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2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Vikings make history in comeback win

By Randy Gurzi

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Power Rankings
2022 NFL Power Rankings: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Previous: 25th. Pittsburgh Steelers. 24. team. 55. .

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kenny Pickett was out this week as he’s dealing with a concussion and that meant Mitch Trubisky was back under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they took on the Carolina Panthers. He did enough to help them get the win, throwing for just 179 yards and running a touchdown.

The ground game was the difference though with Najee Harris ripping off 86 yards and a touchdown and Jaylen Warren adding 38 and a score. In all, they had 156 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Defensively, they did enough to frustrate Sam Darnold and hold off the comeback. Darnold was sacked four times and Carolina had just 21 yards on 10 rushes.

87. . . Previous: 23rd. Carolina Panthers. 23. team

23. Carolina Panthers

Two wins in a row had the Carolina Panthers back in the race for the NFC South title but those hopes took a huge hit this weekend. At home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they lost 24-16 and couldn’t take advantage of Kenny Pickett being out for the road team.

The main issue for Carolina was their inability to run the ball as they had just 21 yards on 16 attempts. Their defense also had a hard time against the run, giving up 156 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Carolina is now 5-9 and while that’s still good for second place in the South, they really lost any chance at making an improbable run.

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