NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Packers and Saints still #1 and #2. Lions jump up to #5.

Benjamin Parker December 28, 2011 0

NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Packers and Saints still #1 and #2. Lions jump up to #5.

Here are my Power Rankings for Week 17. Enjoy!

(+/-) 1. Green Bay Packers (14-1): They got the #1 seed all locked up in the NFC, and now the question is will the repeat as Super Bowl Champs. They got home field advantage throughout the post season. Something they didn’t have last season. Whether they benefit from it or not remains to be seen.
(+/-) 2. New Orleans Saints (12-3): With Brees breaking Marino’s passing record, the MVP race just got a lot tighter between Brees and Rodgers. I still think Aaron Rodgers deserves it, but if there ever was a year for CO-MVP’s this would be the year. It should be noted that the San Francisco 49ers are in the drivers seat for the #2 seed.
(+/-) 3. New England Patriots (12-3): A win and they are the #1 seed in the AFC. It’s that simple. The Patriots are a team that would really benefit from having home field throughout the post-season. Not that any team wouldn’t, but since the Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since the 2007-2008 season, a first round bye with home field until the Super Bowl would be nice.
(+/-) 4. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): It wasn’t a pretty win over the Seahawks, but it was still a win. Let’s keep in mind that Seattle is one of the top 3 hardest places to play in the NFL and so any win is much appreciated in Quest Field. The 49ers are in the driver’s seat to get the #2 seed in the NFC. If they want a shot at a Super Bowl this year, they have to get the #2 seed. Period. They are not winning in New Orleans and then in Green Bay. But if they get the #2 seed, all that would be needed is a win in Green Bay, which I think they are more capable of doing than any other team. Provided Green Bay gets that far.
(+4) 5. Detroit Lions (10-5): They’ve really jumped up in these rankings have they not? But they are in all reality the 4th best team in the NFC, and with the Ravens and Steelers all banged up, the Lions are up here because they are on a 3 game winning streak. They have seemed to respond to the criticism that came upon them 4 weeks ago. They have won 3 in a row, and they have made a 180 degree turn around from where they were a month ago. The defense looks good, Calvin Johnson is tearing it up, etc. Look for them to win on Sunday @ Green Bay, get the # 5 seed in the NFC and set themselves up for a very winnable playoff game in either New York or Dallas.
(-1) 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): They slugged the Rams on Saturday, but that wasn’t that impressive of a win. But what is impressive is they have the depth to get by for a game or two should Big Ben Roethlisberger go down. Interesting to see where they end up if he is healthy.
(-1) 7. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): They limped past a very shaky Browns team 20-14 on Sunday. The inconsistency and lack of drive to beat up on weaker teams doesn’t give me a whole lot of confidence in the Ravens. Their record looks good, but the losses they have are bad. Listen, Baltimore needs to seize the moment. If you’re playing the Browns in a critical week of the season, you need to demolish them. Not let them hang around.
(+3) 8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Jerome Simpson’s front flip touchdown provided the highlight of the weekend, and in addition to that it helped secure a much needed win over the surging Arizona Cardinals. Bengals are heating up at just the right time. Let’s see if they can keep it going.
(-1) 9. Houston Texans (10-5): The game with the Colts had to be a win. But instead they booted it away, and let the Colts win. Very bad loss for the Texans, who unlike the Bengals are sliding at the wrong time. Expect the Bengals to whop them in the playoffs if they should meet. They only thing they got going for them is Andre Johnson should return in time for the playoffs.
(-3) 10. Atlanta Falcons (9-6): I would like to thank Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez for coming through for my fantasy team and helping me win by .5 points!! Yes that is correct less than 1 point I won by, and it was by having both those guys playing on Monday Night. Now with that being said, I will reiterate what I’ve said earlier. The Falcons are not any good!! Yes you heard me, and if want any proof just watch film of Monday Night’s game. The Falcons have a decent offense, and a very shaky/mediocre defense. That is not a module of success. Even though they are a playoff team, don’t bank on them beating anybody. Especially the Saints, if they happen to draw them in their wild card playoff game.
(-1) 11. Denver Broncos (8-7): Tebow had a bad game, but it’s no reason to panic in the Mile High City. They are playing the Chiefs on Sunday, and if they win they are in the playoffs. Expect the Broncos to make the playoffs and be the #4 seed in the AFC playoffs after clinching the AFC West title.
