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 Panthers and Texans aren’t my top teams.
NFL Power Rankings updated Dec. 12, 2022
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Houston Texans (1-11-1) – Previously: 32.
Where did this performance come from? How did the Texans nearly beat the Cowboys, yet lose by double digits to the Redskins and Browns? I guarantee the public will be intrigued to bet the Texans, but I think we need to treat them as if they were a con man. They just tried to gain our confidence with this near-victory over Dallas, but they’re going to pull the rug from those foolish enough to bet them the rest of the way.
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Los Angeles Rams (4-9) – Previously: 31.
I have no idea if we’ll ever see something like that from Baker Mayfield again, but there’s at least a chance of it happening because he’ll have the best coaching he’s ever received in the NFL with Sean McVay. Perhaps McVay will be able to salvage his career.
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Chicago Bears (3-10) – Previously: 30.
These losses prior to the bye were great for the Bears, except for those who bet them and watch them squander a sure cover. They might be able to auction off the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the highest bidder, as there will be plenty of teams desperate to move up for a quarterback. Go here to see my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
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Atlanta Falcons (5-8) – Previously: 29.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Cleveland Browns (5-8) – Previously: 27.
The Browns look a lot worse with Deshaun Watson. However, this season is lost, so as Charlie said in the NFL Game Recaps, this is now just about getting Watson ready to play in this offense in 2023.
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Denver Broncos (3-10) – Previously: 26.
The Broncos played a great game versus the Chiefs, as they nearly beat Kansas City in what happened to be their Super Bowl. In fact, they may have won had Russell Wilson not gotten hurt. Going forward, I don’t know what Denver has to play for. Tanking is even irrelevant because the Broncos don’t have their draft pick.
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New York Giants (7-5-1) – Previously: 24.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New Orleans Saints (4-9) – Previously: 23.
The Saints were gifted a win on a silver platter by a tired 49er team, but they fumbled the game away. They were also given another win on a silver platter versus the Buccaneers, but they blew a 13-point lead with five minutes to go, thanks to drops and horrible time management. The Saints can do better than Dennis Allen.
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Arizona Cardinals (4-8) – Previously: 19.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Cardinals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) – Previously: 28.
The Jaguars had won some games in blowouts earlier in the year, but this was their most impressive win yet. They limited Derrick Henry to just two yards in the second half, and their offense was explosive throughout the game. They would’ve scored more than 36 had they not killed themselves with ill-timed holding penalties in the early going.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) – Previously: 22.
The media gushed about the Buccaneers’ comeback victory over the Saints, but they were dominated for three-and-a-half quarters by a bad team. Perhaps this was a sign that they would not be competitive against the far-superior 49ers.
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Green Bay Packers (5-8) – Previously: 25.
How disappointed were the Packers that Aaron Rodgers was able to play versus the Bears prior to the bye? It was a total disaster. Not only did Rodgers lead the team to a win that ruined draft positioning; the coaching staff didn’t get to have a look at “No Cookie” Jordan Love.
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Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) – Previously: 20.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Seattle Seahawks (7-6) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Carolina Panthers (5-8) – Previously: 21.
The Panthers are just one win out of the divisional lead, and they’ve already beaten the Buccaneers. They have a legitimate chance to claim the division with their stellar defense. The offense, meanwhile, looks functional with Sam Darnold.
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San Angeles Chargers (7-6) – Previously: 18.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Chargers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) – Previously: 17.
Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is getting all the criticism for the loss, but what about Derek Carr? He was terrible. The Raiders should have scored so many more points, but Carr threw some horrible passes, including his dumb interception right before halftime. Mark Davis really should think about finding another quarterback.
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New England Patriots (6-6*) – Previously: 12.
Bill Belichick has done a poor job of coaching his team the past two weeks. Against the Vikings, it was the two special-teams blunder leading to 14 Minnesota points. Against the Bills, Belichick opted not to go for it on a fourth-and-7 while down 17 near midfield in the final quarter. Plus, he refused to bench Mac Jones when Bailey Zappe is clearly the better option.
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Tennessee Titans (7-6) – Previously: 10.
