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Nfl Power Rankings Week 17

December 29, 2009 by · Comments Off on Nfl Power Rankings Week 17 

59199139Nfl Power Rankings Week 17:Heading into NFL Week 17 of the 2009 season, I am nearly certain this has been one of the worst seasons in a long time. Putting together this week’s NFL Power Rankings made me wonder whether any of these teams really care about this coming week or even winning the Super Bowl. The two main stories we followed all year fizzled.

Fans had a chance to see two undefeated teams in the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints fade over the past two weeks. The New Orleans Saints lost in a memorable game against the Dallas Cowboys. Since the Saints had been stumbling the previous weeks and lost again – this past week to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers – what do we make of those preceding dominant weeks.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the opportunity to go undefeated and be part of league history had no meaning. They pulled their starters in the second half and went on to lose the game against the New York Jets. This snub of history showed the fans just how meaningless the competitive spirit is in the NFL.

To close out poor showings, we had the following teams basically not show up when their playoff lives or situation hung on the balance: Vikings, Giants, Dolphins and Jaguars.

RANK TEAM             WINS  LOSSES

CONTENDERS

1          Indianapolis 14        1

At least Peyton Manning is still undefeated.

2          San Diego 12         3

We are tempted to put them ahead of the Colts.

3          New Orleans 13        2

The last 4 weeks have convinced us that teams have figured out how to beat them.

4          Philadelphia 11         4

They faded late against the Broncos but we think they just got bored.

5          Minnesota 11         4

Vikings are only still in this slot because so many other playoff contender lost.

CHALLENGERS

6          New England 10        5

The Patriots are winning and no one wants to face them in week 2 but let’s not forget that game against the Saints.

7          Cincinnati 10        5

Bengals don’t score enough points and their losses against strong teams make us wonder.

8          Green Bay      10        5

Seeing the Vikings lose make us wonder how the Packers will fare against strong opponents.

9          Dallas 10        5

The Cowboys can jump 4 slots if they beat the Eagles as beating the Redskins prove nothing.

LURKERS

10        Arizona 10        5

11         Baltimore 8          7

12        Denver 8          7

13        N.Y. Jets 8          7

14        Pittsburgh 8          7

NEXT YEAR

15        Houston 8          7

16        Carolina 7          8

17        Tennessee 7          8

18        N.Y. Giants    8          7

19        Miami 7          8

20        Jacksonville 7          8

21        Atlanta 8          7

TWO YEARS AWAY

22        San Francisco 7          8

23        Chicago 6          9

24        Oakland 5          10

25        Buffalo           5          10

MAJOR REBUILD

26        Cleveland 4          11

27        Washington 4          11

28        Tampa Bay 3          12

29        Seattle 5          10

30        Kansas City 3          12

31        Detroit 2          13

32        St. Louis1          14

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