Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (2019)

Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills, who all clinched playoff berths this week. The craziest part of it all is that despite all four teams wrapping up a playoff berth with two weeks remaining, none of them can yet call themselves division champs. Elsewhere, the Texans moved closer to securing the AFC South, while the Cowboys and Eagles both won, setting up a Week 16 matchup that will likely determine the NFC East.

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32) Cincinnati Bengals (Prev: 32)
Andy Dalton threw four interceptions as the Bengals turned the ball over five times in their 34-13 loss to the Patriots. Cincinnati actually led in the first half, but they were outscored 21-3 in the second. If the Bengals lose one more game, they will officially lock up the number one pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

31) Detroit Lions (Prev: 29)
After Week 4, who would have thought the Lions would be the second-worst team in football heading into Week 16? After David Blough’s Thanksgiving magic, he has proven that he is not meant to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Detroit is 1-9 in their last 10 games and 1-8 ATS in their last nine.

30) Miami Dolphins (Prev: 28)
Miami led 10-7 heading into the half, but they were outscored 29-10 after the break as they fell 36-20 to Eli Manning and the Giants. DeVante Parker had four catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

29) New York Giants (Prev: 31)
In what was likely the final home start of his career, Eli Manning ended the Giants’ nine-game losing streak and ran off the field to a standing ovation. He didn’t play particularly great, throwing three interceptions, but he and the Giants ended on a good note after what was certainly a rocky last two seasons.

28) Washington Redskins (Prev: 26)
How many bettors screamed at their televisions as Dwayne Haskins fumbled on the last play of the game, and Nigel Bradham returned it to the house to secure the Eagles’ cover? Washington played much better than the 10-point loss will indicate, and Haskins had the best game of his short career, throwing for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

27) Carolina Panthers (Prev: 25)
The Panthers have lost six straight games, and Kyle Allen once again struggled as he threw for three interceptions in the loss to the Seahawks. Christian McCaffrey continues to impress, and with 186 receiving yards in his last two games, he would become the third player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing and 1,00 receiving yards in the same season.

26) Arizona Cardinals (Prev: 30)
The Cardinals ended their six-game losing streak as Kyler Murray knocked off Baker Mayfield in the battle of former Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterbacks. While Murray played well, it was Kenyan Drake who stole the spotlight, rushing for 137 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

25) New York Jets (Prev: 24)
The Jets were predictably shelled by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Thursday Night Football. The defense gave up 430 yards to the Ravens’ offense and allowed Jackson to throw for five touchdowns. Jamison Crowder had six catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

24) Jacksonville Jaguars (Prev: 27)
The Jaguars ended their five-game losing streak as they spoiled the Raiders’ last game in Oakland with a 20-16 come-from-behind victory. Gardner Minshew threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Chris Conley with 34 seconds left.

23) Los Angeles Chargers (Prev: 21)
The Chargers turned the ball over seven times (that’s not a typo) as they were routed by the Vikings on Sunday. Philip Rivers threw three interceptions and fumbled once as his woeful season continues. Before the season began, LA thought they’d be competing for a Super Bowl, but instead, they will have to settle for a losing season.

22) Denver Broncos (Prev: 20)
Drew Lock and the Broncos’ offense was wholly ineffective against the Chiefs, as they mustered just 251 total yards and three points. With the snowy conditions, it seemed likely that Denver would put a lot of faith in their running game, but they managed just 52 yards on 15 carries.

21) Indianapolis Colts (Prev: 16)
The Colts have lost four straight and six of their last seven, but none was uglier than their 34-7 Monday Night Football loss to the Saints. They were destroyed in all facets of the game, as they gained just 205 total yards while giving up 424. What was once a great underdog story will now end as a suddenly disappointing season in Indianapolis.

20) Atlanta Falcons (Prev: 23)
Julio Jones caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan with two seconds remaining as the Falcons stunned the 49ers on Sunday. It marked the Falcons’ fifth win of the season and gave them a league-best .551 strength of victory.

19) Cleveland Browns (Prev: 18)
The Browns’ disappointing season all but came to an end at the hands of the Cardinals on Sunday. With the loss, Cleveland would need a miracle to sneak into the final playoff spot in the AFC. That miracle would begin with a win over the Ravens this week. They already did it once this year, but the Ravens have been the best team in football since then, while the Browns have been nothing but frustrating.

18) Oakland Raiders (Prev: 19)
The Raiders will leave Oakland disappointed, as their final home game before moving to Vegas ended in a 20-16 loss to the Jaguars. Like the Browns, the Raiders are alive in the playoff race by the thinnest of margins. They would need to win out, which seems unlikely considering what they have done over the last four weeks. Blowing a 16-3 lead to a Jaguars’ offense that has been completely inept over the back half of this season is likely the final straw.

17) Philadelphia Eagles (Prev: 22)
The Eagles definitely didn’t look good on Sunday, but they got the result they needed, and they remain tied atop the NFC East with the Cowboys heading into this week’s all-important matchup. If the Eagles lose, they’re toast, but a win would go a long way in getting them into the playoffs. Carson Wentz threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns against the Redskins, but the Eagles’ defense struggled and allowed Dwayne Haskins to have the best game of his career.

