Week 11 in the NFL changed a few things for the strongest playoff contenders, while some of the bad teams, surprising or not, continued their season-long frustrations. There was no shakeup at the tippy top, but enough to add a little extra drama to the NFC and AFC playoff races.
The bottom line is, the league is more competitive with more teams having real Super Bowl aspirations and an expanded list of at least wild-card hopefuls. That's perfect to make us more thankful for great action going to Thanksgiving with the league also giving us plenty more to come over the final two months.
Going into Week 12 and that upcoming holiday-stamped stretch, here's how all 32 teams stack up against each other:
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 11
NFL power rankings Week 12
1. Philadelphia Eagles 9-1 (previous week: 1)
The Eagles showed their resilience on a short week coming off their first loss in fighting until the end to beat the Colts on the road. They got it done because of tightened late defense and critical playmaking from Jalen Hurts, flexing as a complete team again.
2. Kansas City Chiefs 8-2 (2)
The Chiefs needed a lot of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to outlast the Chargers but per usual they had too much time offensively at the end of the game to be denied. The Chiefs are looking everyone's new Super Bowl pick now.
MORE: How Patrick Mahomes led another magical comeback
3. Miami Dolphins 7-3 (4)
The Dolphins enjoy a bye to rest their speedy overall offense with the dynamic receiving and rushing duos of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert. They will look to close out their dazzling surprising first season under Mike McDaniel with an AFC East title.
4. Buffalo Bills 7-3 (5)
The Bills were thrown off by a weird schedule of practice during the week and a shocking relocation of their game with late travel to Detroit. They showed moxie by not being fazed by that or falling behind early to the Browns. It worked out nicely as a get-well game for the Josh Allen-led offense. Now the defense needs one of those games against the Lions.
5. Dallas Cowboys 7-3 (10)
The Cowboys crushed in it Minnesota with their style of diverse, dynamic offense around Dak Prescott. They also got into the dominant positive game script to make Micah Parsons and the rest of their swarming defense most effective. Dallas keeps emerging as a real threat in the NFC behind Philadelphia, too.
6. Minnesota Vikings 8-2 (3)
What was that? The Vikings' defensive issues finally caught up to them against a well-oiled Dallas attack and they couldn't run or pass their way out of it with another improbable comeback. Their march toward an easy NFC North title will need to be put on hold a little ahead of facing the Patriots at home.
7. Tennessee Titans 7-3 (7)
The Titans came out with a solid, disciplined tendency-breaking game plan against the Packers in Lambeau Field on Thursday night to push forward to another AFC South title. They're back in the full groove with Ryan Tannehill back.
8. San Francisco 49ers 6-4 (9)
The 49ers have become a complete team, capable of beating teams with any kind of offense with their explosive playmakers. They also have a strong defense still on every level despite some key injuries. They made a big first-place statement Monday night in Mexico City by exploding to rout the Cardinals.
9. Baltimore Ravens 7-3 (6)
The Ravens slumped a little coming out of their bye under John Harbaugh. The offense couldn't find its rhythm enough with Lamar Jackson, but they proved how much their defense keeps improving in slowly turning the corner into dominance.
10. New York Giants 7-3 (8)
The Giants' run defense woes were exposed, as well as their limited firepower when Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley aren't running. They were probably overdue for a surprise beatdown with some improbable winning results, too.
11. Cincinnati Bengals 6-4 (13)
The Bengals found their offensive groove with more backup punch around Joe Burrow and are setting up for bigger things when Ja'Marr Chase can return soon. They can get really hot at the right time, much like their 2021 Super Bowl run.
12. Seattle Seahawks 6-4 (11)
The Seahawks' offense and defense enjoyed a bye to regroup after their tough loss to the Buccaneers in Munich. With first place in the West out of their hands because of the 49ers, they need to finish hot against a favorable schedule to lock down at least a wild-card.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-5 (12)
The Buccaneers do have full control of the NFC South again with Tom Brady playing at a higher level during their needed two-game winning streak. They could run the table and end up in great playoff position when it counts the most.
14. Washington Commanders 6-5 (15)
The Commanders started 1-4 and have won five of the past six games to get into serious NFC wild-card contention, even as the last place team in the shockingly tough NFC East. They can keep pushing the Giants, Cowboys and Seahawks with a key Week 12 matchup vs. the Falcons.
15. New England Patriots 6-4 (17)
The Patriots are back to playing dominant defense against weak offenses and running just enough with special teams also helping out when needed. That's the only formula they can ride to the playoff (again) with Bill Belichick having Mac Jones at quarterback.
