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NFL Power Rankings: Week 17

Written by Steve Janus

nfl-power-rankings-122308 The Titans’ win over the Steelers last week proved one thing: Tennessee is the team to beat in the AFC.

Over in the NFC, the Giants needed overtime to get past the Carolina Panthers to prove who the best team in conference was. It wasn’t pretty, but the defending champs are still looking tough.

Carolina gave the New York Giants almost everything they could handle on Sunday night last week. The Panthers (11-4), with their great rushing offense and solid defense, are a team that nobody wants to go through in the playoffs.

What happened to the Steelers last week? The lack of offensive production is becoming more worrisome each week. Defense may win championships, but if the defense falters, as it did last week at Tennessee, you’re left with a disappointing loss.

Winning 8-straight games in the NFL is no fluke. The Colts are ready for post season play. They aren’t the typical Colts we’ve grown used to watching, but they continue to win in every situation.

Big win for the Ravens over the Cowboys last week. A win over Jacksonville this week puts Baltimore in the playoffs. The Ravens are 12.5 point favorites at home this week.

The Patriots are playing as good as any team in football right now. It may be too little too late, however. To make the playoffs the Pats need a win this week as well as either a Miami or Baltimore loss.

I’m already tired of hearing the phrase: “The [insert team name] control their own destiny”, but that’s exactly the situation the Miami Dolphins are in. If they beat the Jets, they are in the playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons clinched a playoff birth with an impressive win over Minnesota on Monday Night football last week. I don’t think any true football fan wants Atlanta’s great story to end any time soon.

The Cowboys looked like a different team last week against the Ravens. You just never know which version of this squad is going to show up. There are several scenarios in which the ‘Boys can make still make the playoffs. The easiest path? They beat the Eagles and the Falcons lose to the Rams.

The Vikings lost a golden opportunity against the Falcons this week, but they are still in pretty good shape. They either have to beat the Giants (who should be resting the majority of their starters) or have the Bears lose to the Texans. Not a great situation, but they should be happy that they are where they are after their Monday Night performance.

Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight, but can still make the playoffs if they beat the Raiders and the Cowboys lose to the Eagles. Not the worst situation they could be in after their slide.

The Bears got hot just a little bit too late. Now they need to win and have the Vikings or the Cowboys and Bucs lose to make the playoffs.

The Jets just needed to win last week to be in a win-and-in situation this week in the playoffs. As it happens, New York lost to Seattle. Now they have to beat the Jets and have either the Ravens or Patriots lose this week to make the post season.

Since the Chargers won and the Bills beat the Broncos, San Diego will play Denver for the AFC Division title and a playoff birth. The Chargers are 8 point favorites over the Broncos this week.

The Arizona Cardinals have looked just terrible lately. Nevertheless, they will be in the playoffs and they still could get hot at just the right time.

The Eagles need far too much to go right for them to have a real chance at the post season this year, but, first and foremost, they have to win this week to even have a chance.

Better luck next year: Bills (7-8), Redskins (8-7), Saints (8-7), Texans (7-8), 49ers (6-9), Jaguars (5-10), Packers (5-10), Seahawks (4-11), Browns (4-11), Bengals (3-11-1), Rams (2-13), Chiefs (2-13), Lions (0-15)

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