Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

The Packers inch up a little closer to the top, with the Eagles weakening slightly

For more info you can find the archive of previous Power Rankings posts, including the initial offseason rankings that detail much of the methodology of coming up with the Week 1 rankings, which only carry roughly 2% weight at this point in the season.

TEAM OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE STRENGTH

*Downloadable power ratings/rankings available in the paid subscriber Google sheet.

I revamped this plot below to only factor in 2024 numbers. It’s a clearer delineation of how teams have performed so far this year, knowing that I also add in some 2023 priors and injury adjustments, primarily at quarterback.

There are basically two grouping of teams in the top-tier of the NFL. One that has elite offense and okay defense (Bills, Ravens, Lions), and the other has elite defense and good offense (Packers, Vikings, Eagles). Then there also the Kansas City Chiefs who are on the cusp on the top-tier, and fall somewhere between offensively and defensively. You never want to rule of the Chiefs. That said, they haven’t played on the same level as the other top-6 teams so far this year.

The 49ers and Bengals are still hanging around in the second tier, despite the former being knocked out the playoffs and the latter with a small chance of making it (roughly 5%).

Teams with stronger records can still be clearly in the third tier of the NFL in performance this season, including the Steelers and Chargers.

UNEXPECTED POINTS POWER RANKINGS