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Ryan Kirksey ranks all 32 NFL teams after 16 weeks of the 2023 season based on how well they have played through their first 15 games.
As we head into the last two weeks of the NFL season, we know exactly what teams are playing for at this point. Injuries, inefficiencies, and mega-popstar distractions have impacted NFL teams in different ways through the league's first 16 weeks. On the other hand, there have been some major positive surprises and stellar play from unexpected sources.
Teams like the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have all moved drastically since our Preseason Power Rankings from early August. It's just further proof that the landscape of the NFL can change on a dime after any given Sunday.
So what do the NFL power rankings look like 16 weeks into the regular season? Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
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Super Bowl Contenders
1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
While I'm not necessarily sold on the Lamar Jackson MVP case, Monday night was the best version of his play. Scrambling to gain yards, hitting receivers on the run, and making proper decisions under pressure. Even with no Mark Andrews and Keaton Mitchell, this team is a favorite to make the Super Bowl as long as they have Lamar and this ferocious defense.
2. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Hopefully, Brock Purdy's week got better after four INTs on Christmas day.
Happy birthday Brock! pic.twitter.com/5QopAcRhTV
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 27, 2023
3. Miami Dolphins (11-4)
Tua and Tyreek? How about Chubb, Ramsey, and Van Ginkel?
Since week 8, the Dolphins D ranks:
1st in EPA/play
2nd in success rate
1st in opp QBR
5th in DVOAIn this week's win vs Dallas, they looked like the unit we thought they would be before the season.
Full episode here: https://t.co/0ENTiZHGJB pic.twitter.com/GC8NE5UCkK
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 27, 2023
Something To Prove Before Playoffs
4. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
Jalen Hurts has played 60 career games (less than four full seasons) and is already fourth on the all-time list of quarterback rushing touchdowns. He has two fewer than Steve Young in 109 fewer games played.
5. Detroit Lions (11-4)
At this point, it's not crazy to think the Lions could win their Wild Card matchup and then take down Philadelphia in the Divisional round.
It has been 10,948 days since the #Lions last clinched a division title.
This is Detroit’s first division championship in 30 years! pic.twitter.com/rXKGGezT1m
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 24, 2023
6. Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
The Dallas offense was 1-for-3 in the red zone against Miami on Sunday and continued a troubling trend this year. Dallas is just 16th in the NFL with a 54.8% red zone scoring percentage (touchdowns only). With so many weapons (and all of them healthy!), how they can't punch it in more is beyond me.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
According to Eric Edholm of NFL.com, Patrick Mahomes has 6.9 yards per attempt this season, which is lower than Desmond Ridder. The defense continues to do its job this year, but Mahomes and the offense need some help before the postseason.
You Don't Want to See Us in January
8. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Thursday Night Football, baby!
Pass TD this season
New York Jets 10
Joe Flacco 10 pic.twitter.com/QIwUZtvYGK— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 28, 2023
9. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
Somehow, some way, this Bills team is going to have a chance to play for the division crown if the Dolphins lose to Baltimore in Week 17. I can't see a way that Buffalo fumbles this gimme win against New England, but it would be a very Bills thing to do.
10. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
When prognosticators predicted the Rams to finish at the bottom of the NFL standings this season, they clearly underestimated Puka Power. Now, they are the Wild Card team no one wants to have to face.
He’s so good. pic.twitter.com/uYhin8wx0V
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) December 22, 2023
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
One win away from the NFC South division title with the quarterback that absolutely no one else wanted.
Baker Mayfield’s stats this season:
• 64.3 completion %
• 3,598 passing yards
• 26 pass TDs - 8 INTs
• 96.2 passer rating
• 157 rush yards, 1 TD#Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/cz6U9bMtHX— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 27, 2023
We're 8-7 and in the AFC
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
Of the AFC playoff hopefuls that all sit at 8-7, Pittsburgh was the only one of them to win in Week 16, but they are still behind Houston and Indy for a playoff spot. Strangely, their playoff hopes could depend on the Baltimore-Miami game because if Baltimore wins that and locks up the one seed, they might rest all their players for all of part of the Week 18 matchup against the Steelers. This week against Seattle is an absolute must-win for Mason Rudolph and the Steel Curtain.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
I'm still trying to figure out if I trust Jake Browning against Kansas City and Cleveland after the dud against Pittsburgh last week. I don't think I do.
Reporter: "Do you believe in aliens?"
Jake Browning: "I don't even care. I'm still trying to figure out earth."
New favorite NFL player.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 28, 2023
14. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
I don't think they will continue this trend and allow more than 63 points to the Raiders this week, but the Colts' defense (and not the steady play of Gardner Minshew) could be what keeps them from the postseason.
Here's more bad news about the #Colts defense:
They've given up season high points totals to their opponents 6 times so far this season
Jaguars- 37
Browns- 39
Saints- 38
Titans- 28
Bengals- 34
Falcons- 29
Not great.
