2019 NFL Power Rankings: Week 16

As I sit here listening to the power drills and hammers pounding away on the new construction at my office building, I can’t help but think about all the noise that is typically obstructing clear views on players and teams during an NFL season.

Sometimes we are so blinded by our preconceived ideas that we fail to recognize greatness. Other times, greatness walks up to us and open hand slaps us across the face. That’s what happened Monday night. Through the monotony of a bad Monday Night Football game, Drew Brees emphatically reminded the NFL that not only is he historically great, he is presently entertaining.

Back in 2006, few people could have predicted that Brees was going to turn into the superstar he is now. Coming off a torn shoulder, the Chargers decided to let Brees walk so they could start some guy named Philip Rivers. In a twist of fate, the Dolphins decided to not offer Brees a contract and he ended up signing with the Saints while Miami inked Daunte Culpepper.

Just so it’s clear: Some teams stay bad due to Front Office ineptitude. You know, just an case there is any team in the greater Houston area who may need to hear that.

Back to Brees. The Saints paired him with Sean Payton, who they pried away from the Cowboys after Payton was supposedly Jerry Jones’ golden boy pick to eventually take over from Bill Parcells. All Payton and Brees have done in the time since is win a Super Bowl, consistently make playoff runs, break records, and threaten defenses.

Just so it’s clear: The pairing of head coach and quarterback is extremely important and can alter the course of your franchise for decades. You know, just in case some team close to home thinks they can make due with “safe” coaching decisions.

Last night, we witnessed history. Drew Brees broke the all-time passing touchdown record, previously held by Peyton Manning. For good measure, he threw a few more. Brees ended the night with 300+ yards, 4 touchdowns, and completed 29 out of 30 passes. It was classic Brees. A QB who is known for his accuracy put on a show on a night he will never forget.

1. Baltimore Ravens (12-2)
2. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (11-3)
4. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
5. Green Bay Packers (11-3)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)
7. Minnesota Vikings (10-4)
8. New England Patriots (11-3)
9. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
10. Houston Texans (9-5)
11. Tennessee Titans (8-6)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
13. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
14. Chicago Bears (7-7)
15. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
16. Dallas Cowboys (7-7)
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
18. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
19. Denver Broncos (5-9)
20. Oakland Raiders (6-8)
21. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
22. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
23. Cleveland Browns (6-8)
24. Arizona Cardinals (4-9-1)
25. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
26. New York Jets (5-9)
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)
28. Detroit Lions (3-10-1)
29. Miami Dolphins (3-11)
30. New York Giants (3-11)
31. Washington Redskins (3-11)
32. Cincinnati Bengals (1-13)