CSN's NFL Power Rankings: Here come the Giants and Packers

Share

Two weeks remain in the regular season and playoff races are as hot as ever.

With Week 16 upon us, here's a look at CSN's latest NFL power rankings, compiled by Derrick Gunn and John Boruk, ahead of all the big games.

1. New England (12-2)
Time to start giving the Patriots’ defense some props. The D allows only 16.6 points per game best in the league. - Gunn (1)

As far as I’m concerned, the Patriots have lost just one game — can’t count the loss to Buffalo in Week 4 with a third-string QB. - Boruk (1)

2. Dallas (12-2)
All you Cowboys fans screaming for Tony Romo, stop it! Dak Prescott went 32 of 36 vs. Tampa Bay. - Gunn (2)

Loved how Prescott responded (32 of 36, 279 yards) after two bad weeks. Still think he’s the team MVP. - Boruk (2)

3. Oakland (11-3)
The Raiders are back in the playoffs for first time since 2002, looking to make some noise. - Gunn (3)

WR Amari Cooper has under 30 yards in three of the past four weeks. Oakland needs to find a way to get him the ball. - Boruk (3)

4. Kansas City (10-4)
Losing to Tennessee was a real stunner. But a win this weekend over Denver and the Chiefs are postseason bound. - Gunn (4)

Some bad home losses to Tampa Bay and Tennessee by identical 19-17 scores. That’s how close the Chiefs are to 12-2 record. - Boruk (4)

5. Pittsburgh (9-5)
Look out, the Steelers are rolling with five wins in a row. Antonio Brown is second in the league with 11 TD receptions. - Gunn (5)

From 4:30-8 p.m. Christmas Day, the family is not to bother me with the AFC North title on the line. - Boruk (7)

5. N.Y. Giants (10-4)
The G-Men have won eight of their last nine and the defense is getting better. - Gunn (6)

Have won eight of their last nine coming to Philly. The injury to CB Janoris Jenkins could be a concern. - Boruk (6)

7. Seattle (9-4-1)
Rock solid at home but on shaky ground on the road. All four losses away from home. - Gunn (9)

Host the Cardinals this week — a rematch of the 6-6 tie in Arizona back in October. Somebody make a field goal! - Boruk (5)

8. Atlanta (9-5)
Matt Ryan has league-best QB rating of 114.8. - Gunn (7)

Atlanta has put up 40-plus points in back-to-back games without Julio Jones. A surprise team in the NFC. - Boruk (8)

9. Green Bay (8-6)
From losing four in a row to winning four in a row, and now the Pack control their own destiny. - Gunn (8)

Ty Montgomery just became the Packers’ leading rusher this season … with 390 yards. - Boruk (11)

10. Baltimore (8-6)
The Eagles gave the Ravens a gift win, now let’s see if Baltimore can cash in on it against Steelers this Sunday. - Gunn (10)

The Ravens have won the last three meetings against the Steelers in which they were underdogs. - Boruk (10)

11. Detroit (9-5)
Could this be the beginning of the end for the Lions? Their last two games are at Dallas and vs. Green Bay. - Gunn (12)

The Lions have given up 20 or fewer points in seven straight games in one season for the first time since 1961. - Boruk (9)

12. Miami (9-5)
QB Matt Moore starts for first time since January 2012 and the Dolphins don’t miss a beat. - Gunn (11)

I know it’s the Jets, but I like Moore as Miami’s QB more than Ryan Tannehill. - Boruk (14)

13. Denver (8-6)
Defending champs have lost two in a row and locker-room bickering doesn’t help. - Gunn (14)

Denver’s entire season rides on winning in Kansas City. The Chiefs beat the Broncos, 30-27, in Week 11. - Boruk (12)

13. Tampa Bay (8-6)
Despite loss at Dallas, the Bucs hold No. 6 seed in NFC but need to win out. - Gunn (13)

Where have you gone Mike Evans? One hundred thirty-nine yards receiving in his last three games combined. - Boruk (13)

15. Houston (8-6)
The $72 million man Brock Osweiler finally gets benched, but is Tom Savage truly the answer to the Texans’ QB woes? - Gunn (17)

Osweiler is finally where he belongs — on the bench. DeAndre Hopkins could put up big numbers now. – Boruk (15)

