NFL Power Rankings - Week 17

A new #1 team has emerged!

1. Arizona Cardinals: 432
Last Week: 2

Notes: The Cardinals look like the most complete team in football. Despite the lower record, they look better than the Panthers right now.

2. Carolina Panthers: 422
Last Week: 1
Notes: A loss might do this team some good since it takes pressure of the "perfect season".

3. New England Patriots: 350
Last Week: 3
Notes:  The coin toss mistake is not a Patriots-like mistake to make. Despite the loss, they look like the best team in the AFC.

4. Cincinnati Bengals:288
Last Week: 4
Notes: Unfortunately for the Bengals, Dalton is unlikely to come back for the playoff opener. Makes getting a bye week even more important for them.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: 237

Last Week: 7

Notes: The Chiefs keep cruising, getting their 9th win a row, the longest active streak in the NFL alongside the Cardinals.

6. Seattle Seahawks: 218

Last Week: 5

Notes:  Not a concerning loss - the Rams always play the Seahawks tough.

7. Denver Broncos: 215
Last Week: 9

Notes: In a battle of the 2nd string QBs, the Broncos get the win and go from possibly not making the playoffs to a possible bye week in the playoffs.

8. New York Jets: 201
Last Week: 10

Notes:  The Jets are looking great and now control their own playoff destiny.  Don't count this team out in the playoffs if they make it.

9. Green Bay Packers: 191
Last Week: 6

Notes:  The loss shows how the Packers are not at the same level as elite teams like the Cardinals and Panthers.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers: 191
Last Week: 8

Notes: A surprising loss to the Ravens that puts them on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

11. Minnesota Vikings: 184
Last Week: 11

Notes: The Vikings dominate the Giants and get back into the playoffs.

12. Houston Texans: 67

Last Week: 14

Notes:  The Texans win and maintain the AFC South division lead. If they beat the Jags or if the Colts lose, they're in the playoffs.

13. Washington Redskins: 66

Last Week: 12

Notes:  The Redskins beat the Eagles and win the NFC East for the first time since 2012 and only 2nd time in 16 years.

14. Atlanta Falcons: 63

Last Week: 15

Notes: The Falcons all of a sudden woke up against the Panthers, but too little too late.

15. Buffalo Bills: 43

Last Week: 16

Notes: The Bills are looking to play the role of upset, keeping the Jets out of the playoffs and getting to .500.

16. St. Louis Rams: -13

Last Week: 19

Notes: If the Rams had a 16 game schedule against the NFC West, they'd be one of the best teams in football.

17. Oakland Raiders: -19

Last Week: 20

Notes:  A .500 season would be a nice improvement over last season.

18. New York Giants: -23
Last Week: 13

Notes: The Giants played like a team who has given up, which is possible since the Redskins already clinched the division at this point. Will Coughlin be back next year?

19. Indianapolis Colts: -49
Last Week: 22

Notes: Even if they make the playoffs, they are a one and done team without Luck.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: -54
Last Week: 17

Notes: They couldn't even make a game competitive that had playoff implications.

21. Detroit Lions: -55
Last Week: 23

Notes: Despite the 6-9 record, the 2nd half Lions look a helluva lot better than the 1st half Lions.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -59

Last Week: 18

Notes: If Tampa Bay had won their last 3 instead of lost their last 3, they would be looking at the possibility of the playoffs right now.

23. New Orleans Saints: -65

Last Week: 25

Notes: The Saints get the win, but what a disappointing season for a team that many thought could win the division.

24. Chicago Bears: -67
Last Week: 24

Notes: The Bears snap a 3 game losing streak with a win over Tampa.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: -95

Last Week: 21

Notes: The Jaguars played like the team we expected heading into this year.

26. Baltimore Ravens: -114
Last Week: 29

Notes: A nice upset win by the Flacco-less Ravens.

27. Miami Dolphins: -143

Last Week: 26

Notes: The Dolphins are looking more and more terrible and the season progresses.

28. San Diego Chargers: -154
Last Week: 28

Notes: Many thought the Chargers would be 11-4 at this point, not 4-11.

29. Dallas Cowboys: -158

Last Week: 27

Notes: The Cowboys might actually beat the Redskins, who are in a position to rest their players.

30. San Francisco 49ers: -222

Last Week: 31

Notes: They move up a spot only because the teams below are so terrible.

31. Tennessee Titans: -228

Last Week: 30

Notes:  The Titans look to play the role of upset and keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Highly unlikely.

32. Cleveland Browns: -247
Last Week: 32

Notes: This might be the biggest blowout of the year - a terrible Browns team against a Steelers team who is fighting for the playoffs.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 16

Skipped a week so last week's number isn't included.

