2023 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 17?
Week 16 of the 2023 season brought with it Christmas. Teams across the NFL were all hoping for gifts of different sorts.
The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, which squared off in the week's final matchup, were hoping to claim the title of the league's best record. The Miami Dolphins were hoping for the gift of a victory over a winning team, while the Dallas Cowboys were hoping to stay hot on the heels of the Philadelphia Eagles, who themselves were hoping to end a three-game skid.
The Jacksonville Jaguars wished for an end to their own losing streak under the tree, while the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts wanted wins from Santa to keep them in the AFC South race. All across the logjam that is the NFC South, teams left out cookies and milk in the hopes of breaking through into first place.
Of course, not all those teams got the present they desired. Those Cowboys? Stunned on a last-second field goal in Miami. The Kansas City Chiefs? Shocked at home by the Raiders on Christmas Day. And the Denver Broncos? Their playoff aspirations were Grinched by the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.
Now that the snow has settled (is that enough Christmas metaphors?), Bleacher Report's own elves (guess not) have gathered for their weekly task of ranking the NFL's teams.
With two games to play, here's how Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski see the league shaking out.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-13)
1 of 32
Last Week: 32
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 33-30
Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers was just another setback in a season filled with them for the Carolina Panthers. But for a team desperately in need of some kind of silver lining, there was one in Week 16.
Quarterback Bryce Young finally looked like the first overall pick in the draft—at least for a game.
After failing to surpass 250 passing yards in a game this year, Young had easily his best game as a professional with 23 completions on 36 attempts for 312 passing yards and two scores with a passer rating of 110.0.
While talking to reporters after the game, Young allowed that the loss stung given that Carolina was potentially in field-goal range when time expired. But he also said he believes the Panthers offense can build from its performance.
"I think it is as good as we have looked as a unit," Young said. "This was a good building block for us as a unit. We all stepped up and there is obviously still stuff to clean up and get better at. It wasn't enough and we have to be better. But it is good place for us to build on."
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
2 of 32
Last Week: 30
Week 16 Result: Lost at Chicago 27-16
A long year for the Arizona Cardinals just keeps getting longer.
In Week 16, the Redbirds spotted the Chicago Bears a three-touchdown lead before attempting to make a game of it. And while there was a bright spot or two such as running back James Conner's 112 total yards, that hole was way too big to climb out of.
"When you spot them 21 points, it's tough," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "As an offense, we have to go out there and put points on the board. Tough on the defense. That's tough. So, take it on the chin. We've got to be better."
For Sobleski, it's emblematic of what has truly been a lost season in the desert.
"The Cardinals are back where they started," he said. "Arizona entered this season with many evaluating its roster as the NFL's worst. Well, those evaluations were slightly off. As of now, the Cardinals hold the league's second-worst record. But the positive is that this team can take multiple draft picks, including a pair of first-rounders, and truly start building a foundation along the lines of head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort's vision, which likely starts with quarterback Kyler Murray but doesn't include much beyond that point."
30. Washington Commanders (4-11)
3 of 32
Last Week: 29
Week 16 Result: Lost at New York Jets 30-28
For the second successive week, the Washington Commanders sat down quarterback Sam Howell after a dismal start to a game. And for the second successive week, veteran Jacoby Brissett came in and outplayed Howell by a wide margin, even if it wasn't enough to get the Commanders a win.
While speaking to reporters after the game, Howell (who was a dismal 6-for-22 for 56 yards with a pair of interceptions) said mostly the same things he has said after every clunker this year—that he's a young quarterback still learning the nuances of the game.
"I know it is still early in my career," Howell said. "I am still a young player, and I just have to keep doing what I can to keep trying to get better and not let this moment define who I am as a player or who I am as a person. I won't let it define me."
At least one of our analysts has seen enough though.
"We have seen enough of Sam Howell under center to know that he's not the guy for the Commanders," Davenport said. "At least not in the long term. As things stand now after the loss to the Trevor Siemian-led Jets, the Commanders would pick third in 2024. So, I'd let Howell go ahead and start the final two games against the 49ers and Cowboys. The last thing Washington needs right now is to mess around and win a game."
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29. New York Giants (5-10)
4 of 32
Last Week: 28
Week 16 Result: Lost at Philadelphia 33-25
The Giants losing to the Eagles is nothing new. New York has lost five straight to the Eagles, 11 straight in Philadelphia and 26 of the past 32 times the teams have played.
But this loss to the Eagles was different.
This one may have killed "Tommy Cutlets."
After a dismal first half in which Tommy DeVito was 9-of-16 for 55 yards, New York head coach Brian Daboll benched the youngster for veteran Tyrod Taylor.
While addressing the media after the game, Daboll praised DeVito for handling the demotion with professionalism.
