2017 NFL Power Rankings: Week 15
Each week, we learn more and more about each team. With the playoffs quickly approaching, teams are beginning to punch their tickets to the big dance. A lot has to be decided between now and then. Where will each team ultimately finish?
32. Cleveland Browns (0-13, Previous Ranking: 32)
Last Week: L, 27-21 (OT), vs. Packers
Next Week: vs. Ravens (7-6)
Another week, another Browns loss, this time arguably the most embarrassing. Nothing new here. Keep reading.
31. New York Giants (2-11, Previous Ranking: 31)
Last Week: L, 30-10, vs. Cowboys
Next Week: vs. Eagles (11-2)
The Giants aren’t good. They took some big steps cleaning house, but they have a long way to go between now and 20??.
30. Indianapolis Colts (3-10, Previous Ranking: 30)
Last Week: L, 13-7 (OT), at Bills
Next Week: vs. Broncos (4-9)
Adam Vinatieri’s field goal to force overtime was beautiful. Too bad the Colts were the Colts and couldn’t close out the Snow Bowl.
29. Houston Texans (4-9, Previous Ranking: 26)
Last Week: L, 26-16, vs. 49ers
Next Week: at Jaguars (9-4)
The Texans lost Tom Savage, their back up quarterback, to a scary injury last week. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Texans don’t win again this season.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9, Previous Ranking: 24)
Last Week: L, 24-21, vs. Lions
Next Week: vs. Falcons (8-5)
Just like the Giants and Browns, there isn’t much to say about the Buccaneers that hasn’t already been said: they aren’t good, even with the apparent talent they have all over their roster.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8, Previous Ranking: 22)
Last Week: L, 33-7, vs. Bears
Next Week: at Vikings (10-3)
There have been some ugly games this season across the NFL. But not a single one might have been as ugly (or terrible) as the Bengals performance against the Bears. Will this be the year Marvin Lewis gets axed?
26. San Francisco 49ers (3-10, Previous Ranking: 28)
Last Week: W, 26-16, at Texans
Next Week: vs. Titans (8-5)
Two wins in a row for the 49ers. Don’t look now, but Jimmy Garoppolo looks like he could be the answer for San Fran. Imagine if they add some more talent around him.
25. Denver Broncos (4-9, Previous Ranking: 29)
Last Week: W, 23-0, vs. Jets
Next Week: at Colts (3-10)
Surprisingly strong game by the Broncos in Week 14 after looking sloppy for most of the season. Josh McCown’s season-ending injury helped make the win even easier.
24. Chicago Bears (4-9, Previous Ranking: 27)
Last Week: W, 33-7, at Bengals
Next Week: at Lions (7-6)
This was the type of standout performance that Mitchell Trubisky needed to get some momentum under his belt as the hopeful future of the franchise. Arguably the best performance of his young career.
23. Arizona Cardinals (6-7, Previous Ranking: 25)
Last Week: W, 12-7, vs. Titans
Next Week: at Redskins (5-8)
I said earlier this year that the Cardinals had the look of a team that would claw to 8-8. Just like that, it looks like that prediction could be right. Through all of the adversity, Arizona has showed a lot of moxie.
22. Washington Redskins (5-8, Previous Ranking: 20)
Last Week: L, 30-13, at Chargers
Next Week: vs. Cardinals (6-7)
With the Redskins now out of playoff contention and the disarray that is the Washington organization, I get the feeling that Kirk Cousins will have a new home in 2018.
21. New York Jets (5-8, Previous Ranking: 17)
Last Week: L, 23-0, at Broncos
Next Week: at Saints (9-4)
With Josh McCown out for the rest of the season, the Jets will likely look like the team we expected them to be coming into 2017.
20. Miami Dolphins (6-7, Previous Ranking: 23)
Last Week: W, 27-20, vs. Patriots
Next Week: at Bills (7-6)
Two extremely impressive back-to-back wins for Miami. Knocking off the mighty Patriots is no small task, but the Dolphins seem to have their number at home. Either way, the Dolphins remain in the hunt.
19. Green Bay Packers (7-6, Previous Ranking: 19)
Last Week: W, 27-21 (OT), at Browns
Next Week: at Panthers (9-4)
After barely getting out of Cleveland, the Packers finally get their leader back. Aaron Rodgers returning down the homestretch should scare the rest of the NFC. All Green Bay needs is an invitation to the big dance.
18. Oakland Raiders (6-7, Previous Ranking: 15)
Last Week: L, 26-15, at Chiefs
Next Week: vs. Cowboys (7-6)
The Raiders had a perfect opportunity to make a statement and take command of the AFC West. Instead, they now sit a game behind the Chiefs and Chargers.
17. Buffalo Bills (7-6, Previous Ranking: 21)
Last Week: W, 13-7 (OT), vs. Colts
Next Week: vs. Dolphins (6-7)
The Bills managed to lure another team into their snow trap. For whatever reason, this team (specifically LeSean McCoy) seems to mesh in the snow, which is great for them in their attempts to keep their playoff hopes alive.
16. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6, Previous Ranking: 18)
Last Week: W, 26-15, vs. Raiders
Next Week: at Buccaneers (4-8)
It wasn’t a spectacular win, but the Chiefs got the job done and keep their slight AFC West lead. The Chargers are the hotter team, however, so KC should not feel comfortable at all.
15. Baltimore Ravens (7-6, Previous Ranking: 13)
Last Week: L, 39-38, at Steelers
Next Week: at Browns (0-13)
I’m not sure what’s more surprising: the fact that a Joe Flacco-led offense put up 38 points on the road or the fact that the Ravens stout defense gave up 545 yards of total offense. Still a tough loss for the Ravens. An easy schedule down the stretch makes things easier.
