NFL Power Rankings-Week 17

Here we go folks..the final week of the NFL is upon us and the only spot left is the 6th seed in both the AFC and NFC. The Titans control their own destiny with a win getting them in that spot or a loss forking it over to the Browns. In the NFC, the Redskins will clinch it with a win, the Vikings will clinch it with a win and a Redskins loss, and the Saints will clinch with a win and a Redskins and Vikings loss.


1. New England Patriots
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: Their final week against the G-men should be interesting. Brady needs two TD passes to break Manning's single season record and Moss needs to receive both of them to break Jerry Rice's record. Don't expect Brady to be benched until this is accomplished.



2. Dallas Cowboys
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: I loathe the Cowboys, but I am the only person to put them at the #2 spot. Romo seemed back on track with a 7 point win over the Panthers. If they rest their starters they'll be giving the Redskins a good chance to take the 6th seed.


3. Indianapolis Colts
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: They destroyed a decent Texans team. They played Addai too much during the game however, who is now suffering from an injury (although minor).


4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: If I had to pick a team in the playoffs to upset the Pats it would be this team. Seriously. Fred Taylor is unstoppable and with him and Jones-Drew that have one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL.


5. Green Bay Packers
Move from Week 16: -1
Why?: Sitting a 12-3, two of these losses came to a mediocre at best Bears team. Luckily for the Packers they won't be facing them come playoff time.


6. San Diego Chargers
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: This team is the hottest team in the NFL right now minus the Pats. They look a lot like the 14-2 team they were last year.


7. Seattle Seahawks
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: They absolutely destroyed an already emotionally weak Ravens team. They could be a surprise threat come playoff time.


8. New York Giants
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: They don't need for Eli to perform well if the running game performs as well as it did against the Bills. That's asking a lot though. If the G-men can come within 7 points of the Pats this week then they'll have a lot of confidence going into the playoffs.


9. Pittsburgh Steelers
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: They have the AFC North all wrapped up now. I still don't have much confidence for them for the playoffs though.


10. Cleveland Browns
Move from Week 16: -4
Why?: I'll admit I've jumped on the Cleveland bandwagon because of how unexpected their season is. Now they are in trouble for the playoffs with the Colts controlling their destiny. If Dunge plays his starters except to see the Browns in come playoff time, if not, then the Browns will have to wait until next year.


11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: They lost to the 49ers, but their starters were rested for the game so nothing should be read too much into it. They are still the weakest playoff team out of all that is clinched.


12. Tennessee Titans
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: Their 4 point win over the Jets might not seem impressive, and it isn't, but it has helped them to stay alive in the playoff picture. Now they are in control of their own playoff destiny.


13. Washington Redskins
Move from Week 16: +3
Why?: Do you think this team has Sean Taylor in the back of their minds? They have been dominating, with the exception of the Bills game, since his death. Like the Titans, they control their own destiny for the playoffs. If the Cowboys rest their starters, expect to see the Redskins take the 6th seed in the NFC.


14. Minnesota Vikings
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: After what looked like a sure playoff clinch, their is a pretty strong chance they won't be seeing any playoff time come January.


15. Philadelphia Eagles
Move from Week 16: +4
Why?: Even though they are out of the picture, they are still playing like they are fighting for their playoff lives. This team can pull a Packers move and end this season strong and have a dominating year next season.


16. New Orleans Saints
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: Even though they lost, the Redskins win kept this team alive. They need a miracle to clinch though.


17. Buffalo Bills
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: Trent Edwards was the opposite of clutch throwing 3 quick interceptions against the Giants. They should still use him for their starting QB come next season.


18. Detroit Lions
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: Somebody had to win in their game against the Chiefs (imagine if they tied?!?) and the Lions took it by 5 points. Kitna is biting his tounge after predicting a 10-6 season.


19. Houston Texans
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: This team will be better next season. I'm curious to see what their record would be in any other division.


20. Arizona Cardinals
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: They squeaked out a win against the Falcons which is embarrassing with the way the Falcons have been playing. I can't believe I predicted this team to be a 6th seed this year with a 9-7 record.


21. Chicago Bears
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: A dominating performance against the NFC's 2nd best team. They'll need to discuss their QB situation for next season though or this team won't be making the playoffs again.


22. Denver Broncos
Move from Week 16: -1
Why?: A disappointing season for this team. Expect Cutler to improve with experience though.


23. Carolina Panthers
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: They really haven't been playing bad as of late, even with 4th option QB Matt Moore. That doesn't mean they aren't still wondering what their season would have been with an injured Jake Delhomme.


24. Cincinnati Bengals
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: Their playing the role of spoiler quite well with a win over the Browns. Lets see if people will continue to pick this team for the playoffs next year with another subpar performance under their belt.


25. San Francisco 49ers
Move from Week 16: +3
Why?: Why the big increase? New QB=New team. Shaun Hill is 2-0 QB-ing for a team that started the season 3-10 (first two wins came from the first two games of the season). The name Alex Smith should never be mentioned again.


26. Oakland Raiders
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: Well they gave JaMarcus Russell a shot and he looked horrible in his first start. The Raiders should start him again given it is his first game and they have nothing else to shoot for.


27. New York Jets
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: Another game lost by 7 or less. Who is QB-ing come next season?


28. Kansas City Chiefs
Move from Week 16: -2
Why?: The lost the battle of the losers against the Lions. The Chiefs aren't just bad, they are crazy bad.


29. St. Louis Rams
Move from Week 16: +1
Why?: Yes, they lost by a decent amount against the Steelers, but they kept it close throughout the game. They also don't deserve to be in the 30s compared to the other teams listed below.


30. Baltimore Ravens
Move from Week 16: -1
Why?: 9 in a row?!? Wow. Did anyone expect this team to be 4-11 at this point of the season??


31. Atlanta Falcons
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: They pretty much clinched this spot in the rankings. They won't win next week and even if they lose, the Dolphins will have to put up a surprising win against the Eagles for this team to move down.


32. Miami Dolphins
Move from Week 16: 0
Why?: 1-14, look how bad that sounds. It'll be 1-15 after the game against the Eagles.