NFL Team RODS Rankings: Week 16

The RODS rankings are my self-developed statistical analysis of NFL team performance, looking at all three phases of the game. The ratings are based purely on what happens on the field, taking into consideration no outside factors (such as strength of schedule and home/road games). Additionally I have taken the standard fantasy point scoring from ESPN and aggregated each team’s total fantasy output so we are able to compare actual performance with their fantasy output. For a further breakdown of how the ratings are derived, you can find the full breakdown of the RODS rankings here.

RODS Rankings Week 16

With just one week left of the 2017 regular season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have seen their position at the top of the RODS rankings cut as they were somewhat demolished by a rampant Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas eve. The Jaguars' attempted 4th quarter comeback somewhat padded their overall grade of -24.3% (their third worst of 2017), but it has left the door open for the Rams to overtake them if the week 17 results go their way. It's still mathematically possible for any one of the top seven teams to claim top spot, though realistically its between the Jaguars, Rams and Saints for that honor. The Saints could be a sneaky favorite to finish top as they need a win to secure the NFC South crown, whereas the Rams and Jags have already wrapped up their divisions but cannot get a bye. Additionally the Rams have announced they will be resting Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Aaaron Donald as they have already wrapped up the NFC West and we can expect something similar from the Jags in the coming days.

At the bottom and its all but over for the Giants to be named the worst team in the NFL in 2017. As per the top of the rankings, the bottom six teams could all mathematically still finish bottom, though given the Giants haven't seen a positive game grade since week 6 (their only one of 2017), and have an average rating of -30.9% over the last six weeks, the rest of the league can breathe easy.

The Steelers and Chargers shared the best rating of week 16 with +58.6% in defeating the Texans and Jets respectively. For both teams it was their best single game rating of 2017, with the Jets posting their worst rating of the season (-58.6%).

The Seahawks (-15.7%) and Eagles (-1.4%) were both victorious this week but posted negative game ratings. The Seahawks have won three of their games this season with a negative game grade, tied for the most in the NFL.

One of the interesting nuggets I've noticed as the season has progressed is how balanced between offense and defense the top of the rankings have been in 2017. The top 10 teams in the rankings have 9 of the top 10 RODS rated offenses and 8 of the top 10 RODS defenses. Only the Patriots with the 3rd rated offense (12th overall), and the Ravens (11th overall) and Broncos (17th overall) with the 4th and 9th rated defenses sit outside the top 10 teams.

The Patriots remain the top fantasy team in 2017 with an average of 92.16 points per game. They look set to take the title of top fantasy team as the Eagles have understandably seen a downturn in their fantasy output since Carson Wentz got injured, and they posted their lowest fantasy total of the season in week 16 in the victory over the Raiders with 58.62 points for a season average of 91.31 ppg.