16) Chicago Bears (Prev: 14)
The Bears have officially been eliminated from the playoff race, but wow, did they make it memorable at the end. They nearly pulled off a miracle versus the Packers on Sunday, but they fell just a few yards short. It was a disappointing season for Chicago, and there will certainly be questions surrounding the quarterback situation during the entire offseason.

15) Los Angeles Rams (Prev: 11)
So, what happened to the Rams? They looked like they’d really turned a corner, then came out and laid an egg against the Cowboys to all but seal their fate as one of the 20 teams who will not make the playoffs. The offense was only able to manage 289 yards, 22 of which came on the ground, and the defense gave up a whopping 475 yards, 263 of which came from the Cowboys rushing attack.

14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Prev: 15)
Jameis Winston threw for over 450 yards for the second-straight week as he widened the gap over Dak Prescott for the most passing yards in the league. The Tampa defense forced three turnovers, including a 70-yard pick-six from Sean Murphy-Bunting late in the fourth quarter. The Bucs are already eliminated from the playoffs, but are .500 and are putting themselves on other teams’ radars heading into next season.

13) Pittsburgh Steelers (Prev: 13)
Duck Hodges had no answer for the Bills’ defense, as they picked him off four times and held the Steelers’ offense to just 229 yards. The defense played well, but they gave up 10 points in the fourth quarter that ultimately led to the loss. The Steelers need to either win their last two games to get in, or win one of their last two and hope that Tennessee falls to Houston again in Week 17.

12) Dallas Cowboys (Prev: 17)
The Cowboys smashed the Rams, leading at one point by 37-7, and they will now face the Eagles for a game that could determine the NFC East. If Dallas wins, they clinch the division and will silence critics for at least the final week of the season. If they lose, they would need help in Week 17 to get in.

11) Tennessee Titans (Prev: 10)
The Titans finally cooled off this week, and they now face an uphill battle to get into the playoffs. They fell behind 14-0 early, and though they were able to come back and tie the game, the defense gave up 10 unanswered that proved to be insurmountable. The Titans can still make the playoffs even if they lose this week, but it would certainly be easier for them if they just win out.

10) Houston Texans (Prev: 12)
The Texans held off a strong surge from the Titans and now just need one more win or a Titans loss to lock up the AFC South. Deshaun Watson didn’t have his best game of the year, as he threw for 243 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, but it was a huge improvement over his performance last week against the Broncos.

9) Minnesota Vikings (Prev: 9)
The Vikings’ defense had one of the best performances in recent memory as they turned over Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offense seven times in their 29-point victory on Sunday. The Vikings still have not clinched a playoff berth, but it seems likely that they will be in the playoffs this year after they narrowly missed out last year. They still even have an outside shot at the NFC North! To become division champs, they would need to win out and have Green Bay lose to Detroit in Week 17. 

8) Green Bay Packers (Prev: 8)
Once again, the Packers did just enough to win and are now just one win away from wrapping up the NFC North. There is still a chance Green Bay could get the first seed in the NFC, but there is also a chance they could get the sixth seed as well.

7) Buffalo Bills (Prev: 7)
The Bills wrapped up their second playoff appearance in three years, and they are still alive in the race for the AFC East. Their defense stifled the Steelers’ offense and forced five turnovers in the playoff-clinching victory. This week they seek revenge against the Patriots, who have proven they are quite beatable in recent weeks.

6) New England Patriots (Prev: 6)
The first half was stressful for Patriots’ fans, as New England fell behind the Bengals 10-7 and looked bad doing it. But the Patriots quickly righted the ship and with a win this week would wrap up the AFC East. In the victory, Tom Brady threw for only 128 yards and two touchdowns.

5) San Francisco 49ers (Prev: 2)
Just when the 49ers looked unstoppable, they fell asleep against Atlanta and dropped an unforgivable home game that now places them as the fifth seed in the NFC. The 49ers are treading an interesting line right now because they are in serious danger of having to play a road game in the first round of the playoffs, but if they win out, they will get home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

4) Seattle Seahawks (Prev: 5)
The Seahawks held off a late comeback by the Panthers, and because of the 49ers’ loss to Atlanta, they are back atop the NFC. Chris Carson had 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win. If the Seahawks and 49ers both win this week, then the final game of the season will determine the NFC’s number one seed, while the loser will have to travel to either Dallas or Philadelphia. No matter what happens next week, the Seahawks will have a chance to wrap up the NFC West in Week 17 with a win.

3) New Orleans Saints (Prev: 4)
Drew Brees broke Peyton Manning’s all-time NFL touchdown passes record, and the Saints demolished the Colts on Monday Night Football. The Saints are still in a great spot to lock up a first-round bye, but they can’t slip up in the next two weeks as they are tied with the Packers, 49ers, and Seahawks atop the NFC. They are currently the third seed.

2) Kansas City Chiefs (Prev: 3)
The Chiefs dominated the Broncos at snowy Arrowhead, and in doing so, they kept their hopes of a first-round playoff bye alive. The run defense was able to successfully shut down Denver’s rush offense, allowing just 52 yards, which could be a good sign for a unit that has struggled all season. Even in the snow, Patrick Mahomes threw for 340 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

1) Baltimore Ravens (Prev: 1)
The Ravens beat the doors off the Jets, and as long as they don’t lose both of their last two games, they will secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Lamar Jackson surpassed Michael Vick’s QB single-season rushing record with his 86 yard performance. After adding five more touchdowns through the air, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Jackson doesn’t win MVP.

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