A lot of teams' seasons will officially end in the next two weeks. For some it's more of a formality as they cling to long odds of clinching playoff berths. For 14 others in 2020, the dream of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy will live on a bit longer.
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What we're seeing in December is a handful of teams getting hot at the right time. I see you, Buffalo, Cleveland, Tennessee and Miami. Others aren't looking so playoff-like, however. Yep, that means you, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles (the Rams, of course).
So, without further ado, it's time for the Week 16 edition of my Wildly Important NFL Power Rankings. These rankings will appear here on AtlantaFalcons.com every Tuesday morning. Enjoy!
(13-1)
1
Kansas City Chiefs
CLINCHED DIVISION: The defending champs are clearly the team to beat coming down the stretch.
(11-3)
2
Buffalo Bills
CLINCHED DIVISION: If there’s a team that has all of the key ingredients to challenge KC, it’s Buffalo.
(11-3)
3
1
Green Bay Packers
CLINCHED DIVISION: I think they’re clearly the NFC’s best team right now.
(10-4)
4
2
Cleveland Browns
They can beat you in a number of ways and that’s what it takes in the postseason.
(10-4)
5
New Orleans Saints
CLINCHED PLAYOFF BERTH: They gave the Chiefs a run for their money. Their hopes hinge on Brees’s health.
(9-5)
6
3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They scored 31 points in the final 30 minutes to pull out a road win. That’s what good teams do.
(11-3)
7
4
Pittsburgh Steelers
CLINCHED PLAYOFF BERTH: Wow, after sitting atop the rankings for weeks they’ve lost three straight. I’m not worried. Yet.
(10-4)
8
2
Tennessee Titans
I keep saying it: They show up, they take care of business, they beat you.
(10-4)
9
1
Indianapolis Colts
They have the parts in place to beat just about any team in this league.
(9-5)
10
2
Miami Dolphins
How much better will they get with two games left? That’s the question now.
(10-4)
11
Seattle Seahawks
CLINCHED PLAYOFF BERTH: They can beat any team in the NFC, but that lack of a pass rush will hurt them at some point.
(9-5)
12
1
Baltimore Ravens
They’ll go as far as Lamar Jackson can take them. Stop him and you’ve got a (very) good chance.
(9-5)
13
6
Los Angeles Rams
When you lose to the Jets you drop six spots. At least. Bad loss.
(8-6)
14
Arizona Cardinals
They’re still alive and play a key division game this week.
(6-8)
15
1
Washington Football Team
They’re the leader (for now) in the NFC East clubhouse. Can they get it done?
(6-8)
16
1
Minnesota Vikings
Things were looking up for a while, but not so much now.
(7-7)
17
1
Las Vegas Raiders
They’re clearly pretenders this season.
(7-7)
18
1
Chicago Bears
They’ve got to solve the quarterback position this offseason.
(6-8)
19
2
New England Patriots
ELIMINATED: The Cam Newton experiment didn’t go as planned. Now what?
(5-9)
20
New York Giants
Some how they’re still alive. They keep scrapping but have a way to go still.
(5-9)
21
8
Dallas Cowboys
They’ve won back-to-back games and no longer have a top-five draft pick.
(5-9)
22
1
San Francisco 49ers
ELIMINATED: They can play spoiler down the stretch for some teams.
(5-9)
23
2
Los Angeles Chargers
ELIMINATED: They’ve clearly got a gem in Justin Herbert. That’s good news.
(5-9)
24
Denver Broncos
ELIMINATED: The Bills loss was a painful reminder of how far they need to go.
(5-9)
25
3
Detroit Lions
ELIMINATED: Lots of changes coming to Motown this offseason (and they’ve already started).
(4-9-1)
26
1
Philadelphia Eagles
It looks like starting Jalen Hurts was the right call. Now what do they do with Carson Wentz?
(4-10)
27
4
Atlanta Falcons
ELIMINATED: Defense and the running game were exposed in another tough loss, this time to the Bucs.
(4-10)
28
1
Carolina Panthers
ELIMINATED: An emotional game coming this weekend as they face their old coach, Ron Rivera.
(3-10-1)
29
1
Cincinnati Bengals
ELIMINATED: They stunned the Steelers with Ryan Finley behind center. Read that again.
(4-10)
30
2
Houston Texans
ELIMINATED: Deshaun Watson has to be pinching himself, hoping to wake up during this nightmare.
(1-13)
31
1
New York Jets
ELIMINATED: Jets win! Jets win! Wait. They no longer have the top pick in the NFL Draft.
(1-13)
32
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
ELIMINATED: Wondering what Trevor Lawrence looks like in teal? We might find out soon enough.
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