Talk about a sensational card? A look at last week’s NFL Power Rankings shows that the San Francisco 49ers (1), Baltimore Ravens (2), Miami Dolphins (3) and Dallas Cowboys (4) owned the top four spots on the list. As luck would have it in Week 16, No. 3 and No. 4 squared off on Sunday, and No. 1 hosted No. 2 on Christmas night.
The postseason picture got a little clearer, however, this week’s NFL Power Rankings have a lot of major changes throughout from a week ago. That’s one of the things that happens when an entire division (AFC East) wins every game, and another division (AFC South) loses every game.
Following an impressive performance on Christmas evening, there’s a new team atop the rankings.
The Carolina Panthers hosted the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and this proved to be quite the entertaining affair. The team played from behind all day but overcame three double-digit deficits in the game. Down 30-16 early in the fourth quarter, Chris Tabor’s club got a pair of Bryce Young to D.J. Chark touchdown connections and forged a 30-all tie.
Carolina’s defense had no answers for Green Bay’s running game and the Packers’ offense in general and lost by a field goal with 19 seconds to play. The luckless Panthers scored a season-high 30 points and it still wasn’t enough.
The Washington Commanders were at MetLife Stadium for the second time this season, and Ron Rivera’s club got off to a horrendous start against the New York Jets. Down 27-7 at intermission, starting quarterback Sam Howell hit on just 5-of-17 passes for 51 yards and was picked off, and Tress Way had a punt blocked. Washington gained 76 total yards.
Jacoby Brissett replaced Howell in the second half and the Commanders actually had a lead. However, the game would end with a sixth straight loss for a club that has now allowed 110 more points (453) than a year ago (343).
The slumping Los Angeles Chargers hosted the Buffalo Bills on Saturday looking to avoid a 10th loss in 2023. Interim head coach Giff Smith’s club owned an early 10-0 lead, as well as a 22-21 advantage with 5:26 to play. The Bolts did come up with three takeaways and played turnover-free football, however, quarterback Easton Stick was sacked five times.
All told, the team couldn’t avoid a third consecutive loss. The Chargers’ current 5-10 record is the team’s worst since a 5-11 finish in 2019. That season also marks the last time the franchise finished last in the AFC West.
The Arizona Cardinals were in the Windy City for the second time in three years as they battled the Bears in a clash of last-place teams. Arizona’s run defense has been shaky all season and Sunday was no exception. Chicago bludgeoned the Cards for 250 yards rushing on 39 attempts. All told, Jonathan Gannon’s team surrendered 420 total yards.
Down 21-0 in the second quarter, Kyler Murray and company (which played turnover-free football) hung around and actually trimmed the deficit to 24-16 with 6:37 to play. Make it 25 losses in 32 games dating back to 2022.
There is apparently still some life in Bill Belichick’s team as the New England Patriots were in Denver for a Christmas Eve prime-time showdown. It was a shaky first half for both clubs as the Broncos owned a 7-3 lead at intermission. Then things got a little crazy as Belichick’s club responded with 20 third-quarter points and appeared on its way.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos came roaring back, and with 2:53 to play the game was tied at 23-all. The Pats got the ball back and handed Denver a crippling loss. Christian Barmore had three of the five sacks of Wilson.
It wasn’t long ago that Mike Vrabel’s club was savoring a 28-27 Monday night upset of the Dolphins at Miami. Since then, the Tennessee Titans have dropped back-to-back home games to the Houston Texans (in overtime) and Seattle Seahawks, the latest a 20-17 setback. Derrick Henry ran for one score and threw a TD pass but it simply wasn’t enough.
The Titans have lost at least 10 games for the second straight year, the first time that’s happened since 2014 and ’15. Vrabel is 12-20 in his last 32 games. He amassed a 41-24 regular-season mark his first four years on the job.
When it was all said and done, Robert Saleh’s club would find a way to get its sixth victory of the season. However, the Jets made life difficult on themselves after a dominating first half. New York outgained Washington, 246-76, in the first half and owned a surprising 27-7 lead. Then things would get very interesting for the Green and White.
The Commanders would make a quarterback change and Jacoby Brissett would lead the team to 21 straight points and took a one-point fourth-quarter lead. Greg Zuerlein saved the Jets via a 54-yard kick with five seconds to play.
