FINAL 2017 POSTSEASON 2018 PREDRAFT POWER RANKINGS
NFC Rankings authored by KOTB with assistance from DP
AFC Rankings forthcoming, Waffle?

1. New Orleans Saints
13-3 Record (1st Place NFC South)
Loss to Miami 44-28 in Superbowl (#2 Seed NFC Playoffs)

The Saints stormed through the NFC this year grabbing 13 wins in the regular season while knocking off DWHO juggernauts Luigi, DC and OVFD in the process.  During postseason play, New Orleans once again defeated the Redskins and then handled Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship before ultimately falling to Miami in the Superbowl.  Now 0-4 when facing Luigi in the Superbowl, the Saints suffered a bitter end to an otherwise wildly successful season. DP still has to be happy with the accomplishments this team made as the roster wasn't the strongest he's ever had. Despite losing both Brees and AP to retirement, New Orleans' future looks bright thanks to in season addition Jacoby Brissett taking full reign under center next year. #WHODAT

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9-7 Record (2nd Place NFC South)
Loss to New Orleans 31-19 in NFC Championship (#6 Seed NFC Playoffs)

With a top stock roster out of the gate, KOTB and the Bucs were largely unimpressive throughout the regular season losing 7 games and being shutout twice, including a 28-0 thrashing courtesy of NoLa in Week 17 which nearly cost them a playoff berth. However, Tampa Bay was able to salvage what could have been a lost year by
posting a 6-3 record in games decided by a touchdown or less. Backing their way into the playoffs, the Bucs brought the noise defeating Chicago & #1 seed New York in two impressive back to back away victories before the eventual loss to New Orleans in the NFC Championship game. The franchise will look to build on the strong postseason showing in year 2, already bringing in HB Latavius Murray to handle lead back duties. Maybe Uncle Rico will finally be able to teach Jameis how to throw the ball over them there mountains. #WeWouldHaveWonState

3. New York Giants
14-2 Record (1st Place NFC South)
Loss to Tampa Bay 21-19 in NFC Divisional Round (#1 Seed NFC Playoffs)

The GMen attained top rank in all 4 major defensive categories, tied for the best record in the league, and boasted a Rookie Pro Bowl QB who led the team to dominance. Most teams would consider that a success, but expectations are different when you have a 2-time DWHO Superbowl winning coach at the helm along with the best WR in the league. The Giants ran into a red hot Bucs team in the divisional round, and although they fought valiantly, an early 21-0 deficit was too much to overcome during the historic Blizzard of New York. Big Blue has an excellent young core to build around moving forward, but ultimately this season will be considered a disappointment by most Giants fans after their one-and-done playoff exit. #WhatHaveYouDoneForMeLately

4. Washington Redskins
12-4 Record (2nd Place NFC East)
Loss to New Orleans in NFC Divisional Round (#5 Seed NFC Playoffs)

Washington won 5 games straight to end the regular season, and knocked off the Rams in LA in the wildcard game before getting forcefully removed by the Saints in a divisional round matchup.  All World Rookie HB Perine pulled off the triple crown winning offensive player of the year, running back of the year, and rookie of the year capping a magnificent season that will be next to impossible to repeat. With an elite owner calling the shots, the Redskins should be a regular member of the playoff tournament for years to come. While 12 wins is a successful season by almost any measure, one can't help but think OVFD's best effort is yet to come. #PerineWantsToPlayTheBroncosEveryWeek

5. Chicago Bears
11-5 Record (1st place NFC North)
Loss to Tampa Bay in NFC Divisional ROund (#3 Seed NFC Playoffs)

The Bears finished up top five in all 4 major offensive categories. This was largely in part to a pair a rookie playmakers, QB Mitch Trubisky and HB Tarik Cohen. Cohen dazzled with his 92 speed and Trubisky played like the All Pro he is with more than 3600 yards passing and accounted for 29 total touchdowns. In a year where nearly every team struggled mightily in the passing game, Chicago ran away with the NFC North crown featuring one of the only successful air heavy offenses in the league. WR Kevin White was sorely missed in a tough playoff loss to visiting Tampa Bay in the Wildcard Round. #2019PlayoffTeam

