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Every version of the power rankings becomes more and more important as the season winds down. The homestretch is important for players in setting up the next part of their careers, not just for ranking teams.
December is when reputations are made and maintained, whether you're a young guy trying to establish a legacy or a veteran trying to preserve what is already built. The last month of the season is the most important for the teams we cover, so we asked our writers to pick one player who is most important. The quarterback position is represented here by rookies trying to get a foothold, veterans trying to close out in style, and current stars looking to reach that next level.
Our power panel, made up of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities, evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.
The previous rankings were 13-12, 10-9, 8-7, 6-5, and 3.
Jump to:
AARI, BAL, BUF, CAR, CHI, CIN.
DAL, DEN, DET, GB, HOU, IND.
JAX, KC, LV, LAC, LAR, MIA, MIN.
No, NYG, NYJ, PHI, PIT, SF.
Sea, TEN, and WSH are abbreviations.
There is a method for this.
1. The ArizonaCardinals are 10-2
The previous ranking was 2.
OL Josh Jones must step up.
The former third-round pick is the backup at both right guard and right tackle during a season in which he should have started at one or the other. If Jones doesn't prove himself over the rest of the season, he might not be in the mix next year, especially with how well bothRG MaxGarcia andRTKelvin Beachum have played. Jones needs to be as good as he can be to keep Kyler Murray healthy.
2. The Green Bay Packers are 9-3.
The previous ranking was 1
Player who needs to step up is K Crosby.
Crosby's fault isn't all the field goal unit's fault; he got a new holder before the season opener and a new long-snapper nine games in. Crosby is tied for 35th in the league with a 66.7% field goal percentage. He went through a slump in 2012 and the Packers stuck with him. He had one of his best years in 2013). Crosby has a cap charge of $4.735 million for next year and a $3.4 million salary, so he might need a strong finish to secure his future here.
3. The Buccaneers are 9-3).
The previous ranking was 3.
Breshad Perriman is a player who must step up.
Perriman was just called up from the practice squad. As the third wide receiver against the Falcons on Sunday, the first-round draft pick out of UCF played 83.3% of the offensive snaps as compared to 13.2% for Tyler Johnson and 5.9% for Scott Miller. With Antonio Brown out two more weeks due to his suspension and the uncertainty surrounding Brown's future with the Bucs, Perriman has a chance to resurrect his career after being cut twice already this year (by the Lions and Bears).
4. New England is 9-4
The previous ranking was 5.
Jonnu Smith must step up.
The big-money free-agent signing had 25 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown going into the game against the Bills. This is a crucial year for Smith and all newcomers, according to Josh McDaniels. When the team signed Smith to a four-year, $50 million contract in free agency, it created a level of expectation that Smith is still trying to reach.
Play.
Ryan Clark looks at the offensive struggles of the Chiefs.
5. The Kansas City Chiefs are.
The previous ranking was 6.
Mecole Hardman must step up.
With Sammy Watkins moving on and the Chiefs in need of a second receiving threat, Hardman proved he could be trusted as an every-down receiver. It hasn't happened. Hardman is third on the team in catches and has one touchdown, but he has few big plays. If Hardman doesn't make a move, the Chiefs will be shopping for help in the off-season.
6. The Baltimore Ravens are 8-5
The previous ranking was 4.
QB Lamar Jackson must step up.
Jackson wants to get his stock back up so he can sign his big-money extension. He has lost two of his past three starts and has a 34.4 Total QBR, which is 22nd in the NFL. In the past two weeks, he threw a career-high four turnovers and was sacked seven times. Jackson will be one of the highest-paid players in the league. Jackson's salary would be justified if he showed a strong showing the rest of the way.
Play.
The offensive struggles for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were discussed by Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark.
7. The Dallas Cowboys are.
The previous ranking was 10.
The player who must step up is the quarterback.
After suffering a calf strain against New England, it's been found that he hasn't been as effective as he was in the first seven games. He has seven touchdown passes in the past five games. He would be helped by a better running game and protection that has not been as good recently, which is why the Cowboys made a $160 million investment in him in March. Dallas is in a position to win the division for the third time in four years, but for this team to be seen as one of the best in the league, it needs more from him.
