Karen Guregian’s NFL power rankings
1 Patriots (12-3)
Yes, the Patriots have been bailed out by replay a few times this season. Al Riveron definitely gets the 12th man award. But let's stop with the conspiracy theories.
2 Steelers (12-3)
With a rout of the Texans in the books, the Browns on tap, and a first-round bye secured, the boxes are all checked until Antonio Brown returns.
3 Eagles (13-2)
They're still winning with Nick Foles at quarterback, but don't have the same brand of mojo Carson Wentz provided. Translation? They're cooked.
4 Vikings (12-3)
Case Keenum and the offense have cooled a bit, but the `D' still rocks.
5 Rams (11-4)
All it took was a 31-year-old coach to go from 4-12 and 10 consecutive losing seasons to first place.
6 Saints (11-4)
Hard not to like their formula for winning. If they win the NFC South, and start at home, they'll be tough to beat.
7 Panthers (11-4)
Not the best thing having your QB lead the team in rushing, but when it's Cam Newton, all bets are off. He's had to make plays to win.
8 Jaguars (10-5)
In the Christmas spirit, Blake Bortles was handing out gifts last week. He donned his Santa suit and gave three picks to the 49ers.
9 Chiefs (9-6)
Locked into the fourth seed after winning three straight. That means it's go time for Patrick Mahomes.
10 Ravens (9-6)
If Joe Flacco plays well enough to have passer ratings higher than 100, which he's done in two of the last four games, this is not the team you want to play.
11 Falcons (9-6)
Matt Ryan was the league's MVP last year. He hardly resembles that guy this season.
12 Chargers (8-7)
Haven't been playing their best football in recent weeks. Not good in December when you're trying to make the postseason.
13 Seahawks (9-6)
Defense showed there was some life left, holding the Cowboys without a touchdown and forcing three turnovers.
14 Cowboys (8-7)
Jerry Jones continues to back Jason Garrett despite questionable decision making during loss eliminating Dallas from the playoffs.
15 Lions (8-7)
Jim Caldwell's days have to be numbered. With everything on the line, his team no-showed last week. Bye-bye.
16 Bills (8-7)
Who knew Sean McDermott's decision to bench Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman against the Chargers in Week 11 might cost him a playoff berth?
17 Titans (8-7)
By some miracle, they've lost three straight games, and yet heading into Week 17 holding the final wild card spot in the AFC.
18 Redskins (7-8)
The Kirk Cousins question won't go away. It's going to dog them all offseason. Can they realistically entertain a third franchise tag on the freeagent-to-be quarterback, given the cost?
19 Niners (5-10)
Old friend Jimmy Garoppolo is 4-0, he just torched one of the NFL's best defenses, and San Francisco fans are now chanting “MVP” instead of his name. Can it get any better?
20 Packers (7-8)
They packed up Aaron Rodgers once they were eliminated from playoff contention, then packed it in for the season.
Raiders (6-9)
Todd Downing is having a terrible first season as the team's offensive coordinator. How else to explain quarterback Derek Carr going from stud to dud overnight?
22 Cardinals (7-8)
Is Bruce Arians done? How about Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald? Might they call it a career, too?
23 Bengals (6-9)
Guess they didn't want to completely embarrass Marvin Lewis on his way out the door, so they finally showed up and played with some pride.
24 Dolphins (6-9)
Does anyone think Ryan Tannehill will cure all that ails the Fish? And is Jay Cutler one and done, or is he hanging around to collect more cash?
25 Broncos (5-10)
Wonder if Von Miller was making a pitch to his bosses for Kirk Cousins when he said: “A lot of teams would kill to have a quarterback like that.”
26 Jets (5-10)
The bottom line remains the same for this team. It's not about the coach. It's about the quarterback. They still don't have one.
27 Bears (5-10)
Mitchell Trubisky hasn't had the best rookie season. But he's shown enough for Chicago to hope he'll make the jump in Year 2.
28 Bucs (4-11)
Rumors won't go away about Jon Gruden leading the team in 2018. A Gruden redux surely would be interesting. But apparently the Raiders want in on that redux action, too.
29 Texans (4-11)
Add Taylor Heinicke to the long and mostly woeful list of QBs in the Bill O'Brien era.
30 Colts (3-12)
Today likely Chuck Pagano's final game before getting the gate. He'll pay the price for another lost season, and failures of the front office.
31 Giants (2-13)
Will this be Eli Manning's last start as a Giant? That's the cliffhanger as the soap opera continues.
32 Browns (0-15)
A year ago, after a 1-15 finish, Hue Jackson vowed to jump into Lake Erie if the team finished anywhere near 1-15 again. Get the man a towel!