Power Rankings Week 16

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’re gonna rate ‘em.

A festive Week 16 is over and out! Has a potential Super Bowl rehearsal had an effect on our Power Rankings? Let’s unwrap it all.

1) BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-3) ⬆1️⃣

Switching it up! Ravens were dominant in the battle of the top seeds. It’s got us wondering how the 49ers can stop them, if they’re to meet again in around six weeks’ time…

2) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4) ⬇1️⃣

That was ugly. But San Fran have been exceptional down the stretch and it’s just one game. They still look comfortably the best team in the NFC and can rebound in the final weeks.

3) MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-4) ↔

Miami had been the flat-track bullies, but finally beat a .500 team with an impressive takedown of the Cowboys. The first real evidence that Dolphins are in with a shout of winning it all.

4) BUFFALO BILLS (9-6) ⬆1️⃣

Now we’re talking. Three straight wins and the Bills are in the Playoff Picture. Not their most convincing win – against the weakest of their recent opponents – but they’re looking GOOD.

5) DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5) ⬇1️⃣

Loss to the Bills. Loss to the Dolphins. Loss of their lead in the NFC East. However, they still have time to put that right, and still look in better shape than their divisional rivals…

6) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4) ⬆1️⃣

Up a place, but it’s generous. An out-of-sorts Philly struggled past the Giants – but it has put the NFC East firmly back in their hands. Must do better. And we know that they can.

7) DETROIT LIONS (11-4) ⬆1️⃣

Division wrapped up. Hardly in style, scraping past the depleted Vikings, but most games have been a struggle for the Lions in recent weeks. That’s the reason they’re not higher.

8) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-6) ⬇2️⃣

Wow. Raiders didn’t complete a pass in three quarters of football. But they still took down the Chiefs. This might be the hardest evidence yet that this era is over.

9) CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5) ↔

OK, Joe Flacco has still got it. And so has Amari Cooper. Did they fire you to Fantasy glory? This pair sure could take Cleveland all the way if the past fortnight is anything to go on.

10) LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-7) ⬆1️⃣

One defeat in six now – and that was to the high-flying Ravens. When this offense is rolling, it’s hard to stop. A massive threat in the NFC.

11) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7) ⬆5️⃣

Bucs with a big move. It was an awful week for some AFC contenders, with Tampa Bay cruising past arguably the best of the bunch and taking another step towards clinching the NFC South.

12) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-7) ⬆6️⃣

Another big jump. Seattle have taken advantage while the other NFC contenders have faltered of late, creeping into a Wildcard spot with Geno Smith back and two winnable games to play.

13) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7) ↔

Four losses in a row. A shocking turn of events in Duval County. But they still have the lead in the division. The AFC South was finally showing signs of life. But no so much now…

14) HOUSTON TEXANS (8-7) ⬇2️⃣

It’s the hope that kills ya. Two divisional games to try and get in the Playoffs after a home loss to Cleveland. The return of CJ Stroud this weekend would be very welcome.

15) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7) ⬇1️⃣

A bad, bad week for the AFC South. But Indy still sits in the Playoff Picture with the Raiders and Texans to come. It’s gonna be close!

16) CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-7) 6️⃣

If there was one team the Bengals didn’t want their Playoff hopes to stall against, it was the Steelers. But that’s exactly what happened on a three-interception night for Jake Browning.

17) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-8) ↔

Four interceptions for Nick Mullens, Hockenson out for the year. One loss and a few injuries too many. Vikes are on the bubble but it’s hard to see another win coming. A chance for Jaren Hall?

18) GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-8) ⬆1️⃣

Back to winning ways, but they did it the hard way. And maybe with a little help from the officials. Right, Romeo?! Wins over the Vikings and Bears will give Green Boy a shot.

19) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-7) ⬆2️⃣

A Christmas miracle. Mason Rudolph led the Steelers past the Bengals, the perfect response after three horrible losses. But a tough run-in makes the Playoffs look unlikely.

20) ATLANTA FALCONS (7-8) ⬆2️⃣

Taylor Heinicke in, Falcons win. Bears and Saints are two winnable games, but can they turn the tables on Tampa Bay, currently a game clear in the NFC South? Seems unlikely.

21) LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8) ⬆2️⃣

Zero points against the Vikings. Then 63 against the Chargers. Then this bizarre win over the Chiefs. No completions in quarters 2, 3 and 4. But that didn’t matter. Still in the hunt!

22) DENVER BRONCOS (7-8) ⬇5️⃣

Regressing to the mean, perhaps? The 0-6 start, the hot streak, and now a couple of defeats – including this latest loss to the Patriots. Denver’s charge may be over.

23) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8) ⬇3️⃣

Beaten by the Rams in Week 16 but there’s still hope for New Orleans. Two divisional wins to finish could make things interesting.

24) CHICAGO BEARS (6-9) ↔

Another win for the Bears, who are nearly ON THE CLOCK with the Panthers’ pick. Is Justin Fields the future in Chicago? We’re still not quite sure.

ELIMINATED

25) NEW YORK GIANTS (5-10) ↔

The Giants gave the Eagles a game. But they couldn’t get the win, and that means the Giants won’t be heading for the Playoffs this time around.

26) NEW YORK JETS (6-9) ⬆2️⃣

Breece Hall, here we go! Two touchdowns, 12 receptions, 20 carries, 191 yards. Just a glimmer of hope for Jets fans ahead of next season.

27) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-10) ⬇1️⃣

A respectable showing against the Bills, but the loss officially eliminates the Chargers from Playoff contention.

28) TENNESSEE TITANS (5-10) ⬇1️⃣

Beaten by the Seahawks in a game they should have won, but it makes little difference to the eliminated Titans.

29) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-11) ⬆1️⃣

Thoughts of tanking are long gone. Steelers and Broncos had Playoff aspirations, but the Pats had other ideas. And finally some good news for rookie kicker Chad Ryland.

30) ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-12) ⬇1️⃣

Suffered a beatdown by the Bears. The scoreline was made respectable, but this was never in doubt. Bring on the draft – Arizona are a long way behind their divisional rivals.

31) WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-12) ↔

Sam Howell, no. Jacoby Brissett, yes. That’s the main takeaway from the Commanders’ latest loss – fighting back but falling short against the Jets.

32) CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-13) ↔

Bryce Young maybe, just maybe, showed that he could be the man. A career day for the rookie in a narrow defeat to the Packers.

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