NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 16: Battle of the Top Teams

The San Francisco 49ers sat atop the NFL Power Rankings for most of the early part of the season. After hitting a rough patch following a 5-0 start, the Niners hit a rough patch. Now they find themselves back on top for the second week in a row after registering their sixth straight win. While San Francisco continued their winning ways, not all the top teams were so lucky. The Cowboys, Eagles, and Jaguars were all top ten teams last week that lost.

The Bills, Saints, Raiders, and Rams are among this week’s biggest risers. Teams moving in the wrong direction include the Broncos, Steelers, and Falcons.

Once again, these NFL Power Rankings are not based on hypotheticals, potential or feelings. These rankings are based on reality. As Bill Parcells noted, “you are what your record says you are.” The with the fewest losses deserve to be up top, which they are. Likewise, the team with fewest wins should take up the rear, which they do.

With that in mind, the NFL Power Rankings from Patriots Football Now…

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)

Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Week 15: Beat Arizona 45-29
Week 16: Monday 8:15 vs. Baltimore
Question: Can the 49ers make it seven in a row?

2. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)

Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Week 15: Beat Jacksonville 23-7
Week 16: Monday 8:15 at San Francisco
Question: Is Baltimore the AFC’s team to beat?

3. Miami Dolphins (10-4)

Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Week 15: Beat NY Jets 30-0
Week 16: Sunday 4:25 vs Dallas
Question: Does a team with no tough wins deserve to be so high?

TUA TO WADDLE. 60-YARD TD.

📺: #NYJvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/QuugxeDp6I

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

4. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Week 15: Lost to Buffalo 31-10
Week 16: Sunday 4:25 at Miami
Question: Which Cowboys team will show up in Miami?

5. Detroit Lions (10-4)

Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Week 15: Beat Denver 42-17
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at Minnesota
Question: Sam LaPorta is the best rookie tight end in the NFL since _____?

6. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)

Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Week 15: Lost to Seattle 20-17
Week 16: Monday 4:30 vs NY Giants
Question: Was getting trounced by the Bears a bump in the road or sign of bad things to come?

7. Cleveland Browns (9-5)

Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Week 15: Beat Chicago 20-17
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at Houston
Question: Can the Browns offense score enough to keep winning?

8. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)

Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Week 15: Beat New England 27-17
Week 16: Monday 1:00 vs. Las Vegas
Question: Is beating the Patriots enough to get the Chiefs back on track?

9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Week 15: Beat Minnesota 27-24
Week 16: Saturday 4:30 at Pittsburgh
Question: How long will Ja’Marr Chase be out for the Bengals?

TEE TIME. We’re tied 24-24 with 39 seconds to go.

📺: #MINvsCIN on @NFLNetwork 
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/wkRhKTDiVD

— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023

10. Buffalo Bills (8-6)

Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Week 15: Beat Dallas 31-10
Week 16: Saturday 8:00 at LA Chargers
Question: Bills are back in the top ten of the NFL Power Rankings; are they here to stay this time?

11. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Week 15: Beat Pittsburgh 30-13
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at Atlanta
Question: After winning 5-of-6, are we ready to say Indianapolis is good?

12. Houston Texans (8-6)

Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Week 15: Beat Tennessee 19-16
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Seattle
Question: Will C.J. Stroud be back in time to keep their playoff hopes alive?

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)

Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Week 15: Lost to Baltimore 23-7
Week 16: Sunday 4:05 at Tampa Bay
Question: How long will Trevor Lawrence remain in concussion protocol?

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Week 15: Beat Green Bay 34-20
Week 16: Sunday 4:05 vs Jacksonville
Question: Can reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week Baker Mayfield keep playing out of his mind?

15. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Week 15: Beat Washington 28-20
Week 16: Thursday 8:15 vs New Orleans
Question: Are the Rams peaking at just the right time?

Wide open COOOOOOOOP 🗣️

📺: #WASvsLAR on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/m730R8LPG0

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

16. New Orleans Saints (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Week 15: Beat NY Giants 24-6
Week 16: Thursday 8:15 at LA Rams
Question: Where did Tanoh Kpassagnon come from? (answer: Villanova)

17. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Week 15: Beat Philadelphia 20-17
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at Tennessee
Question: How does Pete Carroll still have so much energy at age 72?

18. Denver Broncos (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Week 15: Beat Atlanta 29-25
Week 16: Sunday 8:15 vs New England
Question: Are the Broncos the least predictable team in the NFL this season?

19. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Week 15: Lost to Cincinnati 27-24
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Detroit
Question: Can QB Nick Mullens keep the Vikings in the Top 20 of the NFL Power Rankings?

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)

Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Week 15: Lost to Indianapolis 30-13
Week 16: Saturday 4:30 vs Cincinnati
Question: Is the Mike Tomlin Era coming to an end in Pittsburgh?

21. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)

Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Week 15: Beat LA Chargers 63-21
Week 16: Monday 1:00 at Kansas City
Question: How in the world did the Raiders score 63 points in a game?

This Pick-6! Even Mark Davis couldn’t believe it.#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/lcFIh6bAAh

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023

22. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)

Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Week 15: Lost to Carolina 9-7
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Indianapolis
Question: Can Atlanta rebound from losing to the lowest team in the NFL Power Rankings?

23. Green Bay Packers (6-8)

Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Week 15: Lost to Tampa Bay 34-20
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at Carolina
Question: Is it too late to turn things around after consecutive losses?

24. Tennessee Titans (5-9)

Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Week 15: Lost to Houston 19-16
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Seattle
Question: Who is playing quarterback for the Titans tonight?

25. New York Giants (5-9)

Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Week 15: Lost to New Orleans 24-6
Week 16: Monday 4:30 at Philadelphia
Question: How did they move up three spots in the NFL Power Rankings after losing?

26. New York Jets (5-9)

Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Week 15: Lost to Miami 30-0
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Washington
Question: Does either team want to win Sunday’s Jets-Commanders game?

Dolphins recover the strip sack at the one-yard line!

📺: #NYJvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/t3peI764ud

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

27. Chicago Bears (5-9)

Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Week 15: Lost to Cleveland 30-27
Week 16: Sunday 4:25 at Arizona
Question: Will Justin Fields be the Bears QB in 2024?

28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)

Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Week 15: Lost to Las Vegas 63-21
Week 16: Saturday 8:00 vs Buffalo
Question: If the Raiders score 63 against them, what will the Bills do?

29. Washington Commanders (4-10)

Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Week 15: Bye
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 at NY Jets
Question: Will they beat anyone other than the Patriots after Week 6?

30. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)

Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Week 15: Lost to San Francisco 45-29
Week 16: Sunday 4:25 at Chicago
Question: Will Kyler Murray be back in Arizona next season?

31. New England Patriots (3-11)

Last Week’s Ranking: 31
Week 15: Lost to Kansas City 27-17
Week 16: Sunday 8:15 at Denver
Question: Is Bill Belichick getting fired by New England?

32. Carolina Panthers (2-12)

Last Week’s Ranking: 32
Week 15: Beat Atlanta 9-7
Week 16: Sunday 1:00 vs Green Bay
Question: Would another win get them out of the basement (finally)?

PANTHERS WIN! #ATLvsCAR pic.twitter.com/eipdMcMWfT

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023