NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Eagles' Jalen Hurts, Bengals' Joe Burrow, Bills' Josh Allen, Chiefs' Pat Mahomes and 49ers' Brock Purdy(?!?) have teams at the top

Falcons drop some after losing to rival Saints

Dec 19, 2022 at 11:29 PM

Scott Bair

Falcons Digital Managing Editor

Some of this week's NFL action was just plain nuts. How many double digits got erased this week? A bunch. And, did you see the end of that Raiders-Patriots game? A few folks lost their minds making decisions, and Mac Jones got stiff-armed into the earth on Chandler Jones' game-deciding pick six/technically-a-fumble-recovery-for-a-touchdown.

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And, apparently, nobody wants to win the NFC South. It's ripe for the taking if any one of the division's four teams want to go on a run.

I love chaos in the NFL, and that's what we're getting in the league right now. Nothing is settled, and most everything remains on the table. The end of this season should be fun. Let's take a look at how the league shakes out in these Week 16 NFL Power Rankings:

(13-1)

Philadelphia Eagles

Get well, soon, Jalen. Thankfully, your play provided the cushion (and time) to get right.

(10-4)

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals might be playing better football that anyone right now.

(11-3)

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen + Snow = trouble for the other team.

(11-3)

Kansas City Chiefs

K.C. will be fine, but looking a little shaky.

(10-4)

San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy for MVP. I kid, I kid. I think.

(11-3)

Minnesota Vikings

How long can they survive on miracle finishes??

(8-6)

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is that dude.

(10-4)

Dallas Cowboys

Lost on an OT pick six. Rough way to go out.

(8-6)

Miami Dolphins

'Phins have had a really good season, yet are clinging to the last playoff spot.

(9-5)

Baltimore Ravens

Ravens have missed Lamar. So much.

(8-5-1)

New York Giants

A win is a win, no matter how controversial it was.

(7-6-1)

Washington Commanders

That non-PI call at the end was bad. The official flagging Terry McLaurin for not being on the line of scrimmage despite him checking on positioning twice?? That's just egregious. Can't believe that flag was thrown.

(7-7)

Detroit Lions

Love how the Lions are closing out the year. And maybe QB ain't a priority anymore.

(6-8)

Green Bay Packers

Packers figured it out just a little too late.

(7-7)

New York Jets

Jets missing Mike White big time. Even with last year's No. 2 overall pick healthy and on the roster.

(6-8)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jags are only a game out in the division. Nobody wants to see them when Trevor Lawrence is at his best.

(7-7)

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks spiraling a bit right now.

(7-7)

New England Patriots

What on Earth were they thinking??

(6-8)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers are way better with TJ Watt. Go figure.

(6-8)

Las Vegas Raiders

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

(7-7)

Tennessee Titans

Titans on the struggle bus.

(6-8)

Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb is carrying this team.

(6-8)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blew a big lead. And now the NFC South is one Tampa loss away from the winner being below .500.

(5-9)

Carolina Panthers

Panthers had a golden opportunity to assert themselves in the division. Couldn't take advantage.

(5-9)

New Orleans Saints

Notice how all these NFC South teams are in a pack??

(5-9)

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons have really struggled in one-score games. Gotta get better in the fourth.

(4-10)

Los Angeles Rams

Last week's comeback was fun. Didn't carry over.

(4-9-1)

Indianapolis Colts

You've gotta feel for Matt Ryan.

(4-10)

Denver Broncos

Are the Broncos better with Brett Rypien?? We kid, we kid.

(3-11)

Chicago Bears

Justin Fields becomes the third QB to exceed 1,000 rushing yards. Just don't get him hurt. Then build around him.

(4-10)

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals might have to clean nest. Get it?? Get it??

(1-12-1)

Houston Texans

We often take shots at the Texans in this space. But Lovie Smith's crew won't quit.

1 / 26

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

2 / 26

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 scores a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

3 / 26

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

4 / 26

Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

5 / 26

Atlanta Falcons fans cheer during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)

6 / 26

Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 reacts after making a tackle during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)

7 / 26

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

8 / 26

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith prepares to walk out onto the field before facing the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

9 / 26

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 react after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

10 / 26

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)

11 / 26

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 walks out to warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

12 / 26

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

13 / 26

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

14 / 26

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

15 / 26

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 leads the huddle before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

16 / 26

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

17 / 26

Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews #70, Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97, Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84, and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 walk out to the coin toss before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

18 / 26

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

19 / 26

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

20 / 26

Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 looks on during the National Anthem before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

21 / 26

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

22 / 26

23 / 26

Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

24 / 26

Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 makes a sack during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

25 / 26

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 high five during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

26 / 26

Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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