NFL power rankings, Week 16: Colts rise, Cardinals fall

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots with Zach Pascal #14 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots with Zach Pascal #14 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Looking at the NFL power rankings heading into Week 16, the Arizona Cardinals are falling while the Indianapolis Colts are rolling along.

32

Jacksonville Jaguars

2-12 | LW: 31
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Good news: No more Urban Meyer. Bad news: Worst team in the NFL.

31

Houston Texans

3-11 | LW: 30
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Houston has three wins, and two have come against the Jaguars.

30

New York Jets

3-11 | LW: 29
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JETS. Just End The Season.

29

Detroit Lions

2-11-1 | LW: 32
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Detroit is playing really hard, and it pounded the Cardinals. Full credit to Dan Campbell and Co.

28

Chicago Bears

4-10 | LW: 28
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Everyone in Chicago is counting the days under Matt Nagy is fired.

27

New York Giants

4-10 | LW: 27
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See above, just with New York and Joe Judge. It’s so bad.

26

Carolina Panthers

5-9 | LW: 26
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Matt Rhule is lucky his contract and length and expensive, because the Panthers stink.

25

Seattle Seahawks

5-8 | LW: 25
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Seattle can actually get into the playoff conversation with a win, but that’s a tall order.

24

Atlanta Falcons

6-8 | LW: 24
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The Falcons had a chance to get into the race against the Niners, but fell on their faces.

23

Cleveland Browns

7-7 | LW: 20
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The Browns gave a great effort, they just fell a few seconds short.

22

Las Vegas Raiders

7-7 | LW: 23
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Taking to the last second to beat a team playing third-stringers isn’t exactly a triumph.

21

Minnesota Vikings

7-7 | LW: 21
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The Vikings are alive in the NFC race, but now the Rams await.

20

Denver Broncos

7-7 | LW: 17
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Losing to the Bengals might be a fatal blow for Denver. Tough slate ahead and no room for error.

19

Washington Football Team

6-7 | LW: 16
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Huge, huge, huge game against the Eagles on Tuesday.

18

Philadelphia Eagles

6-7 | LW: 15
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Beat Washington, and the Eagles are in great position to make the playoffs.

17

Miami Dolphins

7-7 | LW: 18
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Miami has won six straight. Now, can it run the table? The Dolphins have plenty of work ahead.

16

Pittsburgh Steelers

7-6-1 | LW: 18
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Pittsburgh looks awful most of every game, and somehow the Steelers are a half-game out of the division lead.

15

New Orleans Saints

7-7 | LW: 22
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What an incredible defensive performance, and the Saints are in the playoff picture.

14

Baltimore Ravens

8-6 | LW: 10
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The Ravens are simply ravaged by injuries. It’ll be a challenge just to make the playoffs.

13

Cincinnati Bengals

8-6 | LW: 14
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Cincinnati has a chance tome a huge move in the AFC North this weekend against Baltimore.

12

Indianapolis Colts

8-6 | LW: 13
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Carson Wentz is a liability, but the rest of the team is operating at a high level.

11

San Francisco 49ers

8-6 | LW: 12
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The 49ers are starting to look like a dangerous team in the NFC playoff picture.

10

Tennessee Titans

9-5 | LW: 7
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The injuries are piling up, and the Titans are starting to run out of gas. Need to get healthy.

9

Los Angeles Chargers

8-6 | LW: 9
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The Chargers aren’t going to drop for almost beating the Chiefs. They were right there.

8

Buffalo Bills

8-6 | LW: 11
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It’s all on the line in the AFC East this weekend. Buffalo has its chance.

7

Arizona Cardinals

10-4 | LW: 4
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What the hell happened? Brutal.

6

New England Patriots

9-5 | LW: 5
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Tough loss, but not a disaster. However, they now must beat the Bills on Sunday.

5

Dallas Cowboys

10-4 | LW: 8
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Dallas’ defense is rolling, Dak Prescott will be fine, and the NFC East is all but over.

4

Los Angeles Rams

9-4 | LW: 6
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Even though they haven’t played yet this week, it feels like this is the right spot for the Rams.

3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

10-4 | LW: 2
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The Packers were probably headed to the top seed anyway, but the Bucs’ loss sealed it.

2

Kansas City Chiefs

10-4 | LW: 3
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The Chiefs climbed all the way back, and they’re the clear favorite in the AFC.

1

Green Bay Packers

11-3 | LW: 1
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The Packers got a major scare from Tyler Huntley, but they appear home free for the No. 1 seed.