The haves and have-nots of the NFL got further separated in Week 15, but with plenty of squads still scratching for a playoff spot, there were a host of competitive games, highlighted by potential Super Bowl previews from the Bills and Lions and the Steelers and Eagles.
While those two games obviously shook up our Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, a few more key injuries could affect things in the future. Both Patrick Mahomes (ankle) and Geno Smith (knee) exited their respective contests early, and all eyes out West will be on those QBs’ statuses this week ahead of showdowns with the Texans and Vikings, respectively.
With all of that in mind, here’s checking in again on where all 32 teams stand going into the season’s final three weeks.
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NFL Power Rankings Week 16
1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1 (previous ranking: 2)
The Chiefs got the “easy win” they were looking for by pounding the Browns, but they also were lucky they didn’t suffer a much bigger loss with Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury. At the same time, they proved they can possibly earn Mahomes some rest by closing out the Browns without him.
MORE: Patrick Mahomes injury update
2. Philadelphia Eagles 12-2 (4)
The Eagles are out to show everyone they are the league’s most complete team. They can run to win whenever needed, and they also decided to silence everyone with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the passing game again vs. the Steelers. Their defense also had a big all-around get-well effort.
MORE: A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts ‘tell everyone to shut up’ in win vs. Steelers
3. Buffalo Bills 11-3 (6)
The Bills rode the Josh Allen express train into Detroit and were relentless in showing no mercy to a depleted defense. Buffalo eventually got into its more comfortable game script to also better protect its own defense.
MORE: Josh Allen gets X-rays after ‘funky fall’ vs. Lions | James Cook scores despite attempted ‘hair tackle’
4. Detroit Lions 12-2 (1)
The Lions are not a team built to erase deficits because their explosive finishing firepower is limited with Jared Goff when they can’t afford to stick with the run. The pileup of defensive injuries might be getting more difficult to overcome.
MORE: Dan Skipper’s TD a year in the making
Jasen Vinlove and Lon Horwedel
5. Minnesota Vikings 11-2 (3)
The Vikings can move into a tie with the Lions if they can extend their winning streak to seven with a home win over the Bears on Monday night. Minnesota is rolling with its signature passing game and keeps getting what it needs from the attacking defense.
6. Green Bay Packers 10-4 (7)
The Packers came out ready to smash with Josh Jacobs and the running game in Seattle, and they got their defense back to making key big plays. They can be dangerous in the playoffs should Jordan Love get hot again.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4 (5)
The Steelers got smacked around up front by the Eagles, making it clear who is Pennsylvania’s best pro football team. Getting T.J. Watt (ankle) hurt didn’t help, and neither did not having George Pickens (hamstring).
8. Baltimore Ravens 9-5 (8)
The Ravens went nuts offensively with an awesome performance by Lamar Jackson against the Giants, but seeing some defensive clean-up was even more inspiring ahead of a huge rematch with the Steelers in Baltimore.
MORE: Is Lamar Jackson ‘back’ in MVP race? | Ravens playoff picture
9. Washington Commanders 9-5 (10)
The Commanders came out of bye with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin picking up where they left off, but they could use a lot more help. The defense, namely Marshon Lattimore, winning a game for them, can be especially encouraging.
MORE: Explaining Commanders-Saints clock errors | Commanders playoff picture
10. Houston Texans 9-5 (13)
The Texans needed a feel-good game for C.J. Stroud and for the defense to have a post-bye confidence builder. They will continue to work to be more dangerous in the playoffs.
MORE: Joe Mixon banged up on another uncalled hip-drop tackle
11. Denver Broncos 9-5 (14)
Bo Nix and the offense got out of the gate slowly vs. the Colts, but a big Jonathan Taylor mistake opened the door for the Broncos to pull even and then pull away. They should lock down the wild card soon.
MORE: Broncos playoff picture
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6 (16)
The Buccaneers were lit in Los Angeles, flexing their new-look offensive firepower around Baker Mayfield with rookies Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan playing well off ageless Mike Evans. Tampa had its best game since beating the Lions and should now be the new favorites to add another NFC South title.
MORE: Buccaneers playoff picture
13. Los Angeles Chargers 8-6 (9)
The Chargers have taken back-to-back big physical blows against the Chiefs and Buccaneers to become a little rockier than their wild-card playoff standing. The Chargers need to match the Broncos’ intensity next on Thursday night.
MORE: Chargers playoff picture
14. Los Angeles Rams 8-6 (12)
The Rams looked unstoppable offensively against the Bills but came down to earth in bad weather in San Francisco, getting more gritty than pretty to get the job done and move into first place in the NFC West.
