NFL POWER RANKINGS WEEK 17

BY ADAM GREENE

We have two weeks of regular season games left, so let’s not waste any time in doling out our meaningless grades based on criteria I’ve arbitrarily created.

1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-3)

As someone who had the Ravens as the best team in the NFL for weeks, I’d like to welcome all the rest of my national media members. Thanks for coming around. All it took is an emphatic blowout win over the San Francisco to get you there. Lamar Jackson firmly planted himself at the top of the MVP list and Baltimore proved, beyond a shadow of any doubt, that they should be the Super Bowl LVIII favorites. As someone who predicted this was possible if they brought in an NFL caliber offensive coordinator, everything about Monday was very satisfying. It was a good Christmas. Here’s a fun fact — the Ravens have beaten seven teams by two or more touchdowns and all of them currently have a winning record. That’s pretty fantastic. Also, it’s important to note that Lamar Jackson is 20-1 against NFC teams as a starting QB in the NFL. That might mean something if this team makes the Super Bowl. Last week: No. 1

2. MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-4)

The Dolphins, in Week 16, finally got a victory over a team with a winning record. In this case, it was the Dallas Cowboys and, therefore, huge. Now they get the chance to make it two weeks in a row and take over the top seed in the AFC when they face off against the Ravens Sunday. Last week: No. 3

3. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4)

I picked the Niners to lose on Christmas night, but I didn’t expect them to drop past No. 2 in the rankings. That was until they were blown out on their home field by the Ravens in a game that not only reset the NFL Super Bowl odds, but the MVP odds. Has Brock Purdy finally fallen back to Earth? I’m not ready to say that yet, but he needs to bounce back in the worst way over the last two weeks of the season. If we see more of what happened against Baltimore…. Yikes.  Last week: No. 2

4. DETROIT LIONS (11-4)

The Lions answered the call last week and got to put on their NFC North Championship T-shirts and caps after a win. This week, they’ll get the chance to prove they belong in the Super Bowl conversation if they can beat the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. Last week:  No. 4

5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4)

The Eagles halted their three-game losing streak with a win over a bad New York Giants team. But, hey, winning a game can certainly start something good for a team. Considering they have the Arizona Cardinals and the Giants again this season before the playoffs, which Philly has already secured, there’s really nothing that can be “fixed” until the games start for real in the postseason. I’m not ready to bury the Eagles, but nothing that happens over Weeks 17 and 18 means anything for their Super Bowl LVIII chances. Last week: No. 7

6. CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5)

Before all the scandals, I really liked Deshaun Watson so I can’t fault the Browns, even with the baggage, for making a trade for him. But to see how good this team is with Joe Flacco under center has to be the most frustrating part of a pretty terrific season. They didn’t have to give Watson, or anyone, that insane guaranteed contract. That much is obvious, regardless of what happens here on out. Last week: No. 8

7. BUFFALO BILLS (9-6)

The second the Bills were tossed out of contention by punditry, they actually became one of the best teams in the league. Firing Ken Dorsey as their offensive coordinator could turn out to be one of the best in-season moves for any team in 2023, because, right now, Buffalo looks like the only team with a realistic shot of keeping Baltimore out of the Super Bowl. Last week: No. 11

8. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-6)

As I wrote in my What We Learned column this week, anyone blaming Taylor Swift, who just shows up to the games and cheers for her boyfriend’s team, for Kansas City’s troubles this season is a complete moron. Plus, you know, there’s probably a big subsection of people tweeting about that currently on the FBI’s most wanted list for their activities back on Jan. 6, 2021 in case you needed to have another thing to argue with your uncle about anytime you see him. Besides, how do these people know anything about Taylor Swift at Chiefs games? Didn’t they boycott the NFL for good years ago because of BLM, kneeling for the anthem and Woke? Kansas City’s not out of it, but they aren’t repeating. This is a reset year for them, one that will likely end in the AFC Divisional Round on the road, but they’ll be back at it next year. Make no mistake. Last week: No. 5

9. DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5)

Thanks to the Los Angeles Rams winning last Thursday, the Cowboys can now claim two whole victories over franchises with a winning record this season. They can notch a third Saturday night when they host the Lions. Last week:  No. 6

10. LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-7)

If you follow me on social media, and you should, or are a regular reader, then you know the Rams are my team. Yes, I live in Tennessee, but I’m also about to turn 50 in February and for a big portion of my life, Tennessee had no NFL franchise so, when I was four years old, I picked the Rams because I thought they had the coolest helmets. At 49, I still think that. So why aren’t the Rams higher, as they appear to be in everyone else’s rankings? Because I made up the criteria here, as I always point it, and that criteria says they’re 10^th this week. They come into this week’s contest against the New York Giants with Matthew Stafford posting the highest quarterback rating of Week 16 and rookie Puka Nacua as the NFC Player of the Week. Nacua was also the second highest rated wide receiver in the NFL by Pro Football Focus after Week 16, behind only Amari Cooper, who just set a new Cleveland Browns record in receiving yards. If LA wins Sunday and the Seattle Seahawks lose, they clinch a playoff spot. That’s something I’m pretty sure I was the only person in the national media to predict in the offseason. It’s not been a bad couple of months for the Rams.  Last week: No. 14

11. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7)

I’m not sure if the Colts are going to get into the playoffs and make a real stand or just ruin it for another AFC team that could make the whole bracket more interesting. I’m not sure their fanbases knows either. And, trust me, I know it’s more fun to root for a team in the postseason, but Indy is much better off missing the bracket and picking a solid player in the teens. There’s no way this team makes the Super Bowl. But, if you want to win one in the future, you need some real horses. Last week: No. 13

12. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7)

As the Bucs cruise to another NFC South title and Tampa Bay fans must come to the unfortunate realization that they will be forced to deal with Todd Bowles as a head coach for another season, it’s important to recognize that their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is worth every cent they’ve paid him. He has more touchdowns and fewer interceptions than Patrick Mahomes this season. Mayfield may get to start his Progressive commercials again. I think he’s found a forever home. Last week: No. 15

13. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-7)

Are the Seahawks a good team? No. Have they overperformed? Also, no. They’ve just gotten lucky against good teams. Can they make the playoffs? Absolutely and whoever has the two seed in the NFC is licking their chops at the possibility. This team sucks and will suck all the way to a Wild Card round loss on its best day. Last week: No. 17

14. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-8)

As weird as this season has been, and I’ve not looked at the percentages, but there’s no doubt the Pack has a real shot to sneak into the playoffs as long as they win Sunday. Jordan Love has proven he’s an NFL quarterback at this point. Not that he’s worth $30 million, but he’s definitely worth keeping on a franchise tag for a year. Also, it’s important to note that the team has suspended one of the league’s best corners, Jaire Alexander, for the week after his weird, self inflicted, wound of a cion toss issue last week. It feels like a white flag on a playoff run to me. Last week: No. 20

15. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8)

Should Antonio Pierce be a serious consideration for the Raiders head coaching position in 2024? A lot of punditry are saying he should after the last two weeks, but I have the capability of remembering as far back as three weeks ago and a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the lowest scoring NFL game in the last 16 seasons. Let’s see how the next two weeks play out before we start putting together the contract. Last week: No. 21

16. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-7)

Mason Rudolph brought the Steelers back to life last week and now, with Kenny Pickett healthy enough to play, the team is sticking with him. Know that, with one more win, Pittsburgh won’t make the playoffs, but they’ll stay alive for the postseason and, maybe more importantly, Mike Tomlin will keep his streak of seasons without a losing record. He’s never recorded one as a head coach. Last week: No. 22

17. CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-7)

The Jake Browning story ended as it always does, with the QB everyone falls in love with falling face first back to earth. The Kurt Warners and Kirk Cousins are rare, my friends. There’s a reason plenty of us are still giving the side eye to Brock Purdy. Last week: No. 9

18. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7)

Trevor Lawrence has been playing hurt for weeks, but that hasn’t changed the AFC playoff picture. Lawrence is a guy that refuses to sit when he’s injured and that could make a difference come future seasons, but it might be smart to keep Trevor healthy in this one. Last week: No. 10

