NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Updated Standings, Predictions Before MNF

As we approach the end of the 2016 NFL regular season, the playoff picture is slowly coming into focus, but there is still plenty to be decided down the stretch.

The New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks all wrapped up playoff berths this week, joining the Dallas Cowboys in the postseason. That leaves eight more spots available to be clinched during the final two weeks of the season. 

Heading into the final weeks, here's a look at the updated power rankings and a closer look at three playoff contenders.

Rank	Team	W-L
1	Dallas Cowboys	12-2
2	New England Patriots	12-2
3	Oakland Raiders	11-3
4	Seattle Seahawks	9-4-1
5	New York Giants	10-4
6	Kansas City Chiefs	10-4
7	Pittsburgh Steelers	9-5
8	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	8-6
9	Tennessee Titans	8-6
10	Green Bay Packers	8-6
11	Atlanta Falcons	9-5
12	Miami Dolphins	9-5
13	Baltimore Ravens	8-6
14	Denver Broncos	8-6
15	Detroit Lions	9-5
16	Washington Redskins	7-5-1
17	Houston Texans	8-6
18	Indianapolis Colts	7-7
19	Buffalo Bills	7-7
20	Minnesota Vikings	7-7
21	Carolina Panthers	5-8
22	New Orleans Saints	6-8
23	Arizona Cardinals	5-8-1
24	Cincinnati Bengals	5-8-1
25	San Diego Chargers	5-9
26	Philadelphia Eagles	5-9
27	Chicago Bears	3-11
28	Los Angeles Rams	4-10
29	New York Jets	4-10
30	Jacksonville Jaguars	2-12
31	San Francisco 49ers	1-13
32	Cleveland Browns	0-14

1. Dallas Cowboys

In Week 15, quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys silenced everyone trying to stir up a late-season quarterback controversy and re-established themselves as the elite team in the NFC in the process.

Prescott's performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night was one for the record books, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

"

Dak Prescott completed 88.9% of his passes, 2nd-highest for QB in a game (minimum 30 attempts- Rich Gannon, 2002 89.5%)
- via @eliassports

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 19, 2016"

Prescott's performance was impressive by any standard, but it was perhaps even more so as a rookie coming off one of his most difficult games as a pro. 

The ability to bounce back after a tough outing is important for a quarterback, and for Prescott to demonstrate that ability so early in his career has to give the Cowboys coaching staff immense confidence in his ability to lead the team deep into the playoffs. 

9. Tennessee Titans

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Tennessee Titans are still technically trailing the Houston Texans in the AFC South due to a tiebreaker, but the Titans look like the team to beat in that division. 

Tennessee will travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 and will then host the Texans in the season finale in what could effectively become the AFC South championship game. 

The Titans' season has been a roller-coaster ride, but they continue to step up with some of their best performances against the toughest competition. Five of the Titans' eight wins this season have come against teams with winning records, including the past two weeks against the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. 

With road wins over likely playoff teams such as the Chiefs and Detroit Lions, this young Titans team should have a lot of confidence heading into the playoffs if they can keep this hot streak going. 

17. Houston Texans

Tim Warner/Getty Images

It's tough to take the Texans seriously as an AFC contender based on their 3-6 record outside the AFC South. And it appears as though head coach Bill O'Brien is among those who don't believe his team is ready for the playoffs as currently constructed. 

Despite leading the AFC South, thanks to a perfect 5-0 record within the division, O'Brien benched starting quarterback Brock Osweiler during Sunday's game against the Jaguars. 

Tom Savage stepped up in place of Osweiler, completing 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards while leading the Texans to a come-from-behind victory. 

According to CBS Houston, following the game, O'Brien did not name a starting quarterback moving forward but said, "We don't make decisions [based] on how much a guy gets paid."

Osweiler is still guaranteed $25 million after the 2016 season, according to Spotrac, so O'Brien is likely stuck with him for at least one more season. But at least in the short term, it appears as though O'Brien is willing to ignore the financial situation and consider using Savage, the quarterback he drafted and has groomed for the past three seasons.