2011 NFL Power Rankings | Week 17
How do you know your terrible season is only getting worse? When the formerly 0-13 Indianapolis Colts suddenly go on a two-game winning streak. The worst team in the league that had the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft wrapped up is literally one accidental win over the Jacksonville Jaguars from wasting a complete waste of a season.
Tell me if that made any sense.
While the Colts try not to try so hard in week 17, there are playoff seeds, division titles, and wild card spots to be had in a festive, exciting grand finale of this insane 2011 NFL season.
Before we get to the mess of what will become this week, let’s see how everyone stacks up in our Week 17 NFL Power Rankings:
1.
Green Bay Packers (14-1)
They responded to their first loss in the best way possible – by drubbing the Bears at home. Now they aim to finish off the Lions at home and go hot into the playoffs.
2.
New Orleans Saints (12-3)
Dan Marino record? Check. Steamroll through the playoffs and get another Super Bowl? Pending.
3.
New England Patriots (12-3)
Miami gave them a scare, but this is still a badass Patriots team. That defense will keep all of their playoff games down to the wire, though.
4. 
San Francisco 49ers (12-3)
For all the chatter about the Packers, not many people are giving this tough 49ers squad the credit they deserve.
5.
Baltimore Ravens (11-4)
A win over Cincy, and they have a first round bye and the division. A loss, and they’re playing a road playoff game.
6.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)
If they can limp past the lowly Browns, the Bengals could beat the Ravens and give the Steelers the division and a bye this week.
7.
Detroit Lions (10-5)
They’re in! They’re in! They’re in!
8.
Houston Texans (10-5)
The hype is dying down. It’s awesome that the Texans won their division and have made the playoffs for the first time in history. It’s just sad that it’s painfully clear that’s where this story ends.
9. 
Atlanta Falcons (9-6)
Despite the loss to the Saints, they made the playoffs in week 16. So, that’s pretty sweet.
10.
New York Giants (8-7)
Even though they’re collapsing just as bad as they have in the past two seasons (if not worse), this Giants team still has a shot at the division and a playoff spot. And as inconsistent as they can be, no one wants them in. You can count on that.
11.
Dallas Cowboys (8-7)
They’re on the road against the Giants, playing for their division and the final spot in the NFC playoffs. I have a feeling Tony Romo wouldn’t have it any other way.
12. 
Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)
This year was all about moving on from past icons and building with new pieces. And if that somehow means a return to the playoffs, then damnit, Bengals fans will take it!
13.
Denver Broncos (8-7)
That was a terrible game by Tim Tebow against the Bills. But one bad game doesn’t erase all the good he’s done. If he turns around and gets these Broncos into the playoffs, those 4 picks will be a thing of the past.
14.
New York Jets (8-7)
It’s down to a win and a Bengals and Raiders loss. Not the formula a team that has been guaranteed to win the Super Bowl usually uses to make the playoffs.
15. 
Oakland Raiders (8-7)
Knock’em all you want, but with their backs against the wall, the Raiders won when they had to. Now it’s do-or-die time again this week against the Chargers.
16.
Tennessee Titans (8-7)
The playoffs are looking bleak, but at least Chris Johnson can top 1,000 yards rushing and cash in on his contract bonuses, right? Yeah!
17. 
Philadelphia Eagles (7-8)
I know it’s too little too late, but if the Eagles close hard and get to 8-8, shouldn’t that be enough to show everyone that they haven’t stopped listening to Andy Reid?
18. 
San Diego Chargers (7-8)
I know their playoff chances weren’t great, but talk about not even showing up against the Lions.
19. 
Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
In the end they’re just a mediocre team that got hot too late, but something tells me no one wanted to see these feisty Cardinals in the playoffs.
20. 
Seattle Seahawks (7-8)
The dream is dead, but hats off to Marshawn Lynch for being the first running back all year to score on the 49ers. That’s impressive stuff.
21. 
Carolina Panthers (6-9)
The defense needs a lot of work, but can be all just agree that this offense is going to be one to fear in 2012?
22. 
Miami Dolphins (5-10)
We continue to see every week that these Dolphins simply cannot be judged by their record. If they land a good coach, they could be a team to watch in 2012.
23. 
Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
24. 
Washington Redskins (5-10)
Rex Grossman’s 2011 isn’t all that pretty by the numbers, but something tells me the Redskins would be playing for at least a .500 record had he never been benched.
25. 
Buffalo Bills (6-9)
They finally got that elusive win that evaded them for the past two months. Yay.
Chicago Bears (7-8)Hey, if Josh McCown can’t right the ship, who can? Am I right?
27. 
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)
A lot of changes need to be made to make this team competitive again.
28. 
Cleveland Browns (4-11)
Hats off to Peyton Hillis for mashing up the so-called tough Ravens run defense. The rest of the Browns offense should just be ashamed of themselves.
29. 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)
Raheem Morris will make a fine defensive coordinator somewhere.
30. 
Minnesota Vikings (3-12)
Just when their season couldn’t get worse, they lose Adrian Peterson to a serious knee injury. Now, THAT’s why you don’t play your stud running back when you’re 2-12!
31. 
Indianapolis Colts (2-13)
Well, now just hold on a second there. It was nice to stop the 0-16 talk, but let’s not get carried away…
32. 
St. Louis Rams (2-13)
Let the new head coach rumors begin!
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