Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Biggest Remaining Game for Each Team
Multiple teams are officially IN! We are at that point in the season with just three weeks to go that we are seeing many teams clinch their way into the post-season. In the NFC we've seen the Eagles, Vikings, 49ers, and Cowboys clinch either just playoff spots or division titles. In the AFC the Bills and Chiefs are IN as well. This week promises much more clinching and other huge upsets that will go a long way towards determining the final post-season bracket! Today for each team we will talk about their biggest remaining match.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)
Last week: #1
Biggest Remaining Game: Saturday Dec. 24 @ Cowboys
The Eagles have clinched an overall playoff berth, but there is still a rare scenario in which Dallas could still win the division. It is improbable, but with Jalen Hurts potentially missing a week or two with a shoulder sprain, it could open up the door for Dallas. This Saturday the two teams face in Arlington and the result could really change our opinions on which team is better.
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
Last week: #2
Monday Jan. 2 @ Bengals
I cannot WAIT for that week 17 game. These are two of the best teams in the AFC, and the NFL as a whole squaring off with key playoff positioning on the line. This game *could* potentially determine the no. 1 seed in the AFC. While the Chiefs and Bills have felt like the big rivalry of the AFC for the past year or so, we are yet to see Joe Burrow and his defending AFC title squad face these Bills. A new key rivalry could be born and I cannot wait to see this one.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)
Last week: #3
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 vs Ravens
I wanted to ditto and say that Bills game for the Bengals too because it is clearly a huge game, but what is arguably more important for the Bengals is securing their own division title. The Bengals currently have a 1 game lead on the division, but if it stays that way heading into week 18 and the Ravens were able to win, they would take the division (as they already hold the head to head win from earlier this year). Both games will be MASSIVE for Cinncy, but I think this one is arguably bigger at the current moment, pending more Baltimore losses.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)
Last week: #5 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Saturday Dec. 24 vs Seahawks
There wasn't one HUGE game that jumped off the screen to me on the Chiefs' remaining schedule, but the game this weekend could be fun. The Chiefs have clinched their division so they are IN to the playoffs for sure, but they are also still in play for the #1 seed in the AFC too, so winning out is important. Out of their final three games, this one projects to be the toughest. Seattle may be on a cold streak right now, but at 7-7, they are fighting for their playoff lives and will be hungry to take down these Chiefs who almost just lost to Houston. This will be a good test.
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Last week: #6 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Saturday Dec. 24 vs Commanders
Just like the Chiefs, things got a lot less stressful for the Niners this week as they clinched their division and are IN to the post-season. That being said, the Niners are technically still in play for the #1 seed, and very much in play for the #2 (which ensures at least two home playoff games). This weekend they host a very good, very hungry Commander team that NEEDS to avenge a brutal loss to the Giants from this past week to keep their playoff hopes alive. This is a great test for the Niners and a big game for the seeding in the NFC playoff bracket. How will Brock Purdy fare in this one?
Last week: #7 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Saturday Dec. 24 vs Giants
Like the two teams before them, Minnesota has clinched their division which takes out a lot of stress for them down the stretch, but they are still both in play for the NFC's top seed and also could fall out of the two seed if the Niners keep winning and they falter. This Saturday vs the Giants poses a significant test as New York is close to clinching a wild card berth in the NFC and is a solid team. This is another big one for NFC playoff seeding.
7. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Last week: #4 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Saturday Dec. 24 vs Eagles
Like we mentioned above for Philly, this is also clearly the biggest game left for Dallas. The shocking OT loss to Jacksonville this past weekend made things nearly impossible for the 'Boys to win the NFC East, but there is still a slim hope and it all starts with taking a big victory vs the Eagles this weekend. Winning the East or not, a win over Philly this weekend would be huge for team morale after the heartbreaking loss against the Jags.
8. Miami Dolphins (8-6)
Last week: #9 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 vs Jets
This Miami team is so much better than their record might indicate. Once sitting at 8-3, the Fins have lost three in a row in some of the worst and most heartbreaking ways possible. They deserved to win the game vs Buffalo this past Saturday but came up just short (with the officials in Buffalo screwing them in the end). That being said, a wildcard berth is still very much in play. Pretty much every game from here on out feels like must win, but none more than the looming week 18 game vs the Jets that very well may be a win and in, lose and out type of game for both teams. Just one game separates these two rivals and it figures to be the biggest game between these two teams in maybe a decade.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
Last week: #10 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Monday Dec. 26 @ Colts
Every game from here on out is equally important for this Charger team once again trying to claw their way into the post-season. Just two weeks ago with this team sitting at 6-6 I proclaimed them dead, now after back-to-back upset victories, the Chargers have an 86% chance of making the playoffs (via ESPN). All three of their final games are against losing record teams, which bodes extremely well for them, yet we saw this team collapse from a playoff spot late last year as well. Their toughest game of the three probably is this coming Monday against Indy. The Colts are the joke of the league right now after allowing the largest comeback win in NFL history this past weekend, but they DID go up 33-0 which shows they are capable of playing well. LA will have to be on their A game to avoid upset here.
