Official r/NFL Week 16 Power Rankings

Happy Holidays and welcome to the week 16 Official r/NFL Power Rankings! Does building a five possession lead in the first half finally cement the Cowboys in the top tier? How badly will the Saints be penalized for starting Gumbo the dog and a bottle of Joe Horn's hot sauce? What does a fourth win mean for Houston? Discuss! 29/32 reporting.

#		Team	Δ	Record	Comment
1.		Packers	--	12-3	The Packers defense must have been very good this year, because Baker Mayfield sure gave them a lot of presents this Christmas.A 4 INT performance was needed to sow up the win at Lambeau. The offense looked pretty darn good in the first half and capitalized quite nicely on Baker's picks, but slugged along for only 3 points in the second half. It's great to see the defense make a stand in the final moments of the game, but with that large of a turnover differential you'd like to see the Packers be cruising in the 4th. Aaron and Co. must play better in 2nd halves to finish out playoff games. At least the special teams unit looked at least kinda semi-competent, that's a plus.
2.		Chiefs	--	11-4	The Chiefs are rolling. The BBQ sauce is flowing. Patrick Mahomes is slinging. The Chiefs continued their winstreak stretching it to 8 games, with this victory against the Steelers clinching the AFC West. This is the sixth straight AFC West win from the Chiefs and Andy Reid, a remarkable feat for a franchise that had never even won the AFC West in back to back years before he came to town. It truly is a golden era of Chiefs football.
3.		Buccaneers	--	11-4	For the first time in 14 years, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South with a lopsided 32-6 victory over Carolina. The Bucs defense was back to generating irritable Bowles movements, notching up 7 sacks (and 19 total hurries) with an additional interception from Jordan Whitehead. Mr. Bogus Covid came back from suspension in roaring fashion with a 10 catch, 100+ yard game. With the Jets (and Panthers) to close out the final two weeks of the season, the one seed (and an MVP for Brady) are still viable outcomes-- that is, if the Bucs stop getting Covid and injuries.
4.		Cowboys	+1	11-4	There is something special about a game where the margin of victory would have been the highest score of the week. Overall, you have to love where this team is at. On offense, they are #1 in yards (top 5 in rushing and passing) and #1 in points. On defense, they are #7 in points allowed, #3 in passer rating allowed, and lead the league in both INTs and takeaways. If this game was a sign of the offense getting right, rather than a case of beating up on a decimated defense that showed more fight on their expensive, imported heated bench than on the field, Dallas is probably the scariest team in the league.
5.		Rams	-1	11-4	Despite Stafford rearing his ugly head with three picks, defensive and special teams play kept the Rams one step ahead all day long. This was a game that would have been lost in November+, but the December Rams seem a bit tougher and are able to win through adversity. The Rams were a perfect 4-0 in December and now possess a clinched playoff spot and controlled destiny of the NFC West.
6.		Colts	+2	9-6	The best medicine for an unvaccinated team's playoff chances is good coaching. The Colts were missing four offensive linemen and defensive superstar Darius Leonard due to COVID last Saturday in a matchup against the Cardinals. Jonathan Taylor was consistently stuffed throughout, and Wentz was pressured nearly early play. However, the team didn't quit. The defense, despite missing several key players and relying on practice squad personnel, held Kyler Murray's offense to a mere sixteen points. Carson Wentz stepped up big time and made extremely clutch plays down the stretch, including the spectacular game-sealing touchdown pass to Dezmon Patmon. While the Cardinals killed themselves with plenty of mistakes, Frank Reich and Matt Eberflus successfully led a COVID-ravaged team to win an all-important game that has all but secured them a spot in the postseason. With a win against the Raiders next week, the team will officially clinch a playoff berth. And when they get there, who knows what they can do. They may be the hottest team in football right now.
7.		Bills	+2	9-6	Bill Belichick asked Santa for another hurricane-force windstorm; unfortunately for him, Patriots go straight to the naughty list. Now, Buffalo controls their own destiny. If the Bills beat up on Atlanta and New Jersey, they win the division. Even if they somehow let one slip, they’re still likely a playoff team. In actual decent weather, Josh Allen balled out, with possibly his best performance of the year. He had 314 passing yards, 3 TDs, and another 64 yards on the ground —and now he's vaulted himself back into the MVP conversation. And yeah, sure, that’s all great, but imagine what this team would look like with a pro bowl QB?
