JACKSONVILLE – Here are senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 16 2015 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
1.Carolina Panthers (14-0) | 1 | '72 Dolphins still waiting to pop that champagne
2.New England Patriots (12-2) | 2 | Good to see Tom feeling better
3.Arizona Cardinals (12-2) | 3 | So well-coached, so smart … so good
4.Seattle Seahawks (9-5) | 4 | Think they can't go on the road – even to Carolina – in playoffs and win?
5.Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) | 5 | Those Chiefs are so hot right now
6.Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) | 7 | Don't look now, but the Steelers are almost as good as anyone
7.Denver Broncos (10-4) | 6 | Can they hang on and win the division?
8.Cincinnati Bengals (11-3) | 8| Clinched fifth consecutive postseason appearance
9.Green Bay Packers (10-4) | 9 | Seven consecutive playoff seasons for this consistent franchise
10.New York Jets (9-5) | 10 | Four consecutive victories – and still fighting big-time for postseason berth
11.Minnesota Vikings (9-5) | 11 | Snapped two-game losing streak at the right time
12.Washington Redskins (7-7) | 16 | If they beat Philadelphia Saturday, they win the NFC East. Really
13.Houston Texans (7-7) | 13| In control of their destiny for AFC South title
14.Buffalo Bills (6-8) | 12 | Bills miss playoffs in NFL-worst 16th consecutive season
15.Atlanta Falcons (7-7) | 20 | Snapped six-game losing streak at the 'Bank Sunday
16.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8) | 15 | Bright, bright future for the Bucs
17.Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) | 18 | Eagles need to win final two games to win the NFC East
18.New York Giants (6-8) | 17 | End near in New York for TC?
19.Oakland Raiders (6-8) | 19 | Raiders miss postseason for 13th consecutive season
20.Indianapolis Colts (6-8) | 14 | Now, they need help – a lot of it
21.Chicago Bears (5-9) | 21 | Late-season fade, but this team has been better than many expected
22.Detroit Lions (5-9) | 22 | Can second-half signs of life prevent major changes in Motown?
23.St. Louis Rams (6-8) | 26 | Trying to fight back to .500
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9) | 23 | Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrgh!!!
25.New Orleans Saints (5-9) |24| Still look like a very dangerous matchup for Jaguars Sunday
26.Dallas Cowboys (4-10) | 27 | Too little Romo for the 'Boys this season
27.Miami Dolphins (5-9) | 25 | Now 4-6 since midseason coaching change
28.San Diego Chargers (4-10) | 30 | It felt a lot like the end in San Diego Sunday
29.Baltimore Ravens (4-10) | 28| Those trousers tho
30.San Francisco 49ers (4-10) | 29 | Just not enough talent left on this once-talented team
31.Cleveland Browns (3-11) | 31 | Johnny no match for Seattle defense
32.Tennessee Titans (3-11) | 32 | A real chance to help the Jaguars in the next two weeks
