Jack’s NFL Power Rankings after Week 17

After every week during the NFL season, Section 400 writer Jack Albanese will give us his updated power rankings of all 32 teams across the league.

Jack decided to change things up a bit this week, splitting up his power rankings by conference ahead of the final week of the NFL season.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens clinched the top-seed in the AFC with a dismantling of the Miami Dolphins last week. We’ll see if head coach Jim Harbaugh opts to rest his starters this week, giving them a “double-bye” of sorts.

Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns have secured the 5-seed in the AFC and are set to take on the winner of the AFC South. Flacco should get a well-earned day off on Sunday.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has been sizzling hot since the end of November. The Bills have the chance to take over the AFC East, and the 2-seed, with a win on Sunday Night Football against the Dolphins.

The Bills could also miss the playoffs with a loss and wins by the Steelers and Jaguars.

Miami Dolphins

Miami is a fraudulent joke, but they do have talent. The Dolphins lock up the AFC East and the No. 2 seed with a win this week against the Bills.

The Dolphins would fall to the 6-seed with a loss.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are not nearly as good as they’ve been in recent years. Still, they’ll be the 3-seed in the AFC.

Jacksonville Jaguars

My Jaguars have been bitten by the injury bug all year long, but can still clinch the AFC South with a victory against the 5-11 Titans this week.

Jacksonville can also back into the 7-seed with a loss assuming the Ravens beat the Steelers and the Raiders take down the Broncos.

Indianapolis Colts

In a sick twist of fate, Gardner Minshew has the chance to lead a different AFC South team to the playoffs. The Colts host a win-and-in game this week against the Texans. A victory along with a Jaguars loss or tie makes Indianapolis AFC South champs.

Even if the Jaguars win, the Colts are in the postseason as the 6 or 7-seed with if they can beat Houston. They would be the 6-seed with a Bills loss and the 7-seed with a Bills victory.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans went 3-13-1 last season. Quarterback C.J Stroud has a chance to lead them to the postseason this year in a truly remarkable turnaround.

Houston’s scenarios are identical to those of the Colts.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Somehow, not all hope is lost for the Steelers. Pittsburgh can make the playoffs with a win over the Ravens paired with a Buffalo loss or Jacksonville loss/tie.

Mason Rudolph can also back his way into the postseason with a loss if the Jaguars lose and the Broncos beat the Raiders.

• 10. Denver Broncos
• 11. Las Vegas Raiders
• 12. Cincinnati Bengals
• 13. New York Jets  
• 14. Tennessee Titans
• 15. Los Angeles Chargers
• 16. New England Patriots

NFC

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco has clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and will have home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are NFC North champions and will finish as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Detroit has a feasible chance to win the NFC.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are arguably the hottest team in football. Sean McVay and company clinched a playoff spot last week and can claim the 6-seed with a win against the 49ers backups this week.

No opponent wants to see the Rams in the postseason.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas should have lost to the Lions in hilarious fashion last week but got bailed out by a horrendous decision by the officials.

The Cowboys lock up the NFC East and the 2-seed with a win against the reeling Washington Commanders in Week 18. I don’t have faith in them doing much of anything in the postseason however.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are in shambles. We’ll see if they can put together a good performance ahead of the playoffs this week.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle suffered a brutal loss at home last week. The choke job puts Seattle in a difficult spot this week, as they need a win and some help to get into the dance.

The good news for Seattle? They play against the 4-12 Cardinals. The bad news? A Packers home win over the 7-9 Chicago Bears sends them to Cancun.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay had a chance to clinch the division with a win over the Saints last week. They got blown out.

The Bucs still control their own destiny and claim the 4-seed in the NFC with a win against the 2-14 Panthers.

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans needs a win and some help. They’ll win the NFC South with a victory over the Falcons and a Bucs loss to the Panthers.

Chicago Bears

The Bears are eliminated from playoff contention but Justin Fields and company are on the upswing. Chicago has won four of five games and just secured the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay was helped out massively last week by the Vikings decision to start Jaren Hall. The victory in Minnesota gave the Packers a win-and-in scenario this week against the Bears.

A win and a Rams loss puts the Packers at the 6-seed, while a win and a Los Angeles win gives Green Bay the 7-seed.

A loss pretty much eliminates Green Bay, although some ties can get them in.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons aren’t a good football team, but they can still win the NFC South with a win and a Bucs loss. Ugh.

• 12 Arizona Cardinals
• 13 Minnesota Vikings
• 14 New York Giants
• 15 Washington Commanders
• 16 Carolina Panthers