2017 NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

There’s a huge change at the top of my power rankings. For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are number one on my rankings. The Steelers are at 11 and 2.  The only other team at 11 and 2 are the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers get the nod over the Eagles because of 1 devastating injury.

2017 NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

The Steelers were all out to beat the Baltimore Ravens 39 to 38 in Week 14. Pittsburgh is now the top team on my power rankings. I think they stay here after Week 15 because I believe they beat the New England Patriots.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)

The Eagles are without QB Carson Wentz the rest of this season. I’ve got the Eagles at number 2 on my rankings this week. I don’t believe they’ll be number 2 on my rankings next week. I just don’t see the Eagles having the same success without Wentz.

3. New England Patriots (10-3)

The Patriots only drop a spot. Why? New England could have beaten Miami. Also, the Patriots are one of the few teams in the NFL that can make necessary changes.

4. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)

Losing to the Carolina Panthers on the road isn’t that big of a deal. Minnesota had won their previous 3 road games. The Vikings were due for a slight let down.

5. New Orleans Saints (9-4)

Yep, the Saints lost to the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday night. The thing to remember is that New Orleans was banged up. It still took an interception from Drew Brees for the Falcons to close the deal on New Orleans.

6. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

The Rams squandered a lead over the Philadelphia Eagles. That tells me that LAR might not be ready for a deep playoff run.

7. Carolina Panthers (9-4)

What impress me about Carolina’s win over the Minnesota Vikings was how the offense took apart one of the best defenses in the league. What didn’t impress me is how the top-rated defense in the NFL, the Panthers, allowed Minnesota to score 24 points.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)

The Jaguars’ offense has started to come to life. Jacksonville has scored 30 points in the Jags last 2 games. If the defense can continue to play well, who knows? Jags might have a shot in the playoffs.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)

The hottest team in the NFL should bury the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The Chargers are my dog pick to win Super Bowl 52.

10. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

The Ravens have gelled on both offense and defense. I think if the Ravens make it to the postseason, they, like the Bolts, deserve a long look as an underdog Super Bowl winner.

11. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)

Here’s another team that impressed me in Week 14. The Boys have finally gotten things together. First, Sean Lee returned in Week 14. That solved the defensive issues. Second, Dallas decided to rush the football even though Ezekiel Elliott isn’t eligible until Week 16.

12. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

I thought the Hawks might drop a game to the Jaguars. The match up doesn’t favor Seattle. Seattle should beat the Rams this Sunday, though.

13. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Although Atlanta beat the Saints this past Thursday, I’m not sold on the Falcons. I just don’t feel they’ve got enough to make an impact in the playoffs.

14. Green Bay Packers (7-6)

If Aaron Rodgers plays in Week 15, the Packers could upset the Carolina Panthers. If he doesn’t, the Packers are toast. Green Bay had better player Rodgers. They can still make it to the postseason.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)

Kansas City only looked good in Week 14 because they battled the Oakland Raiders. Let’s not kid ourselves. The Chiefs are done.

16. Detroit Lions (7-6)

As long as Detroit has Matthew Stafford, they can win games. Stafford’s completed over 80% of his passes in the Lions last 2 contests.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-5)

Tennessee was a horrible 8 and 4 team. Now, the Titans are a terrible 8 and 5 team. I don’t see Tennessee doing much of anything if they miraculously make the playoffs. That’s right. I think the Titans meltdown and miss the postseason.

18. Buffalo Bills (7-6)

Buffalo’s gritty victory over Indianapolis showed me nothing. Okay, it showed me something. How did the Bills only score 13 points versus the Colts defense? Yeah, I know Tyrod Taylor was hurt. So, what?

19. Miami Dolphins (6-7)

It took 15 weeks, but the Miami Dolphins finally played a complete game on both offense and defense. The Dolphins beat the Patriots 27 to 20 this past Monday night.

20. Oakland Raiders (6-7)

This is the team that was an 8 to 1 shot to win Super Bowl 52 before the season started? This team? No…must be a mistake.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)

The way the Bengals just lied down and took it in the groin against the Chicago Bears was disheartening. So much for Cincinnati trying to win this season.

22. New York Jets (5-8)

Denver hadn’t won a game since Oct. 1. Leave it up to the Jets to help the Broncos get back into the win column. Man, the Jets were terrible in Week 14.

23. Washington Redskins (5-8)

Washington looks like a bunch of quitters. There’s no reason for Washington to continue to win. They’re not going to resign QB Kirk Cousins.

24. Arizona Cardinals (5-8)

The Cardinals haven’t quit. That’s why I believe AZ pummels Washington the road in Week 15.

25. Chicago Bears (4-9)

The Bears looked great when dominating the Cincinnati Bengals. Don’t be surprised if that attitude carries over to Chicago’s road tilt versus the rival Detroit Lions in Week 15.

26. Denver Broncos (4-9)

Denver’s offense is still garbage. If the offense doesn’t turn the ball over, though, the defense can beat opponents all by itself.

27. San Francisco 49’ers (3-10)

2 wins a row for the San Francisco 49’ers after they beat Houston in Week 14. Why not make it 3? I think the 49’ers beat and cover versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.

28. Houston Texans (4-9)

Should Tom Savage had continued to play after suffering what appeared to be a concussion? Probably not. Just shows everyone the huge holes in the NFL Concussion Protocol.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9)

The Bucs haven’t improved at all this season. It doesn’t look like Jameis Winston has improved either. He threw 2 interceptions in Tampa’s loss to Detroit in Week 14. Winston led a furious Tampa rally that almost led to at least a tie. But, like what’s been the case with the Bucs this season, they fell short.

30. Indianapolis Colts (3-10)

The Colts are horrible. Indianapolis faced a Buffalo Bills team without QB Tyrod Taylor. All the Colts needed was for their offense to score it’s average of 16.3 points. Heck, if the Colts had just scored 14 points, they might have won. Nope. That couldn’t happen. One of the reasons why is because QB Jacoby Brissett threw for 68 yards. Yes, you read that right. 68 passing yards.

31. New York Giants (2-11)

I believe the Giants are a better team than the Indianapolis Colts. But, how do you go into the 4th quarter versus the Dallas Cowboys tied at 10 to 10, and then end up losing 10 to 30? You do that because you’re the New York Giants. Eli threw 2 interceptions in the loss. Maybe, Geno Smith is the answer at QB.

32. Cleveland Browns (0-13)

Are the Cleveland Browns tanking games? This time, yes, I believe they are. Can anyone explain to me how if you’re the Cleveland Browns, you don’t find a way to win a game even though you’ve got a 14 points lead heading into the fourth? Seriously? You can’t close the door on the Green Bay Packers without QB Aaron Rodgers? The Browns not only allowed the Packers to tie the game, they also lost in overtime when Green Bay scored a TD. Shameful.