Week 17 Power Rankings

by tinklenut | 6 years ago | 0 Comments

1. Carolina Panthers (12-2)

It's a safe bet to put the Panthers at #1. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, and they are 3rd in the league in points scored per game. They don't make many mistakes and have a dominant defense to go along with that. They came out of nowhere this year, but expect them to go deep into the playoffs.

2. Chicago Bears (11-3)

The Bears are back to 1985 and have the most dominant defense in the league, which is amazing with all of the huge stats people are putting up. The Bears are 1st in points allowed per game, 1st in passing yards allowed, and 2nd in rushing yards allowed. They have a weak offense, and I'd compare this team to the 2017 Jaguars. Their QB situation is a liability and it will cost them games. The one thing I think the Bears have to do to win is to just establish the running game and not turn the ball over then the defense can handle the rest. Can they stop dominant offenses against the Cowboys and Rams? I think they can.

3. Dallas Cowboys (12-3)

In Dak Prescott's first game of the year, he threw 5 interceptions and basically handed the Saints the win. Since then? The Cowboys have racked up 12 wins and Dak Prescott put up 30 touchdowns. But that's not the reason the Cowboys keep winning. Their offense relies on one bad, bad man: Ezekiel Elliot. The Cowboys are 2nd in rushing yards per game, and Zeke has racked up 17 touchdowns so far this year. The Cowboys are 4th in points per game, 2nd in yards per game, and even 6th in passing yards per game. They can attack defenses in all phases. Now let's talk about their defense. The Cowboys only allow 319 yards per game, and that's 2nd in the league. If this team can stay consistent in all phases, they can be a Super Bowl contender.

4. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)

The Rams simply put up pure dominance week in and week out. This offense relies heavy on the passing game and just making things happen. Brandin cooks racked up over 1500 yards and is their biggest target on offense. Goff has 32 touchdowns along with that. Despite being in the middle of the pack for offense, they just make things happen. Cardinals coach Pgxrslayer was quoted saying "Cannot deal with it. I hate [the] Rams, hate hate hate. Fuck you. Best team in league, luck beyond anything, I cannot deal with it. I don’t want to play this Rams fucker two times." He may not be coming back to Arizona next year.
 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-3)

This is the first AFC team on the list. This just shows how dominant the NFC is this year. The Jaguars are a very consistent team on both sides of the ball. They are top 10 on offense and top 10 on defense. For a team that relies on having dominant players, the Jaguars can run the football up your throat, while former MVP Blake Bortles picks apart your defense. Their defense can make HUGE plays in the secondary. Adding Bradley Chubb after the trade deadline will boost the Jaguar's chances at a ring significantly.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)

The Kansas City Tyreek Hills rack up another stellar offensive season. Hill unsurprisingly broke the receiving yards record by a wide margin, but let's put Tyreek on the side and look at other aspects of this Chiefs team that isn't cheese. These Chiefs are first in points scored per game, and they can find ways to score outside of Hill. Their rookie running back, Francis Turner, put up over 1300 yards this season and 19 touchdowns. If they can keep running the ball, they can have a really good 1-2 punch. Defenses better watch out.

7. New England Patriots (9-6)

After completely destroying the Raiders season after a 41-6 victory, the Patriots downfall started. They lost 4 straight games after that and significantly increased their chance of missing playoffs. If they come out with a win against the Bills this week, They may have a chance at finding their groove again. Don't let their record fool you. The Patriots have the #1 offense in the league, and it isn't even close. They spread the ball all over the field. Anderson and Maxwell combined for over 2200 receiving yards, and you can credit second year quarterback Raymond Knight for their success. Knight put up 4947 yards and 51 touchdowns this year and is in the running for MVP.

8. Washington Redskins (10-5)

This is a weird team. They have a middle of the pack offense and defense, but somehow they put up the most important stat: wins. Rookie QB Yuki Chiba is front runner for NFC Rookie of the Year by a wide margin. He put up over 4000 yards and 22 touchdowns. As all rookie QBs do, he struggled with interceptions by throwing 18 this year. The Redskins may not get too far in playoffs, but maybe some magic can happen.

9. Houston Texans (10-5)

Deshaun Watson is responsible for this team racking up double digit wins this year. Due to the Texans weak running game, Watson got the Texans to put up a top 5 offense this year. The Texans are playoff bound, and defenses better watch out for them. If the Texans can fix their defensive struggles, they might make a good run.

