JACKSONVILLE – Here are senior writer John Oehser's Week 16 2016 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
Rank.Team (Rec) | Last week | Comment
1.Dallas Cowboys (12-2) | 1 | Dak's back … not that he ever really left
2.New England Patriots (12-2) | 2 | Harder and harder to see them losing before Houston
3.Oakland Raiders (11-3) | 4 | If they win out, they're assured of a first-round bye
4.Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) | 5 | If they win out, they're assured of a first-round bye
5.Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) | 3 | Still have the look of a team that can play in AFC title game
6.Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) | 7 | Five consecutive victories entering AFC North showdown versus Ravens
7.Atlanta Falcons (9-5) | 8 | They look like they're getting in; will it happen?
8.New York Giants (10-4) | 9 | NFC's second-best record? Really? Yes.
9.Detroit Lions (9-5) | 6 | Will need to pick it up to hold off the 'Pack
- Miami Dolphins (9-5) | 12 | They've righted the ship for their best season in nearly a decade
11.Green Bay Packers (8-6) | 14 | Back in control of their destiny
12.Tennessee Titans (8-6) | 18 | AFC South's best team right now
13.Baltimore Ravens (8-6) | 13 | Can win AFC North with victories over Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
14.Denver Broncos (8-6) | 10 | Both Super Bowl teams from last season could miss playoffs
15.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) | 11 | Caught a break when Panthers beat Redskins Monday
16.Houston Texans (8-6) | 16 | Savage Time
17.Washington Redskins (7-6-1) | 15 | Took a hu-u-u-u-u-u-u-uge blow to their playoff hopes Monday
18.Indianapolis Colts (7-7) | 21 | Up and down and up and down and …
19.Minnesota Vikings (7-7) | 17 |Postseason chances have dwindled practically to nil
20.Buffalo Bills (7-7) | 19 | Rex's time in Buffalo seems to be nearing an end
21.Carolina Panthers (6-8) | 22 | Wait 'til next year
21.Arizona Cardinals (5-8-1) | 20 | Officially eliminated from the postseason
23.New Orleans Saints (6-8) | 25 | 'Skins loss kept Saints alive – but barely
24.Cincinnati Bengals (5-8-1) | 23 | Out of playoffs for first time in six seasons
25.Philadelphia Eagles (5-9) | 24 | Nine losses in the last 11 games after 3-0 start
26.San Diego Chargers (5-9) | 26 | Chargers era in San Diego appears near an end
27.New York Jets (4-10) | 27 | Long, long season nearing an end
28.Los Angeles Rams (4-10) | 28 | Could their eye really be on Gruden?
29.Chicago Bears (3-11) | 29 | Only Chicago, Cleveland and SF are winless on the road
30.Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) | 30 | Nine and counting …
31.San Francisco 49ers (1-13) | 31 | Thirteen and counting …
32.Cleveland Browns (0-14) | 32 | Fourteen and counting …
