Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Final Stack before Playoffs Set + Week 17 Players of the Week

We have reached the last week of the regular season. What a crazy 2021-22 regular season it has been, and it's hard to believe that this is it before the road to LA begins. The biggest regular season ends this week and we have the final power rankings before everything is basically said and done.

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Previously #1

No movement here for the Packers who blew out Minnesota and clinched the no. 1 seed in the NFC for the second straight year. While I would say this finally feels like their year, I can't because it's felt that way for a few years now and they seem to always let us down. For now though, they are #1 again!

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
Previously #4 +

Even after a rough game vs the Jets which they looked like they would actually lose (before Brady had the last word), the Bucs find themselves moving up. It has been a weird last couple of weeks for the defending champs but I still believe that if they can get healthy in the next week or so, they are still the team to beat in the NFC. Still can't believe what happened with Antonio Brown, will be a big loss for them, even if Cyril Grayson might be something.

3. Tennessee Titans (11-5)
Previously #8 +

The Titans are huger risers this week all the way up to no. 3 as they beat the red-hot Dolphins in dominant fashion and reclaimed the grip of the no. 1 seed in the AFC. Win next week and the bye week is theirs. Feels crazy to say that and see this given the weird year they've had and all of the injuries. The Titans are continuing to get healthier by the week and Derrick Henry's 21-day IR return practice window has just been opened...

4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Previously #2 -

What a tough and disappointing loss for the Chiefs on Sunday. Going into the day, they were flying high as one of the hottest teams in the sport and holding the cards in terms of their destiny to get that no. 1 seed, they ended Sunday losing that bye spot for the moment and raising some serious questions. Still, the Chiefs fought hard but the Bengals were just the hungrier team. I'm not worried at all about this team, they played well, but now they may have to play a game on Wildcard weekend which is pretty foreign to them.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Previously #9 +

The Bengals surge into the top 5 after their biggest win of the season. For the first time since 2015, the Bengals are not only the kings of the jungle, but they are the king's of the North! They clinched the division title and now are guaranteed at least one home playoff game and are still in the running for the no. 1 overall seed in the AFC (it would take a lot, but not out of reach). What an explosive offensive game they had on Sunday, this team proved they can not only keep up with any offense in the league, but their offense is the one that needs to be kept up with by everyone else. This is the best O in the league IMO and I like their D quite a bit as well. They are dangerous.

6. Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
Previously #6

The Rams have one of the 3 best records in the NFL but remain right outside the top 5 due to the ways they've been winning lately. Barely beating teams that they should beat up on. They really didn't deserve to win on Sunday but somehow edged out the Huntley-led Ravens for a one-point victory. Matthew Stafford continues to slump and the Rams will not be able to go anywhere in the post-season if it keeps up.

7. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

Previously #3 -

Just when it seemed like this team had it all figured out, they didn't. They were upset at home by the Cardinals (who are good) but have been cold of late. The refs did not give them much help, I will say, but a loss is a loss, and this one wasn't too promising. Still, they have another week to get back on track before the road to the Lombardi begins for them.

8. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Previously #7 -

What should have been a dominant win over Atlanta was much closer than it should have been for a lot of the game. At the end they turned it on, but for the early portion of the game, they were locked in a battle and Josh Allen did not look particularly good either. He threw 3 picks. Still, the Bills win this week and they clinch the AFC East. They are into the playoffs again as well, but are really going to want that division title and rd. 1 home game.

9. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
Previously #11 +

Just when we had given hope on this team, they rallied back and tallied a major win in Dallas. The Cards had been on a cold streak of late, but a lot of doubts were snapped when they went into Dallas and came away victorious, keeping themselves alive in the neck and neck battle for the NFC West division crown. Next Sunday will obviously determine it all, but if they can beat Seattle, the Rams have a good chance of losing to the Niners and they could potentially reclaim the division once and for all!

10. New England Patriots (10-6)
Previously #10

After one year of missing out on the playoffs, Belichick has his new look team back in it! The Patriots clinched a berth with their throttling of the Jaguars on Sunday and still are in play for the division crown and even the no. 1 overall seed in the conference. Both are less likely than happening, but they are in it. This team is going to be a tough draw for anyone come playoff time. Their style of football travels in January and we could see a deep playoff run again from this team.

11. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Previously #5 -

The Colts fall drastically after a shocking upset loss. It seemed like this team was finally getting rolling and would be a force that no one would want to face in the playoffs but they were humbled with a loss to the Raiders who kept their season very much alive with the win. The Colts are still very very likely to make the playoffs but weren't able to clinch it for sure like they would have wanted to. This Sunday they have the Jags which seems so easy, and probably is, but it's worth noting that they haven't won in Jacksonville since 2014...

12. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)

Previously #13 +

With their win on Sunday, the Eagles clinched a wildcard berth in the NFC. Who would have thought that they would turn this thing around with the way they started. I've been saying it since the beginning, but Hurts is the real deal. In his first full season as a starting QB in the NFL at age 23, he leads this team from a rough start to a playoff berth. This team is a true wildcard and could potentially give a big favorite a run for its money in round 1...this is the no. 1 rushing offense in the NFL people seem to forget. 

13. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
Previously #15 +

After such a rough and shocking loss to the Texans a week ago, this team responded well by thrashing the Broncos and giving themselves a clear path to the post-season. There are other scenarios for them to get in if they can't win, but they can get in by simply beating the rival Raiders on SNF this coming week. The winner of that game is in the playoffs so it will be a great one. This Charger team remains a top 5-7 most talented roster in football, but can they put it all together at the same time? It remains a mystery. 

14. San Fransisco 49ers (9-7)
Previously #14

Trey Lance returned to the starting lineup on Sunday and had an up and down game but now leaves the world wondering what will happen next at QB with this team. Does Jimmy G come right back in when he's healthy or do they continue to roll with the rookie? The Niners NEED to win on Sunday or their playoff hopes suddenly aren't looking too good with the Saints right on their heels. If this team can get in, they could make noise as a wildcard, but they need to beat the big-dog Rams to likely get in.

15. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7)
Previously #17 +

Lead by Derek Carr, these Raiders continue to show crazy resiliency as they are on the doorstep of the post-season despite everything that has gone wrong with this team over the course of just this one season. With back-to-back impressive, upset wins, the Raiders can get in with a win at home in primetime this Sunday night. If they don't win, there is also still a path for them, but the simplest would be for them to just win and control their own fate. Crazy to think they could wind up in after everything. Would be quite an ode to Derek Carr. 

16. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Previously #19 +

Quite possibly even more wild than the Raiders, the Saints are very much alive for a playoff berth going into the final week, in fact, it's maybe more likely than not. If the Saints can beat the Falcons (which they should be able to), they just need the 12-4 Rams to handle business against the 9-7 Niners and then the Saints would be in. If both of these favorites win on Sunday, they are in. What a crazy turn of events it would be for a team that has been pretty bad for much of the season. Imagine they get in as the 7 seed and face Tampa in round 1...

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1)
Previously #18 +

After Big Ben's emotional finale at Heinz Field following the Steelers' victory over the Browns on Monday night, the Steelers are still somehow alive in the AFC wildcard hunt. It would take a lot for them to make it, but if they win, the Colts lose, and the Chargers/Raiders don't tie their game, they would be in. The Colts part makes this pretty unlikely, but there's still some hope. Otherwise, this team will enter an off-season right away with a lot of uncertainty and a hole at the QB position for the first time in almost 20 years.

18. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Previously #16 -

Tyler Huntley, who has been so good in relief of Lamar Jackson, almost completed another upset, but yet again, fell just short. The Ravens outplayed the Rams for much of the day but ultimately lost by 1 and likely ended their playoff hopes. A year of bad injuries for the Ravens WOULD end this way. Once this team gets healthy again in the off-season, they should be back to their old ways, but it is still disappointing to see they couldn't get in as they lost yet another close one. They aren't officially dead yet, but would need about the same luck as the Steelers need to make it themselves. They aren't officially dead yet.

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Previously #12 -

It was a fun little mid-season run that this team went on, but getting blown out in Nashville sealed their fates as they will not be making a return to the post-season in 2021-22. This team still had a great season overall and should be very excited for the future. An off-season full of cap space and high draft picks should have this fanbase excited for what is to come as soon as next season.

20. Cleveland Browns (7-9)

Previously #20

With another upset loss, the Browns were officially eliminated from the post-season just a year after nearly reaching the AFC title game. This team has a lot of great talent and a lot to be excited about, but their are definitely going to be some big-time moves to be made this off-season, likely including QB Baker Mayfield who may have just played his last game in Cleveland. This will be a wild off-year in Browntown.

21. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

Previously #22 +

The Falcons had a good year for their standards and now face an interesting off-season. Will they try and build up even more or will they blow it all up. Matt Ryan's future is about to get really interesting as he still has a good amount of quality football left in him.

22. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

Previously #21 -

With the blowout loss in Green Bay, the Vikings were once again eliminated from post-season contention. This team has just been disappointing over the past couple of seasons. Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the missing piece that would lead this team to the promise-land. Now it seems like everyone will go this off-season and a rebuild will ensue.

