2022 NFL power rankings, Week 17: Bengals rolling, Titans reeling

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 24: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images) /

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Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against the Detroit Lions (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

. 7-7-1. Previous: . Washington Commanders. 18. team. 58

The Commanders made their way west to San Francisco looking to cool off the 49ers. Ron Rivera’s team hung tough in the first half and the clubs were tied 7-all at intermission. Taylor Heinicke threw a pair of touchdown passes but was sacked twice (by Nick Bosa) and turned over the ball twice.

Heinicke was benched in the fourth quarter and Carson Wentz came in and led the club to a fourth-quarter touchdown but it was far from enough.

. 7-8. Previous: . New England Patriots. 17. team. 47

The Patriots hoped to bounce back after last week’s disaster at Las Vegas. It would be a tough task as the Bengals were in Foxborough. Bill Belichick’s club dug themselves a 22-0 hole before making a game of it.

Marcus Jones got the Pats on the board with a 69-yard pick six of Joe Burrow. Mac Jones (sacked 4 times) threw a pair of fourth-quarter TD passes, but Rhamondre Stevenson lost a fumble in the closing minute deep in Cincinnati territory.

Carolina Panthers. 16. team. 87. . 6-9. Previous:

Steve Wilks’ club looked to bounce back from last week’s loss to the Steelers. The determined Panthers took out their frustrations on the Lions early and often and never looked back in a convincing win.

Carolina owned a 24-7 halftime lead in which the team gained an astonishing 364 total yards, 240 on the ground. The Panthers finished with 570 yards as D’Onta Foreman (165) and Chuba Hubbard (125) teamed up for 290 of the club’s 320 rushing yards.

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