NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Checking out Teams on the Rise

The San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks have emerged out of nowhere to reinsert themselves in race for the postseason. Both teams looked out of it just a few weeks ago and now each squad is 7-7 with two games to go and playoff spots on the line.

The Chargers won their third straight game Sunday night when they spanked the Baltimore Ravens, 34-14. Over the last three weeks, San Diego has looked as good as any team in the league after finding their footing. 

The reason for the team's turnaround has been quarterback Philip Rivers' improved play. Over the past three games, the offensive line has managed to protect Rivers for the first time all season and the results have been dramatic. The 30-year-old signal-caller has completed 63-of-84 passes (75 percent) for 804 yards, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions over that time. 

The Chargers finally look like the team everyone expected them to be before the season and while they may not reach the postseason, they still have a chance if they win out and get a whole lot of help. 

Meanwhile the Seahawks are also on a three-game win streak and have also won five of their last six games. Pete Carroll's team has turned things around thanks to their stout defense and a slowly improving offense.

Seattle ranks 28th in the league in total offense (averaging 301.9 yards per game), but the team has become more efficient on that side of the ball in recent weeks. Defensively, the Seahawks rank eighth in the NFL, allowing just 327 yards per game. Seattle is also sixth in the league in points allowed at 19.5 per game.

Over the past six weeks, the Seahawks have done great work to get themselves in position to battle for a playoff spot. If they manage to win-out and get a ton of help, they could still have a chance. 

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