8.		Patriots	-2	9-6	Nothing seemed to click all at the same time for the Patriots. When the defense seemed the show signs of fight, the offense faltered. When the offense started moving the ball, the defense couldn't stop a nose bleed. A disappointing fall from graces for the Patriots who now find themselves in the position of just trying to make the playoffs with the division almost guaranteed to go to the Bills.
9.		Cardinals	-3	10-5	What is even the point anymore? Arizona sports is preordained. The cycle goes: suck for at least 10+ years, obtain a talent that becomes the catalyst for a “culture change”, get a bunch of lucky breaks in order to get as close as possible to being successful, and then crash and burn at the perfect time to eviscerate the trust of fans. I feel like a broken record but everybody needs to do better. On the brighter side of things, the team does seem to play better on the road… and not in primetime. Sure hope there aren’t any of those games in the playoffs…
10.		Titans	+1	10-5	The Titans looked outmatched against a surging 49ers team that had won 5 out of 6 games and jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Titans at the half. But with the return of AJ Brown off of IR, the Titans were able to pull together a 2nd half rally to beat the 49ers 20-17. The Titans control their path to the #2 seed if they win against the Dolphins and Texans in the last two weeks of the year and can get to the #1 seed if that happens with a Chiefs loss.
11.		Bengals	+2	9-6	If the Bengals win out and the Chiefs also drop their final game at Denver they can be the #1 seed in the conference. On the other hand if they lose against the Chiefs and a finally healthy-ish Browns team, they are in danger of missing the playoffs all together. It will be a stressfull two weeks for Bengals fans.
12.		49ers	--	8-7	It was a tale of 2 halves. Before the break, 49ers were dominant, holding the Titans to 55 yards of offense and taking a 10-0 lead. The second half the offense could not get out of its own way, with 2 backbreaking interceptions and the defense was dismantled by AJ Brown. The injury Jimmy G sustained during the loss most likely means these crucial games down the stretch will be handled by Trey Lance. There is a possibility Thursday was the last night Jimmy G will be under center for the 49ers.
13.		Chargers	-3	8-7	Easily the worst game of the season. In all honesty, credit to the Texans. That team decided to execute no matter what was thrown at them, and the Chargers are once again getting in their own way. Justin Jackson had his best career game as the starting RB, but the stars all played for Houston. Safety Jonathan Owens got his first career interception and fumble recovery, accounting for two of the Chargers' three turnovers. Owens' girlfriend clearly seemed to have a good time. This Chargers team was pushing for the division lead a few weeks ago. As of now, they're on the playoff bubble and they cannot afford any setbacks. Denver comes to town next week.
14.		Ravens	--	8-7	Wow, we got demolished. Third string QB and the backup to the backup secondary... well, the season's been entertaining. There's a chance, but it requires beating down the Rams and the Steelers and other teams to mess up. Here's hoping to a healthy 2022 or a miracle 2021.
15.		Dolphins	+3	8-7	It was a balmy 451° F in New Orleans, as librarians everywhere are up in arms in protest of the public Book abuse the Dolphins perpetrated Monday night. Meanwhile, as the Dolphins had the ball, cold weather must have been rolling in as 🐧🐧🐧 sightings were seen once again.
16.		Eagles	+5	8-7	If the Eagles make the playoffs after a miserable 2-5 start to the season, they will become only the 9th squad in NFL history to accomplish such a feat. The final two games of the season come against NFC East opponents, so only the Chaos Gods know what might happen next.
17.		Raiders	+3	8-7	The Raiders are one game away from having only their second winning season since 2002. They also are in control of their own playoff destiny, if they win their last two games they will make the playoffs. It all starts with a strong Colts team that matches up very well again a struggling Raiders team.
18.		Browns	-1	7-8	Yes, it was pass interference and it's complete BS the Browns did not get a flag. That said Baker also threw three other picks and a few others that were close. This season is a rough one. The Browns will take on the Steelers next Monday in what could be a game that wraps up the AFC North division fight.
19.		Vikings	-3	7-8	The Vikings' defense held Stafford to his lowest single-game passing grade since his 2009 rookie season, but the Vikings were just unable to capitalize on any opportunities, losing yet another one-score game — this one likely costing the team a playoff berth.
