WEEK 16 NFL POWER RANKINGS
By: Matt Morley
Tags: Power Rankings, NFL, Rankings, Football, Sports

Introduction

What a weird week in the NFL. The winless Jets won, but at what cost? Only the Jets can lose at winning. Then the next day the Bengals defeated the Steelers on Monday night and surprised the world behind Ryan Finley’s great quarterback play. Maybe now we can stop watching Juju dance on the opposing team logos for TikTok because clearly that’s not helping the Steelers win games. My Patriots also got eliminated this week and I’m still getting texts from people I haven’t spoken to in years rubbing that in my face. Seriously guys, it’s Christmas, spread a little cheer or something. Anyways, here’s my updated power rankings going into Week 16 of the NFL.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1–13)

Previous Ranking: 31

Analysis: I wanted to keep the Jets as the worst team because I really cannot comprehend the logic in beating the Rams. Seriously why did they do that? But the Jaguars now have sole possession of the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft unless they win a game again this season. They play the Bears this week and the Bears need to win to try and get a playoff spot. The Jaguars then play the Colts in week 17 in an important game for the Colts, so I don’t see them losing their spot as the number one pick in the draft come April. Jacksonville needs to send New York a thank you card or something because that’s the best Christmas gift any Jacksonville fan could ask for.

31. New York Jets (1–13)

Previous Ranking: 32

Analysis: What a time to be a New York Jets fan. I would say I feel bad for the Jets, but I don’t, because I hate the Jets. Somehow, some way, the Jets won this past week against the Rams, but at what cost? They now have the 2nd pick in the NFL draft this upcoming April and I can’t wait to see how they find a way to mess this up, too. I still think they are arguably the worst team in the NFL, but they beat a very good Rams team and that win is more impressive than the one win for the Jaguars this year. This is probably the only time I’ve ever been happy the Jets won a game. Thank you Adam Gase.

30. Cincinnati Bengals (3–10–1)

Previous Ranking: 30

Analysis: I wanted to move the Bengals up in the rankings this week after their win over the Steelers on Monday night, but they still have a terrible record and I think that game was a fluke. The Steelers looked horrible on offense and the Bengals clearly wanted to win that game much more than the opposition. The Bengals have a chance to move up in my power rankings this week, however, if they can win against the 4–10 Houston Texans.

29. Atlanta Falcons (4–10)

Previous Ranking: 28

Analysis: The Falcons really shouldn’t be this bad, but they are. I don’t see how it’s possible to lose as many leads as they do in games, but they found a way again this week to blow it against Tom Brady and the Bucs. How hard is it to close out a game? This would’ve been a great upset against a divisional rival that’s playing for a playoff spot and seeding, but they choked again and lost. They should all be ashamed of themselves.

28. Houston Texans (4–10)

Previous Ranking: 26

Analysis: This team needs a lot of work to get back to being competitive in the NFL as the Texans have looked very poor as of late. Deshaun Watson is not to blame, but just about every other player on the team is to blame. JJ Watt hasn’t done much to help the defense that ranks as one of the worst in the NFL and I don’t think they’re going to get much better for a while. Like I said, this team needs a lot of work in the offseason to gain some ground in the AFC.

27. Detroit Lions (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 27

Analysis: As expected, the Lions lost again this week. Matt Stafford is playing through injury, which is nothing new because he’s usually playing while injured during this time of year about every year. He’s banged up, the defense sucks, and there’s just no spark on either side of the ball to bring some light to this team. I’d be surprised if they win another game this season.

26. Carolina Panthers (4–10)

Previous Ranking: 25

Analysis: The Panthers are really missing Christian McCaffery and I don’t think he is going to play again this season. He might as well wait until next year because the Panthers don’t have much to play for. I like this team, though, and I think they could be a lot better next year with coach Matt Rhule making some changes to improve in the offseason.

25. San Francisco 49ers (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 22

Analysis: How do you lose to the Cowboys after going to the SuperBowl last year. Seriously, I want to rank the 49ers lower on this list because they should be ashamed of themselves for the season they’re having this year. Granted, they’ve had a lot of injuries, but so have the Cowboys! There was no reason for them to be this bad and let the Cowboy’s offense put up 41 points. The Cowboys didn’t have Zeke Elliot OR Dak Prescott this game. Get it together, San Fran.

24. Dallas Cowboys (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 29

Analysis: I’m surprised the Cowboys were able to defeat the 49ers this past week with the amount of injuries they’ve had, but they actually look pretty solid on offense going forward. Andy Dalton is playing well enough to keep America’s team in the playoff hunt. I can’t believe this team still has a chance at the playoffs, but you never know. They would be the worst playoff team I can think of in recent memory, but hey, kudos to them.

