2022 NFL power rankings, Week 16: 5 more teams clinch playoff spots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 24. team. 48. . 6-8. Previous:
The Buccaneers were coming off a 28-point loss at San Francisco and faced another formidable task in hosting the Bengals. The NFC South leaders appeared to be in control early on and owned a 17-0 second-quarter lead.
Tom Brady and company self-destructed the rest of the way as the veteran signal-caller finished with 312 yards through the air and three scores. He also committed four second-half turnovers via two interceptions and two lost fumbles.
23. team. 87. . 5-9. Previous: . Carolina Panthers
The rejuvenated Panthers hosted the Steelers on Sunday. Steve Wilks’ club struggled to run the football against a Pittsburgh defense that was gashed for 215 yards by the Ravens the previous Sunday – limited to 21 yards on 16 attempts.
Quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 225 yards and one score but was sacked four times and Carolina reached the end zone just once. The Panthers remained one game behind the first-place Bucs in the NFC South.
53. . 6-8. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 22. team
The Browns looked to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Ravens as they hosted John Harbaugh’s team on Saturday. Quarterback Deshaun Watson led a balanced attack that didn’t generate a lot of yards (283) or points (13).
Cleveland won the time-of-possession battle (33:08) and more significantly, did not turn over the football. Meanwhile, the Browns came away with a pair of takeaways. Nick Chubb ran 21 times for 99 yards in the win.