NFL: Weekly Power Rankings
Week 16 of the NFL season saw a handful of teams become eliminated from playoff contention, as the top tier teams continued to separate themselves, clinch seeding, and for some, making sure they have home-field advantage. The Philadelphia Eagles added another win to their total with a hard fought win over the Oakland Raiders. The New England Patriots blew out the Buffalo Bills, 37-16, and the Pittsburgh Steelers ran all over the Houston Texans, 34-6. Back in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings shutout the Green Bay Packers, and the Carolina Panthers squeaked out a close one. Below is our NFL Staff's weekly rankings of all 32 teams.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2, +0): The Eagles remained at the top spot and have spent seven weeks at the top of our rankings, far more than any other team. In Week 16, they defeated the Raiders, 19-10, but didn't look all that good while doing so. Obviously a win is a win is a win, but we'd certainly feel more comfortable with this team going forward if they were blowing out lower level opponents. Instead, in two weeks since QB Carson Wentz went down with an injury, they've beaten the New York Giants and Raiders by a combined 12 points. RB Jay Ajayi went for 52 yards on 14 carries. This team has to improve if they're going to win it all.
2. New England Patriots (12-3, +0): The Patriots aren't at the top spot in our rankings because they're not as trustworthy as former New England teams. They've already lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins. Those teams have a combined record of 15-15. Most would expect QB Tom Brady to be able to propel his team to victories in those games. But obviously, they're still favored to reach the Super Bowl and will likely be the favorite to win it all if they get there. Last week they defeated the Bills, 37-16, as Brady threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. They're 15.5-point favorites heading into their Week 17 game against the New York Jets.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3, +0): The Steelers jumped all over the Texans, 34-6, and it wasn't even as close as that score indicates. It was over virtually when the kick-off occurred. QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 226 yards on 20/29 passing. Pittsburgh is likely going to be the second seed in the AFC, unless the Patriots slip up, but the likelihood of them reaching the Super Bowl is very possible. Also, the Steelers could be apart of history this coming weekend, as they could send the Cleveland Browns to 0-16, as they'd become just the second winless team (the 2008 Detroit Lions) in NFL history. Pittsburgh is favored by 11.0 points.
4. Minnesota Vikings (12-3, +0): The Vikings clinched the NFC North already, but it was important for them to be able to go into Green Bay and play well in a hostile environment. It certainly wasn't a clean game, but the defense continued to show that it's one of the best - if not the best - in the league. They shut out the Packers, 16-0, even though QB Case Keenum was only able to go for 139 passing yards. He had an extremely low 36.7 QBR, but he's been very good all season long, and that should go back up next week. Especially since they'll be facing the Chicago Bears. Minnesota opened as 11.5-point favorites to get their 13th victory.
5. Carolina Panthers (11-4, +0): The Panthers certainly didn't play their best game of the season, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, by a score of 22-19, but winning was the most important thing, and they were able to do that. Meanwhile, Carolina clinched a playoff berth for the fourth time in five seasons, and still have a possibility of winning the division if they can beat the Atlanta Falcons, and if the New Orleans Saints lose to the Bucs on the road. However, the Falcons are currently favored by 3.5 points since it'll be in Atlanta, and the Falcons need a win to clinch a playoff spot. QB Cam Newton threw for just 160 yards last week.
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4, +0): The Rams remained in the six spot, as all of the teams ahead of them continued their winning ways. Fortunately for L.A., they were able to add another victory to their breakout season as well. Los Angeles took down the Tennessee Titans, 27-23, on the road, which is a pretty impressive win for such a young team. RB Todd Gurley added to NFL MVP resume, going for 276 total yards, including 158 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Gurley and QB Jared Goff won't play this week, though, since they're already clinched the division. The Rams will face the rival San Francisco 49ers.
7. New Orleans Saints (11-4, +0): The Saints have continued to be strong and steady over the entitreity of the season, and if you ask me, they might just be the favorites to come out of the NFC, especially if they're able to win this week and clinch the division, meaning they would get at least one playoff game at home, where they play much better. In last weekends 23-13 win over the Falcons, QB Drew Brees was able to throw for 239 yards on 75.0 percent passing. If he continues to play with that high level of efficiency, and the defense locks up like it did against Atlanta, the Saints could be looking at another Super Bowl appearance.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5, +0): The Jaguars lost to the 49ers, but it didn't hurt them in any way. Not only did they not slip one spot in our rankings, but it also didn't affect their division race. Since the Titans also lost, Jacksonville clinched the division, and are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They didn't look very good against San Francisco, as the defense gave up 44 points, but it wasn't exactly the defense's fault, since QB Blake Bortles threw three interceptions. He also threw for 382 yards, but if this team wants to make a playoff run, he has to take care of the ball. In Week 17, the Jags will face the Titans.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6, +1): The Chiefs are back in our rankings for the second week in a row, but it's still strange to see that their record is only 9-6 after they started the season at 5-0, and looked like the team to beat in the league. Since Kansas City has clinched the AFC West and are going back to the playoffs, they've decided to start rookie QB Patrick Mahomes against the Denver Broncos, just to see what the former No. 10 overall pick has to offer at this level. Denver has opened as 3.5-point favorites, but it doesn't have much an effect, if any, on the playoff race. The top four spots in the conference are already set.
