NFL Power Rankings: Initial Post-Week 17 Breakdown

Posting power rankings after Week 17 is a unique undertaking. Most teams are going home disappointed and sitting out the playoffs, while 12 fortunate fanbases hope to cheer on a Super Bowl winner.

Now that the NFL regular season has ended, the majority of organizations will be focusing on things like cleaning house, preparing for the draft and getting a jump on exclusive focus on next year.

That helps breed the NFL's parity, evident in this stat from CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler:

When reading over the following power rankings, keep in mind that the teams toward the top are rated based on how they're looking heading into the postseason. Those on the outside looking in will be placed more to do with their future outlook than their pure record or recent on-field results.

The more in-depth analysis will focus on a trio of teams in vastly different places. One is a Super Bowl favorite, the second is a year away from potential greatness and the other is a cellar dweller with reason for optimism.

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

This team was 3-3 at one point. Then everything changed. That swagger resurfaced, and the world champions seemed to pick up where they left off the last time the playoffs rolled around.

The MMQB's Greg A. Bedard notes how the Seahawks seem to step up when they face a tougher foe:

Russell Wilson has produced magic despite fielding an offensive line that Football Outsiders rated 24th in pass protection through Week 16.

That makes the running exploits of Wilson and Marshawn Lynch all the more impressive. And that Legion of Boom secondary, a dynamic linebacker corps and relentless pass rush make Seattle even scarier for the opposition.

Combine all those factors with the "12th Man" fans that make CenturyLink Field so loud, and the Seahawks have all the makings of a repeat Super Bowl winner.

2. New England Patriots (12-4)

Absent some key starters, including Rob Gronkowski, New England lost to Buffalo on Sunday. It was of little consequence, since the Patriots—the last team to repeat as Super Bowl champion—already had the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up.

The reason they're second in these rankings is that being on top would imply they're the Super Bowl favorite. As steady as the Pats has been with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick leading the way, they haven't hoisted the Lombardi Trophy since after the 2004 season.

3. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

It's hard to argue with how effective Tony Romo has been in the past month. Give him an elite running game thanks to DeMarco Murray and a dynamite offensive line, and look at what Romo does.

Romo seems like a hardened, gritty veteran keen to capitalize on perhaps his best shot at pro football's ultimate prize. With a precarious health situation for Romo and the mediocrity Dallas has been mired in until 2014, there's no guarantee America's Team will be sitting this pretty next year.

The time may be now or never for these Cowboys.

4. Green Bay Packers (12-4)

Had Aaron Rodgers not been hobbled in the Week 17 victory over Detroit to secure the NFC North title and the conference's second seed, perhaps the Packers would be higher.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport described the fortuitous circumstances from which Green Bay benefits—largely thanks to how brilliance Rodgers has been all year:

Eddie Lacy gives the Packers the physicality they've lacked on the ground, but their defense is still a bit shaky under Dom Capers' watch. With a healthy Rodgers under center, it seems Green Bay poses the biggest threat to the Seahawks other than Dallas.

5. Denver Broncos (12-4)

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Peyton Manning can probably make just enough throws to get the Broncos by, thanks to the sudden surge from Denver running back C.J. Anderson.

Broncos vice president of public relations Patrick Smyth points out how the other side of the ball will also aid Denver's playoff efforts:

The question is whether Manning will wilt as the temperature drops. Guaranteeing a divisional game in the thin air of Sports Authority Field at Mile High should bolster Denver's chances to return to the AFC Championship Game.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

Running back Le'Veon Bell went down with a right knee injury in Week 17, which could doom the Steelers in the Wild Card Round.

Bill Barnwell of Grantland explains just how much Pittsburgh has leaned on Bell as its cowbell ball-carrier:

Here's some somewhat encouraging news, via Rapoport:

Bell can't be down for long if the Steelers are meant to make a deep postseason run. Their other positives are a two-time Super Bowl winner under center in Ben Roethlisberger, his top target Antonio Brown, a composed coach in Mike Tomlin and a dynamic defensive coordinator in Dick LeBeau.

7. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

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This quote from head coach Chuck Pagano captures all any uninitiated outsider needs to know about Indianapolis' circumstances after a second straight AFC South crown:

The Colts will go as far as Andrew Luck will take them—or hinder them. Seems blasphemous to say, but the reality is that Luck the cerebral young superstar is also prone to boneheaded plays and interceptions.

