The 2023 NFL season is drawing to a close, with just two weeks of the regular season remaining. As Monday’s action draws to a close, let’s dive into our latest Week 17 NFL power rankings as New Year’s nears.
Related: NFL mock draft
Let’s dive into our Week 17 NFL power rankings.
Week 17 NFL power rankings:
32. Carolina Panthers
- Previously: 32nd in NFL power rankings
The Carolina Panthers organization set Bryce Young up to fail this season. He has been one of the worst rookie starting quarterbacks in NFL history and until Week 16, there wasn’t a single performance to provide Panthers fans with some hope. Maybe Young just benefited from facing a Joe Barry defense, but Sunday was the first time Young looked like a first-round quarterback and a long-term starter.
Related: Carolina Panthers coaching candidates
31. Washington Commanders
- Previously: 31st in NFL power rankings
There’s a reason some believed Jacoby Brissett was the best quarterback on the Washington Commanders roster. Sam Howell could pad his stats with empty calories, but he often was exposed in critical spots and struggled against quality defenses. He should have a long NFL career as a backup or spot-starter, but Washington needs a new general manager, head coach and quarterback.
Related: Washington Commanders coaching candidates
30. Arizona Cardinals
- Previously: 30th in NFL power rankings
Kyler Murray has demonstrated more than enough to be the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback in 2024. With a franchise-caliber player leading the offense, now it’s time to build around him. The top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft should obviously be spent on Marvin Harrison Jr., but Arizona would be wise to start finding some young, impact defenders for Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team
29. New England Patriots
- Previously: 29th in NFL power rankings
Bill Belichick’s defense and special teams potentially being the reason the New England Patriots won’t be in a position to draft Drake Maye is hilarious to everyone, except Patriots fans and this team’s next general manager and head coach. Belichick was never leaving without a fight and winning more games to hurt New England’s draft position feels like the most fitting end ever for this union. As for the consequences of missing out on Maye, just ask the New York Jets about the win that kept them from Trevor Lawrence.
Related: New England Patriots coaching candidates
28. Los Angeles Chargers
- Previously: 28th in NFL power rankings
At least it was close. With no Justin Herbert, Keenan Alen and an interim head coach, that’s about all we could ask for from the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss now drops them to 5-10 and with games remaining against the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, 5-12 feels inevitable. It’s about time to start evaluating Chargers general manager candidates.
Related: Los Angeles Chargers coaching candidates
27. New York Giants
- Previously: 24th in NFL power rankings
The Tommy DeVito era is over and one could argue that should be the same fate for Daniel Jones in 2024. However, the New York Giants have already committed to Jones as their starting quarterback next season, which is a major gamble. With all of the holes on New York’s roster, it feels like 2024 will deliver much closer results to what we’ve seen this year than what now seems like a fluke 2022 campaign.
Related: 2024 NFL salary cap projection
26. New York Jets
- Previously: 27th in NFL power rankings
It’s fair to wonder if the New York Jets would reconsider Robert Saleh’s future if they blew that game against Washington. After all, it was the Jets’ defense that allowed 21 second-half points, including two touchdown drives of 75-plus yards. Instead, New York won and Aaron Rodgers will get exactly what he wants in 2024.
Related: NFL insider reveals fate for Robert Saleh, Nathaniel Hackett in 2024
25. Tennessee Titans
- Previously: 26th in NFL power rankings
Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans love competing with quality teams and we saw that on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Derrick Henry provided fans with one final touchdown pass in what will be one of the last games in his Titans’ career and Tennessee reminded us why it’s so frustrating to see them compete in games like this only to lose to backup quarterbacks (Case Keenum, Gardner Minshew) in easier games.
Related: Jim Harbaugh contract asking price for NFL teams revealed
24. Chicago Bears
- Previously: 22nd in NFL power rankings
Regardless of how the 2023 ends for the Chicago Bears, they are one of the NFL teams we believe has the brightest future moving forward. Trading Justin Fields should net a second-round pick, Caleb Williams has superstar traits, this could be a top-12 defense in 2024 and they have the most draft capital in the NFL. Even if they don’t pursue a new head coach, which they should do, Chicago can win the NFC North in 2024.
Related: Chicago Bears coaching candidates
23. New Orleans Saints
- Previously: 18th in NFL power rankings
The New Orleans Saints still have a shot to win the NFC South, but this isn’t a quality team as long as Derek Carr is at quarterback and Dennis Allen is the head coach. Yes, there are issues on the Saints’ roster with both sides of the ball, but the coach and signal-caller are the two biggest influencers in the NFL and if the Carr-Allen duo returns in 2024, New Orleans will regret it by next Christmas.
