NFL: Weekly Power Rankings
The Divisional Round was no joke, as we witnessed three really good games, including one finish that we will never forget! That thrilling game consisted of the Minnesota Vikings walking-off against the New Orleans Saints, 29-24, on a 61-yard score. Earlier in the day, the Jacksonville Jaguars upset the Pittsburgh Steelers, 45-42, behind QB Blake Bortles' great game (yeah, seriously). The day before, we saw the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots eliminate the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans, respectively. Our NFL Staff - Caleb Henderson, Charles Post, and Tyler Taylor - have power rankings set with just two weeks left.
1. New England Patriots (13-3, 1-0, +0): The Patriots didn't get off to the greatest start, going down 7-0 against the Titans, but that trend quickly changed. QB Tom Brady got it all figured out, as he usually does, and he would lead a 28-0 run, taking a commanding lead. Brady threw for 337 yards on 35 completions, including connecting with WR Danny Amendola 11 times, for 112 yards. Brady also scored three touchdowns. RB Dion Lewis ran for 62 yards on 15 carries. New England would go on to defeat the Titans, 35-14, and are now off to their seventh consecutive AFC title game. They'll take on the Jaguars at home.
2. Minnesota Vikings (13-3, 1-0, +0): The Vikings defeated the Saints. That's still sinking in. It really was one of the greatest finishes in NFL history, and is one of those moments that you'll always remember where you were when it happened. Nothing like it had ever happened, especially given the circumstances. QB Case Keenum led the way, throwing for 318 yards on 62.5 percent passing. But the star of the show was WR Stefon Diggs who scored the game-winning touchdown. He totaled 137 yards on six catches. Minnesota's defense was able to frustrate QB Drew Brees, forcing two picks, and they'll try to do the same to QB Nick Foles.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, 1-0, +1): The Eagles, speaking of Foles, were led by the former back-up, as he played arguably his best game all season long. He looked comfortable in the backfield, even with the Falcons' defense attempting to put pressure on him. However, the Vikings defense is a different animal altogether. He is going to have to bring it once again. This time with a Super Bowl berth on the line. In the 15-10 win over the Falcons, Foles threw for 246 yards on 23 completions. Philadelphia is now 8-1 on their home field this season, and if they can do it once more, the Eagles will be heading to Minnesota for the Super Bowl.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6, 2-0, +3): The Jaguars have finished in the bottom five of the NFL for the majority of the last decade, and then all of a sudden, they're in the AFC title game. They've completely skipped the rebuild process in one season, namely because of RB Leonard Fournette and the most dominant defense in the league. However, Bortles played arguably the best game of his career last week, helping to defeat the Steelers, 45-42, to get to this point. Fournette added 109 yards on 25 carries and three scores as well. As strange as it sounds, the Jags are one win away from the Super Bowl, and they actually match up with the Pats.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3, 0-1, -2): The Steelers were supposed to get to the AFC championship and then they were expected to challenge the Patriots in a match up of two of the best teams in the league, and we would get to see QB Ben Roethlisberger take on Brady and Co. The entire season was leading up to that game. And then the Steelers slipped up. For weeks now, Pittsburgh was acting like they had already clinched a spot to play New England, as HC Mike Tomlin and RB Le'Veon Bell mentioned facing the Patriots. Because of that type of attitude, they overlooked Jacksonville and paid for it, even though Big Ben threw for 469 yards.
6. New Orleans Saints (11-5, 1-1, -1): The Saints are going to take some time to get over their heart breaking loss, but they have no one to blame but themselves. If not for getting off to a horrendous start, the Saints would have been up by double digits in the final minutes and that final play never would have happened. But instead, New Orleans couldn't do anything in the first half, getting down 17-0, and were faced with the task of fighting back against a great defense. Brees somehow got his team in the lead, 24-23, in the final seconds, but the infamous play sank New Orleans' season.
7. Atlanta Falcons (10-6, 1-1, -1): The Falcons didn't play with the type of energy that we saw the week prior on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, and because of it, they're headed home early. After reaching the Super Bowl last season, Atlanta is out in the Divisional Round this year, losing by five to the Eagles. The Falcons defense allowed Foles to consistently throw screens and slants and get chunk plays. He rarely had to challenge the secondary, and yet Philly was able to move the ball. That's the season Atlanta was eliminated, even though WR Julio Jones grabbed nine receptions for 101 yards. It simply wasn't enough to win.
8. Tennessee Titans (9-7, 1-1, +0): The Titans were the biggest underdogs of the weekend and that reigned true, with the road loss against the Patriots. It was a long shot to think that Tennessee would grab a win, but it was disappointing with how poor they looked. After getting out to a quick 7-0 lead, it looked at though the Titans had nothing else left in them. The second quarter was dreadful, especially the horrible clock management towards the end of the half, and it resulted in zero points, as they gave up 21 points in the quarter. QB Marcus Mariota will have to improve over the season, but it will be with a brand new head coach.
9. Carolina Panthers (11-5, 0-1, -2): The Panthers got back to their winning ways this season after struggling last year, but it wasn't enough to get to the second round. This is the first time in history that the Panthers reached the playoffs but failed to reach the Divisional Round. QB Cam Newton played really well, but his receivers were letting him down in the first half. RB Jonathan Stewart had a day to forget, as well, as he only went for 51 yards on 11 carries, and wasn't able to score at all. The Panthers will have to reload, but they should be favorites to reach the postseason again next year, especially with RB Christian McCaffrey maturing a little.
10. Los Angeles Rams (11-5, 0-1, -5): The Rams were one of the most exciting teams to play this year, as they improved so much in such a quick turnaround. It was a great season for Los Angeles in just their second year since moving (back) to the West Coast. It was also QB Jared Goff's second campaign and he drastically improved. Not to mention that RB Todd Gurley is likely to finish second in MVP voting. It wasn't the way they wanted to end the season, losing 26-13 against the Falcons in the playoffs, but it was a successful season. Gurley had 101 yards in the loss. The Rams aren't going anywhere. They'll be back again next year.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6, 0-1, -2): The Chiefs finished the season 5-7 after getting off to a 5-0 start and it ended in a disappointment again. Kansas City fans have gotten used to blowing big leads in the playoffs under HC Andy Reid. In 2013, the Chiefs led by 18 points at halftime against the Indianapolis Colts and QB Peyton Manning came back for the win. It's only happened four times in the history of the NFL and the Chiefs have been involved in it twice in five years. QB Alex Smith threw for 264 yards, but it may be his last game for the team. And for some reason, RB Kareem Hunt only had 11 carries, as their season comes to a close.
12. Buffalo Bills (9-7, 0-1, -1): The Bills barely got into the postseason so it's not shocking that they are already eliminated after going down 10-3 against the Jaguars on the road. QB Tyrod Taylor wasn't able to get going, throwing for 134 yards on 17-37 passing and one interception. He was then knocked out late in the game with a possible concussion and was replaced by QB Nathan Peterman, who threw a game-ending interception. It was a short lived playoff run for the Bills, but at least they got into the postseason for the first time since 1999. They'll attempt to build on that success next season, opening as projected to finish second in the AFC East.
Second Tier:
13. Detroit Lions (9-7, +3)
14. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7, +1)
15. Seattle Seahawks (9-7, -3)
16. Dallas Cowboys (9-7, +1)
17. Baltimore Ravens (9-7, -7)
18. Arizona Cardinals (8-8, +2)
19. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9, +2)
20. Green Bay Packers (7-9, -2)
21. Washington Redskins (7-9, -2)
22. San Francisco 49ers (6-10, +2)
The Detroit Lions squeaked into the playoffs last season, but they couldn't do the same thing this year, despite finishing with the same record. In Week 17, they defeated the Green Bay Packers, 35-11, behind 323 passing yards from QB Matthew Stafford. However, after the game, HC Jim Caldwell was let go. The Seattle Seahawks and Ravens were in playoff contention before the week began, but a pair of losses to the Cardinals and Bengals, respectively, knocked them out altogether. The San Francisco 49ers have climbed from 1-10 all the way to the second tier with a five-game winning streak, led by QB Jimmy Garoppolo's 292 yards and two scores.
Third Tier:
23. Oakland Raiders (6-10, -1)
24. Miami Dolphins (6-10, -1)
25. Denver Broncos (5-11, +0)
26. New York Jets (5-11, +1)
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11, +1)
28. Chicago Bears (5-11, -2)
29. Houston Texans (4-12, +0)
30. Indianapolis Colts (4-12, +0)
31. New York Giants (3-13, +0)
32. Cleveland Browns (0-16, +0)
The Oakland Raiders' down season has finally come to an end, and so has HC Jack Del Rio's tenure with the team. He was fired, finishing with a 25-23 record in three years, leading the team to a 12-4 record last season and a playoff berth. It looks as though Jon Gruden may return to the Raiders, according to Sports Illustrated. That could be a great move for the franchise. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns lost for the 17th straight game, sending them to just the second 0-16 season in NFL history, along with the 2008 Lions. But there is some good news, I guess, at they're have their pick of which quarterback to take in the upcoming draft.
Player of the Week:
W1 - Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) - 148 Yards, 1 TD, 42-27 win vs. Patriots.
W2 - Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - 447 Yards, 3 TDs, 36-20 win vs. Saints.
W3 - Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams) - 292 Yards, 3 TDs, 41-39 win vs. 49ers.
W4 - Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) - 283 Yards, 4 TDs, 57-14 win vs. Titans.
W5 - Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) - 304 Yards, 4 TDs, 34-7 win vs. Cardinals.
W6 - Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) - 225 Yards, 3 TDs, 33-17 win vs. Browns.
W7 - Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders) - 210 Yards, 2 TDs, 31-30 win vs. Chiefs.
W8 - Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) - 451 Yards, 4 TDs, 41-38 win vs. Texans.
W9 - Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) - 361 Yards, 2 TDs, 30-17 win vs. Packers.
W10 - Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) - 254 Yards, 4 TDs, 45-21 win vs. Dolphins.
W11 - Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) - 144 Yards, 3 TDs, 40-17 win vs. Titans.
W12 - Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) - 253 Yards, 2 TDs, 34-20 win vs. Buccaneers.
W13 - Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) - 227 Yards, 3 TDs, 24-10 win vs. Eagles.
W14 - Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) - 506 Yards, 2 TDs, 39-38 win vs. Ravens.
W15 - Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams) - 152 Yards, 3 TDs, 42-7 win vs. Seahawks.
W16 - Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams) - 158 Yards, 2 TDs, 27-23 win vs Titans.
W17 - Juju Smith-Schuster (New Orleans Saints) - 143 Yards, 1 TD, 28-24 win vs. Browns.
W18 - Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans) - 205 Yards, 2 TDs, 22-21 win vs. Chiefs.
W19 - Stefon Diggs (Minnesota Vikings) - 137 Yards, 1 TD, 29-24 win vs. Saints.
Top Ranked Team:
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys.
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 7: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 12: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 13: New England Patriots.
Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Week 15: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles.
Week 17: New England Patriots.
Week 19: New England Patriots.
Photo Credit: USA Today.
