NFL Power Rankings 2017: Examining Latest Super Bowl Odds Before Week 17

The New England Patriots have emerged as the clear Super Bowl LII favorites, but a group of talented teams could stand as tough tests along the way.

Here's a look at some NFL power rankings based on the most recent Super Bowl LII odds (via OddsShark) as well as some analysis on two teams who can stop the Patriots' run for a sixth title.

NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl LII Odds (via OddsShark)

1. New England Patriots: 2-1

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-1

3. Minnesota Vikings: 5-1

4. Philadelphia Eagles: 8-1

5. Los Angeles Rams: 10-1

6. New Orleans Saints: 10-1

7. Carolina Panthers: 14-1

8. Kansas City Chiefs: 14-1

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: 16-1

10. Atlanta Falcons: 25-1

11. Seattle Seahawks: 25-1

12. Baltimore Ravens: 33-1

13. Los Angeles Chargers: 66-1

14. Buffalo Bills: 125-1

15. Tennessee Titans: 125-1

16. Detroit Lions: Eliminated

17. Dallas Cowboys: Eliminated

18. San Francisco 49ers: Eliminated

19. Oakland Raiders: Eliminated

20. Miami Dolphins: Eliminated

21. Green Bay Packers: Eliminated

22. Washington Redskins: Eliminated

23. Arizona Cardinals: Eliminated

24. New York Jets: Eliminated

25. Cincinnati Bengals: Eliminated

26. Denver Broncos: Eliminated

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eliminated

28. Houston Texans: Eliminated

29. Chicago Bears: Eliminated

30. Indianapolis Colts: Eliminated

31. New York Giants: Eliminated

32. Cleveland Browns: Eliminated

Minnesota Vikings: 5-1

Super Bowl LII is taking place at the Vikings' home field this year (U.S. Bank Stadium), so there is a chance that Minnesota may not have to travel whatsoever throughout the postseason.

If the Vikings beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday (they are 12-point favorites, per OddsShark), they'll obtain the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, which means a bye through the wild-card round and a home game during the divisional round.

Should Minnesota win and the No. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles lose in that round, the Vikings will host the NFC Championship Game and be the de-facto home team for the Super Bowl if they get that far. That's a massive advantage for Minnesota, as Vikings fans will flood the stadium that weekend.

It's also a real possibility. The Eagles have sputtered since star signal-caller Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL against the Los Angeles Rams, which forced him onto injured reserve. Since then, Philadelphia almost lost to the now 2-13 New York Giants on the road (eventually winning 34-29) before defeating the 6-9 Oakland Raiders 13-10 at home thanks to a Jake Elliott field goal with seconds remaining.

Given the way Philadelphia has played of late, it's not impossible to think that it could even be an underdog in its own home stadium for the divisional round.

No team has ever played the Super Bowl in its own home stadium, but the Vikings could be the first.

New Orleans Saints: 10-1

The New Orleans Saints are 11-4 despite playing a difficult schedule that featured the 11-4 Carolina Panthers (twice), 9-6 Atlanta Falcons (twice), 12-3 New England Patriots, 11-4 Minnesota Vikings and 11-4 Los Angeles Rams. 

After starting 0-2, the Saints have won 11 of their last 13, with those latter two losses by a combined nine points. Of note, the Saints did not have star running back Alvin Kamara for the majority of one of those defeats (a 20-17 loss to Atlanta), as he suffered a concussion in the first half and was forced to leave the game.

The running attack is stout thanks to Kamara and Mark Ingram, who have combined for 2,912 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns, in addition to a superb offensive line. The pass defense has been fantastic largely because of rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who leads the team with five interceptions and 17 passes defended.

Per Football Outsiders, New Orleans also ranks second overall in team efficiency. More specifically, the Saints are only one of four NFL teams to rank in the top seven of offensive and defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

The well-rounded Saints could be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. If the games break their way and they get to play multiple games in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where they have lost just once this year, that's an added bonus. At minimum, New Orleans is guaranteed at least one game there with a win on Sunday against the 4-11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.