NFL Week 16 Power Rankings and Playoff Predictions
By Adam Hughes
Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo reacts to the referee in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Dallas defeated Philadelphia 38-27. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Week 15 of the NFL season brought some tough games, if few surprises, and a little more clarity to some playoff races. With just two weeks left in the regular season, it’s time again to rank the 32 teams from top to bottom. As usual, we throw in our playoff predictions .
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The rankings …
32. Tennessee Titans – A home loss to the Jets just about sums up the Titans’ terrible season.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars – Considering the season they’ve had playing the Ravens tough on the road is about as good as it gets for the Jags.
30. Oakland Raiders – The Raiders look like they have some pieces for the future, but right now they’re just swaying in the wind from week to week.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Bucs tried hard to spoil the Panthers’ home win, but they came up just short.
28. Washington Redskins – RGIII looked better than he has, but the Redskins did their part to help Tom Coughlin keep his job.
27. Chicago Bears – The Bears are just bad, and will likely get a new coach as their reward.
26. New York Jets – Rex Ryan led his team to a road win … over the NFL’s worst team.
25. New York Giants – Way too little way too late, but a division win against Washington is always welcome.
24. Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons’ loss at home to the Steelers could very well have ended their playoff hopes.
23. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel appears to have woken up the sleeping giant of the Bengals’ defense; ugly, ugly loss.
22. Carolina Panthers – The Panthers barely held on to beat the Buccaneers, but, hey, they still have a shot at the division title!
21. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings are going to be good in a couple of years, and they almost took down the Lions in Detroit.
20. San Francisco 49ers – The Niners never beat the Seahawks anymore, and the trend continued on Sunday, eliminating SF from playoff consideration.
19. New Orleans Saints – Sure, it was the Bears, but the Saints looked dominant on Monday night. Prediction: NFC South Champion
18. Miami Dolphins – Miami has had a solid season, but their playoff hopes are gone after a big loss in New England.
17. St. Louis Rams – A trendy pick to take down the Cardinals, St. Louis came up short.
16. Houston Texans – The Texans hung in with the Colts in Indy, but their season is likely done.
15. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers were beaten soundly at home by an off Peyton Manning, and the playoffs may be slipping away.
14. Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs are the latest team to beat up on the Raiders, and it keeps them in the playoff hunt.
13. Buffalo Bills – Wow! The Bills stifled Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense like no other team has been able to do this season. Prediction: AFC Wild Card
12. Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals who demolished Cleveland on Sunday looked like the team who rolled out of the gate to a 3-0 record.
11. Baltimore Ravens – A tough game against a terrible Jaguars team dims the Ravens’ sheen a bit. Prediction: AFC Wild Card
10. Pittsburgh Steelers – A strong road win keeps the Steelers on track for a final-game showdown with the Bengals. Prediction: AFC North Champion
9. Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles stumbled against the Cowboys, and now they need help to make the playoffs.
8. Detroit Lions – The Lions held on through a scare with the Vikings. Prediction: NFC Wild Card
7. Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals won on the road with a couple of paper dolls at QB. Prediction: NFC West Champion
6. Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys avenged their home loss to the Eagles with a fairly convincing road win.. Prediction: NFC East Champion
5. Indianapolis Colts – The Colts won another AFC South Championship by taking down a tough Texans team. Prediction: AFC South Champion
4. Green Bay Packers – Whoa! Who saw the Bills coming? Not Aaron Rodgers, apparently. Prediction: NFC North Champion
3. Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks beat the Niners, again, and could still win the division. Prediction: NFC Wild Card
2. Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning continues to be just good enough to win games. Prediction: AFC West Champion
1. New England Patriots – Ho, hum. Another big December win, another division title. Prediction: AFC East Champion