Ranking Super Bowl contenders – Cowboys buzzing with Patrick Mahomes record under serious threat
Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye just keep winning games.
Patrick Mahomes is struggling to do the same, and the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl dreams took a major hit on Thanksgiving.
“They’re the same desperation that we are and they play better over four quarters than we did,” said Mahomes, after the Chiefs fell to 6-6 by losing to the Dallas Cowboys.
Kansas City has made the playoffs every season since Mahomes was drafted in 2017.
The last time that the Chiefs failed to reach the postseason was in 2014, when they went 9-7 and Andy Reid was in his second year in KC.
Only one franchise can win Super Bowl LX, and a world champion will be crowned on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Below, talkSPORT looks at the state of all 32 NFL teams heading into a huge holiday schedule.
The Packers beat the Lions 31-24 on Thursday, the Cowboys held off the Chiefs 31-28, and Joe Burrow’s return led the Bengals to a 32-14 win over the Ravens.
The Bears and Eagles then followed up the turkey day action with a Black Friday matchup on Prime Video.
Some fanbases have a legitimate chance at winning Super Bowl LX as Week 13 unfolds.
Other supporters are downright delusional and they’re better off preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft.
32. Tennessee Titans (1-10)
Another week, another loss for the Titans.
Another step closer to the No. 1 overall pick in 2026.
31. New York Giants (2-10)
Jameis Winston knows what Jaxson Dart was dealing with.
Mike Kafka is losing close games, just like Brian Daboll.
30. New York Jets (2-9)
The Jets will probably keep Aaron Glenn as head coach.
But he’s been humbled in year one in New York.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)
Tom Brady is frustrated and the Raiders have fired another big name.
It’s going to get worse before it gets better in Las Vegas.
28. New Orleans Saints (2-9)
The Saints are in full rebuild mode.
It’s been 20 years since New Orleans was this bad but Reggie Bush isn’t waiting in the next draft.
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
It’s only a matter of time before the Cardinals clean house.
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26. Washington Commanders (3-8)
Washington was a preseason Super Bowl contender.
Then it all went south in the nation’s capital.
25. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Shedeur Sanders got his first NFL win and hammered his critics.
Too bad he plays for the Browns and can’t even dream of the Super Bowl in 2025.
24. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
J.J. McCarthy hasn’t been able to replace Sam Darnold.
The Vikings have missed at QB again, which is holding back Justin Jefferson.
23. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
The funny part about winning games for the Dolphins is that Mike McDaniel could stick around as head coach — while Miami hurts its draft positioning next year.
22. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Michael Penix Jr.’s injury has returned Kirk Cousins to the spotlight.
Don’t be surprised if Atlanta has a new head coach in 2026.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Joe Burrow needs to be Superman — or Batman — for the Bengals to win out and sneak into the playoffs.
He rediscovered his cape in Cincy’s surprising 32-14 win over the Ravens.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
Baker Mayfield did his best to carry the Bucs.
But Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl window has closed this year.
19. Carolina Panthers (6-6)
What do the Panthers do with Bryce Young, who still struggles to win on a weekly basis?
18. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
The Ravens received a huge setback on Thanksgiving.
Baltimore fell behind the Steelers in the AFC North, while Lamar Jackson couldn’t keep the ball.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Worst-case scenario for the Steelers was Aaron Rodgers getting injured and the Steelers missing the playoffs.
Pittsburgh is staring at that scenario right now.
But the Ravens’ loss to the Bengals could spark Mike Tomlin‘s team.
16. Houston Texans (6-5)
Kudos to Davis Mills for saving the Texans’ season.
C.J. Stroud has to at least be as good as Mills once he returns to the field.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Kansas City is in trouble.
The last time the Chiefs lost more than six games (9-7 in 2014), they failed to make the playoffs.
Patrick Mahomes said Kansas City needs to win out but the Texans, Chargers and Broncos will have something to say about that.
14. Detroit Lions (7-5)
The Lions face a loaded schedule to close the regular season.
It started with a nationally televised reunion vs the Packers on turkey day.
Detroit went 0-for-2 on fourth down and now needs big help in the NFC North.
Ranking NFL's best QBs
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford has $408m in career earnings, so the 17-year vet doesn’t need to be named the best QB in the NFL.
But he’s definitely playing like it.
The ex-Lion has turned the Rams into a serious Super Bowl contender and leads the NFL with 30 TD.
talkSPORT ranks the best QBs in the NFL right now
13. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
It’s time to buy into Dallas’ newfound momentum after Dak Prescott beat Patrick Mahomes.
The Cowboys’ defense is no longer giving away games and the team has united after the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland.
12. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
This might not be the Bills’ year, just like all the previous years.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
The Chargers had an extra week to get over their blowout loss to the Jaguars.
The Raiders are up next, which should result in a smooth win.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
Jacksonville is surviving Trevor Lawrence‘s turnovers and staying in the playoff picture.
Liam Coen is having one heck of a rookie season.
9. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
It used to be easy to laugh off ‘Mac Jones should start’ tweets.
Brock Purdy is seeing a real shadow now.
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
The Colts are 1-2 in their last three games.
The AFC South is still up for grabs, while Daniel Jones is entering the most critical part of his year.
A lingering fibula injury won’t help Indy’s Super Bowl chances.
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
Seattle is staring up at the Rams but could grab the NFC West if Los Angeles falters.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
Micah Parsons was a beast on Thanksgiving.
Jordan Love looked like a QB on the rise and ready to take the next step in the postseason.
5. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams vs the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.
Now that’s a Black Friday deal.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
The most dramatic team in the NFL is at another breaking point.
Toughen up, Philly, and get it together.
3. New England Patriots (10-2)
Drake Maye gets to play the Giants in Week 13.
Expect the winning to continue.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Sean Payton and Bo Nix haven’t lost since September.
They’re closer to the Super Bowl than Week 1.
1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
Matthew Stafford is the MVP heading into Thanksgiving.
The Rams are thankful they stood behind their 37-year-old QB.
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