PFT’s Week 15 2021 power rankings

NFL: DEC 12 Bears at Packers
Getty Images

1. Packers (10-3, No. last week No. 3): Did you hear that Aaron Rodgers has a broken pinkie toe?

2. Patriots (9-4, No. 2): The No. 1 seed is within their grasp. It’ll be a disappointment at this point if they don’t get it.

3. Buccaneers (10-3, No. 4): Four straight wins and a final stretch with favorable matchups could mean that the road to this year’s Super Bowl will go through the place where last year’s Super Bowl was played.

4. Rams (9-4, No. 6): Desperation always is the difference maker.

5. Chiefs (9-4, No. 5): They’re back, even if no one wants to accept it.

6. Cardinals (10-3, No. 1): Do they have the experience and maturity to win high-stakes games?

7. Cowboys (9-4, No. 7): Micah Parsons should play offense, too.

8. Titans (9-4, No. 9): If they get Derrick Henry back for the playoffs, they’ll be a problem.

9. Ravens (8-5, No. 8): They can still win the division. Can they win in the postseason?

10. Colts (7-6, No. 10): They’ll be the toughest out in the AFC playoff field.

11. Chargers (8-5, No. 12): If they can get consistent, they can get deep into January.

12. 49ers (7-6, No. 14): This team will go as far as George Kittle takes them.

13. Bills (7-6, No. 11): Only Josh Allen can save the season.

14. Bengals (7-6, No. 13): Time is running out on their ability to string wins together.

15. Browns (7-6, No. 19): Postseason or not, this team has a big decision to make at the quarterback decision.

16. Vikings (6-7, No. 22): They still have a decent chance to blow a double-digit lead and lose in the wild-card round.

17. Dolphins (6-7, No. 17): The most underrated team in the AFC has a chance to crash the playoff party.

18. Broncos (7-6, No. 21): They may not make the playoffs, but they may save Vic Fangio’s job.

19. Steelers (6-6-1, No. 15): That tie is going to be a major factor when the dust settles on the 2021 regular season.

20. Eagles (6-7, No. 20): Hurts vs. Minshew is becoming the new Wentz vs. Foles.

21. Falcons (6-7, No. 23): How are they still alive?

22. Saints (6-7, No. 24): The return of Alvin Kamara gives New Orleans a chance to salvage a lost season.

23. Washington (6-7, No. 16): Sometimes, Goliath beats David.

24. Raiders (6-7, No. 18): Commitment to, well, something.

25. Seahawks (5-8, No. 26): A tenth straight winning season remains possible, but not likely.

26. Panthers (5-8, No. 25): David Tepper won’t rest until Vince Lombardi is the coach, Ron Wolf is the G.M., and Tom Brady is the quarterback.

27. Giants (4-9, No. 27): The best move would be to blow it all up.

28. Bears (4-9, No. 28): Leave it to the Bears to clean house and slow the growth of Justin Fields.

29. Jets (3-10, No. 29): Is there any reason to think things will be better next year?

30. Lions (1-11-1, No. 30): Is there any reason to think things will be better next year?

31. Texans (2-11, No. 31): Is there any reason to think things will be better next year?

32. Jaguars (2-11, No. 32): Is there any reason to think . . . oh, hell, you get the picture.

84 responses to “PFT’s Week 15 2021 power rankings

  1. In 13 games this season, only 1 player has been called for defensive holding against the Buffalo Bills all season long. Xavier Howard twice has been called for holding against the Bills. In the other 11 games not a single defender has been called for holding a Buffalo Bills receiver…..

  2. AFC East team rankings could be scrambled quite a bit in coming weeks, particularly with the Bills/Pats rematch coming up. The Jets will still suck though.

  3. Most people knew Cards weren’t going to last…
    the wild card teams fighting for a spot will be interesting these next few weeks

  4. Rogers and the Pack will likely choke as usual somewhere along the playoffs…

    Brady and the Bucs for a consecutive NFC SB appearance…
    Patriots; Titans or Chiefs for AFC (I like the Titans odds if they get a fresh Henry back)!

  5. @ nite2al so Ravens are the cream rising to the top? You must be watching a different sport than I am. Don’t look now but the Browns defense has 6 turn overs and a score in the past 2 weeks. I don’t think any team in the league wants to face a defense like the Browns in the post season. The true test will come against the packers in 2 weeks.