Losing to the Bengals and Eagles was understandable, but a 14-point home to defeat to Jacksonville has to be worrying. That said, the Titans were extremely banged up in that game, so I’d expect them to perform better once they get some players back into the lineup.
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Washington Redskins (7-5-1) – Previously: 15.
Washington’s defense has suddenly become awesome, while the running game has improved. The Redskins also have some talented receivers. They would be a legitimate Super Bowl contender if they just had stronger quarterback play, but Taylor Heinicke continues to loft miserable floaters that are begging to be intercepted. Sadly, this is still better than what Washington was getting out of Carson Wentz.
I think this is the fourth week in a row I’ve had this analysis for the Redskins, but it still holds true. Heinicke gift-wrapped the Giants their only points after halftime with a lost fumble on a strip-sack, and he was almost intercepted on another one of his ugly floaters.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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New York Jets (7-6) – Previously: 9.
The Jets really needed that Minnesota win because they predictably lost to the Bills. However, they were more competitive than I thought they would be, as Mike White showed some great toughness. If Quinnen Williams didn’t suffer an injury in the second quarter, the Jets would’ve had a great chance to pull the upset.
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Minnesota Vikings (10-3) – Previously: 8.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.
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Detroit Lions (6-7) – Previously: 14.
The Lions are now 6-7, yet they could be 8-5 or even better if they didn’t have terrible luck earlier in the season. It seems as though people are finally beginning to realize that they are a solid team.
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Baltimore Ravens (9-4) – Previously: 11.
The Ravens could be 13-0 right now. They lost fourth-quarter leads against the Dolphins and Bills, and they should have defeated the Giants. They outgained New York, 406-238, and averaged almost four more yards per play. The Ravens just lost to the Jaguars, but they outgained them as well! That said, Baltimore was in a bit of a funk for a while, though it prevailed over Pittsburgh. The downside is that Tyler Huntley suffered a concussion. If he and Lamar Jackson can’t go on a short week, the Ravens will be forced to start undrafted rookie Anthony Brown.
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Miami Dolphins (8-5) – Previously: 7.
I’m willing to forgive the Dolphins for their loss to the Chargers because Tyreek Hill was on and off the field with an ankle injury. However, where was the pass rush? Bradley Chubb was nowhere to be seen against an offensive line missing two starters.
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San Francisco 49ers (9-4) – Previously: 6.
The 49ers didn’t skip a beat with Brock Purdy replacing Jimmy Garoppolo. The inexperience may cost him in games against much tougher opponents, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a drop-off in general from Garoppolo to Purdy, who really impressed me with his play in the preseason.
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Dallas Cowboys (10-3) – Previously: 5.
I’m not downgrading the Cowboys for nearly losing to the Texans. They put forth zero effort against a team that threw the kitchen sink at them, and yet they still prevailed.
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Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) – Previously: 4.
The Chiefs had a sloppy performance against the Broncos. They were up 27-0, but Patrick Mahomes began throwing ridiculous interceptions that he would never make in normal circumstances. It seemed like Kansas City took Denver for granted and nearly got burned. That said, the Chiefs only have one impressive win this year, which was their victory over a 49er team that was banged up.
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Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) – Previously: 3.
The Bengals are once again peaking at the right time, and they’ll be extremely difficult to beat in the playoffs. That said, we’ll have to see what sort of injuries Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd have; they were knocked out early versus the Browns.
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Buffalo Bills (10-3) – Previously: 1.
Buffalo was shockingly sluggish against the Jets. In fact, the Bills needed Quinnen Williams to get hurt in order to finally move the chains consistently on a New York defense that looked helpless versus the Vikings. I don’t want to overreact, but this sort of performance makes me want to remove the Bills out of the No. 1 spot.
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Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) – Previously: 2.
So much for being terrible against the run! The Eagles clamped down on Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley in the past two weeks. They’ve been absolutely dominant, and now there’s nothing stopping me from putting them No. 1 overall in my power rankings. By the way, the Eagles also project well for the future because they have the Saints’ draft choice. Check out whom I have the Eagles picking in my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
2022 NFL MVP Race:
1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
4. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
5. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
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 |
