NFL power rankings, Week 16: Bears rise, Steelers fall
The Chicago Bears took a huge step towards a potential playoff berth, while the Pittsburgh Steelers had the worst loss of their season.
52. . 1-13. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 32. team
Trevor Lawrence is on the way! Huge day for the Jaguars.
30. . 1-13. Previous: . New York Jets. 31. team
They won!
56. . 3-10-1. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 30. team
What a win. Kudos to an incredible defensive showing.
4-10. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 29. team. 87.
Valiant effort in Green Bay, but not enough.
Atlanta Falcons. 28. team. 44. . 4-10. Previous:
Just a comical trend at this juncture.
Houston Texans. 27. team. 10. . 4-10. Previous:
Somebody send for Deshaun Watson and save him.
Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles. 26. team. 54. . 4-9-1
Looks like Jane Hurts is the answer. He’s playing well.
Previous: . Denver Broncos. 25. team. 45. . 5-9
Drew Lock isn’t the answer. The Broncos have some talent, but they’re cooked.
Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 24. team. 42. . 5-9
San Francisco fought hard all year, but the injuries were just too much.
123. . 5-9. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 23. team
Dallas is somehow only a game out of the NFC East lead. Shoot the division into the sun.
22. team. 13. . 5-9. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers
Despite Anthony Lynn’s best efforts — and the special teams having money on the other side — the Chargers bested the Raiders.
. 5-9. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 21. team. 50
Turnovers in the red zone will get you every time.
20. team. 31. . 5-9. Previous: . New York Giants
The Giants are still in the NFC East race (who isn’t?) but their chances took a big hit on Sunday night.
19. team. 60. . 6-8. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is finished, and a long offseason with ample questions is incoming.
18. team. 58. . 6-8. Previous: . Washington Commanders
Somehow, Washington almost beat the Seahawks, and it remains in position to host a playoff game.
Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 17. team. 28. . 7-7
What a complete and total collapse.
Previous: . New England Patriots. 16. team. 47. . 6-8
The dynasty is officially dead. The Patriots need a complete overhaul on offense.
7-7. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 15. team. 57.
Somehow, the Bears are getting good play from Mitchell Trubisky, and the Bears are in business.
32. . 8-6. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 14. team
Tight win over the Eagles, keeping Arizona on pace to earn a playoff berth in the contested NFC.
51. . 9-5. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 13. team
You lose to the Jets at home, you go into freefall.
Miami Dolphins. 12. team. 59. . 9-5. Previous:
Excellent win against the greatest coach of all time. The Dolphins ran all over the Patriots.
11. team. 55. . 11-3. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers look like hot garbage. There’s a real chance they don’t win the AFC North.
Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 10. team. 26. . 9-5
Don’t look now, but here come the Ravens.
10-4. Previous: . Tennessee Titans. 9. team. 35.
Tennessee moves into the top 10 with a nee win over the struggling Lions.
Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 8. team. 48. . 9-5
Tampa Bay won, but being down 24-7 to the Falcons isn’t exactly inspiring.
36. . 10-4. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 7. team
Hey, it’s a win. Now, Week 16 against the Rams for all the NFC West marbles.
. 10-4. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 6. team. 53
Baker Mayfield and the run game are rolling. It’s all about the defense being consistent.
team. 15. . 10-4. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 5
The drop here is less about losing to the Chiefs, and more about the way Drew Brees looked.
46. . 9-4. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 4. team
Indy wins some ugly games, but the defense is good and Jonathan Taylor looks damn good.
. 11-3. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 3. team. 49
Scrapping by against the Panthers wasn’t ideal, but being a near-lock for the No. 1 seed is.
. 11-3. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 2. team. 16
Congrats to the Bills and their fans for winning the AFC East. Right now, they’re the biggest threat to Kansas City in either conference.
. 13-1. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 1. team. 124
It’s not always perfect, but the Chiefs don’t lose. Over their last 23 games, they’re 22-1.