2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Packers & Chiefs rise, Patriots dip

NFL Power Rankings; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) reacts after making a first down during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Power Rankings; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) reacts after making a first down during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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NFL Power Rankings
NFL Power Rankings; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a very close call against the Baltimore Ravens without Lamar Jackson, the Green Bay Packers stay where they have been, in the number two slot of this week’s NFL power rankings.

The Packers are clearly the class of the NFC with Aaron Rodgers playing at an MVP level again.

This team is capable of winning with dominant offensive performances or dominant defensive performances, and they have now won four of their last five games.

If not for Aaron Rodgers going on the COVID list earlier this season, we may have gotten a true Super Bowl preview when the Chiefs took on the Packers in early November.

It appears as though that’s the collision course we are headed on — Rodgers vs. Mahomes.

Remember when the Chiefs had a losing record?

That feels like a lifetime ago at this point.

The Chiefs’ defense has been playing outstanding football over the last couple of months and this team is absolutely rolling.

They have won seven games in a row, including their most recent win on the road against the very tough Los Angeles Chargers.

Even with Patrick Mahomes not playing the best we’ve ever seen, the Kansas City offense remains dangerous at all times, and with the defense playing as well as it has been, this is a team that looks poised to make yet another very deep playoff run.