NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Updated 2014 Analysis Before Thursday Night Football

Heading into Week 16, the NFL's 32 teams can be categorized into several different groups.

One category encompasses the teams that are fighting for the draft's No. 1 selection. Six teams have three wins or fewer, and with two games remaining, they all have legitimate shots of getting their most coveted college prospect—or trading the selection away for a boatload of future picks.

The next category is comprised of five other teams out of playoff contention. This is an unfortunate position at this time of year, because losing doesn't guarantee a decent first-round pick and winning doesn't result in a playoff berth.

Then we have a category of playoff contenders. This incorporates the 17 teams vying for a spot in the postseason along with the other four squads that have already clinched berths in January's action. This is the current top tier of the NFL.

At this time of year, you probably know exactly which of those groups your team falls into. However, where does it stand among the rest of the NFL? Well, that's why we have power rankings. Here's a complete look at the league's pecking order prior to the penultimate week of the regular season.

32. Tennessee Titans (2-12)

The Titans may be the worst team in the NFL right now, but they have a great chance of acquiring the No. 1 pick in the draft if they lose Thursday night. That may be very likely, as Charlie Whitehurst is slated to get the start under center, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean:

Now, here's the question: Did this team see enough of Zach Mettenberger to stick with him for next season, or should it set its sights on Marcus Mariota?

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)

Jacksonville has a chance to not finish in the gutter of the AFC South with a win over the Titans on Thursday. This team will be getting a very high draft pick, but it doesn't need a quarterback. So, here's the predicament: Does Jacksonville draft a talented defensive end or trade the pick away to a quarterback-needy team? This could be a good situation for the Jaguars.

30. Washington Redskins (3-11)

Robert Griffin III will get another start Sunday due to Colt McCoy being relocated to injured reserve. This gives Washington another chance to see what Griffin can do before the team decides the quarterback's fate during the offseason. Will he keep his job with the Redskins, or will this be an audition for other teams?

29. Oakland Raiders (2-12)

Oakland has its quarterback of the future in Derek Carr. What Carr needs is an upgraded offensive line and a legitimate No. 1 weapon at wide receiver. The Raiders can give him either one with their dismal record, as both offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and wide receiver Amari Cooper should be available when they pick.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-12)

This may be the team that needs Mariota the most. The Buccaneers have two very talented wide receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. By grabbing a capable—and mobile—quarterback, and perhaps an upgrade in the backfield, this team could quickly begin to compete in the not-so-great NFC South.

27. New York Jets (3-11)

Speaking of teams that could use a quarterback, here are the Jets. There are a number of different routes New York can take in the draft, as the team must improve in a variety of ways. A new signal-caller would be the obvious top priority, but don't rule out wide receiver or possibly help in the defensive secondary.

26. Chicago Bears (5-9)

The Bears may be the most disappointing team in the NFL this season. There's no reason this team should have five wins right now with all the talent in Chicago. This team is officially out of postseason contention, and the front office must decide whether the problem is Marc Trestman or Jay Cutler. As of now, the team is looking to see what it has without the quarterback at the helm, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen:

25. New York Giants (5-9)

New York has a great chance to quickly rebuild over the offseason and compete in the NFC East. After all, how much fun will it be to watch Odell Beckham Jr. alongside Victor Cruz? Upgrading the offensive line must be the top priority for this team after the season.

24. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

The Vikings may only be a six-win team, but their future looks bright with Mike Zimmer at the helm. The defense is coming along nicely, and Teddy Bridgewater is showing signs of development. If this team can shore up its offensive weapons and line, it could be a contender sooner than you may think.

23. Carolina Panthers (5-8-1)

Don't expect the Panthers to make an appearance in the postseason, especially with Cam Newton likely shelved for another week. That said, Carolina will have an excellent opportunity to add some much-needed help either along the offensive line or in the wide receiver corps with a high draft pick.

22. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

The Falcons may only have five wins, but they still control their own destiny in the NFC South. The offensive line has been holding up much better of late, and Matt Ryan has looked better as a result. A win against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16 would put this team on the brink of a playoff berth.

21. Houston Texans (7-7)

Houston is still alive in the playoff race, but it may as well be talking about the draft right now. This team is in dire straits when it comes to the quarterback position, and it has no idea if Ryan Mallett is the answer. At least it will get some help via the draft if it can snag a cornerback to bolster its porous secondary.

20. Cleveland Browns (7-7)

Johnny Manziel was awful in Week 15, but quarterbacks aren't made in a day. He gets another chance to prove himself in Week 16 against a Panthers defense that has been playing better of late. The Browns are still in the playoff race, but a loss will alter their focus to the draft.

19. San Francisco 49ers (7-7)

Well, the 49ers are out of the playoff picture, and head coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be on his way out. This team still has a very good defense, but it needs plenty of help on the offensive side of the ball to compete in a highly competitive NFC West. This team really needs to start asking itself if Colin Kaepernick is truly the answer.

18. New Orleans Saints (6-8)

The Saints continue to be the league's most enigmatic team. There's almost no telling how good or bad New Orleans will be on any given week. It really is a shame considering the bevy of talent on this squad. Still, all of that talk can be put to rest with a win over the Falcons in Week 16.