8. The Buffalo Bills are 7-5)
The previous ranking was 7.
Josh Allen must step up.
The performance of Allen down the stretch will be important in the Bills' ability to get a top playoff seed and possibly make a Super Bowl. Allen has seven turnovers in the past five games and while they are not all his fault, he needs to make better decisions with the football. Allen and the offense need to take it to the next level to get where the Bills want to go.
Everything you need this week.
The full schedule is Standings.
Every team has depth charts.
Transactions and injuries.
Football Power Index rankings.
There is more coverage of the NFL.
9. The Los Angeles Rams have a winning record.
The previous ranking was 11.
The player who must step up is Odell Beckham Jr.
The odd circumstances surrounding Beckham's release from the Browns, which included a video his father shared of quarterback Baker Mayfield not throwing him the football, must prove that the eighth-year wideout still has big-play capabilities but that he can consistently contribute. Beckham signed a one-year, $1.25 deal last month, but his productivity has increased since he arrived in Los Angeles. In his second game with the Rams, he caught a 54-yard touchdown pass for his first receiving score in 10 games, and on Sunday he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass for the first time since Week 16 and 17 of the season.
10. The TennesseeTitans are 8-4.
The previous ranking was 8.
Ryan Tannehill must step up.
When Henry was healthy, theTitans weren't driven by their quarterback. Tannehill's job is to elevate everyone else's game. It can be difficult given how Tennessee will be without A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. Tannehill has to find ways to connect with the remaining pass-catchers. Tannehill can make plays with his legs inside the 20-yard line. Although a good amount of Tannehill's 13 picks isn't directly his fault, he has to find a way to avoid costly turnovers down the stretch and into the playoffs.
11. The Cincinnati Bengals are 4-7.
The previous ranking was 9.
Player who needs to step up
In November, he said that his contract season had not been as good as he wanted. After Pro Football Focus graded him as the top safety in 2020, he hasn't been able to carry that production into 2021. Some of that can be attributed to the contract negotiations that were held up at the start of the season. While he has had some good moments, he still has a lot of work to do in order to prove he is one of the best safeties in the league. The most likely scenario is that the Bengals use the franchise tag on him. He could potentially make himself some extra money, but he could also boost the Cincinnati defense, which is suddenly without some key players.
Beckham Jr., Wilson, and Bates are on the air.
12. The Indianapolis Colts are 4-7.
The previous ranking was 13
Player who needs to step up: QB.
No, he is having a good season. He has had 22 touchdown passes and only five turnovers. The Colts are not a lock to make the playoffs this season, so the quarterback has to take his game to a higher level. They have four games left, which include contests against New England, Arizona and Las Vegas. The time is right for the Colts to show why they acquired him. "It's December; everything feels like a playoff game," said Wentz recently.
13. The Los Angeles Clippers (7-5).
The previous ranking was 16.
The player who needs to step up is the running back.
Jackson was thought to be the second running back behind Austin Ekeler, but he missed two games with shoulder injuries, and has yet to play more than 16% of offensive snaps. He had six runs for 15 yards. Ekeler has the tools, but he can't get on the field for the Bolts.
The Pats'RB duo is powerful.
Can the defense rise up without White?
What we learned in week 13
The Jets must change their narrative.
Falcons' A.J. Terrell is now a cornerstone.
14. San Francisco 49ers are 3-6.
The previous ranking was 12.
Jimmy Garoppolo must step up.
Garoppolo has played well recently, and it's no coincidence that the good performances have coincided with the resurgence of San Francisco's running game. It would continue for all involved. It's likely that the 49ers will find themselves in a meaningful game against Seattle in which the opposing defense will force Garoppolo to carry a heavier load. His ability to do that will be a big factor in San Francisco's chances of making the playoffs. His value would only be boosted by a finishing flourish.
15. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-5-1.
The previous ranking was 19
Player who needs to step up
Roethlisberger is almost certain to be a future Hall of Famer, but he is very likely entering his last five regular-season games in a Pittsburgh uniform. If Roethlisberger performs like the quarterback who had two monster fourth quarters against the Ravens and the Bolts, the Steelers could end his storied career with a playoff berth and a postseason run. If Big Ben looks like the version of himself who threw two picks against the Bengals and couldn't put consistent zip on the ball, the Steelers' ceiling will be a.500 season.
