NFL Power Rankings Week 16 – Something Left To Do

There are three weeks left in the NFL season and all of the races are hotter than a stove. Division races, playoff positioning, and the best record in both conferences are all up for grabs. Week after week there’s a script change.

What changes will this week bring?

 

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
If San Francisco can win two out of their last three games, they will secure the number one seed, a first round bye, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

 

2. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot and they control their own destiny for the top seed in the AFC. They’ll play two division leaders in the next two weeks.

 

3. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
So much for the Dolphins not being able to function without Tyreek Hill. They scored 30 or more points for the eight time this season and Tua Tagovailoa threw his 25th touchdown pass.

 

4. Detroit Lions (10-4)
Detroit has scored 30 or more points in seven out of the 14 games they’ve played. They have a 6-1 record in those games.

 

5. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Sunday marked the third time this season the cowboys have scored less than 20 points and they’re 0-3 in those games. They’ve also failed to reach two hundred yards of offense for the second time this season.

 

6. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)
The Eagles have lost three games in a row, but they’ve actually clinched a playoff spot after Sunday’s games were over. They’re averaging 16.3 points per game during this streak.

 

7. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
Cleveland is currently holding the fifth slot in the AFC playoff standings. They will play two teams fighting for a playoff spot in Houston and Cincinnati, with a tilt versus the Jets in between those two games.

 

8. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
The Chiefs snapped a two game losing streak, but they’re still two games behind the top seed in the AFC. They’ll play two games against teams with a losing record with a game against Cincinnati in the middle.

 

9. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
The Bills have flipped some kind of switch on defense and have gotten back to their early season success. They’ve won two in a row and they’re allowing 13.5 points per game during that streak.

 

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
The Jaguars have lost three games in a row and they’ve lost their grip on the division lead. They’ll play their last three games against teams that dont currently have a winning record.

 

11. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Bengals’ quarterback Jake Browning has a 3-1 record, throwing for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns. He has played tremendously in the absence of Joe Burrow.

 

12. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
The Colts have won five out of six games and they’re averaging 23.1 points per game during that stretch. They’re currently ranked eighth in total points scored this season.

 

13. Houston Texans (8-6)
The Texans have split their last four games, but they’re right in the middle of the playoff hunt. They’ll have to fight hard to actually get into the playoffs with games left against Cleveland and Indianapolis on their schedule.

 

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Tampa Bay has won three games in a row and they’ve catapulted themselves into the top spot in the NFC South. They have a big game against Jacksonville on Sunday with both teams fighting for their (respective) division title.

 

15. New Orleans Saints (7-7)
If the Saints can win their game against the Los Angeles Rams this week, then their next game against Tampa Bay could be for the division title.

 

16. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)
The Rams are in a logjam at 7-7 with three other teams. They currently hold the seventh seed due to conference win percentage.

 

17. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Seattle has three games left, all against teams with a losing record. They are one spot outside of a playoff slot, but they have the same record as the two teams in front of them.

 

18. Denver Broncos (7-7)
Sean Payton’s sideline antics have continued and it always seems to be aimed at quarterback Russell Wilson. No matter how this season turns out, you can see this marriage ending.

 

19. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
Minnesota has rolled out four different quarterbacks and only one of them (Jaren Hall) has a winning record. They are (surprisingly) top ten in pass attempts and passing yards.

 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
The Steelers have lost four out of their last five games, with six turnovers during that span. Pittsburgh has scored a total of 20 touchdowns on offense.

 

21. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
The Raiders scored a franchise record 63 points against Los Angeles on Thursday night. Antonio Peirce now has a signature win under his belt as interim head coach.

 

22. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
The Falcons haven’t done themselves any favors by losing two in a row to two divisional foes. They are now 3-2 in divisional games.

 

23. Green Bay Packers (6-8)
The Packers have lost two games in a row and have put themselves behind the eight ball when it comes to a playoffs spot.

 

24. Tennessee Titans (5-9)
The Titans have dropped two overtime games in the last three weeks. All of their last three games have been decided by three points or less.

 

25. New York Giants (5-9)
The Giants had their three game win streak snapped and any hopes of a playoff spot is all but diminished. They ranked 31st in both total points scored and total yards from scrimmage.

 

26. New York Jets (5-9)
The Jets had 103 total yards of offense, had four turnovers and gave up six sacks in their loss to Miami. It was the fifth time this season the Jets scored 10 points or less in a game.

 

27. Chicago Bears (5-9)
The Bears have all but eliminated themselves from the playoffs with their loss to Cleveland. They’ll finish their season against three teams with a losing records.

 

28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
Head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were fired after the Chargers’ dreadful loss to Las Vegas. Their main focus should be on getting a replacement who can take Justin Herbert to the next level.

 

29. Washington Commanders (4-10)
The Commanders have given up 24 turnovers and they’ve only forced 15 on defense. They’re amongst the league’s worst in both categories.

 

30. New England Patriots (3-11)
Will the Patriots fire Bill Belichick after their dreadful season is over? There’s three games left until the biggest decision in Patriots’ history is made.

 

31. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Arizona is on pace to have the third overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. They’ll have a lot of holes to fill on a roster ranked 25th in total points scored and 31st in total points allowed.

 

32. Carolina Panthers (2-12)
The Panthers snapped a six game losing streak with their win over Atlanta. Despite the win, Carolina hasn’t scored a touchdown in two straight games.

 

Offensive Player Of The Week
Baker Mayfield – Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 383 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns

Defensive Player Of The Week
Bradley Chubb – Defensive End, Miami Dolphins: 7 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles