NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Latest Playoff Picture

After a wild and unpredictable Week 15 in the 2011 NFL season, an updated look at the playoff picture is desperately needed. 

Let's take a glimpse. 

NFC 

1. Green Bay Packers (13-1)

2. New Orleans Saints (11-3)

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

4. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

5. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)

6. Detroit Lions (9-5)

Although it obviously ended their chance at history, in terms of the playoff race in the NFC, the Packers loss to the Chiefs didn't change much. If the Steelers beat the 49ers tonight, Green Bay still clinches home-field throughout the playoffs. By the way, the absence is only way I can explain the loss. I think. Aaron Rodgers completed less than 49 percent of his passes? What planet are we living on? 

Drew Brees has the Saints flying high and hasn't thrown an interception since November 6th. Yes, November 6th. If they can hop the 49ers for that No. 2 seed that assures them a home game in the second round, watch out. 

San Fran has got to get back on track with a strong showing at home against an equally as tough defensive club. Losing momentum before the start of the postseason is never good. Patrick Willis won't play tonight.

The Cowboys were fortunate to see the Redskins sweep the Giants on Sunday and they took care of  their own business against a Buccaneers team that has greatly regressed in 2011. What happened to the efficiently productive Josh Freeman and the underrated defense?  Don't ask me.

Detroit played a game on Sunday that I expect from them nearly every week. Matt Stafford throwing the ball all over the lot and Calvin Johnson looking like a grown man among high school freshmen. If they get hot, they've certainly got the talent to make a run in the playoffs.

AFC

1. New England Patriots (11-3)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

3. Houston Texans (10-4) 

4. Denver Broncos (8-6)

5. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)

6. New York Jets (8-6) 

There's so much shuffling in the AFC playoff picture, it's hard to keep track of it all. The Patriots wrapped up the AFC East with a rather impressive win over the Denver Tebows, so they'll get the chance to snap a two-game home playoff losing streak in January. 

The Texans' loss to Cam Newton and the Panthers dropped them to the No. 3 spot. Surprised they couldn't get it done at home against a susceptible defense. 

Denver could have been in a great position to win the AFC West with a win over Tom Brady and New England, but they still hold a one game lead over the Raiders and Chargers and travel to Buffalo for a Christmas Eve contest before ending at home against Kyle Orton and the Chiefs. 

Despite being embarrassingly and uncharacteristically blown out by the Chargers, the Ravens actually clinched a playoff spot on Sunday, because of losses by teams below them in the standings. 

Rex Ryan's Jets certainly didn't look like a Super Bowl team against the Eagles. That's for sure. Next week against the Giants could determine both of New York's football teams' playoff fate.

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. New England Patriots (11-3)	20. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)*	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. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
10. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	26. Buffalo Bills (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)

 * Monday night game