We are finally here people. It is the last week of the regular NFL season. This means this is the last power rankings for the regular season as well. I will be bringing one back after this week to discuss their final settings of which teams belong where as well as their MVP for the season for each team. For this week though, let us get into it and see which teams belong where.
#32
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
Previous Rank – 32
The Jaguars were as bad as can be against the Patriots last weekend. They gave up 50 points and Trevor did not look good, to say the least. The team needs to start thinking about the next season to make sure they don’t fall into this number one spot again the following year. However, they have a chance at an upset (Steelers bias) when they face the Colts this week. The Colts haven’t beaten the Jags on their home turf since 2013. Let’s hope it is the same for this year. Go Jags!
#31
Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
Previous Rank – 31
The Lions got absolutely thrashed last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks, but honestly, this team played with a lot of heart and passion this season. Their season is over and they need to decide which top EDGE rusher they are going to get in the draft. This week though they could be in the spot for the number one pick again depending on what the Jaguars decide to do. The Lions will face the Packers this week.
#30
New York Giants (4-12)
Previous Rank – 30
This team is a dumpster fire. They got thrashed by the Bears’ defense last weekend only mustering a field goal. Their GM is already out the door basically, but they are bringing Judge and Danny Dimes back for another year. An interesting choice to say the least. I would honestly trade Saquon and start anew, but this team needs help everywhere. They’ll face the Washington Football Team this weekend.
#29
New York Jets (4-12)
Previous Rank – 29
This team started off bad but has been in a close number of games this late in the season including almost coming away with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zach Wilson is doing better and the emergence of Berrios is a good surprise for New York. They are still in the lower part of the teams listed but don’t be surprised if next year they do better. For this week, the Jets will face the Buffalo Bills.
#28
Houston Texans (4-12)
Previous Rank – 28
The Texans were not even supposed to win a game this season, and yet they have four under their belt. A new head coach is likely to come in for next year, and things surprisingly look decent for the Texans considering they are going to get a top pick in the draft. They fell to Trey Lance and the 49ers last weekend, but this week they will get the Tennessee Titans.
#27
Carolina Panthers (5-11)
Previous Rank – 27
Carolina started off hot but has become such a mess down the stretch to the point where they are willing to listen to offers for McCaffrey. The quarterback play and coaching have been bad this season, and you have to wonder if they will be willing to reach for a quarterback in the upcoming draft despite having Darnold, Newton, and Walker on their roster. This has been very disappointing for Carolina fans, but it is what it is. They’ll get the Buccaneers this week.
#26
Washington Football Team (6-10)
Previous Rank – 24
Speaking of disappointing, let’s talk about the WFT. Their team was supposed to win the division this year but fell hard. It’s weird to imagine, but it has happened. They will also be changing their name this upcoming February (thinking it is going to be Groundhogs or Hogs based on the date), but overall, it hasn’t been their year. They will be likely looking quarterback this draft season, but for now, they’ll face the New York Giants this week.
#25
Chicago Bears (6-10)
Previous Rank – 25
Despite their dominant win over the Giants last weekend, the Bears stay put at 25. Nagy is likely out the door which maybe gives Chicago and Justin Fields a good chance at redemption for the 2022 season. Certain things need to happen to make this team great, but they were supposed to happen this season, and it just didn’t happen. They’ll face the Minnesota Vikings this week.
#24
Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Previous Rank – 26
The Seahawks finally came back into form last weekend after their big win over the Detroit Lions. Wilson finally looked good, Penny put up monster numbers on the ground, and Metcalf had three touchdowns on the day. Sadly, this is likely Wilson’s last year as a member of Seattle. Times will be changing for 2022, so let us see if they can salvage some good for next year. They’ll face the Arizona Cardinals this week.