10. Detroit Lions (7-7)
Last week: #13 +
For the first time in probably the history of my website, the Lions have cracked the top 10! This resilient team continues to amaze me and now at 7-7, they have won six of their past 7. While it is no shoe-in, things are looking good for a potential return to the post-season for the first time in years for Detroit. None of their final three games pit them against any elite teams, but I would say their biggest match has to be week 18 at Green Bay. They will likely have to win that one to get in and if they lose they probably go home, making the stakes enormous! The Packers are also a major division rival, and they know what this Lions team looks like.
11. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Last week: #8 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 @ Bengals
Without Lamar Jackson, these Ravens are dead. They continue to lose very winnable games and despite their good record, this team is in serious danger of missing the post-season. Jackson is likely going to miss at least one more game which means they probably will lose this weekend. Then they finish out the season against two division rivals (Pittsburgh and Cinncy). Both teams have beat Baltimore many times in the past and know them inside out. All of this being said, week 18 will be the biggest game. If the Ravens can win their next two they will be within at least one game of the Bengals (who may drop one themselves in that time). That game could decide the AFC North, or at the very least be a win and in, lose and out scenario for Baltimore.
12. New York Giants (8-5-1)
Last week: #17 ++
After some of the downs this team has had this year, who could have seen them in the driver's seat for an NFC wildcard spot going into week 16? Despite losing to Seattle and Detroit earlier this year, the Giants find themselves ahead of both in the standings right now and with the HUGE win over Washington this past Sunday, they are ahead of them as well. With that being said, the final three games on the G-men's schedule are not easy. This weekend they head to Minnesota where they will be big underdogs before hosting the fighting Colts and then finishing up in Philly. There is a potential 0-3 or 1-2 record in those games, meaning there is nothing stress free about this final stretch. If they could pull off a shocking upset this weekend, this team would likely shoot to a 99% playoff spot chance.
13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Last week: #12 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan 1 vs Jets
It has been sad to see a team that was one of the most fun stories of the early season, whom started out 6-3 to crumble of late and now sit at 7-7. Despite all the painful losses of late, Seattle is still in shape to potentially secure an unlikely wildcard spot. With a tough remaining schedule, no game feels bigger to me than week 17 vs the Jets. I'm predicting a loss to the Chiefs this weekend and then a win hosting the Rams in week 18. That means the Jets game in the middle could be the determining game for if this team gets into the playoffs or not. The Jets are also 7-7 and have a stout defense, making this a tough game and one with astronomical stakes.
14. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)
Last week: #11 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan 1 vs Browns
This team has a very similar scenario to the Seahawks above (only the Commanders have a .5 game lead over Seattle). This weekend they travel to San Francisco which feels like a loss to me. In week 18 they face the Cowboys who will likely be locked into the 5 seed by then, meaning starters could be rested which could make a win likely for Washington. That means the 'swing' game in the middle, against the resurgent Cleveland Browns could be the determining one for if Washington gets in to the post-season. That game truly feels like a toss up right now, but could be one that determines if Washington makes the playoffs or not.
15. Tennessee Titans (7-7)
Last week: #16 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 @ Jaguars
The Titans have practically had the AFC South locked up since early in the year, but a recent three game losing streak has made that once 'lock' feel very very uncertain entering the final stretch. The Jaguars have been hot of late and now sit at 6-8 within reach of stealing away that division title and playoff spot from Tennessee. While it will obviously matter how the other two games before it play out, there is a chance that the week 18 match vs Jacksonville could be for the division. At this current moment, I would not feel great about my chances to win that one either if I were Tennessee.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
Last week: #18 +
The stakes of the game were set above, but a ton rides on what the Jags do in the two games leading up to it as well. One game is against Houston which is a win, but this Thursday night they face the Jets which will be a big one. Still, the week 18 game is the biggest. If the Jags can stay within just one game of Tennessee until then, a win in that game would give them the division title. What a turnaround we are witnessing for the Jags, who have their franchise QB/HC duo figured out FINALLY!
17. New York Jets (7-7)
Last week: #15 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 @ Dolphins
For a 7-7 team needing to probably win 2 or 3 of their final three games, their schedule does not bode well. First up they host the red hot Jags on TNF this week, then they head to Seattle to take on the hungry Seahawks before finishing up in South Florida against Miami. All of those games are huge games and will pit them against teams in the playoff hunt. With Mike White out at least another week, these Jets are going to have to find a way to move the ball on offense. Like I said earlier, that week 18 game at Miami could be a win and in, lose and go home affair for either team.
