (5-5) | 14 | 0 | 17 | 12 | 23 | Ran the Chiefs close but defensively not good enough to contend at the moment |
| 15 | New York Giants (7-3) | 13 | -2 | 22 | 23 | 19 | Poor loss to the Lions and now facing the Cowboys on the road on Thanksgiving |
| 16 | New York Jets (6-4) | 15 | -1 | 14 | 28 | 8 | A QB change is coming and is needed if the Jets want to keep pace and reach the playoffs |
| 17 | Atlanta Falcons (5-6) | 19 | 2 | 30 | 18 | 30 | The Falcons keep hanging around despite that saloon door defense |
| 18 | Arizona Cardinals (5-6) | 17 | -1 | 26 | 15 | 28 | Looked underprepared against the 49ers in Mexico and need Kyler back asap |
| 19 | Washington Commanders (6-5) | 22 | 3 | 6 | 24 | 11 | Dominated the Texans to remain in the NFC playoff hunt |
| 20 | Cleveland Browns (3-7) | 18 | -2 | 15 | 9 | 26 | Started well but faded badly on defense against the Bills |
| 21 | Green Bay Packers (4-7) | 20 | -1 | 19 | 17 | 17 | Bullied by the Titans to stop the momentum from the Cowboys win in its tracks |
| 22 | New Orleans Saints (4-7) | 23 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 16 | Took care of the woeful Rams in the NFC's disppointment bowl but still an underwhelming team |
| 23 | Detroit Lions (4-6) | 25 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 32 | The Lions are back to looking frisky and will give the Bills everything in the early Thanksgiving game |
| 24 | Los Angeles Rams (3-7) | 21 | -3 | 25 | 29 | 14 | A disappointing season continues and now they get to face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium this week |
| 25 | Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1) | 26 | 1 | 28 | 31 | 9 | Took the Eagles all the way and the Colts are looking much tougher under Jeff Saturday |
| 26 | Denver Broncos (3-7) | 24 | -2 | 23 | 27 | 6 | Another game and another no-show on offense from the Broncos |
| 27 | Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) | 27 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 20 | Bye week sees the Jaguars stay put |
| 28 | Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7) | 28 | 0 | 29 | 25 | 24 | Their first 30 point game of the season but never really looked like beating the Bengals |
| 29 | Las Vegas Raiders (3-7) | 31 | 2 | 24 | 14 | 31 | Completed a season sweep against the Broncos but remain far from impressive |
| 30 | Chicago Bears (3-8) | 29 | -1 | 21 | 20 | 25 | The Bears remain fun to watch but The Bears are missing too many pieces |
| 31 | Carolina Panthers (3-8) | 30 | -1 | 31 | 30 | 17 | Another anaemic offensive performance and now its Sam Darnold's turn again under center |
| 32 | Houston Texans (1-8-1) | 32 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 15 | Non-competitive against the Commanders and the Texans remain bottom of the rankings |