JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's post-Week 16, pre-Week 17 2017 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
Rank.Team (record) | Comment
1.Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) | 1 | Locked in as No. 1 seed in NFC, but looking vulnerable
2.New England Patriots (12-3) | 2 | One victory from home-field advantage
3.Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) | 3 | First-round bye clinched
4.Minnesota Vikings (12-3) | 4 | They look very dangerous as playoffs approach
5.Carolina Panthers (11-4) | 5 | They're in
6.Los Angeles Rams (11-4) | 6 | Helped the Jaguars in a big, big way Sunday
7.New Orleans Saints (11-4) | 9 | They're in
8.Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5) | 7 | Locked into the No. 3 seed
9.Atlanta Falcons (9-6) | 8 | Win, and they're in the postseason
10.Baltimore Ravens (9-6) | 10 | They're in if they win Sunday
11.Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) | 11 | Clinched AFC West on Sunday
12.Seattle Seahawks (9-6) | 15 | They still have playoff hopes – and need the Falcons to lose
13.Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) | 16 | They're alive, but need help from Jaguars and Ravens
14.Tennessee Titans (8-7) | 17 | Still in if they beat the Jaguars Sunday
15.Dallas Cowboys (8-7) | 12 | They're out …
16.Detroit Lions (8-7) | 13 | … and they're out, too
17.Buffalo Bills (8-7) | 14 | Need to win Sunday and have Ravens lose
18.San Francisco 49ers (5-10) | 22 | Future hardly could be brighter
19.Green Bay Packers (7-8) | 18 | Will be weird without them in the playoffs
20.Arizona Cardinals (7-8) | 20 | Too many injuries to overcome
21.Washington Redskins (7-8) | 23 | Can end season with three consecutive victories
22.Miami Dolphins (6-9) | 19 | Never solved inconsistency issues
23.Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) | 24 | It's all about the future for the Bengals
24.Oakland Raiders (6-9) | 21 | Another frustrating loss in frustrating season
25.Denver Broncos (5-10) | 26 | Did they play their future QB Sunday?
26.Houston Texans (4-11) | 25 | Lost eight of nine since injury to QB Deshaun Watson
27.New York Jets (5-10) | 27 | A chance to cost the Patriots the No. 1 seed Sunday
28.Chicago Bears (5-10) | 28 | Improving – but enough for Fox to return?
29.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) | 29 | Gruden going back? Really?
30.Indianapolis Colts (3-12) | 30 | Will select at least in the Top 3
31.New York Giants (2-13) | 31 | Limping home
32.Cleveland Browns (0-15) | 32 | One week more
