From the Dallas Cowboys clinching the NFC East to the Pittsburgh Steelers earning a playoff spot, let's not waste any more time and take a look at the 2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 17 (Pre Monday Night Edition).
32. Tennessee Titans 2-13 (32)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
32. Tennessee Titans 2-13 (32)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
You know things are going bad when you can't even manage to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Tennessee Titans are a young team with plenty of areas in need of improvement as they're coming off their ninth-straight loss.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-13 (28)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-13 (28)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
While the defense held the Green Bay Packers to fewer points than expected, nobody really gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers much of a chance to win on Sunday. Once again, the Buccaneers struggled to find ways to get Mike Evans the ball more on offense.
30. New York Jets 3-12 (27)
(Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
30. New York Jets 3-12 (27)
(Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
For a team with nothing to lose, you have to give the New York Jets credit for only losing by one point to the New England Patriots. Still, the questions remain when it comes to whether or not Geno Smith is the answer for this team at quarterback.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-12 (31)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-12 (31)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
With the way things have been this season, let's just be glad the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to win at home against the Titans--or they would have hit a new rock bottom.
28. Chicago Bears 5-10 (26)
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
28. Chicago Bears 5-10 (26)
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Who would have thought the Chicago Bears would keep close with the Detroit Lions with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback? The defense finally looked decent, but this is still a team that desperately needs to clean house this offseason.
27. Washington Redskins 4-11 (30)
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
27. Washington Redskins 4-11 (30)
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Maybe there's some hope for Robert Griiffin III and Jay Gruden working together after all as the Washington Redskins shocked the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. You know this win was even more sweet for DeSean Jackson as the win would end up eliminating the Eagles from playoff contention.
26. Oakland Raiders 3-12 (29)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
26. Oakland Raiders 3-12 (29)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Latavius Murray (86 rushing yards) continues to impress for the Oakland Raiders--who surprisingly have won three of their last five games. With all of the experience Derek Carr is gaining as a rookie, we can't wait to see what's in store for year two.
25. Cleveland Browns 7-8 (25)
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
25. Cleveland Browns 7-8 (25)
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Make that five losses over the last six games for the Cleveland Browns as a solid defensive performance went to waste against the Carolina Panthers. And what do you know--we got to see Brian Hoyer again at quarterback for the Browns.
24. San Francisco 49ers 7-8 (24)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
24. San Francisco 49ers 7-8 (24)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This was a game the San Francisco 49ers should have never lost as too many mistakes towards the end of the game cost this team a victory against the San Diego Chargers. On another note, how impressive was that 90-yard touchdown run by Colin Kaepernick?
23. Minnesota Vikings 6-9 (21)
(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
23. Minnesota Vikings 6-9 (21)
(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Even though they'll finish the year with a losing record, the Minnesota Vikings have to be pleased with the way this season has gone without Adrian Peterson. This team fought hard against the Miami Dolphins and unfortunately they came up on the losing end in what turned out to be a crazy fourth quarter.
22. St. Louis Rams 6-9 (18)
(Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
22. St. Louis Rams 6-9 (18)
(Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
The defense has looked impressive at times when playing at home this year, but the St. Louis Rams simply had no answers for stopping Eli Manning and the New York Giants on offense. At least the Rams saw Kenny Britt (nine catches for 103 yards) display an impressive performance.
21. New York Giants 6-9 (23)
(Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
21. New York Giants 6-9 (23)
(Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Can you imagine if Eli Manning (391 passing yards with three touchdowns) had played this well all season? At least the New York Giants can end this disappointing season on a positive note knowing how dangerous the Manning and Odell Beckham connection will be in 2014.
20. New Orleans Saints 6-9 (16)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
20. New Orleans Saints 6-9 (16)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Once again, the New Orleans Saints get us excited about being the favorites in the NFC South--only to suffer an embarrassing loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons. Drew Brees and company are no longer the dangerous threat they used to be when playing at home and will now be watching the playoffs at home in January.
19. Philadelphia Eagles 9-6 (13)
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
19. Philadelphia Eagles 9-6 (13)
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
It's difficult to believe the Philadelphia Eagles seemed to be the favorites in the NFC East a couple of weeks ago. It's embarrassing to see the Eagles on a three-game losing streak and too many penalties against the Redskins cost this team from staying in the playoff hunt.
18. Buffalo Bills 8-7 (14)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
18. Buffalo Bills 8-7 (14)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
How does a team upset the Green Bay Packers one week and lose to the Oakland Raiders the following week? So much for all that praise we gave the Buffalo Bills from Week 15 as the defense just couldn't get anything going against the Raiders.
17. Miami Dolphins 8-7 (22)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
17. Miami Dolphins 8-7 (22)
(Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
Once again, Ryan Tannehill (396 passing yards with four touchdowns) puts on a performance to make us think he is the answer for the Miami Dolphins at quarterback. Unfortunately, the Dolphins could have used this performance in some other games this year as Miami has already been eliminated from the playoffs.
