NFL Week 16 Power Rankings

Here we are, folks. We’re just one week away from the final playoff picture having been painted, as Week 16 has come to a close. 

Heading into Week 17 there are a plenty of potential outcomes riding on the final game week of the season. The AFC playoff picture dictates that a 10-win team will miss out on the playoffs, while in the NFC there will be an at-least-nine-loss division champion, with potential for an 8-8 team sneaking in, too. 

With so many questions left to answer for the 2020 regular season, how is the power balance looking heading into the final week of the season? 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)

Once again the Chiefs made it a lot more difficult than it needed to be, but once again they came through when they needed it to secure a win. The win also clinched them the number one seed in the AFC, meaning the path to the Super Bowl in the AFC officially runs through Kansas City. 

2. Green Bay Packers (12-3) 

The Packers are just a game away from the NFC’s number one seed and they may have clinched at least the MVP trophy during their dismantling of the Titans. Aaron Rodgers effortlessly sliced the Tennessee Titans defense apart, throwing four touchdowns to bring his season total to 44 with just five interceptions. He is playing as well as ever and this team is rolling. 

3. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

What a performance from the Bills. They became the first AFC East team to sweep the Patriots in a season since 2000, putting an exclamation mark on their 2020 season with potentially even more to come. With a win or a Steelers loss next week they can seal the number two seed in the AFC, and with how this team is playing there may be only one team who can stop them. 

4. New Orleans Saints (11-4)

Alvin Kamara, take a bow. On Christmas Day’s matchup between the Saints and Minnesota Vikings, Kamara stole the show with his six rushing touchdowns, tying the NFL record. Offensively it was the type of performance you want to see from the Saints, and provides a glimpse at the recipe that may be their route to the Super Bowl. 

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-4) +3

The Seahawks are heating up again. The offense hasn’t been in question all that much, it has always been the defense, but in recent weeks they are showing signs of stiffening and it couldn’t come at a better time as they gear up for their playoff run as the NFC West champions. Week 17 could leave the Seahawks anywhere from the number three seed to the number one seed, so their matchup with the 49ers could be incredibly consequential. 

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) -1 

Sunday’s win may have been one of the most pivotal of the Steelers’ season. After their 11-win start they had lost three straight and seemed destined for a fourth straight loss as their season came apart. They managed to climb back into the game and win, against a strong Colts team, and could be the momentum shifter for their season. 

7. Tennessee Titans (10-5) 

The Titans may be top of the AFC South, with a number of good wins on their résumé, but they also have a handful of games which scream this team isn’t good enough to go all the way. They clearly have some great pieces offensively, but their defense is such a significant issue that I don’t see them as a significant threat in the AFC. 

8. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) +4

The Ravens’ COVID outbreak may have been the reset button the team needed. In the weeks since, as they’ve gotten closer to full strength, the offense looks rejuvenated and much more like they did last season. The defense needs to get healthy and play a bit better, but the signs are there to believe this Ravens team is getting closer to the levels that were expected during the offseason. 

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5) +1

Despite coming against an already eliminated and limping Detroit Lions team, without their interim head coach due to COVID, the Bucs’ performance was very impressive. Offensively they looked as they should, with every player getting in on the act, and the defense was excellent. This type of performance shows a Super Bowl team. 

10. Indianapolis Colts (10-5) -1

The Colts had the Steelers, and control of the AFC South, in their hands and they blew it. In the first half they were excellent and looked to be a significantly better team than the Steelers, but they blew it. If they perform as they did in the first half this team is a legitimate contender, but the second half was incredibly alarming. 

11. Miami Dolphins (10-5) +2 

The Dolphins just keep finding a way to get it done. Be it the defense, Tua Tagovailoa, or Ryan Fitzpatrick taking the spotlight, they are doing what they can to win. It will be interesting now to see how Brian Flores handles the quarterback position, whether he’ll roll with Fitzpatrick’s hot hand or stay true to Tua, but it is a huge decision heading into a win-and-in game against the Buffalo Bills. 

12. Cleveland Browns (10-5) -6

Cleveland are gonna Cleveland. The Browns had total control of their playoff destiny and were set for their first playoff berth since 2002. Then they played the 1-13 New York Jets. They were dealt a tough hand before kickoff, losing most of their receiving corps as COVID close contacts, but losing to the Jets, as good as the Browns are meant to be, is poor and may cost them dearly – leaving them with 10+ wins and on the outside of the playoffs. 

13. Los Angeles Rams (9-6) -2 

Not only did the Rams lose, forfeiting the chance to win the NFC West, they may slip further still as John Wolford will be their starting QB in Week 17. They don’t have to win to get in, but a loss would mean they could miss the playoffs. If Wolford has success, it may be fair to question Jared Goff’s long-term future with the Rams. 

14. Arizona Cardinals (8-7) 

The Cardinals have to win next week. If they win they’re in, they don’t need anyone else to get a specific result, but a loss will leave them on the outside looking in, and they may have to get that win with Chris Streveler under center. Kyler Murray is dealing with a lower leg injury, which could come to define the Cardinals’ 2020 season. 

15. Chicago Bears (8-7) +1 

In the four weeks since turning back to Mitch Trubisky the Bears have scored 30+ points in every game, winning three of them. In doing so they are now very much in the playoff picture. They can get in with a win or with a loss and some help. If Trubisky sustains this run, could he reclaim an unquestioned starting job in Chicago? 

16. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) -1 

And just like that, the Raiders’ season is over. Just about a month ago the Raiders seemed a legitimate contender after narrowly losing to the Chiefs, they have lost four of five since, mathematically eliminating themselves from the playoffs.

17. Washington Football Team (6-9)

Washington had the opportunity seal a postseason spot and their first NFC East crown since 2015, but unfortunately had to turn to their 2019 first round pick Dwayne Haskins… That is a wild sentence to type, but Haskins was poor and is now no longer on the team. Off-field issues were to blame for his release, but it marked the end of sorry story for Washington. Luckily for them they are still in control of their season, as a next week clinches the division. 

18. San Francisco 49ers (6-9) +3

The 49ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but their ability to stay competitive in games and still win them, now with C.J. Beathard under center, is a testament to Kyle Shanahan and his coaches. This offseason is going to be pivotal for Shanahan and his team. 

19. New England Patriots (6-9) -1

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Patriots had already been eliminated, and this season had already been forgettable, but Monday night’s drubbing at the hands of the Bills will have felt very low for Patriots fans. They were swept by their northern rivals, emphatically ceding control of the AFC East for what looks like could be a while. 

20. Minnesota Vikings (6-9) -1 

What a way to spend Christmas Day: getting shellacked on national television. It was a tough night for the Vikings who were totally beaten by a significantly better Saints team. They are now totally eliminated from the playoffs and an offseason of change seems necessary.

21. Los Angeles Chargers (6-9) +3

The Chargers are finding ways to win games, or should I say not lose them? They tried their best to lose, letting Drew Lock and co. crawl back into the game, but they came away with a win. It seems Anthony Lynn has done enough to rally his team and buy himself at least a second season with Justin Herbert. 

22. Dallas Cowboys (6-9) +5

Believe it or not, the Cowboys are in with a real shot at winning the NFC East. They need some help from the Philadelphia Eagles, who’ll need to beat Washington, and the Cowboys will need to beat the Giants, but Andy Dalton has this offense moving as many expected he would. The defense is doing enough to win games, too. 

23. Denver Broncos (5-10) -1

Much like most of the teams around them, the Broncos have a lot of questions to answer in the offseason. Is Drew Lock the guy? Were this season’s struggles down to the mass of key injuries? Is Vic Fangio a problem or is he the only thing holding them together? With the Chiefs being who they are, and the Raiders and Chargers both seemingly improving, the Broncos have a lot to figure out to avoid becoming the AFC West’s basement dweller. 

24. New York Giants (5-10) -4

It all seemed so promising just a few weeks ago. The Giants were riding a hot streak and everything was coming together as the team rose to the top of the NFC East. They can still make the playoffs, but even if they did, any belief they could create an upset has slipped away.

25. Detroit Lions (5-10) -2

The Lions were dealt the very tough hand of having their interim head coach out on Sunday due to COVID, and they also saw Matthew Stafford leave the game early, but it was a sorry performance nonetheless. They were smacked by the Bucs and showed very little to be optimistic about. 

26. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1) -1

The excitement around Jalen Hurts and the Eagles has faded now after back to back losses, bringing an end to meaningful Eagles games in 2020, but there was still plenty in this game to inspire some optimism heading into 2021. 

27. Carolina Panthers (5-10)  +2

The Panthers may have already been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they have stopped having an affect on the playoff picture. If nothing else this week’s win can be a well-deserved, satisfying moment from a tough season for Carolina. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1)  

I was wrong about the Bengals. I said two weeks ago they were as good as locked in to the number three overall pick in next year’s draft, they are now in the fifth overall pick after winning back to back games. In doing so they may be playing themselves out of position to draft the top tackle in next year’s draft, but it at least appears as Zach Taylor has the Bengals’ culture going in the right direction.

29. Houston Texans (4-11) -2 

For what feels like the 16th time in 16 weeks this season, all I can talk about is the need for protecting Deshaun Watson. Watson took a very tough, awkward hit on his throwing arm in the Texans loss. Thankfully it isn’t believed to be significant, but all attention has to be on keeping him safe. Luckily, as things stand, the team will have the third overall pick to address that. Oh wait, they traded that pick to the Dolphins. 

30. Atlanta Falcons (4-11) -1

An already immensely frustrating season for the Falcons added another frustrating loss this week. The Falcons played well, taking the Chiefs down to the wire with an opportunity to win late, only to lose in agonizing fashion. Not only did the Falcons drop an interception to prevent the go-ahead Chiefs touchdown, they missed the game-tying field goal to go to OT. On to 2021 for Atlanta. 

31. New York Jets (2-13) +1

After losing 13 straight to start the season, the Jets can’t get enough of winning. They upset the Browns to win their second in a row and officially clinch the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. What does that mean for 2021? Will Sam Darnold be the QB? Will Adam Gase be the head coach? Things seem less certain in New York now. 

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) -1

The Jaguars officially own the number one overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With their big loss to the Bears, and the Jets’ win over the Browns, Jacksonville officially secured its first ever number one overall pick – a stat that very much surprised me. Trevor Lawrence should start looking at property in Jacksonville.