"I didn't see him duck his head or tuck his tail," he said. "He took it like a man. I'm not going to take anything away from Tyrod; he came in and made plays when we needed it.''
DeVito also said there are no hard feelings.
"[Daboll] wanted to have a spark or change, anything we could have,'' DeVito said. "I understand it's a business. We weren't scoring enough points, so the change was made. That was that."
Daboll wouldn't say who will start for the Giants in Week 17. But if he's looking to close the year with a win or two, it's pretty clear that Taylor gives the Giants the best chance to do that.
28. New England Patriots (4-11)
5 of 32
Last Week: 31
Week 16 Result: Won at Denver 26-23
It's been a long season for the New England Patriots—arguably the longest of Bill Belichick's storied career. One Christmas Eve win over the Denver Broncos won't fix all that ails these Patriots. It's not going to put off what will likely be a complete rebuild in New England.
But for one night at least, even head coach Bill Belichick was almost pleasant after the Patriots gutted out their second victory in three weeks.
"That was a wild game," he told reporters. "Really proud of our guys. Got off to a rough start, but those guys really battled back, hung in there. I think our whole team showed a lot of mental toughness. All week, all year."
There are massive changes coming in Foxborough. Neither Bailey Zappe nor Mac Jones is the long-term answer at quarterback. There has been no shortage of speculation that these next two games could be the last for Belichick—at least in New England.
But credit where credit is due. These Patriots could have thrown in the towel on 2023. Waved the white flag. That they didn't is a testiment to both the players and their coach.
Or maybe Darth Hoodie is just sabotaging New England's draft pick on his way out the door.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
6 of 32
Last Week: 27
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Buffalo 24-22
The Los Angeles Chargers had nothing to lose in Week 16. There will be no playoffs. Quarterback Justin Herbert is hurt. Head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco have been fired.
In fact, interim head coach Giff Smith told reporters after the Chargers lost on a last-second field goal that his entire gameplan was essentially that—play like you have nothing to lose.
"I think we went into this game thinking it was going to be a heavyweight fight, and we wanted to have a chance at the end for a knockout," Smith said. "We were going to play it a little close to the vest. Get points on the board and give ourself a chance to win, and that's the way it went. Came up a little bit short."
The Bolts are just playing out the string in what has been a wildly disappointing season. But after that will come a critical offseason. This is a team that was viewed as a playoff contender just a few months ago. The Chargers have no shortage of talent on both sides of the ball. It will be an attractive landing spot for coaching and GM candidates.
The Chargers have to hit on those hires and do a good job of filling holes on the roster. This is a team on the edge. They can either be a contender in 2024 or fade into mediocrity.
26. Tennessee Titans (5-10)
7 of 32
Last Week: 25
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 20-17
It's been a long year in Nashville.
After falling to the Seahawks in last-second fashion Sunday, the Titans have lost double-digit games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015. Week 16 marked the seventh one-score loss of the season for the Titans.
Running back Derrick Henry didn't mince words about the defeat while speaking to reporters.
"If you care, it won't be easy to shake it," Henry said.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel made a similar statement.
"There are no moral victories in life," Vrabel said. "There are no moral victories in professional football."
The question now for these Titans is whether either of those gentlemen will even be in Tennessee next year. Derrick Henry will be 30 at the beginning of the 2024 season and is one carry away from 2,000 for his career. Vrabel's status as head coach isn't exactly rock-solid. The Titans could be about to embark on what will essentially be a ground-up rebuild.
And if that is the case—if players like running back Tyjae Spears and quarterback Will Levis really are the future of the team—then wins in either of the next two weeks would do as much harm as good.
25. Chicago Bears (6-9)
8 of 32
Last Week: 26
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Arizona 27-16
The Chicago Bears won't be making the postseason in 2023. In fact, it can be argued that in winning three of their past four games (and nearly winning the fourth) that all the Bears have done is cost themselves draft position.
But quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears have shown more than a little fight over this past month, and that at least offers some momentum for next season.
Where Fields is concerned, his passing numbers were again relatively modest—15 completions on 27 attempts for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But Fields also added 97 yards and a score on the ground, and he told reporters that stat lines matter less to him than notching the win.
"I'm cool with whatever as long as we win the game," Fields said. "If I have 100 passing yards and zero touchdowns and we get the win, I'm cool with that. I know people love stats and say, 'he only throws (blah, blah, blah).' I don't care, we won the game. As long as we win, I'm not really a numbers guy. All I know is one win up in the win column today, and that's all I care about."
Fields has two more games to make his case to continue being Chicago's starting quarterback...or to audition for potential trade suitors.
With the Bears looking more and more likely to pick first overall with each Panthers loss, the latter option appears the more likely.
