Updated: December 24, 2008, 9:19 AM ET

NFL Power Rankings: 2008 Week 17 Edition

Week:

One of the showcase games of the NFL's final regular-season weekend features the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.

In the latest edition of ESPN.com's Power Rankings, the Dolphins are ranked ninth and the Jets -- despite a humbling Week 16 loss in Seattle -- are a steady 14th. A Dolphins' victory would give Miami the AFC East title and mark another miraculous milestone after a 1-15 season in 2007. The Jets, once ranked as high as third in the weekly poll of our experts, need to beat the Dolphins and find help elsewhere to secure at least a wild-card berth, if not the East crown.

The Tennessee Titans' 31-14 demolishing of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants' 34-28 overtime victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers scrambled the rankings' top tier a bit. The Titans rule the roost this week, the Giants are second and the Panthers third. The Steelers, the Week 16 rulers, drop three places to No. 4. The Indianapolis Colts lurk again at No. 5.

The Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys were the great descenders this week, each falling four spots. If the NFC West-champion Cardinals continue their free fall with a Week 17 loss to the 26th-rated Seattle Seahawks, it's possible the playoffs will feature a team outside our top 20. The Cardinals enter the Seahawks game ranked No. 19. The final regular-season rankings will be published Dec. 30.

ESPN.com's Power Rankings
The rankings were determined by a poll of ESPN.com's NFL staff: writers John Clayton, Jeffri Chadiha, Tim Graham, Matt Mosley, James Walker, Kevin Seifert, Paul Kuharsky, Pat Yasinskas, Bill Williamson and Mike Sando, and Scouts Inc. Insiders Jeremy Green and Matt Williamson.


The Cowboys were demoted to No. 10 after their 33-24 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If the Cowboys beat the No. 15 Philadelphia Eagles, they'll claim a wild-card playoff berth.

The Detroit Lions, 0-15 entering the regular-season finale at the Green Bay Packers, seemingly have the No. 32 rung on lockdown. If the Lions avoid becoming the league's first 0-16 team, would that accomplishment be enough to vault them to No. 31 or even higher? Tune in next week.

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• Watch: Smith on Mangini, other hot seats | Football Today | Pick 'em

(Editor's note: LW indicates each team's ranking last week.)

2008 Power Rankings: Week 17
RANKTEAM / RECORD TRENDINGCOMMENTS
1
Titans
13-2
1
Last Week: 2		The Titans can play the underdog card all they like, but after beating the Steelers, they are the favorite to win the AFC Championship Game. (PK)
2
Giants
12-3
2
Last Week: 4		The Giants ended their losing skid with a thrilling overtime win over the Panthers. The road to Tampa goes through East Rutherford, N.J. (MM)
3
--

Last Week: 3		The loss to the Giants cost the Panthers a shot at home-field advantage and exposed flaws in their run defense. But the Panthers still are among the best in the NFC. A No. 2 playoff seed might set up a big rematch in the Meadowlands. (PY)
4
3
Last Week: 1		A 17-point loss to the Titans showed there is still room for improvement. (JW)
5
Colts
11-4
--

Last Week: 5		The Colts are waiting to see whether they're going to Denver or San Diego on wild-card weekend. (PK)
6
Ravens
10-5
1
Last Week: 7		If the Ravens reach the postseason, several teams will hope to avoid this physical group. (JW)
7
1
Last Week: 8		The big victory over Minnesota gives the Falcons momentum. They still have a shot at the NFC South title. How many teams are more dangerous than the Falcons heading into the playoffs? (PY)
8
1
Last Week: 9		No AFC East team is playing better, but the Pats still might not make the playoffs. (TG)
9
2
Last Week: 11		All they have to do is beat the Jets to make the playoffs. (TG)
10
4
Last Week: 6		This might be the luckiest team in the league. Let's see whether the Cowboys can capitalize on their good fortune. (MM)
11
1
Last Week: 12		The Vikings remain in control of the NFC North. But can they capitalize? (KS)
12
2
Last Week: 10		After three straight losses, the Bucs need help if they're to earn a playoff berth. Start the offseason overhaul now. (PY)
13
3
Last Week: 16		This team is starting to seem blessed. (KS)
14
Jets
9-6
--

Last Week: 14		That victory in Nashville seems like it was years ago. The Jets' playoff hopes are dim. (TG)
15
Eagles
8-6-1
2
Last Week: 13		You can't trust this team. Andy Reid's decision to abandon the run probably ended the Eagles' season. (MM)
16
5
Last Week: 21		The Chargers owe the Bills a Christmas gift. (BW)
17
2
Last Week: 19		The Saints still have a shot at a winning season and can drop Carolina's playoff seed. But none of that really matters. (PY)
18
2
Last Week: 20		Good for Jim Zorn. The win over the Eagles proved he could rally his team while facing a lot of personal scrutiny. Let's see whether the Redskins can build on this against a game 49ers team. (MM)
19
4
Last Week: 15		The Cardinals are searching for the rip cord while rock bottom fast approaches. (MS)
20
3
Last Week: 17		The Broncos might become the second team in NFL history to blow a three-game lead in its division. (BW)
21
3
Last Week: 18		If the Texans beat Chicago, they'll finish 8-8 again and can at least say they haven't gone backward. (PK)
22
--

Last Week: 22		With the comeback road win over the Broncos, the Bills showed they won't pack it in. (TG)
23
1
Last Week: 24		The defense has improved since committing to the 3-4 under Mike Singletary. (MS)
24
1
Last Week: 25		Seven losses of four points or fewer don't lift the sting of 5-10. (KS)
25
2
Last Week: 23		How motivating do the Jaguars find the possibility of eliminating the Ravens from the playoff picture? (PK)
26
1
Last Week: 27		The Seahawks hope to send a message for 2009 with a victory at Arizona. (MS)
27
3
Last Week: 30		It might not matter much at this point, but Oakland's offense looked solid Sunday. (BW)
28
Browns
4-11
2
Last Week: 26		Zero offensive touchdowns in five games. Need we say more? (JW)
29
Bengals
3-11-1
--

Last Week: 29		The Bengals' first winning streak of the season came way too late. (JW)
30
Chiefs
2-13
2
Last Week: 28		At this point, what can be said? (BW)
31
Rams
2-13
--

Last Week: 31		Organizational overhaul under way with president Jay Zygmunt's firing. (MS)
32
Lions
0-15
--

Last Week: 32		The Lions already made history at 0-15. Part II could come in Green Bay. (KS)
  • Biggest Jump:
  • 5
  • Biggest Drop:
  • 4
Glossary
TG - Tim Graham (AFC East); JW - James Walker (AFC North); PK - Paul Kuharsky (AFC South); BW - Bill Williamson (AFC West); MM - Matt Mosley (NFC East); KS - Kevin Seifert (NFC North); PY - Pat Yasinskas (NFC South); MS - Mike Sando (NFC West)

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