1. Carolina Panthers: 446
Last Week: 1
Notes: A nail biter, but they get to the exclusive 14-0 club.

2. Arizona Cardinals: 380
Last Week: 2

Notes: Probably the most well rounded team in football. Definitely not a team others want to face in the playoffs.

3. New England Patriots: 371
Last Week: 3
Notes:  They are powering through despite injuries and look like a lock for a first round bye.

4. Cincinnati Bengals:302
Last Week: 4
Notes: They rebound and get the win and pretty much all but clinched the division.

5. Seattle Seahawks: 241

Last Week: 6

Notes:  A likely 5 seed, but a team that can very likely make the Super Bowl this year. During their 5 game winning streak they looked like the Super Bowl caliber team they were last year, maybe even better.

6. Green Bay Packers: 230
Last Week: 7

Notes:  The Packers are finding their rhythm again and have won 3 games in a row.

7. Kansas City Chiefs: 218

Last Week: 9

Notes: The Chiefs are now winners of 8 in a row. They should clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Browns next week.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers: 213
Last Week: 8

Notes: Just shows you that this offense can win any game. With the Jets and Chiefs playing good football, the playoffs aren't a lock, but not a team others want to face come playoff time if they make it.

9. Denver Broncos: 190
Last Week: 5

Notes: The Broncos are starting to look like a mess. If they lose to the Bengals and the Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers win next week the playoff picture becomes very interesting.

10. New York Jets: 173
Last Week: 10

Notes:  Not an easy win, but they keep pace with the Chiefs and Steelers with a win over the Cowboys.

11. Minnesota Vikings: 137
Last Week: 11

Notes: A win that pretty much makes them a lock for the playoffs.

12. Washington Redskins: 37

Last Week: 16

Notes:  The Redskins are now in first place by themselves in the NFC East. A win against the Eagles is all they need to win the east.

13. New York Giants: 29
Last Week: 13

Notes: A great comeback, but you just knew the Panthers were going to score on that last drive. No Beckham really hurts the Giants against the Vikings next week.

14. Houston Texans: 29

Last Week: 17

Notes:  The Texans are really benefiting from a Luck-less Colts team. 

15. Atlanta Falcons: 28

Last Week: 15

Notes: The win keeps their playoff chances barely alive. They need to win out and the Vikings need to lose their remaining games.

16. Buffalo Bills: 21

Last Week: 12

Notes: The Bills are officially out of the playoffs. Players are quitting on Rex after his first year. What a mess.

17. Philadelphia Eagles: -20
Last Week: 14

Notes: Just when the Eagles look like they're back on track they show why they are a mediocre at best team.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -37

Last Week: 18

Notes: 2nd place would still be a small victory for this team who is used to being at the bottom of the division.

19. St. Louis Rams: -39

Last Week: 24

Notes: If they can win another game this season, they at least improve over their 6-10 record from last year.

20. Oakland Raiders: -40

Last Week: 19

Notes:  No matter how they end up this year, they at least are a significantly improved team from 2014.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: -66

Last Week: 21

Notes: A win would have kept it a 3 way race in the AFC South. They're still in it, technically, but need a miracle.

22. Indianapolis Colts: -70
Last Week: 20

Notes: Without Luck they're pretty much dead in the water.

23. Detroit Lions: -86
Last Week: 28

Notes: This is the highest the Lions have been all season. Still a disappointing season after making the playoffs the year before.

24. Chicago Bears: -88
Last Week: 22

Notes: After looking like a potential wild card team, the Bears lose 3 straight.

25. New Orleans Saints: -92

Last Week: 23

Notes: They'll need to completely revamp their team to become the Saints we are used to seeing.

26. Miami Dolphins: -121

Last Week: 25

Notes: With the Patriots being the Patriots, the Jets improving significantly, and even the Bills the Dolphins need to make some serious upgrades to become competitive next season.

27. Dallas Cowboys: -126

Last Week: 27

Notes: From first to last in the division. Shows how important Romo is to this team.

28. San Diego Chargers: -136
Last Week: 31

Notes: Give the Chargers credit for at least playing hard still.

29. Baltimore Ravens: -137
Last Week: 26

Notes: Tied for the longest losing streak alongside the Colts and Bears.

30. Tennessee Titans: -180

Last Week: 29

Notes:  If they lose out, they'll end up with the worst record in football, losing the tiebreaker against the Browns.

31. San Francisco 49ers: -191

Last Week: 30

Notes: As with a lot of the other teams towards the bottom, some serious upgrades need to happen to this team in order to be competitive again.

