2016 NFL power rankings: Patriots and Cowboys battling for the top spot in Week 16

The Patriots had their worst day of quarterback play in 2016 and still beat the Broncos by 13 points. That’s why New England retained its spot atop our NFL power rankings this week.

Tom Brady didn’t complete a pass until the second quarter and failed to throw a touchdown pass for only the second time all season, but it didn’t matter. A smothering defense gave Denver’s inefficient passing game fits, sacking Trevor Siemian four times and generally making life hell for the team’s playmakers.

New England needed that big win to fend off a rebounding Cowboys team in Week 15 that has jumped back into the top spot in a couple other power rankings. Dallas proved the New York Giants are its own kryptonite with a quality home win over one of the league’s hottest teams. Tampa Bay traveled west riding a five-game winning streak, but Jameis Winston’s rise was derailed when Dak Prescott leveled up. The rookie quarterback closed out the game with nine straight completions to turn a 20-17 deficit into a 26-20 victory.

The Raiders wouldn’t be left behind, either. Oakland jumped back into sole possession of first place in the AFC West by virtue of a comeback win over the Chargers. The Chiefs, once in the driver’s seat in the division, now have to hope Derek Carr’s team stumbles after suffering a shocking home loss to the Titans in Week 15.

Kansas City appeared to have Tennessee beaten when Mike Mularkey’s two-point conversion call went nowhere, leaving the Chiefs up 17-16 with three minutes to play. But Marcus Mariota got the ball back and led his offense back into the tail end of field goal range to set up a game-winning 53-yard attempt.

Ryan Succop’s first kick landed well short of the uprights, but Andy Reid gifted him a second chance. The Chiefs coach’s ill-advised attempt at icing the kicker just wound up giving Succop a practice try, and the veteran’s second kick cleared the crossbar to give the Titans a 19-17 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Tennessee’s quest for an AFC South title may have just gotten a bit harder, however. The Texans finally benched Brock Osweiler, who had proven nothing but his ability to be one of the NFL’s worst starting quarterbacks in his first 15 weeks on the job in Houston. Backup Tom Savage entered the game in his stead and led the team to a comeback win over the Jaguars that kept the division lead in Texas.

Another division race is heating up in the NFC North, where a brutal Lions schedule and the Packers’ recent hot streak could make a Week 17 showdown between the two teams a de facto playoff game. Green Bay turned to new standout running back Ty Montgomery (and a late Aaron Rodgers-to-Jordy Nelson bomb) to hold off Chicago, while Detroit was unable to upset the Giants on the road. The Packers have a game remaining with free-falling Minnesota (2-7 in its last nine) before that matchup, while the Lions have a date with the Cowboys coming up in Dallas.

Finally, as is tradition, the power rankings’ basement remains unchanged. The Browns are still the 1970s shag carpet you can’t bear to get rid of, as they hold down the bottom spot thanks to an 0-14 record. The 49ers continue to give chase after their 13th straight loss. Just ahead of them, the now-coachless Jaguars take a look at the top of the 2017 NFL draft and allow visions of Myles Garrett in teal and gold to dance through their heads.

Heading into Week 16, here are the power rankings from around the internet:

Steelers beat Bengals because of Terrible Towel