Play.
Stephen A. Smith and Michael Irvin disagree about whether the Cowboys should be concerned about the Washington Football Team.
16. The Washington Football Team is 3-6.
The previous ranking was 22.
Taylor Heinicke must step up.
Heinicke proved he belongs in the NFL, but questions remain about the level he can achieve. Washington views him as a backup or a starter. Heinicke's future in the NFL is secure, but if he can lead Washington to a strong finish over the next five games, it could elevate him in the eyes of others. He has only started 13 games in the NFL. Heinicke has won over his teammates in the past four weeks, and he owns the fifth best total QBR. He can win over a lot of people in December.
17. The Miami Dolphins have a losing record.
The previous ranking was 21.
OL Liam Eichenberg must step up.
While he has gained some experience starting for the Dolphins this season, he has been the team's worst starter. Since Week 9, the beginning of Miami's win streak, Eichenberg has a 71.4% pass block win rate, which ranks 161st out of 164 qualified linemen. His season-long win rate of 76% is the worst among qualified players. He is better than he has been and is not in danger of losing his starting job, but a strong finish would be inspiring before the Dolphins enter an offseason loaded with cash and desperate for improvement.
18. The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-6.
The previous ranking was 14.
The player who needs to step up is QB Carr.
Carr entered the weekend leading the league in passing yards, and he is on pace to throw for a career-best 5,189 yards. He has had to deal with a lot of off-the-field drama this season. With Carr, who has a career winning percentage of just.434, only having one year left on his contract, a decision on either extending the most polarizing player in Raiders franchise history or letting him play a lame-duck season while dangling a franchise tag for 2023 could be decided in these
19. The Cleveland Browns are 3-6.
The previous ranking was 17
Baker Mayfield is the player who must step up.
After leading the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years, quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a disappointing season. Since Week 2, he has been battling a torn labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder, as well as injuries to his knee and foot. One season after finishing in the top 10, Mayfield is 26th in QBR. There is still a chance for the Browns to make the playoffs. They won't get there unless they get back to the level of play they had in 2020.
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20. The Denver Broncos are 6-6)
The previous ranking was 15.
Teddy Bridgewater is the player who must step up.
The Broncos don't protect him very well when they stick him in the shotgun and he is already limping with another leg injury this season. The Broncos have pushed the ball down the field when he is under center. If this team is going to hang around in the playoffs, Teddy needs to overcome any and all challenges and throw with the confidence he had before his first injury.
21. The Philadelphia Eagles have a losing record.
The previous ranking was 23.
The player who needs to step up is the quarterback.
It's not really Hurts and Minshew. It's Hurts and Time. Hurts wants the front office to use the resources they have to build around him instead of using their three first-round picks to acquire a quarterback. Hurts has been one of the most important quarterbacks in the game, but he has been inconsistent as a passer. If he can lead the Eagles to a playoff spot, it will make it difficult for management to change direction.
22. The New Orleans Saints have a losing record.
The previous ranking was 20.
Player who needs to step up
This one is obvious, isn't it? This could be Hill's last chance to prove he's a legitimate option at quarterback, and it couldn't have started worse than his four-interception game in Week 13. Hill had a mallet finger injury on his throwing hand, and he is still dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia from Week 10. The good news? He could get reinforcements such as running backs and offensive tackles as early as this week. An unlikely playoff run could go a long way in boosting Hill's reputation.
Here's how the playoffs looks at the moment and what might happen in the future.
Who is currently in the playoffs?
The Playoff Machine is a program on the ESPYS.
The Football Power Index is a measure of standings.
23. The Minnesota Vikings are 4-7.
The previous ranking was 18.
LB Anthony Barr must step up.
He has played in just six games this season because of a knee and ahame injuries, and has totaled just 0.5 sacks and one interception. It was the same thing as missing all but 112 games in 2020 due to a torn pectoral. The Vikings reworked Barr's contract to make him a free agent in 2022, after paying him $9.4 million on a fully guaranteed one-year deal. Barr hasn't seen much of the field over the past two seasons to justify another big pay day. He will need a strong showing in Minnesota's final five regular-season games to show he is capable of returning to his Pro Bowl form.
