NFL Power Rankings - Week 17: Steelers plummet as playoff hopes dwindle
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.
1. New Orleans Saints (13-2)Previous Rank: 1
The Saints enter the playoffs armed with home-field advantage, but the lack of a secondary receiver to complement Michael Thomas threatens to rear its ugly head. - McClymont
2. Chicago Bears (11-4)Previous Rank: 4
Does defense truly win championships? The Bears should be a great test case, along with the Ravens, in a postseason full of teams that rely on offense. - Browne
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)Previous Rank: 3
Kansas City's defense will have to improve its tackling if the team wants to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. Patrick Mahomes can't do it all. - Alessandrini
4. Los Angeles Rams (12-3)Previous Rank: 5
Sean McVay's squad rebounded against the lowly Cardinals this week, but the Rams will to have to dominate tougher competition to show us they're truly back on track. - Alessandrini
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)Previous Rank: 2
After four straight victories, the streaking Chargers fell flat against a stingy Ravens defense. In the AFC West, one game is the difference between the conference's No. 1 seed and a wild-card spot. - Alessandrini
6. New England Patriots (10-5)Previous Rank: 7
Death, taxes, and the Patriots winning the AFC East are the lone constants in life. - Srinivasan
7. Houston Texans (10-5)Previous Rank: 6
Deshaun Watson has added himself to the MVP conversation late in the season. While he likely won't win the award, a dazzling performance in the regular-season finale against the Jaguars could lead to a top-3 finish in voting. - McClymont
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)Previous Rank: 10
The Ravens are already selling playoff tickets. Guys, you really don't want to give Baker Mayfield even more fire. - Browne
9. Seattle Seahawks (9-6)Previous Rank: 11
Is there any player more valuable to his team than Russell Wilson? The Super Bowl champion played at an MVP-level against the Chiefs in Week 16, leading the Seahawks to a playoff berth after many wrote them off. - Alessandrini
10. Indianapolis Colts (9-6)Previous Rank: 9
A three-year playoff drought could end if Indy wins on the road against the Titans in Week 17. However, the Colts are 3-4 as the visitors this season. - McClymont
11. Dallas Cowboys (9-6)Previous Rank: 12
Should Ezekiel Elliott be considered a fringe MVP candidate? The third-year back is about to win his second rushing title, and he's the driving force behind the Cowboys' success in 2018. - Srinivasan
12. Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1)Previous Rank: 13
Over the last two weeks, Minnesota has blown out one mediocre team (Dolphins) and one terrible team (Lions). Will the Vikings' new offensive philosophy following the firing of coordinator John DeFilippo be enough to take down the mighty Bears and secure a playoff spot? - Browne
13. Tennessee Titans (9-6)Previous Rank: 14
Marcus Mariota always seems to have an injury during the Titans' most important games. - McClymont
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6-1)Previous Rank: 8
Mike Tomlin will get most of the heat if the Steelers are sitting at home come January, but defensive coordinator Keith Butler should take his fair share after a terrible season of play-calling. - Browne
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)Previous Rank: 15
To have a shot at defending their Super Bowl title, the Eagles need to beat the Redskins and also hope the Vikings lose to the Bears. It's Time for Nick Foles to work his magic once again. - Srinivasan
16. Cleveland Browns (7-7-1)Previous Rank: 16
With all due respect to Saquon Barkley, this man is the Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Browne
17. Miami Dolphins (7-8)Previous Rank: 17
If Week 17 is indeed the end of the Adam Gase era in Miami, he'll be remembered for failing to live up to his pre-hiring billing as an offensive mastermind. - Srinivasan
18. Green Bay Packers (6-8-1)Previous Rank: 21
Aaron Rodgers shouldn't be immune to criticism for his role in the Packers' disappointing season. But it's hard to question the leadership of a QB who will jump in to defend his teammates from an opposing 300-pound lineman during a meaningless Week 16 game. - Browne
19. Washington Redskins (7-8)Previous Rank: 19
What a miserable end to the season. Releasing D.J. Swearinger for having the temerity to criticize a failing defense is peak Redskins hubris. - Srinivasan
20. Carolina Panthers (6-9)Previous Rank: 18
A lot has gone wrong in Carolina to end the season, but the Panthers' usage of do-everything back Christian McCaffrey has been perfect. - McClymont
21. Denver Broncos (6-9)Previous Rank: 20
Vance Joseph's days in Denver are numbered, which is probably for the best. The Broncos need a true rebuild. - Alessandrini
22. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)Previous Rank: 23
At least we can look forward to Atlanta throwing a mean Super Bowl party. - McClymont
23. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)Previous Rank: 22
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Hue Jackson has a nice ring to it. - Browne
24. New York Giants (5-10)Previous Rank: 24
A head-coaching change last offseason couldn't save this lost enterprise under Eli Manning. - Srinivasan
25. Buffalo Bills (5-10)Previous Rank: 25
Glass half full: Josh Allen has silenced some skeptics while showing potential. Glass half empty: His play won't elevate the NFL's worst wide receiving corps. - Srinivasan
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)Previous Rank: 30
So, Cody Kessler isn't the answer at quarterback either. Who would have thought? - McClymont
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-10)Previous Rank: 26
There's plenty to figure out in Tampa this offseason. Who's the head coach? Who's the quarterback? And how will the Buccaneers end the NFL's second-longest active playoff drought? - McClymont
28. San Francisco 49ers (4-11)Previous Rank: 27
Hats off to Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers are competitive every week despite injuries devastating the roster, and the team facing a tough late-season schedule. - Alessandrini
29. New York Jets (4-11)Previous Rank: 28
The Jets put out a statement denying their reported interest in Jim Harbaugh. Now the team needs to get its house in order and follow a coherent vision entering the long, cold winter ahead. - Srinivasan
30. Detroit Lions (5-10)Previous Rank: 29
Firing a first-year head coach is rarely justifiable. But in this case, it's hard to see Matt Patricia as the man who can revitalize the Lions in an incredibly tough NFC North. - Browne
31. Oakland Raiders (4-11)Previous Rank: 31
It's been a fascinating (possible) final season in Oakland. Now, on to ... well ... we'll keep you posted. - Alessandrini
32. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)Previous Rank: 32
Arizona is one loss away from securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Positives, Cardinals fans! - Alessandrini
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