Week 16 noticed a number of groups both qualify for the postseason, or solidify their place, whereas others continued to lose their grip.
In the AFC, the Chargers punched a ticket to the playoffs with their win over the Colts on Monday night time. It’s their first invitation since 2018. The Ravens additionally clinched a spot after beating Atlanta.
The Bengals, in the meantime, have received seven straight video games.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the Dolphins, losers of 4 straight, are conserving each the Patriots and Jets alive.
The Titans have additionally performed a face-plant, and that’s allowed the Jaguars to leap forward of them within the AFC South.
In the NFC, the Cowboys topped the Eagles of their showdown. The Niners have the most effective streak going general, with eight straight wins whereas Tom Brady (Bucs) and Aaron Rodgers (Packers) nonetheless can’t be counted out.
So who sits on the high?
Here’s our Power Rankings heading into Week 17:
1. Bills (12-3): After a drought that lasted 24 seasons, the Bills have now captured the AFC East three straight seasons. And are primed for extra.
2. Eagles (13-2): Gardner Minshew’s Christmas Eve shootout with Dak Prescott was enjoyable. The 4 turnovers by the Eagles, although, didn’t do them any favors making an attempt to win with out Jalen Hurts.
3. Chiefs (12-3): Beating the Seahawks was not almost as amusing as watching the staff give head coach Andy Reid a gift-wrapped cheeseburger for a Christmas current.
4. Bengals (11-4): They got here near blowing a 22-0 result in the Patriots. It may need been a case of boredom contemplating how simple it was within the first half. But they wakened in time to keep away from the embarrassment.
5. 49ers (11-4): Eight straight wins. Three straight with Brock Purdy because the starter. And whereas the Niners protection guidelines, Purdy is doing his half, placing up 37 in opposition to the Commanders.
6. Cowboys (11-4): Not the most effective look dealing with an Eagles staff with out Jalen Hurts, then have the backup quarterback throw for 355 yards in opposition to the protection. Good factor Jerry’s boys received, or else there could be some explaining to do.
7. Vikings (12-3): You would possibly say they’ve hit the one-score jackpot. The win over the Giants made them 11-0 in video games determined by one possession this season, which stands as essentially the most one-possession victories in a season all-time.
8. Chargers (9-6): It took three years, however Justin Herbert has lastly led the Bolts to the playoffs.
9. Ravens (10-5): The offense continues to sputter with out Lamar Jackson, scoring simply two touchdowns within the three video games he’s missed. But they nonetheless managed to safe a playoff spot within the course of.
10. Jaguars (7-8): Tough for any protection to outdo the Jets protection. But the Jags managed to tug that off, with some assist from Zach Wilson. And Trevor Lawrence continues to play lights out.
11. Dolphins (8-7): Tua Tagovailoa is crumbling. And by extension so are the Dolphins, who’ve misplaced 4 straight, and need to take care of Tua being in concussion protocol as soon as once more.
12. Giants (8-6-1): They misplaced an opportunity to lock up a playoff berth with their last-second loss to the Vikings. The excellent news? They can nonetheless accomplish the mission with the Colts on deck on the Meadowlands.
13. Lions (7-8): Allowing 320 yards speeding to the Panthers actually took a little bit steam out of their current surge.
14. Packers (7-8): They nonetheless have a pulse after three straight wins. It received’t be simple with the Vikings and Lions left. But contemplating they had been pretty much as good as useless a month in the past, Aaron Rodgers & Co. will take it.
15. Jets (7-8): Bad sufficient quarterback Zach Wilson was booed off the sphere in MetLife Stadium, however then he was changed and upstaged by Chris Streveler, who had been elevated from the apply squad earlier than the sport. Now each sit down with Mike White returning.
16. Commanders (7-7-1): Taylor Heinicke was benched late within the loss to the 49ers, and Carson Wentz seemed good approaching in aid. Now what? Not precisely the time for a quarterback controversy.
17. Bucs (7-8): It wasn’t fairly a lot of the night time, and it hasn’t been fairly a lot of the season, however Tom Brady within the two-minute offense remains to be magic.
18. Steelers (7-8): The Men of Steel couldn’t get into the top zone or muster a lot of an offense for a lot of the recreation. But they weren’t about to lose on Franco Harris night time. This was removed from immaculate, however they’ll take the last-minute landing that put them excessive.
19. Seahawks (7-8): Their warts – entrance seven, offensive line – proceed to be uncovered down the stretch.
20. Patriots (7-8): The optimist will think about their comeback and close to win in opposition to the Bengals as a optimistic. The pessimist will nonetheless cringe on the general efficiency. The realist? There’s nonetheless bother brewing underneath the Hoodie.
21. Panthers (6-9): Hard to imagine they’re having fun with any sort of success with out Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson. But it’s what it’s. After a 1-4 begin, interim coach Steve Wilks is working wonders.
22: Titans (7-8): It’s now 5 straight losses, and Mike Vrabel can’t cease the bleeding, even in opposition to a one-win staff.
23. Saints (6-9): They’ve received back-to-back video games, and stay alive within the uninspiring NFC South. But there’s robust sledding forward with the Eagles on deck.
24. Browns (6-9): Deshaun Watson didn’t show to be the savior this season. It stays to be seen if he can carry the Browns again to the playoffs subsequent 12 months.
25. Raiders (6-9): Fourth-quarter collapse. Blown lead. Descriptions now synonymous with Raiders soccer. And, head coach Josh McDaniels by extension.
26. Rams (5-10): Just about every part that might go flawed went flawed for the defending Super Bowl champs, however for one recreation anyway, every part went proper. They principally took a season’s price of frustration out on the Broncos.
27. Falcons: (5-10): Desmond Ridder seemed higher and extra assured in his second NFL begin. It was a optimistic step in his improvement towards being the man in 2023.
28. Cardinals (4-11): Third-string quarterback Chase McSorley acquired to time beyond regulation, however couldn’t end the job in opposition to The GOAT.
29. Colts (4-10-1): It appeared greater than a little bit suspect to go to Nick Foles, after dumping Matt Ryan for rookie Sam Ehlinger, then flipping again to Ryan, and now discarding him for Foles. Merry-go-rounds are solely good at an amusement park.
30. Bears (3-12): Stop Justin Fields on the bottom, and so they’re cooked. Not a lot of a secret the right way to beat the Bears.
31. Texans (2-12-1): Whether their current opponents, all contending groups, have taken the Texans frivolously or not, Lovie Smith’s staff continues to indicate some spunk. It paid off in opposition to the Titans.
32. Broncos (4-11): It was a Christmas Day bloodbath most Broncos followers received’t quickly overlook. It’s additionally one Nathanial Hackett received’t quickly overlook both. He was fired Monday in wake of the 51-14 loss.
Source: www.bostonherald.com