2017 NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
After all of the drama this week, I am still recovering and calming myself down. At some point, the NFL needs to address the inconsistencies with their own rulebook. Until that happens, the league will continue to cause headaches and turmoil for players, owners, front offices, and fans alike. But with Week 15 behind us, we can look forward to the final 2 weeks of the season that are sure to provide plenty of entertainment as the playoff race heats up. Where will each team ultimately finish?
32. Cleveland Browns (0-14, Previous Ranking: 32)
Last Week: L, 27-10, vs. Ravens
Next Week: at Bears (4-10)
Another week, another Browns loss. Nothing new here. Keep reading.
31. New York Giants (2-12, Previous Ranking: 31)
Last Week: L, 34-29, vs. Eagles
Next Week: at Cardinals (6-8)
The Giants offense came alive for the first time all season. Still wasn’t enough to come away with a victory. This is a team that still needs an overhaul this offseason.
30. Indianapolis Colts (3-11, Previous Ranking: 30)
Last Week: L, 25-13, vs. Broncos
Next Week: at Ravens (8-6)
The Colts made Brock Osweiler look like a gem of a quarterback. That takes a special type of talent.
29. Houston Texans (4-10, Previous Ranking: 29)
Last Week: L, 45-7, at Jaguars
Next Week: vs. Steelers (11-3)
The Texans can’t wait to get out of 2017. Too many injuries marred what seemed to be a hopeful season a few months ago. 2018 should hopefully bring plenty of upside.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (5-9, Previous Ranking: 27)
Last Week: L, 34-7, at Vikings
Next Week: vs. Lions (8-6)
Marvin Lewis seems to finally be on the way out after reports of him leaked that he’d step down after 2017. The Bengals won the AFC North 2 years ago. Now, they’re one of the shakiest teams in the NFL.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10, Previous Ranking: 28)
Last Week: L, 24-21, vs. Falcons
Next Week: at Panthers (10-4)
Props to the Buccaneers to keeping in this one down to the end. But that doesn’t excuse what type of team Tampa Bay has been this season. The talent on the roster should mean an improved 2018, but this one will go down as a disappointment.
26. Chicago Bears (4-10, Previous Ranking: 24)
Last Week: L, 20-10, at Lions
Next Week: vs. Browns (0-14)
After watching Mitchell Trubisky this season, there are flashes that make it seem that he could have a successful NFL career. For that to happen, Chicago needs to add talent around him (a.k.a. a #1 receiver, especially if Kevin White can’t stay healthy).
25. Arizona Cardinals (6-8, Previous Ranking: 22)
Last Week: L, 20-15, at Redskins
Next Week: vs. Giants (2-12)
Another week, another game where the Cardinals fought their tails off. Considering all of the injuries that Arizona has dealt with, the fact that they have a chance to break .500 is impressive. Just like many others, 2018 is a chance to start over.
24. New York Jets (5-9, Previous Ranking: 21)
Last Week: L, 31-19, at Saints
Next Week: vs. Chargers (7-7)
The Jets fought hard (again) but came up short against one of the best teams in the NFL. They have been one of the hardest teams to truly understand this season, but there is one thing for certain: they love playing for Todd Bowles. He is turning this team into the type of organization that he wants: a disciplined one that plays hard for 60 minutes each week.
23. Denver Broncos (5-9, Previous Ranking: 25)
Last Week: W, 25-13, at Colts
Next Week: at Redskins (6-8)
If there is any type of silver lining for the Broncos this season, it’s that they are on a 2-game winning streak for the 1st time since the 1st 2 weeks of the season. It’s the little things.
22. Miami Dolphins (6-8, Previous Ranking: 20)
Last Week: L, 24-16, at Bills
Next Week: at Chiefs (8-6)
The fact that the Dolphins are still in the hunt for the playoffs is almost laughable. Even with a win over the Patriots, this team doesn’t have the feeling of a playoff team whatsoever.
21. San Francisco 49ers (4-10, Previous Ranking: 26)
Last Week: W, 25-23, vs. Titans
Next Week: vs. Jaguars (10-4)
Update: Jimmy Garoppolo is now 3-0 since becoming the 49ers’ starter. Adding Jimmy G before the trade deadline might prove to be one of the best moves in the NFL moving forward. Instead of drafting/signing a quarterback in 2018, San Francisco can focus solely on building a team around the former Tom Brady apprentice.
