NFL Power Rankings

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

While the Packers hold on to their lead in the weekly Scripps Howard NFL computer power rankings, a couple of old rivals are moving up fast.

The Cowboys and 49ers, two teams that have combined to win six of the last eight Super Bowls, have moved up to third and fourth respectively behind Green Bay and AFC leader Denver. Key wins on Sunday weighed in heavily as Dallas dumped AFC-East leader New England while San Francisco won handily at AFC-Central leader Pittsburgh.

Numbers to the left are team rankings. Numbers to the right are the current power ratings. To determine the projected margin, compare the ratings of the rival teams and allow four points for typical home field advantage.

(Herman Matthews is chairman of the math and natural sciences department at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.)

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