NFL power rankings round-up going into Week 16

The Tennessee Titans saw their playoff hopes officially come to an end in Week 15, although they were already nearly dead to begin with. Now, the Titans will be playing out the string over the final three games, with draft positioning and keeping Will Levis alive being the top-two priorities.

Of course, power rankings at this stage in the game mean even less than they normally do, but we’re out here playing out the string, also, so let’s get to our weekly round-up.

We start with the mothership, where USA TODAY’s Nate Davis has the Titans falling one spot from No. 22 to 23. Here’s his write-up:

23. Tennessee Titans (22): You’re a Bum, Vrabel. But seriously, maybe there was a lesson learned about rubbing Oilers history in Houston’s faces on Sunday.

It was awesome to see Vrabel honoring Bum Phillips by wearing the cowboy hat before the game, win or lose. It was just another symbol of the Titans respecting their franchise history.

Texans fans can thump their chests all they want, but it won’t bring the Oilers jerseys back to Houston. Sorry, not sorry.

We get the uniforms back.
That’s how this works, I don’t make the rules.

Sorry, not sorry.

Too bad, so sad.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 17, 2023

Now, the first of four remaining power rankings round-ups left in the 2023 season.

Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jarrett Bailey, Touchdown Wire:

Will Levis plays with the passion of a Four Loko filled with firecrackers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough to lift the Titans to their second straight win.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Barry Werner, List Wire:

Blowing a double-digit lead to a team with Case Keenum at QB wasn’t good in 2013, let alone 2023.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:

The good feeling from the Dolphins victory evaporated with the loss to the Texans. They blew a big lead in doing so, and now Will Levis is hurt.

Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Turron Davenport, ESPN:

The Titans’ red zone defense is the best in the NFL, with Tennessee allowing opposing offenses to score touchdowns on 37.3% of their visits inside the 20-yard line. What’s even more remarkable about the stat is how teams have gotten to the low red zone (inside the 10) 15 times over the past three games but scored only three touchdowns….