NFL Power Rankings: Where Each Team Ranks After Week 17

Each week you've come here looking for power rankings for every team in the NFL. Let's do it one more time and take a final look at every team's regular-season performance so we can rank the best and worst teams of the NFL.

Will 15 wins be enough to keep the Green Bay Packers at No. 1? Is the first pick in the draft enough to seal the fate of the Indianapolis Colts as the worst team in the league?

Let's find out.

32. Indianapolis Colts

Final Record: 2-14

What's Next:

Up next for the Indianapolis Colts is the most important offseason in franchise history. The team must make decisions regarding the Polian-led front office, head coach Jim Caldwell and injured quarterback Peyton Manning.

We will be talking about the Colts at length this winter and spring as the NFL draft season heats up. The Colts are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick.

31. St. Louis Rams

Final Record: 2-14

What's Next: 

Much like the Indianapolis Colts, the St. Louis Rams can look forward to a very important and busy offseason.

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney are expected to be fired Monday morning, leaving the team with a gaping hole in the leadership department. With the No. 2 overall pick in the draft theirs, St. Louis needs a new regime in place.

If Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III enters the 2012 NFL draft, the Rams can hold court and auction off the No. 2 selection for a load of draft picks.

30. Minnesota Vikings

Final Record: 3-13

What's Next:

The Minnesota Vikings will be coaching one squad at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama—giving the team their first look at the crop of 2012 draft prospects. This is always a nice advantage to the teams with the worst record in each conference that don't have a coaching change.

The Vikings need a lot of help, but with the No. 3 pick in the draft locked up, they can easily add an impact player.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Final Record: 4-12

What's Next:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the season 4-2 with playoff hopes. They ended the season losing 10 straight games.

It would be shocking if head coach Raheem Morris survived a losing streak like this, although crazier things have happened. Tampa has talent, but they need leadership and spark on both sides of the ball if the team hopes to return to a playoff contending role in 2012.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Final Record: 5-11

What's Next:

The Jacksonville Jaguars are going through an ownership and coaching change this offseason. The first order of business will be finding a new head coach.

Jacksonville spent money to improve its defense before the 2011 season, and the defense was much improved. Expect the 2012 offseason to focus on improving an offense that lacks threats at wide receiver and where the interior offensive-line play is embarrassingly bad.

27. Cleveland Browns

Final Record: 4-12

What's Next:

Pat Shurmur will be back as head coach in 2012, barring any shocking developments, and he'll have a good team behind him.

Cleveland is but a few moves away from contending for a wild-card berth. The biggest obstacle outside of adding talent is overcoming the tough division they play in. The other three teams in the AFC North are playoff bound.

The Browns have two picks in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft and will target playmakers on offense with both selections.

26. Washington Redskins

Final Record: 5-11

What's Next:

Mike and Kyle Shanahan will enter the 2012 offseason with one goal—finding a quarterback.

Look at the play of the Redskins this season outside of the quarterback position and you'll find a very solid team. The defense is stout, the offensive line is good when healthy and the run game has potential. Quarterback, however, is a mess.

With the No. 6 pick in the draft the Redskins are likely out of the quarterback race, meaning they'll need to trade up or target a free agent this spring.

25. Buffalo Bills

Final Record: 6-10

What's Next:

A promising start to the season crashed and burned due to injuries and weak play down the stretch. Chan Gailey has the offseason to evaluate his roster and determine where changes need made. 

Buffalo has talent, but getting the most from that talent has been tough. Another obstacle facing the Bills is their location—free agents aren't lining up to sign with a team in northern New York. Gailey needs to hit on another strong draft class if he expects a playoff season in 2012.

24. Chicago Bears

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

The Bears crashed down the stretch due to injury. The key for their 2012 season is to get healthy...and to re-sign Matt Forte.

Forte enters free agency this spring, and Chicago has to make him an offer he can't refuse. Forte emerged as the best threat on offense and is the key to the Bears having a winning season in 2012. With Forte back and a healthy Jay Cutler, the Bears can once again challenge for a wild-card berth.

23. Carolina Panthers

Final Record: 6-10

What's Next:

The Carolina Panthers didn't finish with a great record, but they were one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the NFL by the end of the regular season. 

The Panthers are close to challenging for a playoff seed. With Cam Newton cemented as a legitimate franchise quarterback, and with two starters back healthy next year on defense, the Panthers are in a great position to emerge as a contender next season.

22. Miami Dolphins

Final Record: 6-10

What's Next:

The Dolphins will conduct a search for a new head coach this offseason, with most expecting a big name to be brought in to turn around the fortunes of the Miami franchise.

Finding a new head coach still be step one. Finding a franchise quarterback will be step two. 

Miami played itself out an early pick in the draft, leaving either a trade-up in the first round or a free-agent signing as the only scenarios where they can find a quarterback for 2012.

21. Denver Broncos

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

The Denver Broncos backed into the playoffs with three-straight losses and an 8-8 record. Denver comes in as the lowest ranked of any playoff team.

Denver will host a home game, which is always dangerous, and they have a decent shot to win if the Pittsburgh Steelers are without Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Clark next weekend.

My early money is on the Steelers, with Denver's exit allowing John Elway and John Fox a long break to determine if Tim Tebow is their quarterback of the future.

20. Kansas City Chiefs

Final Record: 7-9

What's Next:

The first action of the offseason by general manager Scott Pioli should be the hiring of interim head coach Romeo Crennel as the team's new head man. Crennel led the Chiefs brilliantly down the stretch, leaving me to wonder where Kansas City would be right now if Crennel had been calling the shots all along.

The Chiefs need to get healthy. Once they have starters Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry back next season they will be a favorite to win the AFC West.

19. Seattle Seahawks

Final Record: 7-9

What's Next:

The Seattle Seahawks matched their 2011 record, but failed to make the playoffs this time around thanks to the San Francisco 49ers' dominance in the NFC West. 

Missing the playoffs stings a little, but fans in Seattle knew it was likely this season. What is encouraging is that Pete Carroll has built one hell of a defense, and has an offense ready to explode. If Carroll can find a quarterback to feed Doug Baldwin and Marshawn Lynch—and get his offensive line healthy—Seattle is a wild-card team.

18. New York Jets

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

Whether Rex Ryan wants to admit it or not, deciding if Mark Sanchez is the answer at quarterback for New York is the first and most important decision of the offseason.

Should the Jets decide to roll with Sanchez, they need to find a smart quarterback coach and offensive coordinator to work with him. Sanchez is making rookie mistakes in his third season.

New York fell apart this season, and that blame rests on Ryan's large shoulders. He has a large task ahead of him this summer to rebuild his team.

17. Oakland Raiders

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

Hue Jackson and the Oakland Raiders enter an offseason where they have just three picks in the draft—and none in the first two rounds. Fixing the roster will come through free agency in Oakland.

The talent is there, especially if the Raiders can get a healthy Darren McFadden for the entire 2012 season. Re-signing running back Michael Bush will be key, just in case McFadden can't go or is hobbled again.

This is a team of new players who didn't gel in time to play well together down the stretch. The 2012 season will be their chance to put it all together.

16. San Diego Chargers

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

I am not a fan of the San Diego Chargers, but on paper there is no better team in the AFC West. The challenge for owner Dean Spanos will be deciding if general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner are the right people to get the maximum production from the talent on the roster.

My gut feeling is that both Smith and Turner will be fired this week, meaning Spanos has to completely rebuild his football operations department this spring.

San Diego would be a very enticing job for the "name" coaches on the open market.

15. Arizona Cardinals

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

The offseason will be interesting in Arizona. The team has big holes to fill on the offensive line, at wide receiver and on defense—and they are without a second-round draft pick.

The trade to acquire Kevin Kolb looks pointless now that John Skelton has clearly proven he's the best quarterback on the roster. Skelton and Kolb should enter camp battling for the starting job. The team is in good hands with Beanie Wells and Larry Fitzgerald, meaning whomever is in at quarterback should do well with a full offseason to train.

The Cardinals are an up-and-coming team with playoff potential.

14. Philadelphia Eagles

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

The 2011 season has to be considered a disappointment in Philadelphia. A team built to win a Super Bowl failed to make the playoffs. Heads should roll, but expect head man Andy Reid to come out unscathed.

There will likely be a new defensive coordinator next season (prediction: Steve Spagnuolo), and there is plenty of talent to work with too. The Eagles have three picks in the first two rounds and very few holes. If they can re-sign DeSean Jackson and add talent at linebacker, safety and offensive guard—watch out.

Philadelphia will enter the 2012 season as favorites in the NFC East.

13. Tennessee Titans

Final Record: 9-7

What's Next:

The Titans narrowly missed out on a playoff berth in a season where most expected the team to rebuild for the future.

Head coach Mike Munchak has proven to be a great hire, getting maximum effort from a roster loaded with rookies, free agent castoffs and no-name players. Munchak has a playoff roster once the team gets Kenny Britt back and can make a few small additions through the draft and free agency.

The biggest question mark has to be Chris Johnson at running back. His production in 2011 was severely disappointing. Will improved guard play mean more production from Johnson? Titan fans are hoping so.

12. Houston Texans

Final Record: 10-6

What's Next:

The playoffs have arrived in Houston.

With the No. 3 seed locked up, the Texans will host the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend for their first ever playoff game.

In a season marred with injury, it is still an exciting time for fans of the Houston Texans. A playoff berth in 2011 will lead to bigger and better things for a healthy team in 2012.

11. Dallas Cowboys

Final Record: 8-8

What's Next:

Missing the playoffs is never acceptable in Dallas, but it felt like this team underachieved more so than usual. Most of that I blame on Tony Romo. The rest falls on Rob Ryan.

Romo was solid this year, but we're starting to see that he's never going to be more than this. What you see is what you get with Romo. He's an average, middle-tier quarterback.

Rob Ryan, on the other hand, is the most overrated assistant coach in the NFL (or any professional sport) today. What has Ryan done to help Dallas' defense? Watch a replay of the two games against the New York Giants and tell me Ryan is an elite defensive coordinator.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Final Record: 9-7

What's Next:

The Cincinnati Bengals locked up the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs and travel to Houston to face the Texans in the Wild Card Round. I'll be taking Cincinnati to win this one.

The Bengals made three brilliant moves in the 2011 off-season—hiring Jay Gruden, drafting A.J. Green and drafting Andy Dalton. Those three moves have Cincinnati set up to make a decent playoff run this year and potentially more next season.

9. New York Giants

Final Record: 9-7

What's Next:

The New York Giants will make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed on the strength of their Sunday night win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Winning the division and hosting a playoff game is worth being proud of, but the Giants won't have an easy week.

Hosting the Atlanta Falcons will test the Giants' secondary, the weakness of their defense. The defensive line in New York is great, but Matt Ryan is calm under pressure and can handle a pass rush. Finding defenders to stop the Falcons' offensive threats will be a chore for Tom Coughlin.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Final Record: 10-6

What's Next:

The Atlanta Falcons blew out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but they still move down a spot this week to allow for movement by the top seven teams. Nothing against Atlanta, but other teams had to move up.

I like the Falcons' chances as the No. 5 seed in the NFC. They'll travel to New York to take on the Giants in a winnable game for Matt Ryan and company. Stopping the Giants' pass rush won't be easy, but it can be done. The Falcons have the talent to match up well with the New York offense and may even be favored to win the game.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Final Record: 12-4

What's Next:

Beating the 4-12 Cleveland Browns 13-9 isn't the way to end the regular season, especially when the No. 2 seed in the conference and a division title are on the line.

I have faith in Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin, but something seems off in Pittsburgh. The obvious answer would be the offensive line, which is terrible outside of Marcus Gilbert, but it's also the defense. I want to pick Pittsburgh to win in Denver this weekend, but I have doubts.

The Steelers are good enough to win the Super Bowl, but they're inconsistent enough to lose in Denver.

6. Detroit Lions

Final Record: 10-6

What's Next:

Few teams scare me as much as the Detroit Lions. 

This goes deeper than head coach Jim Schwartz's temper, or Ndamukong Suh's demeanor. It's a culmination of things. Matthew Stafford is playing like a top five quarterback. Calvin Johnson is unstoppable. How do you defend those two?

The New Orleans Saints will try to answer that question this weekend in a game that could easily surpass 100 total points if Stafford and Drew Brees get hot. The Saints won't be able to pressure Stafford effectively, giving the Lions an outside shot at a win.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Final Record: 12-4

What's Next:

The Baltimore Ravens have the talent, experience and health to be a true Super Bowl contender. With Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and the rest of the offense looking better each week, Baltimore is scary.

The No. 2 seed in the AFC means they'll host a playoff game in at least the divisional round. Baltimore is a tough place to play no matter the team, and there's a very good chance they'll be seeing their old friends the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round. 

I like Baltimore to make an AFC Championship game appearance.

4. New England Patriots

Final Record: 13-3

What's Next:

The New England Patriots quietly won eight straight games, positioning themselves for another No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage yet again. Now they have to take care of business.

New England has every advantage to win the AFC in a season when the conference is overall very weak. Tom Brady had a brilliant season, defenses can't adjust to Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and the defense does just enough to get a win each week.

Sounds a lot like every other Super Bowl-winning New England team.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Final Record: 13-3

What's Next:

The San Francisco 49ers took home the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will host a playoff game in the divisional round.

That's a sentence I didn't expect to type before the season began. Jim Harbaugh has turned around the franchise with a smart offense, inspired play on defense and the right mix of bad-ass and conservative calls. Harbaugh has my vote for NFL Coach of the Year.

Now the real work begins, though. The 49ers will host the higher seed of the Wild Card Round winners, which looks like it will be the New Orleans Saints.

2. New Orleans Saints

Final Record: 13-3

What's Next:

The New Orleans Saints are the No. 3 seed in the NFC—meaning they will host one playoff game and then hit the road to take on the San Francisco 49ers if they are able to win in the Wild Card Round.

The Saints' offense is as good as any in the NFL. It's the defense that has to step up if New Orleans wants to see the second round of the playoffs. The Detroit Lions won't be an easy game for the Saints. Matthew Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards and the defense can get after the quarterback.

This first-round game will be a great test for the Saints.

1. Green Bay Packers

Final Record: 15-1

What's Next:

A magical season ends without a perfect record, but with the best record in the NFL and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

The Packers will be favored to win the Super Bowl, but they need to spend the next week getting healthy and finding ways to fix a defense that was torched Sunday afternoon by the Detroit Lions. Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews should be healthy for the playoffs. Fans can hope the two Pro Bowlers will make an impact.