NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Denver Broncos Drop To No. 10 In RealClearSports' Ranking Averages

Just like in the individual NFL power ranking, the Denver Broncos dropped to No. 10 in RealClearSports' power rankings average after a loss to the New England Patriots. In the eight main power rankings that RealClearSports uses to make its averages, the Broncos moved from Nos. 8 or 9 to Nos. 10 or 11. The only one that remained unchanged was the Jeff Sagarin ratings at USA Today, which was No. 14. The actual average for the Broncos was 10.88, a loss of 1.88 from last week's straight nine.

The Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions moved ahead of the Broncos this week and by a good margin. The Lions have an 8.75 average, putting them at No. 9. A thrilling last minute comeback victory over the Oakland Raiders certainly hasn't led many to call them lucky.

The Green Bay Packers, despite a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, remained the unanimous No. 1 team this week. The Patriots defeated the Broncos and moved to No. 2 in the power rankings average. The Baltimore Ravens dropped out of the spot after a loss to the San Diego Chargers.

For more on the Denver Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Sporting News Drops Denver Broncos To No. 11

The latest Week 16 power rankings come from AOL's Sporting News, which have the Denver Broncos (8-6) sliding from No. 8 to No. 11:

11. Denver Broncos (8)

Christmas wish: A durable Willis McGahee

Contrary to popular belief, McGahee is the Broncos' most effective power runner, not Tim Tebow. Without their feature back at full strength, the offense isn't the same.

Well, if McGahee is the keystone to the Broncos' offensive success, then Denver got some good news Tuesday when their running back proved healthy enough to practice.

McGahee has missed only one game in the 2011 NFL Season, and he currently leads the team with 990 rushing yards. QB Tim Tebow is second with 610 yards on the ground.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Denver Broncos be sure to visit Mile High Report. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: ESPN Panel Drops Broncos To No. 11, Vaults Chargers To No. 14

Reactions to the Week 15 action in the NFL continues to pour in from around the web, and now the five-man ESPN panel has joined in by dropping the Denver Broncos two spots to No. 11. The AFC West division title race has the potential to turn the standings upside down in the final two weeks, so it makes sense that teams within the division are largely converging on a middling ranking right now. Here is what Paull Kuharsky had to say about the slight hit for the Broncos:

11. Denver Broncos (8-6, LW: 9) The Broncos are not on par with the Patriots, but they still rank as the best of the AFC West and a playoff team. (Kuharsky)    

The rest of the AFC West looks like this: the San Diego Chargers jumped up four spots to No. 14, the Oakland Raiders fell three spots to No. 19 and the Kansas City Chiefs hopped up three rungs to No. 22 after knocking off the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Denver Broncos be sure to visit Mile High Report. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Brian Billick Slides Broncos To No. 10 In Fox Sports' Set

The Denver Broncos haven't shaken others' confidence in them to a great degree after a loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. In Brian Billick's Fox Sports NFL power rankings, the Broncos drop just two spots from No. 8 to No. 10. He cuts to the heart of the matter why the Broncos lost on Sunday:

The Broncos were able to accumulate 252 yards rushing, but if you fumble the ball three times and give up 41 points on defense, you aren't going to win too many games.

Lance Ball, Tim Tebow and Quan Cosby each had a costly fumble in the game, which the New England Patriots were able to take advantage of each time. Still, if one wants to talk about quality losses, this might be as close as one gets to having it.

The Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions jumped above the Broncos while the Dallas Cowboys jumped four spots to be right at No. 11, one spot behind the Broncos this week. The San Diego Chargers are the closes AFC West team, checking in at No. 16 after a four-spot move.

For more on the Denver Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: SB Nation Drops Broncos To No. 10, Chargers Up To No. 11

The Denver Broncos remain a top 10 team in SB Nation's Week 16 NFL power rankings even after a 41-23 loss to the New England Patriots. After reaching No. 8 last week, the Broncos are holding on to the No. 10 spot, but just barely. Joel Thorman concentrates on what the Broncos need to do to make the playoffs:

The Broncos lost their second game in the Tim Tebow era this season. They control their own destiny to the playoffs so they just need to win one, possibly two games.

Well, it was unlikely that Tebow and the Broncos would go undefeated under the quarterback's guidance. The Patriots were the only legitimate threat on the team's schedule. But even the Kansas City Chiefs are a threat to win the AFC West, and it could be a Tim Tebow vs. Kyle Orton showdown to end the season at Mile High. However, Denver must deal with the No. 28 Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve.

Making a seven-spot leap this week, the San Diego Chargers moved from No. 18 to No. 11, just one spot behind the Broncos. They are playing a hard-charging gambit by going all-in for December. The team beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football and are also in contention for the AFC West title.

For more on the Denver Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: CBS Sports Drops Broncos Just One Spot To No. 10

Based on early returns, the Denver Broncos won't be dropping too far in the Week 16 NFL power rankings. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, an avowed Tim Tebow non-believer, has moved the Broncos down just one spot, from No. 9 to No. 10. At least in his write up, Prisco keeps it simple:

If they win their last two games, they win the AFC West. But they found out just what happens when they face a team with an offense like the Patriots.

Yet neither the Buffalo Bills nor the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos' two remaining opponents, have an offense like the New England Patriots That isn't to mean that the Bills and Chiefs will be easy victories for the Broncos -- they won't be. The Bills, despite a seven-game losing streak, could find that hot streak they had at the start of the season. The Chiefs will have Kyle Orton starting the last game of the season at Mile High, the quarterback's stomping grounds from earlier in the season.

The Detroit Lions, who beat the Broncos earlier in the season, made a two-spot jump to capture the No. 9 position the Broncos previously held. The Raiders (15), the Chargers (19) and the Chiefs (23) all remain behind the Broncos.

For more on the Denver Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Denver Broncos Should Fall With Loss To New England Patriots

The Denver Broncos saw its six-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a loss to the New England Patriots. The Broncos will now drop in the Week 16 NFL power rankings.