NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Looking at Teams With Most Momentum

Anytime a team has momentum heading into the playoffs, their seeding is virtually irrelevant. We've seen it before with teams like Pittsburgh in 2005 and Green Bay last season. On the same level, it's similar to a team riding hot before March Madness tips off.

Catch fire leading in and then barrage your way through by making a deep run. Same goes for the NFL and ironically, all three of these teams are in the NFC.

New Orleans Saints (12-3)

Currently on a seven-game win streak, the last loss for the Saints was at St. Louis in Week 8 and they've won three straight games on the road.

On Monday, New Orleans clinched the NFC South and Drew Brees broke the single-season passing yards record. The defense has become more opportunistic and has also improved in man coverage. Their aggressiveness is the key.

And it's not like the Saints have moseyed their way to a 12-3 record. In four of their last five games the New Orleans has scored 30-plus points and the defense has allowed an average of just 19 points per game during the streak.

San Francisco 49ers (12-3)

Perhaps the road loss to Arizona a few weeks ago struck a nerve in the 49ers' veins. Since then, San Fran regathered themselves, defeated Pittsburgh 20-3 and the Seahawks—in Seattle, mind you—19-17.

It's clear that Frisco got back on track and with a win over the Rams in Week 17, and they'll clinch the NFC's No. 2 seed. And although the 49ers are not your typical NFC team, as they're a run-oriented offense with a solid pass rush and rush defense, that doesn't mean they can't make a run.

None of the NFC playoff teams have a legit rush defense and Frank Gore will roll over anyone. Keep feeding him the rock while the defense causes QB pressure and San Francisco has just as much of a chance as anyone else in the postseason.

Detroit Lions (10-5)

After the 5-0 start it appeared that the Detroit Lions were going to keep pace with the Green Bay Packers until the bitter end. Unfortunately, the Lions fell off and went just 2-5 in their next seven games.

Heading into Week 14, Detroit was 7-5 and still vying for a playoff spot. Fast-forward to post-Week 16 and the Lions have won three straight, clinched a playoff berth and are feeling confident.

The passing offense is just as good as anyone in the game, the defense is gradually improving and they have a chance to get the No. 5 seed with a win over Green Bay in Week 17. For a team that was 0-16 in 2008, 2-14 in 2009 and 6-10 in 2010, a record of at least 10-6 in 2011 is quite the turnaround.

The Lions have been gradually improving and are definitely a team on the rise. This postseason we will watch them grow and mature even more, which provides them with tons of momentum.

Week 17 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

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