The Los Angeles Rams aren’t just winning—they’re dominating. At 9-2, they’ve held the top spot in every major NFL Week 13 power ranking released between November 18 and 28, 2025, outpacing even the surging New England Patriots (10-2) and the resilient Denver Broncos (9-2). It’s not just the record. It’s the way they’re doing it: a 34-7 demolition of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, a defense that suffocates quarterbacks, and a Matthew Stafford who’s quietly rewriting the all-time quarterback conversation. This isn’t a fluke. This is a team peaking at the right time.
Who’s Really in Control?
Here’s the twist: the Patriots have one more win than the Rams, yet still sit behind them in most rankings. Why? Because Matthew Stafford isn’t just playing—he’s performing at a level that makes you forget about Brady’s shadow. As Peter King of ProFootballTalk put it, Stafford is "morphing from first-ballot Hall of Famer into all-time top-five." That’s not hyperbole. He’s thrown just two interceptions in his last six games, with a 104.8 passer rating over that stretch. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ offense is a puzzle missing pieces. Jakobi Meyers is out. JuJu Smith-Schuster is banged up. And their offensive line? Fragile. They’re winning despite their injuries, not because of them.
The Broncos, meanwhile, are the quietest threat. At 9-2, they’ve won five straight, but their run game is a ghost. With J.K. Dobbins done for the year, they’re leaning harder on Russell Wilson’s arm—and that’s a gamble. NFL.com noted they still control their own destiny in the AFC West, but without a ground game, a cold night in Kansas City could be brutal. The Chiefs are fading, sure—but they’re still the Chiefs.
The Colts’ Slow Fade and the Jaguars’ Rise
Here’s where things get messy. The Indianapolis Colts (8-3) were the surprise of the season, but they’ve cooled off like a burner left on too long. After starting 7-1, they’ve lost two of their last three, including a brutal home loss to the Titans. And now? They’ve got two games left against the Houston Texans and two against the Jacksonville Jaguars—all within the next three weeks. That’s not a schedule. That’s a gauntlet.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are surging. At 7-4, they’ve won four of five, and their defense—led by Travon Walker and Josh Allen—is playing like a unit that believes it belongs. They’re one game back of the Colts in the AFC South, and they’ve got the tiebreaker. If they win this Sunday in Houston, they’ll be right on Indianapolis’ heels. The Colts’ window is narrowing. Fast.
Playoff Implications: It’s Not Just About Wins
Let’s be clear: the Rams are the No. 1 seed in nearly every projection. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports called them "the No. 1 team in my Power Rankings" and the projected top seed for the playoffs. But here’s what matters more: home-field advantage. The Rams have the easiest remaining schedule of any top team. They play the 49ers, Raiders, and Cardinals in their final five. No playoff-caliber defenses. No division rivals. Just a path to 12 wins.
The Patriots? They’ve got the Bills, Ravens, and Bengals left. Three of the league’s toughest defenses. They’ll need to win two of those just to guarantee a first-round bye. And if they lose one? They’re looking at a wild-card game on the road. That’s a nightmare for a team with an injury-riddled offense.
The Seahawks (8-3) are flying under the radar. They beat the Titans 30-24 last week on the strength of a defense that forced three turnovers. Geno Smith is playing the best football of his career. And if they win out, they could sneak into the top seed conversation. Don’t sleep on them.
The Wild Cards and the Woes
The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) are quietly in the mix. They beat the Vikings 23-6 last week, and Jordan Love is playing with a calmness you don’t usually see from a young QB. They’ve got the Lions twice left. Win both, and they’re in. Lose one? They’re out.
And then there’s the Kansas City Chiefs. At 6-5, they’re on life support. Their defense is a sieve. Patrick Mahomes is still magic—but magic doesn’t win playoff games when you’re giving up 30 points a game. They’ve got the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders left. That’s not enough.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are a mess. They’re 0-6 at home, and Cam Ward—the No. 1 overall pick—is carrying them on his back. He threw for 256 yards and ran for 37 more last week against Seattle. That’s not a future star. That’s a guy playing like he’s desperate to prove he belongs.
What’s Next? The December Crucible
The next three weeks are the real playoff race. December 1, 2025: Colts vs. Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. December 8: Patriots at Bills. December 14: Rams at 49ers. That’s when the separation happens. The Rams will either cement their status as the class of the league—or expose a crack. The Patriots will either show they’re a true contender—or reveal they’re a team built on momentum, not depth.
And the Broncos? They’ve got to find a running back. Stat.
This isn’t just about rankings. It’s about legacy. Who’s going to be the team that walks into the playoffs as the favorite? The Rams? The Patriots? Or will someone like the Seahawks or Packers sneak in and steal the spotlight?
One thing’s certain: the NFL’s playoff picture has never been this wide open—and this thrilling—this late in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Rams ranked No. 1 despite having fewer wins than the Patriots?
Strength of schedule and dominance matter more than raw wins. The Rams have beaten five teams with winning records by an average of 18 points, including a 34-7 thrashing of the Buccaneers. Their defense ranks top-five in points allowed, and Matthew Stafford has turned into a clutch performer. The Patriots, while 10-2, have won close games against weaker opponents and are dealing with key offensive injuries that could derail them in January.
How serious are the Colts’ playoff chances right now?
They’re still alive, but fading fast. At 8-3, they’re only one game ahead of Jacksonville and two ahead of Houston—with two games left against each. Their offense has stalled, and their defense is vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks. If they lose to Houston this Sunday, they’ll be in a three-way tie for the division lead with a worse tiebreaker. Their path to the playoffs now depends on winning three of their final four, including two against division rivals.
Can the Patriots make a deep playoff run with their current injuries?
It’s unlikely unless their offensive line improves dramatically. Jakobi Meyers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Rhamondre Stevenson are all sidelined or limited. Mac Jones is playing well, but he’s not a game-changer. If they face the Bills or Ravens in the playoffs, they’ll need to rely on their defense—which isn’t elite. A first-round bye is still possible, but anything beyond that requires a miracle.
What’s the biggest threat to the Rams’ top seed?
The 49ers. They’re 8-4, with a ferocious defense and a healthy Brock Purdy. Their Week 15 matchup in Los Angeles could decide home-field advantage. If the 49ers win, they’ll leapfrog the Rams in the rankings. The Seahawks are also a dark horse—if Geno Smith keeps playing like he is, they could steal the No. 2 seed with a win over the Cardinals and Chargers in their final two games.
Is Matthew Stafford really in the all-time top-five conversation?
Yes, and it’s not just hype. He’s now 10th all-time in career passer rating among QBs with 2,000+ attempts. He’s thrown 25 touchdowns with just 5 interceptions since Week 7. His playoff record? 7-3. He’s led two different franchises to Super Bowls. If he wins a ring this year, he’ll join Brady, Montana, and Manning as the only QBs to win multiple titles with different teams. That’s top-five territory.
Who’s the most dangerous wild-card team?
The Seattle Seahawks. They’ve won four of five, with Geno Smith playing like a veteran on a mission. Their defense leads the league in sacks since Week 8, and they’ve got the easiest final schedule of any team in the top 10. If they win out, they’ll finish 11-6 and could easily beat any of the lower-seeded teams on the road. They’re the team no one wants to face in January.
