Week 17 NFL Consensus Power Rankings
Last night, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw his record-setting 12th 300-yard game this season and broke the single-season passing yards record in the process.
Amazingly enough, the quarterback that has completed more than 70 percent of his passes, thrown for 5,087 yards and 41 touchdowns (with a game to go) is unlikely to win league MVP.
Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers is the likely winner although the Packers have home-field advantage locked up, which means we could see some (or a lot of) Matt Flynn this week.
The Packers are still the consensus No. 1 in our NFL Power Rankings, but the Saints are No. 2. Considering they have a chance to earn a first-round bye, Brees and the starters should play most of the game (or until the outcome is determined) next week.
For the first time this season, however, there is no longer a consensus No. 32 team. In fact, the Colts moved up to No. 31 as the Rams dropped to the bottom of the list.
Here are some stats on this week's consensus rankings:
- Biggest jump from last week: Tennessee Titans (+4.5)
- Biggest drop from last week: New York Jets (-3.5)
- Team with widest difference between high and low rank: New York Jets (8)
[See this week's full rankings.]
As part of our weekly power rankings, we will feature one question that all four rankers will answer. Here is the Week 17 question (followed by our responses): Who will win the NFC East?
John (follow John on Twitter): The NFC East division winner will come down to the final week of the season, and I've got the New York Giants headed to the playoffs. Both the Giants and Cowboys have made a lot of mistakes down the stretch and have failed to take advantage of the situation time and time again. Although their record would not indicate it, I believe the Giants have played better down the stretch. They played the 49ers close on the road, and only lost to the Packers on a last-second field goal. They were sloppy at home against the Redskins, but then played well against the Jets to insure they controlled their own destiny. With the Giants recent success against the Cowboys, the normal December woes for Dallas, and the fact that the Giants do seem to be playing a bit better right now, I believe that New York will come out on top, and just may make some noise in the playoffs. Ok, probably not, but I'm a big Giants fan, so I can hope!
Sean (visit Sean's website): I think the Cowboys will win Sunday's matchup as much as it pains me to say it. The Giants did look decent against the Jets this past week, and the Cowboys looked like they were the worst team in the NFC East, but the Cowboys had nothing to play for after the Giants won. Tony Romo will be back for this one, and I think the Cowboys, behind a big game from Romo, will win this one.
Dan (follow Dan on Twitter): It comes down to one game yet again for the NFC East, and somehow it just had to involve Dallas. I am sold more on the ability of the Giants to get it done in the big game, as they have played the toughest schedule in the league this year. The Cowboys have also been known to choke in this situation; who could forget week 17 2008 Philly 44 Dallas 6?
Kevin (follow Kevin on Twitter): Neither team has inspired much confidence lately. The Giants have lost five of their past seven games although one of their two wins was in Dallas. Then again, many would say the Cowboys lost that game as opposed to the Giants winning it. That's the problem -- the Cowboys have "lost" too many games this season. I think this game goes down to the wire, but the Giants win (or Cowboys lose) at the end.
See how all 32 teams were ranked in our Week 17 Consensus NFL Power Rankings.
