2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Packers & Chiefs rise, Patriots dip
12. team. 56. . . Previous: 14th. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals went into Denver and got a win against one of the best defenses in the league, and they had to earn it over all four quarters.
The Bengals got a key play in this game after a couple of touchdowns back and forth with the Broncos when Denver was driving and in a goal-to-go situation.
Drew Lock took a read-option to his left and Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem just took the ball out of his hands.
Preventing the Broncos from scoring in that sequence ultimately led to the win for the Bengals, who did just enough offensively to get to 8-6 on the season, a crucial win for their playoff hopes just two years removed from having the top pick in the NFL Draft.
46. . . Previous: 13th. Indianapolis Colts. 11. team
How about the Indianapolis Colts under Frank Reich?
This team got a signature win on Saturday night, knocking off the previously white-hot New England Patriots.
It’s hard not to be impressed with the incredible work Reich has done with this team, and Jonathan Taylor looks like he could very well be the league MVP.
Holding a 20-0 lead through three quarters against the Patriots, the Colts just had to play ball control for most of this game against the Patriots and that strategy got hairy in the fourth quarter of this game as the Patriots rattled off 17 unanswered points, cutting the Colts’ lead to just three points.
And then, Jonathan Taylor happened.