23. Denver Broncos (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 23

Analysis: The Broncos had a tough task in facing the red hot Buffalo Bills Saturday night, but they didn’t even really keep it close. The Bills dominated this game and the Broncos seem to be focusing on getting the best draft spot for next year to help improve in the offseason. This is another team that might not win another game this year.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 24

Analysis: Two weeks after an embarrassing loss to the Patriots, the Chargers are winners of their last two games and look to win out and end the season on a positive note. The lone bright spot of this team is Justin Herbert and he should continue to be the bright spot of this team for years to come. They need to improve on defense, but this Chargers team is trending in the right direction.

21. New York Giants (5–9)

Previous Ranking: 21

Analysis: The Giants need to work some magic these next two weeks if they want to make the playoffs as I now have them ranked as the third best team in their division. They didn’t have Daniel Jones on Sunday night against the Browns, but I don’t think that would’ve changed the outcome of the game if they did have him. This defense is average, but they should be great with the talent that they have on their roster. I kept them in the same spot at 21, but they’re trending in the wrong direction at this point in the season.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (4–9–1)

Previous Ranking: 20

Analysis: Jalen Hurts looks significantly better than Carson Wentz and it looks like there’s a new quarterback in town in Philly. They weren’t able to defeat the Cardinals, but Kyler Murray looked stellar in that game and it’s impressive enough that Jalen Hurts and the Eagles were able to keep this one somewhat close. I think the Eagles are going to possibly win this division if they can get some help around the league. If not, they have their new quarterback to start building around in the offseason in preparation for next year.

19. Washington Football Team (WFT) [6–8]

Previous Ranking: 19

Analysis: I said last week that this team is fun to root for, but I might have to take that back. Alex Smith and Ron Rivera are fun to root for, but that’s about it. I like Chase Young, too, but I’m bored watching this team play when Alex Smith or Chase Young isn’t on the field. Dwayne Haskins is in the news now for having strippers sent to his house and not wearing a facial covering to help limit the spread of COVID-19, but I’m not really surprised. What else is a man to do when he’s being benched for a guy who has one and a half leg? He got the start this past week due to injuries, but he sucks and probably won’t earn a starting role again in his career. I wouldn’t be surprised if this team doesn’t win another game this year and misses out on the playoffs.

18. New England Patriots (6–8)

Previous Ranking: 16

Analysis: Ugh. I’m disappointed in this season for the Patriots because I really thought we might make the playoffs at one point this year. With a loss on Sunday to the Dolphins, the Patriots were eliminated from playoff contention and I officially am no longer a fan of Cam Newton. He’s not the only reason for the Patriots’ lack of success this year, but he made a couple bad plays that lost a couple games this year that I think could’ve been prevented. If he would actually play like he says he’s going to, everything would be fine. He’s all talk right now and I hope he isn’t under center for the Patriots next year.

17. Minnesota Vikings (6–8)

Previous Ranking: 18

Analysis: I got a lot of hate from the handful of people that read my posts about picking the Bears to beat the Vikings this past week, but suck it, I was right. The Vikings’ offense is fine behind Dalvin Cook, but their defense needs a lot of work. They’re just not the same defense that dominated the NFL not too long ago and they need to find a way to get better in the offseason. We’ll see how they finish out the year, but letting Mitch Trubisky put up 33 points is not a step in the right direction.

16. Las Vegas Raiders (7–7)

Previous Ranking: 15

Analysis: I like the Raiders, I think they’re fun to root for, but this past week’s loss to the Chargers was not what they needed to help them make the playoffs. Derek Carr got hurt pretty early on in this game, but Marcus Mariota stepped in and played great. The defense is the problem for the Raiders as it was a lot to ask of Mariota to be constantly playing from behind despite his impressive play. If the Raiders want to be competitive in the AFC, they need to get better on defense first.

15. Chicago Bears (7–7)

Previous Ranking: 17

Analysis: DAAAAA BEARS. This past week was a solid win for the Bears as they are inching closer to securing a spot in the NFC playoffs. Mitch Trubisky has looked pretty good as of late and the defense is doing just enough for the Bears to be winners of their last two games. They had a bad loss to the Lions three weeks ago, but they seemed to have recovered and now look to finish the season on a high note. I have faith in this Bears team and I’ll keep rooting for Mitch Trubisky until he’s no longer on the field.

14. Arizona Cardinals (8–6)

Previous Ranking: 14

Analysis: The Cardinals did just enough to hold off Jalen Hurts and the Eagles this past week and that was thanks in large part to Kyler Murray. Kyler looked fantastic this week and his shoulder doesn’t appear to be bothering him much anymore. They finish off the year against the 49ers and the Rams, so they might be able to sneak up in the rankings with two solid wins. I thought the Rams were legit, but a loss to the Jets doesn’t make me nearly as confident in them being one of the better teams in the NFC. These next two weeks should be very telling for who the best team in this division is.