24. New York Jets (6-9)
9 of 32
Last Week: 24
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Washington 30-28
The New York Jets' season hasn't gone as expected. But before Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders had even kicked off, team owner Woody Johnson told The New York Post that head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas would return in 2024.
"My decision is to keep them," Johnson said. "I think we've had some very positive moves. The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces."
For Johnson, the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the first series of the season was enough to grant the head coach and general manager a mulligan for 2023.
"Just to keep the continuity going with Aaron and the team we've got," Johnson said. "Like I said a year ago, we need a quarterback. We had a quarterback for four plays. Since then, we haven't been able to replace him. If we have a good quarterback, it makes everybody's job easier. It makes the line better, the receivers better."
Johnson almost wound up with buyer's remorse after the Jets blew a 20-point second half lead. And even with the win, New York is still out of the playoffs for the 13th straight season.
But when next season begins, Saleh will still be steering the ship—albeit from a captain's seat that comes with a warmer.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
10 of 32
Last Week: 23
Week 16 Result: Won at Kansas City 20-14
It's not that often that a quarterback throws for 62 yards in a win—not in 2023 anyway. But Aidan O' Connell of the Las Vegas Raiders received a trio of Christmas gifts in the team's upset of the Kansas City Chiefs.
With running back Josh Jacobs sidelined, Zamir White piled up 145 yards on 22 carries—including a pair of long runs on the game-clinching drive. Edge-rusher Malcolm Koonce had the best game of his career, sacking Patrick Mahomes three times. And both Raiders touchdowns came courtesy of the defense on back-to-back plays in the first half.
The win doesn't help the Raiders' odds of landing a franchise quarterback in the draft. But as Moton wrote, it hasn't hurt Antonio Pierce's odds of having the "interim" tag removed from his title.
"Coming off their biggest win of the season, the Raiders have a lot on the line," he said. "At the moment, interim head coach Antonio Pierce seems like the front-runner to claim the full-time head-coaching job, barring an absolute collapse in the final two weeks of the regular season. Since taking over for former lead skipper Josh McDaniels, Pierce has a 4-3 record, and he helped lead the Raiders back into the playoff discussion. Next Sunday, Las Vegas can surpass the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) while in the hunt for a postseason berth."
"The Silver and Black will give the Colts and Denver Broncos their best shot, but one has to wonder if it'll be enough with rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell under center and first-year offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree calling the plays," Moton continued. "On the bright side, the Raiders essentially beat the Chiefs with their defense and a run game led by Zamir White. While it's hard to wrap your arms around the Raiders because of their lackluster passing attack, no one can deny that they're playing their best football of the season at the right time."
22. Denver Broncos (7-8)
11 of 32
Last Week: 17
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. New England 26-23
After rallying to tie the game, the Denver Broncos defense couldn't stop the New England Patriots from driving for a game-winning field goal.
With Denver's postseason aspirations essentially done and the first two years of Russell Wilson's Broncos tenure a disappointment to say the least, the veteran quarterback was asked by reporters after the loss about his future with the team. The answer he offered, well, really wasn't one.
"I'm just worried about next week and playing great football," Wilson said. "I came here to win and win a championship for us and to find a way to do that. I obviously love being here with these guys, these teammates. I'm excited to keep playing ball and playing hard for us."
Wilson won't be playing ball though--on Wednesday head coach Sean Payton benched Wilson in favor of Jarrett Stidham. It's a move that has created all kinds of buzz about Wilson's future in Denver.
The reality is that the Broncos couldn't get rid of Wilson if they wanted to—the dead-cap hit involved would be staggering.
But the pressure on Wilson and Sean Payton in 2024 is going to be...suffocating.
21. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
12 of 32
Last Week: 20
Week 16 Result: Won at Carolina 33-30
The good news is the Green Bay Packers managed a three-point win over the lowly Carolina Panthers to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The bad news is the Packers needed a late field goal to survive the lowly Panthers and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
While addressing the media after the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made it clear he'll take a win any way he can get one.
"It feels good to win," he said. "Certainly made it a little closer than we would've liked, but give Carolina a ton of credit. They fought for four quarters. The bottom line is that we found a way to make a couple of plays down the stretch to propel us to a win."
However, Moton feels that LaFleur needs to consider a coaching change after Green Bay (likely) misses the postseason for a second consecutive season.
"Perhaps Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn't want to fire defensive coordinator Joe Barry because he's in the holiday spirit, but Green Bay has to eventually part ways with the play-caller in order for this power-ranker to take this team seriously," he said. "Barry's defense has been in the giving mood since Week 15 when it surrendered 34 points (tied for a season high) and 452 total yards. Last Sunday, the Packers gave up 30 points to the Carolina Panthers, who have scored 21 or more points in just three games this season. Despite a 33-30 win, the Packers aren't going to make a move in our power rankings after they nearly squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to the lowly two-win Panthers."
20. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
13 of 32
Last Week: 18
Week 16 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Rams 30-22
There was quite a bit of coal involved in Christmas for the New Orleans Saints. That the week began with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams was bad enough. But wins by the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers made things that much worse.
Now, as Bob Rose wrote for Saints Sports Network, there remains just one path to the NFC South title for the Saints—and it isn't a particularly likely one.
"New Orleans must beat both Tampa Bay and Atlanta to finish the year with a 9-8 record," he said. "Additionally, the Buccaneers must lose their season finale at the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are 2-13 after their Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. If that scenario plays out, the Saints would be the NFC South champion. If the Saints lose either of their last two contests, they will officially (mercifully?) be eliminated from postseason contention. There is no other scenario where New Orleans can win their division."
It's not like the Saints have anyone to blame but themselves. The offense has spent far too much of the season settling for field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. When the offense has gotten it together, the defense has faltered.
The Saints just haven't played like a postseason team, at least not with any consistency.
19. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
14 of 32
Last Week: 19
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 30-24
That the Minnesota Vikings have been able to hang around the fringes of the NFC postseason chase despite a litany of injuries is a testament to the team's resilience.
But the injuries (and poor quarterback play) appear to finally be catching up to the team. After Nick Mullens tossed four more interceptions against the Lions in a game in which the Vikings lost tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), Jordan Addison (ankle) and edge-rusher D.J. Wonnum (quad), the Vikings are 7-8 and on the outside looking in.
After the game, wide receiver Justin Jefferson told reporters the team's struggles are a testament to Kirk Cousins' value to the team.
"I think it goes to show the world the type of player Kirk is," Jefferson said. "At the end of the day, this is a tough league. Not everybody is meant for this job. It's tough not having No. 8 out there—the captain that he is, the leader that he is. He's a great player."
"The Vikings aren't dead just yet," Davenport said. "With victories over the Packers at home and Lions on the road, Minnesota could still make the postseason. But the Packers are just as desperate as the Vikings, and the Lions could still be fighting for seeding. Even if these Vikings somehow win those games, the propensity of Mullens and Josh Dobbs to turn the ball over all but guarantees a quick exit from the postseason. Frankly, the Vikings should use these last two games to see if the team has anything with rookie Jaren Hall. That makes more sense long-term than trying to limp into a postseason beatdown."
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
15 of 32
Last Week: 21
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 34-11
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 16 a reeling team. After losing three straight, Pittsburgh's playoff chances appeared to be in major trouble.
They certainly didn't look like it Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to an efficient performance from quarterback Mason Rudolph, a huge game from wide receiver George Pickens and an excellent effort from the Steelers defense, Pittsburgh squashed a surging Bengals team to get back above .500 for the season.
Rudolph was the third quarterback the Steelers have started this season, and he admitted to reporters that he wasn't sure what his NFL future looked like.
"You have confidence in yourself as a player," Rudolph said. "But I'm kinda thinking, 'Am I going to jump into the commercial real estate realm next year or am I going to play quarterback?'"
"The Steelers are next to impossible to get a bead on," Davenport said. "The past few weeks they appeared a floundering also-ran. Then Mason Rudolph makes his first start in two-plus years and the Steelers tubthump the Cincinnati Bengals. It's still hard to take the Steelers seriously as a playoff threat, but one more win keeps Mike Tomlin's streak of non-losing seasons alive. The problem with that is Tomlin's Steelers are getting close to becoming the Jeff Fisher Rams—good enough to win nine games, but not much more than that."
17. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
16 of 32
Last Week: 22
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 29-10
Good luck figuring out the Atlanta Falcons.
In Week 15, the Falcons scored seven points and lost to the worst team in the league. This week, Atlanta benched Desmond Ridder (again) and blew out a Colts team in the thick of the AFC South chase. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke told reporters that the key for him was simple—avoid mistakes and turnovers.
"Obviously, the story of the season so far has been, you know, turnovers and self-inflicted wounds, and that was kind of our message this week was not beat ourselves," Heinicke said. "Let's make them go beat us. I thought we played a really clean game."
In Moton's opinion, Henicke clearly gives the Falcons the best chance of sneaking into the playoffs.
"Last Sunday, Heinicke helped lead the Falcons to a 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts with an efficient passing performance, completing 23 out of 33 pass attempts for 229 yards and a touchdown," he said. "Heinicke isn't going to lead you to a fantasy football title with those numbers, but he's more trustworthy than Desmond Ridder under center. The latter has thrown 10 interceptions and fumbled 11 times in 13 games (12 starts). Despite their 3-4 record since November, the Falcons still have a shot to creep through the back door of the NFC playoffs if they finish 9-8. They'll go on the road to square off against the Chicago Bears (6-9) and New Orleans Saints (7-8) in their last two regular-season games."
