NFL power rankings, Week 17: Playoffs on horizon
The NFL power rankings are out, and the playoffs are coming soon. For those teams still in the fight, the crazy ride is in full force.
Cleveland Browns
1-14
Last week: W, 20-17, vs, SDLast rank: 32nd
You have to be happy for the Browns. They have fought hard, and they finally got the win.31
San Francisco 49ers
2-13
Last week: W, 22-21, at LALast rank: 31st
If only San Francisco could play the Rams every week.30
Los Angeles Rams
4-11
Last week: L, 22-21, vs. SFLast rank: 29th
Forget about the record, the real concern has to be Jared Goff. He looks really bad.29
Chicago Bears
3-12
Last week: L, 41-21, vs. WSHLast rank: 28th
This season can’t end soon enough. Now, will the Bears move on from John Fox or give him another year?28
New York Jets
4-11
Last week: L, 41-3, at NELast rank: 27th
This team is a disgrace. They need to clean house in every way imaginable.27
Jacksonville Jaguars
3-12
Last week: W, 38-17, vs. TENLast rank: 30th
Was Gus Bradley the main issue here? The ridiculously early returns say maybe.26
Cincinnati Bengals
5-9-1
Last week: L, 12-10, at HOULast rank: 24th
That game between Cincinnati and Houston was an affront to the sport.25
San Diego Chargers
5-10
Last week: L, 20-17, at CLELast rank: 23rd
When you lose to the Browns, you know the season is cooked.24
Carolina Panthers
6-9
Last week: L, 33-16, vs. ATLLast rank: 22nd
One is left to wonder whether the Panthers are more the 2016 or 2015 version moving forward.23
Minnesota Vikings
7-8
Last week: L, 38-25, at GBLast rank: 21st
Minnesota is apparently no longer listening to Mike Zimmer. That’s a huge issue going into the offseason. He’s a good coach.22
Philadelphia Eagles
6-9
Last week: W, 24-19, vs. NYGLast rank: 26th
The Eagles have to feel hopeful about the future. Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson have some skills.21
Arizona Cardinals
6-8-1
Last week: W, 34-31, at SEALast rank: 25th
The season was a mess for Arizona, but this was a huge win to make them feel good around the holidays.20
Buffalo Bills
7-8
Last week: L, 34-31 (OT), vs. MIALast rank: 19th
Buffalo is not making the playoffs again, and the general manager is reportedly safe. What?19
Indianapolis Colts
7-8
Last week: L, 33-25, at OAKLast rank: 18th
The Colts looked great in Week 15. Apparently, that can only be a one-week thing.18
New Orleans Saints
7-8
Last week: W, 31-24, vs. TBLast rank: 20th
The Saints have a chance to play spoiler against the Falcons this weekend. At least that’s some consolation.17
Denver Broncos
8-7
Last week: L, 33-10, at KCLast rank: 16th
The Broncos are not going to the playoffs for the first time since the Josh McDaniels era. Yikes.16
Baltimore Ravens
8-7
Last week: L, 31-27, at PITLast rank: 14th
Baltimore had a chance to win the North, but it couldn’t stop Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter. It was ugly.15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8-7
Last week: L, 31-24, at NOLast rank: 13th
Tampa Bay had everything in front of it but couldn’t win over the last two weeks. It’s a young team that will learn.14
Tennessee Titans
8-7
Last week: L, 38-17, at JAXLast rank: 12th
This week was crushing. Tennessee was blown out by the Jaguars and lost Marcus Mariota to a broken leg.13
Houston Texans
9-6
Last week: W, 12-10, vs. CINLast rank: 15th
The Texans won another division title, but they are getting pounded in the playoffs.12
Oakland Raiders
12-3
Last week: W, 33-25, vs. INDLast rank: 3rd
You don’t see a 12-win team this low very often, but the loss of Derek Carr is devastating. It’s nothing against the Raiders, who have had a great year, but without Carr it’s not going very far in January.11
Washington Redskins
8-6-1
Last week: W, 41-21, at CHILast rank: 17th
The Redskins have to win on Sunday and get some help. It could certainly happen.10
Detroit Lions
X-X
Last week: X, XX-XX, at DALLast rank: 10th
9
Seattle Seahawks
9-5-1
Last week: L, 34-31, vs. AZLast rank: 7th
The Seattle loss on Saturday is crushing. The Seahawks likely blew a first-round bye and home field in the Divisional round.8
Miami Dolphins
10-5
Last week: W, 34-31 (OT), at BUFLast rank: 11th
Give the Dolphins credit. After starting 1-4, they have won nine of 10. This team has a ceiling, but Adam Gase will change that in coming years.7
New York Giants
10-5
Last week: L, 24-19, at PHILast rank: 5th
The Giants are going to be very tough in the playoffs with a good defense and Odell Beckham Jr. They are the wild card.6
Atlanta Falcons
10-5
Last week: W, 33-16, at CARLast rank: 9th
Atlanta has to simply win on Sunday and it’s the No. 2 seed. The Falcons are scary with their prolific offense.5
Green Bay Packers
9-6
Last week: W, 38-25, vs. MINLast rank: 8th
Nobody could want to play the Packers right now. Aaron Rodgers is playing like an MVP and the defense is getting better by the play.4
Kansas City Chiefs
11-4
Last week: W, 33-10, vs. DENLast rank: 6th
The Chiefs got a huge win on Sunday, and now try for the Western title this weekend. Kansas City has an excellent defense.3
Pittsburgh Steelers
10-5
Last week: W, 31-27, vs. BALLast rank: 4th
The Steelers are the biggest threat to New England along with the Chiefs in the AFC. Le’Veon Bell is incredible.2
Dallas Cowboys
X-X
Last week: X, XX-XX, vs. DETLast rank: 2nd
1
New England Patriots
13-2
Last week: W, 41-3, vs. NYJLast rank: 1st
New England is the best team in the NFL, period.
More from FanSided