NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Did the Eagles Stun Their Way to No. 1 Spot?
With just two weeks remaining, the NFL Power Rankings are beginning to separate the legitimate contenders from the teams falling off the bubble.
The Eagles stunned the Giants with 28 points in a remarkable fourth quarter comeback. This season has definitely shown that anything can and will happen, but time is running out for several teams.
Some bad teams stayed there, while others showed signs of life but are still in the depths.
Other teams pushed their way towards the playoffs while some acted like they didn't want a postseason.
What happened to the Saints? They were dominated by the Ravens. The Patriots had to chip the Packers and their backup QB in the final minutes, and Tampa Bay shot themselves in the foot.
The Week 16 Power Rankings took a different shape when the eleventh hour dawned on Sunday. Let's take a look at the changes.
Call 'Em Carp: Still Feeding on The Bottom
1 of 26
32. Carolina Panthers: They may have picked up a win over the Cardinals, but it doesn't mean they are going to climb out of the cellar. Maybe they thought win No. 2 would go unnoticed. After all, the Broncos and Bengals can't overtake the top draft spot unless the Panthers win again.
31. Denver Broncos: Losers of five in a row, the Broncos slip to the brink of the worst. Even the Bengals picked up a win, while the Broncos let it slip away to the Raiders. They have officially begun their campaign for the top draft pick, but Carolina needs to do them a favor and win. Fat chance, Denver.
Still Not Breathing, But There's a Faint Pulse
2 of 26
30. Cincinnati Bengals: Congrats to the Tigers, picking up their third win of the season. They have solidified their status as the best of the European League. Ryan Mallet is excited though, he may go higher in the draft when the Bengals decide sending Carson Palmer to the Buffalo Bills as a backup is a strong trade chance.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Welcome to the bachelor's suite at Hotel Ugly Second Cousin. Losing to Carolina is like a gold card to the Losers' Club. While the other teams around you in the slums are winning meaningless games, you have given up and started thinking about the Draft.
Donating to the Quarterbacks For Charity Fund
3 of 26
28. Washington Redskins: Losers of four in a row, the Redskins are now feeling the heat for accepting Donovan McNabb. While they watch a former inmate lead his team to a 28 point comeback, Washington is 5-9 and making plans for Valentine's Day. That's greater irony than being called the Redskins in Washington, D.C.
27. Buffalo Bills: We are NOT the worst team in the league, thank you. We've won two in a row, and next season if we double our wins we might just miss the playoffs.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Let's See What Second String Looks Like
4 of 26
26. Cleveland Browns: Yep, college football is still more exciting in the state of Ohio. Can you imagine the fights between Browns and Bengals fans? Browns fan: "We lead you in negative point differential AND wins. Take that!" Four quarterbacks and three chairs, oust one, still don't have a legitimate starter.
25. Detroit Lions: When was the last time Lions fans got to see a winning streak? Two in a row may be the minimum, but things could be looking up by the time 2017 rolls around.
One Had Hope, the Other Can Lose at Will
5 of 26
24. Houston Texans: They were on the verge of turning it around. Three straight losses! "Well, we have something to build on next year." Yeah, you do. The growing resentment of football fading in Texas. Purple and Silver looks good over Orange and White, and definitely better than Silver and Blue.
23. San Francisco 49ers: It's hard to believe, but the 49ers are still mathematically in the playoff hunt at 5-9. They are only a game back from division leading St. Louis and Seattle. UConn does not stand alone.
Win One For Jones
6 of 26
22. Dallas Cowboys: Somehow they still want to win this year. It is funny (strange) to imagine Jerry Jones not a winner. How many heads does he have when no one is looking?
21. Minnesota Vikings: I heard Larry King is quitting his show to try out for next season. Do they make shoulder pads that big?
20. Tennessee Titans: Closer to the Colts
7 of 26
When the 2010 regular season comes to a close, the Titans will be able to say they were the closest to the Indianapolis Colts than they have been in a long time. However, they still aren't playoff bound, and Jeff Fisher is getting fidgety in his La-Z-Boy.
19. Seattle Seahawks: Flying in the Rain Isn't Easy
8 of 26
Quite possibly one of the lowest ranking first place teams in recent years, the Seahawks are close to the playoffs despite losing back to back games and holding a 6-8 record. Analysts are scrambling to think of ways to make this legit, maybe a Denard Robinson commercial on ESPN will come out of this.
I can see it now: Denard scrambling through the offices to find a team that WANTS to represent the NFC West.
18. St. Louis Rams: Just Win Baby, Win
9 of 26
The city of St. Louis is spoiled in sports, they have Albert Pujols, Steven Jackson and the Rams at 6-8 fighting for a playoff spot. That must be the hardest thing to cheer for, a team at 6-8, losing when they need a win the most, but still in a tie for first place.
Talk about edge of your seat...
17. Green Bay Packers: No Aaron Rodgers, No Win vs. Patriots
10 of 26
While their starting QB stood on the sidelines, they nearly took down the Patriots before giving it up at the end of the game. Now they've lost back to back games and have to rely on the Vikings to keep their playoff hopes alive.
16. Miami Dolphins: Officially Eliminated From Playoffs, Cowher on The Horizon?
11 of 26
With their loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, the Miami Dolphins are officially eliminated from playoff contention. That could be just what the doctor ordered if former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is looking for a project.
