Only 3 NFC teams make the top 10 this week. The conference is there for the Seahawks to lose. And the AFC is tightening up with the sudden rise of the Patriots and the inconsistent play of the Bengals. Here are the week 17 Power Rankings.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | Record | Comment |
| 1 (1) |  |
13-2 | A very distracted loss to the Seahawks in Seattle doesn’t mean this team isn’t still the best. |
| 2 (2) |  |
13-2 | What if Alexander gets hurt going for the rushing TD record? The team is bigger than Alexander’s individual accomplishments. Holmgren should sit him and hope he doesn’t feel stabbed in the back. |
| 3 (3) |  |
12-3 | They can quietly rest their starters without the question of how losing 3 in a row (Colts) would affect their psyche. Perfect position to be in. |
| 4 (7) |  |
10-5 | The defense is red hot again, giving up an average of 6 ppg in the last 4. |
| 5 (8) |  |
10-5 | The last time the Steelers played Detroit, they blew them out 47-14. Expect the same this weekend. |
| 6 (4) |  |
11-4 | Stumble against Buffalo has everyone scratching their heads. If they’re not careful, they could end up playing Indy much earlier than they wanted. |
| 7 (9) |  |
11-4 | Rex Grossman isn’t Johnny U but he makes that offense click so much better than Orton ever did. Chicago should make the NFCCG. |
| 8 (11) |  |
11-4 | Being locked into the 5th seed means a week of much needed rest for Fraud Taylor and company. |
| 9 (12) |  |
10-5 | Chris Simms steady improvement means Tampa Bay has a puncher’s chance of winning the NFC. |
| 10 (14) |  |
9-6 | We didn’t give KC enough credit. Too bad they’ll be scoreboard watching and look up to see Pittsburgh destroying Detroit. |
| 11 (13) |  |
9-6 | Another team that came out of nowhere. Brunell is 3rd in TDs and passer rating in the NFC. |
| 12 (5) |  |
10-5 | They can’t possibly choke away the NFC East crown by losing to the Raiders. Right? |
| 13 (15) |  |
9-6 | Go ahead and retire, Tuna. Just the thought of finding another kicker can’t be fun. |
| 14 (10) |  |
10-5 | Julius Peppers and God know they should be the South champs. |
| 15 (6) |  |
9-6 | What a disappointing year for one of the most talented teams. Expect a much easier schedule and AFC West crown next year. |
| 16 (18) |  |
8-7 | Mora said he didn’t know whether to play for the tie because he didn’t know the scenario about a playoff spot. Maybe something an assistant (or even an intern) should have been charged with BEFORE the game? |
| 17 (17) |  |
8-7 | A win in New England will be the cherry on a great rookie season by Saban. |
| 18 (16) |  |
8-7 | I understand the rest of the division is in shambles (outside of the Bears) but this team needs to be blown up, starting with Mike Tice. |
| 19 (22) |  |
6-9 | Maybe everyone was wrong about Kyle Boller. Great games against GB (#1 pass D) and Minn (#24) means they can address other needs in the draft. |
| 20 (19) |  |
6-9 | The only consolation for Eagles fans is they get to play spoiler this weekend against the Redskins. |
| 21 (25) |  |
5-10 | Nice gutsy win at Cinci might take Mullarkey off the hotseat for another season. |
| 22 (23) |  |
5-10 | What a very disappointing year for the chic pick in the NFC West. People actually thought this team was better than Seattle going into the season? |
| 23 (20) |  |
5-10 | Pittsburgh had more rushing yards than Cleveland had total yards. Year 1 of the Crennel era is a little disappointing. |
| 24 (21) |  |
5-10 | When you’re auditioning to take the “interim” off your title, losing to the Niners is embarassing. Some assistant coach (Gregg Williams?) out there deserves a shot at the Rams HC job. |
| 25 (24) |  |
4-11 | Volek fails to impress and $50M McNair is on his way out. Who’s on the draft board? |
| 26 (27) |  |
5-10 | Joey *can* run the 2 minute offense. It was against New Orleans? OK, nevermind. |
| 27 (26) |  |
4-11 | The glut of head coach candidates is even worse for the Raiders. Who would be willing to take that job with Al Davis looking over his shoulder. |
| 28 (29) |  |
3-12 | I’m going to be positive here. Vinny Testeverde set a record by throwing for a TD in 19 straight seasons. |
| 29 (28) |  |
3-12 | Ohhh the fellating of Brett Favre will be unbearable this week. Thank God it’s not a Sunday night game. |
| 30 (31) |  |
3-12 | Say goodbye to Reggie Bush. Say hello to DâBrickashaw Ferguson? |
| 31 (30) |  |
3-12 | Tom Benson to Jim Haslett: “Am I being punk’d?” |
| 32 (32) |  |
2-13 | Dom Capers could leave a going away present by throwing the game against the Niners. If not, he’ll be the most hated man in Texans history. |