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NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears celebrating, Patriots fading

By Russell S. Baxter

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Howard #24 and Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Howard scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers with at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Howard #24 and Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Howard scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers with at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Darius Leonard #53 and Tyquan Lewis #94 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a fourth down stop in the game against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Darius Leonard #53 and Tyquan Lewis #94 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a fourth down stop in the game against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

. 8-6. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 10. team. 46

Recap: A week ago, Frank Reich’s club knocked off the hottest team in the league by going into Houston and ending the Texans nine-game winning streak. So could the Colts do the same to the other team from the Lone Star State and cool off the hot Dallas Cowboys, winners of their last five outings? Indianapolis played arguably its most complete game of the season and two weeks after being blanked at Jacksonville, the Colts pitched a shutout of their own. Linebacker Darius Leonard had another huge outing with 11 tackles while knocking down two passes. And Andrew Luck took a back seat to running back Marlon Mack, who ran for 139 yards and two scores.

Next Week: Reich’s squad takes on an NFC East opponent at home for the second consecutive week as the New York Giants make their first appearance at Indianapolis since 2010. The Colts own a three-game winning streak vs. Big Blue dating back to ‘06, including a 38-14 Sunday night victory in 2010 when last they hosted this series.

Playoff hopes: “Stayin’ Alive” seems to be the theme for these Colts (just ask the people making the music decisions at Lucas Oil Stadium). But when it comes to reaching the playoffs, the club may need a little help down the stretch. Regardless of what the future holds, this is an impressive football team.

Next: No. 9

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