It’s official football fans. We’ve reached the last week of the regular season, which means that the playoffs are getting closer and closer. Unfortunately for some of the top teams on this week’s power rankings, they aren’t particularly playing their best football of the season. Remember when the Saints and Vikings were always guaranteed top spots? That may change this week.

So without any further ado, here the rankings of Week 17. And just to note, our format changes a little, as with this being the final week of the season, there won’t be much rising and falling for these teams in next week’s final rankings:

10. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)

This Week: at New York Jets (8-7)

Where They Stand: This team could probably be higher on this list, but they haven’t played particularly well as of late. They are still strong on both sides of the ball, but I’m still a little concerned about their passing attack. If it can get going, watch out. This team has Super Bowl potential.

9. Dallas Cowboys (10-5)

This Week: vs. Philadelphia (11-4)

Where They Stand: The Cowboys have managed to calm the December woes talk, as they’ve won two in a row, and are playing very well right now. But now it’s time for them to take on the Eagles, and this should be a huge battle for the NFC East crown.

8. New England Patriots (10-5)

This Week: at Houston (8-7)

Where They Stand: I was surprised at how the Patriots’ man-handled the Jaguars on Sunday, as I thought that the Pats had lost a step. While they may have still lost a step, that was an emphatic statement by hammering a team that was still in the playoff hunt.

7. Green Bay Packers (10-5)

This Week: at Arizona (10-5)

Where They Stand: This is another team that you have to watch out for. There’s a reason why Aaron Rodgers was selected to the Pro Bowl yesterday. He is playing that well this season, and with the weapons he has on the outside, this will be a dangerous team come January.

6. Minnesota Vikings (11-4)

This Week: vs. New York Giants (8-7)

Where They Stand: Though the Vikings have a better record than the Cardinals, I can’t say that they’re better than them right now. This team has clearly lost some of its’ edge the past few weeks, and suffered a heartbreaker against the Bears on Monday night. They may have just played themselves into wild-card weekend, instead of resting up, and getting a first-round bye.

5. Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

This Week: vs. Green Bay (10-5)

Where They Stand: Some will argue that the Cardinals’ division benefits them more than anything else, but they’re still one of the best teams in the league. What makes them so good is the fact that they have the fourth best road record in the league right now, going 6-2 away from home. That means a lot come playoff time.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)

This Week: at Dallas (10-5)

Where They Stand: Aside from the Chargers, the Eagles are probably the next hottest team in the league, and rightfully so. Though they almost let the Broncos steal one in Philly, they found a way to pull it out, and continue to prove that it’s going to take a monumental effort to stop all of the weapons on this offensive unit.

3. New Orleans Saints (13-2)

This Week: at Carolina (7-8)

Where They Stand: The Saints are one of the teams we are talking about when we say that they haven’t exactly been building momentum the past few weeks. After losing their first to the Cowboys, they lost to the lowly Bucs, and now have some problems. After having such a great start, the Saints have some areas of concern at this point.

2. San Diego Chargers (12-3)

This Week: vs. Washington (4-11)

Where They Stand: The Chargers could very well be the best team in the league right now, as they won their 10th straight game this past week. Offensively, the team can put up points in a hurry, and while their defense has always been the biggest question mark, they are playing extremely well right now.

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-1)

This Week: at Buffalo (5-10)

Where They Stand: Despite the Colts’ suffering their first loss of the season to the Jets this past weekend, they are still the best team in the league. You could argue that the Colts’ starters didn’t have much to do with the loss, and they’re still playing some of their best football of the season.

(Picture Source)



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