NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl Odds Ahead of Week 17
By Peter Dewey
Welcome back to BetSided's latest NFL Power Rankings, where there is a new No. 1.
That's right, even though the Green Bay Packers were able to escape the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Day, thanks to four Baker Mayfield interceptions, they've lost the top spot in this week's rankings.
Several of the top contenders handled business, but the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots have both backed themselves into a corner with losses to consecutive weeks.
Every week this season, yours truly ranks each NFL team in relation to their Super Bowl odds atWynnBET Sportsbook in BetSided's NFL Power Rankings. If you’re looking for last week’s rankings to see where everyone moved to, you can find it here.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4, +375) Last Week: No. 2
The Chiefs put on a clinic against the Steelers and are now my new No. 1. Kansas City has won eight straight and looks as good as we all thought it would look to start this season. I think they'll walk through the rest of the AFC with the defense playing this well.
2. Green Bay Packers (12-3, +375) LW: No. 1
The Packers won, but they've made things interesting the past few weeks. The NFC is a lot tighter than the AFC, and Green Bay isn't in the clear yet with two games to play.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4, +700) LW: No. 3
The injuries continue to mount for the Bucs, with Shaq Barrett being the latest player to go down, but they do still have Tom Brady. Tampa Bay has a cupcake matchup with the Jets in Week 17.
4. Dallas Cowboys (11-4, +1000) LW: No. 5
Dallas had quite a convincing performance in Week 16, dominating Washington on Sunday Night Football. Dak Prescott has been significantly better at home than on the road, so Dallas would love to sneak into the No. 2 spot if Tampa Bay loses another game.
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4, +850) LW: No. 4
The Rams' path to winning the NFC West got a whole lot easier with the Cardinals losing again in Week 16. Matthew Stafford needs to be more careful with the ball, but Los Angeles has a shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFC as well.
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-6, +1500) LW: No. 8
The Colts are for real. Indy took down Arizona on Christmas, and it is putting the pressure on the Titans in the AFC South. This is a team that I wouldn't want to face in the playoffs.
7. Buffalo Bills (9-6, +850) LW: No. 10
Buffalo regained control of the AFC East with a win over the Patriots in Week 16. If the Bills win out they'll secure at least one home playoff game.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6, +2000) LW: No. 11
Joe Burrow's historic performance put Cincy in the driver's seat in the AFC North. This offense is extremely explosive, and Burrow is making a serious case for Comeback Player of the Year.
9. Arizona Cardinals (10-5, +2500) LW: No. 4
I'm not ready to give up on Arizona yet, but the Cardinals are at a turning point. Kliff Kingsbury's squad has stumbled down the stretch before, and it will need to right the ship over these last two weeks to go into the postseason with some momentum after losing the division lead.
10. Tennessee Titans (10-5, +1800) LW: No. 14
A.J. Brown is back, and Tennessee shocked San Francisco on Thursday Night Football with a come-from-behind win. The Titans could be a tough out if Derrick Henry returns for the playoffs.
11. New England Patriots (9-5, +1500) LW: No. 6
Mac Jones is getting exposed a bit the past two weeks, and while the Patriots can defend and run the football, they have looked like a team that's not quite Super Bowl material the past two weeks.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7, +6000) LW: No. 9
Any time that you get blown out by the Houston Texans, you're going to drop in the rankings. I still believe in Justin Herbert, but the Chargers don't look much better than they were last year. There simply is way too much inconsistency.
13. San Francisco 49ers (8-7, +3500) LW: No. 14
The 49ers were riding high prior to their loss to the Titans on TNF. Jimmy Garoppolo is going to hold this team back, and while some love the rest of their roster, the quarterback is going to have to step up for San Fran to make a run.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-7, +7500) LW: No. 13
Even if Lamar Jackson returns, injuries have caught up to Baltimore's defense. If Jackson isn't 100 percent, it may not be worth risking his health with the rest of the roster in shambles.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7, +7500) LW: No. 18
The Eagles took care of business with a blowout win over the Giants, and they now face the Washington Football Team in Week 17. Philly did lose Miles Sanders to a hand injury, but it still has a path to the playoffs.
