NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Santa’s Naughty & Nice List
- elizabethmacbey
- Dec 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Broncos rise, Jaguars heat up, and coal is officially being handed out!
December football has a way of revealing everyone’s true character. The weather turns cold, playoff races tighten, and suddenly teams show whether they’re built for December magic or destined for a lump of coal.
Week 15 delivered all the chaos Santa could ask for: season-ending injuries to superstars, blown leads, comeback wins, and enough emotional whiplash to make even the most patient elf snap. With that in mind, it’s time for the Sports Girls Club Naughty & Nice Power Rankings!
THE NICE LIST - CONTENDERS DELIVERING CHRISTMAS CHEER
1. Los Angeles Rams (11–3) - Already Wrapped the Gifts
The Rams once again proved why they sit atop Santa’s board. After weathering an early storm against Detroit, they dominated the rest of the game and clinched a playoff berth in style. Davante Adams’ hamstring injury is the lone cloud over an otherwise bright holiday forecast, but this team keeps finding answers, especially on the ground. A short-week showdown in Seattle will test them, but for now, the Rams remain the league’s gold standard.
2. Denver Broncos (12–2) - Santa’s Favorite Overachiever
Denver announced itself as a legitimate AFC heavyweight by storming back against Green Bay. Bo Nix delivered one of the best performances of his young career, the offensive line held firm, and the defense flipped the game the moment Patrick Surtain got involved. Eleven straight wins later, the Broncos don’t look like a feel-good story anymore; they look like a Super Bowl problem.
3. Seattle Seahawks (11–3) - Sleeping In on Christmas Morning, Still Getting the Win
Seattle keeps winning, but Santa is concerned about the slow starts. The Seahawks needed kicker Jason Myers to save them from a feel-good Philip Rivers story, and the offense hasn’t looked quite right for weeks. With the Rams coming to town for what could decide the NFC West, Seattle needs to rediscover its early-game spark, fast.
4. Buffalo Bills (10–4) - Christmas Miracles Are Real
Down 17 at halftime in Foxborough, Buffalo looked finished. Instead, Josh Allen turned the game into a reminder: beating the Bills requires four full quarters of discipline, and most teams don’t have it. The Bills remain dangerous, desperate, and very much alive in a post-Mahomes AFC.
5. New England Patriots (11–3) - Dropped the Gifts at the Door
New England was 30 minutes from division-title celebrations before everything unraveled. A brutal second half wiped away Drake Maye’s MVP momentum and reopened questions about the Patriots’ late-game resilience. They’re still contenders, but Santa definitely made a note.
6. Chicago Bears (10–4) - Turnover Merchants
The Bears continue to feast on mistakes, leading the league in takeaways and playing opportunistic, playoff-ready football. Caleb Williams handled Cleveland’s defense well, and Chicago reclaimed the NFC North lead. This team feels built for cold-weather football, and Santa approves.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (10–4) - Heating Up at the Perfect Time
Trevor Lawrence delivered the best statistical game of his career as Jacksonville cruised past the Jets. Five straight wins later, the Jaguars are peaking, and their upcoming matchup with Denver feels like a potential January preview.
8. San Francisco 49ers (10–4) - Festive… But Slightly Frayed
Brock Purdy and the offense did enough, but defensive concerns linger after failing to sack Tennessee and letting missed opportunities pile up. The path to the NFC’s top seed still exists, but the margin for error is shrinking.
9. Green Bay Packers (9–4–1) - Christmas Came With Injuries
Green Bay’s loss in Denver may have changed their season entirely. Losing Micah Parsons is devastating, and multiple other injuries compound the concern. The Packers still have talent, but Santa knows that health matters most in December.
10. Houston Texans (9–5) - Young, Confident, and Trending Right
Six straight wins and a cleaner turnover profile have the Texans looking more complete by the week. C.J. Stroud continues to mature, and Houston has positioned itself well heading into a favorable stretch.
THE NAUGHTY LIST - ON THIN ICE
11–16 Range (Chargers, Eagles, Steelers, Lions, Ravens, Colts)
These teams live in the dangerous middle ground, capable of magic, equally capable of disappointment. Some are finding form (Baltimore), some are surviving on defense (Chargers), and some are watching playoff odds slip through their fingers (Detroit, Indianapolis). Santa’s watching closely.
THE COAL PILE - SEASONALLY ELIMINATED OR HEADING THERE
From Dallas (19) through Miami (22), hope is fading fast. Kansas City’s season officially ended with Patrick Mahomes’ injury, while the Dolphins once again froze in cold weather. Below them, teams like Cincinnati, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Washington are playing for pride, draft position, or future jobs.
THE FULL COAL TIER - NO NOTES, JUST REBUILDS
Cardinals, Browns, Jets, Giants, Titans, Raiders
These teams aren’t asking Santa for wins; they’re asking for vision, stability, and maybe a franchise reset. Las Vegas, in particular, finds itself in historic futility territory, while New York and Tennessee stare down major offseason questions.
Final Thought
December football doesn’t lie. The Broncos and Jaguars are earning their gifts. The Packers and Patriots are nervously checking the Naughty List. And for the rest of the league? Santa’s sled is getting heavy, and not everyone’s getting what they asked for.
Edited by: Megan Livengood
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