NFL Power Rankings Week 17

NFL Power Rankings Week 17

1. New England Patriots – 12-3 SU, 9-6 ATS: The Patriots retain the top spot in the rankings after a scare with the Jets, but thanks to Geno Smith, there was nothing really to fear at all.  Last week: 1

2. Seattle Seahawks – 11-4 SU, 9-6 ATS:  An emphatic win over the short-handed Cardinals keeps the Seahawks at No. 2. Russell Wilson seems to be saving his best for last, throwing for 339 yards and two TDs against the Arizona defense. Last week: 2

3. Green Bay Packers – 11-4 SU, 8-6-1 ATS: Nice to see the real Aaron Rodgers show up on the road, even if it was in Tampa Bay. Last week: 5

4. Pittsburgh Steelers – 10-5 SU, 8-7 ATS: The Steelers punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 20-12 win over the Chiefs Sunday. This week they can clinch the AFC North and a home playoff game against the Bengals. Last week: 7

5. Dallas Cowboys – 10-4 SU, 8-6 ATS: It turns out DeMarco Murray didn’t have to miss a game, but the great news is that Tony Romo didn’t miss a beat. Four touchdown passes sunk the Colts and gave Dallas its first NFC East title in five years. Last week: 8

6. Denver Broncos – 11-4 SU, 6-8 ATS: From October 5 to now, Tony Romo has thrown four interceptions. Peyton Manning threw four picks in his last game. In that same span (since Oct. 5), Manning has thrown 14 interceptions. Last week: 3

7. Arizona Cardinals – 11-4 SU, 10-5 ATS: If they Cards don’t get Drew Stanton back for the playoffs in two weeks they won’t be playing in three weeks. Last week: 4

8. Detroit Lions – 10-4 SU, 7-7 ATS: The Lions clinched a playoff spot, setting upa  winner-take-all game Sunday at home against Green Bay. Detroit beat the Packers back in September, 31-24. Last week: 10

9. San Diego Chargers – 9-6 SU, 7-8 ATS: After the Ravens choke-job against the Texans, all the Chargers have to do is win this week and they’re in the playoffs. Their problem? They’re playing the Chiefs in Kansas City, a team fighting for its own playoff life. Last week: 15

10. Cincinnati Bengals – 10-4-1 SU, 8-6-1 ATS: Incredible win over the Broncos in the rain sends the Bengals to the playoffs for the fourth straight season and sets up a championship title bout with Pittsburgh this weekend. Last week: 11

11. Indianapolis Colts – 10-5 SU, 9-5-1 ATS: Everybody loves a fake punt. Especially the other team’s offense when you blow it. Congratulations on your playoff berth. Hopefully you’ll get to enjoy it more than a week. Last week: 6

12. Baltimore Ravens – 9-6 SU, 7-7-1 ATS: The Ravens had everything in front of them. Case Keenum hadn’t started a game in a season and had never won a game in his career. The Ravens fixed that. There’s one AFC playoff slot left and Baltimore needs help. Last week: 9

12. Houston Texans – 8-7 SU, 9-5-1 ATS: The Texans spoiled Baltimore’s coronation and are somehow still alive in the playoff hunt, though they need help. But, hey, it’s Christmas. It’s the time to believe in miracles. Last week: 16

13. Carolina Panthers – 6-8-1 SU, 7-8 ATS: The NFC South is officially disaster, with the Panthers now the best option to make the playoffs. We’re getting a loser in the tournament, but that tie at least makes it a little easier to tolerate. Last week: 19

15. Kansas City Chiefs – 8-7 SU, 9-6 ATS: It all starts with beating the Chargers Sunday, then you need the Bengals to show up against the Steelers and Brian Hoyer to start for the Browns and win against the Ravens. Last week: 13

16. Atlanta Falcons – 6-9 SU, 7-8 ATS: The Falcons’ playoff run started Sunday, eliminating the Saints. Now they face the Panthers in an NFC South title game. Last week: 23

17. Buffalo Bills – 8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS: The Bills were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, making it 15 consecutive seasons without a ticket to the dance. Last week: 12

18. Miami Dolphins – 8-7 SU, 7-8 ATS: The Dolphins won on a safety on a blocked punt in the final seconds of a tie game. Whoever made that prop bet is buying a Bugatti today. Last week: 20

19. New York Giants – 6-9 SU, 7-8 ATS: Eli Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. for six. You’ll be seeing it in the postseason next year.. Last week: 23

20. Philadelphia Eagles – 9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS: Philadelphia thought it opened its season with two quarterbacks. Turns out the Eagles don’t even have one. Last week: 14

21. San Francisco 49ers – 7-8 SU, 6-9 ATS: Yes, the long TD run was nice, Colin Kaepernick, but 114 yards, a TD and a 4.8 yard per pass average is how you lose a game in the fourth quarter. Last week: 22

22. St. Louis Rams – 6-9 SU, 7-8 ATS: With the finale coming up in Seattle, a team fighting for home field advantage in the playoffs, the Rams are set for their worst season under Jeff Fisher unless they can shock the world. Or at least the Pacific Northwest. Last week: 17 

23. New Orleans Saints – 6-9 SU, 6-9 ATS: Drew Brees is 1-2 in December and already eliminated from the playoffs and Tony Romo is 3-0 and a division champion. Last week: 18

24. Minnesota Vikings – 6-9 SU, 10-5 ATS: Another great game from Teddy Bridgewater (258 yards, 2 TDs), but a heartbreaking loss on the blocked punt safety at the end. Next year will be different, Minnesota. Last week: 21

25. Washington Redskins – 4-11 SU, 5-10 ATS: Only the Redskins could start winning when all they can do is screw up the only first round draft pick they’ve had in three years. Last week: 28

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – 3-12 SU, 5-9-1 ATS: The Jaguars are just as guilty as the Redskins, messing up their future for short-term gain. Jacksonville is still looking at a Top 5 pick, but a hot showing against the Texans this week could ruin that. Last week: 30

27. New York Jets – 3-12 SU, 5-9-1 ATS: Rex Ryan tried to unleash a kitchen-sink game on New England to save his job, only paving the way for his own quarterback to let him down. Last week: 27

28. Chicago Bears – 5-10 SU, 6-9 ATS: After a week of Jimmy Clausen, the Bears go back to Jay Cutler. They don’t seem very happy about it either. Last week: 25

29. Cleveland Browns – 7-8 SU, 8-5-2 ATS: Johnny Manziel is shut down and Brian Hoyer is hurt. The Ravens will be fighting for a playoff spot. It’s not going to be pretty. Last week: 26

30. Oakland Raiders – 3-12 SU, 8-7 ATS: The Raiders got their second quality win in the last three weeks. Has Tony Sparano done enough to knock the “interim” off his coaching title?  Last week: 31

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2-13 SU, 6-9 ATS:  Will New Orleans do Tampa Bay the favor and beat you this week, setting you up for the No. 1 pick? . Last week: 29

32. Tennessee Titans – 2-12 SU, 3-10-1 ATS: The irony of the Jaguars beating the Titans last week is that it may land Tennessee the QB they need (Marcus Mariota) that helps them beat the Jaguars for the next 15 years. Last week: 32