24. The Atlanta Falcons are 4-7.
The previous ranking was 24.
Russell Gage must step up.
The production has started to show up more recently, including an 11 catch performance on Sunday. Gage is in a contract year, and after the Falcons traded Julio Jones, it looked like Gage would be in position for a big season. He dealt with an ankle injury and was inconsistent after his return. Gage had his first 100 yard game on Sunday, and he has been targeted seven or more times in each of the past three games. Atlanta needs that production to continue in order to have a chance at the playoffs.
25. The Seattle Seahawks have a losing record.
The previous ranking was 28.
The player who needs to step up is the running back.
The fourth-year running back needs to prove that he can stay healthy and produce when he gets his chance. He hasn't done anything since the Seahawks drafted him. Given that he has missed 30 of a possible 64 games due to injuries over the course of his career, it's not likely that he'll get a big contract in free agency. Sunday's performances will help. Two weeks after he injured a pulled hamstring,Penny played through it and gained 62 yards on 11 touches.
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26. The Carolina Panthers are 4-7.
The previous ranking was**
The player who needs to step up is QB CamNewton.
After a storybook beginning to his return to the Carolinas,Newton fell flat with arguably the worst performance of his career before the bye. The quarterback is trying to prove he deserves a job next season. Carolina could bring him back as the starter if he does well in the final five games. It's hard to imagine any team giving him a chance if he does poorly. The situation is complicated by the fact that Joe Brady was fired by the Carolinas during the bye. Consistency will be important.
27. The New York Giants have a losing record.
The previous ranking was 26.
QB Daniel Jones must step up.
Nobody knows when Jones will come back from his injury. There is still no definitive answer as to whether he is the franchise quarterback in Year 3. Even though the Giants are high on Jones, they need to see it more on the field. The final six weeks of work with a new play caller were supposed to be an important part of the evaluation process. Who knows now.
28. The Chicago Bears are 1-8.
The previous ranking was 27.
QB Justin Fields must step up.
It's not known if he'll be able to play again this season because he's dealing with cracked ribs. The Bears would like to see him more next season. They still need to find out what kind of player they have with a new coach or general manager.
29. The New York Jets are winless.
The previous ranking was 29
The player who needs to step up is the QB.
The performance of the rookies over the final five games will determine whether the season is a failure or a positive development. He made progress in Sunday's loss to the Eagles, despite the fact that he has only six touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in eight starts. It was his best game in terms of being in the structure of the offense, according to Robert Saleh. If Wilson can stack games like that, it will reinforce the Jets' belief that he is the right guy at the most important position.
Each of Tom Brady's Super Bowl appearances has been given a first-hand account. Man in the Arena: Tom Brady will be broadcasted on the Disney Channel.
30. The Detroit Lions are 1-10.
The previous ranking was 32.
The player who needs to step up is the quarterback.
The Lions will be looking to play spoiler now that Goff has proved he can win a game. Since the common draft era began in 1967, the longest winless streak by a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall has been by Goff. The playoffs are not in the picture for the Lions. If Goff can help Detroit finish the season with at least a few victories, it could give the team some confidence as they continue to build for the future.
31. The Jacksonville Jags are 2-10).
The previous ranking was 30.
Laviska Shenault Jr. is a player who must step up.
This applies to a lot of guys, but Shenault was supposed to be a player to watch in his second season. He hasn't been a consistent contributor and he isn't running routes correctly. Shenault has a month left to prove to the team that he should be part of the upgrade at wide receiver, or they will have to replace him. The development of Lawrence is at stake.
32. The Houston Texans are 2-10).
The previous ranking was 31
Tyrod Taylor must step up.
Although it's a small sample size, Taylor got off to a good start before he injured his left hamstring in Week 2. He was benched for Davis Mills in Houston's Week 13 loss to the Colts after struggling in his return from injured reserve. It's not clear if he'll get the chance to prove himself the rest of the way after signing a one-year deal with the Texans. After the Texans lost to the Colts, David Culley wouldn't commit to Taylor keeping his starting job, saying, "When you don't score any points in the game, you evaluate everything."