16. Miami Dolphins (8-7, +30000) LW: No. 19
The Dolphins made history becoming the first NFL team to have a seven-game winning streak and a seven-game losing streak in the same season. Miami's path to the playoffs is getting brighter each day.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-7, +25000) LW: No. 22
The Raiders won an ugly game against Denver to get back over .500, but they face an uphill battle to make the playoffs with Colts and Chargers left on the schedule.
18. New Orleans Saints (7-8, +15000) LW: No. 17
Ian Book wasn't ready in his first career start, and the Dolphins dismantled New Orleans on Monday Night Football. That may have been the end to the Saints playoff campaign, and it's a shame that the team is just 2-6 without Jameis Winston.
19. Cleveland Browns (7-8, +15000) LW: No. 16
The Browns simply aren't a contender with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. His four picks cost them a winnable game against Green Bay, and now Cleveland needs to win out and get some help to make the postseason.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1, +25000) LW: No. 15
I'm done with this Steelers team hanging around! They were blown out by the Chiefs on Sunday and have no business at making the playoffs. The Browns and Ravens await in Weeks 17 and 18.
21. Minnesota Vikings (7-8, +50000) LW: No. 21
The Vikings were unable to take advantage of Matthew Stafford's turnovers in their loss to the Rams in Week 16. It is likely a wrap on Minnesota's season, and Mike Zimmer's seat is considerably hotter after another subpar campaign.
22. Denver Broncos (7-8, +100000) LW: No. 20
The Vic Fangio era may be over in Denver after the Broncos failed to score a single second half point in their loss to the Raiders. The Broncos have wasted a solid defense this season and it may be time for new voices on the coaching staff next season.
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-8, +100000) LW: No. 25
The Falcons continue to win games they're supposed to win, but they have a daunting matchup with the Buffalo Bills to keep their season alive in Week 17.
24. Washington Football Team (6-9, +100000) LW: No. 23
Yikes. Washington was dismantled by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football to essentially end its playoff chances. Maybe it's time we realizes Taylor Heinicke is no more than just a good backup in this league?
25. Chicago Bears (5-10, N/A) LW: No. 28
Just like we all thought, Nick Foles led the Bears to a win in Week 16. Chicago needs to clean house after this season, and without a first-round pick, these wins are at least something to build on for next year.
26. Seattle Seahawks (5-10, N/A) LW: No. 24
Nightmare. That's Seattle's season in one word. The Seahawks were eliminated from playoff contention with a last-second loss to the Bears in Week 16. Are Russell Wilson and Pete Carrol on their way out?
27. Carolina Panthers (5-10, N/A) LW: No. 26
The Panthers are really, really bad, and Matt Rhule may have tricked all of us. Carolina has won just two of its last 12 games, and there are even less answers at quarterback than coming into this season.
28. Houston Texans (4-11, +N/A) LW: No. 29
Are the Texans winning too much? Davis Mills helped lead Houston to a blowout win over the Chargers on Sunday, and they've now won two in a row.
29. New York Jets (4-11, N/A) LW: No. 30
Zach Wilson outdueled Trevor Lawrence in Week 16, and he's showed some promise for the Jets over the past few weeks. New York will add more talent in the draft with Seattle's pick also looking like a top-10 selection.
30. New York Giants (4-11, N/A) LW: No. 27
The Giants are awful. Jake Fromm stunk it up in his first start his career, and Mike Glennon wasn't much better in relief. The only silver lining is New York should have two top 10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
31. Detroit Lions (2-12-1, N/A) LW: No. 31
The Lions gave the Atlanta Falcons a fight with Tim Boyle at quarterback, but they eventually fell short. Detroit has played a ton of close games this year, and rookie wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is developing into a solid young player.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13, N/A) LW: No. 32
Things keep getting worse for the Jags this season, as they lost to the New York Jets in Week 16. Trevor Lawrence failed to throw a touchdown pass for the fourth straight game, but the Jags are now the frontrunners for the No. 1 pick.