Final Power Rankings (17)

NFL Power Rankings

End of Regular Season

NOTE: Previous ranking is noted in the first parenthesis. Current team record noted in the second parenthesis.

1. (1) Denver Broncos (13-3) – #1 seed in the AFC locked up, and Manning holds all the records. He MUST win his second Super Bowl this year.

2. (2) Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – The NFC #1 seed belongs to Seattle, the team with the best defense in the league.

3. (3) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – Great win over Arizona to claim the top Wildcard spot. Something tells me that the winner of San Fran and Seattle (whenever it takes place) will be marching on to the Super Bowl.

4. (4) Carolina Panthers (12-4) – A great defense has carried the Panthers all the way to a first round bye. What can they do in the playoffs now?

5. (6) Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) – Andy Dalton didn’t play well in their final game, but they won the division and host a playoff game this week. It’s time for a Bengals playoff win right?

6. (7) New England Patriots (12-4) – The Pats clinched a bye and are sitting pretty for the playoffs. Of course, they must win without Gronk, which may be hard.

7. (9) New Orleans Saints (11-5) – If only they could play playoff games at home… they likely wouldn’t lose. Instead, they go on the road, where they have struggled.

8. (8) Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) – They should have beat San Diego without their starters, but a loss didn’t change anything about this squad. This team will play at Indy to start, against a team that beat them a week ago.

9. (11) Indianapolis Colts (11-5) – After a mid-season slump, Indy is back to playing solid football. Hilton is making us forget about Reggie Wayne.

10. (10) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) – Big win at Dallas to clinch the division. Really is incredible how Chip Kelly turned it around this year. Coach of the year?

11. (5) Arizona Cardinals (10-6) – They finally lost a game, but it wouldn’t have mattered. They remain the best team not in the playoffs.

12. (19) Green Bay Packers (8-7-1) – Not only did they win the division, but they did it at Chicago (rivals), and did so in the return of Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb. Those guys completely change their playoff outlook.

13. (12) San Diego Chargers (9-7) – Why did I drop them after winning a game and clinching a playoff birth? Because they really deserved to lose to a team full of backups. Not a high note if you ask me.

14. (18) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) – Almost snuck into the playoffs based on a great finish to the year. Instead, they hope to carry the momentum over to next season.

15. (14) Chicago Bears (8-8) – Heartbreak is what kept the Bears out of the playoffs. And bad defense. They now have a ton of offseason decisions to make.

16. (13) Baltimore Ravens (8-8) – You think they realize yet they made a big mistake paying Flacco as much as they did?

17. (15) Dallas Cowboys (8-8) – Defense didn’t lose the game against Philly, and that’s shocking to me. If Romo would have played, I predict Dallas would have won.

18. (21) New York Jets (8-8) – I really have to give it to Rex Ryan for his coaching this year. I thought they were clearly the worst team in the NFL before the year, or at least one of the worst. 8 wins was shockingly good. He deserved to keep his job.

19. (16) Miami Dolphins (8-8) – The Dolphins will look back on the last couple of weeks with a lot of regret. A win in either week would have meant the playoffs.

20. (17) St. Louis Rams (7-9) – A loss this week wasn’t all bad… it dramatically improved their draft choice (since a lot of teams ended 8-8). And they also own the #2 overall pick thanks for Washington. I see lots of improvement coming.

21. (23) New York Giants (7-9) – The Giants would have been a playoff team if you erase the first month or so. I also think they have a good young player in Jernigan.

22. (20) Detroit Lions (7-9) – Schwartz is gone, which is a good thing. This team needs more discipline and consistency. It won’t happen, but Lovie Smith would be a great coach here.

23. (24) Tennessee Titans (7-9) – Second place in the AFC South. Of course, that isn’t saying much at all.

24. (25) Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1) – Frazier is out, which I disagree with. I would have liked to see him get another year.

25. (22) Buffalo Bills (6-10) – Depending on the offseason, this is a team to watch next year. That is, if Manuel can stay healthy.

26. (26) Atlanta Falcons (4-12) – With Julio back and a good draft position, Atlanta can bounce back. It helps when you have Matt Ryan.

27. (27) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) – Coaching change here, so I’ll be curious to see what direction the team goes.

28. (28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) – Another coach gone with this team. Again, how will they approach the offseason.

29. (29) Cleveland Browns (4-12) – Another bad team, another fired coach. This one was a little shocking though because it was after only one season.

30. (30) Oakland Raiders (4-12) – Looks like the head coach will return, but there won’t be any talent joining him.

31. (31) Washington Redskins (3-13) – The terrible season earned them the #2 pick… oh wait, they are giving that to St. Louis. At least Shanahan will be gone.

32. (32) Houston Texans (2-14) – After watching them play this year and watching Teddy Bridgewater play on Saturday night in his bowl game, I’d be shocked if they choose anybody else at #1.

By: The Sports Guys