Luck more often than not makes up for those blunders with brilliance. Whether he can protect the ball well enough to beat the NFL's elite will be a defining factor in the entire playoff picture.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)

Maybe there's solace to be taken in this fact from NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano:

On the other hand, none of those three wins (Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay) came against playoff teams. Andy Dalton tends to come up small in big games. Look no further than Dalton's career playoff record of 0-3, which features one touchdown, six interceptions and 5.84 yards per attempt (h/t Pro-Football-Reference.com).

Not so good. Unless Cincinnati can generate a ton of takeaways in Indianapolis, it may be yet another one-and-done for coach Marvin Lewis and another clunker for the Red Rifle.

9. Detroit Lions (11-5)

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These Lions have shown exceptional resolve, and Matthew Stafford has some clutch in him. The problem is that it's hard to fathom Stafford going to Dallas, outplaying Romo with a one-dimensional offense and getting Detroit to the Divisional Round.

At least the first year under Lions coach Jim Caldwell has been a step in the right direction.

10. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)

The NFC South champions get this boost on the strength of a number of factors. First, they've won four straight, have a healthy Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart to spark the offense and Luke Kuechly helping Carolina get key stops. A playoff win is well within reason in Charlotte.

11. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

The last team into the playoff field has had trouble getting off to fast starts. Doing so at Heinz Field in the Wild Card Round will give way to an early exit for the Ravens against the AFC North-rival Steelers.

12. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)

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Ryan Lindley is the starting quarterback. There's no way Arizona makes it past its first playoff game. As well as Bruce Arians has coached all year, his offensive mastery can't overcome the Cardinals' perilous QB situation.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Being among the league leaders in takeaways masked some of the defensive issues the Eagles had. Those may stem from an uptempo offense that doesn't allow for a lot of rest.

Whatever the case, coach Chip Kelly will put his players in position to thrive on offense. Upgrades to the other side of the ball have to be the top priority in Philly this offseason.

14. Houston Texans (9-7)

Amazing: The Texans may have blown the No. 1 overall pick with Jadeveon Clowney, yet they managed to post a winning record despite playing four different quarterbacks in meaningful games.

A big reason why is the dominance of J.J. Watt, a legitimate MVP candidate based on the following numbers from Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle:

Coach Bill O'Brien should indeed be considered a QB guru with the wonders he worked in 2014, without much help from the top of the Texans' draft class. Arian Foster had injury concerns, yet has seemed to dismiss those with a brilliant year in the backfield.

Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins are a magnificent one-two punch as outside receivers. If Houston can just get a top-half-of-the-league QB and get any of Watt's impassioned brand of football to rub off on Clowney, it is in a gettable division. 

15. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)

That Chase Daniel was able to defeat San Diego on Sunday is a testament to coach Andy Reid's savvy scheming. The Chiefs didn't have a receiver catch a touchdown this year, though, so they must give usual starting QB Alex Smith better wideouts if he's to lead Kansas City anywhere.

16. Buffalo Bills (9-7)

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Mario Williams is living up to the hype in Buffalo, anchoring a stout defensive front that helped the Bills to a winning record. This team is a quarterback away from legitimately challenging New England in the AFC East. Unfortunately, Buffalo won't have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

17. San Diego Chargers (9-7)

Needing a win in Kansas City and coming up small wasn't a good look for the Chargers. However, they're banged up and needed Philip Rivers to play hero ball one too many times. Don't be surprised if San Diego is atop the AFC West next if it is closer to full strength a year from now.

18. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

The lack of growth from Cordarrelle Patterson and regression of left tackle Matt Kalil harmed what could have been an even better rookie year for Teddy Bridgewater.

At least Minnesota seems to have a strong coaching staff in place led by Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner to steer the Vikings' ship onto a promising course.

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Question marks are all over the place in South Beach. An uninspired effort led to a loss to the New York Jets to close the year. Mike Wallace continues to underwhelm as a No. 1 receiver, yet Ryan Tannehill is developing as a passer at a promising rate in spite of that. This team could go either way in a crossroads 2015 campaign.

20. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)

The uncertainty surrounding the future of the coaching situation slots San Francisco this low on the NFL totem pole. Colin Kaepernick is a big question mark and could be digesting an entirely new playbook, but a stout front seven could help the 49ers back to their winning ways soon enough.

21. St. Louis Rams (6-10)

There's plenty to be excited about in St. Louis, with the exception of the all-important quarterback spot and the fact that the Rams play in the NFC West. Even a stopgap veteran upgrade over Shaun Hill might push St. Louis into playoff contention.