"If Heinicke doesn't turn the ball over and continues to keep tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London involved in the aerial attack," Moton continued, "Atlanta could make a late-season push for a playoff spot and a top-half slot in our power rankings."
16. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
17 of 32
Last Week: 12
Week 16 Result: Lost at Pittsburgh 34-11
For the past several weeks, Jake Browning has been the king of the Queen City—the quarterback who stepped in for the injured Joe Burrow and kept the Bengals in the playoff chase.
Saturday in Pittsburgh though, Browning looked like a backup quarterback during what was easily the worst start of his season. While the 27-year-old had threw for 335 yards, he also had three costly interceptions.
While speaking to the team's website, Browning said he's much more worried about how he played Saturday than the effect it has on Cincy's playoff chances.
"The playoffs, I don't know. I've been ignoring that in general," said Browning after the game. "I'm going to learn from this. A lot of quarterbacks have bad games. I had a bad game. It's how you respond. That's where I am, and that's where we're at as a team."
The timing of the loss is pretty bad as well, because Cincinnati's schedule doesn't get easier from here out. Next week, the team is in Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. In the regular-season finale, the Bengals face a 10-win Browns team fighting for their own playoff lives.
In other words, the postseason probably isn't happening in Cincinnati this year.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
18 of 32
Last Week: 10
Week 16 Result: Lost at Tampa Bay 30-12
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in trouble. Quite a lot of trouble.
A month ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were in the mix for the AFC's No. 1 seed. But after getting blown out by the Buccaneers in Tampa, the Jaguars have now lost four games in a row and may not make the playoffs at all.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn't make it all the way through the game. After spending much of the week in the concussion protocol, Lawrence exited Sunday's loss with a shoulder injury. But the young signal-caller didn't hold back on how his team has looked over the last month while talking to reporters.
"It just looks like we don't even practice," he said. "We look lost. No sense of urgency. The list goes on and on. I feel like we have good weeks of preparation and I feel like we're prepared going into games, and then something happens on game day the last month where it just all falls apart. This is our season. We've worked hard to be in this position, and we're close to pissing it away, so we've got to figure it out."
The Jaguars have a pair of winnable games left—home against the Carolina Panthers and at Tennessee. And thanks to losses by Indianapolis and Houston, the Jags remain in first place in the AFC South.
But their margin for error has evaporated. With Lawrence's status for Week 17 very much in doubt…
Well, the Jaguars are in trouble.
14. Houston Texans (8-7)
19 of 32
Last Week: 14
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Cleveland 36-22
It's slipping away from the Houston Texans.
Like seemingly every team in the AFC South, the Texans are sliding at the worst possible time. Sunday's 14-point loss was Houston's second in three games, and it wasn't nearly as close as the final score, as the Browns led 36-7 at one point and the Texans didn't score an offensive touchdown until the final quarter.
The offensive struggles can be largely attributed to quarterback C.J. Stroud sitting with a concussion, but Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear to reporters that he wasn't at all pleased with the team's defensive effort, either.
"When you don't get pressure on the quarterback, no matter who's out there it's going to be a long day," he said. "Flacco had a really good day against us. We didn't pressure him at all. He stood back in the pocket. He had all day to throw the football, and we weren't where we were supposed to be in coverage."
"All isn't lost in Houston." Davenport said. "The Texans close the season with two AFC South matchups against the 5-10 Tennessee Titans and 8-7 Indianapolis Colts. But if the Texans are going to make a late push, they have to get their rookie quarterback back—now. Losing edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard to an ankle injury was a big blow—and that's the thing. Tank Dell. Stroud. Now Greenard. Late-season injuries on both sides of the ball are hitting Houston hard. And it may just be too much to overcome."
13. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
20 of 32
Last Week: 11
Week 16 Result: Lost at Atlanta 29-10
Some weeks, the Indianapolis Colts have looked like the clear-cut No. 1 team in the AFC South.
Then there are weeks the Colts look they did Sunday in Atlanta.
Indianapolis took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 13 plays for a Jonathan Taylor touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, and then they didn't score another touchdown the rest of the game.
The listless loss earned a fiery post-game speech from Indianapolis quarterback Gardner Minshew.
"You start counting wins and you start doing schedule math and you look around, it's like, 'Well they lost to Carolina; we beat the Steelers,'" Minshew recounted to reporters later. "Well you know what? You gotta go earn it right now. And if you take this lightly, you might not end up with another [chance]."
The Colts' effort also earned a rebuke (of sorts) from Sobleski.