10. Baltimore Ravens (9-6, +6): The Ravens experience the biggest jump of any team as they earned a 23-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and moved one step closer to clinching a playoff berth. Under HC John Harbaugh, the Ravens have consistently been one of the best defensive units in the NFL, and they're back to that. As long as the offense can take care of the ball, drain the clock, and score at least 20 points, the Ravens could give almost anybody some trouble in the postseason. RB Alex Collins has emerged as of late, but 51 yards on 18 carries will need to increase a little bit if they want to pull of an upset or two.
Second Tier:
11. Atlanta Falcons (9-6, -2)
12. Seattle Seahawks (9-6, +1)
13. Tennessee Titans (8-7, -2)
14. Buffalo Bills (8-7, +1)
15. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7, +2)
16. Detroit Lions (8-7, -4)
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-7, -3)
18. Green Bay Packers (7-8, +0)
19. Washington Redskins (7-8, +2)
20. Arizona Cardinals (7-8, +2)
There are three spots still open in the playoffs, two in the AFC and one in the NFC. In the former, the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers are still alive. As for the latter, the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks still have an opportunity to reach the postseason. All the Ravens and Titans need is a win, and they'll face the Cincinnati Bengals and Jaguars, respectively. The Falcons clinch with a victory over the Panthers, but if they lose and the Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals, then Seattle is in. If the Bills or Chargers get in, it'll be because at least one of the Ravens or Titans lose on their home field.
Third Tier:
21. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9, +4)
22. Oakland Raiders (6-9, -3)
23. Miami Dolphins (6-9, -3)
24. San Francisco 49ers (5-10, +2)
25. Denver Broncos (5-10, -2)
26. Chicago Bears (5-10, +3)
27. New York Jets (5-10, -3)
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11, +0)
29. Houston Texans (4-11, -2)
30. Indianapolis Colts (3-12, +0)
31. New York Giants (2-13, +0)
32. Cleveland Browns (0-15, +0)
Obviously all of these teams are far out of the playoff race, but that doesn't mean that they aren't still fighting, and that's no more apparent than 49ers. QB Jimmy Garoppolo is 4-0 since being traded from the Patriots, and it seems like he has this team headed in the right direction, throwing for 250+ yards in three of his four starts, including two wins against playoff teams. The only other teams in the third tier to win in Week 16 were the Bengals over the Lions and the Chicago Bears over the Browns. Speaking of Cleveland, they're already clinched the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, so now all they're fighting for is staying away from a winless season.
Player of the Week:
W1 - Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) - 148 Yards, 1 TD, 42-27 win vs. Patriots.
W2 - Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - 447 Yards, 3 TDs, 36-20 win vs. Saints.
W3 - Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams) - 292 Yards, 3 TDs, 41-39 win vs. 49ers.
W4 - Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) - 283 Yards, 4 TDs, 57-14 win vs. Titans.
W5 - Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) - 304 Yards, 4 TDs, 34-7 win vs. Cardinals.
W6 - Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) - 225 Yards, 3 TDs, 33-17 win vs. Browns.
W7 - Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders) - 210 Yards, 2 TDs, 31-30 win vs. Chiefs.
W8 - Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) - 451 Yards, 4 TDs, 41-38 win vs. Texans.
W9 - Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) - 361 Yards, 2 TDs, 30-17 win vs. Packers.
W10 - Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) - 254 Yards, 4 TDs, 45-21 win vs. Dolphins.
W11 - Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) - 144 Yards, 3 TDs, 40-17 win vs. Titans.
W12 - Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) - 253 Yards, 2 TDs, 34-20 win vs. Buccaneers.
W13 - Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) - 227 Yards, 3 TDs, 24-10 win vs. Eagles.
W14 - Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) - 506 Yards, 2 TDs, 39-38 win vs. Ravens.
W15 - Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams) - 152 Yards, 3 TDs, 42-7 win vs. Seahawks.
W16 - Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams) - 158 Yards, 2 TDs, 27-23 win vs Titans.
Top Ranked Team:
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys.
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 7: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 12: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 13: New England Patriots.
Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
