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2022 NFL power rankings, Week 18: Giants, Buccaneers playoff bound

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass past Keith Taylor Jr. #28 of the Carolina Panthers to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass past Keith Taylor Jr. #28 of the Carolina Panthers to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /
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Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos scrambles vs. the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos scrambles vs. the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

After 17 weeks of play, 11 teams are now headed to the NFL playoffs. Meanwhile, the top seed in each conference has yet to be decided.

On Sunday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched a second straight NFC South title after rallying to beat the Carolina Panthers. The New York Giants routed the Indianapolis Colts to secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.

Here are the latest NFL Power Rankings.

2023 NFL Power Rankings: Week 18

team. 57. . 3-13. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 32

The Bears looked to avoid a ninth straight loss when they took on the Lions at Detroit. Quarterback Justin Fields ran for 105 in the first quarter and finished with 132 of the club’s 200 rushing yards.

Chicago’s defense, however, gave up 265 yards on the ground and 504 total yards of offense. Matt Eberflus’s club owned a 10-7 first-quarter lead and gave up the final 34 points of the contest. The Bears tied a franchise record with 13 losses in a season.

2-13-1. Previous: . Houston Texans. 31. team. 10.

Thanks to a 13-6 victory at Jacksonville in Week 5, the Texans were in position to sweep their AFC South rival for the fifth straight year. It was another long outing for the league’s worst run defense as the Jaguars gashed Lovie Smith’s club for 169 yards on the ground.

Second-year quarterback Davis Mills threw for 202 yards and led the team with 33 yards rushing, but he lost a fumble as the Texans’ offense managed only 277 yards by game’s end.

30. team. 32. . 4-12. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals took a five-game losing streak to Atlanta. David Blough became the team’s fourth different starting quarterback this season. He finished the day with 222 yards through the air and one score.

Arizona totaled 339 yards but settled for one TD and four Matt Prater field goals, the final one giving his team a two-point lead with 4:57 to play. The Falcons had the last laugh, connecting for a game-winning kick on the final play of the game.

team. 45. . 4-12. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 29

It was the debut for interim head coach Jerry Rosburg as the Broncos looked to snap a 14-game losing streak to the rival Chiefs. Denver’s defense limited Kansas City to only 46 yards on the ground but had very few answers for Patrick Mahomes.

Still, the Broncos did come up with two takeaways, including an interception, and owned a 17-13 third-quarter lead. Denver failed to sack Mahomes, who wound up throwing for 328 yards and three scores.

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