Remember way back when, you know, like a couple weeks ago, NFL fans all over were ready to count the Buffalo Bills out? Yeah. Me, too.
The Bills have found elite form these past few weeks. Don't believe me? Just ask the Chiefs and Cowboys. The Bills have won two straight and looked great doing it, seemingly ready to make a push for the postseason despite being the AFC's No. 10 seed not too long ago.
There are a bunch of worthy AFC wild-card combatants, many of whom reside in the AFC North. The Browns and Bengals will have something to say about the playoff picture. Maybe the Broncos, too. We'll see.
The 49ers are still the class of the NFC, with Cowboys and Eagles looking a bit vulnerable these days. Let's take a look at the entire league in these Week 16 NFL power rankings:
(11-3)
1
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy for MVP. Or Christian McCaffrey. Or Deebo Samuel. Or Fred Warner. Man, the Niners are stacked.
(11-3)
2
Baltimore Ravens
Ravens are winning with Lamar, a solid run game and great defense. As they've done for so, so long.
(10-4)
3
2
Miami Dolphins
No Tyreek Hill, no problem. Dolphins are more than just one dude.
(8-6)
4
2
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen felt like the kid who didn't do much for the group project but still got an A. That's OK, cause his teammates were downright dominant.
(10-4)
5
2
Dallas Cowboys
Unbeatable one week, a turnstile next. So odd. That's not a recipe for winning the NFC.
(10-4)
6
2
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have lost three straight. That's not Philly being special.
(8-5)
7
Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid fined $100k for, ahem, disagreeing with officials. Pat Mahomes got $50k. They won't miss the money. They will miss the win lost by a dumb, avoidable penalty. They followed that up with a win over New England, but it wasn't impressive, per se.
(9-4)
8
1
Detroit Lions
Lions woke up against Denver. When they're at its best, Detroit can play with anybody.
(9-5)
9
Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco gets $75k for every regular-season win. He's already stacking up cash.
(6-6)
10
3
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow goes down, then the Bengals win three straight. What's down is up.
(8-6)
11
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence getting banged up lately. When he's not near-perfect, Jags aren't good.
(8-6)
12
1
Houston Texans
Texans win one without C.J. Stroud. Case Keenum gets a gold star.
(8-6)
13
3
Indianapolis Colts
I've been slow to acknowledge the Colts as the real deal. It's about time.
(7-7)
14
1
Los Angeles Rams
Rams have found a run game. That'll free up Cooper Kupp. Rams are a surprise contender in the NFC.
(7-7)
15
3
Seattle Seahawks
Anyone hear that Drew Lock interview after he won it late? Such emotion. Can't help but root for that guy.
(7-7)
16
2
Denver Broncos
Sean Payton let Russ have it on the sideline. Not a great look considering this partnership ain't dissolving any time soon.
(7-7)
17
7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker may have found a home in Tampa Bay, which is in the driver's seat to win the NFC South (again).
(7-7)
18
1
Minnesota Vikings
The Josh Dobbs fad is over, but don't sleep on Nick Mullens. The dude can play.
(7-7)
19
3
New Orleans Saints
When Derek Carr is sharp in the red zone, the Saints are tough to beat.
(6-8)
20
6
Green Bay Packers
Packers are starting to fall apart, aren't they? That's unusual in Green Bay.
(7-7)
21
4
Pittsburgh Steelers
If Mike Tomlin gets canned, he'll have a job in about 15 seconds.
(5-9)
22
2
Chicago Bears
Plain and simple: Darnell Mooney's gotta catch that.
(6-8)
23
3
Las Vegas Raiders
Can Antonio Pierce do enough to take away the interim tag? I think so.
(6-8)
24
3
Atlanta Falcons
Too many massive mistakes at the end. The Falcons have struggled closing out games.
(5-9)
25
1
Tennessee Titans
Titans struggle when Derrick Henry doesn't produce. Tale as old as time.
(5-9)
26
1
New York Giants
Did you see how fast his teammates came to Tommy DeVito's aid after he got hit? Locker room must really like him.
(5-9)
27
3
New York Jets
That performance vs. Miami looked more like the Jets we all know and have seen way too often in primetime.
(5-9)
28
3
Los Angeles Chargers
Sure looked like the Bolts quit on Staley.
(3-11)
29
Arizona Cardinals
Playing the 49ers shows just how far the Cards have to come.
(4-10)
30
Washington Commanders
Sure seems like a regime change is coming to the capitol.
(2-12)
31
1
Carolina Panthers
Gotta a win over Atlanta in messy conditions, without scoring a touchdown. Special teams coach turned interim HC won with special teams. What a shock.
(3-11)
32
New England Patriots
This has got to be Belichick's last year in New England, right?
Call for questions
Submit your questions right here for inclusion in Wednesday's edition of Bair Mail.
