With just two weeks to go, we’re jostling the NFL Against the Spread Power Rankings more than ever. Does this list reflect who would win in a head-to-head match up or who I think will win the Super Bowl? Nope. It’s basically just a report card for what’s gone on the previous week with the season as a whole factored in.
We have absolutely no movement at the bottom of the rankings, but everyone else has flipped, jump or slid. With no further ado, here are your NFL Against the Spread Power Rankings for Week 16.
1. New Orleans Saints (12-2, ATS: 10-4): For all the history it looked like the top offenses were making through the first three months of the season, December has belonged to the defenses. It’s good that the Saints got their defense to show up for Christmas. Last week: 2
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 16 Odds
2. Chicago Bears (10-4, ATS: 10-4): Speaking of defenses, no playoff team will bring a better unit than the Bears into the new year. Last week: 3
3. Los Angeles Chargers (11-3, ATS: 8-6): I’m not buying the hyperbole that the Chargers are now the best team in Los Angeles, but they’re certainly playing better than the Rams at the right time. Last week: 6
4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3, ATS 8-6): That Patrick Mahomes MVP campaign will be tough to finish out if this team doesn’t finish with the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Last week: 1
5. New England Patriots (9-5, ATS: 8-6): For the second time this season, the Patriots have lost back-to-back games. A return to their AFC East schedule should fix that. Last week: 5
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-3, ATS: 5-9): No quarterback in the league has played worse than Jared Goff over the last three weeks. That’s a problem. Last week: 4
7. Houston Texans (10-4, ATS: 6-8): There are scenarios still out there where the Texans miss the playoffs, but none of them are realistic. They need to be thinking about seeding now as they currently sit in the No. 2 spot in the AFC. Last week: 9
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-6, ATS: 8-6): Losing last week didn’t hurt the Cowboys’s playoff chances. Losing this week could kill them. Last week: 7
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5-1, ATS: 7-7): That was a season-saving win for the Steelers over the Patriots and perhaps the final nail in the coffin for a dynasty we’re all done with following. Last week: 11
10. Baltimore Ravens (8-6, ATS: 7-7): The Ravens at the Chargers on Saturday night could be a possible playoff preview. Last week: 10
11. Indianapolis Colts (8-6, ATS: 7-7): The Colts are lining it up just in time to sneak into the playoffs if the Ravens take a stumble. Last week: 12
12. Seattle Seahawks (8-6, ATS: 8-6): I’ve ran the scenarios, and there’s not any likely occurrence that will keep Seattle out of the playoffs. And probably no way to keep them in it once they start. Last week: 8
13. Tennessee Titans (8-6, ATS: 8-6): The Titans may not make the playoffs this year, but when it comes to next year … they probably still won’t make the playoffs. Last week: 14
14. Minnesota Vikings (7-6-1,ATS: 7-7): If the playoffs started today, the Vikings are in as the No. 6 seed. They can’t afford a stumble in Detroit. Last week: 15
15. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7 ATS: 5-9): The Eagles need to look at Sunday’s game against the Texans as a playoff game, because if they lose it, they’re out of the mix. Last week: 16
16. Cleveland Browns (6-7-1, ATS: 9-5): Technically the Browns are still in the AFC playoff mix. Last week: 21
17. Miami Dolphins (7-7, ATS: 8-6): The Dolphins entered and exited contention in the span of eight days. Last week: 13
18. Denver Broncos (6-8, ATS: 6-8): I’m not sure how John Elway keeps Vance Joseph or Case Keenum next season. Last week: 17
19. Washington Redskins (7-7, ATS: 8-6): Good news, PepBoys cashier. Jay Gruden wants you to be his quarterback. Last week: 18
20. Carolina Panthers (6-8, ATS: 6-8): The Panthers are shutting down Cam Newton and therefore, their season … Last week: 19
21. Atlanta Falcons (5-9, ATS: 4-10): … as opposed to the Falcons, who shut down Matt Ryan and their season before it even started by keeping Steve Sarkisian as their offensive coordinator. Last week: 28
22. Buffalo Bills (5-9, ATS: 6-8): Another tremendous victory for the worst roster in the NFL. Sean McDermott should be getting Coach of the Year votes. Last week: 29
23. San Francisco 49ers (4-10, ATS: 4-10): There’s not a starting job in Nick Mullens’ future, but a 10-12 year career as an NFL back up awaits. Last week: 30
24. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8, ATS: 7-7): Well, look at that. The Bengals won a game with Hue Jackson on the sideline. It’s a Christmas miracle! Last week: 24
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-9, ATS: 6-8): Two years ago people thought the Buccaneers were a playoff team with Dirk Koetter and Jameis Winston. Not me, but, you know, people. Last week: 20
26. Green Bay Packers (5-8-1 ATS: 5-9): The Packers need to think hard about shutting down Aaron Rodgers with just two games to go. Last week: 22
27. Detroit Lions (5-9, ATS: 7-7): Jim Caldwell was a terrible head coach and even he had this Lions team over .500 for the last two years. Matt Patricia, you have failed this city. Last week: 23
28. New York Giants (5-9, ATS: 7-7): All the “moving on from Eli” talk has dissipated, but the Giants need to draft a quarterback high. That much is clear. Last week: 25
29. New York Jets (4-10, ATS: 5-9): Remember when there was a debate if the Browns had taken the right quarterback? I like Sam Darnold, but Baker Mayfield is far ahead of him and will likely stay that way. Last week: 26
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10,ATS: 4-10): Speaking of teams that should draft a quarterback, the Jaguars have wasted enough time. They’ll pick high and should bring a guy in, but don’t be afraid to look hard at Teddy Bridgewater too. Last week: 27
31. Oakland Raiders (3-11, ATS: 5-9): You beat the Steelers and then lose to the Bengals? That’s the most Jon Gruden thing you’ve done this season. Last week: 32
32. Arizona Cardinals (3-11, ATS: 6-8): It’s rare to see a head coach fired after one season, but Steve Wilks has done his best to make that the best possible move from the Cardinals. Last Week: 29