10. Denver Broncos (10-5)

This is team is even weirder than the Redskins, but not as weird as the Bills. They have an explosive top 5 offense, but are absolutely awful on defense. They are dead last in passing yards allowed per game, and 31st in points per game. If they can score more points than the other team in the playoffs, which is going to be a lot of points, then the Broncos may be up to something special.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

The Bengals are about to win their division, and they may not even get to 10 wins. The Bengals are dealing with a terrible QB situation, but they still manage to put up wins, and it's amazing. They are 30th in rushing yards per game (54.1 yards per game!), so it's no surprise that the bulk of their yards comes from passing, and it's amazing because of their QB situation. These Bengals win by putting up big plays, and they can make magic happen. 

12. Buffalo Bills (10-5)

Some may ask: How do the Bills keep winning? My answer? I have no damn clue. The Bills have the WORST passing offense in the league. They throw only 180 yards per game. They also are in the bottom of the pack in points scored per game, and have a middle of the pack defense. So how are they winning and possibly making the playoffs? Ask them yourself.

13. New Orleans Saints (8-7)

After firing defending Super Bowl champion head coach Bryce Reeves last week, the Saints are poised to show different results. And it looks like that result is losing. I don't see the Saints making their run last year even when they went through 3 coaches in a season to reach the trophy. It looks like they are going to miss the playoffs again. The Super Bowl hangover is real.

14. Arizona Cardinals (9-6)

The Cardinals currently hold the #6 seed and are favorites for a wild card spot, but how is this possible? The Cardinals are in the bottom half of the league in every category on offense and defense. Josh Rosen has thrown 27 interceptions! The Rams game may have broken them.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)

And here is your middle of the pack team for this year. The Steelers are on pace to finish 8-8, but impressively got this team to above .500 after starting the season 1-5. There's still a miracle that they can win the division, but I don't see them beating out the magic Bengals.

16. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

Where do I begin? This team was 7-2 at one point, #2 in power rankings, had a top 5 defense and above average defense, and then it all went down hill. The Colts lost 6 straight games, and probably will lose 7 straight. Andrew Luck will still finish with another stellar season. He can get to 4,000 passing yards and keeps racking up the passing touchdowns.

17. Green Bay Packers (7-8)

This team has an explosive passing offense, but just couldn't put it together to get enough wins for playoffs. In a division with the Bears, it's going to be a tough season next year for them. The Packers struggled severely on defense this year. They need to fix their defense for next year, so they can make a run.

18. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

Now this is what I call an average team. They are middle of the pack in almost every category this season.

19. New York Jets (6-9)

Leonard Fournette. That's all that needs to be said about this team. The Jets couldn't do anything this year except run the ball and lose games. Now all they need to do is not turn the ball over and stack up that defense.

20. New York Giants (6-9)

The Giants can run the ball exeptionally well, and they can have a reliable defense. Despite that, the Giants kept turning the ball over this year, and it cost them. They need a quarterback.

21. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

The Falcons put up a mediocre offense this year, which was disappointing considering their weapons on offense. I sense that next year they will put everything together if they keep the same coach.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)

Second year QB Stryzinksi went down with an injury this year. The Chargers were a really good team last year, and I bet they will emerge as division champions next year and challenge the Cheese- I mean Chiefs.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-9)

The Bucs rely on big plays and Mike Evans too much. They toss it up all the time, but it doesn't always work. If they can scheme an offense, they can be a good team next year.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (5-9)

Good defense but awful on offense. If they can put together offensive drives, the Eagles can be a good team.

25. Tennessee Titans (5-9)

Mariota has been sacked 52 times. They are in the middle of the pack in offense and defense, but the Titans need to establish their offensive line.

26. Seattle Seahawks (5-10)

After putting up a solid season last year and making playoffs, the Seahawks found their struggles this year and that's turnovers. Wilson needs to be more careful with the ball. However, the Seahawks have a dominant running game, and they need to keep it up.

27. Baltimore Ravens (6-9)

Lamar Jackson had a stellar season along with their entire offense, but they need to work on their defense.

28. San Francisco 49ers (5-10)

Rookie QB phenom Paul Nicholson struggled this year while only putting up 6 touchdowns. This roster is depleted, but I sense a good offseason coming up for them. Nicholson could emerge as a top QB next year with a good roster around him.

29. Minnesota Vikings (4-11)

The Vikings are in full on tank mode. A disappointing season with a stacked roster. Next year will be a huge for them, or they could potentially be wasting their talent.

30. Cleveland Browns (2-13)

Potentially sitting at the second overall pick in the draft, the Browns are going to have A LOT of young, star talent on their team. The pieces are coming together, and Mayfield keeps getting better every year.

31. Oakland Raiders (3-12)

Derek Carr has 36 interceptions. He may not be in Oakland next year.

32. Detriot Lions (1-14)

Straight up trash.