Post-Week 17 Power Rankings

Cover photo taken from NBC Sports.

1 – Ravens (13-3)

Another week, another Super Bowl contender mowed down. This team is a machine, and Lamar Jackson deserves this victory lap with his second MVP.

The only question remaining: can they do it in the playoffs?

2 – 49ers (12-4)

The 49ers are probably going to be my pick to win it all, but they better hope this Christian McCaffrey injury is something that can go away in two weeks worth of rest. Because if it’s anything remotely serious, then it is fully over.

3 – Lions (11-5) 1

The year is 2124. There is a crack in the global warming shield surrounding Earth. Astronauts are going up to explore other planets that may be habitable for human life. Your local Chipotle is still out of everything, and the McDonalds ice cream machine is still broken.

And the Lions are still being cheated out of victories by NFL officiating crews.

4 – Cowboys (11-5) 4

A win is a win, and it’s hard to say a team didn’t “deserve” to win any NFL game. But man, this team is oh so lucky.

And it’s not just because of the officiating debacle at the end — Dallas should never have even been in that position, but they chose to throw the ball three times on their last possession to bleed 11 seconds off the clock with less than two minutes to play.

Mike McCarthy is clearly warming up for another clock management disasterclass in the playoffs.

5 – Browns (11-5) 2

Here’s to hoping Joe Flacco can keep this up for the playoffs.

It might seem like a long shot, but we’ve made it this far!

6 – Bills (10-6) 1

The Bills might be the most entertaining watch in the NFL right now. Not because they do anything exceptionally well, but because you truly never know what the hell you’re going to get from them.

It’s astonishing how much of a rollercoaster ride this team is. We’ll see what happens on Sunday night.

7 – Chiefs (10-6) 2

How far can this championship-level defense carry this everlasting work-in-progress offense? We’ll find out soon enough.

Maybe the week off for the starters will help the Chiefs kick it into high gear in the Wild Card. They better hope that’s the case, because whoever they draw as the 6-seed will provide a heck of a challenge.

8 – Dolphins (11-5) 5

Turns out the Dolphins are also a paper straw! Who would’ve thought?! Definitely not yours truly who warned you about this — *checks watch* — nearly three months ago!

9 – Eagles (11-5) 3

I am loving every second of this absolute collapse. This team’s talent is not able to overcome its flaws, and that will be their downfall in the coming weeks.

Cherish these moments, folks.

10 – Rams (9-7)

God I wish this team was going to Dallas for the Wild Card. I think they have everything it takes to make a run, but I don’t know if they can beat Detroit. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

11 – Jaguars (9-7) 2

Winning games with a backup quarterback is a skill, even when those games come against the worst team in the NFL. And it makes things much simpler for the Jags: win and you’re in.

With Trevor Lawrence likely returning to the lineup, that feels like a near-certainty.

12 – Texans (9-7) 2

Turns out having C.J. Stroud healthy makes quite the difference! Shocking, I know.

While hosting a playoff game is probably out of the realm of likelihood, I still think the chips are going to fall Houston’s way to get to the playoffs and head to the house of the AFC East winner in the first round. More on that later, though.

13 – Seahawks (8-8) 2

Remember all of those positive feelings I had about the Seahawks throughout the course of this season?

Yeah, go ahead and toss all of those out. I don’t even want to see this team in the playoffs anymore.

14 – Buccaneers (8-8) 2

See: Seattle. The difference is that the playoffs are practically a guarantee with Carolina on tap.

15 – Colts (9-7) 3

Unlike the two teams above them, the Colts are a team I would love to see in the playoffs. The only problem is I want to see Houston a lot more.

Sorry, Indy. Next year, with Anthony Richardson back, you will have my undying support!

16 – Packers (8-8) 3

The roller coaster continues in Green Bay. Just when I was ready to bury them, the Packers look primed to win and get into the playoffs for a likely date in Dallas with the Cowboys.

And boy, would I love to see that with the way Jordan Love is playing right now.

17 – Broncos (8-8) 2

You guys aren’t worth my time.

18 – Bengals (8-8) 2

It’s truly a shame how this has all played out for the Bengals. It was a real possibility that things would have turned around with Joe Burrow healthy.

Now, they enter an offseason with a ton of questions and plenty of decisions to be made. We’ll see how successful or unsuccessful it winds up being.

19 – Saints (8-8) 2

They’re going to mess around and win this division aren’t they? Or at least make the playoffs? Either way, I lose.

But, I have conceded already. I can’t win with the Saints.

20 – Steelers (9-7) 4

Just when you think they’re dead and buried, Mason Rudolph of all people brings them back to life. I truly can never believe what I’m seeing from the Steelers.

We’ll see if this is enough to get Pittsburgh in the playoffs. For the sake of my eyes, I hope it’s not.

21 – Bears (7-9) 1

There’s been plenty of dialogue around Justin Fields and the No. 1 pick now that the Bears are on the clock courtesy of the ineptitude of the Carolina Panthers.

While I think Justin has done enough to retain a job, I’m not sure it’s in Chicago, no matter how much the players and fans love him. I also think this second-half “offensive boom” is being blown completely out of proportion; they’ve played an awful schedule and the stats don’t back up anything but a mediocre to below-average offensive output. It just feels like it makes more sense to move on and select a top QB with the first pick in the draft with a higher floor, a lower ceiling and a much smaller cap hit, despite the fact that you can get a king’s ransom for the No. 1 pick.

It’s no one’s fault. It’s just business.

22 – Raiders (8-8) 1

Losses like those sting a bit, but at least Davante Adams popped off for certain people’s fantasy championships. We take those.

23 – Falcons (7-9) 6

It’s almost over. Mercifully.

24 – Vikings (7-9) 4

See: Cincinnati.

25 – Titans (5-11)

That was as ugly as it gets. The Titans are in for some big changes in the coming months. They might be a contender for the 2025 No. 1 pick if we’re being honest.

We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but the rebuild feels fully on in Nashville.

26 – Chargers (5-11)

See: Atlanta.

27 – Giants (5-11)

The most important takeaway from the last two games is that Tyrod Taylor is still a hooper. That’s literally all that matters for me.

28 – Cardinals (4-12) 2

See: New England and New York Jets last week.

For beating both Dallas and Philadelphia this year, and winning just enough games to put us in position for the No. 2 pick, the Cardinals are in extremely good graces with me.

If only they could’ve beaten us in Week 1 as well.

29 – Jets (6-10) 1

See: Atlanta/Los Angeles Chargers.

30 – Patriots (4-12) 1

You guys have one more win in you, don’t y’all? You always beat the Jets. I just need you to do it one more time, and I will never say a bad thing about the franchise ever again.

31 – Commanders (4-12)

One loss away from landing a franchise-changing quarterback. Combine that with the right hires at head coach and GM, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to be optimistic with this franchise for once.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t mess this up.

32 – Panthers (2-14)

Don’t throw any drinks on me, please!


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Author: Raza Umerani

Massive sports fanatic. Sadly a diehard DC Sports fan. Virginia Tech Sports Media and Analytics '24

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