"Sunday's contest proved to be an opportunity wasted for the Colts," he said. "The Falcons controlled the game from the second quarter on. Fortunately, Indianapolis didn't lose too much ground in the AFC's postseason standings because the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals all lost. Shane Steichen's squad currently sits in the seventh hole as a playoff participant. It controls its destiny, with winnable upcoming games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans--both of which are at home."
12. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
21 of 32
Last Week: 15
Week 16 Result: Won at Tennessee 20-17
The Seattle Seahawks are hanging in there.
They aren't piling up style point. As was the case last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, it took a last-minute touchdown for the Seahawks to overcome the Tennessee Titans for back-to-back wins that put Seattle in charge of its own destiny. Coming on the heels of a four-game skid, head coach Pete Carroll applauded his team's recent effort while speaking to reporters.
"It's an exciting win for us, and the belief in this locker room is strong that we can take on whatever we got to take on," Carroll said. "We'll have our wits together and execute function no matter how long it takes. That's a powerful trait. So hopefully we can hang onto that."
However, Moton still has his doubts about the Seahawks as a playoff team.
"Something isn't quite right with the Seahawks," he said. "They field one of the league's most well-rounded, talented wide receiver corps with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the perimeter, and the offense also features a running back duo with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Yet the Seahawks have scored 20 points or fewer in three consecutive games. Sure, they can skate by with that point total against the Tennessee Titans, but Seattle must put more points on the board in its next outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who racked up 34 points with quarterback Mason Rudolph at the helm last Saturday."
"The Seahawks have scored 20 points with Drew Lock and Geno Smith under center," he went on. "Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron must start pushing the right buttons as Seattle clings to the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture."
11. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
22 of 32
Last Week: 13
Week 16 Result: Won vs. New Orleans 30-22
After an offseason of veteran player departures, expectations for the Los Angeles Rams were modest. But after downing the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, the Saints have a legitimate shot at the playoffs with two games to play.
The win is the fifth in six games for the Rams, who were 3-6 entering their bye week. Now above .500 for the first time since Week 1, quarterback Matthew Stafford lauded his team's ability to rise to the occasion in a big game while speaking to reporters.
"We earned the opportunity to be at this point, in my opinion," Stafford said. "We've had stakes since the bye, so I'm just proud of the way these guys have put their head down, gone to work and shown up."
Head coach Sean McVay echoed those sentiments, although he'd as soon the team not make things quite so interesting at the end.
"We sure make it interesting, don't we?" McVay asked. "But I love the resilience of this group. They just continue to show up. I thought there was a lot of really good stuff throughout the course of this game."
Next week's New Year's Eve tilt with the New York Giants appears winnable, so the Rams' postseason aspirations could come down to a Week 18 trip to San Francisco. If the Niners have the No. 1 seed in the NFC locked up by then, they could choose to rest many big-name starters.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
23 of 32
Last Week: 16
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Jacksonville 30-12
There hasn't been a more mercurial team in the NFL this year than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers were 3-1 at the bye. They then lost six of seven to seemingly fall out of the playoff race in the NFC. But after blasting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the Bucs have won four in a row and control their own destiny in the NFC South.
While addressing the media, Tampa head coach Todd Bowles singled out the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield while applauding the entire team's ability to rally at this most important time of the year.
"(Mayfield has) been outstanding in December. That's what you want from your quarterback," Bowles said. "We're piecing it together. Everybody's playing for each other. Everybody's locked in, and we're trying to get in. We're clawing, we're scratching, doing everything we can."
Sobleski likes Mayfield's chances of getting the Buccaneers into the postseason for the fourth straight season.
"Baker Mayfield has taken control of the Buccaneers franchise, which is trending in the right direction with four straight victories," he said. "The team jelled at the right time, and it continues to hold a game advantage (plus tiebreakers) toward another NFC South title. During the aforementioned stretch, Mayfield posted a nine-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio. Whether he re-signs in the offseason remains undecided. But the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick is making the most of his opportunity in Tampa."
9. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
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Last Week: 9
Week 16 Result: Won at Houston 36-22
The Cleveland Browns are all but certainly not going to make it to the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl this year. But the Browns have won 10 games and will (barring a dizzying list of circumstances that begin with them losing out) make the playoffs in 2023.
That's an impressive accomplishment considering all that's happened. Running back Nick Chubb has been out most of the season. The Browns have started four quarterbacks and are currently rolling out 38-year-old Joe Flacco under center. Star edge-rusher Myles Garrett has effectively played most of the last month with one arm. Against the Texans on Sunday, the Browns averaged 1.8 yards per carry.
But thanks to another huge game from Flacco and a record-setting day from wideout Amari Cooper, Cleveland has won six of eight. One more win would give the team their best record since re-joining the NFL in 1999.
