NFL Power Rankings - Week 16: Rams hit season high, Seahawks drop from top 10
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Esten McLaren, and Arun Srinivasan.
1. New England Patriots| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
Previous Rank: 1st
Just in case you forgot during his one-week suspension, Rob Gronkowski reminded the NFL world why he's one of the most unstoppable players the league has ever seen in the win over Pittsburgh. - Browne
2. Los Angeles Rams| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 4th | 3rd | 2nd |
Previous Rank: 4th
The Rams dismantled the reigning NFC West champions to strengthen their hold on the 2017 title, proving their worth to the rest of the NFC in the process. - McLaren
3. Pittsburgh Steelers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 4th |
Previous Rank: 2nd
Only a team with as much firepower as the Steelers could withstand the loss of Antonio Brown, even temporarily. The Steelers ought to be just fine moving forward. - Srinivasan
4. Minnesota Vikings| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th | 3rd | 4th | 3rd |
Previous Rank: 3rd
Teddy Bridgewater returned to action but it appears that it's Case Keenum's team for the duration of the season. The Vikings have the best possible problem on their hands. - Srinivasan
5. Jacksonville Jaguars| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5th | 2nd | 5th |
Previous Rank: 5th
The Jaguars are playoff bound for the first time in a decade, and with Blake Bortles' newfound confidence, they'll be a tough out for any team in the AFC. - McClymont
6. New Orleans Saints| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | 8th | 7th | 6th |
Previous Rank: 6th
Their only notable wins have come against the Panthers. The Saints could put any lingering doubt about their playoff legitimacy aside with a win in a revenge game against the Falcons. - McClymont
7. Carolina Panthers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th | 7th | 6th | 8th |
Previous Rank: 7th
Surely Cam Newton was motivated by all the attention Aaron Rodgers garnered in his return game. Cam even took to trolling his opponents mid-play. The Panthers could be scary come playoff time. - McClymont
8. Philadelphia Eagles| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | 6th | 9th | 9th |
Previous Rank: 11th
Nick Foles reassured Eagles nation that the offense is far from doomed without Carson Wentz, but what the hell was that performance from the defense against the lowly Giants? - Browne
9. Atlanta Falcons| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th | 9th | 10th | 7th |
Previous Rank: 8th
They may not look like the juggernaut of 2016, but the prospect of playing them in the playoffs will be a frightening one for any NFC opponent. - McClymont
10. Kansas City Chiefs| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 11th | 8th | 10th |
Previous Rank: 13th
The Chiefs used a healthy dose of Kareem Hunt for a second consecutive week and looked like an unstoppable offense once again, beating their only competition in the AFC West. - McLaren
11. Baltimore Ravens| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | 10th | 13th | 11th |
Previous Rank: 12th
With dates against the Colts and Bengals to close out the season, the Ravens still have a great shot of sneaking into the AFC playoffs, unless disaster strikes. - Srinivasan
12. Dallas Cowboys| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th |
Previous Rank: 14th
Ezekiel Elliott had 390 rushing yards in the three games prior to his suspension. The 8-6 Cowboys will need even more from their star back upon his return if they're to sneak into the postseason. - Browne
13. Los Angeles Chargers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th | 16th | 11th | 15th |
Previous Rank: 10th
The Chargers looked nothing like the team that had won four consecutive games in losing a pivotal matchup in the battle for the division. They're now looking up at a wild-card spot and in need of some help. - McLaren
14. Detroit Lions| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th | 14th | 14th | 13th |
Previous Rank: 15th
The Lions will need to win out to keep their slim hope of making the playoffs alive, and even then it may not be enough.
