NFL power rankings: 49ers drop, Patriots rise entering Week 16
By Peter Panacy
NFL power rankings, Nos. 32-21
Cincinnati Bengals. 32. team. 56. . 1-13. Previous:
L, 34-13 vs. Patriots
At this point, the Bengals need to focus solely on who’ll they’ll take with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.
The rest of Cincinnati’s draft picks can then be used on the defensive side of the ball.
3-11. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 31. team. 59.
L, 36-20 @ Giants
Wide receiver DeVante Parker has been a nice story for the otherwise-hapless Dolphins as of late. Whether or not Miami wants to keep Parker around on his 2020 option is anyone’s guess, but he’s a nice focal piece to center a rebuild around.
Detroit Lions. 30. team. 50. . 3-10-1. Previous:
L, 38-17 vs. Buccaneers
Our NFL power rankings won’t go as far as saying the Lions have given up on head coach Matt Patricia. But it sure seems as if the team has given up on 2019.
Aside from wide receiver Danny Amendola, who had a 100-yard receiving game. One can only wonder if he wishes he was playing for a contender right now.
Previous: . Washington Commanders. 29. team. 58. . 3-11
L, 37-27 vs. Eagles
Hopefully you didn’t place any bets on the Redskins and Eagles. And if you did, well… this happened.
Rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins finding some groove late is promising heading into 2020.
31. . 3-11. Previous: . New York Giants. 28. team
W, 36-20 vs. Dolphins
Who cares if quarterback Eli Manning tossed three interceptions against the lousy Dolphins? Offensive weapons Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard are going to be far more important to the Giants efforts next year, and they were excellent in this otherwise meaningless game outside of NFL Draft order jockeying.
Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 27. team. 87. . 5-9
L, 30-24 vs. Seahawks
While it’s hard to say whether or not the Giants have given up this season, it’s pretty clear the Panthers have given up, especially after former head coach Ron Rivera was fired. And that’s reflected in our NFL power rankings for sure.
Oh, and quarterback Kyle Allen isn’t the answer. So it’s reportedly time for Will Grier to get the nod, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
26. team. 30. . 5-9. Previous: . New York Jets
L, 42-21 @ Ravens
In fairness, the Jets had none business upsetting the Ravens on Thursday Night Football. None.
So sending New York down in NFL power rankings too far would be unfair. But it doesn’t change the fact quarterback Sam Darnold and head coach Adam Gase aren’t getting along. Yikes!
Arizona Cardinals. 25. team. 32. . 4-9-1. Previous:
W, 38-24 vs. Browns
We’ll get to the Browns problems in a moment, but the Cardinals sure haven’t given up on the year. They’re in reconstruction mode, and the rest of the league is apparently taking notice.
Arizona need to continue making running back Kenyan Drake a part of its offensive game plan. He’s a stud.
45. . 5-9. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 24. team
L, 23-3 @ Chiefs
Don’t blame the snow, as the Broncos play in it, too. Don’t blame the handful of offensive playmakers Denver has at its disposal. Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant were OK enough.
But the Broncos lose ugly in an AFC West rivalry game, and the NFL power rankings fall is only merely suggestive of the problems head coach Vic Fangio and Co. have dealt with this season.
Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 23. team. 52. . 5-9
W, 20-16 @ Raiders
The Jaguars sure spoiled the Raiders’ Oakland finale game before they’re off to Las Vegas in 2020, and quarterback Gardner Minshew’s response postgame is epic enough to bump Jacksonville up a few spots in our NFL power rankings.
Seriously, epic.
22. team. 44. . 5-9. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons
W, 29-22 @ 49ers
Who knows if the Falcons’ Week 15 upset over the 49ers will save head coach Dan Quinn’s job. But Atlanta beating both the Niners and Saints this season, and on the road each time, should do some good. It at least helps in our NFL power rankings.
Oh, so does Julio Jones. He’s pretty good, last anyone checked, which was yesterday.
team. 13. . 5-9. Previous: 20th. Los Angeles Chargers. 21
L, 39-10 vs. Vikings
Quarterback Philip Rivers could easily break his 2016 career high of 21 interceptions thrown in a season. He has 18 on the year after tossing three against the Vikings on Sunday.