19. HOUSTON TEXANS (8-7)

The Texans keep getting chances to take over the AFC South and continually blow them. Still, it’s incredible that they’re even in the mix in DeMeco Ryans’ first year. Also, seeing the team struggle without CJ Stroud in the starting lineup really exemplifies what a great player he already is. Last week: No. 12

20. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8)

New Orleans hasn’t officially been eliminated from playoff contention yet. That’ll happen Sunday when they lose to the Buccaneers. Last week: No. 16

21. ATLANTA FALCONS (7-8)

Like the Saints, the Falcons are still alive for a playoff appearance. And, also like New Orleans, that’ll probably end this week with a loss to the Chicago Bears. Last week: No. 27

22. CHICAGO BEARS (6-9)

As good as Justin Fields has been this season, and especially with the payday he should expect for his performance soon, there’s no reason to expect he isn’t auditioning for other teams over the next two games as Chicago should absolutely be prepared to draft Caleb Williams out of USC No. 1 overall and pair him with a new coaching regime. I’d be calling Lincoln Riley, Williams’ current coach at USC, first. Last week: No. 23

23. DENVER BRONCOS (7-8)

Regardless if what the math says, the Broncos have officially waved the white flag on the 2023 season and, honestly, it’s hard to blame them. Sure, they could win out and have things fall their way and end up in the playoffs, but it’s obvious they have no desire for that to happen as the team has benched Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham for the final two games of the year. It’s not performance-based, or solely on that. If DangeRuss had lit it up this season, even if the record was the same, he would not be riding the pine, make no mistake. This is all because the team wants to cut Wilson in the offseason and keep from paying him an extra $37 million as they do it. That means Sean Payton and the Broncos will be major players in the QB market this offseason and that Wilson will be available as a free agent for a QB-needy team. The Atlanta Falcons are certainly taking note. Last week: No. 18

24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-8)

The Vikings balled out on offense last week and still managed to lose against the Lions. Now, they’ll have to face off against the Packers, who are also battling for a playoff spot, without tight end TJ Hockenson, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn MCL and ACL.  Last week: No. 19

25. NEW YORK JETS (6-9)

No team can play better when the games matter the least than the Jets. The Johnsons have made it clear that Robert Saleh is safe next year, as expected, but I’ve learned a lot of negative things about that dude this season and I’m confident nothing will work out the way they want in 2024. Last week: No. 26

26. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-11)

Bill Belichick ruining the Patriots draft position by winning meaningless games is the greatest troll from the Super Genius yet.  Last week: No. 31

27. NEW YORK GIANTS (5-10)

If you’re wondering why it took me an entire year to come around on Brock Purdy, look no further than Tommy DeVito, who just got benched for good by the Giants. That’s the this story usually plays out. See also Jake Browning and the Bengals. Last week: No. 24

28. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-10)

Well, Will Levis got the week off and the Titans nearly beat the Seahawks. Of course, they didn’t so they might as well roll with the young guy for a the next two games if he can play. Last week: No. 25

29. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-10)

This might surprise you. The Chargers were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16, about a month after reality eliminated them. Last week: No. 28

30. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-11)

The Commanders have been tanking all season but failed early, winning far too many games in September and October. The NFL finally settled, Washington hit the skids and if the draft was held today, they’re picking third. With the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals in the league, that’s probably the best they could hope to get. What could mess it up? How about benching Sam Howell, the human turnover machine, and replacing him with Jacoby Brissett, a far superior QB. This is the problem with letting Ron Rivera know he’ll hit the bricks at season’s end. He has no incentive to crap away these final contests. Last week: No. 30

31. ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-12)

Arizona is back in the No. 2 spot in April’s draft order and has some decisions to make. I wouldn’t take Drake Maye over Kyler Murray, but if another team trades with the Bears and falls in love with the UNC QB, pushing Caleb Williams to two? I’m turning that card in. Last week:  No. 32

32. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-13)

To lose so thoroughly when it’s for nothing, when their first round pick already belongs to another team, takes some true dedication to being terrible. Last week: No. 29

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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