20. Green Bay Packers (7-7, Previous Ranking: 19)
Last Week: L, 31-24, at Panthers
Next Week: vs. Vikings (11-3)
With a loss on Sunday and a Falcons win on Mondy, the Packers have officially been eliminated from the playoff hunt. Because of this, they have officially placed Aaron Rodgers on season-ending IR. Time to look ahead to 2018.
19. Washington Redskins (6-8, Previous Ranking: 22)
Last Week: W, 20-15, vs. Cardinals
Next Week: vs. Broncos (5-9)
Solid win for the Redskins that means absolutely nothing. If I’m in Washington, the only thing that is in my head is Kirk Cousins and what will happen over the next 4 months.
18. Oakland Raiders (6-8, Previous Ranking: 18)
Last Week: L, 20-17, vs. Cowboys
Next Week: at Eagles (12-2)
The Raiders lost in a painful manner that is 2nd to only the Steelers’ heartbreaking loss. The “fumble out of the endzone/touchback” rule has been seen numerous times this season, but this one likely cost the Raiders’ chances at a playoff birth.
17. Tennessee Titans (8-6, Previous Ranking: 13)
Last Week: L, 25-23, at 49ers
Next Week: vs. Rams (10-4)
This loss couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Titans playoff hopes. Unless the Jaguars collapse, the Titans have little chances of winning the AFC South and with the Ravens and Bills immediately behind them, they have little room for error. The pressure is on for Mike Mularkey.
16. Buffalo Bills (8-6, Previous Ranking: 17)
Last Week: W, 24-16, vs. Dolphins
Next Week: at Patriots (11-3)
Just like the Titans, the Bills can’t afford another loss this season, meaning that their matchup with the Patriots comes with some increased motivation. If they lose, however, they will have to have a lot of cards fall in the right place for them to have any chance at ending their nearly 2-decade playoff drought.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (7-7, Previous Ranking: 9)
Last Week: L, 30-13, at Chiefs
Next Week: at Jets (5-9)
A golden opportunity for the Chargers lost. In typical Chargers’ fashion, they were unable to rise up to the occasion and take the division away from the Chiefs, who are now 1 win away from locking up the AFC West. The Chargers could still sneak in, but a lot needs to happen.
14. Seattle Seahawks (8-6, Previous Ranking: 11)
Last Week: L, 42-7, vs. Rams
Next Week: at Cowboys (8-6)
This was not the type of game the Seahawks wanted in trying to prove to the NFL that they belong in the playoffs. With a win, they could’ve taken the lead in the NFC West. Now, their is little hope that Seattle makes the playoffs unless the Falcons, Lions, and Panthers all collapse.
13. Detroit Lions (8-6, Previous Ranking: 14)
Last Week: W, 20-10, vs. Bears
Next Week: at Bengals (5-9)
The Lions left Week 15 with an important win over the Bears. With games against the Bengals and Packers upcoming, the Lions could finish 10-6 and make the playoffs depending on how the rest of the season pans out in the NFC. It isn’t a guarantee, but it could happen.
12. Baltimore Ravens (8-6, Previous Ranking: 15)
Last Week: W, 27-10, at Browns
Next Week: vs. Colts (3-11)
Between the Titans, Bills, and Ravens, Baltimore is the team with the best shot at making noise in the playoffs. Their road to the postseason can’t get much easier (the Colts and Bengals). Assuming they win out, they should realistically make the playoffs.
11. Dallas Cowboys (8-6, Previous Ranking: 12)
Last Week: W, 20-17, at Raiders
Next Week: vs. Seahawks (8-6)
Quite a fluky win for Dallas. If it weren’t for a last second fumble out of the endzone, they drop this game. But, a win is a win. Now, they get Ezekiel Elliott back from suspension in an attempt to make a late-season push for the playoffs. Likely won’t happen, but you never know.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6, Previous Ranking: 16)
Last Week: W, 30-13, vs. Chargers
Next Week: vs. Dolphins (6-8)
When the Chiefs needed to show up, they did so in a big way. The Chiefs have been streaky over the 2nd half of the season, but when they’re on, they’re on. Kansas City could be a surprising team, depending on which version shows up in the postseason.
9. Atlanta Falcons (9-5, Previous Ranking: 10)
Last Week: W, 24-21, at Buccaneers
Next Week: at Saints (10-4)
The Falcons might have the toughest matchups to close out the season (the Saints and Panthers) and how they come out of those games will determine how the NFC shakes out. Atlanta seems to be peaking at the right now, which is scary for the remainder of the NFC.
