NFL: Weekly Power Rankings
1. New Orleans Saints (13-2, +0): The Saints just keep doing what they do, and as long as they're playing their biggest games at home, it doesn't seem like anyone in the league is going to be able to take them down. Now that New Orleans has locked up the NFC with a 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, they can rest their starters in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers. The pass defense wasn't very good this past game, allowing 380 yards to QB Ben Roethlisberger, but they have continued to be near the top of the league in rush defense. The leading rusher for the Steelers was RB Jaylen Samuels with just 58 yards. In the playoffs, when the running game becomes a little bit more meaningful, the Saints are one of the best at stopping it. Expect them to finish at the top of our rankings no matter the result this weekend.
2. Los Angeles Rams (12-3, +2): The Rams move up a couple of spots because of losses by the team in front of them, but also because they looked more comfortable. Obviously it's easier to score against the Arizona Cardinals compared to the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, but the Rams played better and they might have gained back some confidence in the 31-9 win over Arizona. QB Jared Goff had a game-high 216 passing yards, while WR Robert Woods totaled 89 yards receiving. Los Angeles will play the San Francisco 49ers on December 30th, with a chance to clinch the second bye in the NFC playoffs. If they lose, the Rams are in danger of falling back a spot because of their loss to the Bears in Week 14. RB C.J. Anderson looked good versus Arizona as well, running for 167 yards on 20 carries.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, -1): The Chargers had a huge chance to strengthen their case for home field advantage last Saturday night, but unfortunately that fell through with their loss to the Baltimore Ravens. At this point, barring an unforeseen loss by the Chiefs to the Raiders, the Chargers seemed to be all but locked into the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. It will still be important to keep an eye on them against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, a team that beat them earlier in the season, to see if they can keep up the hot streak they have been on with another win leading up to the postseason. This defense is still playing at an elite level despite losing to Baltimore, as they only gave up 22 points and seven of those were on a fumble recovery returned for a score.
4. Chicago Bears (11-4, +2): The Bears have clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010, which means they're headed back to the postseason, and with this defense, they'll have a shot in every game they play. This past weekend was an ugly game against the 49ers on the road, winning just 14-9, but that's kind of how it's been all year for this team. They don't win pretty (for the most part) and the running game is essential for them winning against good opponents, and that's partly why the Bears struggled against San Francisco. RB Jordan Howard only mustered up 53 rushing yards, while QB Mitchell Trubisky through for 246 passing yards. Trubisky isn't one of the top quarterbacks by any means, but as long as he takes care of the ball, Chicago can win games. Their last matchup is versus the Minnesota Vikings.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4, -2): The Chiefs are coming off of yet another shootout in Week 16, but this time a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Just two short seasons ago it seemed like the Chiefs could only win games with their defense, however it now seems to be the other way around. QB Patrick Mahomes has simply had a video game like season in his first as a starter, and he and the offense now carry this Chiefs squad rather than the defense. This is a dangerous game to play in the playoffs though. In Week 17, all Kansas City has to do is dispatch the lowly Oakland Raiders in order to take home field advantage with them to Arrowhead throughout the playoffs. If they lose, things will become quite a bit more complicated for them, as they will need Chargers and Patriots losses to maintain the top seed.
MVP Rankings:
1. Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
2. Drew Brees (Saints)
3. Philip Rivers (Chargers)
4. Jared Goff (Rams)
5. Khalil Mack (Bears)
Photo Credit: WGN Radio.
