NFL Power Rankings: Teams Destined to Finish the Season Strong

There are two weeks left in the regular season and yet we still don't even know which teams are the strongest contenders—in either conference.

Blame it on late-season flops by some of the (formerly) top dogs. Or blame it on late surges by the little engines that could. Either way, the next week or two is going to tell us plenty about the teams that have the best chances of doing damage in January and the teams that have been posers this whole time.

For now, let's focus on the former. Here are my complete Week 16 power rankings with a special emphasis on the teams that will finish the season strong.

Note: Teams of emphasis are italicized.

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1)

Well, that's what a win in Foxboro in December will get you.

The 49ers may have 3.5 losses, but suddenly, they're being discussed as one of the true contenders in this year's postseason. And why not? This is a team that's beaten some of the other top teams in either conference—but most notably, the Patriots.

What San Francisco did to New England on Sunday night cannot be understated. It marched into one of the most hostile environments in football and humiliated a team that, one week ago, was the consensus Super Bowl favorite.

With two games remaining against Seattle and Arizona—teams the 49ers have beaten by a combined score of 37-9 this season—the Niners should cruise to the finish line.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-2)

The other strongest team in the NFC is still Atlanta, which has had its own blips over the last few weeks but put all speculation to rest with a 34-0 statement win over the Giants on Sunday.

The Falcons cruised through the first half of the schedule without a loss, and they had some people worried when they dropped two of five—and both of those losses came against bad teams. But Sunday's win over the Giants was a statement, and it was also the first time in a long time—since Week 3—that the Falcons really blew somebody out. The fact that it was New York? Even better.

Atlanta's two remaining games come against a seriously fading Detroit team and a Buccaneers team that has been an embarrassment all season. Holding onto that top seed should be no problem at all.

3. Houston Texans (12-2)

The Texans may have bounced back in a big way from a devastating loss to the Patriots with a statement win over Indianapolis, but their road from here on out isn't easy: Houston must finish with wins over Minnesota and the Colts in order to hold on to that first-round bye.

4. Denver Broncos (11-3)

After the first five weeks of the season, the Broncos looked nothing like a team that would end up with a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Shows us how much stock to put in the first five weeks.

Denver hasn't lost a game since falling to New England in Week 5. It laid a somewhat humiliating 34-17 beating on Denver on Sunday, a game that was nowhere near as competitive as it may look. Its offense ranks among the best in the NFL. And best of all, it gets to finish its season against Cleveland and Kansas City.

If the Patriots are hoping to get back their first-round bye, they're going to have to hope that either the Browns or the Chiefs pulls off a miracle win.

5. New England Patriots (10-4)

Speaking of the Patriots, there was no team that was a bigger disappointment in Week 15 (except for maybe the Ravens). Lucky for them, though, games against Jacksonville and Miami over the next two weeks should provide ample tune-up opportunities.

6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)

The Packers are another team that has been disturbingly up and down all season, but three consecutive must-wins over Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago have made them look pretty good. The work's not done yet, though: They still need to knock off Tennessee and the Vikings to maintain their playoff position.

7. Seattle Seahawks (9-5)

How did the Seahawks end up in the top 10? Well, by outscoring opponents 108-17 over the last two weeks. December is a good time to play your two best games of the season, but unfortunately, those games were against Arizona and Buffalo. So there's that to consider. 

8. Washington Redskins (8-6)

It would be nice if the Redskins could get Robert Griffin III back this week, even if Kirk Cousins has been more than fine in his place. They control their own destiny and will win the NFC East with wins over Philadelphia and Dallas, but will the pressure be too much?

9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

Here we are entering Week 16, and the Bengals still aren't done yet. But their schedule over the next two weeks isn't pretty: Facing a desperate Pittsburgh team in Week 16 is something no team wants to do, nor is finishing up against Baltimore, even if Baltimore has been ... what it has been lately. 

10. Chicago Bears (8-6)

As many expected, the Bears have collapsed over the last three weeks, and huge losses to division rivals Minnesota and Green Bay hurt a lot. But they have two winnable games left on the schedule against Arizona and Detroit, which keeps hope alive.

11. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

It's astounding how quickly the Ravens have gone from front-runners to … whatever they are now, which is kind of desperate. They've dropped three straight to Pittsburgh, Washington and Denver, and it won't get any easier against New York and Cincinnati. Will the slide ever end?

