NFL Power Rankings: Gauging Which Teams Are in Biggest Trouble

After tough losses in Week 15, the following four teams find themselves in the biggest trouble in our Week 16 NFL power rankings:

Oakland Raiders (7-7, second AFC West)

If the Raiders are going to make the playoffs in the NFL, then Sunday's game with the Detroit Lions was one that the Raiders couldn't afford to lose. Up 13 with less than eight minutes to play, Oakland let what could have been a season-changing win slip through their fingers.

The Raiders are still just a game behind the Broncos (8-6) in the AFC West, but how do you rebound after two blowout losses then Sunday's meltdown? Hard to see Oakland recovering in time to beat the surging Kansas City Chiefs or San Diego Chargers during the final two weeks. 

Chicago Bears (7-7, third NFC North)

Speaking of meltdowns; that's your Chicago Bears for you since losing Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Caleb Hanie continues to turn it over at an astronomical rate, and you just can't win when you're giving it away as many times as the Bears have during the four-game losing streak.

Chicago's season can be kept alive with a win over the 13-1 Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Christmas night. A loss to the rival Packers ends their season, while another win from both the Falcons and Lions can do the same.

Tennessee Titans (7-7, second AFC South)

The Titans lost to a team that hadn't won a game all season during a week in which they absolutely had to have a victory. What more needs to be said? They are still mathematically in the chase, but Tennessee's season effectively ended on Sunday in Indianapolis.

New York Giants (7-7, second NFC East)

What a tough team to figure out. One week, they take the undefeated Packers to the very limit at home. The next, they are coming back in Dallas to keep their season alive. Then, they allow the visiting Washington Redskins to wipe the floor with them in a game they needed to win to keep pace.

A loss to the Jets next week, combined with a Dallas Cowboys win against the Philadelphia Eagles, makes their Week 17 encounter—which many predicted would decide the division—a moot point. 

Week 16 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (13-1)	17. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-3)	18. Oakland Raiders (7-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)*	19. Chicago Bears (7-7)
4. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)*	20. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8)
5. New England Patriots (11-3)	21. Tennessee Titans (7-7)
6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)	22. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
7. Houston Texans (10-4)	23. Miami Dolphins (5-9)
8. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)	24. Washington Redskins (5-9)
9. Detroit Lions (9-5)	25. Buffalo Bills (5-9)
10. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	26. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
11. Denver Broncos (8-6)	27. Cleveland Browns (4-10)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)	28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)
13. New York Jets (8-6)	29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)
14. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)	30. Minnesota Vikings (2-12)
15. San Diego Chargers (7-7)	31. St. Louis Rams (2-12)
16. New York Giants (7-7)	32. Indianapolis Colts (1-13)

*Play Monday night