SB Nation Denver - NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Denver Broncos Slipping A Bit After Loss To Patriotshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2011-12-21T05:01:04-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24129112011-12-21T05:01:04-07:002011-12-21T05:01:04-07:00NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Denver Broncos Drop To No. 10 In RealClearSports' Ranking Averages
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Just like in the individual NFL power ranking, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> dropped to No. 10 in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.realclearsports.com/power_rankings/2011/NFL/12_20_2011.html">RealClearSports' power rankings average</a> after a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>. 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.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> certainly hasn't led many to call them lucky.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, despite a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, remained the unanimous No. 1 team this week. The Patriots defeated the Broncos and moved to No. 2 in the power rankings average. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> dropped out of the spot after a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Denver Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/21/2651291/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-real-clear-sportsRuss Oates2011-12-20T13:30:25-07:002011-12-20T13:30:25-07:00Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Sporting News Drops Denver Broncos To No. 11
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The latest Week 16 power rankings come from AOL's Sporting News, which have the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> (8-6) sliding <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-12-20/week-15-power-rankings-packers-still-best-at-13-1">from No. 8 to No. 11:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<h4>11. Denver Broncos (8)</h4>
<p><strong>Christmas wish: A durable <span>Willis McGahee</span></strong></p>
<p>Contrary to popular belief, McGahee is the Broncos' most effective power runner, not <span>Tim Tebow</span>. Without their feature back at full strength, the offense isn't the same.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Well, if McGahee is the keystone to the Broncos' offensive success, then Denver got some good news Tuesday when their running back <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2649715/denver-broncos-injury-update-rb-willis-mcgahee-ss-brian-dawkins/in/2412845">proved healthy enough</a> to practice.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Denver Broncos be sure to visit <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl" target="_blank">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2650082/week-16-nfl-power-rankings-sporting-newsBradley Woodrum2011-12-20T09:36:25-07:002011-12-20T09:36:25-07:00NFL Power Rankings Week 16: ESPN Panel Drops Broncos To No. 11, Vaults Chargers To No. 14
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Reactions to the Week 15 action in the NFL continues to pour in from around the web, and now <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings" target="_blank">the five-man ESPN panel</a> has joined in by dropping the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> 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:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>11. Denver Broncos (8-6, LW: 9) The Broncos are not on par with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>, but they still rank as the best of the AFC West and a playoff team. (Kuharsky) </p>
</blockquote>
<p>The rest of the AFC West looks like this: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> jumped up four spots to No. 14, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> fell three spots to No. 19 and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> hopped up three rungs to No. 22 after knocking off the undefeated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to</i><i> </i><i><a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a></i><i> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Denver Broncos be sure to visit </i><i><a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>.</i><i> Visit</i><i> </i><i><a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a></i><i> </i><i>for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2649366/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-2011-espn-broncos-chargers-raiders-chiefsSteve von Horn2011-12-20T08:57:58-07:002011-12-20T08:57:58-07:00NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Brian Billick Slides Broncos To No. 10 In Fox Sports' Set
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> haven't shaken others' confidence in them to a great degree after a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> on Sunday. In <a target="_blank" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings">Brian Billick's Fox Sports NFL power rankings</a>, 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:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Lance Ball</span>, <span>Tim Tebow</span> and <span>Quan Cosby</span> 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.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> jumped above the Broncos while the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> jumped four spots to be right at No. 11, one spot behind the Broncos this week. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> are the closes AFC West team, checking in at No. 16 after a four-spot move.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Denver Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2649249/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-fox-sports-brian-billickRuss Oates2011-12-20T08:14:05-07:002011-12-20T08:14:05-07:00NFL Power Rankings Week 16: SB Nation Drops Broncos To No. 10, Chargers Up To No. 11
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> remain a top 10 team in SB Nation's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/12/20/2648567/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-2011-green-bay-packers">Week 16 NFL power rankings</a> even after a 41-23 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>. 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:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Broncos lost their second game in the <a href="../../../nfl/players/108608/tim-tebow" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Tebow</a> era this season. They control their own destiny to the playoffs so they just need to win one, possibly two games.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> are a threat to win the AFC West, and it could be a <span>Tim Tebow</span> vs. <span>Kyle Orton</span> showdown to end the season at Mile High. However, Denver must deal with the No. 28 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> on Christmas Eve.</p>
<p>Making a seven-spot leap this week, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> on Sunday Night Football and are also in contention for the AFC West title.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Denver Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2649076/week16-nfl-power-rankings-sb-nationRuss Oates2011-12-20T07:51:03-07:002011-12-20T07:51:03-07:00Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: CBS Sports Drops Broncos Just One Spot To No. 10
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Based on early returns, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> won't be dropping too far in the Week 16 NFL power rankings. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings">CBS Sports' Pete Prisco</a>, an avowed <span>Tim Tebow</span> 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:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yet neither the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> nor the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, the Broncos' two remaining opponents, have an offense like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> 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 <span>Kyle Orton</span> starting the last game of the season at Mile High, the quarterback's stomping grounds from earlier in the season.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, who beat the Broncos earlier in the season, made a two-spot jump to capture the No. 9 position the Broncos previously held. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> (15), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> (19) and the Chiefs (23) all remain behind the Broncos.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Denver Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2648893/power-rankings-nfl-week-16-cbs-sportsRuss Oates2011-12-20T05:01:21-07:002011-12-20T05:01:21-07:00Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Denver Broncos Should Fall With Loss To New England Patriots
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79sCCsx-DVvnJb_fKQX0mnGga3E=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828115/large_denver.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>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.</p> <p>After reaching No. 8 in multiple NFL power rankings last week, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> are likely to fall a few spots this week and almost assuredly out of the top 10. However, the Broncos loss was to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, one of the better teams in the league. It's not as though they lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>, which the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> actually did over the weekend.</p>
<p>How far will the Broncos fall? The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> will likely rise above the Broncos in all of the remaining rankings that they did not place above them last week. They picked up a 41-14 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> picked up a last-minute victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> and are 9-5 just like the Falcons. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, though, lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> and should stay behind the Broncos this week.</p>
<p>In the end, we should expect the Falcons and the Lions to move ahead of the Broncos this week, but the Broncos won't dip that far. They are likely to still be ahead of both New York teams. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> could certainly move ahead of the Broncos.</p>
<p><b>Power Rankings Prediction:</b> No. 13 or 14. The Broncos lost to a good team and are clearly not ready for the big show yet. Still, the Broncos remain in a good playoff position.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Denver Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/12/20/2648094/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-2011-denver-broncosRuss Oates