12. New York Giants (8-6)

That 34-0 loss to Atlanta showed us just how far the Giants are from being a contender—but all hope is not lost. They need luck to get into the postseason action, and they're going to have to win a war of attrition against another desperate team when they travel to Baltimore on Sunday.

13. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

Seems that the Thanksgiving loss to Washington was a wake-up call for Tony Romo & Co., because they haven't lost since then. Their two remaining games against New Orleans and at Washington are winnable—but that season finale at the Redskins is going to be one big plate of pressure, and we know how Romo reacts in those situations.

14. Indianapolis Colts (9-5)

A win over Houston on Sunday could have been huge for the Colts, but they're still in good shape as is—especially this weekend at Kansas City. The season finale at home against Houston will be a huge opportunity for Andrew Luck's crew.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)

The good news for the Steelers is that the Ravens have been equally bad over the last few weeks. The bad news is, it's going to take some kind of miracle to get them into the playoffs, regardless.

16. Minnesota Vikings (8-6)

The Vikings aren't done yet, but they could be pretty soon. They're tied with Chicago in the division standings, but they have two very tough games at Houston and against Greek Bay left.

17. New Orleans Saints (6-8)

The Saints haven't been good lately, but last week's 41-0 win over Tampa Bay was a step in the right direction—and now they can take pleasure in playing spoiler to the Cowboys.

18. St. Louis Rams (6-7-1)

If only the Rams could play every game like they were playing the Niners. They're not going anywhere this postseason, but their next one at Tampa Bay is winnable.

19. Miami Dolphins (6-8)

A six-win season isn't a bad start for rookie QB Ryan Tannehill. And he may be able to get a seventh in Week 16 when the Dolphins welcome Buffalo to town.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)

Last week's loss to New Orleans was definitely the worst of the worst, but after losing four straight, it's hard to believe the Bucs are going to be able to do much better against St. Louis and Atlanta.

21. Carolina Panthers (5-9)

Cam Newton has looked stellar at times this season, and at others, he has looked abysmal. The last two weeks have been some of the better times, and perhaps he can even make it three in a row this week against lowly Oakland.

22. Cleveland Browns (5-9)

That three-game win streak was nice while it lasted, and the Browns definitely put up a fight against the Redskins last week—but no team wants to be playing Denver and Pittsburgh to end the season. It's going to be tough from here on out for the Browns.

23. Buffalo Bills (5-9)

The AFC East's two worst teams will battle it out on Sunday to save some face, so that makes this weekend's game at least somewhat promising for Buffalo. Though it's hard to say anything is promising on the heels of a 50-17 defeat.

24. New York Jets (6-8)

After Monday's loss to Tennessee—which officially eliminated New York from playoff contention and marked the Jets' most demoralizing loss of the season—it will be interesting to see whether Greg McElroy can make anything happen to close out the season against San Diego and Buffalo.

25. Arizona Cardinals (5-9)

At least the hunt for that fifth win is finally over. The Cards snapped a nine-game losing streak on Sunday against Detroit, and in Week 16, they have an opportunity to have a hand in ending Chicago's playoff hopes. There's still something to play for, and hey—this team wins and loses in bunches.

26. San Diego Chargers (5-9)

Having Peyton Manning in the division has been a rude wake-up call for the Chargers, who couldn't get by on mediocrity this year. But on the bright side, anyone can beat the Jets—even them.

27. Tennessee Titans (5-9)

The Titans are the talk of the town after sending the Jets reeling on Monday Night Football. Well, not really, but the victory was encouraging for a team that is likely to go right back to its losing ways against Green Bay in Week 16.

28. Detroit Lions (4-10)

Remember when we all thought the Lions were going to do some damage this season? With its six-game losing streak likely to be extended against Atlanta this weekend, Detroit is counting down the days until this season is just a memory.

29. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10)

As the only NFC East team officially out of playoff contention, the Eagles have a real opportunity to wreak havoc and have some fun over the next two weeks with games against Washington and at New York.

30. Oakland Raiders (4-10)

They may have been able to take down Kansas City, but the winning is unlikely to last against a Carolina team that has suddenly shown some character over the last two weeks. The Raiders could, however, end their season on a good note with a win over San Diego.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)

This entire season has been a challenge for the Jags, and it doesn't get any easier with New England coming to town this weekend. But a Week 17 game at Tennessee presents an opportunity.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (2-12)

The Chiefs will finish a heartwrenching 2012 season with tough games against Indianapolis and at Denver. Few teams have it harder than that over the next two weeks.