1 San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) Last week: 2 Going into Foxboro and building a 31-3 lead en route to a 41-34 upset of a Patriots team that rarely loses at home in December warrants moving the 49ers up to the top spot in our weekly “Power Rankings”. The 49ers are one win away from clinching the NFC West and can make another powerful statement in front of a national audience by beating the red-hot Seahawks in CenturyLink Field on Sunday night. 2. New England Patriots (10-4) Last week: 1 Disappointing loss to the 49ers on Sunday, but the Patriots remain an elite team that will be a force to be reckoned with come January, even if they’re likely to have to take their act on the road to Denver or Houston in order to advance to New Orleans and make a return trip to the Super Bowl. 3. Denver Broncos (11-3) Last week: 3 After losses to the Falcons, Texans and Patriots, the Broncos got their signature win of the season when they went into Baltimore and trounced the Ravens 34-17 on Sunday. With their offense and defense both ranked in the Top 5, the Broncos have positioned themselves for a first-round bye. With back-to-back home games with the Browns and Chiefs remaining, Peyton Manning & Co. won’t have to leave the Mile High City until mid-to-late January. 4. Houston Texans (12-2) Last week: 4 The Texans bounced back from their 42-14 loss to the Patriots on Dec. 10 to clinch the AFC South with a 29-17 win over the Colts in Week 15. The Texans can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the visiting Vikings this Sunday. 5. Green Bay Packers (10-4) Last week: 5 Despite a mountain of injuries, the Packers clinched the NFC North with their 21-13 road win over the Bears on Sunday. Speaking of injuries, between the injuries to Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, sixth-year receiver James Jones has started all 14 games this season and has responded with a career-high 51 receptions and an NFL-leading 12 touchdown receptions. Not bad for a player who has spent considerable time on the trade block the last few seasons.
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Week 16 Power Rankings: 49ers, Patriots swap places at the top (Shutdown Corner)
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