NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Ravens move to the top, Chiefs drop a bit and Bucs, Falcons rise after wins

Taylor Heinicke got the Falcons offense going in an impressive victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Dec 26, 2023 at 01:38 PM

Scott Bair

Falcons Digital Managing Editor

Lamar Jackson might've just sealed up the NFL MVP award with Monday night's victory over the 49ers. Merry Christmas to the Ravens, who weathered a long contract impasse but ended up retaining the quarterback long-term and then gave him the receivers required to maximize the quarterback's vast potential.

What we've seen from Baltimore since has been impressive as heck.

Jackson's team is the NFL's best, well staffed for a deep playoff run and possibly a rematch with the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Jackson is a face of the franchise and the league, someone who plays fun, high-quality football.

There has been some reshuffling at the top of these Week 17 NFL power rankings, with a few teams now chasing the Ravens at the top, with the NFC South remaining tightly packed after wins from the Falcons and Buccaneers. Let's take a look at how the whole league shakes out heading into the last two weeks of the season:

(12-3)

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson: Worth every penny.

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(11-4)

San Francisco 49ers

49ers got beat up by Baltimore, casting at least a shadow of doubt over the presumption they're set to win the Super Bowl.

(11-4)

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins now have a spot in the postseason. They'll be a tough out this winter.

(9-6)

Buffalo Bills

Bills are back in the playoff picture. Where they belong.

(11-4)

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles halted a three-game losing streak, but they still look shaky.

(11-4)

Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions: NFC North champions. Enjoy it, Detroit. It has been a while.

(10-5)

Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys have struggled to win on the road. Could be a major factor this postseason, especially if they don't win the NFC East.

(10-5)

Cleveland Browns

This Joe Flacco story is really fun.

(9-6)

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City looks beatable. That's something not often said during the Reid/Mahomes era.

(8-7)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs are scalding hot. That's bad news for the Falcons.

(8-7)

Los Angeles Rams

Shohei Ohtani was wearing a Puka Nacua jersey at the Rams game. That's how big the rookie WR has gotten in L.A.

(8-7)

Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll has more energy than guys half his age.

(8-7)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Falcons fans aren't happy with the Jags, who couldn't hand Tampa Bay an 'L' that Atlanta desperately needed.

(8-7)

Houston Texans

Texans need C.J. Stroud back, like, stat.

(8-7)

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals aren't the same without Ja'Marr Chase, who kept the Cincy going without Joe Burrow.

(8-7)

Indianapolis Colts

Colts are fortunate each AFC South contender took a step back in Week 16.

(8-7)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin's going to finish above .500 again, isn't he?

(7-8)

Las Vegas Raiders

Just give Antonio Pierce the full-time gig already. That dude is a Raider through and through.

(7-8)

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons put a complete performance together in a dominant win over Indy. Might be too late to claim the NFC South.

(7-8)

Denver Broncos

Sean Payton has been brutally honest about his lackluster offense. His criticism is fair. Russ Wilson's crew hasn't been good enough.

(7-8)

Green Bay Packers

Will the Packers stick with Jordan Love? They probably should.

(7-8)

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings have a massive quarterback problem, now and in the future.

(6-9)

Chicago Bears

This version of the Bears is competitive as heck. Chicago has some tough decisions ahead this offseason.

(7-8)

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans is losing games it has to win. It's possible some Saints end up on a hot seat.

(6-9)

New York Jets

Breece Hall will pair well with Aaron Rodgers next season.

(5-10)

New York Giants

The Tommy DeVito benching doesn't play into the rags-to-riches narrative.

(5-10)

Los Angeles Chargers

Khalil Mack has been awesome this season. Too bad the effort was wasted on a lost season in L.A.

(5-10)

Tennessee Titans

Titans have been contenders for a long time. Not this year, which means it might be time for some significant roster changes.

(4-11)

New England Patriots

This Patriots team hasn't quit. That was clear with a win over Denver, but they've got lots of problems (including at quarterback).

(3-12)

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals need so much. That has been clear during a season of struggles.

(4-11)

Washington Commanders

Has the Sam Howell experiment come to an end?

(2-13)

Carolina Panthers

Panthers have shown better in recent weeks but are still close to handing the No. 1 pick to Chicago.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Ravens move to the top, Chiefs drop a bit and Bucs, Falcons rise after wins

Taylor Heinicke got the Falcons offense going in an impressive victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Related Links

Call for questions

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