NFL Power Rankings - Week 16: Bengals, Steelers move into top 10; Eagles drop out

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd and Gino Bottero.

1. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Patriots can guarantee the AFC's road to the Super Bowl will go through Foxboro by beating the Jets and Bills over the next two weeks. Book it. - David P. Woods

2. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Seahawks got hot at just the right time, and are well on their way to claiming the top seed in the NFC. In the past four games, they've allowed an average of 6.75 points and 188 yards – a stretch that was never matched by last year's historic defense. - Caitlyn Holroyd

3. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 1st

Packers fans will be hoping Sunday's rough performance in Buffalo was just an anomaly. If there was a silver lining to Aaron Rodgers' poor outing, it's that it came in Week 15 and not in January. - Michael Amato

4. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 4th

There's a lot to be concerned about in Denver. Peyton Manning isn't firing on all cylinders, and the linebacking corps was hit hard by injuries on Sunday. They'll face a tough test on Monday night when they visit Cincinnati. - Gino Bottero

5. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 5th

The Colts are headed to the playoffs with yet another division title, but it's very concerning that they haven't beaten a good team since Week 7. - David P. Woods

6. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 7th

A victory over the Eagles kept the Cowboys perfect on the road. Being able to win away from home is going to prove valuable in the postseason, since Dallas is unlikely to claim one of the top two seeds in the NFC. As long as DeMarco Murray's hand injury doesn't slow him down, Dallas will have a chance to make a run to the Super Bowl. - Michael Amato

7. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 8th

Green Bay's slip up in Buffalo opened the door for Detroit to control its own fate in the NFC North. The Week 17 matchup in Lambeau between the Lions and Packers will likely be for the division crown. It's been 23 years since Detroit has won in Green Bay, though, so winning out will be no easy task. - Michael Amato

8. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 11th

The Bengals stuck with the ground game, and it carried them to a victory on Sunday. That's an area they need to use to their advantage against the Broncos' injury-depleted linebacking corps on Monday night. The Bengals are guaranteed a second consecutive AFC North crown if they can win out. - Gino Bottero

9. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 9th

The Cardinals are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, and, with a win over the Seahawks on Sunday, will move that much closer to securing home-field advantage. The quarterback position remains somewhat of a sore spot for Arizona, but with strong coaching and good defense, there's no telling how far this team can go. - Caitlyn Holroyd

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 13th

The Steelers' defense was much improved in a Week 14 win over the Falcons, but it's still the offense that runs the show. They close the season with back-to-back home games. - Gino Bottero

11. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 10th

The Jaguars threw everything they had at the Ravens on Sunday, but Baltimore was able to come out on top. The Ravens have played down to lesser competition, and that's going to be an issue down the stretch with a pair of winnable matchups. - Gino Bottero

12. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 6th

It seemed like an impossibility about a month ago, but the Eagles are now in serious danger of missing the playoffs. They no longer control their own fate and losses to Arizona, Green Bay and Seattle leave them on the wrong side of tiebreakers with all those teams. - Michael Amato

13. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 12th

The Chargers' issues along the offensive line threaten to derail their campaign. A Saturday matchup in San Francisco could effectively make or break their season. Philip Rivers will need to be special to help the Chargers escape with a win. - Gino Bottero

14. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 14th

The Chiefs have leaned heavily on their defense and special teams this year. Now they need to win out to make the playoffs. Can they really go an entire season without a touchdown from a wide receiver? - Gino Bottero

15. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 20th

Fans of other teams would be cynical about a too-little-too-late playoff push, but fans in Buffalo have endured so many rough years that even slightly meaningful December football is cause for joy. - David P. Woods

16. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 16th

The Rams are a good football team when they want to be, but are far too inconsistent. Give them a top-tier quarterback, though, and they may have a shot at taking the NFC West next season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

17. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 15th

Another late-season collapse will almost certainly spell doom for Joe Philbin. Look for the team to make a run at Jim Harbaugh. - David P. Woods

18. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 22nd

Beating a bad Bears team isn't exactly impressive, but it did move the Saints back into first place in the NFC South. If they can keep the momentum going through their final two games, the division is theirs. - Caitlyn Holroyd

19. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 17th

Might the Texans regret not trading back into the first round to nab Teddy Bridgewater? Tom Savage doesn't look close to being ready to start. - David P. Woods

20. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Panthers took over first place in the NFC South with a win over the Bucs, and did so without Cam Newton. Still, this team is a far cry from the one that won the division last season, and will need Newton back if they hope to do any kind of damage in the next two games. - Caitlyn Holroyd

21. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 21st

The 49ers are officially out of playoff contention after losing to the Seahawks for the second time this season. Given the team's offensive struggles and the regression of Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman are likely on their way out of San Francisco in 2015. - Caitlyn Holroyd

22. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 18th

Johnny Manziel's first career pro start closely resembled a dumpster fire, but there's more blame to go around. The offensive line looked lost at times, and the defense was helpless against the run. Injuries to the team's starting cornerbacks won't help matters. - Gino Bottero

23. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 19th

Roddy White and Harry Douglas both stepped up in the absence of Julio Jones, but poor play by the Falcons' defense once again proved detrimental. There is always hope in the NFC South, though, and the Falcons are just two wins away from securing themselves a playoff spot. - Caitlyn Holroyd

24. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 25th

Even though it's been a disappointing campaign for the Giants, watching Odell Beckham Jr. is reason enough to tune into their final two games. If Victor Cruz is able to return to form in 2015, it's going to be a nightmare for opposing secondaries. - Michael Amato

25. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 24th

The Vikings have slipped to 28th in total offense, and are in desperate need of playmakers on that side of the ball. It certainly isn't helping matters that Cordarrelle Patterson hasn't developed into a contributor. - Michael Amato

26. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 26th

The Bears look like a team that can't wait for the season to end. Things are a mess in Chicago and the organziation may be looking at a major overhaul. - Michael Amato

27. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 28th

Congratulations, Jets. You just beat the worst team in football, and probably moved yourself out of position to draft the franchise quarterback you desperately need. - David P. Woods

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 27th

Blake Bortles has been sacked 46 times in 11 games, including eight times by the Ravens in Week 15. He's in real danger of becoming the next David Carr. - David P. Woods

29. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 29th

It wasn't surprising to hear reports come out early Sunday that a complete front office overhaul is in store for the Raiders. - Gino Bottero

30. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 31st

Robert Griffin III returned to the field Sunday, and will be back in the starting lineup this week. Griffin should be using these final two games as an audition to prove he is still worthy of being a starting quarterback. Whether that will be in Washington, remains to be seen. - Michael Amato

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 30th

The Buccaneers remain in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 after dropping their fourth straight to the Panthers. They have a good foundation in place; now, it's just a matter of finding the finishing pieces to take the team to the next level. - Caitlyn Holroyd

32. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 32nd

"The Hurt Locker" is such a great nickname for Jake Locker. - David P. Woods