15. Seattle Seahawks| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15th | 13th | 17th | 14th |
Previous Rank: 9th
The Seahawks are still alive, but the run defense that just allowed Todd Gurley to rack up 152 rushing yards and three touchdowns (plus a fourth through the air) will welcome Ezekiel Elliott back from suspension in a must-win game for both teams. - McLaren
16. Buffalo Bills| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th | 15th | 15th | 17th |
Previous Rank: 18th
Buffalo could break its 17-year playoff drought if they win out and get some help. But does anyone want to bet on the Bills coming through in crunch time? - Browne
17. Tennessee Titans| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th | 17th | 16th | 16th |
Previous Rank: 16th
The Titans have chosen the absolute worst time to go in the tank. They're clinging to a wild-card spot and will need a victory against the Rams and/or Jaguars to maintain it. - McClymont
18. Green Bay Packers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18th | 18th | 18th | 18th |
Previous Rank: 17th
Aaron Rodgers returned but it wasn't enough to save the Packers, who will be watching the playoffs from home for the first time since 2008. - Srinivasan
19. Oakland Raiders| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19th | 19th | 19th | 19th |
Previous Rank: 19th
The Raiders fumbled away their last legitimate shot at a playoff spot. It could be tough watching this team when they have nothing to play for. - McLaren
20. Washington Redskins| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20th | 20th | 21st | 21st |
Previous Rank: 21st
Jay Gruden has done a solid job in Washington, but missing the playoffs three times in four seasons means his seat will be hot in 2018. - Browne
21. Miami Dolphins| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | 23rd | 20th | 22nd |
Previous Rank: 20th
Positives are few and far between for this lackluster Dolphins team, but Kenyan Drake looking like a legitimate stud of late is a decent silver lining. - Browne
22. Arizona Cardinals| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24th | 22nd | 25th | 20th |
Previous Rank: 22nd
With Adrian Peterson done for the year, Kerwynn Williams banged up with a quad injury, and Blaine Gabbert removed from the starting job, get ready for an offense led by Drew Stanton and Elijhaa Penny. Yikes. - McLaren
23. New York Jets| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd | 21st | 26th | 23rd |
Previous Rank: 23rd
So, Bryce Petty really isn't the answer for the Jets under center. New York will be a favorite to make a big-time move in the draft to snag a quarterback. - Browne
24. San Francisco 49ers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23rd | 25th | 22nd | 25th |
Previous Rank: 28th
Jimmy Garoppolo has looked the part of a franchise quarterback thus far, but he'll face his first true test in the vaunted Jaguars' defense in Week 16. That'll surely temper expectations for 2018. - McLaren
25. Denver Broncos| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th | 24th | 23rd | 26th |
Previous Rank: 29th
Brock Osweiler played the hero in the Thursday night matchup with the Colts. The Broncos will go as far as he'll take them these last two weeks (if Paxton Lynch can't get healthy), so expect some regression. - McLaren
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | 27th | 24th | 28th |
Previous Rank: 27th
At least Jameis Winston looks healthy now. - McClymont
27. Houston Texans| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28th | 26th | 31st | 24th |
Previous Rank: 24th
Bill O'Brien vowed that he'll never quit as coach of the Texans. Not quite sure why he would with Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, and basically half the roster set to return next year from serious injury. - McClymont"
28. Chicago Bears| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26th | 29th27th | 29th |
Previous Rank: 25th
John Fox and Ryan Pace should begin updating their resumes as another ugly season reaches its end. - Srinivasan
29. Cincinnati Bengals| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29th | 28th | 29th | 27th |
Previous Rank: 26th
Is Marvin Lewis staying or going? It's remarkable he's lasted this long with the Bengals in any event. - Srinivasan
30. New York Giants| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30th | 30th | 28th | 31st |
Previous Rank: 31st
Where has that version of the Giants' offense been all year?! - Browne
31. Indianapolis Colts| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31st | 31st | 30th | 30th |
Previous Rank: 30th
Dissected by Brock Osweiler. It doesn't get much more embarrassing than that. - McClymont
32. Cleveland Browns| Browne | McClymont | McLaren | Srinivasan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32nd | 32nd | 32nd | 32nd |
Previous Rank: 32nd
This season may not be a totally lost cause after all, with the Browns possessing a real chance of getting the No. 1 and 2 picks in next spring's draft.
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