NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Labeling the League's Contenders & Pretenders

Just one more week until the playoffs begin. We know teams like the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots are contenders.

And teams like the New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans are more like pretenders. So, here are other contenders and pretenders to make note of.

Contenders

San Francisco 49ers (12-3)

With a menacing defense and a power run game, the San Francisco 49ers are the outlier in the NFC. So many other teams love to throw the ball and outscore opponents while not playing consistent defense.

Well, that's exactly what the 49ers do and it gives them a niche advantage over everyone else. No NFC defense will be able to slow down RB Frank Gore and no one gets QB pressure like they do. San Fran ranks No. 1 against the run and is No. 7 in rushing.

They win between the trenches whereas others are more down-field oriented. If any game against San Francisco slows down, bet on the 49ers getting the W.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)

It seems like every year the Pittsburgh Steelers are in Super Bowl contention. The defense is once again ranked inside the Top 10 (No. 1 against the pass) and the offense ranks No. 9 in passing.

They're not a dominant rushing team like most Steeler teams. However, just like other Steeler teams, all they do is win. In the postseason they'll be a tough outing as they always are.

With three Super Bowl appearances since 2005, Pittsburgh has been the most consistent AFC team this century other than New England. And until the Baltimore Ravens prove they can beat Pittsburgh in January, the Steelers have the edge.

Never count out The Steel City, because they're capable of beating anyone at anytime.

Pretenders

Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

Right now the Atlanta Falcons are good enough to make the postseason, but that's about it. They were one-and-done in 2008 and then again in 2010. So, in spite of their regular season consistency, the Falcons have yet to prove their worth in January.

The offense is decently balanced although it is more pass-oriented. The defense is solid against the run. That being said, it's their pass defense who's plagued them in recent history.

Perhaps the Packers game in the 2010 NFC Divisional round proves that the most, as Green Bay scored 48 points in The Georgia Dome to knock out the No. 1 seed Falcons. Atlanta desperately needs to improve here, otherwise they'll turn into the modern day 1980s San Diego Chargers.

They can put up points and make the postseason, but never have success as the defense costs them.

Denver Broncos (8-7)

When the Denver Broncos went on their six-game winning streak, not one of those teams had an explosive offense. So, it was no surprise that they stayed in games and had some awesome comebacks.

Unfortunately, teams that are capable of putting up points are whom they're most vulnerable against. The Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills proved this as all three scored 40-plus on Denver.

The defense isn't good enough to solely win them games and constantly blank opponents, while the offense lacks the explosiveness to score more than 17 on a consistent basis. So, any team who can score 24 points regularly will beat the Broncos, plain and simple.

Week 17 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

1. Green Bay Packers (14-1) (LW 1)	17. New York Giants (8-7) (LW 20)
2. New Orleans Saints (12-3) (LW 2)	18. San Diego Chargers (7-8) (LW 14)
3. New England Patriots (12-3) (LW 3)	19. Tennessee Titans (8-7) (LW 19)
4. Baltimore Ravens (11-4) (LW 4)	20. New York Jets (8-7) (LW 18)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-3) (LW 5)	21. Carolina Panthers (6-9) (LW 23)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) (LW 6)	22. Buffalo Bills (6-9) (LW 26)
7. Detroit Lions (10-5) (LW 9)	23. Miami Dolphins (5-10) (LW 21)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) (LW 11)	24. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) (LW 22)
9. Atlanta Falcons (9-6) (LW 7)	25. Chicago Bears (7-8) (LW 24)
10. Oakland Raiders (8-7) (LW 16)	26. Washington Redskins (5-10) (LW 25)
11. Houston Texans (10-5) (LW 8)	27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) (LW 27)
12. Denver Broncos (8-7) (LW 10)	28. Minnesota Vikings (3-12) (LW 30)
13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8) (LW 13)	29. Cleveland Browns (4-11) (LW 29)
14. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8) (LW 17)	30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) (LW 28)
15. Dallas Cowboys (8-7) (LW 12)	31. Indianapolis Colts (2-13) (LW 32)
16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8) (LW 15)	32. St. Louis Rams (2-13) (LW 31)

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