{"id":816054,"date":"2024-12-31T04:21:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T10:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/31\/2024-nfl-power-rankings-week-16-whos-the-best-team-in-the-nfc\/"},"modified":"2024-12-31T04:21:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T10:21:48","slug":"2024-nfl-power-rankings-week-16-whos-the-best-team-in-the-nfc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/31\/2024-nfl-power-rankings-week-16-whos-the-best-team-in-the-nfc\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Who’s the best team in the NFC?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The beautiful thing about this week’s power rankings is that there’s not much of a shelf life.<\/p>\n

With two Christmas Day games, the usual Thursday night matchup and a Saturday tripleheader, almost half the league will have played its Week 17 games by the time we get to Sunday. So, if you don’t like your team’s placement this week, you won’t have to wait long for a change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read on to find out how everything shakes out heading into the holidays (click on team labels to reveal the blurbs).<\/p>\n

Here are the latest power rankings for 2024 (with Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook).<\/p>\n

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Super Bowl odds:\u00a0470<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a shock that a Bills team coming off an emotional statement win struggled early with a divisional rival, no matter the records involved. We won\u2019t hold it against Buffalo, though it is fair to say Josh Allen\u2019s MVP bid could hinge on how strongly he finishes these final two games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 390<\/i><\/p>\n

Right around the time Detroit called a fake fumble touchdown pass, you started to wonder if Ben Johnson was trying to stick it to the Bears \u2014 or maybe impress the executives who will hire Chicago\u2019s next head coach. The Lions’ offense is the reason they still have a Super Bowl ceiling, despite the injuries.
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 1100<\/i><\/p>\n

You can try to tell me that the Vikings\u2019 tendency toward drama isn\u2019t sustainable, but I\u2019ll tell you that Minnesota has won 71% of its one-score games since Kevin O\u2019Connell became the head coach. It won\u2019t be easy, but the Vikings are two wins away from having the NFC\u2019s path to the Super Bowl run through Minneapolis.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 450<\/i><\/p>\n

Not a surprise to see Patrick Mahomes start six days after twisting his ankle. Bit of a surprise to see Mahomes rush for 33 yards and a touchdown on that ankle, as the “unimpressive” Chiefs improved to 6-1 against teams that are currently in the playoff field.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 650<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not going to overreact to the Eagles\u2019 first loss since September on a day when Jalen Hurts got injured five minutes into the game. But it is a wild reminder of the margin for error in the NFL. If DeVonta Smith catches a wide open third down, the Eagles are 13-2. Instead, they\u2019ve likely lost their chance at the No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 1300<\/i><\/p>\n

The Packers were never going to make a statement against a mangled Saints team, but that’s irrelevant. They’ve officially reached the postseason. Now, they can set their sights on sending a message with a huge road trip to Minnesota.
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 750<\/i><\/p>\n

On Nov. 17, the Ravens lost the turnover battle and missed two field goals in a loss to Pittsburgh. On Dec. 21, the Ravens won the turnover battle and made two field goals in a comfortable win against Pittsburgh. As incredible as Lamar Jackson is, it\u2019s going to matter how well the Ravens\u2019 defense and special teams perform in the playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 4000<\/i><\/p>\n

We already knew Jayden Daniels was good, but this was something else entirely. As much success as he\u2019s had, it\u2019s a different level of impressive to dig your team out of a two-score deficit by throwing five touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards. The Commanders are as good as they\u2019ve been since 1991 and their young QB looks like a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 2500<\/i><\/p>\n

Sometimes, it\u2019s as simple as letting the opponent make the mistakes. After halftime, the Jets\u2019 four possessions against the Rams ended with two turnovers on downs, a fumble and a missed field goal. Simply playing the cleaner game has the Rams in position to claim a playoff spot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 4000<\/i><\/p>\n

The way the Steelers\u2019 schedule was backloaded, you figured the adversity was coming eventually. Now, the only way they can ensure they don\u2019t let go of the AFC North lead is by beating Kansas City on Wednesday. Sounds like a tough task, but it\u2019d be a hell of a Christmas present in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 4000<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s so fun to get a national TV reminder that Justin Herbert is one of the very best quarterbacks in this league. In an otherwise even matchup against Denver, Herbert was the difference time after time to put the Chargers on the cusp of a postseason berth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 5500<\/i><\/p>\n

Even with a loss in L.A., things look pretty good for Denver. The Broncos got a long weekend off and still hold a 79% playoff probability. Things could get pretty scary, however, if they lose this weekend\u2019s game in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds:\u00a04000<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a huge blow from a football perspective to lose Tank Dell to an injury. But you could also see on the field how much that injury devastated his Texans\u2019 teammates. Rebounding in a short week to play the Ravens is going to be tough \u2014 physically as well as mentally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds:\u00a04500<\/i><\/p>\n

This league will humble you quickly. The Cowboys have been playing better football for a month now, but this was still a game Tampa Bay couldn\u2019t afford to drop. The opportunities were there, and the Bucs refused to seize them \u2014 and now, they have to hope Atlanta gifts them with a similar slip-up in the next two weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 17000<\/i><\/p>\n

Geno Smith has joined the Dak Prescott Club for Lightning Rod Players. I can show you a 10-minute cut-up of this guy playing quarterback at an exceptional level all season long, but I also can\u2019t deny he\u2019s got a knack for a backbreaking miscue at the worst possible times. Smith still gives the Seahawks the best chance to win, but this season has featured its fair share of missed opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 17000<\/i><\/p>\n

