The Los Angeles Rams aren’t just winning—they’re terrifying. After six straight victories, the Rams (9-2) sit atop nearly every major 2025 NFL power rankings released Friday, November 28, 2025, with Super Bowl odds at +400. Their momentum isn’t luck. It’s precision. Matthew Stafford, once considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer, is now being whispered about as an all-time top-five quarterback by Peter King of NBC Sports’ PFT. And it’s not just the Rams. The entire NFC is looking dangerous—scary, even. As Fox Sports put it: ‘They’ve won five in a row and should be moving up.’
The Rams’ Quiet Dominance
The Rams didn’t blow out opponents. They outlasted them. Their losses? Two overtime heartbreakers—to the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. But since then? Six wins. Four by double digits. Two by one possession. CBS Sports’ Jason McIntyre called them ‘the No. 1 team in my Power Rankings,’ while Sharp Football Analysis ranked them #1 overall, ahead of even the New England Patriots (10-2). That’s not a fluke. That’s a statement.
Stafford’s evolution is the story. He’s not just managing games—he’s sculpting them. In a 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week, he went 31-of-38 with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. No panic. No mistakes. Just cold-blooded execution. And his supporting cast? Odell Beckham Jr. is back, healthy, and making clutch catches. Bryce Young is no longer the rookie—he’s the heir apparent, learning from the best.
NFC Contenders: Who’s Really Scary?
The NFC is a jungle. And the San Francisco 49ers (7-4), ranked #13 by Bleacher Report, are the apex predators waiting to strike. They’ve lost three games by a combined 12 points. Their defense? Still elite. Their offense? Just finding its rhythm. A December rematch with the Rams could decide home-field advantage.
The Green Bay Packers (7-3), ranked #9 by PFT, are the wild card. Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing—but Jordan Love is. And he’s playing like a man who knows he’s auditioning for a legacy. The Packers have won four straight, including a 31-28 thriller over the Detroit Lions (7-4), who are ranked #8. The Lions’ season has been a rollercoaster: they beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, then barely escaped the New York Giants (2-9) in overtime. They’re inconsistent. But they’re still in the hunt.
The Cowboys’ Miracle and the Eagles’ Meltdown
On Sunday, November 24, 2025, at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) did the impossible. Down 21-0 to the Philadelphia Eagles, they scored 24 unanswered points. A franchise-record comeback. Bleacher Report called it ‘the most electric game of the season.’ The win vaulted them to #20 in the rankings, up from #21. But here’s the twist: they still need to steal a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving—or against the Lions next week—to stay alive.
The Eagles? They’re reeling. Their defense collapsed. Their offensive line was shredded. And now, they’re staring at a brutal December: home against the Rams, then on the road to face the 49ers. A 3-3 finish? That’s possible. A playoff berth? Not likely.
AFC Chaos and the Rise of the Ravens
While the NFC’s top teams are clear, the AFC is a mess. The Buffalo Bills (7-4), once the favorites, are slipping. After their 27-24 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, where Josh Allen was sacked eight times, their sixth straight division title is slipping away. The Baltimore Ravens (6-5) are now the team to beat in the AFC North, having won five straight since their bye. They’re dangerous. They’re physical. And they’re coming for the Bills at home next week.
The New England Patriots (10-2) remain the top seed in the AFC, but they’re banged up. Three key offensive linemen are questionable. Their next two games—against the Las Vegas Raiders and then the Eagles—could make or break their season.
What’s Next? The December Gauntlet
With six weeks left, the playoff picture is a Rubik’s Cube. The Rams face the 49ers on December 12 and the Eagles on December 22. Win both? They’re the NFC’s top seed. Lose one? The door cracks open for Green Bay or Detroit.
The Ravens play the Bills on December 1, then the Patriots on December 15. A sweep? They’re the AFC’s new kings. A loss? The Tennessee Titans (ranked #31) might sneak in. After their 21-point comeback win over the Eagles in Week 12, they’re no longer just a team with +15,000 Super Bowl odds. They’re a team with belief.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about rankings. It’s about legacy. Matthew Stafford is writing his final chapter. The Rams are trying to prove they’re more than a one-year wonder. The Cowboys are fighting for relevance. And the Eagles? They’re trying not to collapse under the weight of their own expectations.
The NFL doesn’t care about preseason hype. It cares about who survives December. And right now? The Rams are the only team that looks like they’ve already arrived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Rams considered the top NFC team despite two close losses?
The Rams’ two losses came by a combined six points against the Eagles and 49ers—two of the NFC’s best. Since then, they’ve won six straight, outscoring opponents by an average of 14.2 points per game. Their consistency, clutch play, and elite quarterback play under pressure make them the most complete team in the conference, even if their record isn’t perfect.
How did the Cowboys’ comeback impact their playoff chances?
The Cowboys’ 24-point comeback against the Eagles was historic, but it only moved them to 5-5-1. They still need to win at least three of their final six games to make the playoffs, including tough matchups against the Chiefs and Lions. Their win proved they can win under pressure, but their schedule doesn’t get easier. A loss to the Chiefs on Thanksgiving would likely end their season.
What’s the biggest threat to the Rams’ NFC dominance?
The 49ers are the most dangerous. They’ve lost only three games by a total of 12 points, and their defense is still among the league’s best. If they beat the Rams in Week 15, they’ll likely leapfrog them in the standings. The Packers are also gaining momentum, but the 49ers have the talent and schedule to make a deep run if they stay healthy.
Why are the Bills falling in the rankings despite a 7-4 record?
The Bills lost their grip on the AFC East after being dominated by the Texans in Houston, where Josh Allen was sacked eight times. Their offensive line is breaking down, and their defense has shown cracks. With the Ravens and Patriots ahead of them on the schedule, a 7-4 record isn’t enough anymore—they need wins, not just appearances.
Is Matthew Stafford really in the all-time top-five conversation?
Yes. With 58 career wins as a starter, two Super Bowl appearances, and a 2025 season where he’s throwing for 290+ yards per game with a 104.5 passer rating, Stafford is matching legends. He’s now tied with Troy Aikman for most playoff wins by a QB without a first-round pick. If the Rams win the Super Bowl, he’ll be in the same breath as Montana, Brady, and Manning.
Who has the easiest path to the playoffs in the NFC?
The Rams. Their remaining schedule includes the 49ers, Eagles, and Seahawks—all divisional opponents. They’ve already beaten the 49ers and Eagles in overtime. If they win just one of those two rematches, they’ll lock up home-field advantage. Their toughest game is December 22 in Philadelphia—but they’ve shown they can win anywhere.
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