MORE: Rams playoff picture
15. Seattle Seahawks 8-5 (11)
The Seahawks were pushed around by the Packers to the point that Geno Smith (knee) was knocked out of the game. Their defense has been a rather big rollercoaster from one stretch of the season to the next under Mike Macdonald.
MORE: Geno Smith injury update | Seahawks playoff picture
16. Arizona Cardinals 7-7 (17)
The Cardinals are at their best when at home, feeding off James Conner’s dominant running and their active defense. Taking the ball mostly out of Kyler Murray’s hands is, for now, the best offensive strategy.
MORE: Cardinals playoff picture
17. San Francisco 49ers 6-8 (15)
The 49ers have hung tough despite their consistent rash of injuries and lack of consistent contributors, offensively or defensively. Now, they’re just trying to glue the rest of the healthy players together so they can be ready for redemption next season.
MORE: 49ers rip ‘selfish’ De’Vondre Campbell | 49ers playoff picture
18. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8 (21)
The Bengals have done their best to return to the playoff race with Joe Burrow relying on the trio of Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Their hopes rely on a hot finish, including going for a home win against the Broncos in Week 17.
MORE: Joe Burrow explains tense exchange with Zac Taylor | Bengals playoff picture
19. Dallas Cowboys 6-8 (22)
The Cowboys’ defense has battled through injuries, but no one has quit on Mike McCarthy to support a growing-in-confidence Cooper Rush. They are not positioned, however, to make a real late playoff run.
MORE: Cowboys playoff picture
20. Indianapolis Colts 6-8 (18)
The Colts are sticking with the wild ride of Anthony Richardson, even after his untamed mishaps in Denver. It also would be nice if Jonathan Taylor gave him full rushing support instead of fumbling himself, too.
MORE: Jonathan Taylor says costly mistake vs. Broncos ‘can’t happen’ | Colts playoff picture
21. Miami Dolphins 6-8 (19)
The Dolphins went into the tank for much of the game in Houston, looking listless with so much at stake until it was too late. They are no longer a reliable pass defense.
MORE: Jaylen Waddle injury update | Dolphins playoff picture
22. Atlanta Falcons 6-7 (20)
The Falcons need a get-well offensive game and should get it from Kirk Cousins in a very favorable matchup in Las Vegas, knowing “he likes that” more than ever in prime time.
23. New Orleans Saints 5-9 (23)
The Saints marched down to their third-string QB again with rookie Spencer Rattler taking over for an overwhelmed Jake Haener vs. Washington. The defense is far from good enough to overcome such offensive adversity, also down several wide receivers.
MORE: Explaining clock errors in Commanders-Saints game
24. Chicago Bears 4-9 (24)
The Bears have been disappointing while trying to piece together their season, but there have been no excuses despite playing in a tough NFC North and having too much change around Caleb Williams. They need a new coach who will be more all about Williams.
25. New York Jets 4-10 (28)
The Jets have gotten off the mat with the combination of Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers playing like elite acquisitions all of a sudden. It keeps looking like that duo will stay intact next season.
MORE: Rodgers, Adams work through ‘trust’ issues with throwback game vs. Jaguars
26. Carolina Panthers 3-11 (25)
The Panthers have seen Bryce Young get hot down the stretch and late in games, but there are also times, like in Week 15 vs. Dallas, in which they haven’t prepared well, setting up Young to pay the price for the defensive mistakes.
27. Cleveland Browns 3-11 (26)
The Browns have burned out on Jameis Winston starting and now need to worry about losing Nick Chubb (foot) for good. The defense isn’t that inspiring to keep them relevant.
MORE: Nick Chubb injury update
28. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11 (27)
The Jaguars are getting a little late spark from Mac Jones working the ball to Brian Thomas Jr. and others downfield. Jones won’t displace Trevor Lawrence yet, but he’s adjusting to his strong backup role well.
29. New England Patriots 3-11 (29)
The Patriots were, per usual, limited around Drake Maye and the offense in Arizona. Jerod Mayo also has to clean up plenty vs. the run and in the secondary next season.
30. Tennessee Titans 3-11 (30)
The Titans had some promising upside that got wiped out earlier than expected this season. There’s too much young talent here to not be much better soon.
31. New York Giants 2-12 (31)
The Giants can’t get out of their own way or keep quarterbacks healthy. They probably won’t keep Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, either.
MORE: Tommy DeVito injury update | Giants fans fly banner over MetLife Stadium urging owner to ‘fire everyone’
32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-11 (32)
The Raiders also cannot keep quarterbacks healthy, and there’s not much there otherwise when not evaluating Aidan O’Connell.
