NFL Power Rankings - Week 16: Bills jump into top spot
NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
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1. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
Previous rank: 2
Is Josh Allen the MVP? His performance Sunday seemed to solidify it. Allen and the Bills have handed two of the biggest juggernauts in the league some of their only losses, and Buffalo has scored a combined 90 points in its last two games.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
Previous rank: 4
Philadelphia quieted the critics with a tremendous offensive performance against the Steelers after a week of drama surrounding A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts. The Eagles will be hard to beat in January if their passing game and high-powered rushing attack stay consistent.
3. Detroit Lions (12-2)
Previous rank: 1
Detroit got terrible injury news Monday, as David Montgomery and Alim McNeill will miss the rest of the season due to knee injuries. Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson, and Aaron Glenn are excellent coaches, but the Lions' long list of injuries might be too much to overcome.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
Previous rank: 3
Patrick Mahomes was dragging the carcass of the two-time reigning Super Bowl champs toward home-field advantage in the postseason. He might find it tougher to do so now with a reported high ankle sprain. Mahomes' recovery will determine how much momentum is behind the Chiefs before the playoffs.
5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
Previous rank: 5
Minnesota took care of business against Chicago, securing its seventh straight win. With Detroit losing to Buffalo, the Vikings can secure the NFC North and the No. 1 seed by winning their final three games.
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
Previous rank: 7
When the Packers' offense is rolling like it did against Seattle, they're one of the best teams in the league. Green Bay can secure a playoff spot next week, and the team has proved it can hang with the top contenders in the conference.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Previous rank: 6
The Steelers were dominated by the Eagles but clinched a playoff spot in the process. Their biggest priority right now will be to make sure they stay on track with games against the Ravens and Chiefs next.
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Previous rank: 8
Lamar Jackson continues to make the case to win his third MVP trophy by tallying five touchdowns in a game for the second time this season. Baltimore's quest for the AFC North crown remains a reality with a pivotal rematch against the Steelers on deck.
9. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Previous rank: 11
Los Angeles is now in first place in the NFC West after a 1-4 start to the campaign. If the offense remains healthy, the Rams are a threat to make a Super Bowl run.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
Previous rank: 15
Tampa Bay steamrolled the Chargers, maintaining its top spot in the NFC South. If the Bucs' defense can play better down the stretch with their offense healthy again, they'll be a tough out in the playoffs should they qualify.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
Previous rank: 10
The Chargers got a bucket of ice water poured on them in a blowout 40-17 defeat to the Buccaneers. Making matters even worse, Los Angeles hasn't scored over 17 points in three straight games now.
12. Denver Broncos (9-5)
Previous rank: 12
Don't look now, but the Broncos are riding a four-game winning streak. Denver is on the cusp of making the postseason for the first time since its last Super Bowl win.
13. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
Previous rank: 9
Seattle looked outmatched against the Packers after winning its previous four games. Geno Smith's health after suffering a knee injury Sunday will be something to watch for the rest of the season.
14. Washington Commanders (9-5)
Previous rank: 13
Washington held on for a 20-19 win over the Saints, keeping the Commanders in pole position to secure a playoff spot. They've exceeded expectations with their 9-5 record through 14 games.
15. Houston Texans (9-5)
Previous rank: 14
Houston's defense has carried the team to the top spot in the AFC South. The Texans lead the NFL in interceptions (16) since the middle of October, including three Sunday against Tua Tagovailoa.
16. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
Previous rank: 17
Arizona's offense got back on track against the Patriots. The Cardinals could still make the playoffs if they run the table.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)
Previous rank: 18
Cincinnati turned the ball over four times Sunday, but in a strange twist, its defense bailed the offense out with six takeaways. The Bengals are clinging to their slim playoff hopes with three games left.
18. Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
Previous rank: 21
Atlanta barely beat a lowly Raiders team to snap its four-game losing streak. Kirk Cousins' play in the second half of the season has been concerning for a team fighting for the division.
19. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Previous rank: 16
The Dolphins' season all but ended with their loss to the Texans. They'll need to win out and have a lot of luck on their side to get a wild-card spot.
20. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
Previous rank: 19
San Francisco's season is all but over after a bad loss to the Rams on Thursday night. How the front office handles Brock Purdy's contract will be interesting to watch this offseason.
21. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
Previous rank: 20
Mistakes were abundant for the Colts, topped off by Jonathan Taylor's fumble through the end zone. Sunday's loss put a huge dent in their playoff hopes.
22. Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
Previous rank: 22
Dallas has played hard for head coach Mike McCarthy despite all the injuries to key players. Time will tell if he sticks around for the 2025 season.
23. Chicago Bears (4-10)
Previous rank: 24
The Bears' offensive woes were on display again. It's the team's eighth straight loss, and Chicago has been unable to score in the first half since Nov. 24.
24. Carolina Panthers (3-11)
Previous rank: 23
Bryce Young didn't have his best game against Dallas, but he's played better since taking back the starting job. Let's see if he continues to develop in the Panthers' final three games.
25. New York Jets (4-10)
Previous rank: 28
It was vintage Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers on Sunday, linking up for two touchdowns to help solidify a win over Jacksonville. It's too late for the pair to make a true difference this year, but Sunday was a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming season.
26. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Previous rank: 25
New Orleans' slim playoff hopes came crashing down with a loss against Washington. The club has some tough decisions to make this offseason, including who it hires as its next head coach.
27. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Previous rank: 26
It turns out there's a limit to how many turnovers are worth living with for the roller-coaster ride that is Jameis Winston. The Browns yanked him Sunday after throwing three interceptions, which gave him nine over his last four games.
28. New England Patriots (3-11)
Previous rank: 27
New England's loss to the Cardinals was frustrating, with the offense and defense struggling for most of the game. But Drake Maye's development will keep Patriots fans watching down the stretch.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
Previous rank: 29
With major players like Trevor Lawrence, Evan Engram, and Christian Kirk out with injuries, Jaguars fans were forced to sit through another disappointing campaign.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
Previous rank: 30
A revenge game for Desmond Ridder wasn't enough to push the Raiders past the Falcons. What ownership, including Tom Brady, does with Antonio Pierce and the quarterback position is the big question going forward.
31. Tennessee Titans (3-11)
Previous rank: 31
It's not looking good for Will Levis or the Titans after the starting QB was benched for Mason Rudolph midway through their loss to the Bengals. The Levis era in Tennessee could be coming to an end soon.
32. New York Giants (2-12)
Previous rank: 32
New York got blown out by the Ravens on Sunday, keeping the franchise in contention to grab one of the top picks in the upcoming draft. Giants fans hope the team can pair star wideout Malik Nabers with a franchise quarterback.