Related: New Orleans Saints coaching candidates
22. Las Vegas Raiders
- Previously: 23rd in NFL power rankings
Performances like that from a team against their biggest rival aren’t forgotten. Make no mistake, the Las Vegas Raiders offense has been awful both before and after Antonio Pierce took over as interim coach. However, Las Vegas is playing harder than it has in two seasons and this defense’s second-half turnaround is incredible. Pierce’s resume to stick around as Raiders’ head coach in 2024 is very strong.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders coaching candidates
21. Minnesota Vikings
- Previously: 19th in NFL power rankings
In the end, the Minnesota Vikings season was over once Kirk Cousins went down. There were bright spots from backup quarterbacks at times, but those glimmers of hope were always followed by reminders of why Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens are career backups. With two games remaining against Detroit and Green Bay, the fascinating element becomes whether SKOL fans root for a win against a rival or a higher draft pick.
20. Atlanta Falcons
- Previously: 25th in NFL power rankings
A decisive win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 might’ve been just enough to save Arthur Smith’s job. With that said, we’ve seen games like this from Taylor Heinicke before and then the other shoe drops. If Atlanta wins one of its next two games, Smith is back in 2024. No matter what happens, though, this team can’t live in quarterback purgatory anymore.
Related: Atlanta Falcons coaching candidates
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19. Green Bay Packers
- Previously: 20th in NFL power rankings
Week 16 provided us with two takeaways for the Green Bay Packers. First, Jordan Love can deliver in the big moments and he’s shown more than enough to believe he has a realistic shot to be the next Packers’ franchise quarterback. Second, missing the playoffs in 2023 would squarely fall on the shoulders of Matt LaFleur because Joe Barry was a failed defensive coordinator before he arrived in Green Bay, has only gotten worse and LaFleur hasn’t moved on from his personal friend. Nepotimism has consequences.
Related: Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator candidates
18. Denver Broncos
- Previously: 17th in NFL power rankings
Ahead of Sunday Night Football, we remain endlessly fascinated by the Denver Broncos’ looming decision with Russell Wilson. He’s been fine this year, but his cap hit jumps to $35.4 million in 2024 and $55.4 million in 2025. If Wilson is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2024 league year, his $37 million salary in 2025 becomes fully guaranteed. Either a restructure is coming or Wilson is leaving.
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There’s no more fascination, Denver simply can’t keep Wilson in 2024. He’s a very limited quarterback at this point in his career, not the kind of player you commit $30 million to. Expect the Broncos to be in the quarterback market this spring, while Wilson will be a stop-gap quarterback somewhere.
17. Indianapolis Colts
- Previously: 13th in NFL power rankings
After stringing together four consecutive wins, the Indianapolis Colts have looked like the team playing a lot of backups in the last three weeks. Unfortunately, an ugly Week 116 loss will likely do serious damage to Shane Steichen’s COY odds, but the fact that Indianapolis even has eight wins right now is a testament to his coaching and game-planning.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Previously: 21st in NFL power rankings
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are rightfully celebrating the blowout victory in Week 16, it was much-needed for a team in the playoff hunt. However, it’s worth the reminder that Pittsburgh is still outside the top 20 in point differential (-34). Not only that but there were also overreactions to the victory over Cincinnati to close out November, which was followed up with three straight losses. We’ll wait to believe in the Steelers.
15. Seattle Seahawks
- Previously: 16th in NFL power rankings
It might be time to start discussions about the Seattle Seahawks hitting the reset button in 2024. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a roster reset, however. It’s evident that there’s plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and the NFL Draft could make this roster even stronger, but the Seahawks’ coaching staff isn’t getting remotely enough out of its personnel.
Related: NFL playoff predictions
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Previously: 12th in NFL power rankings
We touched on the dangers of nepotism with the Packers and it’s a similar story with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Philadelphia Eagles fired Doug Pederson because he was loyal to a fault, unwilling to make necessary changes to his staff. Fast forward a few years less, Pederson has never shown even a willingness to strip Press Taylor of play-calling duties. Friendships are great, but the moment they start interfering with on-field success, someone needs to be held accountable.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
- Previously: 10th in NFL power rankings
It all unraveled so quickly for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. When George Pickens made big plays and Jake Browning started turning the football over early, it felt like this game would get out of hand. Sure enough, Cincinnati was shit out in three quarters and the 34-11 score was closer than the matchup itself. Still, the month before this warrants some leniency for the Bengals.
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12. Houston Texans
- Previously: 11th in NFL power rankings
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, you can only get by and win games with a backup quarterback for so long if you don’t have an elite roster. Without C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Blake Cashman, Houston never stood a realistic chance against the Cleveland Browns. If Stroud and Anderson Jr. return next week, the Texans still have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.