22. New York Giants (6-10)

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Little else needs to be said than, "Odell Beckham Jr." The rookie receiver may already be among the best in the game. Imagine what the 2015 Giants could do with Victor Cruz back, a healthy Rashad Jennings and a piece or two added to the defense.

23. New Orleans Saints (7-9)

Three more interceptions from Drew Brees in Week 17 further diminished his stock. Brees will be 36 in January and may not have many good years left. New Orleans also took a step back defensively in 2014, so a schematic overhaul may lead to coordinator Rob Ryan's dismissal.

24. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

Head coach Mike Smith is probably gone. Matt Ryan and his receiving duo of Julio Jones and Roddy White are some consolatory bright spots. Atlanta needs to protect Ryan, give him a running game and build depth to dream of contending again soon.

25. Cleveland Browns (7-9)

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What a joke. Sound familiar? The Browns have good veteran leadership, but their young, promising stars don't seem to be taking matters seriously.

Johnny Manziel is throwing more parties than accurate passes, Justin Gilbert's rookie year was labeled a "wasted" one by Donte Whitner and Josh Gordon is a problem yet again.

Unless Manziel cleans up his act, his chance to be Cleveland's long-awaited QB savior will be short-lived. The Browns must hit on their two first-rounders in the 2015 draft after potential big misses on both Manziel and Gilbert in 2014.

26. Chicago Bears (6-10)

Jay Cutler is a disaster, seemingly uninterested in ever making the most of his immense physical gifts as a passer. The winds of change in the Windy City seem to be pointing to a house cleaning.

With Cutler perhaps on the outs and a massive upgrade to defend the pass also necessary, Bears fans may be waiting for a while before their team is competitive again. They'll need a great draft and strong pitches in free agency to compete in 2015.

27. New York Jets (4-12)

Geno Smith registered a perfect 158.3 passer rating in defeating a strong Dolphins secondary on Sunday. Try figuring that one out. Unless New York trades up, it may be stuck with Smith under center and will have to hope his Week 17 self shows up more often than not this next year.

28. Oakland Raiders (3-13)

For some of the deserved grief the Raiders have taken in GM Reggie McKenzie's tenure, he at least hit on Khalil Mack and Derek Carr as franchise pillars. The climate is ripe for a massive turnaround in Oakland with the right coaching hire and an upgrade in the targets at Carr's disposal.

29. Washington Redskins (4-12)

It's an abject mess in the nation's capital. The likely returns of both Jay Gruden and Robert Griffin III and their apparent inability to mesh make any immediate progress unlikely for Washington.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)

Harboring a 20-7 halftime advantage over New Orleans threatened to take the No. 1 overall pick away from Tampa Bay on Sunday. Lo and behold, the Bucs lost, locked up a 2-14 record and the rights to a franchise quarterback of their choosing.

Grantland's Bill Simmons analyzed the situation:

The dilemma is real in choosing between either Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, but the smart money should be on the former. Mariota is the Heisman Trophy winner, carries far less off-field baggage and has a rare combination of quick release, arm talent and athleticism to be a game-changer in the NFL.

Winston's experience in a pro-style system is attractive, but some of his questionable decisions away from the gridiron are less savory.

Whatever Tampa Bay chooses to do, it has an experienced coach in Lovie Smith to lead the way and a talented nucleus to work with. The new QB will have Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to throw to, which can only help the transition to the pros and get the Bucs on course sooner rather than later.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

Whatever defense former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is trying to build at the helm in Jacksonville doesn't seem to be working. The Jags need to hit on a high draft pick and pray Blake Bortles is the answer at the most important position. Otherwise, they'll be stuck near the AFC basement.

32. Tennessee Titans (2-14)

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Coach Ken Whisenhunt has to take the lesser of the two top quarterbacks—whoever the Bucs decide is—and enter his second year in Tennessee with a ton of uncertainty.

The Titans don't look bad on paper, yet they have lost 15 of their past 16 games. Zach Mettenberger may develop into a decent starter, but the Jake Locker era was a failure.

Whisenhunt needs to figure out how to get the most out of his talent, as it will be a race with Jacksonville to climb out of the bottom of the AFC South. Going back to his time in Arizona, though, Whisenhunt has had some unenviable QB depth charts. His start in Tennessee has been no exception, and that must be fixed before the Titans can move forward with any conviction.