For Sobleski, it's been a collective effort.
"It's easy to look at the Browns' current run and shower veteran quarterback Joe Flacco with praise," he said. "Granted, the 38-year-old signal-caller did help save the season. But so did multiple others the team can rely upon when so many of their teammates found their way onto the injury list. The offensive line has been in constant flux. The Texans didn't sack Flacco once. Amari Cooper becomes the latest star to shine brightly by setting a single-game franchise record with 265 receiving yards. This Browns squad continues chugging along with the AFC's third-best record."
8. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
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Last Week: 8
Week 16 Result: Won at Los Angeles Chargers 24-22
The Buffalo Bills went into Week 16 trying to keep their playoff hopes alive against a Chargers team short its starting quarterback and with an interim head coach—so of course Buffalo fell behind 10-0.
However, the Bills rallied, and by virtue of losses by the Colts and Texans on Sunday, the Bills control their own destiny with two games to play.
To quarterback Josh Allen, who accounted for all three Bills touchdowns, the postseason has already started—he told reporters that now every week is simply a matter of survive and advance.
"It's tough because when you're playing a team with nothing to lose, that's a dangerous team. We gutted it out and we found a way," said Allen. "This is our playoffs. It didn't matter how we get them done, just get them done."
Head coach Sean McDermott credited the Chargers for throwing the Bills an early curveball.
"(The Chargers) were doing some things that they hadn't shown (this season). They came in well-prepared," McDermott said. "I thought our guys settled in and responded. We did a good job in the red zone and had some big plays on third down to help us out."
The Bills will he heavy favorites in Week 17 against the Patriots. But come Week 18, Buffalo travels to Miami to face the Dolphins in what could be a "win-and-in" scenario.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
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Last Week: 7
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Las Vegas 20-14
The warning signs have been there for weeks, but we chose to ignore them.
After all, this was the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Sure, the offense was inconsistent and little like the juggernaut we have become accustomed to, but it was the Chiefs and Mahomes. They'd figure it out and turn it around.
Well, we're 16 weeks into the 2023 season, and Chiefs aren't figuring it out. Yes, Kansas City outgained the Raiders by over 100 yards on Christmas. But they also offered up defensive touchdowns on back-to-back plays, went 5-for-16 on third down and averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry. Even Kansas City's defense faltered, allowing a pair of long runs late that allowed the Raiders to run out the clock.
"Had the Denver Broncos not choked at home on Christmas Eve," Davenport said. "The AFC West could be realistically in play with two games to go. The Chiefs simply cannot generate offense down the field, and opponents know it. Mahomes melting down on the sidelines is becoming a regular occurrence. And the AFC's No. 1 seed is no longer a possibility. It would be folly to completely dismiss the Chiefs in the playoffs. But this team? You can mostly dismiss them, because they don't look like a threat to Baltimore or even Miami."
6. Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
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Last Week: 5
Week 16 Result: Lost at Miami 22-20
Here we go again with the Dallas Cowboys.
This may sound hasty about a 10-win team, but the Cowboys arguably have little to no shot of making a deep playoff run after another listless performance on the road. At AT&T Stadium, Dallas hasn't lost a game this season. Away from home, the Cowboys are now just 3-5.
And with the NFC East title looking less and less likely by the day, Dallas will be on the road as a Wild Card in the postseason.
Despite a second successive loss on the road, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott told reporters that Dallas remains confident their road struggles are overblown.
"This one sucks," Prescott said. "It hurts, especially in the manner that we lost this one. But the confidence is high. We understand that we can. Obviously, we haven't done it. But we will."
Davenport isn't buying it.
"Dallas looks the part of a Super Bowl contender when you come to their house," he said. "But get them away from Jerruh World and it's a different story. The offense becomes much more inconsistent. The defense becomes that much more porous. It's just a different team—to an alarming degree. Dallas may be able to go to Tampa or New Orleans and win a Wild Card game ala last year. But this team winning in Philadelphia or San Francisco is unlikely, especially since we have seen those movies before already."
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
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Last Week: 6
Week 16 Result: Won vs. New York Giants 33-25
The Philadelphia Eagles came into Week 16 riding a three-game skid. Philly wanted to send a message on Monday. To not just win but shake up their funk in emphatic a manner as possible.
Well, they won.
The eight-point victory over the Giants put the Eagles in control of the NFC East, and with the San Francisco 49ers losing Monday night, the No. 1 seed in the NFC could conceivably be in play.
Philly piled up 465 yards of offense. But the team also turned it over twice (both leading to Giants touchdowns) and committed nine penalties, which allowed the Giants to stay in the game.
After the win, though, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters he's only worried about scoring more points than the other guys.