Related: NFL Defensive Player of the Year race
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Previously: 15th in NFL power rankings
Todd Bowles saved his job and Baker Mayfield made a lot of money. We lost all faith in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they went from 5-1 to 4-7. A new month has delivered a different team. This isn’t a fluke either, victories over the Falcons, Packers and Jaguars are quality wins. With the Panthers still looming in Week 18, it feels safe to project Tampa Bay to finish with nine wins and likely take home the NFC South.
Related: Latest on Baker Mayfield’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17 NFL power rankings: Best NFL teams 2023
10. Los Angeles Rams
- Previously: 14th in NFL power rankings
Matthew Stafford won’t win MVP, Sean McVay won’t take home Coach of the Year and Puka Nacua has an uphill climb to win OROY. With all that said, the fact that all three are viable picks for the awards just highlights why the Los Angeles Rams are one of the hottest NFL teams right now. If Los Angeles can sneak into the playoffs, there’s enough firepower to get into a shootout with some of the NFC’s top teams.
Related: Fan of Los Angeles Sports? Check out LAFBNetwork.com
9. Kansas City Chiefs
- Previously: 6th in NFL power rankings
A lost 2023 season for the Kansas City Chiefs falls on general manager Brett Veach. He effectively ignored the receiving corps NFL Draft, resting Kansas City’s Super Bowl hopes entirely on Patrick Mahomes being able to turn backup wide receivers into playmakers. Making that awful bet is one thing, but doubling down on it by not even considering a move to address the issue at the NFL trade deadline is negligence as a general manager. Travis Kelce is losing the battle to Father Time and both he and Andy Reid won’t be around for long. Veach wasted a year of Mahomes’ prime and Kansas City is still going to lose Chris Jones in 2024. So, what justifies his plan?
Related: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator candidates
8. Philadelphia Eagles
- Previously: 8th in NFL power rankings
The Philadelphia Eagles control their destiny, just needing to defeat the Cardinals and Giants to clinch the NFC East and a home game in the Wild Card round. Yet, even the Week 16 victory over New York won’t leave fans feeling any regained confidence in this team. The Eagles just aren’t a Super Bowl contender right now and it feels like bigger changes might be needed this offseason before this is viewed as one of the elite NFL teams again.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles players reportedly turning on one another
7. Cleveland Browns
- Previously: 9th in NFL power rankings
For as bad as the Deshaun Watson trade remains for the Cleveland Browns, the Amari Cooper trade was an all-time heist. One of the most underrated players in the NFL led his team to a dominant victory over Houston in Week 16. We also can’t help but recognize that the NFL COY case for Kevin Stefanski is as strong as anyone in football.
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6. Dallas Cowboys
- Previously: 4th in NFL power rankings
The Dallas Cowboys have now lost road games to the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Considering Mike McCarthy’s team is now destined for a road playoff game and this squad is underperforming, the Cowboys are right on track for their annual quick exit from the postseason. It’s a tradition unlike any other.
5. Detroit Lions
- Previously: 7th in NFL power rankings
The Detroit Lions are NFC North champions for the first time in franchise history and will host a playoff game for the first time since 1993. Defensive issues and turnovers don’t matter right now, this is a monumental moment for the Lions’ organization. Detroit’s fans have waited decades for this and while winning the NFC North was expected, it should still be celebrated like a franchise-defining moment.
Related: Longest playoff droughts in sports history
4. Buffalo Bills
- Previously: 3rd in NFL power rankings
It was an ugly win for the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, but they’ll happily sign up for those after close losses to the Patriots, Bengals, Broncos and Eagles earlier this year. The most important thing for Buffalo is that the win boosted their playoff odds to 68 percent. Best of all, one more victory against New England followed by the Miami Dolphins losing one of their next two games will make that Week 18 matchup against the Miami Dolphins a battle for the AFC East crown.
3. Miami Dolphins
- Previously: 5th in NFL power rankings
There was only one thing missing on the Miami Dolphins’ resume, a signature win against one of the best teams in the NFL. Mission accomplished. Jason Sanders was the unlikely hero for Miami in Week 16, but this was truly a team-wide effort and the Dolphins proved they have enough to make a Super Bowl run.
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2. San Francisco 49ers
- Previously: 1st in NFL power rankings
If you play that San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens game 100 times, some of those interceptions happen in less than 10 instances. Then again, we’ve never seen a referee cause a safety before. The 49ers are still clearly the best team in the NFC and as long as Trent Williams is healthy, they could win a rematch against Baltimore in the Super Bowl.
1. Baltimore Ravens
- Previously: 1st in NFL power rankings
The team most well-equipped to limit the San Francisco 49ers offense is the Baltimore Ravens. We saw that after picking off five of San Francisco’s 46 pass attempts. This Ravens defense showed it will capitalize if you make mistakes, all while Lamar Jackson plays nearly flawlessly on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Polished on both sides, the Ravens are a nasty team.
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