TEXAS, Sporting Alert – The Denver Broncos slid three spots in Week 16 of the ESPN NFL Power Rankings, released on Tuesday, 22, December.
Denver (10-4) is on its second two-game losing streak after falling 34-27 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The Broncos, still without starting quarterback Peyton Manning, has been starting games positively, and according to ESPN Stats and Info, they have outscored opponents by 40 points in the first half in their past three games.
However, it is the second part of games that they struggle with, and will need start getting it right or run the risk of losing the division to a traveling Kansas City side.
This week, Denver dropped out of the top five to No. 8, which is its lowest rank of the season.
Dipping the biggest this week, however, were the Philadelphia Eagles, who fell to 6-8 on the season after they were swept aside 40-17 by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, a result that put a setback on their push to win the NFC East Division.
Chip Kelly’s Eagles defense have struggled to contain teams recently — allowing 40 points in three of their past five games, including back-to-back season-highs for points against — in matchups with the Buccaneers and Lions (45pts).
After falling seven place this week, Philadelphia now sits No. 19 in the latest ESPN NFL Power Rankings and very much losing ground on those ahead of them hunting a playoff spot as well.
The Dallas Cowboys (4-10), already out of the playoff conversation, are down another five spots this week to No. 29, with the Chicago Bears (5-9) also falling five slots to No. 24.
Overall, the Carolina Panthers (14-0) remain No. 1 in the latest edition of the ESPN NFL Power Rankings, following their 38-35 last second win over the New York Giants on Sunday.
They almost blew a big lead down the stretch, but the Panthers, who have now won 18 straight games in the regular season, have shown that perhaps they are ready for playoff football, but Sunday’s game against the Giants was a game of that nature.
The top five is covered by the Arizona Cardinals (12-2), New England Patriots (12-2), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) and Cincinnati Bengals (11-3).
Green Bay Packers (10-4) and Seattle Seahawks (9-5) both jumped one place to No. 6 and No. 7, with the Chiefs (9-5) staying No. 9 and New York Jets (9-5) rounding out the top 10 this week.
The Atlanta Falcons (7-7) who snapped their six-game losing streak with a 23-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, were the highest movers — upping 11 places to No. 16 and into the top 20.
ESPN NFL Power Rankings For Week 16
Tuesday, 22, December Full Details
1 Panthers (14-0)
2 Cardinals (12-2)
3 Patriots (12-2)
4 Steelers (9-5)
5 Bengals (11-3)
6 Packers (10-4)
7 Seahawks (9-5)
8 Broncos (10-4)
9 Chiefs (9-5)
10 Jets (9-5)
11 Vikings (9-5)
12 Redskins (7-7)
13 Texans (7-7)
14 Raiders (6-8)
15 Giants (6-8)
16 Falcons (7-7)
17 Buccaneers (6-8)
18 Bills (6-8)
19 Eagles (6-8)
20 Jaguars (5-9)
21 Colts (6-8)
22 Rams (6-8)
23 Saints (5-9)
24 Bears (5-9)
25 Dolphins (5-9)
26 Lions (5-9)
27 Chargers (4-10)
28 Raven (4-10)
29 Cowboys (4-10)
30 49ers (4-10)
31 Titans (3-11)
32 Browns (3-11)
