The Buffalo Bills head into Week 16 fresh off a 35-31 win over the New England Patriots.

The Bills have been at the top of NFL national power rankings polls most weeks throughout the 2025 season.

Is this week going to be different?

Here’s how the Bills fare in national media power rankings polls heading into Week 16:

5. Buffalo Bills (7): What was more important last weekend − their defeat of New England (keeping Buffalo’s AFC East title hopes alive), or Kansas City’s loss (removing a massive impediment on the Bills’ path to Super Bowl 60)?

4. Bills (No. 6; 10-4): They’re peaking at the right time.

4. Buffalo Bills (10-4)Last week: 6

Sunday: Beat Patriots 35-31

MVP: Josh Allen

The Bills were down 21-0 at one point and 24-7 at halftime Sunday, and then Josh Allen happened. Buffalo’s quarterback leads the league in second-half EPA per dropback (0.38) and has 15 second-half passing touchdowns, which is second in the league. Allen’s overall yards per game, completion percentage, passer rating and yards per carry are all better than last year, when he was the league MVP.

Up next: at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

4. Buffalo Bills (10-4)

Last Week: 6

Week 15 Result: Won vs. New England 35-31

The Buffalo Bills got a little revenge against the New England Patriots, keeping themselves alive in the AFC East race in the process.

Buffalo got another MVP-caliber performance from Josh Allen in Week 15, but James Cook’s outing might be the one that raises the most eyebrows. New England came in with one of the league’s top run defenses, and Cook went for 107 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Defense remains this team’s liability. However, it’s a weakness the Bills can overcome when they’re able to lean on their ground game and get mistake-free play from Allen.

9. Bills (+1)

They showed their character in the victory over the Patriots, rallying from 21-0 down. They will be a tough out come playoff time because of Josh Allen.

6. Bills (+1)

That’s two weeks in a row that they were pushed to the brink before QB Josh Allen dragged them back. They’re playing with fire, but would anyone bet against him doing it in the playoffs, too?

3. Buffalo Bills (Up 1)

Chance of making playoffs: >99.9%Chance of winning Super Bowl: 9%

The battle for the AFC East isn’t over just yet. The Bills rallied from a big deficit for the second time in two weeks against the Patriots in Week 15, defeating their division foe 35-31 on the road. Overcoming slow starts has been the Bills’ penchant in recent games, and it’s served them well so far. Josh Allen (87.5 grade; 4th) and James Cook (80.7 grade; 8th) led the way in the comeback victory.

The Bills are now 10-4 and still second in the AFC East, but they’ve delayed the Patriots‘ celebrations a little longer and maybe thrown a spanner in the works. The defense played better ball in the second half — but still allowed a 52.2% rushing success rate, and is now 25th in success rate in 2025. The offense is rolling, but the elephant in the room is the defensive struggles.

3. Buffalo Bills (10–4)

Last week’s ranking: No. 3Last week’s result: beat Patriots, 35–31This week: at Browns

Column on the Bills’ Super Bowl audition. Amid a season of uncertainty, they are starting to check the boxes.

5. Buffalo Bills (10-4)

Week 15 result: Beat the Patriots 35-31Week 15 ranking: 6

Extension candidate: Linebacker Shaq Thompson

The Bills have some huge offensive line decisions this offseason, as center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards are set to become free agents. But Thompson is a logical re-signing this offseason thanks to his play and role off the field in just one year with the team. He has become a vocal leader and made an impact as a starter and backup. The 31-year-old linebacker came to Buffalo after spending 10 seasons with the Panthers.