Read on foxsports.comNFL Herd Hierarchy Week 16: Rams Reign Supreme, Patriots' Super Bowl Hopes Questioned
Colin Cowherd's latest NFL power rankings, the "Herd Hierarchy," for Week 16 of the 2025 season reveal a clear top team and significant shifts. The Los Angeles Rams maintain their dominant position as the league's most complete roster, while the New England Patriots face scrutiny over their championship credentials following recent struggles. The Green Bay Packers, impacted by injuries, fall out of the top ten entirely, making way for rising contenders like the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. This analysis goes beyond win-loss records to evaluate team health, quality of opponents, and overall potential for the playoff push.
As the 2025 NFL season barrels toward the playoffs, the landscape of contenders and pretenders becomes increasingly defined. Colin Cowherd's "Herd Hierarchy," a holistic power ranking that considers more than just recent results, provides a compelling snapshot of the league's pecking order heading into Week 16. Unlike traditional standings, this evaluation weighs factors like roster health, quality of victories, and ultimate ceiling, offering a nuanced view of which teams are truly built for a January run. The latest edition delivers clear verdicts: one team continues to look unstoppable, a perennial contender shows alarming cracks, and a historic franchise tumbles out of the conversation.
The Unquestioned Leader: Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams solidify their position at the pinnacle of Cowherd's rankings, hailed as possessing "the most complete roster in the NFL." Their dominance is statistical as well as visual; over the last month, they have outgained their opponents by over 500 yards, a testament to their control on both sides of the ball. A key development fueling their success is the emergence of running back Blake Corum, who has "popped" to form a formidable one-two punch in the backfield. Furthermore, their offensive versatility is underscored by having four capable tight ends, creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. This depth and balance make them the team to beat as the postseason approaches.
Contenders with Questions: Patriots and Texans
The evaluation of the New England Patriots, ranked fifth, is notably skeptical of their Super Bowl viability. Cowherd directly states, "I don't think they're a Super Bowl team," pointing to critical deficiencies in red zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Injuries to the left side of their offensive line have exposed a young squad, raising questions about their ability to win high-stakes games against elite competition. In contrast, the Houston Texans, ranked third, receive praise for what is considered "the best unit in pro football"—their defense. The Texans boast the league's No. 1 scoring defense and are undefeated when scoring just 20 points. While quarterback C.J. Stroud faces some external criticism, Cowherd defends him as "outstanding" when protected, projecting Houston as a potential AFC Championship Game participant.
The Rising Challengers: Bears and Broncos
Two teams making significant climbs are the Chicago Bears (4th) and Denver Broncos (2nd). The Bears are portrayed as a prototype January team, excelling in bad weather, boasting a powerful run game (No. 1 since Week 5), and creating big plays. With an 8-2 record in their last ten games, they are seen as a legitimate conference championship threat. The Denver Broncos, led by the athletic quarterback Bo Nix—compared to a "right-handed Steve Young"—have developed a punishing identity. Their physical style has a lingering effect, as noted by the fact that opponents are 3-10 in games following a matchup with Denver, suggesting they "beat you and they beat you up."
The Fallen and the Fragile
The most notable absence from the top ten is the Green Bay Packers, whose season has been derailed by significant injuries, including a reported season-ending ACL tear to star edge rusher Micah Parsons. This exemplifies the "holistic" health factor in Cowherd's rankings. Other ranked teams carry caveats: the Philadelphia Eagles (10th) have a suspect offense, the Jacksonville Jaguars (9th) lack trust in big moments despite a strong winning streak, and the Buffalo Bills (8th) remain overly dependent on quarterback Josh Allen's "Superman" efforts, despite his strong December record.
In conclusion, the Week 16 Herd Hierarchy paints a picture of a league where depth, health, and balance separate the true contenders from the hopefuls. The Los Angeles Rams stand alone as the benchmark of completeness. While teams like the Texans, Bears, and Broncos have compelling cases, they carry specific questions that will be answered in the crucible of the final regular-season weeks and the playoffs. For the Patriots and the fallen Packers, the hierarchy suggests their paths to glory this year are fraught with obstacles that recent performances have failed to overcome.
