Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Plenty to Play for in Final Week

New Batch of NFL Power Rankings

Welcome to the Final Week of the NFL Regular Season, and yet another installment of the NFL Power Rankings!!

Week 17 saw more teams clinch, and finally, a team locking in their playoff seeding. As for Week 18, that brings a lot of seeding choices to be determined, something that should make this week very interesting.

Week 18 will come down to the survival of the fittest, and boy oh boy, it is about to get crazy!

Now, before we dive into Week 17 make sure you check out last week!!

With that now out of the way, let’s see this week’s NFL Power Rankings!!

32. Jacksonville Jaguars- 2-14 (Last Week- 32) – ELIMINATED

Not much to be said here… On to 2022 for the Jacksonville Jaguars…

They face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in their final game…

31. New York Giants 4-12 (Last Week- 31) – ELIMINATED

I honestly had no idea if the comments by Judge, saying that the organization “ain’t not clown show” was sarcastic or not, but either way, it 100 percent is at the moment. With Judge returning for his third season, it will be interesting to see what changes come to the Giants.

Giants close out the season by hosting the Football Team on Sunday…

30. Detroit Lions 2-13-1 (Last Week- 29) – ELIMINATED

This team has a bright future ahead of them if they can stay on track.

They close out the season Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers.

29. Carolina Panthers 5-11 (Last Week – 30) – ELIMINATED

Not much to say here, I will cover more about their upcoming offseason next week.

So, until then, they head to Tampa to close out the season against the Buccaneers.

28. Chicago Bears 6-10 (Last Week- 27) – ELIMINATED

Nagy is done after the last game of the season according to reports. It is only fitting that they killed the Giants in Week 17 because if they didn’t, Nagy should have been fired then and there. Anywho, the team has had its ups and downs this season for sure, they are only just a few pieces away from contending.

They finish off their season in Minnesota against the Vikings.

27. New York Jets 4-12 (Last Week- 26) – ELIMINATED

The Jets fought hard against the Bucs in Week 17, in fact, they were winning up until the final seconds. Zach WIlson has shown some promise these last few weeks, which is exactly what needed to happen.

Gang Green has a big offseason ahead, that could make or break their future. First, though, they must head to Buffalo to close out the season against the Bills.

26. Houston Texans 4-12 (Last Week- 23) – ELIMINATED

Houston may have something brewing, Davis Mills has looked excellent the last few weeks, and with the focus shifting to the draft now, Houston can look towards possibly other areas of need that’s not a QB.

They get set to take on the Titans on Sunday to close out the season.

25. Seattle Seahawks 6-10 (Last Week – 28) – ELIMINATED

Seattle looked like Seattle of old on Sunday. Now, given it was the Detroit Lions it was still good to see Russell Wilson slinging it around like he used to.

They can play a big part in the postseason picture on Sunday as they get set to face a Cardinals team vying for the NFC West

24. Denver Broncos 7-9 (Last Week – 25)- ELIMINATED

Denver will look to close out their season and play spoilers on Saturday afternoon as they play host to the Kansas City Chiefs.

23. Atlanta Falcons 7-9 (Last Week- 22) – ELIMINATED

Falcons also have a chance to play spoilers, and they have shown they can, or have come close to. An implosion in Buffalo in the second half kept them from staying in that game.

Atlanta closes out their season Sunday as they play host to the Saints who are vying for a playoff spot.

22. Washington Football Team 6-10 (Last Week -21) – ELIMINATED

One thing to look forward to if you’re a Washington Fan… New name release coming on February 2nd.

They face the Giants Sunday to close out the season.

21. Minnesota Vikings 7-9 (Last Week- 19) – ELIMINATED

The Vikings had a chance to stay alive on Sunday night, but thanks to a positive test from QB, Kirk Cousins, the Vikings had to rely on Sean Mannion, and well, it did not go well.

