2021 NFL power rankings, Week 17: NFC playoff field almost complete
45. . 7-8. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 18. team
Drew Lock would be Vic Fangio’s starting quarterback at Sin City as the Broncos looked to avoid being swept by the rival Raiders. Denver played turnover-free football while taking away the football three times.
That included a 21-yard interception return for a score by linebacker Bradley Chubb as Fangio’s team owned a 13-7 halftime lead. But Lock and company were shut out in the second half and finished the afternoon with 158 yards of total offense.
7-7. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 17. team. 15.
The club got off to a 5-2 start, dropped five games in a row and have now not only gotten back to the .500 mark, the Saints have not allowed a touchdown in their last two games in besting the Jets and Buccaneers.
But the Monday night clash with the Dolphins will see the team start their fourth different quarterback in rookie Ian Book. Tampa Bay has wrapped up the NFC South but Sean Payton’s team is still in the running for a playoff berth.
8-7. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 16. team. 28.
It was a short week for the Silver and Black, who had their game with the Browns moved to Monday. So the Raiders didn’t have a lot of time to get ready for a rematch with the rival Broncos.
Las Vegas’ defense came up big here, limiting Denver to a mere 158 total yards and without an offensive touchdown. The team overcame three turnovers, including a Derek Carr pick-six. Josh Jacobs finished with 129 of the Raiders’ 160 yards on the ground.