The end of the regular season approaches, so let us once more dive into another set of power rankings.
Just two weeks remaining in the 2021 NFL regular season schedule. Let us dive right into the week 17 NFL power rankings.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
A close loss to the New York Jets has put the lowly Jaguars one step closer to clinching the first overall pick in the draft, with the playoff hopeful New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts on the schedule to close out the season. Jacksonville feels like a safe bet to indeed earn the top selection and the league's worst record for his second straight year.
31. Detroit Lions
The Jared Goffʼs Lions dropped a close one to the Atlanta Falcons, but that's okay, every loss enhances Detroit's chances of coming away with either Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson in the draft. The Lions just gotta lose out to clinch a top two selection.
30. New York Giants
We're honestly just out of words at this point, all we can say is that between GM Dave Gettleman, Head Coach Joe Judge and quarterback Daniel Jones, at least two of them have to go. How can ownership possibly expect the results to change if they keep the same trio.
29. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers got a banged up Tampa Bay Buccaneers team at home and still made Tom Brady and company look as if they're at full strength. We hate giving up on people early, but is David Tepper really sure that Matt Rhule is the right guy to steer the ship.
28. New York Jets
Beating the Jacksonville Jaguars doesn't usually warrant to celebration, but in a very rare showdown of the top two picks from the previous draft, Zach Wilson did just enough to lead his Jets past Trevor Lawrence's Jags. The Jets have already doubled their win total from 2020. That's progress.
27. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were the latest victim of Nick Foles magic, dropping a snow-filled heartbreaker to the equally struggling Chicago Bears at Lumen Field. As the losses mount, it's becoming more and more evident that the marriage with Russell Wilson needs to end. Time to trade the franchise star and rebuild.
26. Houston Texans
The coveted stricken Texans stunned the playoff hopeful Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a clutch performance from Davis Mills, who completed 21 of 27 attempts for 254 yards and two touchdowns with zero picks. It's actually quite remarkable that David Culley has squeezed four wins out of this Houston team that has all sorts of holes on its roster.
25. Washington Football Team
Washington only lost 56 to 14 in a must-win game to the rival Dallas Cowboys. They only allowed 42 points in the first half alone, and Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne got into a heated scuffle on the sidelines. Other than that, it wasn't a bad week for the Football Team. Seriously though, that was one of the most humiliating losses we've ever seen. Not only did it all, but end their playoff hopes. It also likely ended Taylor Heinicke's chances of earning the starting job for next season.
24. Chicago Bears
Sunday marked the latest chapter of Nick Foles's unlikely heroics, as he led the slumping Bears to a feel-good win over the Seahawks. Remember the Bears 2022 first rounder belongs to the Giants, so Chicago fans may as well celebrate wins like this. As long as they don't somehow earn Matt Nagy another season as head coach.
23. Denver Broncos
Another tough loss for the Broncos, who fall to 7-8 and out of the playoff race. The latest defeat came at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders in a low scoring 17-13 affair. This once proud franchise is headed toward a fifth straight losing season. Just a reminder that this team didn't record back to back losing seasons even once between 1973 and 2017.
22. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons kept their very slim playoff hopes alive with an ugly win over a bad Lions team that was starting their backup quarterback. Anyway, they'll take a win at this point in the season. Between the loss of Calvin Ridley in their brutal schedule, it's quite impressive that this team has won seven games. Arthur Smith's first year as head coach has actually been pretty good, all things. Considered even if the Falcons miss the playoffs, and they most likely will, fans got to be happy with the progress of this team.
21. Cleveland Browns
Thanks to two gut-wrenching losses in a five-day span, the Browns have gone from controlling their destiny in the AFC north to well suddenly being on life support. It's hard to chalk this team up as a disappointment right now, considering all the injuries and coping related absences to key players. It's actually impressive that they nearly beat the Raiders in week 15 then took Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to the very end five days later, but close losses don't count in the final standings. Cleveland needs to win out, and they will likely need some help as well if they're going to claim a playoff spot.
20. Minnesota Vikings
This is such a frustrating team to watch. They'll barely beat a horrible Bears team, then keep it close against a heavyweight like the Los Angeles Rams. And to think, they picked off Matthew Stafford three times and still lost. Anyway Sunday's week 16 loss means many will most likely miss the postseason for the second straight year. Time for ownership to mold changes across the board at QB in the front office, and of course to the coaching staff.
19. New Orleans Saints
It was an ugly loss at home for the Saints, but it's really hard to blame them. Not only were they down like their 8th string quarterback, but they were also missing some key members on their defense and along their offensive line, they have to win out from here. The good news is they have games against the Panthers and Falcons remaining. Now if they could just get some healthy bodies back.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are two losses away from suffering their first losing season under Mike Tomlin. That was a pitiful effort against the Chiefs, especially considering they had the chance to climb right back into the playoff picture. They'll have to win out and likely get a bit of help to sneak into the postseason. Otherwise enjoy the last two games of the Ben Roethlisberger era while you can, Steelers fans.
17. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were no match against Joe Burrow and his Cincinnati Bengals, but are you surprised they were down to a third string QB and a secondary filled with practice squad players. Beating the AFC North leaders would have taken a miracle, but anyhow, the Ravens playoff hopes are on thin ice now. They have home games against the Rams and Steelers to very tough opponents. Winning out will not be easy,, especially if they don't get Lamar Jackson back.
