Dave B’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 17
One week to go in the 2012 Regular Season and what a year it has been! There have been some great surprises, some colossal letdowns and some incredible storylines all season – Week 16 was no different! The cream is definitely rising to the top as shown in this week’s Rankings.
Enough talk – let’s get on with Dave B’s Week 17 edition of the Rankings!
1. BRONCOS (1) – the Broncos have won 10 straight games and with a quality running game and elite passing attack and solid defense, there is little reason to expect this team to slow down the rest of the way. Denver is a scary team and despite defeating only two playoff caliber teams so far they have done nothing to get knocked from #1.
2. FALCONS (5) – The Falcons came up with a statement game for the ages in Week 15 and followed that with another impressive win in Week 16 over Detroit. Home field is locked up and the Falcons are finally earning the respect they have sadly lacked.
3. PACKERS (6) – remember when the Packers were 2-3 and people were writing them off? Since that time, despite an awful O-line and a rash of injuries the Pack are 9-1. They have a chance to be the #2 seed in the NFL – that means someone is going to have to go to Lambeau in January and pray for a win. The Pack are Hot – too bad the weather in Wisconsin is Not!
4. SEAHAWKS (7) – The Hawks are 7-0 at home this season and a win against SF in Week 16 put this team on the map – officially! They are as balanced a team as there is in the NFL and the confidence is absolutely overflowing for this club. It looks like they will have to go out on the road during the playoffs but they have won two straight away from home! Seahawks in the Top 5? I never would have thought it!
5. PATRIOTS (3) – The Pats slip a tad despite winning in Week 16 (against the league worst Jags). They are still Top 3 in the AFC and are still worthy of a Top 5 overall spot.
6. 49ERS (2) – The Niners nearly let a four touchdown advantage slip through their paws against New England and they got absolutely schooled in Seattle in Week 16. Since the first half of Week 15 teams have been scoring at will on this team – scary considering the playoffs are just around the corner.
7. TEXANS (4) – clinched the AFC South but they have failed to win home-field after a very strong start to the season. Houston was soundly beaten by Minnesota in Week 16 and despite an abundance of talent in Houston there is a measure of understandable panic!
8. REDSKINS (8) – The Skins just need a win Sunday and they are in the playoffs – nobody could have seen that one coming! They have won six straight games and are THE surprise of the NFL this season. It is hard not to love what they have done.
9. RAVENS (12) – were 0-3 in the month of December but bounced back in a big way by absolutely manhandling the Giants in Week 16. Joe Flacco finally had a good game, the rushing attack looked dangerous and the defense finally showed up. Could the Ravens finally be back on the Super Bowl radar?
10. BENGALS (9) – The Bengals are officially in the playoffs for the second straight season after a win against Pittsburgh in Week 16 – a team that the Bengals had historically had a very difficult time with. Everything is clicking for Cincinnati – a scary Wild Card team in the AFC.
11. COLTS (11) – They are officially IN the playoffs after a less-than-impressive win against KC in Week 16. Indy may not be a threat to win it all just yet but they are an uber-deserved mention just outside of Dave B’s Top 10! [soliloquy id=”82219″]
12. VIKINGS (16) – Unbelievable! If the playoffs were to start today, the Vikings would be in. Kudos to Leslie Frazier and especially Adrian Peterson for taking this team to where most thought was impossible.
13. COWBOYS (13) – It’s hard to believe that the Cowboys are still alive but a win in Washington next week puts them in the playoffs despite a loss to New Orleans in Week 16. The Dallas offense has been on fire – how about a little help from the defense?
14. BEARS (14) – The Bears have free fallen and now are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. If not for Brandon Marshall, we wouldn’t even be talking about this team however!
15. GIANTS (10) – The Giants may be the biggest underachievers of the year thus far and barely hold onto a top 15! Nothing is going right for this team – they look awful and a good bet to miss the playoffs this year!
16. STEELERS (15)
17. SAINTS (17)
18. RAMS (18)
19. DOLPHINS (19)
20. CHARGERS (21)
21. PANTHERS (23)
22. BUCCANEERS (20)
23. TITANS (26)
24. LIONS (22)
25. BILLS (24)
26. JETS (29)
27. BROWNS (25)
28. CARDINALS (28)
29. EAGLES (30)
30. RAIDERS (27)
31. CHIEFS (31)
32. JAGUARS (32)