So with that being said, Mike Zimmer’s time in Minnesota is finally on standby waiting to flip the switch as they get set to take on the Bears on Sunday afternoon.

20. Cleveland Browns 7-9 (Last Week – 18) – ELIMINATED

What started out as a promising season turned into an absolute nightmare for Cleveland. In fact, they were quite high in the NFL Power Rankings at one point. Anywho, injuries, COVID, and drama derailed the Browns season and they were officially eliminated in Week 17.

Multiple questions need to be answered this offseason, but first things first, they have a date with the Bengals to close out their season on Sunday.

19. New Orleans Saints 8-8 (Last Week- 24) – IN THE HUNT

Saints are alive and well heading into the final week of the season, they just need to win and hope for a San Fran loss. It is quite impressive what Sean Payton has been able to do with this team who has fought the COVID and Injury Bug.

They look to make one final push to the postseason on Sunday when they face the Carolina Panthers.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-7-1 (Last Week – 20) – IN THE HUNT

Then there is Pittsburgh, who hosted their last regular-season game on Monday Night and the last of Ben Rothlisberger. They can get in with a win on Sunday, and a Colts loss to the Jaguars. All eyes are on Pittsburgh as they try to extend what is most likely the last season for Big Ben.

They head to Baltimore to close out the regular season on Sunday.

17. Miami Dolphins 8-7 (Last Week – 11) -ELIMINATED

Miami’s historical run came to an end on Sunday when their seven-game win streak was snapped by the Titans coupled with the New England Patriots winning.

A lot of positives have come out of this recent stretch though for the Phins, and honestly, Tua is the guy they need to build around.

They close out their season on Sunday when they host the New England Patriots.

16. Baltimore Ravens 8-8 (Last Week- 16) – IN THE HUNT

Another week without Lamar, another tough loss for Baltimore, whose chances at the playoffs are looking very slim at this point. Although still possible, they will need help to get in.

A tough way for a promising season to come to a close for sure, but regardless this team will be good for years to come.

They will host the Steelers on Sunday in hopes to keep their season alive.

15. Las Vegas Raiders 9-7 (Last Week – 17) – IN THE HUNT

The Raiders are just a win (or tie) away from making it to the postseason. It is honestly quite impressive what this team has been able to do with all the obstacles they have had to overcome, but, here they are going into Week 18 with a win and you are in the scenario.

That game will take place on Sunday Night Football as they face another team who has the same scenario in the Los Angles Chargers.

14. San Francisco 49ers 9-7 (Last Week – 15) – IN THE HUNT

San Francisco is holding onto the playoff spot for dear life. A win in Week 17 kept them alive in a tight playoff race. They just need to win on Sunday… it is that easy… or is it?

They head to LA to face a Rams team who is a win away from clinching the NFC West.

13. Philadelphia Eagles 9-7 (Last Week- 16) – CLINCHED

The Eagles are in the playoffs and flying high.  Jalen Hurts has really turned it up a notch the last few weeks and has been lights out for this Eagles team.

They look to get a final tune-up in before Wild Card weekend as they face the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday Night.

12. Los Angeles Chargers 9-7 (Last Week – 13) – IN THE HUNT

Chargers are in the same boat as the Raiders as they get set to face off against each other on Sunday Night, win and they are in.

It should be an exciting game that will most likely come down to the wire. So stay tuned to see who makes it!

11. Indianapolis Colts 9-7 (Last Week- 7) – IN THE HUNT

Indy looked rusty on Sunday, as Wentz was just coming off the COVID list with no practice. It resulted in a loss, meaning a must-win game in Week 18.

The loss bumps them down a little in the NFL Power Rankings but nothing too major.

The good news is, they face the Jaguars in Week 18, so, pretty much… the Colts are going to be playoff-bound.

10. Tennessee Titans 10-5 (Last Week – 12) – CLINCHED – AFC SOUTH CHAMPS

Tennessee is one win away from the first overall seed, if that happens expect a big movement for them in the final NFL Power Rankings for the regular season next week.

