Friday, December 25, 2020

Green Bay Packers Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Green Bay Packers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 2.4 (2nd)
  • Best ranking: 2nd (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 3rd (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Packers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

Wish: A defense that answers the call in the playoffs. Green Bay's win over Carolina wasn't always pretty, but the Packers are currently the top seed in the NFC and are positioned for a first-round bye. Even though they didn't light it up in the second half against the Panthers, the Packers still have the league's second-best offense, according to TruMedia's Expected Points Added (EPA) model. While the defense is talented, it ranks just 19th overall. If it comes down to Mike Pettine against Sean Payton or Sean McVay or Russell Wilson, can the Packers' defense be good enough to get them to the Super Bowl? That's the question Green Bay fans have to be asking themselves with the playoffs approaching.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

They weren't on top of their game against the Panthers, but they found a way. That's the sign of a good team. One more victory and they will be the NFC's top seed.

USA Today -- Rank: 2

Home-field advantage may not mean as much in 2020 playoffs largely devoid of fans ... unless you typically play in freezing temperatures in a bracket dominated by warm-weather teams.

ESPN -- Rank: 3

Most underrated star: OL Elgton Jenkins

An NFL All-Rookie Team selection at left guard last season, Jenkins has played everywhere on the line except right guard this season. That's right: He has played left guard, left tackle, right tackle and center. "That kid's special to do that," Packers guard Lucas Patrick said. "I've never been around a player -- high school, college or this level -- to do that." Since Corey Linsley's Week 12 knee injury, Jenkins has started at center, a spot that could become his permanent home if the Packers don't re-sign Linsley after this season. -- Rob Demovsky

NFL.com -- Rank: 3

Aaron Rodgers has been so consistently brilliant this season that it was odd to watch the Packers win without a monster day from the MVP front-runner. Rodgers was held to just 143 passing yards and a touchdown on Saturday (he added a rushing score), so it was the defense that handled the task of closing out the Panthers in a 24-16 victory. Coordinator Mike Pettine's group got it done, forcing a huge goal-line turnover on a Teddy Bridgewater QB sneak that changed the game. Rookie linebacker Krys Barnes poked the ball away from Bridgewater, and Kevin King returned it 48 yards to set up a Packers touchdown. The defense will face a much stiffer test against Derrick Henry and the Titans on Sunday night.

Previous update: Green Bay Packers Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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