There were plenty of thrilling finishes and tight games in Week 16 of the NFL season. How did it impact the Power Rankings?
There were plenty of thrills and the usual spills in NFL Week 16. No game provided more drama than the Steelers' win over the Lions. That final play was a soap opera in itself, which the officials seemingly lost. That usurped the Seahawks' win over the Rams to start the week on Thursday. With all the scuffling and shuffling, how do the Power Rankings look with two games left?
32. New York Giants (2-13)
Another loss for the Giants, who are doing their best to keep the first pick in the draft. It will be all on the line in Week 17 when Big Blue visits ...
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Geno Smith threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the loss. Of course, it went to a Texan for a pick-six. Time to pack up the entire organization and get a refresh.
30. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
The Titans beat the Chiefs. Another time, another year that would have been epic.
29. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
The Browns stymied Josh Allen, couldn't stop James Cook and managed to punt on fourth-and-32 late from their own 1. That would be waving the flag. They weren't going to convert but the least Kevin Stefanski could have done was feigned trying.
28. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
Another sorry performance by this team. It will be interesting to see if Jonathan Gannon survives a terrible season. At this point, it doesn't seem anyone can help the Cardinals.
27. New York Jets (3-12)
The Jets gave up 308 passing yards to Tyler Shough, and to make matters worse, saw Taysom Hill throw a 38-yard TD pass. This team, um, stinks.
26. Miami Dolphins (6-9)
Glad they benched Tua Tagovailoa against the Bengals so the defense could give up 45 points at home. Mike McDaniel may be returning. The question has to be why?
25. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
All one has to know about the day the dynasty officially died is Dec. 21, when the Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans. They also lost Gardner Minshew to an ACL injury—tough season. The good news is Andy Reid will be back unless he reconsiders this decision.
24. Washington Commanders (4-11)
Another loss in a lost season. The Commanders could be a sneaky team to watch next year if they can remain healthy. It will be a true test for Dan Quinn in Washington.
23. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
The Falcons took advantage of a meeting with the Cardinals. This team defines mediocrity and finds a way to finish with a similar boring record year after year.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
A couple of more games like this, and Joe Burrow will warm to the idea of continuing to play for the Bengals. He should check the team's record in the final month of a season when the team is playing for nothing.
21. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
The season is over, and we're still getting shots of Jerry Jones watching his team suffer through game after game.
20. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
New Orleans has won three in a row. Kellen Moore is getting things together. Granted, the opponents have not been stellar, but this team used to lose every game.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
The Buccaneers have lost three in a row, and they are in danger of losing their NFC South championship dynasty. This could be the weakest reign in sports history.
18. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
The Panthers are in first place heading into the final two weeks of the season. Stunning. They are getting better and the NFC South is getting worse.
17. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
The Ravens blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter against the Patriots. Another home loss in a season that has seen six of nine home games wind up in defeat. The Ravens no longer control anything. They are another team that has been dismal except for one stretch.
16. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
J.J. McCarthy was injured, yet the Vikings still found a way to beat the Giants. That makes three wins in a row against NFC East teams.
15. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
The Colts have spiraled from a deep-playoff contender to having a 2% of making it to the postseason. Injuries are part of the problem, no question, but this team has regressed in somewhat of a perplexing fashion — on both sides of the ball.
14. Detroit Lions (8-7)
The Lions did everything they could to try to save their season. A couple of OPIs, and a wild lateral included. In the end, this is one of, if not the most disappointing, teams in the NFL.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
Aaron Rodgers is 100% right. Mike Tomlin is the man and should be able to stay in Pittsburgh until he decides he doesn't want to be there. Great win with a thrilling finish. Poor Chris Boswell. At least the doink won't haunt.
12. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
The Packers have tied the Cowboys, lost to the Browns, and now blew a huge late lead against the Bears. Yes, Jordan Love was out, but that is not what cost them the game.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
The Chargers went into Dallas and handled their business against the Cowboys. The AFC West now revolves around LA and Denver. Times have changed.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
The Eagles broke the NFC East jinx and repeated as division champions. Not confident this team has the backbone to deliver big in the postseason. Always creating doubt.
8. Denver Broncos (12-3)
The Broncos' winning streak came to a stunning end in a home game against the Jaguars. Now they are going to have to battle the Chargers to win the AFC West and fight for playoff positioning.
7. Houston Texans (10-5)
The Texans flirted with disaster in their game with the Raiders. Did they take LV lightly? At least they came away with a "W." The Chargers are up next.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
Quietly until Sunday, Liam Coen was responsible for an incredible turnaround. Everyone is going to be aware of it now that the Jaguars went into Denver and rocked the Broncos. Stunning stuff.
6. Chicago Bears (11-4)
Ben Johnson is doing an incredible job. Just look at what the former Lions OC is doing with the Bears and what his DC counterpart in Detroit, Aaron Glenn, is doing with the Jets.
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
The 49ers looked like a true playoff threat on Monday night—albeit against a regressing Colts team—and have made one of the most significant leaps in the rankings. If this team can stay healthy, there is little doubt the NFC West power could make a deep run in January.
4. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
It wasn't pretty, but the Bills won in Cleveland. Up next is a tougher opponent, the Eagles.
3. New England Patriots (12-3)
The Patriots showed plenty of grit in rallying to win at Baltimore. It helped that Lamar Jackson went out, but Drake Maye led the fourth-quarter comeback, and that is what mattered. Mike Vrabel is beyond impressive.
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Sean McVay fired his special teams coach after the debacle in Seattle. Something had to change. It will be intriguing to see whether the Rams and Seahawks meet again in the postseason.
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
The Seahawks pulled off a great comeback against the Rams. Amazing game, and a great decision to go for two and the win… because it worked.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: The NFC West still shines atop the NFL Power Rankings
Category: General Sports
