The Philadelphia Eagles will remain our top-ranked NFL team as we update our Top Ten NFL Power Rankings following the results from Week 16. There could be some debate as to whether they should be dropped after losing to the Dallas Cowboys.
However, Philly approached the game like a throw-away game as Jalen Hurts received the week off and the Eagles still did not play badly. Furthermore, Philadelphia, despite dropping to 13-2, remains the team in the NFL with the best record. Lastly, a loss to Dallas in a game that the Cowboys hosted is not the least bit discrediting. Dallas will finish the regular season with an 8-1 mark from home.
Top Ten NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
- Philadelphia Eagles: 13-2 (no change since last week)
- Buffalo Bills: 12-3 (no change)
- Kansas City Chiefs: 12-3 (no change)
- San Francisco 49ers: 11-4 (no change)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11-4 (no change)
- Dallas Cowboys: 11-4 (no change)
- Minnesota Vikings: 12-3 (no change)
- LA Chargers: 9-6 (no change)
- Baltimore Ravens: 10-5 (no change)
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-8 (new entry)
The only change in the rankings is the decision to move Jacksonville into 10th place while dropping the New York Giants. The Giants have the better record but, at this point in the season, more emphasis has to be placed on recent results.
The Giants have very little to show for their efforts recently while Jacksonville has won three straight, including a win over the Dallas Cowboys. Jacksonville is +22 on point differential this season while NYG is -28, making for a huge gap from that perspective.
In including Jacksonville over other teams, we considered playoff likelihoods. The Jags have their division on their serve.
What to expect going forward?
The late weeks of an NFL season aren't played the same way as previous weeks. A lot of teams have to go all in to make it into the playoffs. But, conversely, teams that are eliminated will lack the motivation of staying in top form. Also, teams that are guaranteed a playoff position might see a benefit in resting their best players to help ensure that they stop off the injury report.
Accordingly, there are all sorts of games in the late going where conventional analysis doesn't apply. Looking ahead at Week 17 and ultimately Week 18, be sure to factor in motivation when making your picks. It's an empty feeling when you back a team to win early in the week only to learn, a short time before the game, that they are playing their third-string quarterback in order to give their QB1 some R&R. We'll break down things like this when we offer our betting recommendations for the upcoming games this week.