  6. Hoping for Brady and the Bucs vs. Belichick and the Patriots! Great respect for both of them and I think BB got some unfair heat last year after Brady won a Super Bowl without BB.

  7. Exactly as expected. Cards lose 1 game and immediately drop 6 spots. Y’all are
    flakes. What other team comes close to their road record? You don’t even care.

  8. Hard to fathom the Ravens at number 8 having lost to the Bengals, Steelers and Browns this season. Looking ahead they play …

  9. Honestly I feel beyond Brady and his followers the NFC has zero chance against the top AFC teams in the Super Bowl. If the buccaneers get knocked out at any point, bet AFC the whole way.

  10. The Packers are so good right now that Aaron Rodgers is listed as one of the owners of the Bears in their media guide.

  11. nite2al says:
    December 13, 2021 at 11:48 pm
    Cream is rising to the top. AZ, Pack best in NFC. Chiefs, Ravens best in AFC.

    ———————

    Actually read up the list. Its Pats, then Chiefs. Ravens are falling out.

  12. Packers and Erin will choke in the playoffs like usual. Questions remains where that will be. Looking forward to (at least) 5 more weeks of toe talk.

  13. Ravens are way too high. They are fading. Even before Lamar was injured their offense has been quite poor.

  14. 27. Giants (4-9, No. 27): The best move would be to blow it all up.

    Agreed

    And cut season ticket prices in half until they get over .500

  15. AFCCG: KC @ NE, Pats defense does to Mahomes what TB did in the Super bowl
    NFFCG: GB @ TB: AB comes back and the Packers defense can’t keep up; Rodgers pouts the entire 4 quarters as is tradition

    SB 56: Pats/BUCS

    Get
    Your
    Popcorn
    Ready!!

  16. When Green Bay plays Tampa in the NFC Championship game again, the blessing will be that Kevin King will not see any playing time or just fill in at nickel…….. that will be the difference this time the Packers will win and face either KC or NE in the Super Bowl. Oh and yes we will win our 14th World Championship.

  17. Cheers to the Browns. They beat us with our backup QB. Bengals still pretenders. Pittsburgh will get what’s coming to them in Baltimore, the knockout blow.. Ravens are still in first place in the division while the haters take their shots. We take care of the Pack this weekend, 41-27.

  18. nite2al says:
    December 13, 2021 at 11:48 pm
    Cream is rising to the top. AZ, Pack best in NFC. Chiefs, Ravens best in AFC.

    —-
    Hard to take you seriously with comments like that.

    Probably a Pack/Chiefs Super Bowl or a Bucs/Chiefs rematch. The only hope the Patriots have is if they get home field and upset the Chiefs.

    The Ravens are just too decimated with injuries this year, and a slowed-down Lamar is just a recipe to keep the offense as anemic as it’s looked already.

  19. During their 6 game win streak the Chiefs defense has given up 67 points, 11 per game. The offense is starting to heat up, learning to take what’s given to them. They’ll run the table (Bolts aren’t sweeping them, Steelers will get crushed at Arrowhead, Cincy will keep it close but the pressure will be too much and the Donkeys will already be planning sunny vacations week 18) and secure the #1 seed because the Cheaters will lose at least once, as will the Titans. AFC will again, for 4th straight season, run through Arrowhead. “One year Dynasty”, “Victims of Cap Hell” and “The Chiefs defense sucks” are false narratives, sorry.

  20. In 13 games this season, only 1 player has been called for defensive holding against the Buffalo Bills all season long. Xavier Howard twice has been called for holding against the Bills. In the other 11 games not a single defender has been called for holding a Buffalo Bills receiver…..

    _____

    So what? 16 teams in the NFL have 3 or less defensive holding penalties against them, so its not out of the norm.

  21. The Bucs had an easy schedule this year. There is no way to argue that. That will be a bad thing when they get tested in the playoffs.
    The Dolphins always collapse at the end of the season, and this year won’t be any different.
    The Vikings win the Super Bowl every year in August, according to their fans.
    The Eagles were a one and done Super Bowl team that got too arrogant and it has hastened their return to an also-ran by leaps and bounds.
    Aaron Rodgers keeps showing us his feet. Does that mean he wants Rex Ryan for his head coach?
    Bill Belichick has proven that he is a genius when it comes to coaching football. If he takes this Patriots team to the Super Bowl, it might just be the best job he’s ever done.
    The Browns are over rated and so is their arrogant QB.
    The Lions have been the worst run franchise in the NFL for decades, and they proved it once again when they chose Jared Goff over Matthew Stafford. Stafford is one of the best pure passers in the game while Goff is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill QB.
    The Raiders are a train wreck, too. And so are the Jets, Texans, and Jaguars.