23. Denver Broncos (7-9)

Previously #23

This team feels so close to being good yet so far. Their defense is obviously not the issue. They've been really good on defense for years now, especially with HC Vic Fangio who is a defensive guy. However, their offense has been so horrendous since Peyton Manning that they might have to overhaul the entire coaching staff to try and usher in change. The only way I can see this team winning under Vic Fangio is if they can piece together all their draft assets and some players and acquire a guy like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson in the off-season, otherwise the winding rebuild may continue.

24. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)

Previously #26 +

It was nice to see the Seahawks have a vintage, blowout win in what might have been Pete Carroll and/or Russell Wilson's last game in Seattle. The star players dominated (DK Metcalf, Rashaad Penny, and Wilson to name a few). The immediate time period after next Sunday's game will tell us everything about where this team will go. They could run it back fully and hope to return to their 2020 form, they could trade Wilson/Wagner and fire Carroll and go full rebuild, or they could even fire the staff and keep the current team and see if a new staff is what finally pushes them back over the top. So many scenarios to consider for one of the weirdest flop teams of 2021.

25. Washington Football Team (6-10)

Previously #24 -

Washington is clearly ready for some upgrades this off-season. They will hope the defense can return to form with some health at the start of next season as they will try and find a way to massively upgrade their offense. QB seems to be the looming change that is necessary for this team to take a next step. A new name is set to release for the nameless team of the NFL on Feb 2nd as well!

26. Chicago Bears (6-10)

Previously #25 -

To the joy 0f many Bears fans, it is probably Matt Nagy's final week as the team's HC. With a new staff in place and an off-season of adding new talent, a sophomore Justin Fields-led team in 2022 might be able to make the playoffs. The future feels bright and promising in the Windy City.

27. Houston Texans (4-12)

Previously #28 +

This little late season promising push has given us some insight into the potential near future in Houston. Davis Mills deserves another season to try and prove he can be their franchise QB. The Texans will have a top 10 pick to add a real impact player. They also will likely finally move Deshaun Watson for a king's ransom and then have even more assets for building this team up. Suddenly things look bright for the future in Houston as well.

28. New York Jets (4-12)

Previously #29 +

The Jets have been playing a lot better of late, and Robert Saleh is making it clear that he is the right coach for the future. It was crushing to see this team that outplayed the Bucs for most of the game on Sunday to lose on a classic Tom Brady 1-minute drill. The fact that they played the Bucs that close indicates a lot about this team's future. Their offense (including Zach Wilson) is starting to show a lot of promise, it's now going to be the defense they have to try and upgrade this off-season to try and start making the next step in 2022.

29. Carolina Panthers (5-11)

Previously #27 -

Not much to say here for them. They have a tough off-season ahead of them. They can't find ways to win and may have to already part with disappointing HC Matt Rhule after just two seasons. This team may have a defense that could be good, but the offense is so bad that it will forever hold them back until they get a star QB. They will be back in that market this off-season. Oh yeah, and their best player is made of glass and is in danger of becoming the next Todd Gurley.

30. New York Giants (4-12)

Previously #31 +

The Giants have a lot of high draft picks this off-season and some cap space to work with, but none of that will matter if they don't fire HC Joe Judge. He has been a disaster of a hire so far and they can't keep trying to make it look right by giving him another year. This franchise is doomed until they get rid of him and also GM Dave Gettleman.

31. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)

Previously #30 -

While it may be ugly a lot of the time (ex: Sunday), this team will never quit. HC Dan Campbell has installed an amazing culture in this locker room and it gives this team a pretty bright future. They have a lot to work with this off-season and may start winning more consistently next season.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)

Previously #32

It keeps getting worse for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. They really need to nail their HC hiring or, dare I say, Trevor Lawrence could become a bust. This team has been downright terrible this season, but likely with the no. 1 pick in the draft for the second straight year and hopefully a good new HC, this team could be back on track next season in terms of starting an effective rebuild.

_____________

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK, WEEK 17

OFFENSIVE Player of the Week: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
(11 receptions, 266 yards, 3 TDs receiving)

DEFENSIVE Player of the Week: TJ Watt, Edge Rusher, Steelers

(4 sacks, 5 total tackles, 3 TFL, 2 pass deflections)

SPECIAL TEAMS Player of the Week: Jason Myers, K, Seahawks

(15 total points, 3/3 FGs, 6/6 extra points, long of 51)

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Chase ^

TEAM of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

(Beat Chiefs [11-5] by a final score of 34-31)