It was the toughest call of the year at the top. With the New England Patriots falling from their perch, it was a wild, three-team scramble to replace them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The upstart Seattle Seahawks? The red-hot Denver Broncos? The dominant Los Angeles Rams? All three have a strong case. But only one can be No. 1 in the FOX Sports NFL Power Rankings for Week 16.<\/p>\n
*Super Bowl LX odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook<\/i><\/p>\n
Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n
I considered relegating them to the Big Ten and installing the Indiana Hoosiers in this spot, but I\u2019m told that\u2019s not allowed. Can I just leave No. 32 vacant instead? I mean, 75 total yards in a game? This team is just too terrible to rank.<\/p>\n
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Raiders head coach Pete Carroll looks on during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 14th, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n OK, so Brady Cook isn\u2019t the answer at QB. All that matters now is figuring out how they can get up to the top of the draft for Fernando Mendoza.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n Welcome back to reality, Shedeur Sanders. Don\u2019t worry. Throwing three interceptions in a blowout on a frigid day in Chicago is just a regular rookie thing to do.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n Tony Pollard (104 yards) has looked like a No. 1 running back the past two weeks. The jury is still out on whether Cam Ward is a No. 1 quarterback, though.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n Eight straight losses now and another concussion check for QB Jaxson Dart. All that\u2019s left is their Week 17 game in Las Vegas where they\u2019ll battle the Raiders for the rights to the No. 1 pick in the draft.<\/p>\n Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants runs the ball against Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Bernstein\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n After their one-point win in Tampa, Raheem Morris apologized that we won\u2019t have the pleasure of watching RB Bijan Robinson in the playoffs. Hmm, and whose fault is that? What a waste.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n Six straight losses now should pretty much seal Jonathan Gannon\u2019s fate. The next coach might want to think about keeping QB Jacoby Brissett around, though.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n They\u2019ve won four games this year and two have come against the New York Giants. In other words, this disaster of a season is even worse than it appears.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n If you think Joe Burrow seemed sad last week, what about now? How does a team hold the ball for 40 minutes, run 71 plays, but get in the red zone only once and not score a single point?<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n Lesson learned for the entire NFL: Don\u2019t take these Saints lightly! They\u2019ve won two straight after beating the Panthers, three of five, and next up are the Jets and Titans? Tyler Shough is cooking.<\/p>\n Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on December 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Super Bowl odds: +100000<\/i><\/p>\n They never win in cold weather, so the loss in Pittsburgh was predictable. But it was a surprisingly lackluster showing for a team that had won four straight and five of six.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n It\u2019s over! For real, this time. The Chiefs are out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014. And now Patrick Mahomes has to rehab a torn ACL so they can try to regroup next year.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +10000<\/i><\/p>\n They had a fun little run back to relevance, but let\u2019s face it: We all always knew their terrible defense was going to spell their doom.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +5500<\/i><\/p>\n Todd Bowles was right. Their Thursday night loss, when they gave up three scores and 15 points to the Falcons in the last 10 minutes, was “inexf—ingcusable.” So is the fact I once had this team ranked No. 1.<\/p>\n Eliminated from playoff contention<\/i><\/p>\n In a lost season, all that matters is deciding whether J.J. McCarthy is really their franchise quarterback. The past two weeks, there have definitely been positive signs.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas., on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Super Bowl odds: +25000<\/i><\/p>\n I warned you. I listened and then moved them up last week, but I said they better not come out of their bye and lose in New Orleans. And what\u2019d they go and do?<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +2200<\/i><\/p>\n They\u2019re up, they\u2019re down, they\u2019re in, they\u2019re out \u2026 Who can figure this team out anymore? Still, shutting out Joe Burrow\u2019s Bengals is something, even if QB Lamar Jackson still looks off.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +25000<\/i><\/p>\n They pulled QB Philip Rivers out of a five-year retirement, dusted him off, and came within a last-second, 56-yard field goal of winning in Seattle? Absolutely incredible.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +9000<\/i><\/p>\n QB Aaron Rodgers might not have the big arm he used to, but he ran a masterclass in game management on Monday night. That, plus a dominant defense, is a pretty good winning formula in December.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +1200<\/i><\/p>\n QB C.J. Stroud opened up the game Sunday with a 57-yard TD pass to WR Nico Collins and never looked back. If the Texans have an offense to go with that top-ranked defense, look out.<\/p>\n C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans passes the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Super Bowl odds: +3500<\/i><\/p>\n They went toe-to-toe with the powerful L.A. Rams. But giving up 519 yards? That\u2019s twice in four weeks someone lit up their woeful defense for at least 500.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +1100<\/i><\/p>\n They just beat the Raiders, so hold the parade. But they allowed only 75 yards in the entire game. That\u2019s remarkable. And it\u2019s the fewest they\u2019ve allowed in a game in 70 years.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +2200<\/i><\/p>\n They knocked off both of\u00a0last year\u2019s Super Bowl teams in back-to-back weeks. They should thank their defense, because the offense couldn\u2019t top 300 yards in either game.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +1700<\/i><\/p>\n It was a total mismatch against the Jets and their undrafted rookie quarterback. So, how good are Liam Coen\u2019s Jags, really? They\u2019ll find out in Denver next Sunday.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +1500<\/i><\/p>\n QB Jordan Love\u2019s two second-half interceptions were overshadowed by the loss of pass-rusher Micah Parsons and WR Christian Watson. It\u2019ll be hard for them to make a championship run without them.<\/p>\n Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after the 26-34 loss to the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 14, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Super Bowl odds: +2200<\/i><\/p>\n Kyle Shanahan\u2019s offense is clicking. Still, it\u2019s hard to ignore Robert Saleh\u2019s defense giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns to the hapless Titans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +800<\/i><\/p>\n That\u2019s two weeks in a row that they were pushed to the brink before QB Josh Allen dragged them back. They\u2019re playing with fire, but would anyone bet against him doing it in the playoffs, too?<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +3000<\/i><\/p>\n Picking off rookie QB Shedeur Sanders three times wasn\u2019t as impressive as running for 142 yards against one of the NFL\u2019s toughest defenses. They blew out the Browns, which is what good teams do.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +1500<\/i><\/p>\n It\u2019s not just that they blew a chance to clinch the AFC East. It\u2019s that they led 24-7 at halftime and blew it. It\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m worried about how good this unproven team really is.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +650<\/i><\/p>\n Is it fair that they won and dropped a spot? No. But be fair: They came within a last-second, 56-yard field goal of losing to a QB that has spent the past five years on his couch. They can re-state their case Thursday by beating the Rams at home.<\/p>\n Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Super Bowl odds: +310<\/i><\/p>\n That was a heavyweight fight they won against the Lions. Losing WR Davante Adams is a concern, though, especially on a short week and with a rematch against the Seahawks looming.<\/p>\n Super Bowl odds: +800<\/i><\/p>\n They did it all against a dangerous Packers team: timely turnovers, bullying them on offense, and Bo Nix, with 302 yards and four touchdown passes, played like a championship QB. Also, they\u2019ve won 11 straight.<\/p>\n Ralph Vacchiano<\/u><\/i><\/a> is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at <\/i>@RalphVacchiano<\/u><\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? <\/i>Create or log in to your FOX Sports account<\/u><\/i><\/a>, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.<\/i><\/p>\n This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about <\/i>Sports Betting on FOX Sports<\/u><\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
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