  22. Rogers and the Pack will likely choke as usual somewhere along the playoffs…
    ——
    Always makes me laugh when people think losing by 7 in the NFCCG is choking. Sorry bro but choking is being the #1 seed then losing your first playoff game by 3 scores…

  23. nite2al says:
    December 13, 2021 at 11:48 pm
    Cream is rising to the top. AZ, Pack best in NFC. Chiefs, Ravens best in AFC.

    ———

    Haha….Lamar and the Ravens are like a bye week come January

  24. 12. 49ers (7-6, No. 14): This team will go as far as Deebo Samuel takes them.
    Fixed that for you.
    If there was an award for non-quarterback MVP, Samuel and Jonathan Taylor would be the top two contenders.

  25. tavisteelersfan says:
    December 14, 2021 at 2:50 am

    Hard to fathom the Ravens at number 8 having lost to the Bengals, Steelers and Browns this season. Looking ahead they play
    ________________________________

    Not hard to phantom, if you know NFL football. Teams in your division know you best, so they can get the W even when they are inferior. Funny how you guys always speak the negative when comes to the Ravens. But no mention of us beating good teams like the Chiefs, Chargers and Colts.

  26. The AFC North is collection of mediocre teams who week to week are vying to see who wants the division crown the least. I’d excuse the Bengals from the harshest criticism because of their inexperience, but the rest of the teams seemingly forget how to basic football within each game.
    The Ravens pass defence with regularity gives up huge completions. And that was before their corners starting going on IR.
    The Browns offence looks like they’ve only now discovered the forward pass.
    While the Steelers appear to forget that games are sixty minutes long and forget to show up for most them.

  27. You have the Pats ahead of the Cards, Rams and Bucs??? What are you guys smoking? The only reason they are in 1st in their division is because the Bills have weak, undersized O and D lines.

  28. Exactly as expected. Cards lose 1 game and immediately drop 6 spots. Y’all are
    flakes.
    ==========

    The Cardinals are flakes.

    Win at home. Its what Title teams do.

  29. During their 6 game win streak the Chiefs defense has given up 67 points, 11 per game.

    Those 6 wins:

    – 3 point win over the Giants
    – 6 point win over Jordan Love
    – win over Teddy Bridgewater
    – beat a decimated Cowboys team who lost to the Raiders 4 days later
    – beat the Raiders twice (who are playing out a lost season)

  30. 26. Panthers (5-8, No. 25): David Tepper won’t rest until Vince Lombardi is the coach, Ron Wolf is the G.M., and Tom Brady is the quarterback.
    ===========

    He could probably get Joe Lombardi, Eliot Wolf, and Jimmy Garapolo..

  31. If the Colts, as you say, are “the toughest out in the AFC,” then they must be considered the favorites to win the conference championship, no? What I’m asking, I suppose, is that given your rankings, won’t the Patriots be the “toughest out” in the AFC?

  32. Patriots (9-4, No. 2): The No. 1 seed is within their grasp. It’ll be a disappointment at this point if they don’t get it.

    ———–

    Speaking as a Patriots fan, no it won’t be disappointing. Of course the #1 seed would be amazing and I would be slightly disappointed now if they don’t win the division, but as long as the Patriots make the playoffs I am good. The next two games are HUGE!

  33. Impossible for me to believe the Patriots can be the #1 seed with a rookie QB. Maybe in year 2 or 3.

    I’d expect KC and the Titans to be the two finalists in the AFC.

    In the NFC it looks like the Pack and the Bucs are the cream of the crop and it will come down to home field advantage.

  34. @nite2all: 1rst of all, it’s not ‘us.’ You ain’t on the team. 2ndly, lose the anyone that knows NFL football routine. If you can’t admit the Ravens aren’t fading fast, that ain’t you. 3rd, whomever emerges from that sorry division at 9-8 or 10-7 is 1 and done.

  35. Impossible for me to believe the Patriots can be the #1 seed with a rookie QB. Maybe in year 2 or 3.

    Why is it impossible for you to believe? It’s mid-December and the Patriots are the current #1 seed with a rookie QB.