#23
Cleveland Browns (7-9)
Previous Rank – 23
Cleveland’s season has been a disaster after making the playoffs last year. Injuries, COVID issues, and bad quarterback play come to my mind when thinking of the Cleveland Browns this season. Baker was not good, and a lot of it was because he played through various injuries. Now that he is on IR, Case Keenum will take the field today to try to get them a win over the Bengals this week.
#22
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Previous Rank – 22
Atlanta couldn’t get anything going last weekend against the Bills, and honestly, it looked a lot different in the first part of the game as they held Buffalo to decent numbers and intercepted Josh Allen three times. This might be the year to take a quarterback just because Matty Ice doesn’t look like he has it anymore. Bring a guy in to learn under him for a year, and start looking towards the future. The Falcons will take on the Saints this week.
#21
Denver Broncos (7-9)
Previous Rank – 21
Denver dropped a huge loss to the Chargers which is never good. You have to assume this team will be looking quarterback for this upcoming season given the fact that Teddy has been injured and Drew Lock is struggling. They’ll play the Chiefs this weekend.
#20
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Previous Rank – 20
Last weekend was rough for the Vikings as Kirk was put on the COVID list and had to miss the game. This forced Minnesota to throw in a backup (not named Kellen Mond which was interesting). The Green Bay defense was all over them, and they couldn’t muster much in that game. This could also be the last game we see Mike Zimmer as a head coach, but who knows at this point? The Vikings will face the Bears this weekend.
#19
New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Previous Rank – 19
The Saints demolished the Panthers last weekend allowing basically no offense for a majority of the contest. That proves this defense still has what it takes to do some good here. Taysom played okay, but you gotta figure they start Jameis Wintson next season if he decides to stay through 2022. The Saints will face the Falcons this weekend.
#18
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Previous Rank – 16
Miami’s win streak finally came to an end last weekend with a brutal loss to the Tennessee Titans. This team has to get it together for the next season though as Tua is already starting to feel like he is being replaced. Wide Receiver help was not given aside from the great selection of Jaylen Waddle in the draft. However, Miami went from cold to moderately warm this season, but they need to get hot in 2022. They’ll face the New England Patriots this weekend.
#17
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Previous Rank – 12
This team has fallen hard with the Lamar Jackson situation, but they have lost so many key parts of this team to injury this season. I for one am thankful for it (Steelers bias). We will see how this team does when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this week to decide if the Steelers make the playoffs. It will be a hard-hitting game, to say the least, but yes this team has struggled throughout the season and are dropped accordingly.
#16
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1)
Previous Rank – 18
What a feeling it was in Heinz Field last Monday night as Ben essentially played his last home game of the regular season. It was an emotional night for Big Ben and the Steelers as they beat Cleveland to send Ben a simple message; Thank You. Najee was also fantastic rushing for over 180 yards in the game, and the defense played lights out. TJ Watt also is on the verge of breaking the All-Time Sack record. They will play Baltimore this weekend, but also need Jacksonville to win in order for them to get into the playoffs.
#15
Las Vegas Raiders (9-7)
Previous Rank – 17
The Raiders were able to knock off the Colts in surprise fashion last weekend, but they now have a divisional matchup to contend with as they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend. The Raiders have been okay this season despite so much drama and controversy that followed them, but overall they desperately need a win here.
#14
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Previous Rank – 15
Give all credit to the Eagles because man they surprised me this season. Hurts had Lamar Jackson-like numbers in his sophomore season, and they lead the league in rushing. With them making the playoffs, they will likely rest some starters ahead of this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
#13
San Francisco 49ers (9-7)
Previous Rank – 14
Under Trey Lance, the 49ers pick up a nice win over the Texans last weekend. While it is likely that Jimmy G gets the start this week, there is no doubt that Trey Lance is the future for this football program. The 49ers have had some injury concerns once again all season, but this team has played decent in spite of all those concerns. This week, they’ll get the Los Angeles Rams.
