Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 17
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 17 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer is now neck and neck with Cam for MVP and the Cardinals are hot as hell. The destroyed the Packers and are dangerous heading into the Playoffs.
Carson Palmer is now neck and neck with Cam for MVP and the Cardinals are hot as hell. The destroyed the Packers and are dangerous heading into the Playoffs.
2. Carolina Panthers
Sometimes a loss isn't that bad, and any many ways I think its good that Carolina got it out the way now. They will get Jonathan Stewart back, and need to beat Tampa this week.
Sometimes a loss isn't that bad, and any many ways I think its good that Carolina got it out the way now. They will get Jonathan Stewart back, and need to beat Tampa this week.
3. New England Patriots
Tough road loss in OT to the rival Jets last week give them a break in my book, especially with the linemen dropping like flies. Pats just seem snake bitten this year, or deflated...
Tough road loss in OT to the rival Jets last week give them a break in my book, especially with the linemen dropping like flies. Pats just seem snake bitten this year, or deflated...
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Nine straight earns respect in my book. While many of the top teams went down last week, KC stayed hot and are soaring.
Nine straight earns respect in my book. While many of the top teams went down last week, KC stayed hot and are soaring.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
They had a 14 point lead in Denver and choked it away. They have clinched the division, but need to beat the Ravens Sunday.
They had a 14 point lead in Denver and choked it away. They have clinched the division, but need to beat the Ravens Sunday.
6. New York Jets
Big win for the Jets over the rival Patriots. They are clicking in the passing game right now, and have a huge game with the Bills that will determine their Playoff fate. You can't script this.
Big win for the Jets over the rival Patriots. They are clicking in the passing game right now, and have a huge game with the Bills that will determine their Playoff fate. You can't script this.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings absolutely embarrassed Eli Manning on Sunday. What a win. That defense was fantastic. The division is still in reach, and the showdown with the Pack is huge!
Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings absolutely embarrassed Eli Manning on Sunday. What a win. That defense was fantastic. The division is still in reach, and the showdown with the Pack is huge!
8. Denver Broncos
The defense has to bounce back after a terrible showing at Pittsburgh. They have to be better in the second half.
The defense has to bounce back after a terrible showing at Pittsburgh. They have to be better in the second half.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Bad loss at home to the the Rams last week drops them. They are in the dance, but now its all about building momentum.
Bad loss at home to the the Rams last week drops them. They are in the dance, but now its all about building momentum.
10. Washington Redskins
You like that?! Kirk Cousins has been playing way above anyones expectations and he has led the Skins to the dance. Great win over the Eagles last week.
You like that?! Kirk Cousins has been playing way above anyones expectations and he has led the Skins to the dance. Great win over the Eagles last week.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
No way to excuse that loss away. They went to Baltimore, a rival no doubt, and looked like shit, with alot on the line. Really makes you question the mental toughness of the team.
No way to excuse that loss away. They went to Baltimore, a rival no doubt, and looked like shit, with alot on the line. Really makes you question the mental toughness of the team.
12. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are just not that good. Aaron Rodgers has been bad per his standards this year, and that offensive line is pathetic. They have a huge game with the Vikings this week.
The Packers are just not that good. Aaron Rodgers has been bad per his standards this year, and that offensive line is pathetic. They have a huge game with the Vikings this week.
13. Houston Texans
The Texans are on their 4th QB, and somehow someway are on their way to the playoffs. That division is horrible and its a shame that the Steelers or Jets could be out and they are in.
The Texans are on their 4th QB, and somehow someway are on their way to the playoffs. That division is horrible and its a shame that the Steelers or Jets could be out and they are in.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Big win for the Falcons, in their Superbowl of the year. It amazing that this team, with all that talent, sucked so bad this year. Smh. But that was a great win over Carolina.
Big win for the Falcons, in their Superbowl of the year. It amazing that this team, with all that talent, sucked so bad this year. Smh. But that was a great win over Carolina.
15. Buffalo Bills
Tough gritty win over the the Cowboys. Team has nothing to play for on surface, but you better believe that Rex would love nothing more than to spoil the Jets Playoff hopes this Sunday.
