NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Eagles still on top after loss to Cowboys, with Joe Burrow and Bengals in hot pursuit while 49ers keep moving up

Falcons drop another spot after loss to Ravens

Dec 26, 2022 at 11:05 PM

Falcons Digital Managing Editor

The playoff picture is starting to clear up. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they're no longer in it.

Tampa Bay won a big game over Arizona on Christmas night, with the Panthers in close pursuit with a pivotal game against the Bucs in Week 17.

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The entire NFC East might (key word: might) end up making the playoffs. The Jaguars are in first place, with a Week 18 contest versus Tennessee for all the marbles. There are some big games coming up for some, while others are playing out the string.

Some are working with an interim coach -- how well is Steve Wilks doing in Carolina?!? -- with Denver most recent to join the club after Nathaniel Hackett was fired on Monday.

We've also seen some quarterback changes in Indianapolis and the New York Jets, with a few more possible as the week carries on. Let's take a look at what all that action did to the league hierarchy in this week's NFL Power Rankings:

(13-2)

Philadelphia Eagles

A loss without Hurts is not a huge deal. Losing Lane Johnson is, even if it's not forever.

(11-4)

Cincinnati Bengals

Going out on a limb here: Bengals won't lose again.

(12-3)

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is so, so deep. They can weather most any storm. Get it? Get it?

(11-4)

San Francisco 49ers

A dominant defense, CMC and the Purdy-Kittle connection will make 49ers tough to beat..

(12-3)

Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce has been unreal this season.

(9-6)

Los Angeles Chargers

I think we can take the Bunsen burner off Brandon Staley's seat.

(12-3)

Minnesota Vikings

Needed a FG from how long to win another one?!? Vikings are thriving by the closest of margins.

(11-4)

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas beat Philly. Wow. Oh wait, Hurts wasn't playing? Ho hum.

(9-5)

Baltimore Ravens

Ravens clinched a playoff spot without Lamar, but they're going to need him healthy to do anything this winter.

(7-8)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jags are on a roll. When Trevor's on, Jacksonville's tough to stop.

(8-7)

Miami Dolphins

Tua's in the protocol again?!? Promising Dolphins season is getting looking bleak. They're clinging to a playoff spot.

(7-8)

Green Bay Packers

Packers had everything go right last week. Rodgers must've found a four-leaf clover.

(7-8)

Detroit Lions

Setback against Carolina was ill-timed. Really hurts playoff hopes.

(8-6-1)

New York Giants

Is their luck starting to run out??

(7-7-1)

Washington Commanders

Wentz or Heinicke?? There's only one choice, Ron.

(7-8)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin always finds a way.

(7-8)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are so bad. Until the last two minutes.

(7-7)

Seattle Seahawks

Remember a time, like, not that long ago, when the Seahawks were atop the NFC West??

(7-8)

New York Jets

Zach Wilson flames out fast.

(6-9)

Carolina Panthers

Steve Wilks deserves a medal.

(7-8)

New England Patriots

Gotta make some changes to the coaching staff, right Bill?

(6-9)

New Orleans Saints

Saints starting to figure it out (a bit). Just a bit too late for them.

(7-8)

Tennessee Titans

Titans have lost (checks notes)...five straight?!?

(6-9)

Las Vegas Raiders

Another brutal loss on the ledger. What a disappointing season for the Silver and Black.

(5-10)

Los Angeles Rams

If only the Rams could play Denver every week.

(6-9)

Cleveland Browns

Browns are not getting good quarterback play.

(5-10)

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention due to a losing streak that has gone on too long.

(3-12)

Chicago Bears

Bears won't shut Justin Fields down. Nor should they. He needs every snap he can get.

(4-10-1)

Indianapolis Colts

I think QBs are taking blame for this Colts mess. Not sure quarterbacks are the problem here.

(4-11)

Arizona Cardinals

Wholesale changes might be coming.

(2-12-1)

Houston Texans

Texans got a win! In related news: Pigs can fly.

(4-11)

Denver Broncos

Give up a 50 burger to a 4-10 team and then fire the head coach. Broncos are an unmitigated disaster.

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 is seen prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 and cornerback Darren Hall #34 prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 arrives prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Parker Hesse #46 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall #34 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 talks with receivers prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Tori McElhaney boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 walks out prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 lines up during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 returns a kick during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 rushes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to take a snap during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 rushes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker David Anenih #59 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 warms up on the sideline during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 defends a pass during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 arrives prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 is seen prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons players run out prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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General view of fans during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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