8. Carolina Panthers (10-4, Previous Ranking: 8)
Last Week: W, 31-24, vs. Packers
Next Week: vs. Buccaneers (4-10)
The Panthers did everything in their power to take advantage of a rusty Aaron Rodgers in his first game in 2 months. This win keeps the Panthers alive in the NFC South title race. They’ve been a difficult team to figure out for the most part this season, games like this give you hope for January.
7. New Orleans Saints (10-4, Previous Ranking: 7)
Last Week: W, 31-19, vs. Jets
Next Week: vs. Falcons (9-5)
The NFC South will be the most entertaining finish in the NFL this season. If the Saints can take care of business against 2 division foes (the Falcons and Buccaneers) and continue to get healthy in the process, New Orleans is a team that will enter the playoffs red hot.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4, Previous Ranking: 5)
Last Week: W, 45-7, vs. Texans
Next Week: at 49ers (4-10)
Whenever Blake Bortles is playing effective football, I truly believe that the Jaguars might be the best team in the NFL. The biggest issue there is that he hasn’t consistently done that this season. If they want to navigate their way to the Super Bowl, they are going to need him to play good football and let their elite defense take care of the rest. If that happens, there aren’t many teams capable of beating Jacksonville.
5. Los Angeles Rams (10-4, Previous Ranking: 6)
Last Week: W, 42-7, at Seahawks
Next Week: at Titans (8-6)
The main reason I put the Rams above the Jaguars is due to the fact that this win was no joke for the Rams. Going to Seattle and absolutely destroying the Seahawks is no small task for any team, especially a division rival. Yet, the Rams found a way to do just that. If they can repeat this type of performance in the playoffs, look out.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, Previous Ranking: 3)
Last Week: W, 34-29, at Giants
Next Week: vs. Raiders (6-8)
Is Nick Foles the same as Carson Wentz? Not at all. But he proved this week that he can get the job done when he’s needed. The biggest concern is the defense, which allowed the Giants to have one of their best offensive performances of 2017. A healthy Carson Wentz wouldn’t change that fact. If they don’t tighten up defensively, teams will rack up the points in January.
3. Minnesota Vikings (11-3, Previous Ranking: 4)
Last Week: W, 34-7, vs. Bengals
Next Week: at Packers (7-7)
Case Keenum has proven this season that he belongs as the starter in the NFL. Whether that’s with the Vikings or somewhere else has yet to be seen. But know this much: the Vikings have the tools to go all the way this year. On a side note, it was awesome seeing Teddy Bridgewater return to action in garbage time for the first time since his gruesome knee injury. Talk about a powerful moment.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3, Previous Ranking: 1)
Last Week: L, 27-24, vs. Patriots
Next Week: at Texans (4-10)
The end result might not indicate it, but I honestly believe that the Steelers outplayed New England for 58 minutes in Week 15. But the difference between these teams was the fact that the Patriots stepped up to the occasion with a stellar last drive that was owned by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. The Steelers, on the other hand, imploded at the worst possible time. Disregard the Jesse James catch controversy; there is little excuse for allowing that masterful Patriots drive to win it and for the chaos that ensued after the overturning of the would-be game-winning touchdown. A pure communication breakdown at it’s finest (or not so finest) and a desperate throw by Ben Roethlisberger into triple coverage on a broken play. Either way, the Steelers put up their best game in years against the Patriots, which should give them some confidence moving forward into the playoffs. I don’t believe that this loss changes the Steelers’ chances at winning their 7th Lombardi. Home field would’ve been nice, but a bye week is still within grasp. For now, though, they need to worry about holding off a hot Jaguars team that owns the tie-breaker. Getting Antonio Brown, Joe Haden, and Marcus Gilbert back will give this team a boost in the postseason (and potential rematch with New England).
1. New England Patriots (11-3, Previous Ranking: 2)
Last Week: W, 27-24, at Steelers
Next Week: vs. Bills (8-6)
On the final offensive drive for the Patriots, they proved why they’re so dangerous. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski put on an absolute clinic that demonstrated why they’re 2 of the best in the business. But in all reality, they had every reason to lose this game (and the game against the Jets… and the game against the Texans) but at the end of the day, the NFL rulebook came down in their favor. If the playoffs go through New England again, they’ll have all the momentum in the world.
