NFL POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 17

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-2)

Even without Hurts the Eagles had a chance to win this game. The defense didn’t turn in their greatest performance, but despite the loss the Eagles continued to show that they are a solid team.

2. BUFFALO BILLS (12-3)

The Bills went into the locker rooms trailing by 4, but a huge 2 nd half led to a 22-point rout of Chicago. Now they look ahead to the Bengals, who are the biggest threat to knock them off of the 1-seed in the AFC.

3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-3)

The Chiefs are continuing to handle business on their end, but I’m sure they are paying close attention to Buffalo’s games as well. A slip-up by the Bills would give Kansas City the bye in the playoffs.

4. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4)

Brock Purdy is continuing to hold his own in San Francisco. If he keeps this up, there could be a QB controversy brewing in the Bay in the near future.

5. DALLAS COWBOYS (11-4)

Dallas took care of business at home against a Philly team missing Jalen Hurts. It would be a treat to see these teams match up again in the playoffs with both Prescott & Hurts healthy.

6. CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-4)

The Bengals’ surge continued as they handed the Patriots a 4-point loss in Foxborough.

7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (12-3)

The Vikings earned themselves another 1-score victory. They have the division locked up, but are still trying to hang on to that #2 seed, which would allow them to play an additional home game in the postseason.

8. BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-5)

The Ravens pulled out another low-scoring affair as they await the return of Lamar Jackson.

9. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-6)

The Chargers are in the playoffs. Now the fun begins.

10. DETROIT LIONS (7-8)

The Lions were possibly the hottest team in football on Sunday morning, but proceeded to lose by 14 points to the Panthers. But that’s just life in the NFL.

11. GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-8)

The white knuckle ride continues for the Packers. They took care of business in Miami, and are playing great football. If they manage to squeak into the postseason, this would be a team I want to avoid.

12. Miami Dolphins (8-6)

The Dolphins are enduring quite a fall from grace. We’re more than likely still going to see this team in the postseason, but they haven’t looked as inspiring as they did a couple months ago.

13. NEW YORK GIANTS (8-6-1)

The Giants were handed another loss this week, but they control their fate.

14. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-7-1)

I truly didn’t expect to see Carson Wentz again this season. There’s even a chance we see him in a playoff game.

15. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-8)

This was a tough loss to swallow for the Pats. Now they will need to win out and receive a lot of help.

16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-8)

It’s surprising to see the Jags playing so well because we are unaccustomed to it, but as surprising as it may be, we should have expected it. Trevor Lawrence has been marked for greatness since high school.

17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-8)

The Steelers went out and won in the final seconds in their first game since Franco Harris’ death. It was a great win on an emotional night in Pittsburgh.

18. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-8)

The Bucs won a nail-biter against the Cardinals, but their attention now shifts to New Year’s Day when they face Carolina. The winner will be in the drivers seat for the NFC South.

19. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-8)

The Seahawks are in the midst of a rough stretch, but a playoff berth is still very achievable. I’m curious to see what we get out of Geno Smith in these final games.

20. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-9)

The good news is that this was a big win for the Saints. It kept them in the hunt. The bad news is they need some outside help AND they need to take down a juggernaut Eagles team if they want to secure a playoff berth.

21. CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-9)

Is Deshaun Watson still shaking off the rust? Or are we witnessing another massive Cleveland Browns QB blunder?

22. TENNESSEE TITANS (7-8)

A month ago the Titans looked like a team that would be a tough out in the playoffs. Things have really come off the rails since then – if the playoffs started today, Tennessee would be watching them on tv.

23. NEW YORK JETS (7-8)

Have they started graving Zach Wilson’s tombstone for the Jets QB graveyard yet?

24. LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-10)

The Rams hung 51 points on the Broncos out of nowhere. Baker Mayfield played well, and Cam Akers exploded for 118 yards on the ground with 3 TD’s to boot. Where did that come from?

25. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-9)

The Raiders led for the majority of the game but wound up losing in the final minute of a game overshadowed by the death of Franco Harris.

26. CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-9)

I’ve had the Panthers near the bottom of my rankings all year long. They currently control their own destiny in regard to winning the NFC South. I’m going to feel like a fool if they pull it off.

27. ATLANTA FALCONS (5-10)

Things are downright ugly on the offensive side of the ball in Atlanta. In their past 7 games, they have only managed to break 20 points once.

28. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-10-1)

The Colts are in a tailspin. It’s gotta be frustrating for the fanbase since they have ownership willing to spend what it takes to win (as mentioned numerous times on Monday Night Football).

29. ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-10)

A valiant effort with Trace McSorley at the helm came up just short.

30. DENVER BRONCOS (4-10)

The Broncos have a bad record, and are in the midst of a bad season. But this was the first game of the year where they were flat out humiliated.

31. CHICAGO BEARS (3-12)

Well, they held the lead at halftime. That was a lot more than anyone expected, right?

32. HOUSTON TEXANS (2-12-1)

The Texans got their 2 nd win of the season on Sunday, denting a division rivals playoff hopes in the process. That had to feel somewhat good for Texans fans, right? It’s not like they’ve had much else to feel good about this season.