16. Houston Texans 8-7 (19)
(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
16. Houston Texans 8-7 (19)
(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Believe it or not, the Houston Texans are still alive in the playoff hunt thanks to Sunday's win against the Baltimore Ravens. The defense of the Texans continues to play at a high level as J.J. Watt should strongly be considered for taking home MVP honors.
15. Atlanta Falcons 6-9 (20)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
15. Atlanta Falcons 6-9 (20)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
There's something special about Matt Ryan playing against the Saints as this was one of the most shocking wins from Week 16. All of a sudden, the Falcons can clinch the NFC South with a win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
14. Carolina Panthers 6-8-1 (17)
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
14. Carolina Panthers 6-8-1 (17)
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Speaking of the NFC South, it was good to see Cam Newton looking just fine in his first game back since he was in a car accident. The Carolina Panthers may not have lived up to their offseason expectations, but they can still fix everything by making the playoffs with a win over Atlanta on Sunday.
13. Kansas City Chiefs 8-7 (11)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
13. Kansas City Chiefs 8-7 (11)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers hurt their playoff chances, but the Kansas City Chiefs can still get in with some help next weekend. Still, this has to be frustrating when considering how many close games the Chiefs have lost throughout the season--especially on Sunday.
12. San Diego Chargers 9-6 (15)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
12. San Diego Chargers 9-6 (15)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
For whatever reason, the San Diego Chargers love December football with Philip Rivers at quarterback. Give this team plenty of credit for pulling off one heck of a comeback against the 49ers on the road to help control their own playoff destiny.
11. Baltimore Ravens 9-6 (8)
(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
11. Baltimore Ravens 9-6 (8)
(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
All of a sudden, the Baltimore Ravens will need some help if they're going to earn a spot in the playoffs. Sunday's loss to the Texans was brutal and now there's even more pressure on this team for their regular season finale against the Browns.
10. Indianapolis Colts 10-5 (7)
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
10. Indianapolis Colts 10-5 (7)
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
We understand T.Y. Hilton was out of the lineup, but this was just an embarrassing loss for Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. This may have been Luck's (109 passing yards with two interceptions) most embarrassing performance of the year.
9. Arizona Cardinals 11-4 (5)
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
9. Arizona Cardinals 11-4 (5)
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals have now scored nine points in two games against the Seattle Seahawks this year. If only the Cardinals weren't struggling at quarterback--this would be a completely different team right now.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-5 (12)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-5 (12)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to lock up a playoff spot with an impressive win over the Chiefs on Sunday. Now, it's up to the Cincinnati Bengals to see what happens next for this team in the final week.
7. Cincinnati Bengals 9-4-1 (10)
(Jason Miller/Getty Images)
7. Cincinnati Bengals 9-4-1 (10)
(Jason Miller/Getty Images)
With the Steelers winning on Sunday, there's even more pressure on the Cincinnati Bengals to come through on the winning end during Monday Night Football. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, they have to square off against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos--which obviously won't be easy.
6. Detroit Lions 11-4 (9)
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
6. Detroit Lions 11-4 (9)
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
It was closer than expected, but the Detroit Lions came up with a big win over the Bears and even punched a ticket to the postseason thanks to the Eagles. Now, if only Matthew Stafford and company can figure out a way to end their road woes against the Green Bay Packers.
5. Dallas Cowboys 11-4 (6)
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
5. Dallas Cowboys 11-4 (6)
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
How about them Dallas Cowboys? This may have been the most impressive performance by Tony Romo and company on the year as they're playing some of their best football at the right time--which is bad news for the rest of the teams in the NFC.
4. Green Bay Packers 11-4 (5)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
4. Green Bay Packers 11-4 (5)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It wasn't the most impressive performance, but Aaron Rodgers helped the Green Bay Packers bounce back with a win over the Buccaneers. Week 17 will certainly be fun to watch with the division on the line against the Lions.
3. Denver Broncos 11-3 (3)
(Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
3. Denver Broncos 11-3 (3)
(Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Thanks to the New England Patriots, Peyton Manning realizes how big Monday's game against the Bengals is when it comes to home-field advantage. Don't be surprised if the Denver Broncos find themselves in a shootout in this one.
2. Seattle Seahawks 11-4 (2)
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2. Seattle Seahawks 11-4 (2)
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks may be the hottest team in football as they find themselves in position to earn the No. 1 seed heading into the final week of the regular season. With five-straight wins, no NFC team wants to be playing in Seattle right now--nobody.
1. New England Patriots 12-3 (1)
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
1. New England Patriots 12-3 (1)
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but Tom Brady and the New England Patriots earned themselves a first-round bye with a win over the Jets. Even without Julian Edleman, the Patriots still managed to come up on the winning end and can lock up the No. 1 seed with a win next weekend against Buffalo.
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If the Baltimore Ravens have any chance at making the AFC playoffs, they'll need a win against Cleveland in Week 17, plus a little bit of help from around the league. Read More
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