6. LA Rams
10-6 Record (1st Place NFC West)
Loss to Washington in NFC Wildcard Round (#4 seed NFC Playoffs)

The Rams are one of the more interesting cases in DWHO Season 1. On one hand, they reached double digit victories and took home top honors in the NFC West, securing a playoff home game in the Coliseum for the 700 fans that had interest in watching. On the other, they went 6-0 in an absolute sweetheart cupcake of a division where the other three teams combined for 15 wins and all finished .375 or under . With Goff, Gurley and Watkins, Swaggins has a formidable trio that will certainly lead the Rams to more divisional wins in future seasons. However, after an early playoff exit delivered by Washington, there is a sentiment around the league that LA isn't ready to compete with the big boys just yet. A playoff win in season 2 will certainly help put that notion to rest. #BestTeamInCali

7. Carolina Panthers
9-7 Record (3rd Place NFC South)

Carolina looked destined for a playoff berth after posting a 6-2 record in the first half of the season, only to disappointingly sputter out finishing 3-5 on the back eight and missing a postseason invite. Still the Panthers enjoyed some success, rushing for over 2000 yards as a team featuring one of the best young halfbacks in the league with C.McCaffrey. This team is a bit long in the tooth, but the majority would agree there is enough talent on the squad in Carolina to be competing at higher levels. Players aside, it wouldn't hurt if the coach provided a stronger performance. It will be interesting to see which direction Bizzy goes in expanding the talent on this roster. #BeBetter

8. Atlanta Falcons
6-10 record (4th place NFC South)

Never quite recovering from 28-3, we'll chalk this one up as a lost season in ATL. In a surprise effort to "add a parking garage" near the new Stadium, hurricanes and scheduling difficulties cleared the way for an M1 Abrams Tank to plow through downtown Atlanta. The Tank was pulled early though, and the Falcons were able to defeat
both TB and NO towards the end of the year, proving that a 4th place finish isn't an accurate representation of the Dirty Birds. After what some are calling the Trade of the Year obtaining WR DeAndre Hopkins, this team is even more stacked on offense than it was after all the 2017 SuperBowl roster love. Evisu has his eyes on the playoffs next season, and it's not a stretch to say this squad will be right in the thick of things come January. #AskOV

9. Green Bay Packers
8-7-1 (2nd place NFC North)

With huge wins over Carolina and Tampa Bay in the final month of the season, Green Bay surprised the league and nearly landed the final NFC playoff spot. Sadly, the Packers turned the ball over four times in a week 16 tie with the Vikings that ended their postseason aspirations. In the process, Ty Montgomery exploded for over 1300 yards rushing and 14 total touchdowns, giving Cheeseheads a reason to believe in the future. Swaney now has a full calendar year under his belt in DWHO, and should continue his growth as a coach while competing for an NFC Wildcard spot in Season 2. #RandallCobbPAOverTheMiddle

10. San Francisco 49ers
4-12 (4th place NFC North)

SF was responsible for the upset of the year when they took down the 9-0 Giants in Week 12. Unfortunately, that is where the season peaked for them. While the defense kept the team in games, C.J. Beathard wasn't overly impressive under center. Rumors of substance abuse within the organization also ran rampant, with constant leaks to the media of "letting the liquor do the driving" and "going on booze control" during games. That being said, if the Niners can semi-consistently match the intensity they brought in week 12 vs the GMen, they should end up with more than 4 wins in 2019. #IAmTheLiquor

The Bottom Feeders
Looking at the bottom 6 in the conference, it's safe to say that none of these teams did anything to differentiate themselves from each other. Researching these teams uncovered a lot of ugly stats, most notably 266 interceptions thrown combined by The Bottom Feeders. After that was calculated, there was no need to keep digging for positives. If you guys want the #hashtag, #PlayBetter #There'sAlwaysNextSeason.

-A new owner in Seattle boosts the credibility of the NFC West, as Tactic has proven to be a playoff regular in past iterations. RIP Lethal.
-Ace may be spending too much time running the league, and not enough time running his own team. Would expect a better effort from the Eagles next season.
-DN traded away elite players while obtaining a lot of unproven firepower in return. It will be interesting to see how that pans out, general league consensus is that it won't.
-Widow had some ups but way more downs, and has made a few trades this offseason. TC has questioned his player valuations but consistency on the sticks needs to improve.
-Injuries decimated the Vikings early, and noexult went into full out tank mode, sans a week 16 divisional tie vs. GB. Underwhelming Vikings can only go up from here.
-The Lions are in the midst of a DWHO Learning Curve but eventually his knowledge of actual football should help offset the initial lack of stick skills.

Last edited by aceblazer13 (1508295991)

Nice Write up. I will move up this list :)