Another insane weekend of NFL football is in the books \u2013 The Eagles have been eliminated, the Steelers and Bengals have clinched playoff berths and the Colts and the Broncos laid an egg! The Seahawks staked their claim as the undeniable Super Bowl favorites and the Cowboys made a statement as well. <\/p>\n
\nNFL Spreads & Matchup Insight<\/h3>\n
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- Week 17 NFL Lines<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Week 17 Matchups<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- More Power Ratings<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- ***2014 NFL BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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So what does it all mean? Let\u2019s try to clear it all up in the Week 17 edition of the NFL Power Rankings.<\/p>\n
1. Seahawks<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 2<\/p>\n
The Seahawks defense has now given up a total of 33 points in the last five games combined! Seattle is 5-0 over the past five weeks and has outscored teams 114-33 in those five games \u2013 as dominant on both sides of the ball as we have seen from any team this year. On Sunday night they gained 596 yards against one of the best defenses in the game \u2013 nuff said!<\/p>\n
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2. Patriots<\/strong> (12-3) Last Week: 1<\/p>\n
The Pats were hardly dominant in their Week 16 win against the Jets \u2013 New York always plays them tough for some reason. The injury for Julian Edelman is certainly a concern \u2013 let\u2019s hope it\u2019s not too bad! But as long as Tom Terrific is on the field and you have a home playoff date secured, New England is a dangerous team!<\/p>\n
3. Packers<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 3<\/p>\n
The Packers rebounded with a 20-3 road win Sunday \u2013 nice to see them playing well on the road for a change! The offense has definitely slowed down \u2013 good thing for a stifling defense! This Sunday\u2019s game against Detroit is for the Division crown \u2013 it should be a beauty!<\/p>\n
4. Cowboys<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 5<\/p>\n
The Cowboys absolutely embarrassed the Colts in Indianapolis Sunday \u2013 they even chased Andrew Luck from the game early \u2013 it was that dominant! The Boys are red hot at the right time \u2013 they have averaged 40 points four and 20 points against during a three game win streak. Dallas is a scary team as we head into the playoffs for sure!<\/p>\n
5. Broncos<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 4<\/p>\n
The Broncos fell victim to poor weather and four picks from Peyton Manning in their 37-28 loss to the Bengals Monday night. They sure don\u2019t look like the dominant team they were early in the season \u2013 more and more vulnerable as the season wears on.<\/p>\n
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6. Lions<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 6<\/p>\n
The Lions keep getting it done but in less spectacular fashion than the teams around them in the Rankings. They let a terrible Bears team hang around Sunday but are still in line for a first round bye \u2013 if they beat Green Bay in Week 17. The offense seems flat but the defense is still one of the best. You don`t have to love Detroit, but you have to like they way they are `just winning“.<\/p>\n
7. Steelers<\/strong> (10-5) Last Week: 10<\/p>\n
The Steelers are 10-5! Now they get a crack at the division title when they play Cincinnati in Week 17. Le`Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Big Ben make up one of the more feared offenses in the game right now and the defense is peaking at just the right time \u2013 six sacks on Sunday! Pittsburgh is a dangerous team indeed as we near the finish line.<\/p>\n
8. Bengals<\/strong> (10-4-1) Last Week: 12<\/p>\n
The Bengals humiliated the Browns two weeks ago and had everything go exactly as planned in Week 16. They stayed atop the division and didn\u2019t have to rely on Andy Dalton to win. Defense, special teams and a couple of big plays were the difference versus the Broncos. I still don\u2019t trust Andy Dalton however!<\/p>\n
9. Colts<\/strong> (10-5) Last Week: 7<\/p>\n
I`m giving the Colts a mulligan as I puke in my mouth! What happened Sunday? Seriously! I realize they already clinched but have a little pride boys!<\/p>\n
10. Chargers<\/strong> (9-6) Last Week: 15<\/p>\n
The Chargers never give up and are still alive \u2013 there is a ton of fight in this team as shown on Saturday. Zero running game, a QB that will likely need back surgery and this team is still winning \u2013 unbelievable! That said the Chargers defense was carved up on the ground by a previously struggling offense \u2013 that will have to change if they hope to go far into the playoffs!<\/p>\n
11. Cardinals<\/strong> (11-4) Last Week: 9<\/p>\n
The Cardinals ran into a buzz saw defense \u2013 Seattle on Sunday night and looked awful in the process. Ryan Lindley`s struggles were predictable but the defense`s woes certainly weren`t. I never thought that a team would long for the return of Drew Stanton!<\/p>\n
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12. Eagles<\/strong> (9-6) Last Week: 8<\/p>\n
The Eagles are out of the playoffs! Hard to believe. It was pretty hard to keep them in the dirty dozen this week \u2013 especially after losing to Washington. The porous defense and the Mark Sanchez caught up to this team \u2013 nice try boys!<\/p>\n
13. Ravens (9-6) Last Week: 11<\/strong>
\n 14. Texans (8-7) Last Week: 16<\/strong>
\n 15. Bills (8-7) Last Week: 13<\/strong>
\n 16. Dolphins (8-7) Last Week: 18<\/strong>
\n 17. Chiefs (8-7) Last Week: 14<\/strong>
\n 18. Panthers (6-8-1) Last Week: 23<\/strong>
\n 19. Falcons (6-9) Last Week: 24<\/strong>
\n 20. Giants (6-9) Last Week: 25<\/strong>
\n 21. 49ers (7-8) Last Week: 17<\/strong>
\n 22. Vikings (6-9) Last Week: 21<\/strong>
\n 23. Rams (6-9) Last Week: 20<\/strong>
\n 24. Saints (6-9) Last Week: 22<\/strong>
\n 25. Browns (7-8) Last Week: 19<\/strong>
\n 26. Bears (5-10) Last Week: 26<\/strong>
\n 27. Jets (3-12) Last Week: 27<\/strong>
\n 28. Raiders (3-12) Last Week: 28<\/strong>
\n 29. Redskins (3-12) Last Week: 29<\/strong>
\n 30. Jaguars (3-12) Last Week: 30<\/strong>
\n 31. Buccaneers (2-13) Last Week: 31<\/strong>
\n 32. Titans (2-13) Last Week: 32<\/strong><\/p>\n