Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: How Far Will The St. Louis Rams Fall?

Even after a disappointing loss, the St. Louis Rams might still be clinging to their Top 20 ranking in some of power polls across the sports-new world. For once, it is refreshing to not see teams with worse records higher than the Rams. Will they stay in the middle tier of team? Or, will the fall into ranks with some of the other “once hopeful” teams of the 2012 season?

NFL.com: 18th (-2)

"At home, three-game win streak in tow, and an opportunity to play some football in December that matters … So, what did the St. Louis Rams do? Burn the pot roast. The run tackling against the Minnesota Vikings was atrocious. Whether it was bad angles, poor form or lack of effort, no wires are crossed when you read the box score: 212 yards rushing on 24 carries for Adrian Peterson. Hey, but they held Toby Gerhart to minus-5 yards on five carries. So that’s good."

Sports Illustrated: 18th (-1)

"Why can’t the Rams play everyone as tough as they do the 49ers? Just think where St. Louis would be if it had won its home games against the Jets and Vikings in the season’s second half"

Yahoo Sports: 18th (+0)

"Regardless of how convoluted and unlikely the scenarios are, that the Rams remain mathematically alive for a spot in the NFC playoffs this late in the season is a great sign for a franchise that, in recent seasons, has been eliminated long before Thanksgiving turkeys are being bought, let alone carved."

ESPN: 17th (+0)

"The Rams have somehow beaten the 49ers, and lost at home to Christian Ponder and Mark Sanchez."

Pro Football Talk: 19th 

"Sooner or later, this team has to confront the quarterback question."

 Bleacher Report: 19th 

"The Rams aren’t likely to make the playoffs, and a loss to the Vikings in Week 15 certainly didn’t help.Speaking of help, St. Louis needs a lot of it to play past Week 17 and it’s probably not going to get it."

SB Nation: 20th (-1)

 *Disclaimer:  Their rankings are pathetic. Really, Browns jump from 27th to 18th after a loss? Gross…*

"A seven or eight win season would raise expectations in St. Louis for next season."