Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Who Grabs the Final Playoff Spots?

 Well, usually when we make it to this week in the season it is a very exciting and fun time in the NFL. It is/was shaping up to be that way before a tragic incident in the Bengals/Bills MNF game a few nights back. Bills young safety Damar Hamlin went for a tackle on Tee Higgins and when he stood up after a lot of contact he fell down and collapsed. Everyone already knows what happened next I'm not going to re-hash it again but Hamlin remains in critical condition in the Cincinnati hospital and the league continues to pray for him. The remainder of the game was postponed and likely won't even be played. There is a lot of uncertainty still on what may happen next but it appears the rest of the games this weekend will go on as schedule and I'm sure we will get our update on what happens with that crucial Bills/Bengals non-contest soon. Today's power rankings have a bit of uncertainty behind them with that, but we are still heading into the final week where many spots are still up for grabs in both conferences. Let's get into it! 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)
Last week: #2 +

Well, it looks as if the Chiefs may just get the #1 seed after-all. Whether they really deserve it or not can be up for debate but sometimes life is just not fair and they may wind up with that top spot due to what transpired on MNF. Regardless, the Chiefs are one of, if not the best teams in football right now. They move up to the top slot due to their great chance of securing the first round bye and the way their D has been playing of late. Even with a random cold stretch from Mahomes and Kelce, they are still rolling. That is how you know this team is the real deal.

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Last week: #4 +

"The Niners keep on rising". That is what I said last week and now I say it again as they are all the way up to the #2 spot in my ranks! Also, with the help of a Vikings beatdown loss, the Niners suddenly find themselves in the #2 spot in the NFC playoff picture as well which is huge. The two slot guarantees at least two home playoff games if they are to advance. Even in a shootout, Brock Purdy proved he can hang. And this D is playing great still. I was not a believer early on, but now boy am I ever.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)*
Last week: #5 +

Well we do not know how their record really will turn out at the current moment, and their decent chance at the one seed may be gone due to the tragedy. Either way, this team is possibly the favorite in the AFC. They can win on the road with that defense and the variety of ways they can hit you on offense. Obviously you can't say for sure, but I predicted the Bengals to win on MNF and they were on their way to a nice start before the event. I think they would have gone on to win that one. The Bengals are probably my AFC favorite right now if I had to pick a winner.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Last week: #1 -

For the first time in weeks, the Eagles are not #1, and for the first time all season, they do not have sole possession of the best record in football. Things are slightly dicey for the birds right now. They've lost two straight in the absence of possible league MVP QB Jalen Hurts and now are in danger of losing the NFC East with a loss this weekend to the Giants and another Dallas win. If Hurts cannot suit up again this Sunday, there is a good chance we could be seeing this team on the road in Tampa on wildcard weekend. If Hurts plays, this is still the best team in the NFC. 

5. Buffalo Bills (12-3)*
Last week: #3

This is one of the closest-knit organizations in football. I know these guys will find a way to rally together and win their week 18 match against New England, for Damar. With the event, their chances at a very possible one seed are probably gone, but this team will be able to go deep in the playoffs whether it is on the road or at home. I'm excited to see how these guys respond to a tough moment.

6. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Last week: #6

It took the 'Boys some time to get rolling against the Titans' scout team on TNF, but they figured it out and then looked like the great team we've seen all season. To their pleasant surprise, the Eagles have kept them alive for a division title still. With a win this weekend and another Philly loss, they would get to host 1-2 playoff games! It is starting to feel very possible. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
Last week: #9 +

This might be excessive for a team that isn't even guaranteed a playoff berth yet, but it is looking good (knock on wood). A recent hot streak has everyone with a new outlook on life in Jacksonville and beyond when talking about this squad. Trevor Lawrence played his worst game in awhile this past weekend and they still won soundly. The Jags are in with a win over the crumbling Titans on Saturday night football, and would host a playoff game! 

8. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Last week: #7 -

This was the result everyone has been waiting for, for Minnesota. After another crazy close win over the Giants last week, the Vikings were flying high but then just got HUMBLED by Green Bay. This was ugly from the jump. Not only was this loss demoralizing just two weeks before the playoffs, it actually dropped Minnesota from the 2 seed to the 3, giving them a much tougher road in the playoffs and no guaranteed second home game should they make it out of round 1. This team is feeling like frauds and potentially a first round exit...

9. New York Giants (9-6-1)
Last week: #11 +

The Giants are IN! For the first time since they had OBJ and that viral boat in Miami photo went viral, this team is headed to the post-season. What a job by HC Brian Daboll who could wind up winning COY. For much of the year I believed the Giants were frauds, but after seeing how they've played of late, I've changed my mind. Daniel Jones is...good??! I want to keep giving flowers to Hodgins, who is suddenly a great WR1 for this team. If they can keep momentum going into the playoffs, I could see them upsetting a team like Minnesota in round 1. 

10. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
Last week: #10

The Chargers are into the playoffs and are now just playing for if they will open somewhere in the AFC South, or against one of the upper echelon teams like Cinncy or Buffalo or even KC. At 10-6, the Chargers are figuring out finally how to win the games that they SHOULD be winning, which was a rarity at times this year for them. With how deep and talented this squad is, I'm excited to see what they can do in the post-season.

11. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Last week: #8 -

I will keep giving them a slight pass as long as QB Lamar Jackson is out, but damn this is not a great team. They clinched a post-season berth two weeks ago so they remain somewhat high in the ranks solely off of that, but this really isn't a very good team. The loss to Pittsburgh proved that one.

12. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Last week: #14 +

I cannot believe this is about to happen. Again. Aaron Rodgers is the king of running the table. Whenever his team is hovering around .500 at the mid-season, never count him out. The Packers are in the midst of a very hot streak and after dismantling the heavily favored Vikings this past weekend, they sit one win away from a wildcard berth. Aaron Rodgers is a bad man. Win and in, on SNF against the Lions.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Last week: #18 ++

Tom Brady and his team's heating up in the last stretch of the season is a given. I'm not sure why we didn't see this coming sooner. In their most important game of the season, the Bucs handled the Panthers. It was close, but after coming back from an early deficit, it never felt like Carolina had a chance. Not only did the Bucs' D re-emerge in the victory, so did Mike Evans, who went for 200 receiving yards to go over the 1k yard mark AGAIN! The most consistent 1000 yard player in the NFL. This was a great time to pick up momentum with a winnable home playoff game just next weekend now!

14. New England Patriots (8-8)
Last week: #22 ++

After the last month this team has had, god knows how they are still alive in the playoff race. After pulling off a bit of an upset against the Dolphins this past weekend, the Patriots control their own destiny heading into week 18: beat the Bills, make it in! Easier said than done, but the Pats will hope to catch Buffalo off guard after what they have been dealing with to get into the post-season. I do not mean that in any sort of insensitive way, I'm just saying it how it is.

15. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Last week: #13 -

The Hawks picked up one of their best wins of the season on Sunday, a 23-6 handling of the New York Jets. They drop in these ranks only because what happened at Lambeau field. The shocking Packer upset win dropped the Hawks from the favorite to get the 7th and final spot in the NFC playoffs to just a 17% chance. Seattle now needs to beat the Rams at home and then see Detroit go into Green Bay and beat Aaron Rodgers. It's not likely, but it was a hell of a season in the PNW either way. This team will be rooting hard for Detroit (and the *Chargers) on Sunday.
*Denver's draft pick

16. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Last week: #12 -

Once 8-3, this team has dropped 5 straight and has watched a very very promising season slip away from them. Following the loss to the Pats, Miami will need to beat the Jets and then see New England lose to Buffalo. That feels more likely than the Pats actually beating Buffalo, but hey, anything can and will happen in the NFL. Even if Miami can get in, it is not looking great for them. Tua Tagovailoa continues to recover from his SECOND concussion of the season, and Teddy Bridgewater is now dealing with his own injury. Third string rookie QB Skylar Thompson will draw his second start on Sunday in a must-win for Miami.