15. Oakland Raiders: Offensive Outburst Climbs Rankings
12 of 26
The Raiders showed they could score against the Broncos, but it was way too late to campaign for sympathy. They need Kansas City and San Diego to both lose their last two games. However, even though the big win was over the Broncos, things may be looking up for the Raiders.
Oh wait, Al Davis still owns the team...nevermind.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Things To Ask Santa
13 of 26
It's been a solid turnaround for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. Unfortunately, they play in the same division as the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. It's tough to be 8-6 and lead your division when the reigning Super Bowl Champs and the team with the best record in the NFL are your neighbors.
Bucs' Christmas List:
1. Drew Brees to retire
2. Matt Ryan to the Vikings
3. Move to the NFC West
13. Indianapolis Colts: Captain Comeback Sees Life
14 of 26
Yep, they are still in it. The Colts are now tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for tops in the AFC South. All the Peyton Manning haters still sound like crickets in the night air, but could be bullfrogs if Peyton decides the playoffs are overrated.
12. New York Giants: Oh, So 28 Is the Magic Number?
15 of 26
It's not every day you get to see a team score a franchise record amount of points in the fourth quarter. For the Giants, they'd like to never see it again. They are still a solid team, even though the defense got into the Christmas spirit a little too much.
P.S.: These photos of the Manning brothers must look exactly the same as their baby photos, except they traded a baby's bottle for a football, but are still pointing.
11. San Diego Chargers: Still Getting Chiefed
16 of 26
The Chargers may have absolutely dominated the San Francisco 49ers, but they are still on the outside looking in. They will need a loss from the Chiefs and more to make it to the playoffs.
San Diego is playing like they want it, shutting out the Chiefs before posting 34 against the Niners. Therefore, they picked up a couple spots in this week's rankings.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Peyton on The Brain
17 of 26
The Jags slip back but stay in the top 10 after losing to the Colts. No one likes a team that can't perform in the clutch, especially when this is supposed to be their year. So many people want to get behind Jacksonville, but they will have to earn their fans.
The Colts appear to be coming on strong, so the Jaguars will have a two game audition. They have the Redskins next, who are on a losing streak. Let's see it, Jags.
9. Chicago Bears: 'Tis The Season of Giving
18 of 26
They squeaked past Detroit, then got embarrassed by the Patriots on their home turf. But it is the season of giving and forgiving. The Bears will play the Vikings on Monday Night Football with a chance of redemption, but they are essentially in the playoffs unless a total meltdown is imminent.
Don't worry Bears fans, Cutler will only throw two picks, so the defense should hold just enough.
8. Kansas City Chiefs: Thank You Card To Raiders in the Mail
19 of 26
There's no reason for the Chiefs to look in the rear-view mirror at this point. If they can win against the Titans, the Raiders may be irrelevant, except for the the way Oakland manhandled the Chargers twice. That kind of helped out a little...
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: Packing For the Winter
20 of 26
The Steelers looked like they were jogging underwater late against the Jets. The comeback came up just short, but they didn't seem to mind. The Jets certainly looked like they wanted it more, and the Steelers, already granted a playoff berth, let the game go. They slip in the rankings this week, but they may be back.
6. New Orleans Saints: Going Wild For the Last Two Weeks
21 of 26
The Saints are in unfamiliar territory for sure, having lost the division to the Atlanta Falcons and fighting for the playoffs with the Giants nipping at their heels. New Orleans still has a good shot at making the playoffs, but a loss to Baltimore stirs the crazy thoughts a bit.
5. New York Jets: J-E-T-S Spells Clutch
22 of 26
With the Chargers in the Wild Card hunt, the Jets pulled one out over the Steelers and eliminated the threat. Baltimore still stands in the way, and you can feel the anticipation in New York all the way out on the West Coast.
4. Baltimore Ravens: What? The Jets Won? Oh C'Mon Man!
23 of 26
After a convincing win over the Saints, the Ravens learned they are still tied in the Wild Card with the Jets, although they hold the tiebreaker. They move ahead of the Jets for winning back to back games, putting their name all over major playoff discussion boards.
3. Philadelphia Eagles: Return of The Fallen
24 of 26
The Eagles move up several spots this week with their miracle comeback over Tom Coughlin's Giants. They have won three straight, and are suddenly the team to beat in the NFC, given Atlanta is already in the playoffs.
However, they can't top the Patriots and Falcons, who both have sustained long winning streaks in dominant fashion.
2. Atlanta Falcons: This Year's Saints?
25 of 26
While they fall to No. 2, the Falcons are certainly not slipping. Winners of eight straight, Atlanta will have the Saints next week, with a possible preview of two playoff-bound teams. The implications from this game may drastically affect the Power Rankings.
1. New England Patriots: Still Dominant
26 of 26
The Patriots have won six in a row, and will have the Buffalo Bills on Sunday before finishing the season with the recently eliminated Miami Dolphins. They are poised to have the best last two weeks in the league, and will be entering the playoffs with plenty of steam.
New England takes over the top spot this week having demolished the Jets and Bears before making a dramatic late comeback against the Packers last week (Yesterday, if that helps).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")