#12
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
Previous Rank – 13
The Chargers came away with a nice win over the Broncos last weekend. They will now face the Raiders in what is going to prove to be a big-time matchup. Whoever wins this one will go into the playoffs. If they tie, they both get in. It’s weird, I know, but that is how it is. Hopefully, Herbert and company can find a way to win this one.
#11
Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Previous Rank – 8
Not sure what happened last weekend with the Colts, but they dropped an unusual loss to the Raiders. Given how good Jonathan Taylor has been this season, we expected a run-heavy style with Wentz pulling his weight. That last part didn’t happen. Now the Colts have to beat the Jaguars this weekend because if they don’t and certain other things happen, the Steelers could slide in instead.
#10
New England Patriots (10-6)
Previous Rank – 11
The Patriots delivered a brutal beatdown to the Jaguars last weekend as Mac Jones and company scored over 50 points against them. This Patriots team is different, but they have been getting the job done with this rookie at quarterback. it also helps that their defense has been playing amazing football this season as well. This week, the Pats will get the Dolphins.
#9
Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Previous Rank – 9
The Bills got the win last weekend, but with certain stats, it honestly didn’t feel like a win. Josh Allen got picked off three times but ran two in. Devin Singletary flourished in the snow, and the defense played okay. Now the Bills sit in a prime spot to get things done for the AFC playoffs, but they’ll need to knock off the Jets first.
#8
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Previous Rank – 10
In what was probably the game of the year, the Bengals were able to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs and secure their top in the AFC North winning the division. Now with a matchup against the beaten and broken Browns coming into play this weekend, the Bengals will likely be sitting some key players to make sure they are healthy going into the playoffs.
#7
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Previous Rank – 5
You could argue that the Chiefs got exposed last weekend with Ja’Marr Chase having over 260 receiving yards and three touchdowns against them. This team has had its struggles this season, but they still make playoffs, and somehow still find a way to get going in the long run. We will see as they’ll face the Denver Broncos this weekend.
#6
Tennessee Titans (11-5)
Previous Rank – 7
With the Chiefs losing last weekend, the Titans secured the number one bye for the AFC. Man, football is wild. With reports coming in that Derrick Henry will be available for the playoffs, this team is suddenly becoming a lot scarier as AJ Brown and Julio Jones should be available as well. They’ll face the Houston Texans this weekend.
#5
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Previous Rank – 4
In a close and hard-fought game, the Cowboys were unable to get the win over the Arizona Cardinals. I still believe in Dallas, and I think they will be able to do some great things down the road when they win their division and make the playoffs. It will also be a good thing too because if they beat the Philadelphia Eagles this week, they will have swept their entire division which is crazy honestly.
#4
Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
Previous Rank – 6
Beating Dallas last weekend was huge for Arizona. Kyler and the rest of this team continue to play well despite not having one of the best receivers in football available to them; DeAndre Hopkins. Arizona is slowly climbing the mountain of success. They just have to realize it is a long way down if they don’t pull it off. They’ll face the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.
#3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
Previous Rank – 3
There are a lot of issues between the Bucs and Antonio Brown right given last week’s outburst against the Jets. Brown was then cut from the team, and the Bucs are choosing to move forward hoping to make something out of their wide receiver core. They almost lost to the Jets last weekend, but this team should be focused heading into their matchup with the Carolina Panthers this week.
#2
Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
Previous Rank – 2
The Rams are this close to winning their division. They did a good job at trying to secure that with last week’s last-second win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Rams should be ready to go as long as Stafford doesn’t try to make any bad decisions playing quarterback this week. They’ll face off against the San Francisco 49ers.
#1
Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Previous Rank – 1
With the Packers destroying the Vikings last weekend, they will only need to play one more game. That game is against the Detroit Lions. Rodgers choosing to play is an interesting one as this team if they succeed will get the bye for the NFC. All it takes is one bad play for him to get hurt though (hoping it doesn’t happen), but they’ll need to get through Coach Dan and the Lions this week.
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