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) December 28, 2023
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
Right now, Jacksonville is -168 on FanDuel Sportsbook to win the division because their two remaining games are against Carolina and Tennessee while Indianapolis and Houston have to play each other next week. This team may limp into a division title and a first-round matchup with the Bills or Dolphins waiting.
16. Houston Texans (8-7)
Going 1-1 without C.J. Stroud in the lineup keeps Houston's playoff hopes alive and now they get to face an unmotivated Tennessee team plus a likely loser-goes-home match against Indianapolis in what could be one of the best games of Week 18.
Still Time To Make Some Noise
17. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
With Arizona on the schedule in Week 18 and one of Green Bay or Minnesota knocking the other one out this week, you have to think if Seattle beats Pittsburgh on Sunday, they will have a playoff spot locked up.
18. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
Does this say more about the Raiders' offense or the Chiefs' defense? Whatever the answer is, Antonio Pierce has this Raiders' defense playing at an elite level.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell did not complete a pass in 3 entire quarters and the Raiders beat the Chiefs 20-14.
1Q: 62 passing yards
2Q: 0
3Q: 0
4Q: 0Never seen that before
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) December 25, 2023
19. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
This Sunday Night Football game against the Packers and Vikings with the playoffs on the line should be incredible this week. But all I can think about is why did the NFL not have this game in Green Bay instead of late October? Meaningful football in Green Bay in the December cold is about the most American thing I can think of.
20. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
After winning 3-0 against Las Vegas in Week 14, the Vikings have back-to-back 24-point games but have lost both of them. Now, they are in a situation where they must beat the hated Packers at home to have a chance of staying alive for the playoffs. This is the stage Justin Jefferson was built for.
21. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
Atlanta scored 29 points last week? Taylor Heinicke must have played well! Nope. Bijan Robinson must have scored. Nope. How about five field goals from Younghoe Koo and a Tyler Allgeier touchdown? What a disjointed franchise.
22. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
One game in Tampa Bay this week to save their season. The 127 passing yards and no touchdowns scored by Derek Carr last time these teams played in Week 4 doesn't exactly give Saints' fans a lot of confidence.
It's Like the Quarterback is Important or Something?
23. Denver Broncos (7-8)
See ya later, Russell Wilson!
God’s got me.
Looking forward to what’s next.— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) December 28, 2023
24. Chicago Bears (6-9)
Perhaps my most anticipated offseason storyline will be what the Bears decide to do with Justin Fields and the number one pick in the draft. What's the right thing to do? I don't know, but Fields trails only Lamar Jackson in total games this year with at least 200 passing yards and 50 rushing yards.
25. New York Jets (6-9)
Where do I co-sign?
Once Aaron Rodgers retires, you all have to promise me to stop giving him a platform and/or media attention. I’m begging you guys.
— Courtney Finnicum (@courtney883) December 26, 2023
We're Happy Only Two Teams Have Less Than 4 Wins
26. New York Giants (5-10)
Did you also see this post 800,438 times in the last three days?
Tommy Devito pic.twitter.com/Yuh34vWoxd
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) December 25, 2023
27. Tennessee Titans (5-10)
Turns out the secret to Derrick Henry's success all these years was fast food and Christmas Tree Cakes.
#Titans Derrick Henry made changes to his diet this season. No gluten. No dairy. No artificial sugars. No fried food.
Has helped him with his energy and decreasing inflammation after games. pic.twitter.com/XYcaEzBmV6
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) December 28, 2023
28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
Because only two teams have fewer than four wins, the Chargers are in a position where they could have a top-five pick in the 2024 draft to add to Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Derwin James Jr., Mike Williams, and the whole crew. Don't look now, but they are likely going to suck us all in again next year under a new coach to think they can make some playoff noise.
We're On To Studying Top-5 Draft Prospects
29. New England Patriots (4-11)
Bill Belichick doesn't know how to tank properly, so of course they blow a chance at a top-two pick by winning against the Denver Broncos.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
Trey McBride is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the league. Please find a way to pair him with Marvin Harrison Jr. next year.
Trey McBride would rank 14th among WRs in Yards per Route Run with 2.30. Higher than DJ Moore, Tank Dell, Ja’Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, and many more. Stud. pic.twitter.com/jkuev6kMej
— Wyatt 🥃 (@WyattB_FF) December 21, 2023
31. Washington Commanders (4-11)
I think we may have a trade partner for the Bears if Chicago decides to roll with Justin Fields.
RUMORS: The #Commanders are “Very Interested” in Caleb Williams, who will likely be the 1st overall pick, per @DanGrazianoESPN.
"Watch what they do with Sam Howell over the final two weeks."
“The Commanders...could find themselves in a position to either draft Williams or trade… https://t.co/WLzbrrKKO3 pic.twitter.com/lG6QLM9F4V
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 28, 2023
We'll Take a Moral Victory
32. Carolina Panthers (2-13)
What Panthers fans hope can be a stepping stone into a better 2024.
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