17. St. Louis Rams (6-8)

Jeff Fisher should probably be considered a Coach of the Year candidate. He's revitalized a team that looked terrible earlier in the season. All of a sudden, the Rams have a ferocious defense and some nice playmakers emerging on the offensive side of the ball. This team could be a quarterback away from contention.

16. Miami Dolphins (7-7)

The Dolphins had some high expectations for this season, but they just haven't quite lived up to the billing. Ryan Tannehill has had his moments, but he's been inconsistent for the most part. Head coach Joe Philbin doesn't seem to have this team on the fast track to anywhere, and his position should be questioned if the Dolphins miss out on the playoffs.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)

Kansas City is a sound team, but it lacks the kind of offensive explosiveness required to win games at this time of year. The Chiefs are in dire need of a playmaker at the wide receiver position, and if they miss out on the playoffs, their full focus must be on the draft and potential free-agent acquisitions. After all, most all of the other pieces are already in place.

14. San Diego Chargers (8-6)

The Chargers made a surprise trip to the playoffs in 2013, but if the offense can't kick it into high gear over the last two weeks of the season, it won't repeat that feat this year. Unfortunately, things aren't looking good, with Keenan Allen missing Sunday's game and Ryan Mathews looking to be on the same track, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego:

Those absences will make things rather difficult in Week 16 against a stingy 49ers defense.

13. Buffalo Bills (8-6)

All of a sudden, the Bills have one of the most fierce defenses in the NFL. Unfortunately, the team may have waited a little too long to break out, as Buffalo is currently on the outside looking in on the playoff picture and needs plenty of help to clinch a berth for January's games.

12. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

Baltimore didn't look too great against the Jaguars in Week 15, but it probably won't need to play at a high level again until January. After all, the Ravens finish the season against either Case Keenum or Thad Lewis, followed by Manziel. If they can't win out, they probably shouldn't be in the postseason.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-1)

Andy Dalton isn't performing at a high level, but the team's vicious ground game and stellar secondary continue to carry the Bengals to wins. This team still resides atop the AFC North, but it will need to be firing on all cylinders for a Monday night showdown with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)

The Steelers may be one of the AFC's most feared teams heading into Week 16. With Antonio Brown out wide and Le'Veon Bell in the backfield, Pittsburgh's offense is very difficult to contain. However, if it can't shore up the secondary, it won't survive in shootouts against some of the AFC's better teams.

9. Arizona Cardinals (11-3)

Arizona really had a good thing going with Carson Palmer. It still had a decent thing going with Drew Stanton. Now, it doesn't really have much of anything going with Ryan Lindley. Don't expect this team to maintain the NFC West lead following a Week 16 clash against the Seattle Seahawks, but there is a bright side: The Cardinals already clinched a playoff berth.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)

Philadelphia put itself between a rock and a hard place following two terrible showings by quarterback Mark Sanchez that resulted in a two-game skid. Even if the Eagles win out, they aren't guaranteed to reach the playoffs. Expect to see a major overhaul under center during the offseason.

7. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)

The Colts are heading to the postseason after winning the AFC South once again. This team has been dynamic all season long, but recent offensive struggles and miscues are a little concerning. Indianapolis must ensure Andrew Luck can get it together before January comes around.

6. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

Dallas is sitting pretty in the NFC East right now, but a game against the Colts in Week 16 won't be easy. Luckily, star running back DeMarco Murray appears to be in line to see some action Sunday, as he's back at practice this week, according to SportsCenter:

If this team can win out, a postseason appearance is a certainty.

5. Detroit Lions (10-4)

The Lions defense continues to stifle opponents, but now this team must continue to search for offensive efficiency. With Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Joique Bell in the fold, there's no reason why this team can't put up big points each week, yet it posted only 16 against the Vikings in Week 15. That must change before a Week 17 showdown with the Green Bay Packers that will decide the division.

4. Green Bay Packers (10-4)

Aaron Rodgers may have been shut down by the Bills in Week 15, but don't expect that to be the case Sunday against the Buccaneers. He'll be looking to make a statement before he heads back to Lambeau Field to take on Detroit in the season's final week. By the way, he hasn't lost at home yet this season. The playoffs almost appear to be a certainty.

3. Denver Broncos (11-3)

Denver must win out and needs the New England Patriots to lose a game to claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That's unlikely to happen, but if the Broncos can leave Cincinnati with a win in Week 16, they are poised for a first-round bye. However, we know a clash with Tom Brady is on the horizon in January, and without home field, it will be in Foxborough.

2. Seattle Seahawks (10-4)

Seattle may have started slow this season, but it has returned to its dominant ways of late and is the NFC's most feared team heading into Week 16. If the Seahawks' top-ranked pass defense can take care of Lindley, the team will be the new leaders of the NFC West. Winning again in Week 17 against the Rams would wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs once again.

1. New England Patriots (11-3)

It's difficult to imagine a team that will be able to go to New England and leave with a win in January. The Patriots have the ability to win games in many different ways. They've won with a prolific passing attack, a strong running game and a stout defense. This is the most well-rounded team in the league.

The fact that the Patriots haven't been defeated at home this season is just another testament to how difficult it will be for any other AFC squad to navigate its way to the Super Bowl. After all, the way things look heading into Week 16, all roads go through New England.