13. Los Angeles Rams (9–5)

Previous Ranking: 4

Analysis: Do you smell that? It smells like garbage or something. Oh, wait, it’s the Rams playing against the Jets. Garbage. Absolute garbage. How? How can you lose to the J-E-T-S. C’mon LA, this is brutal. The only way this makes sense to me is that Bill Belichick made a deal with Mcvay that let the Rams beat the Patriots two weeks ago in exchange for the Rams letting the Jets win so the Jets don’t take Trevor Lawrence and the Patriots don’t have to face him twice a year. I don’t know, but what I do know is this Rams team should be ashamed of themselves. They fell 9 spots in my rankings thanks to that piss-poor effort.

12. Miami Dolphins (9–5)

Previous Ranking: 13

Analysis: The Dolphins handled business on Sunday and eliminated the Patriots from the playoffs behind Tua’s quarterback play. He looked great against the Patriot defense and the Dolphins inched one step closer to the playoffs. They now play the Raiders who are desperate for a win in what is sure to be an interesting contest. The Dolphins play the Bills in week 17, so they need to win this one if they want to solidify their spot in the playoffs

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (11–3)

Previous Ranking: 3

Analysis: I predicted, like many others, that the Steelers would dominate the Bengals in a game that they needed to win after dropping their previous two. Boy, did they screw that up. They looked TERRIBLE against a pretty bad Bengals team and I don’t know what they can do to be dominant again. They already clinched a spot in the playoffs but it’s looking like it’ll be a first round exit at this point. I dropped them 8 spots this week to number 11.

10. Cleveland Browns (10–4)

Previous Ranking: 12

Analysis: The Browns continue to take care of business as they beat the Giants Sunday night with ease. Baker Mayfield looks great and I don’t expect the Browns to skip a beat as they play the Jets this week. I’m looking forward to their week 17 matchup with the Steelers because I think they’re playing much better football now. This should be a fun team to watch heading into the playoffs.

9. Baltimore Ravens (9–5)

Previous Ranking: 10

Analysis: The Ravens destroyed the Jaguars on Sunday, as expected. They have looked good the last couple weeks, but I’m not exactly convinced they can play from behind. They get to face off against the Giants this week and finish the season against the Bengals. Barring an upset, this team should finish 11–5 heading into the playoffs.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9–5)

Previous Ranking: 9

Analysis: Tom Brady did it again. Down 24–7 in the 3rd quarter, the Bucs found a way to come back and beat the Falcons on Sunday. Antonio Brown finally caught his first touchdown on a 50 yard bomb from Brady and it looked like they found their groove in the 2nd half as an offense. This team has a pretty easy schedule the rest of the year and should be hot going into the playoffs.

7. Seattle Seahawks (10–4)

Previous Ranking: 11

Analysis: Seattle is slowly creeping up the rankings as the rest of their division tries to keep up. Russell Wilson has not been as stellar as he was in the first half of the season, but the defense is showing improvement when it matters most, which is promising for this team. I think they’ll find a way to put it all together and finish the season strong heading into the playoffs.

6. Indianapolis Colts (10–4)

Previous Ranking: 8

Analysis: The Colts are playing some great football lately and continue to perform in all aspects of the game. This defense is very good and the offense is scoring plenty of points to keep them in any game. They face off against a struggling Steelers team this week and end the season playing the Jaguars, so they might be looking at a 12–4 season. Bravo.

5. New Orleans Saints (10–4)

Previous Ranking: 6

Analysis: It feels a bit odd putting the Saints in my top 5 after they lost to the Chiefs on Sunday, but they have Drew Brees back and their defense is still one of the best. If they can get healthy before the playoffs, this team is dangerous and hungry to make a SuperBowl run in what could be Drew Brees’ final year. They finish up this season playing the Vikings and the Panthers, so they should finish 12–4.

4. Tennessee Titans (10–4)

Previous Ranking: 5

Analysis: Derrick Henry is so scary and so good. He’s a grown man amongst children and I love watching him tear it up. We get to see how good this team is as they face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers this weekend. The Packers aren’t very good at stopping the run, so this game should be high scoring and fun to watch. Get excited.

3. Green Bay Packers (11–3)

Previous Ranking: 7

Analysis: Jumping all the way up to number three on my rankings, the Packers deserve to be recognized as the current best team in the NFC. I don’t know what I was thinking having them ranked as 7th, but what can I say, I’m an Aaron Rodgers hater. He’s proving me wrong, but he’ll have to continue his success against a tough Tennessee Titans team this upcoming weekend.

2. Buffalo Bills (11–3)

Previous Ranking: 2

Analysis: Josh Allen is my MVP this year, I don’t care what anyone says. What he’s done this year is very impressive as he has put all of the haters to rest and dominated in most of his games. The Bills are red hot heading into the playoffs and I anticipate that they win out the rest of the year behind their fantastic play on both sides of the ball.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13–1)

Previous Ranking: 1

Analysis: The Chiefs solidified their position as the best team in the NFL with a great win against the Saints on Sunday afternoon. They lost Clyde Edwards-Helaire, though, but Le’Veon Bell filled in nicely in CEH’s absence. They finish the year playing the Falcons and the Chargers, so I expect them to continue to dominate and finish the regular season with just one loss. They still have to play the games, though, so we’ll see what happens.