Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith recovers a fumble by Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight.Barry Werner, List WireTue, December 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM UTC·3 min readThe Tanking Rankings are usually home to teams such as the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals. One usually doesn't see the Kansas City Chiefs or Pittsburgh Steelers on the list of teams that have eyes on the next NFL draft. But here we are, with both at 6-6 and in contention for a reasonably high draft pick. The reason the 6-6 Baltimore Ravens don't qualify is they still sit in position for an AFC wild-card spot despite their ordinary record.
(Data courtesy of Tankathon.com.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement14. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, strength of schedule: .520)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes off the field after failing to convert on third down.The Steelers are slumping. Badly. Now, they get the Ravens in a battle for first place in AFC North. Aaron Rodgers is carping. Mike Tomlin needs to stop going with ancient quarterbacks. The team needs to find one for the future.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6, strength of schedule: .510)
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Germaine Pratt tackles Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Talk about a second team that one usually doesn't find -- if ever -- in the TR. The Chiefs need to be careful because up next is a fierce Houston defense. They could find themselves a home here with a couple more defeats.
12. Miami Dolphins (5-7, strength of schedule: .493)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz.The Fish have won three in a row and visit the Jets this week. Keep playing like this and the spot in the Tanking Rinkings will be tenuous.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement11. Minnesota Vikings (4-8, strength of schedule: .529)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs away from Vikings defense after a catch during the second half.J.J. McCarthy missed the wipeout in Seattle. Would not have mattered the way he has been playing. The decision to let Sam Darnold leave has to be one the Vikings rue.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8, strength of schedule: .520)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Bengals defeated the Ravens in a stunner. Baltimore helped the cause with five turnovers. This is a different team with Joe Burrow at QB and that is not a shot at Joe Flacco, who did his best for Cincy.
9. Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta Falcons (4-8, strength of schedule: .500)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison blocks a throw from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.The Falcons lost to the Jets on an epic Nick Folk field goal. This team knows how to lose. At least it provided a cushion for the Rams, who were upset by the Panthers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement8. Arizona Cardinals (3-9, strength of schedule: .500)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins is stripped of the ball at the goal line by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Upton Stout.The Cardinals were close once again, only to lose. They specialize in this kind of heartbreak for their fans.
7. New York Jets (3-9, strength of schedule: .539)
The New England Patriots take on the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium.What quarterback will the Jets take with this pick? Aaron Glenn has the team slowly moving in the right direction, which is the wrong way for a team in the Tankings Rankings.
6. Washington Commanders (3-9, strength of schedule: .512)
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) carries the ball defended by Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (4).Kudos to Dan Quinn for trying for a two-point conversion in the loss to the Broncos. There was no point in kicking a PAT when a season is already sunk.
5. Cleveland Browns (3-9, strength of schedule: .483)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell works to bring down Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.The Browns were decent against the 49ers. The defense is wonderful. The offense is not. If this team had any semblance of an attack it would potentially contend. It doesn't.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10, strength of schedule: .556)
Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders talks to Geno Smith.The Raiders are awful. Like the Browns, the defense does its job but the offense is lost.
3. New Orleans Saints (2-10, strength of schedule: .502)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara with the ball.Another week, another loss. The Saints drafted Tyler Shough to give him a run at QB. Would they use a high pick for another quarterback and just chalk Shough up to something they thought they had to do at the time?
2. New York Giants (2-11, strength of schedule: .541)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. with the ball as the Green Bay Packers defend.The first half against New England was a monumental embarrassment. Keep chirping about how Jaxson Dart is the present and future to try and make people ignore of forget what is going on this season. That is the best game plan they have had in 2025.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement1. Tennessee Titans (1-11, strength of schedule: .573)
Oct 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) jumps over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) while rushing during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn ImagesAnother week, another loss for a team that is looking at back-to-back No. 1 overall picks. The Cardinals should be ashamed for losing to this bunch.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Which NFL teams are in the Tanking Rankings entering Week 14?
AdvertisementAdvertisement
