NFL Week 17 Power Rankings
The NFL season is underway, and with the season in full swing, we are here to help you determine who is good and bad. Teams will fall and rise throughout the season based on injuries, trades, acquisitions, and overall performance. The bad teams are sometimes easier to spot than the good teams, but the cream of the crop usually rises to the top by the season’s end. Here are the power rankings, and be sure to check out our Godzilla Wins Daily Staff Picks page for any sides we like throughout the season! Read more NFL week 17 power rankings here.
| Rank | Team | Record | Thoughts |
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs
(previously: 3) |
14-1 | The offense is starting to turn things around, and Hollywood Brown’s addition is massive. He caught five passes for 45 yards in his return, but his presence should draw enough attention to free up other playmakers. The Chiefs are starting to go on their yearly run to the Super Bowl. |
| 2 | Buffalo Bills
(previously: 2) |
12-3 | The Bills have been playing close games recently and should not have against the Patriots. They still managed to win, which is what great teams do. They need the Chiefs to lose on Christmas to keep their hopes of the one-seed alive, but it may be better if they get to rest. |
| 3 | Detroit Lions
(previously: 4) |
13-2 | The Lions play the 49ers this week, but must win if they want to win the division. They play the Vikings in week 18, which could be the game that decides the division. The other team will be the fifth seed and must go on the road. |
| 4 | Minnesota Vikings
(previously: 5) |
13-2 | Their fate is in their hands, but winning out will be a tough task. They play the Packers and Lions to finish the season. The first seed is also up for grabs. They continue to get slept on despite being a top team in the league. |
| 5 | Philadelphia Eagles
(previously: 1) |
12-3 | Jalen Hurts left the game with a concussion, and Kenny Pickett could not finish the job. Jayden Daniels torched them for five touchdowns, and the Eagles could not capitalize on five turnovers. |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers
(previously: 6) |
11-4 | The Saints who trotted on the field on Monday night were anything but special. The Packers still manhandled them but must show that physicality this week on the road against the Vikings. I would not want to play this team in the playoffs. |
| 7 | Baltimore Ravens
(previously: 8) |
10-5 | The division is wide open again with their win against the Steelers. The Ravens have a great chance of winning if they can win on Christmas and the Steelers lose to the Chiefs on the same day. Lamar Jackson is still alive in the MVP race, too. |
| 8 | Washington Commanders
(previously: 10) |
10-5 | Jayden Daniels has had a fantastic rookie campaign and can cement it by locking up a playoff spot with a win this week. They play the Falcons on Sunday night, which showcases two rookie quarterbacks in a high-pressure game. |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers
(previously: 7) |
10-5 | The Steelers’ schedule to end the season is brutal, and they are reeling after losing two in a row. George Pickens missing games is not helping, either. They need a massive win on Christmas against the Chiefs to have a chance to win the division. |
| 10 | Los Angeles Rams
(previously: 14) |
9-6 | The division is in their hands, with the Cardinals and Seahawks remaining. The week 18 matchup against Seattle could be the deciding factor. This team started 1-4 and has overcome multiple injuries to be in this spot. |
| 11 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(previously: 12) |
8-7 | The loss to the Cowboys is a tough one to swallow. They were in control of their division but needed to win out against the Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints. Now they need the Falcons to lose and to win both games to make the playoffs. |
| 12 | Los Angeles Chargers
(previously: 13) |
9-6 | The Chargers got a huge win against the Broncos on Thursday. They are one win away from clinching a playoff berth and play the Patriots this week. J.K. Dobbins could return as early as this week, which would be huge for this offense. |
| 13 | Denver Broncos
(previously: 9) |
9-6 | The Broncos can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie against the Bengals. They play the Chiefs in week 18, but they may have already clinched the first seed, which would help the Broncos’ chances of winning. |
| 14 | Houston Texans
(previously: 11) |
9-6 | Tank Dell suffered a devastating knee injury after losing Stefon Diggs earlier in the season. They brought in Diontae Johnson to help with the lack of depth. They clinched the division, so they have a couple of weeks to figure things out on offense. |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks
(previously: 16) |
8-7 | The Seahawks are on the outside of the playoffs. They need to win their final two games and still need help from the Rams. They needed to win one game against the Packers and Vikings the last two weeks and could not find a win. |
| 16 | Cincinnati Bengals
(previously: 19) |
7-8 | The best-case scenario for the Bengals is the Chiefs losing on Christmas, so they must compete in week 18. The Bengals are playing a playoff game against the Broncos on Saturday and must win the following week against the Steelers, with a Broncos’ loss to the Chiefs to make the playoffs. |
| 17 | Indianapolis Colts
(previously: 21) |
7-8 | Jonathan Taylor ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans. He has true breakaway speed and could be dangerous if the Colts make the playoffs. They must win against the Giants and Jaguars to give themselves a chance. |
| 18 | Atlanta Falcons
(previously: 17) |
8-7 | Michael Penix Jr. was not tested against the Giants but led his team to a 34-7 victory. He will be tested against the Commanders this week in a must-win game. The Falcons claim the NFC South by winning their final two games. |
| 19 | Miami Dolphins
(previously: 18) |
7-8 | The Dolphins are still in the playoff mix but need some help. They play their final two games on the road against the Browns and Jets, which are winnable games. |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys
(previously: 22) |
7-8 | The Cowboys did not have anything to play for against the Buccaneers after being eliminated prior to the game. They still played hard for Mike McCarthy and got their fourth victory in five games. |
| 21 | Arizona Cardinals
(previously: 15) |
7-8 | The loss to the Panthers was embarrassing, even more so because it eliminated them from the playoffs. They lost four of their last five games. |
| 22 | San Francisco 49ers
(previously: 20) |
6-9 | Injuries plagued this team all season, and they can officially put a bow on their disappointing season. They can play spoiler against the Lions this week, but I would not expect much. |
| 23 | Carolina Panthers
(previously: 27) |
4-11 | Bryce Young and the Panthers are playing surprisingly good football. This organization has to be buzzing about their young quarterbacks’ progression. |
| 24 | Chicago Bears
(previously: 24) |
4-11 | Caleb Williams is talented but is not making the throws necessary to compete at this level. The defense is also a mess right now. |
| 25 | New York Jets
(previously: 26) |
4-11 | The Jets did not punt on Sunday but only scored nine points. They are a trainwreck and have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. |
| 26 | New Orleans Saints
(previously: 23) |
5-10 | The Saints’ team that took the field on Monday night looked awful. They scored zero points and managed 196 yards. |
| 27 | Cleveland Browns
(previously: 25) |
3-12 | Dorian Thompson-Robinson is not the answer at quarterback. They have a massive problem at that position and must figure it out this offseason. |
| 28 | New England Patriots
(previously: 28) |
3-12 | Drake Maye looked great against the Bills, minus a couple of turnovers. They currently have the second overall selection in the draft and the most projected cap space next season. |
| 29 | Tennessee Titans
(previously: 29) |
3-12 | The Titans could not stop the run against the Colts. The Colts only completed seven passes but had 335 rushing yards. |
| 30 | Las Vegas Raiders
(previously: 31) |
3-12 | The Raiders beat the Jaguars but dropped to the sixth overall selection in the draft. That win may have cost some capital if they want to draft a quarterback because they may have to move up. |
| 31 | Jacksonville Jaguars
(previously: 30) |
3-12 | Brian Thomas Jr. is a future star and could be the weapon Trevor Lawrence needs. The Jaguars got a steal by drafting Thomas Jr. |
| 32 | New York Giants
(previously: 32) |
2-13 | The Giants are inching closer towards the top draft pick. I do not see them winning again this season. |
