NFL Week 17 power rankings: Seahawks soar to No. 1 as Broncos, Packers slide
This week's power rankings see the Seahawks leap into the top spot and the Jaguars continue to rise, while the Broncos and Packers drop.
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Ten teams have already clinched playoff berths, but a lot remains up in the air after some crazy finishes in Week 16. With two weeks of the regular season remaining, the race for the top seed in each conference is still wide open, while seven divisions (all but the NFC East, which the Eagles already won) are up for grabs.
There’s still plenty to keep coaches and fan bases up at night while refreshing our playoff simulator, so in this week’s power rankings, we look at one serious concern for all 32 teams.
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Last week: 3Thursday: Beat Rams 38-37 (OT)
One concern: Sam Darnold’s turnovers
Darnold made some amazing throws in Thursday’s huge win and has been really good this season. But he ranks second in the NFL in turnover percentage (3.8), trailing only J.J. McCarthy of the Vikings. The Seahawks have so much going for them, but Darnold needs to take care of the ball down the stretch.
Up next: at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Last week: 1Thursday: Lost to Seahawks 38-37 (OT)
One concern: Special teams
It’s not often Super Bowl favorites fire a coordinator with only two games left, but that’s what the Rams did with special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn after losing the Thursday night thriller. Los Angeles ranks last in the NFL in expected points added from special teams, and it’s one of the few areas that could hold this team back.
Up next: at Falcons, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
3. New England Patriots (12-3)
Last week: 5Sunday: Beat Ravens 28-24
One concern: The run defense
Nearly everything has broken right for the Patriots as Mike Vrabel has flipped the fortunes of this team that won just four games a season ago. But one of its faults is a run defense that ranks 29th in the league in EPA per rush since Week 8.
Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
4. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Last week: 4Sunday: Beat Browns 23-20
One concern: The run defense
This group of wide receivers isn’t going to scare teams, but the Bills’ biggest concern is a run defense that ranks 31st in the NFL in EPA per rush. With Josh Allen and James Cook playing well, that’s what could really hold this team back as the playoffs near.
Up next: vs. Eagles, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
Last week: 9Sunday: Beat Broncos 34-20
One concern: Their running game
The defense has been great, Trevor Lawrence is on fire and the passing offense has vastly improved since the Jags acquired Jakobi Meyers before the trade deadline, so this is nitpicking. But the offense ranks 26th in rushing success rate since Week 8. Still, Jacksonville has won six straight and clinched a playoff berth with the Colts’ loss.
Up next: at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
6. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Last week: 6Monday: Beat Colts 48-27
One concern: Will punter Thomas Morstead be rusty?
With their offense rolling, the 49ers haven’t punted since Nov. 30, a span covering 20 drives. In all seriousness, if there are concerns, it’s probably the health issues that have piled up, including an ankle injury for tight end George Kittle on Monday night. But it’s hard to ask for much more from this team that has survived — and thrived — through so many injuries.
Up next: vs. Bears, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
7. Denver Broncos (12-3)
Last week: 2Sunday: Lost to Jaguars 34-20
One concern: The defense (really)
Quietly, the Broncos defense has slipped in a big way. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, Denver ranked third in defensive EPA per play. Since then, it ranks 26th. A get-right game awaits, though, against quarterback Chris Oladokun and the Chiefs on Thursday.
Up next: at Chiefs, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
8. Chicago Bears (11-4)
Last week: 10Saturday: Beat Packers 22-16 (OT)
One concern: Will the magic run out?
Caleb Williams’ game-winning pass to DJ Moore was incredible. Ben Johnson’s postgame speeches in the locker room are becoming must-watch. But at some point, will the magic run out if Williams waits until the fourth quarter to don his cape? And while the defense ranks 28th in yards per play allowed?
Up next: at 49ers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
9. Houston Texans (10-5)
Last week: 7Sunday: Beat Raiders 23-21
One concern: The O-line
Over the last four games, the Texans have allowed a pressure rate of 40.7 percent, which ranks 22nd in the league during that span. But they’ve found success despite that, rattling off seven straight wins heading into a big game this weekend.
Up next: at Chargers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Justin Herbert completed 23 of 29 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Chargers neared a playoff berth with Sunday’s win over the Cowboys.
Cooper Neill / Getty Images
10. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Last week: 11Sunday: Beat Cowboys 34-17
One concern: The offensive tackles
This is an easy one. The Chargers have a good quarterback and a strong defense and are legit contenders in the AFC. But with backups at left and right tackle, there are still plenty of questions about the offensive line, even though it didn’t allow a sack to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Up next: vs. Texans, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET