NFL Power Rankings Week 16: 49ers, Ravens on prime, plus a shock from each workforce

We’re coming down the stretch of the NFL season, and the playoff seedings and Power Rankings are beginning to kind themselves out, however that doesn’t imply there haven’t been some surprises alongside the way in which. Today, we’re going to take a look at one stunning facet of every workforce’s season.

And then we’re going to start out trying ahead to a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Week 16 of the season.

(Last week: 1)

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 45-29

Surprise: Brock Purdy

We’ve let all of the speak about whether or not the second-year quarterback is a top-10 quarterback within the league and even presumably the MVP obscure what stays at its coronary heart essentially the most outstanding story within the league. Purdy, the final decide of the 2022 draft, is now 16-3 as a beginning quarterback. His passer ranking (119) and anticipated factors added per dropback (.32) lead the NFL and each would rank among the many prime 5 within the final 10 years within the league, in accordance with TruMedia.

Up subsequent: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Last week: 3)

Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7

Surprise: They’ve clinched a playoff spot

Baltimore didn’t even enter the season as the favourite in its division, and now it’s the one workforce within the AFC to clinch a postseason berth. Lamar Jackson has been Lamar Jackson and the Todd Monken rent at offensive coordinator seems to be impressed. The Ravens have received eight of their final 9. Watching their protection, which leads the NFL with simply 16.1 factors per recreation allowed, go in opposition to the 49ers offense subsequent week will probably be a deal with.

Up subsequent: at San Francisco 49ers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Last week: 5)

Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 31-10

Surprise: That they’ve misplaced six video games

The Bills proved Sunday they’re among the best groups within the league and a Super Bowl contender. More importantly, they received themselves nearer to the playoffs, transferring into the No. 9 spot within the AFC. Of course, the reply could also be so simple as turnovers. The Bills are plus-11 in turnover margin of their wins (fourth within the league) and minus-eight of their losses (twentieth within the league). They didn’t flip the ball over in opposition to the Cowboys and rushed for 266 yards, their highest whole since 2016.

Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

(Last week: 7)

Sunday: Beat New York Jets 30-0

Surprise: Why no one else simply drafted all of the quick guys

Tyreek Hill didn’t play Sunday due to an ankle harm, and Miami nonetheless had three of the quickest individuals on the earth on the sphere. Jaylen Waddle had a season-high 142 receiving yards on eight catches, and Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane had a mixed 105 yards. The Dolphins have received 4 of their final 5 and may beat anyone within the league with their residence run energy.

Up subsequent: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Raheem Mostert’s 20 whole touchdowns this yr (18 dashing, two receiving) ranks second all time amongst all gamers 31 years or older, behind solely John Riggins (24)
per @pfref

— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) December 18, 2023

(Last week: 2)

Sunday: Lost to Buffalo Bills 31-10

Surprise: How they play on the street

Dallas, which is 7-0 at residence, is now under .500 on the street, dropping to 3-4 with Sunday’s loss. The Cowboys lead the league in scoring (39.86 ppg) and scoring margin (plus-171) at residence however are fifteenth in scoring (21.71 ppg) and have a minus-4 scoring margin on the street. This just isn’t good news for a workforce that in all probability goes to should play at Philadelphia or at San Francisco to get to the Super Bowl. It has performed in each of these stadiums this yr and misplaced by a mixed rating of 70-33.

Up subsequent: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Last week: 4)

Monday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 20-17

Surprise: The panic

The Eagles are essentially the most hand-wringing 1o-win workforce within the NFL. They have already got clinched a playoff spot and nonetheless have a great likelihood to win the NFC East, but the workforce and its followers imagine the sky is falling as a result of it has hit a tough patch in opposition to gifted opponents. The Eagles took management of the protection away from coordinator Sean Desai and handed it to Matt Patricia for Monday’s recreation. That didn’t work so properly on the ultimate drive as Drew Lock took the Seahawks 92 yards for the game-winning landing, however Philadelphia nonetheless has a number of the most gifted offensive and defensive strains within the league and will probably be tremendous in January.

Up subsequent: vs. New York Giants, Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET

(Last week: 8)

Saturday: Beat Denver Broncos 42-17

Surprise: Sam LaPorta

It’s not surprising that the rookie tight finish is sweet, however this good? LaPorta had three landing catches Saturday evening and now has 9 on the season, the fourth-most receiving touchdowns within the league. LaPorta, the No. 34 decide within the 2023 draft, already has 758 receiving yards, the sixth most by a rookie tight finish within the historical past of the league. If he hits his common the remainder of the season, he’ll find yourself third behind solely Mike Ditka and Kyle Pitts.

Up subsequent: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 6)

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 27-17

Surprise: How laborious it has been

Kansas City assured its eleventh straight profitable report below Andy Reid, nevertheless it wasn’t with out extra drama. Kadarius Toney dropped a go that become an interception, and the Patriots led 10-7 till the ultimate minute of the primary half. The defending Super Bowl champion is the No. 3 seed within the AFC proper now. The good news is rookie receiver Rashee Rice had his fourth straight recreation with a minimum of seven catches and 64 yards to take a number of the strain off Travis Kelce.

Up subsequent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 12)

Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 20-17

Surprise: That no one employed Jim Schwartz earlier

Cleveland’s defensive coordinator spent the final two seasons as a senior defensive assistant in Tennessee. Then the Browns put him again in command of a protection, and Cleveland leads the NFL in defensive splash performs (363). The Browns have a league-high 65 tackles for loss that aren’t sacks and 41 sacks, which ranks eighth within the league, to go together with it. The protection has saved a season wherein the offense misplaced operating again Nick Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Up subsequent: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 11)

Sunday: Beat Washington Commanders 28-20

Surprise: They’re within the playoffs in the intervening time

This was purported to be a reset yr for the Rams, and it appeared prefer it once they began 3-6. Since then, Sean McVay’s crew is 4-1 with the one loss coming to the Ravens. During the profitable streak, the Rams are fourth within the league in scoring (29.8 ppg), and Matthew Stafford is fifth within the league in passer ranking (105.2) and second in passing touchdowns (13). It’s been adequate to get them to the seventh seed, for now a minimum of.

Up subsequent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Last week: 14)

Sunday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 27-24

Surprise: They’re nonetheless in it

Jake Browning received his third recreation in a row Saturday, and the Bengals are actually 3-1 since Joe Burrow’s season ended due to harm. Cincinnati, which is third in scoring within the final three weeks (31.7 ppg), was written out of the playoff race when Burrow went down however is the No. 6 seed within the AFC as of now. The drawback is the Bengals should play Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Cleveland down the stretch.

Up subsequent: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

(Last week: 17)

Monday: Beat Philadelphia Eagles 20-17

Surprise: The protection

Pete Carroll is understood for protection, however the Seahawks are twenty seventh within the NFL in defensive EPA per snap and have given up extra performs of 10-plus yards (190) than all however two groups within the league. However, the protection received the job executed Monday evening, holding an illness-slowed Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to 17 factors to cease a four-game shedding streak. They’re only one spot out of a playoff spot with the Titans, Steelers and Cardinals left on their schedule.

Up subsequent: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 13)

Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 19-16 in OT

Surprise: Another Kyle Shanahan disciple

Is there no finish to the variety of actually good play callers San Francisco’s head coach can create in his lab? Texans first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is 36 years outdated and had just one yr as a full-fledged member of the 49ers workers earlier than becoming a member of DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Before that, Slowik had a number of secondary roles in San Francisco. On Sunday, he helped backup quarterback Case Keenum to a victory that retains the Texans within the playoff race and retains him on the radar for head teaching jobs.

Up subsequent: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 15)

Sunday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 30-13

Surprise: This workforce is within the playoff race

The Colts had been 4-12 final season. They misplaced quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 decide within the draft, within the fourth recreation of the yr. Jonathan Taylor has performed in solely seven video games. And but, Indianapolis is eighth within the league in scoring (24.6 ppg) and has the No. 7 spot within the playoff race proper now. Shane Steichen is making a robust case for coach of the yr.

Up subsequent: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 9)

Sunday: Lost to Detroit Lions 42-17

Surprise: Sean Payton-Russell Wilson is sort of working

Or a minimum of it was till Saturday evening when Payton had a really animated, and seemingly one-way, dialog with Wilson on the sideline. It was what everybody anticipated from their relationship headed into the season, however issues had been going fairly properly. After a career-low 84.4 passer ranking in his first season in Denver, Wilson has bounced again to a 97.5 this yr and has a minimum of made it believable he might be Denver’s beginning quarterback subsequent season.

Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 16)

Sunday: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 23-7

Surprise: That Trevor Lawrence isn’t higher

The No. 1 decide within the 2021 draft is sweet, however he was anticipated to be nice. Lawrence is ninth within the league in passing yards (3,525) however simply twenty first in touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.8) and twenty third in EPA per try (.08). Sunday’s loss highlighted a number of the frustrations with Lawrence, who threw an ill-advised go on the finish of the primary half that price the Jaguars factors, and he merely dropped a ball with out being touched on a scramble.

