NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Rating Eagles, Patriots and 6 Other Division Leaders

With just two weeks left in the NFL season teams are battling for their respective division crowns. The Philadelphia Eagles put themselves in position to win the NFC East on Sunday as did a few other teams.

Indianapolis won a divisional game against Jacksonville and now controls it's own destiny the rest of the way.

So in that spirit, we switch things up this week. Here we rank the eight current division leaders heading into week 16.

8. St. Louis Rams

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Rams have lost two straight games and somehow at 6-8 lead the NFC West. It's quite possible that St. Louis could make the playoffs at 7-9 as the NFC West champion and even host a wild card game.

St. Louis is lead by rookie quarterback Sam Bradford who has played well for the Rams this season. The Rams' defense ranks middle of the pack this year and hasn't stopped anyone really.

If it wasn't for the pitiful competition out west the Rams wouldn't even sniff the postseason. However someone has to represent the division and why not the 6-8 Rams? 

7. Kansas City Chiefs

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Todd Haley of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sidelines against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vis

The Kansas City Chiefs have been a great story this season. They are turning heads everywhere with their 9-5 record with just two games left to play.

Kansas City has been lights out at home this year winning all six games so far. The good news for Chiefs fans, their last two games are at home against the Titans and Raiders.

The Chiefs own the league's best rushing attack this season and everyone knows that's what it takes to win in the postseason. Unfortunately, their defense has some flaws and their inexperience could prove costly.

6. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts scores his second touchdown of the game as he celebrates with Pat McAfee #1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (

The Colts have won two straight games after losing three of four to reclaim control of the AFC South, a division which they have dominated over the past decade.

Indianapolis has struggled this season however, it's no. 1 ranked pass offense has been overshadowed by it's 32nd ranked rushing offense. Peyton Manning has shown signs that he is human this season throwing multiple interceptions in several games.

The Colts finish out the season on the road against Oakland and at home against Tennessee. Indy is the favorite to win the division at this point in the season but a deep postseason run seems unlikely due to their porous run defense.

5. Chicago Bears

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears is congrtaulated by Greg Olsen #82 after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium on December 20, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockma

The Bears are the first team in the NFL to clinch their division this season. Chicago is now destined for the postseason and in the hunt for a first round bye in the NFC playoffs.

It's been all Chicago defense however that's gotten them to this point. The offense ranks 26th and 25th in passing and rushing offense respectively. Jay Cutler has improved dramatically but still the Bears' strength lies in their defense.

Chicago has won six out of seven games however the last two tests will come against the Jets and Packers, we'll see what the Bears are made of.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen during the game agasint the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

The Steelers currently hold the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North division. At 10-4 Pittsburgh is in the best position to join New England with a first round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Pittsburgh hasn't yet clinched the division, but it has clinched a playoff berth as a wild card even with two losses to end the year. If the Steelers get into the postseason however, who knows how much havoc they can wreck.

Pittsburgh ranks 8th in rushing offense, and 1st defensively against the run. Two things that go along way in the playoffs.

3. Atlanta Falcons

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons runs a pass route against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Falcons have all but clinched the NFC South this season. A win over the Saints on Monday night will guarantee them home field throughout the NFC playoffs.

Atlanta is on an eight-game winning streak, the longest current streak in the league. But something seems fishy about these Falcons. Their defense ranks middle of the pack, and their pass defense is suspect giving up over 226 yards through the air per game.

Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are firing on all cylinders entering the season's final two weeks, however their biggest strength will likely be their 6-0 record in the Georgia Dome come playoff time.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-2 this season when Michael Vick starts at quarterback. For one of those losses (Washington) Vick did not even play the whole game because of a rib injury suffered in the first half.

Now, with just two games left the Eagles are 10-4 and in command of the NFC East. Philly will finish up the season at home for it's final two games against the struggling Vikings and disappointing Cowboys.

As far the Eagles' postseason chances are concerned, the superb play of Michael Vick and the Philly offense has overshadowed the Eagles' average defensive unit.

However, the defense's ability to get stops when the game is on the line has been somewhat underrated this season. Take the end of the Giants game for example when the Philly defense got stop after stop to win the game.

1. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

The New England Patriots have won 11 out of their past 12 games and six straight overall. At 12-2 it is looking more and more like the road to representing the AFC in Super Bowl XLV will go through chilly Foxborro.

Nothing statistically pops out about the Patriots. Their defensive numbers suggest they should be tanking for a low first round draft pick and their offensive statistics seem quite average.

However beyond the numbers we find that the Patriots have the weapons and the leadership to win their fourth Super Bowl in a decade. Tom Brady leads the dynamic Pats offense with his 3,561 yards and 31 TD's.

The defense is young and somewhat inexperienced. Though what they lack in those categories they more than make up for in talent and ability. New England will likely snatch the AFC East title and also the AFC's best record by season's end.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.