Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Continue to Trend Upwards
Josh Frey
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Fantasy football playoffs got underway this week, so naturally, this was one of the stranger weeks of football we’ve seen. Many stars were held to dismal performances that we’d expect to see from them in just one quarter of play rather than an entire game. That said, a few teams earned some crucial victories as the actual NFL playoffs approach. Here is the updated NFL power rankings list as we head into week 16.
1. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 31-30 win @ BAL
Trending: –
This Week: 12/25 vs CLE
Tyler Huntley made this game closer than many would have anticipated, but in the end, the Green Bay Packers defense was able to make one last stand. With that, they held on to the win and earned yet another NFC North crown.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 34-28 win @ LAC
Trending: +2
This Week: 12/26 vs PIT
Travis Kelce feasted on the Chargers defense all night long, and it culminated in a game-clinching overtime touchdown reception. Patrick Mahomes was largely back to his old gunslinging self in this game, and all of a sudden, the Chiefs are back in the AFC’s top seed.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: 20-10 win vs SEA
Trending: –
This Week: 12/26 @ MIN
It took a couple extra days to get this game in, but on Tuesday night the Rams were able to face off with the division rival Seahawks. Sony Michel has proven to be a valuable part of LA’s offense, and the defense gave Russell Wilson fits the entire night.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 27-17 win vs NE
Trending: +4
This Week: 12/25 @ ARI
It’s pretty simple, the Colts really just overpowered New England throughout this game. The defense made things tough on Mac Jones while a single big Jonathan Taylor run proved to be the dagger. The Colts are quickly emerging as a threat in the AFC playoffs.
5. New England Patriots
Last Week: 17-27 loss @ IND
Trending: -3
This Week: 12/26 vs BUF
You can’t stop Jonathan Taylor, you can only hope to contain him. The New England Patriots learned that the hard way on Saturday. They did a good job of holding him in check for about 58 minutes, but a 67-yard touchdown run at the end of the fourth quarter ended their comeback hopes.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 21-6 win @ NYG
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/26 vs WSH
Dallas’ defense forced four New York turnovers, and that proved to be enough to completely halt the Giants. Among those four turnovers was yet another Trevon Diggs interception, bringing his league-leading total to 10.
7. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 31-14 win vs CAR
Trending: +4
This Week: 12/26 @ NE
The Bills had lost three of their past four games going into this week, but they seemed to get back on track with a win over the reeling Carolina Panthers. Josh Allen threw a trio of touchdown passes while Devin Singletary rushed for another. This week won’t be as easy though with a heavyweight matchup against the Patriots looming.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 0-9 loss vs NO
Trending: -3
This Week: 12/26 @ CAR
It was not a pretty week in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers were shutout by the Saints. It’s the second consecutive year that Tom Brady’s Bucs have been swept by New Orleans in the regular season, and this loss may have been the ugliest yet.
9. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 12-30 loss vs DET
Trending: -3
This Week: 12/25 vs IND
The Cardinals are suddenly reeling after a hot start to the season. A lot of that can probably be attributed to Kyler Murray’s injuries, but the defense just has not been playing as well as it needs to, either.
10. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 31-13 win vs ATL
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/23 @ TEN
San Francisco is on a bit of a roll now. After a very rough start, they’ve now won five of their last six games. Four of them have been by double digits. This is a very dangerous team heading down the stretch of the season.
11. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 13-19 loss @ PIT
Trending: -4
This Week: 12/23 vs SF
In what was one of the uglier games of the season, the Titans jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Steelers, but turnovers on three consecutive possessions allowed Pittsburgh to get back into the game. Ryan Tannehill was uncharacteristically off target in this one, but a matchup with the Niners this week does not bode well.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
Last Week: 28-34 loss vs KC
Trending: -2
This Week: 12/26 @ HOU
LA secured their position atop the AFC West with a win on Thursday night, but Travis Kelce proved to be their kryptonite. The tight end got whatever he wanted as a receiver, and ultimately put the game away with his overtime touchdown. LA now has to fight for a wild card spot.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 15-10 win @ DEN
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/26 vs BAL
Speaking of fighting for their playoff lives, the Bengals went into week 15 in need of a road win. They went into Denver and won a gritty matchup against the Broncos, and now they hold the lead in the AFC North.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 30-31 loss vs GB
Trending: -2
This Week: 12/26 @ CIN
Things seemed bleak when Lamar Jackson was ruled out for this game, but Tyler Huntley actually looked like a very similar quarterback to the former MVP against the Green Bay Packers. If only the final two-point conversion had succeeded, a lot of the NFL world could be looking at this game much differently.
15. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 31-24 win vs NYJ
Trending: –
This Week: 12/27 @ NO
And here we are, the Dolphins have officially completed their journey back to .500. They reached an even 7-7 record with their win over the Jets, and they now have a date in the Superdome versus the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
16. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 17-9 win @ CHI
Trending: +2
This Week: 12/26 vs LAR
It sure wasn’t pretty, but the Minnesota Vikings were able to escape from Soldier Field with a big win over the Chicago Bears. This victory and some help from Philadelphia moves the Vikings back into the playoff picture prior to their matchup with the Rams.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”928530″ player=”26281″ title=”4%20ideal%20offseason%20Kirk%20Cousins%20trade%20destinations” duration=”81″ description=”It’s time for the Minnesota Vikings to start making plans for the future, one that includes a 2022 offseason with a Kirk Cousins trade and an organizational reset after another disappointing season.Cousins will enter 2022 in a contract year, a position he and the Vikings are very familiar with. While the 33-year-old quarterback is playing at a high level, it’s evident he and the Vikings aren’t close to competing for the NFC North title or a Super Bowl.With that in mind, we examine the best Kirk Cousins trades that would benefit both the star quarterback and his teams.” uploaddate=”2021-12-22″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/928494_s_1640136316410.jpg” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/928494/928494.m3u8″]
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 19-13 win vs TEN
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/26 @ KC
There was very little offense to speak of in this game, with both Najee Harris and Deontae Johnson being held in check. However, the Steelers defense proved once again why they are one of the best units in the NFL, and that was enough to will Pittsburgh to a win.
18. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 14-16 loss vs LV
Trending: -4
This Week: 12/25 @ GB
Cleveland went into this game without either Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum, who both went on the Covid list this week. This meant Nick Mullens was left to start at QB, and well, he looked a lot like Nick Mullens. Ultimately, the Browns were unable to pull off a much-needed win over a frisky Raiders team.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 27-17 win vs WSH
Trending: +2
This Week: 12/26 vs NYG
Jalen Hurts returned as the Eagles starting QB this week, but the real reason that Philly won this game lies in the running game. Miles Sanders rushed for 131 yards at a clip of over seven yards per attempt. Controlling the clock was really all Philly needed to do to get a win on Tuesday.
20. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 9-0 win @ TB
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/27 vs MIA
The New Orleans Saints continue to look like one of, if not the very best defensive unit in the NFL. The only problem is, Taysom Hill is still their quarterback. If they can get peak-Alvin Kamara down the stretch of the year, this will be a tough team to beat. If they have to rely on Hill, there’s little hope of a playoff run.
21. Washington Football Team
Last Week: 17-27 loss @ PHI
Trending: -2
This Week: 12/26 @ DAL
Garrett Gilbert looked overwhelmed on Tuesday stepping in for Washington at QB. Additionally, they got next to nothing out of their rushing attack, and that allowed Philly to completely control the time of possession in this game.
22. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 10-15 loss vs CIN
Trending: -5
This Week: 12/26 @ LV
Teddy Bridgewater took a very ugly hit to the head, but it seems like he is recovering nicely. That is the good news from this week, but the bad news is the Broncos have once again fallen to .500 while the playoff contenders are leaving them behind.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: 16-14 win @ CLE
Trending: +3
This Week: 12/26 vs DEN
Derek Carr got one more chance at the end of this game, and he didn’t waste it. He led the Raiders offense down the field and allowed Daniel Carlson a chance to send Vegas home as winners with a game-winning field goal. This team just refuses to die, and it’s pretty admirable to watch.
24. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 10-20 loss @ LAR
Trending: -2
This Week: 12/26 vs CHI
Once again, Russell Wilson just did not look like his normal self throwing the football. The Seahawks offense simply cannot thrive without an elite Wilson at QB, and they don’t have that right now.
25. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 30-12 win @ ARI
Trending: +4
This Week: 12/26 @ ATL
The Kardiak Kitties ride again. The Lions went into Arizona and absolutely dominated the Cardinals from start to finish of this game. This is nothing new for Jared Goff though, as he is now 8-1 against the Cardinals in his career.
26. Houston Texans
Last Week: 30-16 win @ JAX
Trending: +5
This Week: 12/26 vs LAC
The Texans came out of the Tank Bowl victorious this week, which I guess means they are the losers? At any rate, a third win on the season moves them now two losses from the first overall pick.
27. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 14-31 loss @ BUF
Trending: –
This Week: 12/26 vs TB
Those Cam Newton touchdowns were looking pretty good when he was coming in for just one or two plays at a time, but now that he’s back as the starter, it’s clear he’s just not ready to compete at a high level. The Panthers never stood a chance against Buffalo.
28. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 13-31 loss @ SF
Trending: -4
This Week: 12/26 vs DET
Right as we were starting to come around on the Falcons again in the playoff hunt, they found a way to let us down. This latest example was a blowout loss at the hands of the 49ers, a game they absolutely needed to win in order to stay in the hunt.
29. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 9-17 loss vs MIN
Trending: -4
This Week: 12/26 @ SEA
The Bears were ravaged by Covid this week, but even with that, their offense was absolutely atrocious against the Vikings. Their offensive line was penalty prone and a swinging door for Vikings rushers. The loss officially eliminates their playoff hopes.
30. New York Jets
Last Week: 24-31 loss @ MIA
Trending: –
This Week: 12/26 vs JAX
At least the Jets were able to play a competitive game this week. New York ran into a buzzsaw that has been the Miami Dolphins, who won their six consecutive game. Zach Wilson still wasn’t great, but New York’s defense made things a lot tougher on Tua Tagovailoa than others have been able to in recent weeks.
31. New York Giants
Last Week: 6-21 vs DAL
Trending: -3
This Week: 12/26 @ PHI
No Daniel Jones became a major issue from the very beginning against Dallas. Mike Glennon threw three interceptions before being benched for Jake Fromm. He didn’t fare much better against the Cowboys, but at least he didn’t turn the ball over. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 16-30 loss vs HOU
Trending: –-
This Week: 12/26 @ NYJ
The Jaguars are moving from one Tank Bowl straight to another this week against the New York Jets. They took a loos in the last one, and they have officially moved to the cellar of the NFL, claiming the first overall pick in the 2022 draft.