(+4) 12. New York Giants (8-7): I have them ranked here because I expect them to beat the Cowboys on Sunday Night and win the NFC East. As bad as they have looked at times, Eli Manning is still a very good QB, and their running game is solid. With Romo banged up, the Giants should win this game in a very close game. Maybe it’ll involve a field goal being missed by the Cowboys.
(+2) 13. New York Jets (8-7): The Giants shut Rex Ryan and his team up. The Jets are a bunch of loud mouthed clowns who aren’t going anywhere. At least their coach is.
(-2) 14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Win and they are in the playoffs (same applies to the Giants). Look for them to play hard and lose. But they’ll have a shot at winning the game that’s for sure. But expect them to somehow blow it.
(+4) 15. Oakland Raiders (8-7): They got a much needed win over the Chiefs keeping their playoff hopes alive. It doesn’t look pretty in terms of their chances of winning their division or making the playoffs, but they got a shot. Now they got to go out and find a way to beat the San Diego Chargers, who will be playing very angrily on Sunday.
(+5) 16. Tennessee Titans (8-7): They are drawing the Texans at a good time. Out of rhythm with not a whole lot to play for (they are playing for seeding, but they will probably be more concerned about staying healthy). Expect the Titans to beat the Texans on Sunday and keep their playoff hopes alive for the time being.
(-4) 17. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Tough loss at the hands of the Bengals, but give this team cred for fighting to the bitter end. Them and Seattle will put on a very entertaining game that you won’t want to miss.
(-1) 18. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): They fought the 49ers hard and lost, but like the Cards they have shown toughness and grittiness down the stretch of the season. Look for them to play hard against Arizona on Sunday. Also, props to Marshawn Lynch on another fantastic season.
(+1) 19. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Disappointing year in Philly. All the high hopes and expectations, and they have fallen flat on their face. Yes they’ve won 3 in a row, but it was too little, too late.
(-6) 20. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Like the Eagles, they’ve really let themselves squander what could have been a productive season. Norv Turner better get canned. If they fired Marty Schottenheimer after going 14-2, then they better fire that slimy rodent Norv Turner.
(+5) 21. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Tough end to the season, but it was nice to see them beat the Broncos on Sunday and give their loyal fans something to cheer about. They overachieved this year, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
(+1) 22. Carolina Panthers (6-9): With Cam Newton as the unofficial Rookie of the Year, the Panthers should be feeling good about their future.
(-5) 23. Kansas City Chiefs(6-9): They had a let down after beating the Packers, but you konw what? They should be feeling good for having been the only team to beat Green Bay. Chiefs can feel good going into the off-season. Especially with all the injuries that they’ve endured, etc.
(-2) 24. Chicago Bears (7-8): They’ve lost 5 in a row, and in an ironic way proven that Jay Cutler is a valuable player. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, they’d be in the playoffs this year.
(-1) 25. Miami Dolphins (5-10): They got hot for a little while after starting 0-7, and then they’ve sort of let the gas out the balloon here at the end. Bad year for the Dolphins. They have definitely underachieved this year.
(-1) 26. Washington Redskins (5-10): And they were talking a Division title in September. They are eating their words now.
(+/-) 27. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Another bad year in Cleveland. At some point, they gotta stop blaming Art Modell and the Ravens for their own ineptitude.
(+/-)28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): They aren’t any good, but they fought the Titans hard on Saturday. I do get the sense that the Jaguars are trying hard, but they just have too many injuries, and a depleted roster to compete.
(+/-) 29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): They have really been the most disappointing team in the NFL. ‘Nuff said.
(+2) 30. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): I guess they don’t want Andrew Luck. Because they won on Saturday. It was nice to see them win, and to see Joe Webb succeed. But seeing Adrian Peterson tear his ACL was a real bummer for all Vikings fans and NFL fans to see. Get well soon AD!
(+/-)31. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): They got another win, and now they need to lose to get Andrew Luck! Gotta give them credit for fighting hard in these past few weeks. It’s nice to see.
(-2) 32. St. Louis Rams (2-13): They are really really bad. And to think they were in a playoff chase one year ago!!!! Need I say anymore?