18. Cleveland Browns (6-8)
Last week: #24 ++
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan. 1 @ Commanders
The Browns have quietly been a great team since the return of Deshaun Watson. At 6-8, Cleveland is still alive in the race for an AFC wildcard berth. They probably have to win out and THEN get some luck, but they will take any shot they can get. The hardest of their three remaining games comes next weekend in Landover against the Commanders. That game will feature teams from both sides of the bracket trying to fight for a wild card in. With a defense that has been on the rise and an offense getting used to having an elite QB under center, the Browns are gonna have a real shot here.
19. New England Patriots (7-7)
Last week: #14 --
Things cannot be any worse in New England right now. The Patriots who were on the fringe of a playoff spot suffered possibly the worst loss of any team all season long. Everyone has seen what happened to them on that final play at this point, I won't re-hash it, but damn, that was a must-win game and that's how you go out?! At this point, the Patriots probably can only get in if they somehow finish 3-0 against three teams currently in the playoffs or 2-1 with some other luck. With all of that being said, this weekend against the white-hot Bengals becomes their biggest game simply because it is their next. They will have to go out and beat an elite contending team if they want to stay alive. It is that simple. Even if they win that, they face the daunting prospect of having to win one or both of their final two games (against the Dolphins and Bills respectively). YIKES...
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
Last week: #19 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan. 1 vs Panthers
This has to be the saddest division title race of all time. Maybe worse than the year the Taylor Heinicke Washington Football Team made it. After going up 17-0 to the high-flying Bengals this past Sunday, the Bucs crumbled like I've never seen before and lost big. They fell to 6-8 yet still lead their division. With three games remaining (all against losing record teams), the Bucs may be able to go 1-2 and still make playoffs. That being said, the 1 win would likely have to be in this game against the Panthers. Despite being bad all season, the Bucs have been mostly dominant in their own divisional games. The Panthers however beat them the first time around and are only one game back of Tampa right now. If they can stay in that range, a win on New Year's Day might give the Panthers the division over Brady and company. That will be a game to watch.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Last week: #22 +
The Raiders, despite their crazy miracle victory this weekend, are basically out of the playoffs. They've had their chances for redemption all year long and just have made too many mistakes to stay alive. Despite this, this is still a competitive team that wants to win and there IS a slight chance they could still make it if they win out AND get some help. With all of that being said, that makes this Saturday's game the biggest by virtue of just being the next game up. The Steelers are also 6-8 so this game will be both teams fighting for the slimmest of slim chances to make it to the playoffs (or at the very least a battle of draft picks).
22. Green Bay Packers (6-8)
Last week: #20 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 vs Lions
At 6-8 the Packers have not been officially eliminated from post-season contention, but it would take a 3-0 finish AND some help for them to get in. Not to mention, all three of their opponents possess .500 or above records. Week 18 feels the biggest left to me because it could be a shot to make playoffs but even if not, that is a big division rivalry game and it could give Aaron Rodgers and co. a chance to spoil a playoff berth for the Lions. As a division rival there is probably nothing that would make the Cheeseheads happier.
Last week: #25 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 vs Browns
The Steelers may be THE average team of the NFL. They are right around .500, seem to beat every team in the lower half of the league, but just can't seem to figure out how to consistently win this season. At 6-8 there is the slimmest of slim chances they can still make it in to the playoffs. I see their week 18 game as their biggest remaining one. If they can be at 8-8 heading into that game there is a chance the playoffs *could* come with an upset victory over that hungry Browns team. Could be a game to watch.
24. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
Last week: #21 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan. 1 @ Buccaneers
For a Panther team that had been hot of late, it was quite disappointing to see them not be able to handle the Steelers at home this past weekend. They had all the chances in the world to come back from any early deficit and win this one but it never materialized. Even at 5-9 with three games to go, Carolina still controls its own destiny in terms of potentially winning the NFC South and hosting a playoff game. That game a week from Sunday at Tampa Bay is going to be for the South (barring a loss this weekend). It is crazy to think THIS TEAM with THIS RECORD controls its own path to the playoffs.
25. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Last week: #26 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 vs Panthers
While these Saints might be 4 games under .500, they still fight like they are a top tier team with something to really play for. I'm not fully sure, but if these Saints win out and get some help from other teams in the South losing, they still could win the division and host a playoff game. With that being said, the week 18 game against the Panthers (who are trying to get in themselves) definitely becomes a huge one. With the Falcons and Bucs facing off in week 18 as well, the winner of the division could be determined with the results of both of those two games going on. Buckle up Saints fans.