Entering this season, many felt that the addition of quarterback Derek Carr would complement one of the NFL’s best defensive units. However, the latter has not lived up to that kind of hype. Dennis Allen’s defense has been average, at best. On Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, the New Orleans Saints had no real answers for the Rams’ offense.
New Orleans gave up 244 total yards and 17 points in the first half, and another 214 yards and 13 points after intermission. Carr threw for 319 yards and three scores (1 interception), but it was far too little and much too late.
The rejuvenated Broncos hosted the Patriots on Sunday night. A victory would keep the team in the mix for a playoff berth and possibly a division title. Some crucial mistakes turned a 7-3 halftime advantage into a 23-7 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Russel Wilson overcame five sacks by the game’s end and rallied Sean Payton’s club.
Wilson not only threw a pair of touchdown passes but also managed two successful two-point conversions attempts. Unfortunately, the team could not prevent the Patriots from driving for the game-winning field goal.
Including last season’s lopsided playoff loss at Philadelphia, the New York Giants had dropped four straight games to the Eagles. This Christmas clash between the NFC East rivals had the makings of another lopsided affair as New York was down 20-3 at halftime. Brian Daboll’s special teams and defense sparked a turnaround in the third quarter.
Following a Saquon Barkley TD run, Adoree Jackson picked off Jalen Hurts and took it 76 yards for a score to narrow the deficit to 20-18. Tyrod Taylor replaced Tommy DeVito in the second half, but the Giants still fell short.
The Minnesota Vikings would get two shots at the Lions in the final three weeks of the season and on Sunday the teams met at Minnesota. Once again, Nick Mullens threw for plenty of yards (411) and connected with Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn for touchdowns. However, Minnesota’s non-existent ground attack managed 17 yards on 11 carries.
Unfortunately, Mullens also served up four interceptions, the last in the closing moments with his team down by just six points. The loss dropped the Vikings to 7-8, meaning they’ve lost twice as many games as they did in 2022.
The Las Vegas Raiders had more than a week to save their 63-point explosion against the Chargers. They were in Kansas City on Christmas afternoon to take on the rival Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes and company had scored at least 28 points in their last 11 meetings with the Silver and Black. It would be a much different story this day at Arrowhead Stadium.
Las Vegas’ offense managed only 205 total yards, but for the second straight week the defense returned a pair of turnovers for touchdowns. The Raiders sacked Patrick Mahomes four times, while Zamir White ran for 145 yards.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were in the midst of a three-game losing streak and were at Tampa on Sunday. The slide continued on Sunday and Doug Pederson’s club was non-competitive against the NFC South leaders. It was another rough outing for Trevor Lawrence, who turned over the ball three more times, part of four turnovers by Pederson’s team.
Jacksonville didn’t get on the scoreboard until there were 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the club was down, 30-0. Fortunately for the troubled Jaguars, the other three teams in the AFC South also lost in Week 16.
Shane Steichen’s team was at Atlanta on Sunday looking for another road victory. Indianapolis took the opening possession of the game, marched 75 yards in 13 plays and took a 7-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Colts, it was pretty much all downhill from there as Steichen’s club was outscored, 29-3, for the remainder of the afternoon.
Colts’ quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for 201 yards, but he was sacked six times and served up one pick. Indianapolis’ defense surrendered 406 total yards, including 177 rushing, and failed to come up with a takeaway.
The Houston Texans could triple their win total from 2022 if they could knock off the visiting Browns. Case Keenum got another start in place of C.J. Stroud and it proved to be a long afternoon for the journeyman signal-caller. He was sacked three times and hit on just 11-of-17 passes for 62 yards and a pair of interceptions before being replaced.
Davis Mills erased a 36-7 fourth-quarter deficit with a pair of touchdown passes in less than two minutes. However, the damage was done. DeMeco Ryans’s defensive unit had no answers for Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper.
The Cincinnati Bengals were in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon looking for their first divisional win of the season. Entering Week 16, only the Commanders had allowed more total yards than coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defensive unit. That would be a big factor as Cincinnati defenders had very few answers for one of the NFL’s worst offenses.