  36. turkeycreekjackjohnson says:

    Probably a Pack/Chiefs Super Bowl or….

    …an NFL/AFL Championship Game rematch!!!!

  37. No team right now is a heavy favorite and this might be the most unpredictible playoffs in a long time. Of course with saying that it will be Brady winning it all again.

  38. Shinnbone says:
    Could you imagine a Tampa vs. New England Super Bowl?

    ——————————
    I can’t think of anything I don’t want to see more. New blood, please!

  39. One thing is for sure for the Carolina Panthers. Matt Rhule needs to be FIRED at the end of the season and the Panthers may not win another game this season as RHULE has lost the locker room.

  40. Cardinals have lost to the Chiefs, Packers, and Rams by a combined 17 points….(and they beat the Rams earlier this year).

    Please, knock them all the way down to 15…please sleep on them!

  41. Ravens fading fast? According to you guys, the Ravens have been fading since week 1. Or since Lamar has been on the team.

  42. @31, the Texans, “is there any reason to think next year will be any better?”

    And the answer is yes, the Texans will be better. And here is why!

    Watson’s situation will be resolved before the draft next year. Expect Watson to be traded to the Giants for (2) 1st round picks and (1) 2nd round pick in 2022 and maybe (1) 1st in 2023 and (1) 2nd in 2023.

    With their pick in the top 3 in 2022 the Texans will draft the top DL available, then with the (2) picks from the Giants the Texans will draft the top (2) OL players. The (2) 2nd round picks will be used on RB and CB.

    Davis Mills has started (7) games and in (3) of the last (5) starts, Mills has had (3) 300+passing yard games, with no running game, a below average OL and the worst defense in the NFL. Mills has 6 TD passes and 3 Ints in his last 5 starts. Mills would be a top 10 1st round pick in the 2022 draft, if he had stayed in college one more year, IMHO!

    Add the (2) best OL from the 2022 draft in the 1st round, a very good RB in the 2nd round and the Texans/Mills will have a much better offense in 2022. In the 3rd round, the Texans have their pick, plus the Saints pick, and drafting WR in the third will complete the Texans offensive rebuild. Getting one of the top (1) DL in the 2020 1st round, plus and upgrade at CB who is drafted in the 2nd round, plus fill in on day three 0f the 2022 draft the Texans will be better on defense as well.

    So yea, IMHO, I think things will be much better for the Texans in 2022!

    Look for Culley to be fired, with Josh McDaniels to take the HC job, Caserio will have his man in McDaniels.

  43. The Ravens are finished, they just don’t know it. They are not beating the Packers or the Rams and could easily lose to either or both the Bengals and Steelers.

    The Patriots are led by a true rookie QB and vulnerable, unless that defense continues to be formidable. I’m baffled at how New England capturing the #1 seed can be an expectation given the Colts and Bills still looming on their schedule.

    The Cards have lost to both Green Bay and LA at home. They seem to lack that ability to close things out. Not sold on them.

    KC, GB and TB are the solid picks for a Super Bowl title right now.

  44. the8man says:
    December 14, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    The Ravens are finished, they just don’t know it. They are not beating the Packers or the Rams and could easily lose to either or both the Bengals and Steelers.
    ______________________________________________________

    You don’t know Ravens football. WE don’t fear teams. Steelers and Bengals will get what’s coming to them. Green Bay will be an easy win. Pick 6 Stafford, can’t wait.

  45. Ravens are toast. And it doesn’t have much to do with the injuries that they keep crying about, it’s about the gimmick offense which everyone has figured out how to stop. And you have a running back playing QB who has proven he’s not NFL caliber. Refuses to improve his accuracy and throwing mechanics. Makes one read and tucks and runs, or throws a bad pick. Has no idea how to read defenses or handle pressure. It’s ok, though, you guys keep telling us he’s the MVP! He’s sure been awesome in only his last 7 games!

  46. Wow, all that? How does Lamar even manage to win a game? He must be a magician. I never use the injury excuse accept at QB and sometimes left tackle. NFL talent is too close. MVP, been there done that. Superbowl, baby!

  47. Packers fans bragging about championships. That’s too funny. The Patriots, Steelers, 49ers and even the Cowboys have accomplished more these last sixty years. Wake up.