"When you have the type of guys we have on our team, everybody is going to be eager to grow, everybody is going to be eager for more," he said. "But when did winning not become the main thing?"
Given the team's remaining schedule (Arizona at home and then at the Giants again), the Eagles have a couple more chances to clean things up ahead of the postseason.
4. Miami Dolphins (11-4)
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Last Week: 4
Week 16 Result: Won vs. Dallas 22-20
In spite of all the success the Miami Dolphins have had this season, there remained some skepticism surrounding the team's viability as a Super Bowl contender. Entering Week 16, the Dolphins had not defeated a team with a winning record this season.
Consider that dragon slain.
It wasn't an especially stylish win. But in squeaking past the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, the Cowboys finally beat a quality opponent. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters afterward that his team was never worried about its ability to hang with the big dogs, but it still felt good to beat one.
"It's always big when you do something that, internally, you know that you're capable of," McDaniel said. "When it comes to fruition, it's pretty satisfying. Nobody on this team thought we were going to lose that game, and that's pretty cool when everyone tells you that you can't do X, Y or Z."
"Well, what are detractors going to say now that the Dolphins have beaten a team with a winning record and started their brutal final stretch with a victory? It's time to acknowledge what they really are: legitimate Super Bowl contenders," Sobleski wrote. "The offense is one of the game's best devised. Playmakers are everywhere. The defense is stout and opportunistic. Miami is firmly planted among the league's best, without any qualifications whatsoever."
3. Detroit Lions (11-4)
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Last Week: 3
Week 16 Result: Won at Minnesota 30-24
The last time the Detroit Lions won the NFC North, it wasn't the NFC North—it was still the NFC Central. Bill Clinton was president. The top grossing movie that year was Jurassic Park—the first one. That year, the World Wide Web was first introduced into the public domain.
Yes, the last time the Lions were division champs, the internet first became a thing.
However, after outlasting the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday, the Lions rule the North. And as Moton wrote, the fact that Detroit won as much with defense as offense bodes well for its chances of doing damage in the postseason.
"Sunday, the Lions clinched a division title for the first time since 1993," he said. "More importantly, they accomplished the feat with a balanced performance, outscoring the Minnesota Vikings 30-24 and logging four takeaways that included an interception to seal the victory. As we all know, the Lions can win scoring shootouts with the best teams across the league, but over the last two weeks, their defense has pulled its weight, too. In Week 15, Detroit's defense held the Denver Broncos to 17 points and then it capitalized on quarterback Nick Mullens' turnover-prone tendencies. If the Lions defense plays at this level going forward, they'll re-enter our Super Bowl discussion. For now, they've earned a spot among the league's top-tier teams."
2. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
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Last Week: 1
Week 16 Result: Lost vs. Baltimore 33-19
In today's rapid-reaction era, we have a tendency to overreact to the here and now instead of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. That will no doubt be the case where Monday night's butt-kicking is concerned.
And make no mistake, the 49ers got their butts kicked on Christmas night. Entering the game, quarterback Brock Purdy was an MVP front-runner. Four interceptions and the worst game of his career later, that's likely done. Purdy didn't even finish the game—he was pulled with a shoulder injury after being sacked in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Niners running back Christian McCaffrey (still an MVP candidate in his own right after another big night in the loss) cautioned reporters to take a breath where the team's second-year signal-caller is concerned.
"I don't think Brock ever needs encouraging words," he said. "He's a pro's pro. He's one of the best players in this entire league."
That whole part about "one of the best players in the league" might be a tad hyperbolic, but the Niners will be fine. They will all but certainly be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They beat both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys handily.
This week though, the AFC's best team mollywhopped the NFC's best team.
1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
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Last Week: 2
Week 16 Result: Won at San Francisco 33-19
There is little question what the biggest statement win of Week 16 was. It's the one that changed the No. 1 team in these power rankings, the one that lifted an AFC team to the top spot for the first time in a long time.
Of course, it was Baltimore's beatdown of the 49ers in San Francisco.
This was a game the Ravens dominated in just about every facet. Lamar Jackson smoked one of the NFL's best defenses for almost 300 total yards and two touchdowns while establishing himself as the clear front-runner to be named the NFL's most valuable player. Baltimore's defense forced five turnovers, notched four sacks, wrecked Brock Purdy's MVP candidacy and knocked him from the game.
The contest that was supposed to be Godzilla vs. King Kong was Godzilla stomping all over Tokyo. And Davenport thinks it sent a clear message as to who this year's Super Bowl favorite is.
"Baltimore's pass-rush is ferocious. The secondary is deep is talented. Even without Mark Andrews, the Ravens are loaded with receivers," he said. "And the single most difficult player in the league to defend is playing the best football of his career. The Ravens are balanced. Loaded. And the best team in the league."
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