Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles

NFL power rankings entering Week 12 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):

1. Los Angeles Rams (1): How good has a team that's won five in a row been lately? LA hasn’t trailed since Week 6. One underappreciated aspect of this squad? How about an offensive line that's allowed just 14 sacks − and QB Matthew Stafford doesn't exactly give up on plays. The biggest question right now might be how much they're going to keep those "Midnight Mode" uniforms in the rotation next year.

2. New England Patriots (3): Their league-leading nine victories are already more than they won the last two seasons … combined. And with the AFC's easiest remaining schedule on the way out, quite conceivable that the Pats get to 13 or 14 wins.

3. Seattle Seahawks (2): OK, so we know the Rams have been Kryptonite for SoCal native Sam Darnold. But his team nearly pulled out the win despite his four INTs on Sunday. We also know Darnold has been an epic win for this locker room given the way LB Ernest Jones IV came to his defense after the loss to LA.

4. Denver Broncos (4): The AFC West leaders are on pace for a single-season record 75 sacks. Yet they're also outstanding against the run, permitting a league-low 3.6 yards per attempt. Even better, All-Pro CB Patrick Surtain II could be back on the other side of this week's bye.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (5): A replenished defense has held two high-octane offenses to single-digit points in successive weeks − which is even better news with injured RT Lane Johnson set to miss a chunk of time with a Lisfranc injury for an already sputtering offense.

6. Buffalo Bills (7): Six from seven? Anyone? It's no surprise this team goes as QB Josh Allen goes, and he was epic Sunday against the Bucs. But hard to envision the Bills, who have only one more home game before Christmas, catching the Pats for the AFC East lead.

7. Green Bay Packers (6): Six to seven? Anyone? QB Jordan Love and RB Josh Jacobs were among the players who seemed to avoid serious injuries Sunday. And nothing's wrong with DE Micah Parsons. The Pack will need a full complement of studs as they embark on a three-week swing through all of their NFC North foes.

8. Indianapolis Colts (10): Now we find out about this squad − AFC South-leading Indy isn't scheduled to face another team with a losing record for the rest of the season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (8): Their luck had to run out at some point. There's a case to be made that this year's K.C. roster is better than last year's. But last year's Chiefs were 12-0 in one-score games, while this year's squad is 0-5 in such scenarios. Those rested Colts come to Arrowhead on Sunday.

10. Detroit Lions (9): They've alternated wins and losses over the past six games, their inconsistency currently leaving them outside of the NFC playoff field. But it's time to go on a tear at Ford Field for a team that doesn't play on the road again until Dec. 14.

11. Baltimore Ravens (12): It's time to continue a tear at M&T Bank Stadium for a team that doesn't play on the road again until Dec. 14. And congratulations to TE Mark Andrews − now the franchise record holder with 5,806 career receiving yards, four catches away from also wresting the franchise receptions record from Derrick Mason (471) and also suddenly giving Derrick Henry a run for his money as the team's best back.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11): Regardless of still-injured Bucky Irving's status, seems like it's time to find a more permanent role for third-year RB Sean Tucker in this offense?

13. Houston Texans (13): How good is this defense? It's allowed more than 200 passing yards twice this season. It's allowed more than 100 rushing yards twice this season. Allen will test it Thursday night, but whew.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (14): As he muddles threw his worst passing season since he was a rookie, it's interesting to note the Jags are using QB Trevor Lawrence as a runner − nearly five rushes per game − more than at any point in his five-year career. Maybe he and DE Josh Hines-Allen can really catch fire while facing three sub-.500 opponents over the next four weeks.

15. San Francisco 49ers (15): And that's why any talk that QB2 Mac Jones should be installed as the permanent starter over Brock Purdy − for any period of time − was simply nonsense. Jones did his job, and so did Purdy, whose return coincided with the Niners climbing into the NFC's projected playoff field.

16. Chicago Bears (18): It's remarkable and commendable that they sit atop the NFC North. Right now. It's also notable and maybe not ultimately viable given they have yet to beat a team with a winning record. For now.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (16): Duval County is just a house of horrors for QB Justin Herbert, who really needs a week off … along with the rest of this wounded roster.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (17): Humongous TE Darnell Washington (6-7, allegedly 264 pounds) is most definitely one of the league's most remarkable athletes. This offense could need him more than ever, whatever capacity that might be, if it has to navigate any period of time without injured QB Aaron Rodgers.

19. Carolina Panthers (20): In a division full of big-time (and big) receivers, rookie Tetairoa McMillan is proving he might be as good as any of them. He should be licking his chops to face the Niners' secondary in a game that could have huge playoff ramifications for both clubs.

20. Minnesota Vikings (19): A team with a sputtering offense and a shaky quarterback is charged with getting back on track at Lambeau and Lumen Fields over the next two weeks. Yikes.

21. Arizona Cardinals (22): Trey McBride could become the first tight end to ever lead a team's offense in touches, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns in a single season.

22. Dallas Cowboys (23): It was doubtless a blessing that their emotional return to work occurred against the Raiders … because the next two weeks serve up last season's Super Bowl teams.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (21): This team, man. Cincy probably wasn't going to beat New England on Sunday anyway, but to lose its best player in a spitting incident at a time when the Stripes really can't afford a loss … is so Bengals.

24. Cleveland Browns (25): Let's hope rookie Shedeur Sanders was taking copious notes Monday night as Dak Prescott dissected the Raiders, Cleveland's next opponent.

25. Miami Dolphins (26): They sure were feeling themselves Sunday in Spain after Mike McDaniel and Co. did just about everything possible to hand the depleted Commanders a win.

26. Atlanta Falcons (27): They're currently projected to land in the top 10 picks of the 2026 draft … a selection they've already handed over to the Rams.

27. Washington Commanders (24): Now 3-8 and in 14th place overall in the NFC, their next game is against the Broncos in Week 13 − and would they (or should they?) really consider putting QB Jayden Daniels, if he's "healthy," back on the field against that aforementioned ferocious Denver pass rush given the circumstances?

28. New Orleans Saints (28): It would be fair to cast them as something of a spoiler down the stretch − except their schedule is so bad (easiest in the league actually), they might only be spoiling their own 2026 draft position.

29. New York Jets (29): That Tyrod Taylor-to-AD Mitchell connection is going to be magical. Trust the process.

30. New York Giants (30): Cam Skattebo − injured Cam Skattebo − engaging in pushing and shoving at a WWE event? Sure, seems like a good idea.

31. Las Vegas Raiders (31): RB Ashton Jeanty averaged 7.0 yards per carry last year for Boise State. That's been cut nearly in half (3.7) during what appears like a largely wasted rookie season. He had six carries for 7 yards Monday night − which at least means another terrible 6-7 reference.

32. Tennessee Titans (32): With seven weeks go to, they're one of two teams (Giants) to already clinch a losing record, and the only one already eliminated from divisional championship consideration.

All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL power rankings Week 12: Rams remain on top, but who takes over No. 2 spot?

Reporting by Nate Davis, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect