NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Predicting Post-Monday Night Football Standings

The 2014 NFL season has almost reached the final week, and fans are looking to see where every team is predicted to stand in the latest power rankings following the Monday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals.

With a Week 17 schedule full of marquee divisional matchups and exciting season finales, football fans will be treated to a Sunday featuring all 32 teams in action.

Here are the latest power rankings heading into Week 17.

32. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have struggled mightily throughout the season, but a Week 16 victory over St. Louis gives the team some confidence heading into Week 17. Oakland needs to make major offseason changes, but the core of young players is there.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

After beating Tennessee on Thursday Night Football, the Jacksonville Jaguars proved they have a strong group of players that can lead the team to success in the future. The franchise needs to add several more key pieces, but the future is bright for Jacksonville.

30. Tennessee Titans

A loss to Jacksonville set the Tennessee Titans back in their development, but the biggest note from this season is the need for a viable quarterback. If the franchise doesn’t believe Jake Locker or Zach Mettenberger is the quarterback of the future, Tennessee must draft a QB early in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

29. New York Jets

In one of the most surprising games of the weekend, the New York Jets almost pulled out a shocking win over the New England Patriots. There are a plethora of talented players on the New York roster, but this offseason will likely bring major changes to the franchise. It’s only going to get worse before it gets better.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Head coach Lovie Smith knew that he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be in store for a long rebuilding process, and it is clear through his first season that the team needs major upgrades. In the wide-open NFC South, though, the possibility of making the postseason isn’t too far off.

27. Cleveland Browns

Fans of the Cleveland Browns were calling for the coaching staff to turn the ball over to rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, but he struggled mightily through his first two games before suffering a hamstring issue. Cleveland faces some very tough questions in the offseason.

26. Chicago Bears

There is no doubt that there will be major turnover in the offseason for the Chicago Bears. From the head coach to the starting quarterback, every position in the franchise will be assessed and all necessary changes will be made. A terrible season will lead to major upheaval.

25. Washington Redskins

A few weeks ago, there were many fans who were convinced Robert Griffin III’s time with the Washington Redskins was almost over. Over the last two weeks, though, the team has played much better and has shown glimpses of legitimacy. Washington should give RG3 another shot.

24. Minnesota Vikings

The season has been a struggle, but rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks to be getting the hang of the NFL. If the team can continue developing his talent, the franchise will be a threat in the NFC North sooner rather than later.

23. New York Giants

The battle between the New York Giants and the St. Louis Rams had no long-term repercussions, but both teams were fighting hard all game. The fight New York has shown down the stretch should have fans excited for 2015.

22. New Orleans Saints

The most disappointing team of the season has been the New Orleans Saints. Now that the team has officially missed the playoffs, New Orleans must do some real soul searching this offseason and make any necessary moves to make it back into postseason contention.

21. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons plays the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South Divisional Championship when the two franchises square off in Week 17. Despite struggling throughout the season, Atlanta could still get into the playoffs this season. That shows how bad the NFC South has been.

20. Buffalo Bills

The biggest problem in 2014 for the Buffalo Bills has been consistency. A loss to Oakland hurt enough, but a Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots could be an embarrassing end to a solid season for the rebuilding franchise.

19. St. Louis Rams

There are few positives to take from this season for the St. Louis Rams, but the tenacity the franchise has played with despite being out of contention is encouraging. Jeff Fisher has the organization heading in the right direction, and St. Louis fans should expect even better next year.

18. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are another team from the NFC South that has struggled with consistency this season. Despite a wild year and a lackluster record, the Carolina Panthers are one win away from making the postseason. I didn’t see that coming.

17. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins pulled out a huge win over the Minnesota Vikings but are still too far out of contention to sneak into the playoffs. Despite missing the postseason, there are several positives to build on heading into next season.

16. San Francisco 49ers

The 2014 season has been a train wreck for the San Francisco 49ers. With an offseason that could shake the franchise to the core, football fans should enjoy the 49ers as we know them in Week 17. When the 2015 season begins, the organization will look far different.

15. Houston Texans

There have been major issues at quarterback for the Houston Texans, and teams can’t win that way. Defensive end J.J. Watt has been the saving grace for Houston this season, and he deserves to be the league MVP due to his consistency and tenacity. Watt’s stats are pretty good as well.

14. Kansas City Chiefs

Many fans forget that head coach Andy Reid is still implementing his styles and game plans after only two years as the team’s head coach. Kansas City may miss the postseason, but the franchise will be even better in 2015. The AFC West has been put on notice.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

A win over Kansas City gave the Pittsburgh Steelers the chance to stay in contention for the division title, but the team will be rooting for Denver to beat Cincinnati on Monday. In Week 17, Pittsburgh will likely play the Bengals for the division title.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are still in the midst of a fight for the AFC North title, but a Monday-night matchup against the Denver Broncos could set back the team’s postseason hopes considerably.

11. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens offensive unit looked awful Sunday, and the team deserved to lose against Houston. If Baltimore wants another chance to make a run at the Super Bowl, the offense must step up big in Week 17.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Turnovers killed the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia is on the right track to becoming one of the best teams in the league, but the franchise must address the needs in the secondary and figure out the long-term direction at quarterback. Once head coach Chip Kelly figures out his game plan moving forward, the Eagles will be unstoppable.

9. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions haven’t been playing elite offensively, but the defense has carried the franchise to victories recently. If the Lions can find an offensive rhythm against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, Detroit will be a serious threat in the postseason.

8. San Diego Chargers

In the most entertaining game of the week, the San Diego Chargers completed an incredible comeback against the San Francisco 49ers. San Diego’s postseason hopes aren’t dead, but the team must win against Kansas City in Week 17 to have a chance.

7. Dallas Cowboys

After beating the Eagles and the Colts in back-to-back weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have shown why they can be so dangerous in the postseason. With a defense playing well and an offense predicated on an elite rushing attack, Dallas is built to win in the playoffs.

6. Indianapolis Colts

A loss to the Dallas Cowboys looked ugly on paper, but the Indianapolis Colts really had nothing to gain in Week 16. With the postseason berth locked up and their seeding not changing much, the team was smart to dial back and start getting ready for the playoffs.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Despite facing huge issues at the quarterback position, the Arizona Cardinals are still one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. With a defense that can shut down even the best offenses, Arizona could be a legitimate contender when Drew Stanton returns.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

4. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, but he bounced back Sunday against Tampa Bay and built momentum heading into a crucial season finale against the Detroit Lions.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Despite a slow start to the season, the Seattle Seahawks have regained their elite form and have taken the lead in the NFC West. If the team continues feeding the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch, Seattle will be hard to stop in the postseason.

2. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos play Cincinnati in the final Monday Night Football matchup of the season. If Denver pulls out the victory, the battle between the Broncos and the New England Patriots for the top spot in the AFC will come down to Week 17.

1. New England Patriots

Even after a thrilling battle against the New York Jets, the New England Patriots are still the top team in the NFL. As long as Tom Brady is healthy and Bill Belichick is coaching the team, New England is a viable championship contender.

*Stats via NFL.com.

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