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2022 NFL power rankings, Week 16: 5 more teams clinch playoff spots

By Russell S. Baxter

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during overtime at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during overtime at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos runs the ball after an interception (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos runs the ball after an interception (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

4-10. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 28. team. 32.

The Cardinals were coming off a short week following a Monday night home loss to the Patriots. Kliff Kingsbury’s team was in Denver to take on the struggling Broncos.

Quarterbacks Colt McCoy (1) and Trace McSorley combined to throw three interceptions as the Arizona offense was limited to 240 total yards. The Cards came up with seven sacks of Broncos’ quarterback Brett Rypien (3 by veteran J.J. Watt) but would surrender 168 yards on the ground.

27. team. 44. . 5-9. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons

Both the Falcons and Saints were off last week. The latter had a chance to sweep this series for the second time in three years.

Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder made his first NFL start and he had a rough debut. He hit on just 13-of-26 passes for only 97 yards and was sacked four times. Led by Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta did run for 231 yards on 39 attempts. The Falcons’ struggling pass defense gave up three touchdowns as well as 134 yards on the ground.

26. team. 45. . 4-10. Previous: . Denver Broncos

The Broncos scored a season-high 28 points last week against the Chiefs and that still wasn’t enough to get a victory. They hosted the Cardinals on Sunday and Brett Rypien was back as the starting quarterback.

He was sacked seven times and committed a pair of turnovers. But the Denver offense got 130 yards rushing and one touchdown by Latavius Murray. Justin Simmons (2) and Patrick Surtain (1) combined to pick off three passes.

. 5-9. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 25. team. 15

Thanks to 27-26 come-from-behind win at Atlanta in Week 1, the Saints (off last week) were in position to sweep the Falcons for the second time in three years. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw for only 151 yards but both of his scoring tosses went to wideout Juwan Johnson.

Taysom Hill connected with Rashid Shaheed for a 68-yard TD. Dennis Allen’s club opened up a 14-0 lead less than seven minutes into the first quarter and never looked back.

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