One week left and there is still plenty to be decided. These NFL power rankings are for week 17.
The very top and bottom of NFL power rankings are once again unchanged entering the final week of the regular season. There's quite a bit of movement throughout the middle, however, as both New York football teams fell once more and an under .500 team is in the top 15. Carolina fans get their Christmas present this Sunday; the end of the season.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-13) : The Panthers have to end the season facing an Atlanta team that is still actually playing for something. That's just cruel at this point.
31. Houston Texans (5-10) : Yeah, they're this low. Houston's pass defense may honestly be the worst I've ever seen. It really would be fun to watch either Oregon or Auburn light them up.
30. Buffalo Bills (4-11) : Sunday certainly was a humbling experience for the Bills, a team that has actually taken steps in the wrong direction in the past twelve months.
29. San Francisco 49ers (5-10) : No quarterback. No head coach. No general manager. Should be a fun offseason, at least.
28. Cleveland Browns (5-10) : Every year it's the same thing for a franchise that continues to run in place. How many times can the Browns "start over" with a new regime?
27. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11) : See what happens when your QB doesn't throw a couple of interceptions every game? Too bad those past two wins don't matter at all.
26. Denver Broncos (4-11) : Denver still isn't very good but you have to like how Tim Tebow looked last Sunday. Of course, he was playing against an Arena League defense.
25. Dallas Cowboys (5-10) : Yes, Dallas had been playing better. Losing to Arizona, regardless of the reasons, and a .333 winning percentage will drop any team down in NFL power rankings.
24. Arizona Cardinals (5-10) : Fun fact: Arizona could finish with a 6-10 record and still be only one game shy of missing the playoffs.
23. Tennessee Titans (6-9) : The Titans just stink and it may be time for a new head coach. Does anybody really think they're winning in Indy?
22. Miami Dolphins (7-8) : You're kidding me, right? Did Chad Henne bet against the Dolphins last weekend?
21. Seattle Seahawks (6-9) : 6-9 and probably without their starting QB, yet Seattle essentially hosts a home playoff game on Sunday night. They'll have a real home playoff game if they beat the Rams.
20. Minnesota Vikings (6-9) : Solid road win on national TV for the Vikings after a weird weekend. Has the Joe Webb era really begun?
19. Washington Redskins (6-9) : The Redskins just refuse to be the worst team in the division. Unfortunately for the team, Rex Grossman is back to being himself.
18. Detroit Lions (5-10) : Too bad Detroit can't win three in a row in September. Fans have to be excited for 2011.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) : The Jags have had two "playoff-esque" games in the past two weeks. They lost both. Jacksonville could be even lower in this week's NFL power rankings.
16. Oakland Raiders (7-8) : Those losses to the Dolphins, Jags and Colts are going to cause Raider Nation to lose sleep this winter. What might have been…
15. New York Giants (9-6) : Watching this team stopped being fun for me about 4.5 quarters ago. Those looking for a new drinking game should just take a shot every time the Giants commit a turnover. You'll be on the ground before halftime.
14. San Diego Chargers (8-7) : So you're saying starting the regular season 2-5 isn't the way to get into the playoffs? Who knew?
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) : Nine wins but only one will be against a postseason team. That home loss to Detroit really hurt.
12. St. Louis Rams (7-8) : Yeah, that's right. They're currently first in the division and they're playing in a division championship game. The Rams deserve to be this high in NFL power rankings.
11. Indianapolis Colts (9-6) : Indy has won three in a row and they should wrap up the division at home. The Colts aren't going to be a gimme this postseason.
10. New York Jets (10-5): Losing to the Bears in Chicago isn't that big a deal. Giving up 38 points to the Bears is something that concerns me.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) : The Chiefs are the Bears of the AFC. They've clinched the division, they continue to win games yet nobody believes in them.
8. Green Bay Packers (9-6) : New York made the Packers look like a championship football team. Then again, maybe Green Bay actually is one.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) : Philly is banged up and they were downed by an offense that featured Joe Webb at QB. Still, the Eagles are an extremely dangerous playoff team.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) : Pittsburgh is another team that isn't totally healthy and those losses to New Orleans, New England and the Jets have to concern fans come playoff time.
5. New Orleans Saints (11-4): The Saints likely won't have a home game after this Sunday but they're still the defending Super Bowl champs. Do you want your favorite NFC team facing them in the playoffs?
4. Baltimore Ravens (11-4) : I picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl back in September. I'm sticking by that pick.
3. Atlanta Falcons (12-3) : What's the difference between the Bears and the Falcons this week? Both teams played playoff teams at home. Atlanta lost.
2. Chicago Bears (11-4) : Absolutely deserved. The Bears have won seven of their past eight, they've put the humiliating loss to New England behind them and they'll have a bye in the playoffs. What more do fans want from this team right now?
1. New England Patriots (13-2) : The best team in football with home field advantage and the league's MVP. They'll be first place next week unless something catastrophic occurs.
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