Last week: #23 -
Here's another 5-9 team that casually could just make the playoffs. The now Desmond Ridder-led Falcons did lose this weekend, but are still alive for the NFC South 'title'. While the Bucs did beat them earlier in the year, they will have a chance to avenge that loss in the final week of the regular season. I'm not exactly sure off the top of my head which team would make it if they had the same records in the end but Atlanta won that game, but there feels like a good chance that it would be Atlanta. If the Bucs can survive the Panthers a week prior, they likely will still have to get through this Atlanta team to get in.
27. Denver Broncos (4-10)
Last week: #30 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Dec. 25 @ Rams
Congrats to the Denver Broncos for FINALLY getting back in the win column this past weekend. It may have taken to the very end of the fourth quarter against the third string QB of the Cardinals, but hey, a win is a win. The biggest remaining game for Denver comes this Sunday on Christmas day in terms of chances to actually win a game. The Rams are one of the few teams I'd probably consider worse than Denver right now so. If they want to win, that is the game with the biggest chance for them to do so. Otherwise, none of these games matter at all for them. :(
28. Chicago Bears (3-11)
Last week: #29 +
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Jan. 1 @ Lions
Similar to the Broncos, with nothing left to really play for, the best chance for the Bears to win a game comes next weekend on New Year's day against the rival Lions. Everytime these teams get together it is close and this game should be no different. Justin Fields has been on another level of late and he should be able to gash this up and down Lion D like he did a few weeks back. That being said, the Bears currently hold the no. 3 overall pick in the draft and could lose out in hopes of it rising to #2 or #1.
29. Los Angeles Rams (4-10)
Last week: #27 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 @ Seahawks
Like the Bears, above, the Rams are really only playing for pride now. They have a very winnable game this weekend on Christmas against the Broncos, but I like the week 18 match vs Seattle a little better. The Rams have had Seattle's number since Pete Carroll has been around. The first time these teams played two weeks ago, it was a close loss for LA and a game they probably should have won. Seattle could have a win and in scenario in that week 18 game. In a lost season, how nice would it be for the Rams to screw Seattle over one more time like they have done a lot over the past couple of seasons.
30. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)
Last week: #28 -
Biggest Remaining Game: Monday Dec. 26 vs Chargers
After the most embarrassing loss arguably EVER this past weekend, there is not really anything worth playing for for these Colts. By default, I'm putting this upcoming week's game against the Chargers simply because it is the next game up...
31. Arizona Cardinals (4-10)
Last week: #31
Biggest Remaining Game: Sunday Dec. 25 vs Buccaneers
In a lost season for the Cards, none of the final three games really have any meaning for them other than draft positioning. I picked this week's Christmas game against the Bucs just because they could at least try and play spoiler here and be a reason Tampa could fall out of a playoff spot.
32. Houston Texans (1-12-1)
Last week: #32
Biggest Remaining Game: Week 18 @ Colts
Despite being the runaway worst team in the league (record-wise), the Texans have actually played, dare I say, GOOD football in each of the past two weeks. They held late leads over both Dallas and Kansas City who are playoff clinched squads and even took the Chiefs to OT where a fumble saved them. The Texans obviously do not have much to play for but if they want to add a second win to their record then they should look to week 18 at the Colts which feels like one they really *could* take. They tied the first go around in week 1.
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JKNFLFOOTBALL Week 15 Honors
Offensive Player of the Week: Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
Statline: 460 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs passing (led his team to biggest comeback W in NFL history)
Defensive Player of the Week: Rayshawn Jenkins, Safety, Jacksonville Jaguars
Statline: 18 total tackles, 2 INTs (one returned 52-yards for the game-winning TD in OT)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Kalif Raymond, Punt Returner, Detroit Lions
Statline: 47-yard punt return TD
Rookie of the Week: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Rusher, New York Giants
Statline: 12 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery for TD, 3 TFLs
Team of the Week: Minnesota Vikings (11-3)
Beat Indianapolis Colts (39-36) *biggest comeback in NFL history (33 pts)*
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Week 16 Official Game Picks
Last Week's Record: 7-9
2022 Season Overall: 121-85-2
Jaguars over Jets (24-15)
Falcons over Ravens (24-20)
Lions over Panthers (28-20)
Chiefs over Seahawks (33-26)
Browns over Saints (21-12)
Titans over Texans (29-10)
Bengals over Patriots (27-24)
Vikings over Giants (28-26)
Bills over Bears (30-21)
49ers over Commanders (27-17)
Eagles over Cowboys (28-24)
Raiders over Steelers (26-19)
Dolphins over Packers (31-21)
Rams over Broncos (20-11)
Buccaneers over Cardinals (27-9)
Chargers over Colts (28-20)
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