NFL Power Rankings Week 17

My current NFL Power Rankings for Week 17 of the 2022 NFL Season. The Eagles and Lions move up in the top 10 after divisional wins.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2023 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2022 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Panthers and Texans aren’t my top teams.

NFL Power Rankings updated Dec. 26, 2022

Houston Texans (2-12-1) – Previously: 32.
The Texans have been great defensively lately, but they better not win another game. If they do, they’ll lose control of the No. 1 pick. Just ask Jets fans how they feel about that.

Chicago Bears (3-12) – Previously: 29.
The Bears can clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft if they lose their next two games, and Houston wins one more time. What’s funny is that the Bears don’t even need the top selection because they already have their quarterback. However, they’d be able to auction off the selection for a king’s ransom, given how many teams are desperate for a franchise quarterback.

Arizona Cardinals (4-11) – Previously: 30.
It sucks that Colt McCoy’s concussion ruined a potential great wager because I would have loved Arizona if he played. Trace McSorley started instead, so I didn’t bet the Cardinals because I didn’t know what to expect out of him. McSorley wasn’t even that good, and yet Arizona still won! It’s a good thing the Cardinals didn’t because they would have ruined their draft positioning.

Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) – Previously: 27.
I had the Colts listed as underrated, but I can’t see them having a functional offense with Nick Foles and Zack Moss starting in the backfield. The Colts have a good defense, but Foles is dreadful, while Moss is just a pedestrian plodder.

Tennessee Titans (7-8) – Previously: 14.
Malik Willis is terrible, but he had no chance because the Titans were missing their three best offensive linemen, all of whom are now on injured reserve. Still, losing to the Texans is an embarrassment, but Tennessee can at least still win the division if it beats the Jaguars in Week 18. No other results matter.

Seattle Seahawks (7-7) – Previously: 26.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Denver Broncos (4-11) – Previously: 23.
The Broncos looked like the worst team in the NFL against the Rams, but they showed no effort in that game. I suspect they were saving their energy for their rematch against the Chiefs.

Atlanta Falcons (5-10) – Previously: 28.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Los Angeles Rams (5-10) – Previously: 31.
Baker Mayfield and Cam Akers looked like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith against the Broncos. They looked incredible, but that was more on Denver’s defense not putting any effort into that game. Still, 51 points is 51 points, and I don’t think that result can be completely ignored.

New York Giants (8-6-1) – Previously: 25.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) – Previously: 22.
The Buccaneers have been dominated by the Saints and Cardinals in three-and-a-half quarters in two of their previous three games. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in this team, but then again, maybe things will improve if Tampa Bay can somehow get healthier.

New England Patriots (7-8) – Previously: 16.
Miles Austin-Jones and Calvin Ridley have been suspended for betting the NFL. Maybe they should investigate Rhamondre Stevenson, who began latering against the Raiders and then lost a fumble on a first-and-goal versus the Bengals. Stevenson has sabotaged what appeared to be a likely playoff berth for the Patriots.

Cleveland Browns (6-9) – Previously: 20.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Browns are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Green Bay Packers (7-8) – Previously: 19.
I had a discussion about what the Packers’ record would be if Aaron Rodgers never broke his thumb earlier in the season. I have to believe they’d be 9-6 at the very least right now, which is why I thought they were a great play against the Dolphins. If they were 8-6 heading into that game versus another 8-6 team, they would have been +1 or +1.5.

San Angeles Chargers (9-6) – Previously: 17.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Chargers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Carolina Panthers (6-9) – Previously: 18.
The Panthers will win the division if they beat the Buccaneers and the Saints lose one of their final two games. It’s crazy to think about where this team could possibly be if they had Christian McCaffrey on the roster!

Washington Redskins (7-7-1) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Redskins are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New York Jets (7-8) – Previously: 11.
The Jets are now a long shot to miss the playoffs, which is hard to believe, given how good they looked earlier in the season. Mike White’s injury crushed the team’s chances, so the Jets should have found someone who identified as doctor who could clear him to play. I identify as doctor, so if the Jets want to approach me, I’ll be more than happy to clear White in exchange for some cool merchandise.

Las Vegas Raiders (6-9) – Previously: 15.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Raiders are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (6-9) – Previously: 24.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Saints are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (12-3) – Previously: 10.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Miami Dolphins (8-7) – Previously: 7.
Wow, what was that by Tua Tagovailoa? Talk about a complete meltdown in the second half. I can understand the overthrown interception, but he had no idea where De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas were on the other picks. There’s some speculation that Tagovailoa played through another concussion, which would explain a lot.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) – Previously: 21.
The Jaguars had some bad luck after starting 2-1, but things are finally going their way. I didn’t think they had a chance when they were down 27-10 to the Cowboys, but Trevor Lawrence was great in his comeback. It’s a shame for the Jaguars, however, that their defense will probably end up costing them in the playoffs.

Detroit Lions (7-8) – Previously: 9.
The Lions were so stout versus the run entering the Panthers game. Carolina ripping off huge runs on almost every play led me to believe that the Lions simply took the game for granted and were a complete no-show. They were coming off a big win versus the Jets, so I can’t exactly blame them for taking the Panthers lightly.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) – Previously: 12.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Baltimore Ravens (10-5) – Previously: 8.
The Ravens have a horrible habit of moving well into opposing territory, yet coming away with almost no points. They reached or exceeded the Cleveland 35-yard line five times last Saturday, but scored only three points. This happened again versus the Falcons, but they finally scored a single touchdown. On the bright side, Lamar Jackson could be back next week, which would mark the first time that he and Ronnie Stanley will be on the field at the same time since Week 9.

Dallas Cowboys (11-4) – Previously: 6.
The Cowboys beat the Eagles, but they were outgained in total yards and yards per play. Their defense is far less fearsome if they can’t get to the quarterback, which they struggled to do against Philadelphia’s elite offensive line.

San Francisco 49ers (11-4) – Previously: 5.
Brock Purdy battled two bad defenses (Buccaneers, Seahawks) in his first couple of starts. The Redskins were a big step up in competition, yet Purdy didn’t skip a beat. He had just seven incompletions, and his interception wasn’t even his fault.

Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) – Previously: 4.
The Chiefs barely escaped against the Broncos and Texans, needing an injury to Russell Wilson and an overtime fumble by Davis Mills. They then had a very disappointing performance against the Seahawks. They won by 14, but were outgained, as they produced very little against Seattle’s horrible defense.

Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) – Previously: 3.
The Bengals dominated the Patriots in the first half, but almost lost because they fell asleep at the wheel. They dropped two touchdowns, missed a field goal, saw Ja’Marr Chase lose a fumble, and allowed a touchdown on a Hail Mary.

Buffalo Bills (12-3) – Previously: 2.
The Bills had a sluggish game against the Bears, and yet they won 35-13. Josh Allen threw some very sketchy passes, which would have me a bit concerned for the playoff run. That said, it was a frigid game against an unfamiliar opponent, so I’m more likely to give Buffalo a pass.

Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) – Previously: 1.
The Eagles obviously don’t move out of the No. 1 spot after losing to another top-10 team with their backup quarterback – especially when they outgained the opponent in total yardage and yards per play! If it wasn’t for Boston Scott and Miles Sanders losing fumbles, the Eagles likely would have prevailed.

2022 NFL MVP Race:

1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
4. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

5. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings