RM NFL Week 12 Power Rankings: Still skeptical of the Broncos? Sunday’s win over the Chiefs should change your mind

Pete Prisco unveils his Week 12 Power Rankings, highlighted by Kansas City dropping out of the top 10.

The Denver Broncos delivered a clear message to all remaining doubters on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, came into Denver—and left with a 22–19 loss after a walk-off field goal. With that victory, Denver improved to 9–2, holds first place in the division, currently sits atop the AFC playoff picture, and likely slammed the door on Kansas City’s hopes of reclaiming the AFC West crown.

The Broncos have now won eight straight, seven of those by a single score.

Powered by an intimidating defense—one that leads the NFL with 49 sacks—and clutch fourth-quarter performances from Bo Nix and the offense, Denver has positioned itself as one of the league’s elite teams.

Sean Payton, now in his third year with the franchise, has turned the Broncos into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The offense may fluctuate, but the defense is dominant.

And the old saying still holds true: defense travels in the postseason. Denver may not even need to worry about traveling if it keeps the AFC’s top seed.

Their only two losses came early in the season on last-second field goals. Since then, they’ve flipped the script, repeatedly closing out tight games—a valuable skill when the playoffs arrive.

The Broncos climb to No. 5 in this week’s Power Rankings as they enter their bye. Once they return, they face road matchups with the Commanders and Raiders, then home games against the Packers and Jaguars, before finishing at Kansas City and returning home to host the Chargers. That closing stretch will determine whether they lock up the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Bo Nix has had uneven moments and the run game still needs improvement, but Payton has built real late-game belief into this team. Paired with a suffocating defense, the Broncos are poised to be a serious postseason threat.

They’ve also played their last three games without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. He’s expected back after the bye—and his return only strengthens an already formidable unit.

If you weren’t convinced before Sunday, you should be now. Slowing Patrick Mahomes and beating the Chiefs is all the validation the Broncos needed.

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Biggest Movers

+6 Jaguars
+6 Seahawks

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Week 12 Power Rankings

Rk	Team	Chg	Record	Summary
1. Rams	+1	8-2	The defense delivered against Seattle, with the secondary standing out. Right now, they’re the NFC’s top team.
2. Patriots	+1	9-2	Critics point to the soft schedule, but wins are wins—and this team looks like a conference No. 1 seed.
3. Eagles	+1	8-2	The offense still isn’t clicking consistently, but the defense has tightened up over the past two weeks.
4. Colts	+1	8-2	Coming out of their bye, they head to Kansas City to face a desperate Chiefs team. Huge test ahead.
5. Broncos	+4	9-2	Fourth-quarter heroics are becoming a habit—they’re firmly in the race for the AFC’s top seed.
6. Bills	+2	7-3	Letting Josh Allen play freely worked against Tampa Bay. With the run defense struggling, that’s their best path.
7. Seahawks	+6	7-3	Was Sam Darnold’s outing vs. the Rams just a blip, or a real concern?
8. Packers	–3	6-3-1	Winning ugly is fine, but they eventually need to show more consistency.
9. Buccaneers	–3	6-4	Two straight losses have them sliding. Baker Mayfield needs to regain his early-season form.
10. Lions	–3	6-4	The offense sputtered against the Eagles. And yes—it’s OK to kick a field goal occasionally.
11. Bears	+2	7-3	They lead the division, but the schedule stiffens from here. Ben Johnson has impressed in Year 1.
12. Ravens	+2	5-5	The win in Cleveland wasn’t pretty, but they survived. The offense must improve.
13. Jaguars	+6	6-4	Liam Coen deserves praise for the bounce-back blowout of the Chargers. They’d be in the playoffs today.
14. Chiefs	–4	5-5	The AFC West is likely gone—now the focus shifts to simply making the postseason.
15. 49ers	+1	7-4	Brock Purdy’s return is huge. Kyle Shanahan has done excellent work with this roster.
16. Chargers	–4	7-4	A rough outing in Jacksonville. The offensive line is the biggest issue entering the bye.
17. Steelers	—	6-4	Aaron Rodgers’ wrist injury could derail their division hopes—with Baltimore right behind them.
18. Texans	—	5-5	Winning twice without C.J. Stroud keeps them alive. Their defense remains outstanding.
19. Panthers	+1	6-5	Bryce Young stepped up versus Atlanta. They trail Tampa by one game heading into San Francisco.
20. Cowboys	+5	4-5-1	Dak Prescott shined in the win over the Raiders. The defense improved with Quinnen Williams in action.
21. Vikings	–6	4-6	J.J. McCarthy isn’t ready, and it’s costing them. Hard to believe last year’s 14-win season with Sam Darnold.
22. Cardinals	—	3-7	Early optimism has evaporated—they’ve dropped seven of eight. Time to think big-picture.
23. Dolphins	+5	4-7	Two straight wins may be the start of salvaging Mike McDaniel’s job. The post-bye schedule helps.
24. Falcons	–3	3-7	The season spirals further, and losing Michael Penix Jr. seals it. Huge disappointment.
25. Raiders	+1	2-8	Rumors swirl around Pete Carroll’s future—but they seem unfounded despite the struggles.
26. Commanders	–3	3-8	Their season is essentially over. Bad defense combined with the loss of Jayden Daniels leaves them hopeless.
27. Giants	+1	2-9	The coaching change didn’t matter. They remain stuck at the bottom. Eyes on 2026.
28. Bengals	–1	3-7	No reason to rush Joe Burrow back; this season is already lost.
29. Saints	—	2-8	This stretch should be about evaluating Tyler Shough as a long-term option.
30. Jets	—	2-8	Another week, another setback. They need to be thoroughly scouting next year’s quarterbacks.
31. Browns	—	2-8	Myles Garrett continues to dominate, but the quarterback situation makes winning nearly impossible.
32. Titans	—	1-9	The offense lacks firepower—and losing Calvin Ridley for the season hurts badly.