NFL Power Rankings – Week 17, John Crowe
John Crowe, Sports Contributor
NFL Power Rankings – Week 17, John Crowe
Teams that were flawed in December still have those same flaws heading into week 17. Now, with only one week left to survive and make the postseason, there’s no margin for error for the Browns, Ravens, Colts, Dolphins, Rams, Cardinals and Bears.
They’re all facing must wins this Sunday in order to advance or else they’ll need some help if they want to continue to play football for the 2020 season. And yes, there are inherent problems afloat.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Rams are without quarterback Jared Goff, out with a broken thumb leaving them with backup QB John Wolford, who will be throwing his first NFL pass this Sunday. The Dolphins will be without backup QB and savior Ryan Fitzpatrick, who tested positive for COVID-19. Finally, in what might be the biggest news on Friday, Saints running back Alvin Kamara has tested positive for COVID-19 according to Pro Football Talk, meaning he’ll miss the regular season finale and next week’s first round playoff game could be in jeopardy if the Saints don’t get the bye. Kamara will have to be in isolation for the next 10 days.
It will all be sorted out Sunday and yes, there will even be a winner in the NFC L-East as the Washington Football Team, Cowboys and Giants all have shots to make the postseason with a losing record. For now, you don’t have to wait for our final regular season NFL Power Rankings.
Best of rest: Cleveland Browns (10-5, Last week: ranked 5th)
Losing to the Jets could be the epic failure of the 2020 season for the Browns. Sure, they were without their top four wide receivers due to COVID-19, but Cleveland still should have had enough to beat the previously one-win Jets. Now, it’s beat Pittsburgh in week 17 or it’s go home again for the Browns.
10. Tennessee Titans (10-5, Last week: ranked 8th)
The Titans offense is good enough for the them to make a second consecutive postseason run. The problem is that the defense is not. In order for Derrick Henry to be able to run the rock 20+ times a game to set-up Ryan Tannehill’s downhill passing game, the Tennessee defense has to avoid putting them in a hole like they did last Sunday night in Green Bay. There’s a reason they’re ranked 29th in total defense, giving up 394 yards a game.
9. Indianapolis Colts (10-5, Last week: ranked 7th)
Up 24-7 in Pittsburgh, the Colts will rue not running the ball more to hold on to a victory that could’ve clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs. Now, Indy needs to beat Jacksonville Sunday, which should be easy against the one-win Jaguars and hope either the Browns, Ravens or Dolphins lose. If not, the Colts will be the first 11-win team to miss the playoffs since the 2008 Patriots. If they get in, the Colts will not be an easy out if Philip Rivers can keep his turnover numbers down.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3, Last week: not ranked)
Let’s be honest, down 24-7 in the third quarter last Sunday, the Steelers season looked like it was on the brink. Yet, 20 minutes later, Pittsburgh had a 28-24 victory over Indianapolis and an AFC North title to celebrate. They’re not all the way back to where they were when they were undefeated at 11-0, but they’re confident enough to give Ben Roethlisberger week 17 to rest up and possibly give Cleveland a free pass into the playoffs. The Steelers are a lot more dangerous than they could’ve been.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-5, Last week: ranked 10th)
If you go by the eye test, the Ravens should be higher than this 7th ranking. But we have to take the entire season into account, right? The Ravens have averaged 36 points the past three games in going from the outside looking in to one win over the Bengals this Sunday to making the AFC playoffs. No one will want to face Baltimore in round one, believe me.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5, Last week: ranked 9th)
The question in Tampa is this – are the Bucs better the past month because of the lack of competition – the Vikings, Falcons (twice) and Lions – or because Tom Brady and crew are getting better? We won’t know the answer until next week when the NFC Playoffs begin on the road for the first time in Brady’s career. But, let’s be clear, Brady’s stats over the past three games – 834 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs – show that the 43-year-old isn’t quite down just yet.
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-4, Last week: ranked 6th)
With the Seahawks dispatching of the Rams last Sunday, Seattle captured the NFC West. Now that their defense is playing much better, surrendering just an average of 11 points the past month, the Seahawks have a real chance to get far in the NFC. A victory over San Francisco Sunday and a loss by the Saints and Packers set them up the road to Tampa to go through the Pacific Northwest.
4. New Orleans Saints (11-4, Last week: ranked 4th)
The Saints were getting their house in order heading to the postseason. The first thing was getting quarterback Drew Brees back healthy. Check! The second was seeing if Alvin Kamara could return to his powerful self to key a running game the Saints surely need to set up play action pass for Brees. That was check until Friday’s news that Kamara is out due to his COVID-19 positive test! Now, can they get Michael Thomas, currently on injured reserve with an ankle injury, 100% for a playoff game. That would be easier if the Saints captured a first-round bye and a week off before playing that game.
3. Green Bay Packers (12-3, Last week: ranked 3rd)
The top seed in the NFC is firmly in Green Bay’s grasp. Just beat the Bears in Chicago this Sunday and it’s theirs, plus they could keep their division rival out of the playoffs. IMHO, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is my NFL MVP hands down. 44 touchdown passes against 5 interceptions while adding 3 more scores on the ground should prove that. Now, can they seal the deal and hold off the Saints and Seahawks for that first round bye in the NFC?
2. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, Last week: ranked 1st)
Call it a bit of a Super Bowl hangover, call it a bit of disinterest or call it just looking ahead to the playoffs, the Chiefs have been winning, yet squeaking by week-by-week. So, yes, in power rankings, style points matter. Sure, they are winners of 10 in a row, but in the last seven games, the margin of victory has been 2, 4, 5, 6, 6, 3 and 3. The question will be whether they get be interested and flip the switch in week 2 of the playoffs. KC will rest QB Patrick Mahomes in week 17 against the Chargers and then they have the AFC’s only bye as the #1 seed.
1. Buffalo Bills (12-3, Last week: ranked 2nd)
They may not have the best record in the league, but the Bills are playing the best football in the NFL. If not for a Hail Murray pass in Arizona, Buffalo would be riding an 8-game winning streak into week 17. Don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas pedal against the Dolphins as they still have eyes on the second seed in the AFC and it could potentially keep AFC East rival Miami out of the playoffs.
Last week:
Best of Rest: Dolphins, Steelers
10. Ravens
9. Buccaneers
8. Titans
7. Colts
6. Seahawks
5. Browns
4. Saints
3. Packers
2. Bills
1. Chiefs