NFL Power Rankings: Week 16

My current NFL Power Rankings for Week 16 of the 2021 NFL Season.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft during the 2021 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Jets and Texans aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Dec. 21

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) – Previously: 32.
Wow. I thought the Jaguars would come up with a win in the wake of Urban Meyer’s firing. Instead, the Jaguars were worse than the Texans in every facet. Even Davis Mills outplayed Trevor Lawrence, whose confidence looks shot. If between the Jaguars and Texans, one team calls up another and proposes a Lawrence for Mills swap, who says no?

Houston Texans (3-11) – Previously: 31.
I bet the Texans under four wins, and now it looks like the over will hit because Davis Mills has suddenly transformed into a viable quarterback somehow. I miss the Davis Mills who struggled mightily just to reach the 50-yard line once in an entire game. He was a great guy to bet against.

New York Jets (3-11) – Previously: 29.
Zach Wilson looked like he was finally making some strides in the first half against the Dolphins. And then, he completed only five passes after intermission and couldn’t generate a single first down on two final drives at the end of regulation. Fortunately, the Jets found a way to lose after going up 10-0, which helped preserve their draft positioning.

Detroit Lions (2-11-1) – Previously: 30.
When Lions fans look back at the team 50 years from now, I bet they’ll say, “You know, we really could have used that pick atop the 2022 NFL Draft, but I’m glad we were able to beat the low-effort Cardinals in that one game. That win meant a lot.”

Carolina Panthers (5-9) – Previously: 28.
Note to self: Whenever the next has-been quarterback repeatedly yells, “I’m back!” after scoring a fluky touchdown, bet against them heavily every single week. The Panthers are now 0-4 straight up and against the spread since that game.

New York Giants (4-10) – Previously: 27.
I don’t understand why it took the Giants so long to switch to Jake Fromm against the Cowboys. Mike Glennon was awful throughout, while Fromm at least looked promising on the final possession. I nearly had a heart attack when he almost led a back-door touchdown drive.

Atlanta Falcons (6-8) – Previously: 26.
The Falcons were widely outgained by the 49ers. This shouldn’t have been a surprise because, despite being 6-7, they were no longer anywhere close to being as good as the 7-6 Falcons. Atlanta has done nothing but beat the worst teams in the NFL this year.

Chicago Bears (4-10) – Previously: 25.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bears are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (5-9) – Previously: 23.
This could be it for Russell Wilson, as the Seahawks can’t finish above .500 in the wake of their most recent loss. I heard rumors of him going to the Giants, which means he’ll still have terrible blocking in front of him.

New Orleans Saints (7-7) – Previously: 24.
If only the Saints could play against the Buccaneers every week. They’d be the first 17-0 regular-season team ever!

Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) – Previously: 22.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Eagles are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Washington Redskins (6-8) – Previously: 21.
It’s difficult to downgrade the Redskins at all for their loss to the Eagles, given that they had so many players on the virus list. It’s ridiculous that those players weren’t allowed to play, as the NFL’s rules ruined a potential playoff opportunity.

Denver Broncos (7-7) – Previously: 20.
It goes without saying that the Broncos are toast if Teddy Bridgewater is done. Bridgewater suffered a horrific injury against the Bengals, and Drew Lock gave them no chance to win in relief.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1) – Previously: 19.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Las Vegas Raiders (7-7) – Previously: 18.
After all this time, the Raiders have finally vanquished their demons. They’ve been haunted by Nick Mullens for years, but they finally slew him on Monday evening to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Baltimore Ravens (8-6) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Ravens are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Miami Dolphins (7-7) – Previously: 15.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Dolphins are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (7-7) – Previously: 14.
What the hell was that game plan? If an opposing defense is missing seven defensive backs, throw the ball! It’s no wonder why the Bears outgained the Vikings by about 200 yards.

Tennessee Titans (9-5) – Previously: 17.
The Titans lost to the Steelers, but outgained them, 318-168, and averaged more yards per play. They ended up losing because Julio Jones got hurt, and then they committed four turnovers, giving Pittsburgh 12 points in the process. Luckily for the Titans, A.J. Brown will be back next week.

Cleveland Browns (7-7) – Previously: 13.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Browns are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Indianapolis Colts (8-6) – Previously: 11.
I came out of the Colts-Patriots game with a lesser opinion of Indianapolis despite the win. The Patriots made countless mistakes in that game, yet they still had a chance to win at the end. They outgained the Colts, 365-275, and they averaged more yards per play. Carson Wentz completed only five passes!

Arizona Cardinals (10-4) – Previously: 5.
The Cardinals put forth no effort against the Lions, and they lost. These things happen. However, they are most definitely not the same team as they were in October. They’re 3-4 since losing J.J. Watt, and two of the wins came with Colt McCoy playing quarterback versus low-effort San Francisco and Seattle performances. I loved the Cardinals once upon a time, but unless Watt and DeAndre Hopkins can make miraculous returns, I fear this team will suffer a first-round playoff exit.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) – Previously: 10.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bengals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Angeles Chargers (8-6) – Previously: 9.
The Chargers should have swept the Chiefs. They squandered so many opportunities with scoreless drives ending at the Kansas City 5, 43, 1, 28, and 1. I get the feeling they’ll win a possible rubber match in the playoffs.

New England Patriots (9-5) – Previously: 8.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Francisco 49ers (8-6) – Previously: 12.
The 49ers have been heavily backed by the sharps ever since they lost that deluge game against the Colts on a Sunday night. People are finally beginning to understand how good they are. They absolutely dominated the Falcons, averaging 7.1 yards per play.

Buffalo Bills (8-6) – Previously: 6.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bills are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) – Previously: 3.
The Chiefs’ offense was amazing in the fourth quarter and overtime, but their offense was a mess at times before that. They may get to the Super Bowl, but this sort of play won’t fly against the powerhouses in the NFC.

Dallas Cowboys (10-4) – Previously: 7.
The Cowboys’ offense is in a major funk, which actually makes them quite potent in the playoffs if you think about it. Their defense is playing at an insane level right now, so if the offense can snap out of its slump, Dallas could become the team to beat come January.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) – Previously: 1.
I wouldn’t read anything into the Buccaneers’ loss to the Saints if they hadn’t lost Chris Godwin. The Godwin loss is huge, though Antonio Brown’s return from his unjust suspension will help.

Los Angeles Rams (10-4) – Previously: 4.
The Rams played a sloppy game against the Seahawks, yet they still managed to win by 10. They seem to be on the right track, and if they can avoid the 49ers in the playoffs, they’ll have a good chance to reach the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers suddenly enduring lots of injuries.

Green Bay Packers (11-3) – Previously: 2.
The Packers haven’t been as good as their record says they are, as they’ve gotten very lucky with some wins this year. However, they’re going to be much better in the near future once David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander return from injury.

By the way, we have a t-shirt to support Aaron Rodgers in our merch store! This is your chance to support Rodgers, who has been attacked unfairly by the scumbag media!

MVP Race:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
3. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

4. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Cowboys
5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

Scrubs of the Week:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
3. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
4. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
5. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
6. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
7. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
8. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
9. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
10. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
11. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
12. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
13. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
14. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
15. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowbys

NFL Picks - Dec. 11

2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11

NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9

2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29

Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4