The top of the AFC sees some jockeying for seeds. The NFC offers a clearer picture of the playoff caliber teams and the sinking of one recent champ. The NFC also features a unique wrinkle: If standings hold, the entire NFC East will be playoff-bound!
The rankings represent teams currently holding a playoff birth, ordered based on head-to-head projections if they played this week.
Risers and Fallers: Playoff Power Rankings week 16
Cowboys
Status: Falling behind the 2 NFC Leaders
Despite losing to a surging Jacksonville Jaguars team, the Cowboys remain above the Vikings who needed to mount a historic comeback in order to beat the Colts, a team with a top-six pick in this coming NFL draft
Bills
Status: Clearing the road
The Buffalo Bills are back on top in the AFC, reclaiming the top spot above the Cincinnati Bengals by virtue of a better-quality win over a better-quality team. This top trio that includes the Kansas City Chiefs, is likely to compete to the last week of the regular season
Buccaneers
Status: Can’t stop the Bleeding
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were wounded in recent weeks and continue to slowly lose blood volume in their fight to stay in the playoff hunt. The decline of Tom Brady took a pause for a half against the Bengals, but this team may not be able to maintain consciousness for the playoffs
Chargers
Status: Fighting back into contention
The chargers have returned a ray of sunshine to Los Angeles. Scratching and clawing their way into the playoff picture once again, the Chargers proved they're more than a wildcard team in the AFC… they're a force to be reckoned with. With offensive weapons back for Justin Herbert, this team can do a lot of damage in the postseason. They leapfrog the fading Dolphins, Ravens and Titans
Dolphins
Status: Coming up short
The Miami Dolphins proved the average they're playing in the cold is an acquired skill. Though hard fought, their loss to the Buffalo Bills showed the flaws in their armor. Playoffs and mean cold weather, and the field may have figured out this high-powered offense
Giants
Status: Showing some fight
The New York Giants show some fortitude in overcoming their previous tie with the Washington Commanders. They jump above the fading Buccaneers but can they keep it up?
Draft question: SC’s Spencer Rattler? Where do you project him as a QB in the 2023 Draft?