To get that first seed, they just have to beat Houston, a team who has played tough as of late but should be an interesting game.

9. New England Patriots 10-6 (Last Week- 8) – CLINCHED

The Patriots THUMPED the Jags on Sunday afternoon.

They are still firmly in place to get the one seed (with a lot of help) and the AFC East. Overall though, they have clinched the playoff spot that they needed.

It is now a wait-and-see what your seed will be as they head to Miami to close out the regular season against the Miami Dolphins.

8. Buffalo Bills 10-6 (Last Week – 6) – CLINCHED

Buffalo with a win against Atlanta this past Sunday now sits one win away from clinching the AFC East for a second straight year.

It would also guarantee them at least one home playoff game at the Ralph.

They look to lock it up on Sunday when they host the New York Jets.

7.  Dallas Cowboys 11-5 (Last Week – 5)- CLINCHED – NFC EAST CHAMPS

Dallas took a brutal loss on Sunday, which put a hamper on their plans for a higher seed, good news is, they clinched the East so they cannot fall any lower than fourth.

Dallas needs to step it up though if they want to make it far into the playoffs.

They close out the regular season on Saturday night against the Eagles.

 6.  Arizona Cardinals 11-5 (Last Week – 9) – CLINCHED

Arizona did something they were not able to last year, clinched a playoff spot. Now, their eyes are on the NFC West where they will need a win on Sunday and hope for a Rams loss. Something that seemed like a given in Week 7, is now a highly questionable scenario going into the final week.

They will face the Seahawks to close out the regular season on Sunday.

5. Kansas City Chiefs 11-5 (Last Week – 2) – CLINCHED -AFC WEST CHAMPS

Kansas City can still get the first overall seed in the AFC with a win this weekend and a Titans loss to Tennessee. All of this after they had a clear path, but fell short in Week 17 to the Bengals.

The loss sneds them down a few spots in the NFL Power Rankings.

They are in Denver on Saturday to face the Broncos in hopes to take one step closer to the first overall seed.

4. Cincinnati Bengals 9-6 (Last Week – 10) – CLINCHED – AFC NORTH CHAMPS

The biggest climb of the week in the NFL Power Rankings are none other than the Bengals. A massive win on Sunday against the Chiefs locked up the AFC North for the young Bengals team.

They now look ahead to playoffs, but first, they play the Browns in Week 18 to close out the regular season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-4 (Last Week – 4) – CLINCHED – NFC SOUTH CHAMPS

Antonio Brown incident aside… Tom Brady led yet another outstanding game-winning drive to take down the Jets in Week 17, which will keep their hopes of the second seed alive.

The question now is, will they rest their starters in Week 18 against the Panthers before they get ready for Super Wild Card Weekend.

2. Los Angeles Rams 12-4 (Last Week – 3) – CLINCHED

The Rams are a win away from a division title, they eeked past the Ravens this past Sunday to move one step closer.

Still, a lot of kinks are to be worked out as Matt Stafford continues to struggle with the picks.

They will look to lock it up Sunday when they host the 49ers.

1. Green Bay Packers 13-3 (Last Week – 1) – CLINCHED – NFC NORTH CHAMPS – FIRST ROUND BYE

The NFC path to the Super Bowl now goes through Lambeau, as Rodgers and Co. locked up the first overall seed and the first-round bye this past Sunday with a win over the Vikings.

They will be a tough out, and they will get plenty of rest over the next two weeks before they host the divisional round game.

This also officially locks the Packers into the top spot in the NFL Power Rankings for the year!

Wrapping up the Week 18 NFL Power Rankings

A wild final week of the NFL Regular Season lies ahead, and the NFL Power Rankings have one more set ahead of them to close out the season! Be sure to stay tuned for that, AND, Playoff NFL Power Rankings as the Postseason moves along!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Photo Courtesy of NBC Sports

-Jeff Hoak (@jeffhoak1)