2013 NFL Power Rankings: Week 16 ESPN.com

Week: Select Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Success is fragile in the NFL. Just look at the Broncos, Saints and Patriots.

Seemingly entrenched in the top five here last week, all three teams suffered surprising losses in Week 15. Did our voters (John Clayton, Ashley Fox, Dan Graziano, Jamison Hensley, Mike Sando and Kevin Seifert) feel the need to shake things up?

Yes and no. Denver remained at No. 2, but the Patriots fell three spots to No. 7. New Orleans dropped two spots to No. 5.

Not that any of these teams should panic. Denver has already clinched a playoff spot, and New Orleans and New England are close.

Still, no one wants to slip this time of year. The goal for every contender is to be hitting its stride late in the season. But as we saw in Week 15, potential trouble lurks around every corner.

Note: The comments below are provided by ESPN Stats & Information.

• Reporters' analysis | SN: Rank 'Em | Mike & Mike | S&I: Saints' road woes tied to deep ball | Team Power Rankings charts since 2002