15. Washington (7-6-1)
Maybe the ‘Skins shouldn’t play at home on Monday nights. With loss to Panthers, Washington is 1-16 in last 17 games on its turf for Monday Night Football. - Gunn (15)

Just a bad, bad loss to the Panthers. The Redskins are now 1-16 on Monday night at FedEx Field. - Boruk (17)

15. Tennessee (8-6)
How many of you were willing to bet the Titans would be tied for AFC South lead at this point of the season? Be honest. - Gunn (16)

Has won four of five against the Packers, Broncos and Chiefs. That’s quality football. - Boruk (16)

18. Indianapolis (7-7)
Impressive beatdown of the Vikings, but might be too little, too late to save the Colts’ season. - Gunn (18)

First time this season Andrew Luck wasn’t sacked. The Colts gained franchise-record 21 first downs in first half. - Boruk (18)

19. Minnesota (7-7)
Not even the return of Adrian Peterson could jolt the Vikes. - Gunn (19)

Remember when the Vikings were 5-0, and there was all this foolish talk about the Super Bowl? Neither do I. - Boruk (21)

20. New Orleans (6-8)
Offense is No. 2 in points per game with 29.0, but defense is 30th, allowing 28.0. - Gunn (22)

Drew Brees on pace to win triple crown for QBs — first in yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage. - Boruk (20)  

21. Cincinnati (5-8-1)
The Bengals have scored only 11 fourth-quarter points in last six games. - Gunn (21)

Cincinnati needs a workhorse running back. Somehow, I see Leonard Fournette wearing Bengals stripes. - Boruk (23)

21. Carolina (6-8)
The Panthers that beat the ‘Skins on Monday night — where have they been all season? - Gunn (20)

Cam Newton’s QB rating has plummeted from 99.4 last season to 78.9 this season. An unbelievable drop. - Boruk (24)

21. Buffalo (7-7)
Last eight games, the Bills are 3-5. - Gunn (25)

LeSean McCoy closing in on 9,000 career yards rushing. Averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season. - Boruk (19)

24. Arizona (5-8-1)
Still can’t figure this team out. How does the Cards’ fourth-ranked defense give up 48 points to the Saints? - Gunn (23)

The Cards are officially eliminated from the postseason race. - Boruk (22)

25. San Diego (5-9)
Second straight losing season is getting to Philip Rivers. - Gunn (24)

Rivers completing just 61.5 percent of his passes, the lowest of his career since 2007. - Boruk (25)

26. Eagles (5-9)
The effort is there but the wins are not. Five losses in a row. - Gunn (26)

Have allowed no more than 15 points in their five wins, and no less than 23 points in their nine losses. - Boruk (26) 

27. N.Y. Jets (4-10)
Have spent a lot of money on players and have gotten little in return. - Gunn (28)

Good to see undrafted Temple rookie Robby Anderson get some targets in this Jets offense. - Boruk (28)

27. Los Angeles (4-10)
QB Jared Goff is a major project. Rams’ next head coach better have plenty of patience. - Gunn (29)

Todd Gurley hasn’t had a 100-yard game all season. Hosting San Francisco will present, by far, his best chance to do that. - Boruk (27)

27. Chicago (3-11)
The Bears’ last three losses have been by a total of 12 points. - Gunn (27)

The Eagles need a WR. Alshon Jeffery will be a free agent. He has size (6-foot-3) and speed to stretch an offense. - Boruk (29)

30. Jacksonville (2-12)
A .226 winning percentage will get you fired. Just ask Gus Bradley. - Gunn (30)

Bradley fired. Remember, he would have been the Eagles’ coach had Chip Kelly turned them down. - Boruk (30)

31. San Francisco (1-13)
Does anyone feel sorry for Kelly and the Niners? Uhhhhh no! - Gunn (31)

Allowing a league-worst 176 rushing yards per game — 21 more yards than the next worse team. - Boruk (31)

32. Cleveland (0-14)
The Browns are staying committed to RG3, who in last two starts has zero passing TDs and one INT. - Gunn (32)

Fourth team in NFL history to start the season 0-14. Only the 1980 Saints were able to win one of their final two games. - Boruk (32)

Contact Us