The Penultimate Power Rankings

12/13/2023 The Penultimate Power Rankings

By: Jeff Yoder

49ers 1st Team to Clinch Postseason, But Muddled Playoff Races Make Things Interesting Down the Stretch

The first playoff ticket has been claimed by the 49ers, and San Francisco remains on top in our final NFL Power Rankings of 2023. Those dominant Niners look like the favorites, and they officially locked up a postseason nod thanks to the Packers’ loss on Monday Night Football. When we return in 2024, we’ll have one final week of rankings before playoffs.

 

Top-10 Turmoil: We saw a lot of movement in this week’s top-10 with four losses to last week’s top-7, including the Dolphins, Eagles, Chiefs and Lions. We won’t bump them all too far, though. They still have some of the best records in football, but things look bleak.

 

The Playoff Hunt: We stated yesterday that a ridiculous 30 (out of 32) teams are still mathematically eligible for the playoffs following Week 14. That’s unheard of, but it’s happening. Only the Panthers (1-12) and Patriots (3-10) have been technically eliminated from the postseason. Even the 3-10 Cardinals are still alive for the moment. Playoff scenarios and clinch-counters become the story in these last four weeks. Your team could go from 5-8 to 9-8 and a wild card bid with one good month of football. So keep the hope!

 

NFL Power Rankings (Week 15)

1. 49ers (10-3) | — *Clinched Playoffs

2. Ravens (10-3) | ↑1

3. Cowboys (10-3) | ↑2

4. Eagles (10-3) | ↓2

5. Dolphins (9-4) | ↓1

6. Browns (8-5) | ↑8

7. Bills (7-6) | ↑6

8. Chiefs (8-5) | ↓1

9. Lions (9-4) | ↓3

10. Broncos (7-6) | ↑2

 

Teams 11-20

11. Jaguars (8-5) | ↓3

12. Rams (6-7) | ↓1

13. Texans (7-6) | ↓4

14. Bengals (7-6) | ↑4

15. Colts (7-6) | ↓5

16. Vikings (7-6) | ↑1

17. Seahawks (6-7) | ↓1

18. Steelers (7-6) | ↓3

19. Saints (6-7) | ↑2

20. Buccaneers (6-7) | ↑4

 

Teams 21-32

21. Jets (5-8) | ↑4

22. Falcons (6-7) | ↓3

23. Packers (6-7) | ↓3

24. Bears (5-8) | ↑5

25. Titans (5-8) | ↑2

26. Giants (5-8)  | ↑3

27. Chargers (5-8) | ↓5

28. Raiders (5-8) | ↓5

29. Cardinals (3-10) | ↓2

30. Commanders (4-9) | —

31. Patriots (3-10) | ↑1

32. Panthers (1-12) | ↓1

 

Read More

USA Today: Week 15 Power Rankings: How High Can Cowboys Climb?

B/R: New Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 15?

CBS Sports: Week 15 Power Rankings: Cowboys Legit SBLVIII Contenders, Browns Make Huge Leap With Joe Flacco

 

NFL Playoff Snapshot

NFC

1. WEST: 49ers (10-3)

2. EAST: Cowboys (10-3)

3. NORTH: Lions (9-4)

4. SOUTH: Buccaneers (6-7)

5. WC: Eagles (10-3)

6. WC: Vikings (7-6)

7. WC: Packers (6-7)

 

In the Hunt: Seahawks (6-7), Rams (6-7), Falcons (6-7), Saints (6-7), Bears (5-8), Giants (5-8)

 

AFC

1. NORTH: Ravens (10-3)

2. EAST: Dolphins (9-4)

3. WEST: Chiefs (8-5)

4. SOUTH: Jaguars (8-5)

5. WC: Browns (8-5)

6. WC: Steelers (7-6)

7. WC: Colts (7-6)

 

In the Hunt: Texans (7-6), Broncos (7-6), Bills (7-6), Bengals (7-6), Raiders (5-8), Chargers (5-8), Jets (5-8), Titans (5-8)

 

Image via Joe Stella / Media Mobilize