2018 NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
Teams Ranked 12th to 1st
| Rank | Team | nERD | Rec | Playoff Odds | Off. NEP Rank | Def. NEP Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | 2.55 | 7-6-2001 | 58.6% | 23 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | Houston Texans | 2.84 | 10-4 | 99.6% | 12 | 11 | -1 |
| 10 | Indianapolis Colts | 2.85 | 8-6 | 37.6% | 7 | 20 | +3 |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks | 3.3 | 8-6 | 95.4% | 9 | 16 | 0 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5.75 | 8-5-1 | 73.3% | 6 | 14 | 0 |
| 7 | New England Patriots | 5.8 | 9-5 | 99.0% | 5 | 19 | -1 |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | 6.32 | 8-6 | 48.0% | 16 | 2 | +1 |
| 5 | Kansas City Chiefs | 7.3 | 11-3 | 100.0% | 1 | 28 | 0 |
| 4 | Chicago Bears | 7.64 | 10-4 | 100.0% | 14 | 1 | -1 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Chargers | 8.29 | 11-3 | 100.0% | 3 | 10 | +1 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Rams | 8.82 | 11-3 | 100.0% | 4 | 8 | -1 |
| 1 | New Orleans Saints | 9.21 | 12-2 | 100.0% | 2 | 12 | 1 |
The New Orleans Saints moved back into the top spot in the ratings after a win in Week 15's final game, but the week's first matchup featured arguably its most impressive win.
The Chargers edged the Chiefs in Kansas City, 29-28, and their strengths of both sides of the ball were on display.
Los Angeles has been adept all season at preventing big pass attempts and has only allowed 11.0 yards per completion. This continued on Thursday against one the league's most explosive passing games; Kansas City ranks second in yards per completion this season with 13.1, but managed only 10.1 against the Chargers. This mark would be last in the league if sustained for the whole season.
Their run defense was more out of character, but in a good way, as while the unit came into the game ranked 24th in Rushing Success Rate allowed, it held the Chiefs to 3.5 yards per carry.
Offensively, Philip Rivers gave a strong performance we've come to expect from him throwing for 313 yards and averaging 8.2 yards per pass.
Tiebreakers still have the Chiefs on the inside track for the AFC West title, but like the Chiefs, the Chargers have looked like one of the league's best teams.
