NFL Power Rankings - Week 16: A for all 32 teams
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
This week, we've invited Santa Claus to drop off a gift for each team in celebration of the holiday season.
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 1
A healthy Brock Purdy: San Francisco also had an excellent regular season in 2022 but fell short in the NFC title game after Purdy went down with an early injury. The 49ers will remain Super Bowl favorites as long as the NFL MVP front-runner stays healthy.
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)Previous rank: 3
Bubble wrap for Lamar Jackson: The Ravens are the team to beat in the AFC and will keep that status as long as Jackson is on the field. Baltimore, which hasn't won a playoff game since the 2020 campaign, saw Jackson go down with injuries in the final stretch of each of the last two seasons.
3. Buffalo Bills (8-6)Previous rank: 5
A Cookbook: Buffalo has played its best football this year when James Cook is heavily involved in the game plan. The second-year running back had a career day with 221 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns Sunday to help the Bills improve to 3-1 in games where Cook has 20-plus touches.
4. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)Previous rank: 2
No away days: Dallas is the NFL's only unbeaten team at home. However, the Cowboys are only 3-4 on the road, and Sunday's blowout loss to the Bills showed that playing away from AT&T Stadium could be an issue for Mike McCarthy's outfit in the playoffs.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)
Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 4
2022 Jalen Hurts: Philly has a lot of issues right now, but what the club has been missing the most is Hurts' brilliance. The star quarterback, who finished second for MVP last year, threw two picks Monday and has now tossed only one touchdown in his last three games.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)Previous rank: 6
A receiver to step up: Wide receiver production continues to be a big issue for the Chiefs. Even future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce hasn't been able to elevate the Patrick Mahomes-led offense in 2023.
7. Miami Dolphins (10-4)Previous rank: 7
A speedy recovery for Tyreek Hill: Miami looked good without Hill against a solid Jets defense, but the Dolphins have tougher tests coming up, starting with the Cowboys in Week 16. Having the speedster, who's battling an ankle injury, back soon is crucial for Mike McDaniel's outfit.
8. Detroit Lions (10-4)Previous rank: 8
More prime-time games: Saturday night's blowout over Denver improved Detroit to 4-0 in prime time this season. The Lions, who are one win away from winning their first division title since 1993, visit the Cowboys on Saturday evening in Week 17.
9. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)Previous rank: 10
More takeaways: Forcing turnovers has been an issue for the Rams. Los Angeles has only 12 takeaways so far, tied for the second-lowest mark in the league.
10. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 11
More Joe Flacco magic: Flacco hasn't been perfect since joining the Browns, but he has been clutch in Cleveland's last two games. The veteran passer has thrown for seven TDs in three starts with the AFC North club.
11. Houston Texans (8-6)Previous rank: 14
Better injury luck: The Texans played Week 15 without quarterback C.J. Stroud, receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins, edge rusher Will Anderson, and linebacker Blake Cashman, among other starters. Somehow, Houston found a way to edge Tennessee in overtime.
12. Denver Broncos (7-7)Previous rank: 9
Another good playmaker: Receiver Courtland Sutton has been great this season, but other Broncos skill-position players have lacked consistency in 2023. Wideout Jerry Jeudy has as many drops as touchdowns (one), and running back Javonte Williams is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)Previous rank: 15
A blowtorch for Tee Higgins: Higgins came up big on Saturday and scored two touchdowns, his first TDs since Week 2. The Bengals now hope he can find a way to get hot and make a bigger impact in what's mostly been an inconsistent campaign for the two-time 1000-yard wideout.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)Previous rank: 12
Better protection for Trevor Lawrence: Jacksonville needs to improve its pass protection, which ranks only 20th in the NFL, according to PFF. Lawrence, who entered the concussion protocol Sunday, has been sacked 32 times in 14 games this year.
15. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 16
More ex-Giants: Seattle snapped a four-game skid versus Philly due in part to big-time performances from defensive lineman Leonard Williams and defensive back Julian Love, who both joined this year from the Giants. While Love signed with Seattle in free agency, Williams was acquired as part of a clutch in-season trade.
16. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)Previous rank: 18
The old Jonathan Taylor: The star tailback could return from injury as early as Sunday, and Indianapolis will become a real threat if Taylor plays his best football again. The former All-Pro, who led the NFL in rushing in 2021, has topped 100 scrimmage yards just once this year.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)Previous rank: 19
A short-term deal for Baker Mayfield: Rewarding Mayfield with a monster extension would be risky, but the 2018 No. 1 pick has done a good job for the Bucs and just became the first visiting quarterback ever to post a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field. Signing him to a short-term contract could be Tampa Bay's best QB plan for 2024.
18. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)Previous rank: 17
QB stability: Brian Flores has made the Vikings defense one of the league's best units. Minnesota is going to have a hard time taking advantage unless one of its quarterbacks proves capable of ending the ongoing carousel.
19. Green Bay Packers (6-8)Previous rank: 13
A new defensive coordinator: Packers fans have been wanting this for a while now, and it's time their wish is granted. Joe Barry should be on the way out after allowing Mayfield to post a perfect passer rating at Lambeau.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Candice Ward / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 24
A rare win over the Chiefs: The Raiders have beaten the Chiefs only twice in the last nine seasons. Can Las Vegas follow up a 63-point outburst with a much-needed victory over its biggest rival?
21. New Orleans Saints (7-7)Previous rank: 21
A salary-cap reset: The Saints need a miracle to get out from under the salary-cap situation they've created for themselves. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. It'll be a long road back from this mess.
22. Chicago Bears (5-9)Previous rank: 23
No more Panthers wins: The Bears have to be sweating after the Panthers got their second win of the season last week. Another victory for Carolina could result in Chicago losing out on the No. 1 pick.
23. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)Previous rank: 20
A franchise QB: The Falcons have some talented playmakers, but it's going to be difficult to maximize that group without an established quarterback. An upgrade at head coach might not be the worst idea, either.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)Previous rank: 22
An offensive overhaul: Everything about the Steelers' offense is a mess right now. A complete makeover is needed in the offseason.
25. Tennessee Titans (5-9)
Justin Ford / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 25
Continued improvement for Will Levis: The Titans have to be encouraged by what they've seen from their second-round rookie quarterback. A promising end to the season could help Levis establish himself as the unquestioned starter heading into 2024.
26. New York Giants (5-9)Previous rank: 26
An offensive line: The Giants have allowed 76 sacks through 14 games. Part of the responsibility falls on the quarterbacks, no doubt, but the front five has to be much better.
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)Previous rank: 27
A new wide receiver group: Marquise Brown has been the only somewhat productive receiver for the Cardinals, and he's heading for free agency. This unit needs at least two major additions in the offseason.
28. New York Jets (5-9)Previous rank: 28
Patience: It seems like Aaron Rodgers will soon be cleared to return. That doesn't mean he should play. The Jets' season is already over. Get him healthy for a potential run in 2024.
29. Washington Commanders (4-10)Previous rank: 30
New everything: The Commanders finally got a fresh start with new ownership, and it's time to start fresh with the majority of the football operation, too. That could mean a new coaching staff, quarterback, and personnel all over the defense. Let's get the team a new name while we're at it.
30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
Mike Mulholland / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 29
Ben Johnson: The presence of Justin Herbert alone will probably make the Chargers' head coaching vacancy the NFL's most attractive this offseason. Pairing the star quarterback with one of the league's best offensive minds, like Lions coordinator Ben Johnson, would be a home run.
31. New England Patriots (3-11)Previous rank: 31
An amicable split with Bill Belichick: All signs point toward the Patriots moving on from their longtime leader, and it may well be time for a change. Fans can only hope the two sides go their separate ways on good terms.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-12)Previous rank: 32
Someone to save Bryce Young: This season has been a disaster for Carolina. Owner David Tepper needs to make the right hires if the Panthers are going to create an environment where the No. 1 pick can succeed.
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