NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Projecting the Entire NFL Playoff Picture

In addition to our Week 17 NFL Power Rankings, we projected the entire playoff picture after the final week of the season:

NFC 

1. Green Bay Packers (14-1, projected 14-2)

The Packers would be crazy to push the envelope with key players in Week 17 against the Lions.

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-3, 13-3)

A win against the 2-13 St. Louis Rams guarantees the 49ers a first-round bye. 

3. New Orleans Saints (11-3, 12-4)

Even a loss to the Falcons on Monday night won't be enough to knock the Saints out of the No. 3 seed.

4. New York Giants (8-7, 9-7)

The Giants have to be the favorites to win the NFC East after knocking off the Jets in Week 16. 

5. Atlanta Falcons (9-5, 11-5)

If the Falcons can continue to building momentum heading into the playoffs, they'll be a team no one wants to play.

6. Detroit Lions (10-5, 11-5)

The Lions still have the opportunity to get the No. 5 seed with a win over the Packers in Week 17.

AFC

1. New England Patriots (12-3, 13-3)

A win over the Buffalo Bills guarantees that the AFC playoffs go through Gillette Stadium. 

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4, 12-4)

If the Steelers beat the Browns and the Bengals upset the Ravens, Pittsburgh is your No. 2 in the AFC.

3. Houston Texans (10-5, 10-6)

The slide continues against a Titans team that needs a win, but the Texans are still in good shape seeding-wise.

4. Oakland Raiders (8-7, 9-7)

With a win over the San Diego Chargers and a Broncos' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders are your AFC West winner. 

5. Baltimore Ravens (11-4, 11-5)

Both have a lot to play for, so it might be going out on a limb in saying that Cincinnati can beat the Ravens in Week 17.  

6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6, 10-6) 

The Bengals biggest division win in awhile propels them to the playoffs in Year 1 with Andy Dalton at the helm. 

Week 17 Power Rankings

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