Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

1. Indianapolis Colts (1): 14-1. Well, obviously the Colts didn't care about going for perfection, as Jim Caldwell chose to sit his starters in the 2nd half. All will be forgotten with a Super Bowl victory.

2. San Diego Chargers (3): 12-3. The Chargers are a team nobody wants to face come playoff time. They look scary good.

3. New Orleans Saints (2): 13-2. Suddenly there is trouble in New Orleans as they have suffered back to back home losses and this one to the lowly Buccaneers. The defense doesn't look good.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5): 11-4. The Eagles avoided a collapse against the Broncos to hold on for their 6th straight win. The division and a first round bye is theirs with a win in Dallas.

5. Minnesota Vikings (4): 11-4. The Vikings had all their chances to come back and win that game. As good as Adrian Peterson is, it's evident he has a fumbling problem. A few weeks ago did anyone expect this team to be any lower than the 2nd seed?

6. Dallas Cowboys (7): 10-5. The Cowboys are peaking at the right time and now have a chance for revenge against the Eagles after last years beat down.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (6): 10-5. It's never pretty when the Bengals win, and again they grinded it out to win the AFC North.

8. Green Bay Packers (7): 10-5. This week the Packers play the Cardinals in what could be a possible playoff preview.

9. Arizona Cardinals (9): 10-5. With Beanie Wells turning into the player they hoped he would be, the Cardinals are poised for another playoff run.

10. New England Patriots (11): 10-5. After their dominating win over the Jags, the Patriots clinched the AFC East and Tom Brady is back in sync with Randy Moss. Look out.

11. Denver Broncos (13): 8-7. The Broncos fought all the way back from 27-10 only to lose in the closing seconds. They need some help to make the playoffs.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (14): 8-7. If the Steelers had beaten either the Browns, Raiders, or Chiefs, they'd be a good bet to make the playoffs. Now? They're playing well, but need some help. Nobody in the AFC wants the defending champs to make it.

13. Baltimore Ravens (10): 8-7. Yet again the Ravens lose a close game in which they could have won. But still, a win in Oakland and the Ravens are in the playoffs.

14. Houston Texans (19): 8-7. A huge first half lifted the Texans to a season saving win. The playoffs are still possible, but they need a lot of help.

15. Atlanta Falcons (18): 8-7. It just goes to show you that the Falcons could have made the playoffs had Matt Ryan stayed healthy. Watch out for them in 2010.

16. New York Jets (20): 8-7. Amazingly, if the Jets beat the Bengals on Sunday night they are in the playoffs. Jim Caldwell played the role of Santa Clause when he granted Rex Ryan's wish to sit the Colts starters.

17. Tennessee Titans (15): 7-8. They got destroyed against the Chargers, and now they're playoff chances are finished. They dug themselves too big of a hole.

18. New York Giants (12): 8-7. After starting out 5-0 did anyone expect this team to miss out on a playoff berth? That was ugly in their final home game in Giants stadium.

19. Miami Dolphins (17): 7-8. For the second week in a row the Dolphins couldn't overcome a bad first half and it cost them a playoff berth.

20. Carolina Panthers (21): 7-8. Had Matt Moore been the starter all season, would the Panthers be a playoff team?

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (16): 7-8. They got killed in New England, and their playoff dreams are likely over. They need a lot of help.

22. San Francisco 49ers (22): 7-8. Watch out for the 49ers in 2010. Alex Smith is starting to come into his own.

23. Chicago Bears (26): 6-9. That was hands down the defining moment of Jay Cutlers career as a Bear. The Bears wanted nothing more than to win that game.

24. Washington Redskins (24): 4-11. The last two weeks while the Redskins were hoping to crush playoff hopes of the Giants and Cowboys, they did the exact opposite. They got dominated against the Cowboys.

25. Buffalo Bills (25): 5-10. Brian Brohm didn't do much in his first career start. The Bills badly need a Quarterback next season.

26. Cleveland Browns (28): 4-11. It took the Browns awhile, but they finally found an offense. Jerome Harrison was no fluke.

27. Oakland Raiders (23): 5-10. I don't understand why Charlie Frye started after JaMarcus Russell led the Raiders to a game winning drive in Denver.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30): 3-12. Did anyone think they had a chance in New Orleans? Raheem Morris got the best win of his young career, as did Josh Freeman.

29. Seattle Seahawks (27): 5-10. Matt Hasslebecks career looks to be over. The off-season can't come soon enough.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (29): 3-12. They played hard in Cincinnati but couldn't generate enough offense to win it. Jamal Charles continues his great play.

31. Detroit Lions (31): 2-13. The Lions better pray the Matt Stafford is the guy, or else it's another high pick gone wrong.

32. St.Louis Rams (32): 1-14. Well, at least Steven Jackson is going to make the pro bowl. Not much else has been a bright spot for the Rams this season.