Tough gritty win over the the Cowboys. Team has nothing to play for on surface, but you better believe that Rex would love nothing more than to spoil the Jets Playoff hopes this Sunday.
16. Chicago Bears
The Bears are alot better than their record. I give Cutler credit for having a hell of a bounce back year. Something to build on.
The Bears are alot better than their record. I give Cutler credit for having a hell of a bounce back year. Something to build on.
17. Oakland Raiders
They sent out Charles Woodson with a win at home last week. Maybe the last game in Oakland as well and honestly, and change of scenery and fresh coat of paint may be for the best.
They sent out Charles Woodson with a win at home last week. Maybe the last game in Oakland as well and honestly, and change of scenery and fresh coat of paint may be for the best.
18. Tampa Bay Bucs
Tough loss at home to the Bears. Teams are keying in on Doug Martin and giving Winston passing lanes. Will be interesting to see how hard they play against division rival Carolina Sunday.
Tough loss at home to the Bears. Teams are keying in on Doug Martin and giving Winston passing lanes. Will be interesting to see how hard they play against division rival Carolina Sunday.
19. St. Louis Rams
The Rams have now swept their division rival Seahawks, which is a huge feat, and something to build on for next season.
The Rams have now swept their division rival Seahawks, which is a huge feat, and something to build on for next season.
20. Philadelphia Eagles
If I were in charge I would fire Chip Kelly and move on. All of that talent, wasted. 3 running backs equals no running back.
If I were in charge I would fire Chip Kelly and move on. All of that talent, wasted. 3 running backs equals no running back.
21. Detroit Lions
They have a lot to build on with the offense for 2016. There are also some young, talented players on defense. They could bounce back.
They have a lot to build on with the offense for 2016. There are also some young, talented players on defense. They could bounce back.
22. Indiannapolis Colts
Frank Gore looked strong last week. But this team misses its leader and they will need some improvements in 2016.
Frank Gore looked strong last week. But this team misses its leader and they will need some improvements in 2016.
23. New Orleans Saints
Does it really matter who makes the defensive calls? The talent is the problem, more than the coordinator.
Does it really matter who makes the defensive calls? The talent is the problem, more than the coordinator.
24. New York Giants
They quit on Tom Coughlin. Once they found out they had no chance of winning the division, they mailed it in. Losers.
They quit on Tom Coughlin. Once they found out they had no chance of winning the division, they mailed it in. Losers.
25. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have had the worst season in franchise history when you combine game results and injuries. But a sweep of the Steelers can really bring hope to the morale.
The Ravens have had the worst season in franchise history when you combine game results and injuries. But a sweep of the Steelers can really bring hope to the morale.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
All offense and no defense for this young team that is building something. Good news is, the GM knows exactly what he has to do in the off season which makes 2016 look bright.
All offense and no defense for this young team that is building something. Good news is, the GM knows exactly what he has to do in the off season which makes 2016 look bright.
27. Miami Dolphins
Brent Grimes wife summed it up pretty well. This team is a representation of its QB.
Brent Grimes wife summed it up pretty well. This team is a representation of its QB.
28. San Diego Chargers
The injury bug just keeps biting their ass. Sad man, really sad. The future of the franchise is really going to be interesting.
The injury bug just keeps biting their ass. Sad man, really sad. The future of the franchise is really going to be interesting.
29. Dallas Cowboys
They suck.
They suck.
30. San Francisco 49ers
They really have no firepower and I would bring Kapernick back next season and draft a prospect.
They really have no firepower and I would bring Kapernick back next season and draft a prospect.
31. Cleveland Browns
They played tough in KC last week and but as normal, Johnny Football is in the news for off the field stuff. The guy can't catch a break. The video was no big deal at all, he's over-scrutinized.
They played tough in KC last week and but as normal, Johnny Football is in the news for off the field stuff. The guy can't catch a break. The video was no big deal at all, he's over-scrutinized.
32. Tennessee Titans
They got pummeled by Brandon Weeden. Think about that. Wholesale changes are needed on defense and they need to find a running game somewhere.
They got pummeled by Brandon Weeden. Think about that. Wholesale changes are needed on defense and they need to find a running game somewhere.