  48. I don’t see how a little short week Thursday night away game hiccup against the Vikes drops the Steelers all the way down to 19. This week’s showdown against the Titans will kick off a tsunami wave of Steelermania we can all surf right into the playoffs. GO STEELERS!

  49. Has no idea how to read defenses or handle pressure. It’s ok, though, you guys keep telling us he’s the MVP! He’s sure been awesome in only his last 7 games!
    ___________________________

    If you have 5 comeback wins and almost 6 in 12 games, I think you know how to handle pressure. This ain’t Kirt Cousins. Kept touting your losers. Hate, hate, hate, I tell ya.

  50. Right now in my opinion, Packers and Bucs at the top followed by yes, the Chiefs. Pats are playing well but still not sold on Mac Jones. Rookie QBs don’t have a good history in the playoffs.

    The issue with the cards is I don’t see them making it through the playoffs. It’s a gauntlet. If they have to travel to Tampa, where the Bucs are undefeated, and GB where the Packers are undefeated, I just think they are going to need some luck to beat both those teams on the road.

  51. nite2al says:
    December 14, 2021 at 12:03 pm

    Ravens fading fast? According to you guys, the Ravens have been fading since week 1. Or since Lamar has been on the team.

    =========

    I feel like the Ravens, healthy, may have the highest ceiling and most ability to pull out a win of any AFC team. I feel like their injuries are just too much for this season, but I absolutely think Jackson has what it takes to deliver the goods. It’s less predictable than would be ideal, but it’s there.

  52. Its interesting everyone wants to talk about the Chiefs offense struggling (8th presently)

    The Packers are 14th… what happens if they really get going?

  53. Satan says:
    December 14, 2021 at 5:40 am
    Vikings are too high.
    ////////
    They post that your team is #1 in the rankings, and you immediately think about the Vikings. Strange bunch, you are. Looks like your team is getting geared up to lose to the Bucs in the NFCCG again. How will it happen this time? A Rodgers fumble? A field goal when down by two scores near the end? Or just your special teams giving up huge chunks of yards and TD’s? It will be fun to see.

  54. These seem fair.

    The last month is set up to be pretty exciting. Most Patriot fans seem to think they won the division last week – they may still, but I don’t think that one is determined yet.

    Did the Bills right the ship in the 2nd half against the Bucs? They played w/ the intensity they’ll need to in order to make a run, but who knows if they can sustain that. No margin for error now.

  55. The Pats are in the Bills heads. As well as their HC. As well as their fans. Bills should be more worried about still making the playoffs

  56. These Ravens fans are flat out bonkers. Lamar is not good. The team is toast. Huntley is a much better option. The Ravens coaches and Lamar have lost all of their confidence that he can even throw the ball any more. It’s not even a high school offense anymore.

  57. Note to all the Rodgers critics. There’s nothing wrong with his toe — he’s messing’ with you.

  58. jameshodges . . . tell us how many championships each of the teams you listed have accumulated in the last sixty years. We’ll be interested to see if your statement holds up.

  59. KnowsMoreThanYou says:
    December 14, 2021 at 2:37 pm
    Satan says:
    December 14, 2021 at 5:40 am
    Vikings are too high.
    ////////
    They post that your team is #1 in the rankings, and you immediately think about the Vikings. Strange bunch, you are. Looks like your team is getting geared up to lose to the Bucs in the NFCCG again. How will it happen this time? A Rodgers fumble? A field goal when down by two scores near the end? Or just your special teams giving up huge chunks of yards and TD’s? It will be fun to see.
    ********
    Who knows.
    But I’d love to be in that position again, when anything can happen.
    As for yourself, I guess you can daydream about Packer miscues, especially since you’ll have nothing else to watch. 🤣

  60. nite2al says:
    December 14, 2021 at 12:58 pm
    the8man says:
    December 14, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    The Ravens are finished, they just don’t know it. They are not beating the Packers or the Rams and could easily lose to either or both the Bengals and Steelers.
    ______________________________________________________

    You don’t know Ravens football. WE don’t fear teams. Steelers and Bengals will get what’s coming to them. Green Bay will be an easy win. Pick 6 Stafford, can’t wait.

    ———————————————

    Nice, but my favorite comment was still the one where you said they would beat other teams by being inferior to them.

  61. If the super bowl happens to be TB vs NE, then i would seriously believe that
    the NFL is nothing more than the WWE, Fake and Fixed for ratings

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.