Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 16
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 16 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. Carolina Panthers
At 14-0, they are two games away from perfection. It looks like they will get there.
At 14-0, they are two games away from perfection. It looks like they will get there.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Now that they have David Johnson going as a runner, it's going to be even tougher to stop this offense. They face a big game with Green Bay this week.
Now that they have David Johnson going as a runner, it's going to be even tougher to stop this offense. They face a big game with Green Bay this week.
3. New England Patriots
They have clinched a bye in the first round, but a win this week against the Jets gives them home-field advantage in the playoffs. With all the injuries, they need it.
They have clinched a bye in the first round, but a win this week against the Jets gives them home-field advantage in the playoffs. With all the injuries, they need it.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
AJ McCarron wasn't awful in his first start, but he will have to be much better against the Broncos this week
AJ McCarron wasn't awful in his first start, but he will have to be much better against the Broncos this week
5. Seattle Seahawks
They continue to ride Russell Wilson's right arm. They are rolling and have clinched a playoff spot.
They continue to ride Russell Wilson's right arm. They are rolling and have clinched a playoff spot.
6. Green Bay Packers
They face a playoff-like game this week against the Cardinals. Can they slow down that offense?
They face a playoff-like game this week against the Cardinals. Can they slow down that offense?
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The offense will win a lot of games going forward. Two more and they will be in the playoffs.
The offense will win a lot of games going forward. Two more and they will be in the playoffs.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
They've won eight straight games and have shown they will be tough to get out in the playoffs. Hell of a run.
They've won eight straight games and have shown they will be tough to get out in the playoffs. Hell of a run.
9. New York Jets
They could finish 11-5 and not make the playoffs. That would hurt. First things first: A home game with the Patriots.
They could finish 11-5 and not make the playoffs. That would hurt. First things first: A home game with the Patriots.
10. Denver Broncos
The defense has to bounce back after a terrible showing at Pittsburgh. They have to be better in the second half.
The defense has to bounce back after a terrible showing at Pittsburgh. They have to be better in the second half.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Teddy Bridgewater got it going in a big way against the Bears. That's huge for the playoffs.
Teddy Bridgewater got it going in a big way against the Bears. That's huge for the playoffs.
12. Washington Redskins
They can lock up the NFC East by beating Philadelphia on Saturday night. Can you believe it?
They can lock up the NFC East by beating Philadelphia on Saturday night. Can you believe it?
13. New York Giants
No OBJ means they are done. This looks like it's the end for Tom Coughlin. Who will take over?
No OBJ means they are done. This looks like it's the end for Tom Coughlin. Who will take over?
14. Philadelphia Eagles
They still control their playoff fate. That's hard to believe after seeing them get destroyed by the Cardinals on Sunday night.
They still control their playoff fate. That's hard to believe after seeing them get destroyed by the Cardinals on Sunday night.
15. Buffalo Bills
The hype that came with the hiring of Rex Ryan has subsided. Can they even get to .500?
The hype that came with the hiring of Rex Ryan has subsided. Can they even get to .500?
16. Tampa Bay Bucs
They can head to the offseason knowing they have their franchise passer. Jameis Winston will be damn good.
They can head to the offseason knowing they have their franchise passer. Jameis Winston will be damn good.
17. Houston Texans
Winning at Indianapolis puts them in charge of their playoff fate. Can they close out with two victories to get there?
Winning at Indianapolis puts them in charge of their playoff fate. Can they close out with two victories to get there?
18. Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr has to cut down on the major mistakes. He will. He's still young.
Derek Carr has to cut down on the major mistakes. He will. He's still young.
19. Chicago Bears
After a nice midseason, they've fallen on hard times. They just don't have the talent.
After a nice midseason, they've fallen on hard times. They just don't have the talent.
20. Atlanta Falcons
They are now .500 and still have slim playoff hopes. They get a chance to end Carolina's perfect season this week.
They are now .500 and still have slim playoff hopes. They get a chance to end Carolina's perfect season this week.
21. Detroit Lions
They have a lot to build on with the offense for 2016. There are also some young, talented players on defense. They could bounce back.
They have a lot to build on with the offense for 2016. There are also some young, talented players on defense. They could bounce back.
22. Indiannapolis Colts
This season has been a horror show from the start. Andrew Luck is sitting again this week at Miami.
This season has been a horror show from the start. Andrew Luck is sitting again this week at Miami.
23. Miami Dolphins
They appeared to have packed it in last week at San Diego. Who will be the coach in 2016?
They appeared to have packed it in last week at San Diego. Who will be the coach in 2016?
24. St. Louis Rams
It looks like Jeff Fisher is coming back. The question is whether that's a good thing.
It looks like Jeff Fisher is coming back. The question is whether that's a good thing.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
They still aren't good enough, and their playoff hopes are basically done. But they have money to spend to fix the defense, and they will spend it.
They still aren't good enough, and their playoff hopes are basically done. But they have money to spend to fix the defense, and they will spend it.
26. New Orleans Saints
Does it really matter who makes the defensive calls? The talent is the problem, more than the coordinator.
Does it really matter who makes the defensive calls? The talent is the problem, more than the coordinator.
27. San Diego Chargers
They played with emotion against Miami in possibly their last game at San Diego. The defense showed up in a big way.
They played with emotion against Miami in possibly their last game at San Diego. The defense showed up in a big way.
28. Dallas Cowboys
It took until Week 15 to eliminate them from the playoffs, but it finally happened. Watch out next season.... LOL!!!
It took until Week 15 to eliminate them from the playoffs, but it finally happened. Watch out next season.... LOL!!!
29. San Francisco 49ers
Will there be any changes on the staff? Is Jim Tomsula coming back?
Will there be any changes on the staff? Is Jim Tomsula coming back?
30. Baltimore Ravens
The 2016 season can't come soon enough. They will be back next season.
The 2016 season can't come soon enough. They will be back next season.
31. Cleveland Browns
With two weeks left, the question now is whether coach Mike Pettine will be back. I doubt it
With two weeks left, the question now is whether coach Mike Pettine will be back. I doubt it
32. Tennessee Titans
It's Zack Mettenberger time the rest of the way with Marcus Mariota hurting. It's his chance to again show what he can do.
It's Zack Mettenberger time the rest of the way with Marcus Mariota hurting. It's his chance to again show what he can do.