16. New York Jets 6-4 (14)
The Jets' offensive woes with Zach Wilson having no passing game and no scary running game minus Breece Hall keep catching up to them, no matter how well their defense plays. Their surprise run at a wild-card playoff berth is in serious jeopardy for the final two months.
17. Los Angeles Chargers 5-5 (16)
The Chargers keep playing their best offense with a constantly depleting defense but it just hasn't been enough to push high above .500 yet with two straight tough Sunday night losses. Justin Herbert will need to carry them as much as possible into the playoffs.
18. Atlanta Falcons 5-6 (21)
The Falcons got a little closer to the Buccaneers in the NFC South race by beating the Bears, but everyone knows their defense is too much of a liability to legitimately keep them in the wild-card mix. They face a must-win against the Commanders to that end next week.
MORE: Cordarrelle Patterson sets record with return vs. Bears
19. Detroit Lions 4-6 (24)
The Lions have won three consecutive games to get off the mat, much like the Commanders, who are a little ahead of them but lost to them in Detroit in Week 2. Dan Campbell's brand of inspired football is happening, especially with the defense starting to lift the offense.
20. Indianapolis Colts 4-6-1 (19)
The Colts look like a better-coach and much-more organized team under Jeff Saturday. Their defense keeps bringing it and Jonathan Taylor running like himself helps, but Matt Ryan and the passing game is still holding them back in tougher spots.
21. Arizona Cardinals 4-7 (20)
The Cardinals are facing a major rash of offensive injuries for a sputtering unit under Kliff Kingsbury. That puts more pressure on a defense that came totally unraveled against the mighty 49ers offense in Mexico City on Monday night.
22. Green Bay Packers 4-7 (18)
What was that? The Packers had so many chances to have Aaron Rodgers do his thing in the passing game to rally to beat the Titans. But their execution offensively defensively continues to be poor in what's now a completely lost season under Matt LaFleur.
23. New Orleans Saints 4-7 (26)
The Saints marched away with a key victory over the Rams to get a little more respect with their young offensive skill players coming up with big plays to help a well-shorthanded defense. They still need to find a true franchise QB despite another positive non-prime time result for Andy Dalton.
24. Los Angeles Rams 3-7 (22)
Matthew Stafford got knocked down again after fighting well early without Cooper Kupp in New Orleans. The Rams needed to beat the Saints to avoid falling further into a Super Bowl hangover. The offense did dig deep, but the high-profile defense was the biggest disappointment in pretty much dashing what was left of their playoff-return chances.
25. Cleveland Browns 3-7 (23)
The Browns wanted to stay afloat in the AFC playoff picture as at least a wild-card factor before Deshaun Watson's return in Week 13. But the funny thing is, Jacoby Brissett and the overall offense hasn't really been the reason for their dip well below .500, but rather a disappointing defense, especially against the run.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-7 (25)
The Steelers unleashed Kenny Pickett a little more but he was put in a bad situation at home in the end by the defense not doing enough after a big play by T.J. Watt. Mike Tomlin needs to think about an offensive coordinator change for Pickett's sack in 2023.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-7 (29)
The Jaguars have seen some improvements, mostly tied to Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr. and Christian Kirk as their offensive triplets under Doug Pederson. It's clear their young defense, however, needs more time to jell. Watch out for them building strong for 2023 down the stretch.
28. Las Vegas Raiders 3-7 (31)
The Raiders decided to make their offense all about Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs and let their defense be dictated by what all Maxx Crosby can do. That added up to a big needed overtime win over the Broncos to get out of last place, at the very least.
29. Denver Broncos 3-7 (27)
The Broncos finally hit a new offensive, schematic and situational low under Nathaniel Hackett in blowing 10-0 lead at home and losing to the Raiders to fall all the way into last place. Russell Wilson just cannot dig deep and deliver, either.
30. Chicago Bears 3-8 (28)
The Bears' offense kept on humming on Atlanta until the end as expected, but it fell short because of too little defense. Now the concern is the shoulder of Justin Fields, who could put a real damper on the reason for optimism during the rest of the season.
31. Carolina Panthers 3-8 (30)
The Panthers just can't find any real offense in tougher defensive matchups, regardless of who's passing or running the ball. It's a shame they wasted another strong defensive effort under Steve Wilks.
32. Houston Texans 1-8-1 (32)
The Texans are just playing out the string with Davis Mills at quarterback and a terrible run defense. They are looking better to have some major draft capital with which to improve, including the No. 1 overall pick.
