NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Where does every AFC team stand?
Santa Claus isn't the only one-on-one heck of a streak as Christmas looms: the Miami Dolphins have reentered the AFC playoff picture with wins in each of their past six games.
Miami is part of an AFC logjam that has kept the standings precariously close as the final stages of the season loom: the top 13 teams, all of whom are eligible for the seven unclinched AFC playoff spots, reside within three games of each other as a matching trio lingers on each team's regular season schedule.
Who reigns supreme amidst the logjam? SK investigates...
Which AFC teams are destined for a Merry Christmas?
JAMES ROBINSON IS FINALLY FREE https://t.co/VsNZGjUb1w
#16 - Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)
Previous Rank: 16th
Last Week: 30-16 L vs. Houston
Top Performer: RB James Robinson (88 total yards, 1 rushing TD)
Next Week: Sunday @ NY Jets (1 pm ET, CBS)
It was tempting to move the Jaguars out of the AFC cellar after they rid themselves of Urban Meyer, but a listless performance against the equally woebegone Texans made it look like the embattled coach never left.
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@_Tre_Smith_ | 馃摵 禄 @NFLonCBS https://t.co/BB0lh3424I
#15 - Houston Texans (3-11)
Previous Rank: 15th
Last Week: 30-16 W @ Jacksonville
Top Performer: WR Brandin Cooks (7 rec. 102 yards, 1 TD)
Next Week: Sunday vs LA Chargers (1 pm ET, CBS)
The Texans ended one of the AFC's more dubious streaks on Sunday when Tremon Smith scored on a 98-yard kickoff return, Houston's first such score since 2009.
#14 - New York Jets (3-11)
Previous Rank: 14th
Last Week: 31-24 L @ Miami
Top Performer: CB Brandin Echols (4 tackles, 1 INT TD)
Next Week: Sunday vs. Jacksonville (1 pm ET, CBS)
One can easily chalk up Sunday's AFC East divisional defeat in South Beach as another sign that Zach Wilson might not be the franchise man, but with Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Mekhi Becton and more missing significant time, what more can he do?
Vic Fangio dialed up a blitz on 2nd down and Justin Simmons came through with a sack. https://t.co/KPsfbVMmgB
#13 - Denver Broncos (7-7)
Previous Rank: 11th
Last Week: 15-10 L vs. Cincinnati
Top Performer: S Justin Simmons (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next Week: Sunday @ Las Vegas (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
Denver's late playoff push was derailed by Teddy Bridgewater's scary injury on Sunday, as the defense did its job by allowing the Bengals under 250 yards for the second time this season. It was an effort highlighted by a single three-yard reception for Ja'Marr Chase.
#12 - Cleveland Browns (7-7)
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Week: 16-14 L vs. Las Vegas
Top Performer: RB Nick Chubb (23 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD)
Next Week: Saturday @ Green Bay (4:30 pm ET, Fox/NFL Network)
True to their star-crossed nature, the Browns, further cursed by a short Christmas-induced turnaround, fell just short of an improbable COVID-countered comeback victory brought about by their third-string quarterback. The Browns found themselves lacking thanks to a final second field goal and the season-long loss of defensive contributor Takk McKinley.
Daniel Carlson calls GAME. Raiders win! #RaiderNation https://t.co/cOyfD1m9VP
#11 - Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)
Previous Rank: 13th
Last Week: 16-14 W @ Cleveland
Top Performer: K Daniel Carlson (3-for-3 FG, long 48, 10 total points)
Next Week: Sunday vs. Denver (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
The fact the Raiders needed more Daniel Carlson heroics to pull off a victory against the undermanned Browns can't be a good sign for their playoff hopes, especially with matchups against three fellow wild card contenders looming.
#10 - Miami Dolphins (7-7)
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Week: 31-24 W vs. NY Jets
Top Performer: RB Duke Johnson (127 total yards, 2 rushing TDs)
Next Week: Monday @ New Orleans (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
The AFC tiebreakers and that unmentionable start give off an aura of "too little, too late" for the hapless Dolphins, but enough can't be said about the emergence of Johnson, the former Hurricane that came through with a triple-digit yardage game and two scores against the Jets.
Joe Schobert : 7 tackles, 1 QB hit & an INT https://t.co/oP3u2slEd4
#9 - Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1)
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Week: 19-13 W vs. Tennessee
Top Performer: LB Joe Schobert (7 tackles, 1 INT)
Next Week: Sunday @ Kansas City (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
The Steelers might as well be the AFC's zombies, as they've emerged from the dead after taking several beatings. Their most recent resurrection came through a dominant defensive effort after they successfully defended their midfield emblem from the stomp-happy Titans.
Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 16 TV Schedule