The reigning AFC North champions, who won’t repeat this year, gave up 24 points and 263 total yards in the first half alone. It was the second loss this season to the Steelers. The Bengals are 0-5 vs. divisional foes this season.
Mired in a three-game losing streak, Mike Tomlin turned to a third different starting quarterback this season as Mason Rudolph got the nod in the rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pittsburgh Steelers exploded in the first half, and on the team’s second play from scrimmage, Rudolph connected with talented George Pickens for an 86-yard touchdown.
The Steelers did allow Bengals’ quarterback Jake Browning to throw for 335 yards and one score. They also sacked him three times and stole three of his passes. Finally, it was the most points scored by Tomlin’s team since 2021.
The Chicago Bears have split their last 10 games after a horrid 0-4 start. Matt Eberflus’ club could double its 2022 win total with a victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals. Chicago got off to an impressive start as their balanced offense proved to be too much for Arizona’s shaky defensive unit. Eberflus’ improved team opened up a 21-0 second-quarter lead.
Khalil Herbert led a ground attack that rolled up 250 yards on 39 attempts, finishing with 112 yards and one score. Justin Fields threw for one TD (1 interception) and ran for another. The Bears are 6-5 in their last 11 outings.
The reeling Atlanta Falcons were at home against the much-improved Indianapolis Colts. This was arguably Atlanta’s most complete performance of the season. The team gave up a 75-yard TD drive on the opening possession of the game. The Falcons’ defense surrendered only 187 total yards the rest of the afternoon while giving up only a field goal.
A balanced Atlanta totaled 30 running plays (177 yards), 34 passing plays (229 yards), committed zero turnovers and scored on seven possessions – including five field goals by Younghoe Koo. The team still has playoff hopes.
The Packers were looking to avoid a third consecutive loss as they took on the Panthers in Carolina. Green Bay’s struggling defense almost cost the team a victory. Matt LaFleur’s offense had few problems moving the ball throughout the afternoon. Aaron Jones ran for 127 yards, and Jordan Love threw for 219 yards and two scores.
Ahead 30-16 early in the fourth quarter, Joe Barry’s defensive unit couldn’t protect the lead. The Packers gave up 394 total yards by game’s end. A 32-yard field goal by Anders Carlson with 19 seconds to play saved the team.
Quarterback Geno Smith was back in the starting lineup as the Seahawks took on the Titans at Nashville. Six days after backup quarterback rallied the team to a 20-17 win over the Eagles, Smith pulled off a similar achievement. The defense would keep Pete Carroll’s club in the game thanks to six sacks of Titans’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Down 17-13 in the final minutes, Smith led the team on a 75-yard TD drive and the game-deciding score with 57 seconds to play. So, the ‘Hawks managed two 20-17 wins in a seven-day span and back in the postseason picture.
Sean McVay’s team seemingly did anything it wanted to on Thursday night against the visiting Saints. Matthew Stafford threw for 328 yards and two TDs, running back Kyren Williams totaled 22 carries for 104 yards and a score, and rookie Puka Nacua caught nine passes for 164 yards and one touchdown. The Rams rolled up 458 yards.
Los Angeles owned a 30-7 fourth-quarter lead before Derek Carr and the Saints made it interesting with less than four minutes to play. It’s been quite a turnaround for a club that dropped six of its first nine games this season.
Winners of three straight games, the Buccaneers hosted the reeling Jaguars in a clash of division leaders. Todd Bowles’ team made it look pretty easy. The team’s 18-point win doesn’t tell the real story of Tampa’s domination. The Bucs owned a 20-0 after two quarters thanks in part to a pair of Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans TD strikes.
The Bucs played turnover-free football, forced four turnovers and owned the ball for 37:07. This surging team, which opened 4-7, is inching closer to a third straight NFC South title and a fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs.
On Christmas afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs were looking to sweep the visiting Raiders for the third straight year. Andy Reid’s team limited Las Vegas to 205 total yards. In the second quarter, Isiah Pacheco had a fumble returned for a score and Patrick Mahomes threw a pick-six seven seconds apart. Kansas City would trail, 17-7, at intermission.
