NFL Power Rankings Week 17

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Here are some NFL power rankings heading into Week 17 of the 2008 NFL season.

1. Tennessee Titans (13-2) A convincing win over the Steelers shows that the Titans aren't a fluke, but a  legitimate championship contenders. Of course, there are plenty of fans who won't believe that the Titans are for real unless they end up in the Super Bowl.

2. New York Giants (12-3) Tom Coughlin and the Giants have proven that they are still the class of the NFC. They've got a healthy offensive line which will allow Eli Manning to do his thing.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) Sure, they have the best defense in the league. But their running game is going to have to step it up if they're going to win the AFC.

4. Carolina Panthers (11-4) Took the Giants into overtime on the road. They didn't win but proved they could hang with one of the best teams in the league.

5.  Indianapolis Colts (11-4) The Colts are on a massive roll. Will it be enough to get past the Titans next week?

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) Theybeat the Cowboys on the road in the last game ever played in Texas Stadium. Maybe now people will start to believe in Joe Flacco.

7. Atlanta Falcons (10-5) Matt Ryan has thrown just nine interceptions all year. Brett Favre throws that many in a month.

8. Dallas Cowboys (9-6) Their rush defense fell apart as they fought for their playoff lives.

9. Miami Dolphins (10-5) Who says the Dolphins can't win in cold weather? They manhandled the Chiefs and may do the same to do the Jets this weekend in a crucial AFC East matchup.

10. New England Patriots (10-5) Maybe they'll make the playoffs, maybe they won't. Either way, you have to admire the job Bill Belichick has done with  Matt Cassel

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) The Bucs have lost three in a row, including an inexcusable defeat to San Diego. Sure, they have will likely finish the season on a positive note against the Raiders, but their defense needs to return to its former greatness if they're going to do anything in the postseason.

12.  New York Jets (9-6) In the last four games, Brett Favre has been sacked nine times and given up six interceptions.

13. Minnesota Vikings (9-6) Tarvaris Jackson has earned the trust of the coaching staff. Now if only Adrian Peterson could hang onto the ball.

14. Chicago Bears (9-6) The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in the coldest game ever played at Soldier Field, a win that sent all the frozen shirtless idiots in attendance into fits of joy.

15. Washington Redskins (8-7) Sure, now they're playing well. Where was this intensity when they still had a shot at the playoffs?

16.  Philadelphia Eagles (8-6-1) They could have waltzed into the playoffs. Instead, they put up a stinker.

17. Arizona Cardinals (8-7) If only the playoffs consisted of teams from the AFC West, the Cards would be shoo-ins to win the Super Bowl.

18. New Orleans Saints (8-7) Saved themselves from the ignominy of being the only team to lose to the Detroit Lions.

19. San Diego Chargers (7-8)  They can't actually make the playoffs, can they?

20. Denver Broncos (8-7) They're not actually going to miss the playoffs, are they?

21. Buffalo Bills (7-8) If they win next week, they'll finish with an 8-8 record, improving on their 7-9 record last year. Talk about a reason to celebrate.

22. San Francisco 49ers (6-9) You have to like a team that is going to grow moustaches for this weekend's throwback game. 

23. Houston Texans (7-8) Sure, they lost, but Matt Schaub showed that he might have what it takes to be a fiery leader.

24. Seattle Seahawks (4-11) Salvaged a shred of dignity by beating the Jets at home.

25. Green Bay Packers (5-10) Remember whent the Bears-Packers used to be one of the biggest rivalries in sports? Neither do we. Odds are it won't be a decent rivalry for a good long while.

26. Oakland Raiders (4-11) Will the win against the Texans be enough to have Tom Cable stick around?

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) They just need to blow this whole thing up and start again.

28. Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1) They're bad and injured. Not a good combination.

29. Cleveland Browns Sure, they stink but it is fun to hear about all the drama behind the scenes with Braylon Edwards complaining that he's underappreciated by fans and Brady Quinn getting punched in the face by Shaun Smith.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (2-13) Can't seem to hold onto a lead.

31. St. Louis Rams Well, one bright spot for the Rams was that Isaac Bruce played well last week. Oh wait, he doesn't play for the Rams anymore, does he?

32. Detroit Lions (0-15) Two things we learned this week: the 2008 edition of the Detroit Lions are the worst team in NFL history and Detroit News columnist Rob Parker is kind of a dick.