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Archived: Latest NFL Power Rankings
December 7, 2021
Arizona Cardinals
Previous ranking: 2
The former third-round pick is the backup at both right guard and right tackle during a season in which he should have been starting at one or the other. If Jones doesn’t prove himself over the rest of the campaign, there’s a chance he might not be in the mix next year, especially with how well both RG Max Garcia and RT Kelvin Beachum have played. Considering how valuable quarterback Kyler Murray is, Jones needs to be as good as he possibly can to keep Murray healthy.
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Previous ranking: 1
Player who must step up: K Mason Crosby
Not all of the follies with the field goal unit have been Crosby’s fault; he got a new holder right before the season opener and a new long-snapper nine games in. But ultimately it’s on the kicker, and Crosby ranks tied for 35th in the league this season in field goal percentage (66.7%, 18-of-27). He went through a slump in 2012, and the Packers stuck with him. He responded with one of his best years in 2013. But at age 37 and with a $3.4 million salary and $4.735 million cap charge for next year, Crosby might need a strong finish to secure his future here.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)
Previous ranking: 3
This one might come as a surprise, given that Perriman was just called up from the practice squad. But the 2015 first-round draft pick out of UCF lined up as the Bucs’ third wide receiver against the Falcons on Sunday, playing 83.3% of offensive snaps as compared to 13.2% for Tyler Johnson and 5.9% for Scotty Miller. With Antonio Brown out two more weeks due to his suspension and the uncertainty surrounding Brown’s future with the Bucs, Perriman has a chance to resurrect his career after being cut twice already this year (by the Lions and Bears) and really help the Bucs in their push for another Super Bowl.
4. New England Patriots (9-4)
Previous ranking: 5
Entering Monday night’s game against the Bills, the big-money free-agent signing had totaled 25 catches for 259 yards and one touchdown. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has referred to this as a foundational year for Smith and all newcomers. At the same time, when the team signed Smith to a four-year, $50 million contract in free agency — with $31.25 million guaranteed — it created a level of expectation that Smith is still striving to reach.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
Previous ranking: 6
With Sammy Watkins moving on and the Chiefs in need of a second receiving threat, this was to be the season Hardman proved he could be trusted as an every-down receiver. It hasn’t happened. While Hardman is third on the team in catches, he has few big plays, registering 10.1 yards per catch and just one touchdown. If Hardman doesn’t make a move in what remains of the campaign, the Chiefs will be shopping for receiving help in the offseason.
6. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Previous ranking: 4
Jackson wants to get his stock going back up heading into an offseason in which he could sign his big-money extension. He has lost two of his past three starts, struggling to produce with a 34.4 Total QBR (22nd in the NFL). In the past two weeks, he threw a career-high four interceptions in one game and was sacked a career-high seven times in the other. Jackson will ultimately become one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. But a strong showing the rest of the way, especially in the postseason, would justify Jackson commanding $45 million a year like Patrick Mahomes.
7. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
Previous ranking: 10
It’s not that Prescott has played poorly, but he has not been as effective as he was in the first seven games of the season, before suffering a calf strain against New England. In his past five games, he has seven touchdown passes and four interceptions. He would be helped by a better running game and protection that has not been as good lately, but this is why the Cowboys made a $160 million investment in Prescott in March. Dallas is in position to win the NFC East for the third time with Prescott, but for this team to again be seen as one of the best in the NFL, it needs more from him.
8. Buffalo Bills (7-5)
Previous ranking: 7
The Bills’ ability to secure a top playoff seed and potentially make a Super Bowl relies on the whole team playing well, but the performance of Allen down the stretch will be vital. Turnovers have been an issue for Allen as of late — seven interceptions and two fumbles in the past five games — and while they are not all his fault, he needs to make better decisions with the football. Overall, Allen has had a solid season, but he and the offense need to take it to the next level to get where the Bills want to go.
9. Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
Previous ranking: 11
Given the odd circumstances surrounding Beckham’s release from the Browns — which included a video his father shared of quarterback Baker Mayfield not throwing him the football — the eighth-year wideout must prove that he not only still has big-play capabilities but that he can consistently contribute. Playing on a one-year, $1.25 deal that he signed last month, Beckham’s productivity has gradually increased since his arrival in Los Angeles. In his second game with the Rams, he caught a 54-yard touchdown pass for his first receiving score in 10 games, and on Sunday he snagged a 1-yard touchdown pass, giving him TDs in back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2019 season.
10. Tennessee Titans (8-4)
Previous ranking: 8
The Titans were one of the few teams that weren’t driven by their quarterback when Derrick Henry was healthy. It’s now Tannehill’s job to elevate everyone else’s game. That can be particularly hard given how Tennessee will be without star wide receivers A.J. Brown and Julio Jones for some stretch of time. But Tannehill has to find ways to connect with his remaining pass-catchers, especially in the red zone. Tannehill also is very capable of making plays with his legs inside the 20-yard line. Although a good amount of Tannehill’s 13 interceptions isn’t directly his fault, he has to find a way to avoid costly turnovers down the stretch and in the playoffs.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)
Previous ranking: 9
In November, Bates said his contract season hasn’t been as good as he wanted it to be. After Pro Football Focus graded Bates as the NFL’s top safety in 2020, Bates hasn’t been able to carry that production into 2021. Some of that can be chalked up to the stalled contract negotiations that cast a cloud over Bates at the start of the season. While he has had some good moments, Bates still has plenty of work to do in order to prove he is worth being paid as one of the NFL’s best safeties. Of course, the Bengals using the franchise tag on him for 2022 is the most likely scenario. But in addition to potentially making himself some extra money, he could boost a Cincinnati defense that is suddenly lacking some key players during the final month of the season.
12. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
Previous ranking: 13
No, Wentz isn’t having a bad season. He has had a pretty solid one, in fact, with 22 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. But the first-year Colts quarterback has to take his game to an even higher level because they are far from a lock to make the playoffs this season. They’re currently ninth in the AFC with four games remaining, which includes contests against New England, Arizona and Las Vegas. Now is the time for Wentz to show why the Colts acquired him from Philadelphia last offseason. “It’s December; everything feels like a playoff game,” Wentz recently said.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (7-5)
Previous ranking: 16
Jackson was thought to be the No. 2 running back behind Austin Ekeler but missed two straight games with shoulder injuries and has yet to play more than 16% of offensive snaps in any contest. He had six carries for 15 yards against the Bengals. The Chargers are in great need for a solid No. 2 back, and Ekeler has the tools; but he can’t get on the field.
14. San Francisco 49ers (6-6)
Previous ranking: 12
Garoppolo has played well recently (aside from a Week 13 dud versus Seattle), though it’s no coincidence that the good performances have coincided with the resurgence of San Francisco’s running game. Ideally for all involved, that would continue. But it’s likely that the 49ers will find themselves in a meaningful game or two like that against Seattle in which the opposing defense will force Garoppolo to carry a heavier load. His ability to do that will not only play a big role in San Francisco’s postseason hopes but also in Garoppolo’s future. A finishing flourish would only bolster his value as he heads toward an uncertain offseason.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1)
Previous ranking: 19
Roethlisberger is all but assured to be a future Hall of Famer, but he is very likely entering his last five regular-season games in a Steelers uniform. Roethlisberger isn’t the gunslinger he used to be, but if he performs more like the quarterback who had two monster fourth quarters (against the Chargers and the Ravens), the Steelers could end his storied career with a playoff berth and a postseason run. But if he looks like the version of himself who threw two picks against the Bengals and couldn’t put consistent zip on the ball, the Steelers’ ceiling will be a .500 season — an underwhelming finish for Big Ben.