The Chiefs would narrow the deficit to six points with 2:42 to play but never saw the ball again. Reid’s team has lost twice as many games as it did in 2022, and the club’s chance of being the AFC’s top playoff seed has ended.
The Dallas Cowboys were throttled at Buffalo last week and now were in South Florida to take on the first-place Dolphins. Dallas’ defensive unit limited Miami’s explosive offense to just one touchdown. However, it couldn’t stop Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from throwing for 293 yards and Mike McDaniel’s attack to 375 total yards.
Still, Mike McCarthy’s team owned a 20-19 lead with 3:27 to play thanks to a Dak Prescott to Bradin Cooks TD connection. The Cowboys lost at the gun, and now trail the Philadelphia Eagles by one game in the NFC East.
The reigning NFC champions looked to snap a three-game losing streak when they hosted the Giants on Christmas. Including last year’s playoff victory, the Eagles had knocked off this NFC East rival four straight times. They got off to a strong start on the holiday, owning a 20-3 halftime edge and outgaining New York, 212-101 in total yards.
Still, Nick Sirianni’s team struggled to put the Giants away. A wild second half saw Philadelphia protecting a 33-25 lead with New York driving. Kelee Ringo sealed the victory with an end zone interception on the game’s final play.
The Browns were at Houston looking to improve their position in the AFC North. Joe Flacco’s impressive return to the NFL this season continued on Sunday, and he and star wide receiver Amari Cooper put on a show. The former threw two more picks but also finished 368 passing yards and three scores and was not sacked in the game.
Cooper caught 11 passes for a franchise-record 265 yards and a pair of scores, as well as a two-point conversion toss from Flacco. Cleveland’s defense harassed Case Keenum into a pair of picks and sacked him three times.
The Bills were looking for their first three-game winning streak since Weeks 2-4. They were at SoFi Stadium on Saturday to take on the reeling Chargers. Sean McDermott’s club spotted the Bolts a 10-0 second-quarter edge, but Josh Allen threw for one score and ran for another and Buffalo owned a 14-10 advantage at intermission.
McDermott’s club would stretch its lead to 21-13, but the Chargers responded with three straight field goals to take a one-point edge. The Bills would pull out the victory and remained in the hunt for the AFC East title.
The Lions could win their first division title since 1993 if they could knock off the Vikings at Minnesota. The explosive Detroit offense paved the way again and Dan Campbell’s club owned a 30-21 lead with 11:07 to play. Minnesota narrowed the gap to six points and were driving but Ifeatu Melifonwu closed the door with a pick.
The Lions had totaled only nine interceptions in their first 14 games, but picked off Vikings’ quarterback Nick Mullens four times in the division-clinching win. The Lions are in the mix for the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
The Dolphins could take a big step towards their first AFC East title since 2008 if they could knock off the talented Cowboys. It was a game that saw Mike McDaniel’s team gain 375 total yards against one of the best defenses in the NFL, but settled for five Jason Sanders field goals. The fifth came as time expired in an exciting two-point win.
Miami can clinch its first AFC East title since 2008 this Sunday with a victory at Baltimore, or a Bills’ loss to the Patriots. A win over the Ravens would open the door for bigger and better things for the current division leaders.
It was a meeting of teams with the best record in the league. It wound up not being the Niners’ night as they hosted the Baltimore Ravens. Kyle Shanahan’s club owned an early 5-0 lead, but the Ravens’ opportunistic defense seemed to get its hands on every Brock Purdy pass. He threw for 255 yards but finished with four interceptions.
The 49ers finished with 429 yards of total offense, but a late Sam Darnold pick meant that Shanahan’s team lost the turnover battle, 5-0. The NFC West champions are 0-4 this season when they don’t score at least 20 points.
It was quite the anticipated contest on Christmas evening as the Ravens were in San Francisco in a battle of 11-3 division leaders. Baltimore’s ball-hawking defense managed to corral three Brock Purdy passes in the first half, two by rookie safety Kyle Hamilton. Hence, John Harbaugh’s team turned a 5-0 deficit into a 16-12 halftime lead.
Lamar Jackson struck twice for TD passes early in the third quarter and Baltimore opened up a 30-12 lead on the way to the win. The Ravens can win the AFC North and clinch the AFC’s top seed by beating Miami on Sunday.