NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Where does every NFC team stand?

NFC teams continue to battle for position in the Power Rankings as Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season quickly approaches. Half of the conference has a new spot in the Power Rankings this week and the top five have been shuffled. Here is how all 16 NFC teams stack up.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams struggling the most

NFC teams ranked #16-#13 in the Week 16 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.

#16 - Detroit Lions (2-11-1)

Last week: #16

Next Week: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff

The Detroit Lions earned their second win of the season this week by pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the year over the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions still have the worst record in the NFC and remain in last place in the Power Rankings, but they continue to play hard and compete for victories each week. They have not given up on the season.

#15 - Chicago Bears (4-10)

Last week: #15

Next Week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Chicago Bears have joined the Detroit Lions as the only other team in the NFC that is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. These are easy selections for the bottom two in the Power Rankings.

With the season over, the Bears need to make a decision on their head coach, Matt Nagy, as they try to put their rookie quarterback, Justin Fields, in a position to succeed in the future.

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#14 - New York Giants (4-10)

Last week: #14

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

After losing to the Dallas Cowboys this week, the New York Giants have now officially lost ten or more games in the last five consecutive seasons, the longest active streak of its kind in the NFL. They remain towards the bottom of the Power Rankings.

To make their disappointing season even worse, quarterback Daniel Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury.

#13 - Carolina Panthers (5-9)

Last week: #13

Next Week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

The Carolina Panthers have lost their last four consecutive games, the longest active losing streak in the NFC. They have been winless since Cam Newton returned to the team as the starting quarterback. They remain towards the bottom of the Power Rankings as they struggle to reach the finish line this season.

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Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 16 TV Schedule

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NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to do better

NFC teams ranked #12-#9 in the Week 16 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.

#12 - Seattle Seahawks (5-9)

Last week: #11

Next Week: vs. Chicago Bears

San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks were starting to gain momentum with a couple of wins in a row, but they failed to keep going against the Los Angeles Rams this week in an NFC West divisional clash. They will need to win all of their remaining games if they want to have any chance at all of making it to the playoffs, but even then it's unlikely.

#11 - Atlanta Falcons (6-8)

Last week: #10

Next Week: vs. Detroit Lions

The inconsistent Atlanta Falcons have moved up and down the Power Rankings all season. They are as high as sixth in the NFC Power Rankings and as low as 15th, depending on the week. They remain in the NFC Playoff race for a Wild Card spot, where they currently trail by just one game in the standings for the final spot.

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#10 - Washington Football Team (6-8)

Last week: #9

Next Week: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera

The Washington Football Team have now lost two consecutive games directly following their impressive four-game winning streak that brought them back to .500 this season after starting with just a 2-6 record. They are no longer in control of their own destiny for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs as they continue to slide back down the Power Rankings.

#9 - New Orleans Saints (7-7)

Last week: #12

Next Week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The New Orleans Saints scored a huge upset victory in Sunday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They held their NFC South division rivals to zero points in a dominating shut-out win.

The Saints have now defeated the Buccaneers four consecutive times in the regular season. They are the biggest risers in the NFC Power Rankings this week.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams that are close

NFC teams ranked #8-#5 in the Week 16 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.

#8 - Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)

Last week: #8

Next Week: vs. New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles remain in the top half of the NFC Power Rankings after winning their second consecutive game this week.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and their stable of running backs have contributed to the Eagles averaging the most rushing yards per game in the NFL this season.

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#7 - Minnesota Vikings (7-7)

Last week: #7

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Rams

No player in the NFL has had more receiving yards than Justin Jefferson since the start of the 2020 season. He's already one of the best wide receivers in the entire NFL, and he's still just in his second season.

The Vikings also have one of the top running backs in the NFL, Dalvin Cook. Their high-powered offense keeps them in the top half of the NFC Power Rankings.

#6 - San Francisco 49ers (8-6)

Last week: #6

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL over the last two months. They have won six of their last eight games while scoring 30 or more points in five of those victories.

Deebo Samuel is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL while George Kittle is one of the top tight ends. Their elite weapons have them firmly planted in the top six in the NFC Power Rankings.

#5 - Arizona Cardinals (10-4)

Last week: #3

Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray

The Arizona Cardinals have now lost consecutive games for the first time all season after suffering one of the worst upsets in the NFL this year by losing to the Detroit Lions. This is the lowest they have been in the Power Rankings in over two months. They will try to get back on track in a difficult matchup with the surging Indianapolis Colts in Week 16.

NFC Power Rankings: The top teams

NFC teams ranked #4-#1 in the Week 16 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.

#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4)

Last week: #2

Next Week: vs. Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were shut out by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football, a rare occurrence in Tom Brady's legendary career. The loss was bad, but the injuries they suffered were even worse. Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Leonard Fournette all left the game early due to injuries.

The Buccaneers have an opportunity to bounce back this week against the struggling Carolina Panthers.

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#3 - Los Angeles Rams (10-4)

Last week: #5

Next Week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Los Angeles Rams are back in the top three in the Power Rankings. They haven't fallen out of the top five in the NFC Power Rankings at any point this season.

Cooper Kupp is having a monster season, leading in just about every statistical receiving category. He is one of the favorites to win the Offensive Player of the Year award.

#2 - Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

Last week: #4

Next Week: vs. Washington Football Team

The Dallas Cowboys offense ranks in the top five in the NFL in yardage and scoring, but their defense has been impressive as well. Micah Parsons is more than likely going to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award while Trevon Diggs leads the NFL in interceptions.

The Cowboys are one of the most balanced teams in the NFL as they surge to second place in the NFC Power Rankings.

#1 - Green Bay Packers (11-3)

Last week: #1

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers have the best record in the NFL this season and are the easy choice for top spot in the Power Rankings.

Aaron Rodgers has lost just one game since Week 1 as he continues his campaign for the 2021 NFL MVP award. The Packers are the only team in the NFL who are undefeated on their home field this season.