16. Las Vegas Raiders
You may say that beating a mediocre Denver team doesn't warrant such a big jump in one week, but such is life when all those other middle-of-the-back teams put up stinkers while Vegas pieced together a strong team effort to keep their playoff hopes alive. Anyway the Raiders were back above 500 and remain very much in the race for one of the final three wild card spots. They'll close out the season against the Colts and Chargers. Two teams who they just so happen to be competing with for those three AFC wild card spots.
15. Los Angeles Chargers
Are the Chargers really going to do this now. Is a loss to the Texans really going to spell the end of their playoff hopes. This team was eight and five just a few weeks ago. Are they really going to miss out on the postseason, that was an inexcusable loss to Houston and now the bolt's playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy. Time to wake up and take care of business against the Broncos on Sunday.
14. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers did a good job of playing Santa Claus last Thursday. That is, the gift wrapped a victory to the Tennessee Titans when San Francisco should have actually won by double digits. A win would have essentially locked up a playoff spot. The 49ers have to play through a little extra stress and beat the Texans this Sunday to solidify their playoff hopes.
13. Miami Dolphins
Make that seven straight wins for the Dolphins following their one and seven starts. They're officially sitting in the final playoff spot in the AFC. They will still likely have to win out if they want to stay there. That won't be easy against the Titans and Pats, but we'd be foolish to count this team out now.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
A big time jump for the Eagles, who crushed the Giants and are firmly controlling their playoff destiny. Philadelphia holds the head-to-head tiebreakers over Atlanta and New Orleans. They will officially eliminate Washington from the race with a win on Sunday, and with a little of help, they could also clinch a wild card berth in week 17.
11. New England Patriots
Two straight ugly losses for the Patriots, who will likely watch the Buffalo Bills celebrate a second consecutive AFC east championship. The pats just had no answer for Josh Allen. Twenty days after shutting him down on Monday Night Football. Good thing New England has the helpless Jaguars next on the schedule, that game should move them to 10 and 6 with a playoff spot still in their sights.
10. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals dropped their third straight game in week 16 this time to the Colts, and yet, they still managed to clinch a playoff spot over the weekend. Thus ending their six-year postseason drought, talk about a bittersweet week. They still have a shot at the NFC west title, but Kliff Kingsbury's biggest concern should be fixing Kyler Murray in the Cardinals' offense in time for the playoffs.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Unbelievable 525 passing yards for Joe Burrow, the fourth-highest total in a single game. Burrow and the Bengals downright bullied the banged up Ravens to complete the season sweep, and now they control their destiny for the AFC north division crown. The Bengals have been the most pleasantly surprising team through 16 weeks. Now it's time to put the final touches on their season. How about a home win against the chiefs this Sunday?
8. Buffalo Bills
What a difference two weeks can make! The Bills went from trailing the Pats by two games in the AFC east to suddenly controlling their fate a potentially season-saving road win in Foxborough propelled the Bills to nine and six, clinching their third straight winning season and the fourth in five years under Sean McDermott. With the Falcons and Jets next on the schedule Buffalo should have little problem winning their second straight division title.
7. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are looking more and more like the dark horse team nobody wants to play in the postseason. Jonathan Taylor is an unstoppable force, and Carson Wentz is fitting in even better than any of us had imagined. Let's not forget about Matt Eberflus's defense, which continues to get better every single week. Every AFC division winner should be praying they do not have to host these guys in the wild card round.
6. Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill had one of his worst games as a Titan, but AJ Brown and the ferocious defense saved the day against a scary San Francisco team. You saw just how much brown impacts this offense when he's on the field, even the 49ers stingy defense had no answer for him. Can you imagine how scary this team will be if Derrick Henry comes back in time for the playoffs.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It didn't matter how many key starters the Bucs were missing, playing a putrid Carolina team led to an easy bounce-back win for the defending Champs, who were coming off a stunning shutout loss to the saints. The Bucs should manage to win out, seeing as they have the Jets and Panthers on the schedule to close out the regular season.
4. Dallas Cowboys
You know you had a good day when you're able to pull your starting QB before the third quarter was even over. The Cowboys absolutely humiliated Washington on prime time to clinch their first season of at least 11 wins since 2016. The hopes of the NFC's top seed remain alive if the Cowboys went out, they'll at least finish with the number two seed.
3. Los Angeles rams
Who cares if Matt Stafford had three interceptions, when you have record-breaking receiver Cooper Kupp and guys like Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald patrolling the defense, you're allowed to have an off game now and then. The cardinals slump has put the Rams in the driver's seat for the NFC west. Went out and it's all theirs.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Make that eight straight W's for the AFC's top team with the blowout win over Pittsburgh KC has clinched a sixth straight AFC west division title. The Chiefs aren't just winning these days, they are dominating five of their last six wins have come by ten or more points, as usual Andy Reid's team is getting red-hot with the postseason right around the corner.
1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers offense was a loud and off day on Christmas. Thanks to a secondary that picked up Baker Mayfield four times. The victory moved the Packers to 12 and 3 on the year with two games to go. Honestly just unbelievable. Matt LaFleur has already locked in three division titles in his three seasons in Green Bay, but this organization wants more. It's Super Bowl or Bust for these Packers. Who do you think is the NFL's best team heading into week 17!