Welcome to Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season. There are only a few editions of rankings left in the regular season. As we turn our attention to playoff races, which teams are heating up and which teams are on the trend downward? With some movement in our top 10 this week, the middle of this list was the most shuffled, as these are the teams fighting for a spot in the wild-card playoff race.
In addition to the updated rankings, our NFL Nation reporters found one stat -- good or bad -- that each team is No. 1 in. And yes, even the Carolina Panthers are No. 1 in something. Who has the best run defense, most punts or best red zone conversion rate?
We are starting with the San Francisco 49ers, who again come in at the top spot.
Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
Week 15 ranking: 1
We're No. 1 ... in point differential.
The Niners lead the NFL in plenty of important categories, but nothing matters more than the score. San Francisco is plus-191 on the year, 24 points clear of Dallas, which ranks second. What's more, the 49ers haven't just been beating up on the dregs of the NFL. They've beaten contenders like the Cowboys, Eagles and Jaguars by a combined 86 points. Were it not for a meaningless last-second field goal by the Rams in Week 2, all of the Niners' 11 wins would be by double digits. -- Nick Wagoner
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
Week 15 ranking: 3
We're No. 1 ... at running the ball.
The Ravens lead the NFL in rushing, and it's not even close. Behind quarterback Lamar Jackson's elusive scrambles, Baltimore is averaging 163.8 yards per game on the ground, which is at least 22 yards more per game than the rest of the league. It's impressive that the Ravens have been so dominant in running the ball, because they lost featured back J.K. Dobbins to a torn Achilles in the season opener. To compound matters, Baltimore will now be without its most explosive running back in Keaton Mitchell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday night. -- Jamison Hensley
3. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Week 15 ranking: 2
We're No. 1 ... in non-offensive touchdowns.
This is what happens when somebody sets an NFL record, like Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland has by scoring five touchdowns on interceptions this season. But Bland isn't the only one in on the act. Leighton Vander Esch returned a fumble for a touchdown and Noah Igbinoghene returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. The Cowboys have seven on the season, followed by Indianapolis (five) and Miami (four). -- Todd Archer