17. Detroit Lions (8-8)
Last week: #15 -

Just like Seattle, what an amazing season for this team, however one that will likely come up just short. The Lions rallied back from one of the worst records in the game at the mid-season to now getting all the way back to .500 and on the brink of the post-season. Jared Goff has proved to the world he is probably more than a bridge QB in Motown and Dan Campbell has proved he is more than just a motivator for a coach. To get into the playoffs, Detroit needs Seattle to get upset at home by the 5 win Rams earlier in the day and then go into Green Bay and take down the Packers themselves. A tall tall task, but one this team is up for. They are up for anything with that coach standing at the 50. This team has a bright bright future in the NFC North in 2023 and beyond.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
Last week: #21 +

Mike Tomlin might be the most underrated coach in NFL history. Seriously. He has NEVER had a losing season in his career, and he might save that stat with a remarkable turnaround this season. Heading into the mid-season, the Steelers were 2-6 with no hope. Tomlin switched from Mitch Trubisky to rookie Kenny Pickett and since then the Steelers are 6-2 and have a chance to sneak into the post-season. Unreal stuff. They did the same thing last year, SOMEHOW sneaking into the 7th seed at the last minute. They would have to beat the Browns and then see the Dolphins and Patriots lose as well (which is very very possible). What a job Tomlin has done once again.

19. Tennessee Titans (7-9)
Last week: #17 -

A season that started out with so much promise really just derailed with injuries and poor play of late. Still, despite the losing streak and injuries that the Titans have found themselves with, they can still make AND host a playoff game next weekend with just a win over Jacksonville on Saturday night football. While it feels unlikely given the current state of both sides, never count anyone out. The Titans turned to newly signed backup QB Josh Dobbs last week and he played surprisingly well. With a quality defense behind him and Derrick Henry rested from a week off, these Titans might not be done yet...

20. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
Last week: #26 ++

Even though the Browns will not be in the playoffs this season, Sunday was a really bright sign for the future. Deshaun Watson easily played his best game yet as a Brown as he continues to knock off the rust and is going to get a full off-season in with the team and staff to make Cleveland a Super Bowl contender in 2023. The Browns extinguished the Commanders' last playoff hopes with a sound victory. Amari Cooper also had another elite showing, which was welcome to see coming from the arm of Watson. This is going to be a fun club to watch next season.

21. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Last week: #23 +

While the Saints are eliminated from the post-season chase, I give them serious credit for continuing to play hard for one another every week. This past weekend might have been their most impressive win of the whole season. Even though Jalen Hurts wasn't playing, the Saints still soundly took care of the arguable best team in football ON THE ROAD! Taysom Hill had yet another good game doing anything and everything for the Saints. They have a lot of tough moves to maneuver this off-season, but we are seeing a nice finish for these guys to wrap out the 2022-23 season.

22. Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
Last week: #16 --

Well, even if they are officially eliminated from the playoff race, this team did not leave us with any shortage of entertainment. We saw QB movement, and mid-season resurgence, and then a collapse. The most thrilling moment was when this team took down the Eagles for their first loss of the season. Even if the season did not end how they wanted it to, I think this team might really be a QB away from being a true contender in 2023. And we know there are a lot of quality QBs set to be available this off-season. Here comes Riverboat Ron...

23. New York Jets (7-9)
Last week: #20 

Led by a resurgent defense, the Jets looked like a real playoff contender for much of the season, but in the end their stagnant, injury-riddled offense was too much to overcome and we saw this team go from a 6-3 start to a 7-9 finish (still a week to go though). The 5th straight loss came in Seattle at the hands of their former QB Geno Smith to eliminate them from post-season contention. However, like with Washington, the Jets really feel like a QB away and a team with a blindingly bright future. Don't forget stud rookie RB Breece Hall will be back in 2023!

24. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
Last week: #19 --

While they fell just short, I have to hand it to this organization. They did not quit. When they fired HC Matt Rhule and traded CMC at the deadline, it felt like tank time. Nope. Interim HC Steve Wilks motivated these guys and got them all the way back into the NFC South race. A win on Sunday over Tampa would have likely secured the Panthers their first division title in years and would see them hosting a playoff game in two weeks time. The future is bright in Charlotte.

25. Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)
Last week: #24 -

With everyone talking about Derek Carr's benching, no one seemed to realize who it was for. Despite the tough, OT loss, lets give Jarrett Stidham some props really quick. Against the best defense in the NFL, Stidham went toe for toe. He threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD passes as well, forcing the #2 ranked team in our power rankings to OT. Stidham at the very least earned himself a ticket to a QB battle with someone in training camp 2023. Maybe even here in Vegas!

26. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
Last week: #27 +

I don't want to talk about the Falcons for long here. They barely beat the lowly Cardinals for their 6th win of the season. This run game has come alive of late but that is really all there is to say. It is going to be an interesting off-season in Atlanta.

27. Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
Last week: #25 -

I saw the great performance from the Rams on Christmas and picked them over the hit or miss Chargers. I was wrong on that one! The Rams clearly aren't great this year, but they are banged up and suffering from a major Super Bowl hangover. While they don't have many assets to work with this off-season, they always find their way to make moves and acquire talent. They will hope to end the season out on a high note, as they hope to spoil their rival Seahawks' playoff aspirations at Lumen Field this Sunday.

28. Chicago Bears (3-13)
Last week: #28

With another loss gave us the last we will see of Justin Fields this season (ruled out for week 18). What an electric second year he had which gives Chicago a very bright outlook for the future. They finally have their guy at QB...oh, and over ONE HUNDRED million of cap space this off-season to work with. And probably the second overall pick in the draft!

29. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
Last week: #31 +

David Blough put up a decent fight in his first start with the Cardinals. Aside from that there's no positives here. The Cardinals will hope for the third pick in the draft which could be possible with a loss on Sunday and a Broncos win (potentially if the Chargers rest starters vs them).

30. Denver Broncos (4-12)
Last week: #32 +

For the second time this season the Broncos put up a fight against the Chiefs. That's reason to move up in this bottom bottom tier.

31. Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)
Last week: #29 -

You thought things couldn't get worse? Not only did the Colts get blown out by the Giants, they saw Kayvon Thibodeaux absolutely violate them and take a shot at interim HC Jeff Saturday. The season can't end fast enough here.

32. Houston Texans (2-13-1)
Last week: #30 -

Back at the bottom after a blowout loss.

____________

JKNFLFOOTBALL Week 17 Honors

Offensive Player of the Week: Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Statline: 10 receptions for 207 yards, 3 TDs receiving

Defensive Player of the Week: Cameron Jordan, Edge Rusher, New Orleans Saints
Statline: 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 5 total tackles

Special Teams Player of the Week: Keisean Nixon, Kick Returner, Green Bay Packers
Statline: 105-yard kickoff return TD in Q1

Rookie of the Week: James Houston, Outside Linebacker, Detroit Lions
Statline: 3 sacks, 3 total tackles

Team of the Week: Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Beat Minnesota Vikings (41-17)

My FINAL week 18 picks will be coming later this week!

Also, while all scenarios are still in play, there is a chance the NFL goes with an 8-team playoff for the first time in light of the Hamlin event. If so, the Jets, Browns, Saints, Commanders, and possibly even others that I am skimming over would suddenly have new life and new chances to get in. Just something to possibly think about...