20.		Steelers	-5	7-7-1	Steelers C Kendrick Green decided that Christmas should come twice in Kansas City by giving them the gift of pressure on Big Ben during every play. He has struggled all year, but Sunday's game was on another level for him. The ball cannot be run anywhere near where he's playing and he's easier to get through than an open gate. Pittsburgh had absolutely no chance. There's a lot wrong with this team right now, but it all really begins in the middle of the O-line.
21.		Saints	-2	7-8	Ian Book took the most punishment, but we all suffered having to watch that Saints offense on MNF.
22.		Broncos	--	7-8	Losing a game with +3 TO margin is not good! Rushing for 18 yards in a game, third lowest in team history, also not good! Folks, the Broncos are...not good!
23.		Falcons	+2	7-8	Another Detroit/Atlanta down to the wire, but at least this game ended on something more convincing than a penalty flag and a ten second run off. From Koo's ice cold 52 yard field goal to tie, to Patterson's 11th touchdown, the win was a team effort. The Falcons need to beat the Bills next week before any hypotheticals are worth mentioning.
24.		Washington FT	-1	6-9	Yes, The Washington Football Team was blown out 56-14 for their third straight division loss but at least the benches were warm. Even in their losses, this WFT roster led by Ron Rivera has shown up to play, stuck around late in games and haven’t quit. Todays performance however was a regression that more closely resembled some of the lowest lows of the Zorn and Gruden eras. This was a classic “Redskins” rock bottom cratering prime time embarrassment. The 4 game winning streak that had them briefly in playoff contention feels like it was ages ago and now we’re back to wondering who the next QB and staff may be going forward because there is zero confidence with the current product. Not that it will ever matter given who owns the team, I mean, who are we kidding getting hopeful anytime they over-achieve for a few weeks?
25.		Bears	+1	5-10
26.		Seahawks	-2	5-10	The Seahawks nightmare season continues, as they allowed Nick Foles and the Bears to come into Seattle and win on a 2 point conversion. Jason Myers's shaky kicking could've gotten us a win, but make no mistake; this team is bad. Russell Wilson had another subpar game, overthrowing/missing open guys and making some questionable decisions. Rashaad penny was a bright spot, running for 135 and a touchdown. This team is incredibly frustrating and should see a shakeup this offseason.
27.		Panthers	--	5-10	We have a meme now on the Panthers subreddit where, every time we lose a game, Matt Rhule’s forehead grows. It’s kinda like the Grinch but I’m pretty sure that the fella who stole Christmas in Whoville knows more about football than Matt Rhule. Anyways, [is Matt Rhule fired yet?](www.ismattrhulefiredyet.com)
28.		Lions	--	2-12-1	Goff would have won this game. That’s a good feeling to have about Goff whether you’re a lover or a hater. Tim Boyer was not awful, but the defense and special teams kept the Lions in the game. This is not the same as earlier in the season where the offense was blatantly losing games, the offense has evolved all around from the early season. However, with Swift and Reynolds out, the offense had to revert back to those power runs and short/mid field runs only. The rookies are still developing, and there is a lot to be excited about in the future of the Pride.
29.		Texans	+2	4-11	From a strategic standpoint, these recent wins are probably against the Texans' best interests. But fuck that nerd shit, winning is fun and good. Hopefully Mills and the other rookies continue to develop, but just from a morale standpoint winning brings the team together. Maybe there's hope for this squad after all.
30.		Giants	-1	4-11	Different week, same old story. While few teams can insert a backup QB and not miss a beat, the Giants offense has become so painful to watch as a unit that it's become more enjoyable to just see what happens when the other team has the ball. Big Blue is paying the price for a slew of incompetent decisions by the Front Office, and while Mr. Gettleman looks to be on his way out, the head of the snake will remain uncut for the forseeable future.
31.		Jets	-1	4-11	Zach Wilson continues to make progress as the season goes on. Since his injury he has 7 total touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also posted a career best PFF grade, QBR, and adjusted completion percentage. Wilson lead his team to a win despite 20 Jets players being on the covid list, and that's on top of the having the leagues most injured roster. The loss of draft position may sting in April, but it was nice to see the kid play well.
32.		Jaguars	--	2-13	The hapless Jaguars did Jaguars things again. Unsurprisingly, they notched another mark in their loss column, and moved one step closer to the offseason. Just a few more short weeks, and the Jaguars will very likely, once again, be on the clock.