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.