Do you dare to believe? The Bengals\u2019 chances of making the postseason still sit at an abysmal 7%, according to NFL.com. But if they beat the Broncos and Steelers to wrap up the regular season, stranger things have happened. After such a frustrating year, you might as well have some fun and trust in Joe Burrow.
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 9000<\/i><\/p>\n

On his first day as an NFL starter, Michael Penix Jr. went 1-0 and grabbed the division lead in the NFC South. Not a bad day at the office. But let\u2019s see how Penix handles his next test: A road game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders is a much steeper test than the New York Giants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 25000<\/i><\/p>\n

Injuries factor into the conversation, but I was struck Sunday afternoon by how not entertaining the Dolphins are this year. The offense is plenty effective with Tua Tagovailoa under center, but the nonstop explosive plays from 2022 and 2023 feel like a distant memory this year. Miami has just nine catch-and-run plays of 20-plus yards, tied for last in the NFL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

The Cowboys played arguably their best game of the season roughly an hour after learning they\u2019d been eliminated from the playoffs. Only Jerry Jones knows for sure, but it\u2019s starting to feel like Mike McCarthy has a real shot at returning in 2025 \u2014 especially if the Cowboys can spring one or two more upsets over the Eagles and Commanders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Super Bowl odds: 40000<\/i><\/p>\n

If I\u2019m going to point out the Bengals\u2019 playoff odds, you can\u2019t forget the Colts. If Cincinnati beats Denver this weekend, the door is open for a ton of fun scenarios in Week 18. And judging from the way Jonathan Taylor ran the ball Sunday, you can\u2019t just cross off Indianapolis.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Even during a four-game losing streak, it\u2019s been obvious that the Panthers are a rapidly improving team. How rewarding must it have been to finally turn those gains into a dramatic win Sunday \u2014 and ending an NFC foe\u2019s playoff hopes in the process?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Even if the Cardinals were a year ahead of schedule, it\u2019s still brutal how they got here. A month ago, they were 6-4 with everything in front of them. Today, they\u2019ve lost four of five after having their playoff hopes dashed in Carolina. Maybe late-season collapses are more than just a Kliff Kingsbury problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

The team that had played in three-straight NFC Championship Games and two of the past five Super Bowls was eliminated before they could even kick off in Week 16. A fitting end to a depressing season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s so fitting that the Patriots played well enough to scare the Bills on the same day they fumbled a toss sweep to give the Bills an easy defensive touchdown. There\u2019s a lot to like about the Pats, but they\u2019re still a lousy team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

For Caleb Williams\u2019 sake, I hope Bears\u2019 brass was impressed enough by the display Ben Johnson put on at Soldier Field to make a real run at hiring him. Williams is too talented to risk his development on a lesser candidate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

It was obvious before kickoff that the Saints weren’t healthy enough to offer the Packers a real challenge. But even still, some of the mistakes made by this team were not up to NFL standard. This team needs the offseason in the worst way.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Myles Garrett became the youngest player to record 100 career sacks, in a game where Cleveland failed to score more than 14 points for the seventh time this season. Garrett turns 29 next week, and I\u2019m curious how patient he\u2019s going to be about reaching milestones during lost seasons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Truly remarkable the way the Jets manage to implode in the fourth quarter. Not that it truly matters now that they\u2019re mathematically eliminated, but it\u2019s been a consistent theme for a full, forgettable season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

They\u2019d never admit it, but I bet the folks in the Raiders\u2019 front office weren\u2019t all that thrilled about a close win over Jacksonville. That victory bumps Las Vegas up to the No. 6 slot in the current draft order, whereas a loss would have them fighting with the Giants for the No. 1 pick. I also bet the players in the locker room don\u2019t care about that at all. It had to feel good to be on the winning side of a game for the first time since September.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Brian Thomas Jr. continues to be the only bright spot in a dismal Jags campaign. Sunday was Thomas\u2019 seventh game with at least 60 receiving yards and one touchdown this season. In the Super Bowl era, only Randy Moss did that more often as a rookie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

The one thing the Titans have been able to count on this season is a salty defense. So, naturally, Week 16 saw them surrender 335 rushing yards and lose a game in which the opponent needed to attempt only 11 passes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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*eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n

Longest losing streak in franchise history. A real shot at holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1965. Might go winless at home for the first time since 1974. It\u2019s fair to wonder if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen survive a season this abysmal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? <\/strong><\/i>Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a>.]<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n

David Helman<\/u><\/i><\/a> covers the NFL for FOX Sports and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He previously spent nine seasons covering the Cowboys for the team’s official website. In 2018, he won a regional Emmy for his role in producing “<\/i>Dak Prescott<\/i><\/a>: A Family Reunion” about the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter at <\/i>@davidhelman_<\/u><\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"National<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Get more from National Football League<\/span> Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Erasmo Pingree
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The beautiful thing about this week’s power rankings is that there’s not much of a shelf life. With two Christmas Day games, the usual Thursday night matchup and a Saturday tripleheader, almost half the league will have played its Week 17 games by the time we get to Sunday. So, if you don’t like your<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":816055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[414,24024],"tags":[6008,13437],"class_list":{"0":"post-816054","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-power","8":"category-rankings","9":"tag-power","10":"tag-rankings"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=816054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816054\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/816055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=816054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=816054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=816054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}