Brock’s 2023 NFL Power Rankings – Week 17
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-3)
The Ravens made a statement win against the Niners this week, vaulting them up to #1 in the power rankings. After a 14-point road win against San Francisco, it’s “Super Bowl or bust” for Baltimore – if it wasn’t already.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4)
Brock Purdy had perhaps his worst game as a professional, throwing 4 picks, which led to the Niners suffering a 14-point home loss to Baltimore. Even more concerning is that Purdy left the game with an injury and did not return. It is worth mentioning, however, that Purdy appeared ready to return to action, but with the game nearly out of reach Kyle Shanahan didn’t want to risk injuring his young QB further.
3. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4)
The Eagles got back into the win column, holding off a late Giants drive that could have tied it up, by picking off a Tyrod Taylor pass in the end zone.
4. MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-4)
The Dolphins got what they needed to be truly considered as a Super Bowl contender – a signature win against an elite opponent. With a 22-20 victory over the Cowboys, the Dolphins clinched a playoff spot, and have also shown that they can hang with the NFL’s best. Dolphins’ kicker Jason Sanders was the hero in this win, with a whopping 5 field goals – including 3 from 50+ yards, and the game-winner as time expired to lift Miami to victory.
5. DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5)
The Cowboys lost a nail biter against the Dolphins this week. Dallas only gave up 1 TD, but Miami’s kicking game gave the Cowboys a loss.
6. DETROIT LIONS (11-4)
It’s official: Detroit will host a playoff game. The Lions’ 30-24 win over Minnesota clinched the NFC North for Detroit. For the Lions to be playing at least 1 playoff game at home is big, as Jared Goff’s struggles in harsh weather have been widely talked about.
7. BUFFALO BILLS (9-6)
The Bills almost blew a game that looked like a surefire win. It always looks like a for sure thing when a team’s season is down the drain and they had just gotten embarrassed the week before. But team’s usually play hard in their first game under a new coach, and as a result the Bills needed a late field goal to sneak out of Los Angeles with a win over the Chargers. Buffalo currently holds a wild card spot, and they will surely be a tough out in the postseason.
8. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-6)
It appeared as if the Chiefs got back on track against New England, but that wasn’t the case. Sloppy offense led to a surprising home loss against the Raiders.
9. CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5)
Joe Flacco is the Browns starting QB, and the team is 10-5. Are we in the Twilight Zone?
10. LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-7)
The Rams continue their mission to prove the preseason doubters wrong. The team controls their own destiny, and their 30-22 win over New Orleans this weekend was a big momentum boost with San Francisco looming in the final week.
11. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-7)
The Seahawks got a huge 20-17 win at Tennessee. This keeps the Seahawks in the playoff picture with 2 games remaining.
12. HOUSTON TEXANS (8-7)
The loss of CJ Stroud has the Texans hurting. Houston had an opportunity to take over the AFC South lead this weekend when they hosted Cleveland at home, but they couldn’t capitalize, as the Browns ran away with a 14-point win.
13. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7)
Baker Mayfield’s importance to this team can’t be understated. In a resurgence year for Mayfield, he is 12th in the NFL in passing yards, and 6th in passing touchdowns. His play has put Tampa in a position where they will all but seal up a playoff berth with a win over New Orleans on Sunday.
14. CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-7)
This was a tough loss to take. It’s not like Browning has been good enough to still think of Cincy as a Super Bowl contender, but they were definitely looking like a playoff team over the past couple games with Browning at the helm. That wasn’t the case on Saturday. Browning made some big mistakes, and the Bengals couldn’t convert in the big situations, and as a result their playoff hopes took a significant hit.
15. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7)
Many people thought this would be a breakout year for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags. That has not been the case. After losing by double-digits to Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Jags have fallen to 8-7. They still hold the division lead via tie breaker, and they control their own playoff destiny, but I think its safe to say that Lawrence has not yet taken the “next step”, and that has this team underperforming based on their preseason hype & expectations.
16. DENVER BRONCOS (7-8)
The Broncos have been such a turbulent team. They have currently fallen from grace after their win streak, and things are once again bleak in Denver after a home loss to New England.
17. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8)
The offense wasn’t managing to put points on the board, so the defense had to get it done. The Raiders D scored touchdowns on consecutive plays. First, returning a Pacheco fumble for a TD, then intercepting a Patrick Mahomes pass and taking it to the house on the Chiefs’ next snap. Talk about taking matters into your own hands.
18. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7)
The Colts’ loss to Atlanta stung, but Indy would still be in the playoffs if they started today.
19. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-8)
The Packers were able to sneak out of Carolina with a 3-point win. Green Bay’s playoff hopes are alive, but it’s a long shot. First thing’s first, take care of business against Minnesota this week.
20. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8)
The Saints really needed a win this weekend, but it wasn’t in the cards. Now not only do they need to win their final 2 games to have a shot at the postseason, but they will need some outside help as well.
21. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-7)
Mason Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide us through this playoff fight?
The switch to Mason Rudolph at QB paid immediate dividends. Mason Rudolph & George Pickens were difference makers. Rudolph gave the Steelers solid play from the QB position, which the Steelers haven’t had much of this season. That improved QB play led to Pickens having a huge game with 195 yards and 2 TD’s on just 4 catches. Now, if Pickett is good to go this week, who gets the start?
22. ATLANTA FALCONS (7-8)
The Falcons had an impressive win against the Colts on Sunday, which keeps them in the hunt for the NFC South.
23. NEW YORK JETS (6-9)
The Jets earned a 2-point home win over Washington. The Jets season has long been lost, but these wins late in the year can build confidence for next season.
24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-8)
The Vikings loss to Detroit this weekend really hurt, but they still have a 49% chance to make the postseason.
25. CHICAGO BEARS (6-9)
The Bears played Arizona this week in a game where there wasn’t much to be excited about. They won 27-16, in case you are curious.
26. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-10)
The Chargers upped their performance for interim head coach Giff Smith, but it wasn’t enough as the Bills slipped away with a win in LA.
27. NEW YORK GIANTS (5-10)
We saw Tyrod Taylor return to action for New York. The change wouldn’t cut it, however, as the Giants fell to the Eagles.
28. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-10)
The bad news is that the Titans keep losing games. The good news is that they are staying competitive. They are 1-3 in their last 4 games, with all 3 losses coming by just a field goal.
29. ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-12)
When is the draft?
30. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-11)
Commanders fans have to be ready for this nightmare to be over. They had a chance to beat the Jets, but a late field goal dashed any hopes of victory.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-11)
The Pats got some good play from Bailey Zappe this past weekend, and as a result they got a 3-point road win at Denver. There is speculation that this could Belichick’s final season as the Patriots head coach. If that’s the case I’m sure the future Hall of Famer would want to go out with some wins. Even if Belichick returns next season, some late season wins will be a solid foundation for improvement next season after a disastrous year in New England.
32. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-13)
The Panthers were close to finding their 3rd win of the season, but to no avail. The played Green Bay close, however, so that could be viewed as progress.