Up subsequent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

(Last week: 20)

Sunday: Beat Green Bay Packers 34-20

Surprise: They’re going to win the division

It’s not set in stone but, however the odds are actually 61.6 %, in accordance with The Athletic’s NFL betting mannequin. This is the workforce that had the bottom preseason win prediction within the NFC South and misplaced six of seven video games at one level this season. However, Tampa Bay has now received three in a row. Baker Mayfield, who Sunday grew to become the primary opposing quarterback ever to have an ideal passer ranking at Lambeau Field, threw for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to the Packers.

Up subsequent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

18. Green Bay Packers (6-8)

(Last week: 10)

Sunday: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-20

Surprise: How inconsistent they’re

Beat the Lions and Chiefs? Lose to the Giants and the Buccaneers? Sure, the Packers have executed all that within the final month. Oft-analyzed quarterback Jordan Love hasn’t been the most important drawback, both. The protection is twenty ninth in success charge (56.4) and twenty third in yards per play allowed (5.4). On Sunday, the Packers surrendered the one excellent passer ranking of Mayfield’s six-year profession and 452 yards to the Buccaneers to fall into eleventh place within the NFC.

Up subsequent: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 18)

Saturday: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals 27-24

Surprise: The Justin Jefferson thriller

In the seven video games Jefferson has performed, he’s averaging 97.43 receiving yards per recreation, which ranks behind solely Tyreek Hill. However, after Saturday, Minnesota is 2-5 when he’s within the lineup. In video games Jefferson has missed due to harm, the Vikings are 5-2. Nick Mullens grew to become the fourth quarterback to start out a recreation for Minnesota on Saturday. He threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns but in addition had two interceptions.

Up subsequent: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)

(Last week: 19)

Saturday: Lost to Indianapolis Colts 30-13

Surprise: George Pickens remains to be on the workforce

The second-year vast receiver’s angle has been sufficient of an issue that coach Mike Tomlin felt the necessity to inform the workforce’s official web site that he and Pickens had “a great meeting” final week. It should not have been that nice as a result of Pickens had two embarrassing clips floor from Saturday’s recreation — one on which he put hardly any effort right into a run block and one on which he appeared to run away from the opposing ball provider after an interception. He leads the workforce with 52 catches for 814 yards, nevertheless it won’t be price all this.

Up subsequent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

(Last week: 22)

Sunday: Beat New York Giants 24-6

Surprise: Derek Carr retains getting away with it

Last week, the story was the New Orleans quarterback entering into one other in-game argument with a teammate (including middle Erik McCoy to an inventory that features vast receiver Chris Olave and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael). This week, he threw three landing passes and had a 134.8 ranking because the Saints received their second straight to remain alive within the playoff race.

Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Carr finds Juwan Johnson as he steps into the tip zone! TD @Saints

📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/ktajaC4VDv

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

(Last week: 28)

Thursday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 63-21

Surprise: That offensive displaying

Only one workforce, Miami on this yr’s 70-20 win over Denver, has scored extra factors in a recreation since a minimum of 2000. The Dolphins have Mike McDaniel calling performs and the quickest ability place group within the league. The Raiders have an interim head coach, Antonio Pierce, and a rookie quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, who even after Thursday is just thirtieth within the league in passer ranking. It’s in all probability not sufficient to get Pierce the full-time job, however he’s 3-3 since taking the helm.

Up subsequent: at Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 21)

Sunday: Lost to Carolina Panthers 9-7

Surprise: The offense is dangerous

Arthur Smith, who’s in his third season, was employed for his offensive acumen. The Falcons have drafted an offensive skill-position participant within the prime 10 in every of the final three drafts. Their $46.6 million funding of their offensive line is the fourth-highest within the NFL. And but they’re twenty sixth within the NFL in factors (18.43) after scoring simply seven Sunday in opposition to a one-win Carolina workforce. Now there’s an opportunity Smith is on his method out in Atlanta.

Up subsequent: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 23)

Sunday: Lost to Cleveland Browns 20-17

Surprise: There’s nonetheless no reply on Justin Fields

With solely three video games left within the season, Chicago nonetheless doesn’t seem to have a transparent reply about whether or not it ought to follow Fields at quarterback or use the Panthers’ decide it acquired final March to take Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Sunday was a “move on” recreation. Fields accomplished 19-for-40 passes for 166 yards and had a 46.5 passer ranking. For the season, he’s twenty third in passer ranking (85.6) however is eighth in scramble EPA (17.72), in accordance with TruMedia.

Up subsequent: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Last week: 24)

Sunday: Lost to Miami Dolphins 30-0

Surprise: Garrett Wilson is a top-25 receiver

Despite Zach Wilson and every little thing else that has gone flawed in New York, Garrett Wilson has 882 receiving yards, the twenty second most within the league. If that doesn’t sound that spectacular, keep in mind that the Jets are thirtieth within the NFL with 170 passing yards per recreation. Wilson led New York in receiving Sunday, nevertheless it was a fairly hole achievement contemplating he had solely three catches for 29 yards.

Up subsequent: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday 1 p.m. ET

26. New York Giants (5-9)

(Last week: 25)

Sunday: Lost to New Orleans Saints 24-6

Surprise: They screwed up the 2024 draft

The Tommy DeVito story is nice, or a minimum of was till Sunday when New York misplaced for the primary time in a month, however how fondly will it’s remembered in New York sooner or later? The three wins that DeVito led earlier than this have moved the Giants to the No. 7 decide within the 2024 draft in the intervening time. There’s nonetheless hope contemplating New York has to play the Eagles twice within the remaining three video games, however for now the Giants nonetheless don’t have a solution to their quarterback drawback.

Up subsequent: at Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET

27. Tennessee Titans (5-9)

(Last week: 26)

Sunday: Lost to Houston Texans 19-16 in OT

Surprise: Derrick Henry is human

The final seven seasons had satisfied us in any other case, however the Titans and their otherworldly operating again are trying like they’re close to the tip of their runs. On Sunday, Henry had the fewest yards (10) for any participant with 20 or extra touches in NFL historical past, and after the sport, he indicated it might be his final season with the Titans. Tennessee was eradicated from the playoff race when Case Keenum led Houston to 10 factors within the remaining 3:03 and time beyond regulation on Sunday.

Up subsequent: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 27)

Thursday: Lost to Las Vegas Raiders 63-21

Surprise: That it took this lengthy

The Chargers lastly fired Brandon Staley, who fell to 24-24 in three seasons with Thursday evening’s embarrassing loss. It was the fifth loss within the final six video games for Los Angeles, which entered the season with playoff hopes and now could be the second-worst workforce within the AFC, forward of solely the Patriots. Staley was employed as a result of he was purported to be an up-and-coming defensive guru, however the Chargers are twenty seventh in factors (24.6) and yards per play (5.6) allowed.

Up subsequent: vs. Buffalo Bills, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

29. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)

(Last week: 29)

Sunday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 45-29

Surprise: Nothing actually

This workforce is strictly what we thought it might be. There was a second (keep in mind the Week 3 win over Dallas?) when Arizona appeared prefer it may be plucky, however the one wins since have come in opposition to the reeling Falcons and Steelers. The Cardinals have ended up the place they wish to be, within the combine to draft one of many prime two quarterbacks within the league.

Up subsequent: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

30. New England Patriots (3-11)

(Last week: 30)

Sunday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 27-17

Surprise: The report

Bill Belichick hasn’t had fewer than seven wins in a season since 2000, and he’s on observe for the fewest wins in his 29-year head teaching profession. The Patriots are 28-36 since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season, however no one anticipated issues to be this dangerous. New England is twenty eighth within the league in scoring margin (minus-113) and is within the backside third of the league in each dashing and passing yards per recreation.

Up subsequent: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Last week: 31)

Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 28-20

Surprise: The Sam Howell lovefest

Ron Rivera stated he pulled Howell from Sunday’s recreation to guard him as a result of the Rams protection was able to be very aggressive in its go rush. Then Jacoby Brissett went 8-for-10 and led two landing drives within the fourth quarter. Howell is seventh within the league in passing yards (3,568), however his damaging performs have outweighed all that yardage. Howell leads the league in each interceptions (15) and sacks (59).

Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Carolina Panthers (2-12)

(Last week: 32)

Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 9-7

Surprise: They received a recreation

In pouring rain in a virtually empty residence stadium in opposition to an Atlanta workforce nonetheless within the race for the division title, Carolina put collectively a 90-yard drive and kicked the profitable area purpose as time expired. It doesn’t change how dangerous this season has been, however a minimum of it made the Panthers really feel somewhat higher about themselves. “Obviously, we’re not gonna clinch anything, but it feels good to mess up their Christmas,” defensive finish Brian Burns stated.

Up subsequent: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Top photograph of Bills operating again James Cook: Rich Barnes / Getty Images)

---

“The Football 100,” the definitive rating of the NFL’s finest 100 gamers of all time, is on sale now. Order it right here.