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NFL Power Rankings: A Week 16 Look at All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Patriots won 16-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Patriots won 16-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas Cowboys won 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas Cowboys won 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 48. . 8-6. . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 12

Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers manage to climb a spot on our NFL power rankings this week despite a 26-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Why? Well, if you haven’t noticed, the Buccaneers are still piping hot right now. And they nearly became only the second team to beat the Cowboys this entire season. Yeah, it was that close.

Quarterback Jameis Winston’s numbers weren’t pretty — 17-of-35 for 247 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions, amounting to a 55.3 passer rating.

Those three turnovers were killers, and yet the Bucs managed to stay in the game all the way deep into the fourth quarter.

Factor in this was a prime-time game on the road against a two-loss team, and Tampa Bay deserves some credit.

The Buccaneers have some winnable games on their remaining schedule, so we’ll see if wins there might push them into a playoff berth.