14. Detroit Lions (7-6, Previous Ranking: 16)
Last Week: W, 24-21, at Buccaneers
Next Week: vs. Bears (4-9)
The Lions are winning some games, but haven’t been anything special. This doesn’t feel like a team that will make any splashes IF they make it to the playoffs, but 2017 has been weird. Stranger things have happened.
13. Tennessee Titans (8-5, Previous Ranking: 12)
Last Week: L, 12-7, at Cardinals
Next Week: at 49ers (3-10)
Just as the outcome of this game would suggest (and as I pointed out earlier this season), the Titans are probably the most meh 8-5 football team the league has to offer. Just like the Lions, nothing jumps off the page and screams “contenders.” Thanks to the weak AFC, they’ll probably still make it in.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-6, Previous Ranking: 14)
Last Week: W, 30-10, at Giants
Next Week: at Raiders (6-7)
The Cowboys looked like a football team for the first time since Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension. But with the Giants being a mess, I’m not certain how reliable of an indicator that is. Dallas has an outside chance of making the playoffs but if they can win out, you never know.
11. Seattle Seahawks (8-5, Previous Ranking: 7)
Last Week: L, 30-24, at Jaguars
Next Week: vs. Rams (9-4)
The end of this game was pathetic thanks to the nonsense pulled by a few Seattle defenders. A terrible display of sportsmanship. Moving on from that, the Seahawks could move into 1st place in the NFC West with a win over the Rams. A lot at stake over the next 3 weeks.
10. Atlanta Falcons (8-5, Previous Ranking: 11)
Last Week: W, 20-17, vs. Saints
Next Week: at Buccaneers (4-9)
The Falcons are in a perfect position right now. With another game against the Saints left this season, the Falcons have a chance to potentially snag the NFC South or at least snag a Wild Card spot.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6, Previous Ranking: 10)
Last Week: W, 30-13, vs. Redskins
Next Week: at Chiefs (7-6)
The Chargers have won 4 in a row and are arguably the hottest team in the NFL right now. At this rate, they should have no problem winning the AFC West, but if the old Chargers come back, they could quickly go back to losing 1-score games. But for now, enjoy the ride, Los Angeles.
8. Carolina Panthers (9-4, Previous Ranking: 9)
Last Week: W, 31-24, vs. Vikings
Next Week: vs. Packers (7-6)
This was the biggest win of the season for the Panthers. Cam Newton didn’t have a strong game as a passer, but his ability to be a threat on the ground gave the offense a boost alongside Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers, when playing consistent football on both sides of the ball, are a dangerous team. But that consistency is key.
7. New Orleans Saints (9-4, Previous Ranking: 6)
Last Week: L, 20-17, at Falcons
Next Week: vs. Jets (5-8)
This wasn’t the Saints best performance by any means. The Saints forced turnover after turnover against the Falcons and still couldn’t come away with the win in a pivotal NFC South matchup. The Saints are still dangerous, but they desperately need to be at full strength.
6. Los Angeles Rams (9-4, Previous Ranking: 5)
Last Week: L, 43-35, vs. Eagles
Next Week: at Seahawks (8-5)
The Rams are the Cinderella story of the NFL this season, but with crucial losses to the Eagles and Vikings, are they good enough to go the distance? My gut tells me not right now. But the foundation has been set and when the Rams are on, they are a strong team. Time will tell.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4, Previous Ranking: 8)
Last Week: W, 30-24, vs. Seahawks
Next Week: vs. Texans (4-9)
The Jaguars are the team that neither the Steelers or Patriots want to see in the playoffs. If Blake Bortles plays the way he did this week and the defense continues being elite, look out, AFC. This team is the real deal.
4. Minnesota Vikings (10-3, Previous Ranking: 3)
Last Week: L, 31-24, at Panthers
Next Week: vs. Bengals (5-8)
This game got away from the Vikings. Even with the miscues, the Vikings only lost by just a score, demonstrating their potential as a team. Minnesota is a real threat in the playoffs, especially with the potentially changing landscape at the top of the NFC.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2, Previous Ranking: 2)
Last Week: W, 43-35, at Rams
Next Week: at Giants (2-11)
Props to the Eagles for sneaking away with this win. But it couldn’t be enjoyed for long once the team got official word that MVP candidate Carson Wentz would be lost for the rest of the season (and potentially the beginning of 2018) with a torn ACL. Having a veteran backup like Nick Foles will help soften the blow but, this isn’t the same team without Wentz. Here’s to a quick recovery for the 2nd-year quarterback.
2. New England Patriots (10-3, Previous Ranking: 1)
Last Week: L, 27-20, Dolphins
Next Week: at Steelers (11-2)
History should have told us that the Patriots would lose this game. At the end of the day, though, it was still a surprising upset for New England. The Patriots rarely lose 2 games in a row and their matchup with Pittsburgh is probably one of the most important games we’ll see this regular season. Tom Brady seems poised to lead the Patriots to the promised land and with a win against Pittsburgh, they’ll become overwhelming favorites to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2, Previous Ranking: 4)
Last Week: W, 39-38, vs. Ravens
Next Week: vs. Patriots (10-3)
Another week, another heart-stopping victory for Pittsburgh. The Steelers continue to get out of these games thanks to strong performances from Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Chris Boswell. They look like they can win a shootout with almost any team in the league. The defense is hurting, however. Ryan Shazier’s absence is being felt, but the secondary could get a huge life if Joe Haden returns this week. The Steelers’ biggest test will be this week against the Patriots. Get through that, and Pittsburgh will become the SB52 favorites.
