NFL Power Rankings Week 18

Well folks, the season has ended and the Patriots are the first undefeated team since the Dolphins of '72. In fact, the Patriots have established themselves as the best team in NFL history with their win over the Giants. Here are the final power rankings for the 2007 NFL season. Stay tuned tonight or tomorrow for playoff predictions.


1. New England Patriots
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: Most people would have you believe that the Patriots were in a lot of trouble against the Giants on Saturday night. If they were any other team that would have been the case, but the Pats are too good of a team to lose their last game of the season to the G-men.


2. Indianapolis Colts
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: Jim Sorgi is the reason this team moved up one spot in the rankings. Had Manning played the entire game he would have rolled over the Titans. The same couldn't be said about the Cowboys who got destroyed by the Redskins.


3. Dallas Cowboys
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: They are still the best team in the NFC, but that doesn't mean it is smooth sailing for this Cowboys team. Yes they rested injured starters, but they were also going for their franchise record 14th win and couldn't even come close against a red hot Redskins team. They might experience some deja vu with a possible playoff game against them.


4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: Quinn Gray played very well, but it wasn't enough to beat the Texans. With Garrard, Taylor, and Jones-Drew this team should have a repeat victory easily over the Steelers. Keep an eye out for a surprising upset by this team throughout the playoffs.


5. Green Bay Packers
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: Even with some rested starters the Packers completely destroyed the Lions. Many people are saying the Cowboys for a Super Bowl entry, but the Packers are looking like a stronger team right now.


6. San Diego Chargers
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: I said this last week, but they are the hottest team in the NFL besides the Pats. They have won 6 straight to secure a 3rd seed which is remarkable after looking like they might not even make the playoffs halfway through the season.


7. New York Giants
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: It is really unfair for me to say this, but if the Giants played the way they did against the Pats against any other team it would have probably resulted in a victory. The running game is looking great, Eli had his best game of the season, Hixon was impressive on special times, and the defense was good despite giving up 38 points. I expect them to coast through the first round.


8. Seattle Seahawks
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: I don't care if it is a meaningless game, you should not give up 44 points to the Falcons. They'll struggle against a red hot Redskins team.


9. Pittsburgh Steelers
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: Unlike the Seahawks, their meaningless loss against the Ravens is exactly that, meaningless. However, they are up against a terrific Jaguars team which will probably result in a first round loss.


10. Tennessee Titans
Move from Week 17: +2
Why?: In a close battle against the Colts, the Titans escaped with a victory and a 6th seed clinch. Although they don't look as good as their 6-2 start would indicated, they ended the season on a high note which is important going into the playoffs.


11. Washington Redskins
Move from Week 17: +2
Why?: Two weeks ago, entering Week 15 against the Giants, I would say this team had no shot of getting in, but they won 3 in a row including huge games against the Vikings and Cowboys and have rightfully earned their spot as the 6th seed.


12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: Again, I'm repetitive when I say this, but this team is the weakest of the playoff teams. Jeff Garcia may be 2-0 against the Giants in the playoffs, but that might not make a difference this time around for the Buccs.


13. Cleveland Browns
Move from Week 17: -3
Why?: They won a meaningless game against the 49ers (by a lot actually), but I rarely will put a non-playoff team in the top 12 unless its an obvious choice. The Browns might have a case against the Buccs and even the Redskins as a better team, but it's not enough to put them ahead of them. This team has impressed me all year however and should be as good next year.


14. Philadelphia Eagles
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: They looked good against the Bills. After a disappointing start to the season, they finished strong and will probably be a playoff contender come next year.


15. Minnesota Vikings
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: The Vikings fell short to the Broncos in a game that wouldn't have mattered anyway. While exceeding the expectations set in the beginning of the year, they still ended the season disappointingly after their surge under the running game of Adrian Peterson.


16. Houston Texans
Move from Week 17: +3
Why?: The Texans had their best season in franchise history with a victor of the Jaguars. Expect even better things from them next season.


17. New Orleans Saints
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: Its hard to figure out why this team was 7-9 this season. It's hard to say they'll need to make some changes going into next season when this lineup worked so well two years ago.


18. Buffalo Bills
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: After being booted from the playoffs with the loss to the Browns, this team never recovered (its funny that the Browns didn't even make the playoffs). They could still be a playoff candidate next season if they continue to use Trent Edwards.


19. Arizona Cardinals
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: I really don't think this team exceeded expectations or went below them (they went below mine however). It was important for them to avoid a losing season which is what they did when they pounced on the Rams.


20. Chicago Bears
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: A hugely disappointing season for the Bears. I can't really see them improving next season unless they make some huge acquisitions during the draft.


21. Detroit Lions
Move from Week 17: -3
Why?: 6-2 to 7-9. That is not just bad, that is horrendous. They couldn't even end the season with a .500 record. Although a big improvement over last season, this team needs to make some big changes.


22. Denver Broncos
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: They beat the Vikings in OT to end the season at 7-9, what does that mean? A worst spot in the draft.


23. Carolina Panthers
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: A very up and down season for this team. As long as Jake Delhomme stays healthy next season, expect this team to be a playoff contender.


24. Cincinnati Bengals
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: They won...against the Dolphins....which really doesn't mean that much. They finished the season 7-9 which is a big disappointment given all the talent they have on their team.


25. New York Jets
Move from Week 17: +2
Why?: The win over the Chiefs has officially made this team the best out of the bad teams (bad team is a team that is 6-10 or worse). We'll see where they stand next year.


26. San Francisco 49ers
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: I'll be blunt, stick with Shaun Hill going into next season. Shaun Hill=2-0, the rest of the starters=2-13. Enough said.


27. Oakland Raiders
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: JaMarcus Russell looked a lot better in his first start going 23 for 31 for 224 yards. The Raiders need to take advantage of this going into next season if this team wants to be taken seriously.


28. Kansas City Chiefs
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: What else is there to say about this team? They are horrible. They lost 9 in a row. Seriously what else is there to say?


29. Baltimore Ravens
Move from Week 17: +1
Why?: A win over the Steelers isn't enough to save poor ol' Bill's job. Who can blame the Ravens organization though? The once dominant Ravens team ended the season 5-11.


30. St. Louis Rams
Move from Week 17: -1
Why?: If you want to look at the Rams season for any optimistic point of view, they started the season 0-8 in the first half and ended up with a 3-5 record. Ok, I'm trying to give Rams fans some hope.


31. Atlanta Falcons
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: They scored a lot of points, 44, against their win over the Seahawks, but also gave up 41 against their reserves. After ended 4-12 on the season they might want to find a way to break Vick out of jail.


32. Miami Dolphins
Move from Week 17: 0
Why?: 1-15. I don't care how many games were lost by 3, 1-15 shows how bad of the team the Dolphins are and how they are in a LOT of trouble going into next season as well.