32. Cleveland Browns: -232
Last Week: 32

Notes: 3-13 is probable with games against the Chiefs and Steelers coming up.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 15

Skipped a week so last week's number isn't included.

1. Carolina Panthers: 426
Notes: 16-0 looks more like a possibility than it not happening. All remaining teams are 6-7 that the Panthers are facing.

2. Arizona Cardinals: 343

Notes: Outside of the Panthers, the Cardinals look like the most complete team in football.

3. New England Patriots: 341
Notes:  Injuries keep piling up for the Patriots. However, as long as Brady is under center, this remains the best team in the AFC.

4. Cincinnati Bengals:279
Notes: Tough loss, especially since there's a chance these two teams could very well face each other come playoff time.

5. Denver Broncos: 212

Notes: Upcoming game in Week 16 against the Bengals could decide who gets a bye week for the playoffs.

6. Seattle Seahawks: 207

Notes: The Seahawks are looking like the Super Bowl caliber team they were in 2013 and 2014. 

7. Green Bay Packers: 202

Notes:  Despite their 9-4 record, the Packers are hardly the Packers team we are all used to, even after a nice win over the Cowboys. The game against the Cardinals will really paint the picture of this team's playoff run potential.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers: 179

Notes: The Steelers' offense is Super Bowl caliber, but their defense will likely prevent them from getting there. Still, a nice against the Bengals. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs: 173

Notes: Nobody wants to play the Chiefs right now. 7 wins in a row. Very likely can be 10 with the remaining schedule they have in place.

10. New York Jets: 155

Notes:  The Jets are starting to look like the team we saw the first 5 games of the season. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: 93

Notes: 2 losses in a row for the Vikings. They have a two game cushion for the playoffs, but they can't afford to lose to the Bears with remaining games against better team likes the Giants and even better teams like the Packers.

12. Buffalo Bills: 40

Notes: Has the makings of a .500 team. Rex Ryan will likely lead this team to better things next year.

13. New York Giants: 38

Notes: A win they needed to have. They finally didn't blow a 4th quarter lead. That being said, if they're on the outside looking in come playoff time, they'll be kicking themselves over not winning at least one of those 4th quarter losses. 

14. Philadelphia Eagles: 9

Notes: The Eagles went from dead and gone to 2 good wins against the Patriots and Bills. The Cardinals game next week likely won't matter much - it will be the two games against the Redskins and Giants that will likely decide their playoff ate.

15. Atlanta Falcons: 7
Notes: If the rankings were based on the last 6 weeks, this team would be 32. 6-10 is more likely than 7-9 or better at this point.

16. Washington Redskins: 4

Notes:  A win they needed to have to keep pace in the NFC East. They do control their own destiny and have all winnable games for the remainder of the season.

17. Houston Texans: -2

Notes:  A mediocre team, but will likely be the team that wins the AFC South. A win against the Colts will likely be the deciding factor here.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -11

Notes: Well it looks like any chances for a playoff birth is dead and gone, but expect better things to come from Tampa bay next year.

19. Oakland Raiders: -12

Notes:  The playoffs are unlikely, but at least the Raiders are relevant again.

20. Indianapolis Colts: -51

Notes: Without Luck, this team really has no chance. Maybe they can sneak into the playoffs, but they are a 1 and done team right now.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: -52

Notes: The Jaguars keep things interesting in the AFC South, making it a 3 team race.

22. Chicago Bears: -57

Notes: 2 losses in a row pretty much ends their playoff chances.

23. New Orleans Saints: -71

Notes: Yes, they won, but no matter how they end their season it will be lower than what others expected.

24. St. Louis Rams: -81

Notes: A win against a non-divisional opponent, but it was the Lions.

25. Miami Dolphins: -84

Notes: Tannehill looks like he could be a good Quarterback that has the potential of being a leader to the Dolphins offense. Important when looking at next year.

26. Baltimore Ravens: -100

Notes: Injuries really killed this team this year.

27. Dallas Cowboys: -115

Notes: Miraculously at 4-9 they are still in the playoff race in the NFC East, but they'll need a miracle to happen.

28. Detroit Lions: -119

Notes: Expect Caldwell to go after this season.

29. Tennessee Titans: -155

Notes:  A brutal loss against the Titans. This team has a long way to go before becoming relevant again.

30. San Francisco 49ers: -159

Notes: After a nice win against the Bears, they get brought back to reality with a loss against the lowly Browns.

31. San Diego Chargers: -172

Notes:  The Chargers haven't had 10 or more losses in a season since 2003. If they don't win another game this season it will be their worse season since 2000.

32. Cleveland Browns: -200

Notes: Johnny football is looking good. As long as he can stay out of trouble, the Browns have hope.