DTTWSB Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

We now have one week left until the NFL playoffs. Most of the playoff spots have been wrapped up right now. The end of the year is the time to play your best football. Some teams are hot right now, while others are kind of backing their way in. Staying healthy down the stretch is important as well so look for some teams (the Packers) to rest their star players. There isn't a ton of shake up in my power rankings so let me not run my mouth. Here are my power rankings for the final week in the NFL regular season.

1. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Now that the Packers have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, they need to rest their starters. The past two weeks they've looked vulnerable so it's important that they regroup and get fresh.

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): All the 49ers need to do is win on Sunday and they get a first-round bye. If this team can get a bye, I don't see anybody going into Candlestick Park and beating them in their first playoff game. If they can clean up their red zone offense they'll be ready to take the next step.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Getting healthy is the most important thing for the Steelers at this point. Due to their experience, I think this is a team that can go to the Super Bowl without homefield advantage. A lot of people are sleeping on them but I'm not.

4. New England Patriots (12-3): Last Sunday the Patriots survived a scare by barely beating the Miami Dolphins. Like the Packers, I think this is a vulnerable football team in the postseason. I would not be shocked if they're one and done in the playoffs.

5. New Orleans Saints (12-3): Congrats to Drew Brees for breaking Dan Marino's passing yard record last night. That just shows how impressive the Saints' offense has been all season. I still have my reservations about this defense though. It's tissue paper soft.

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): The Ravens have a huge game on their hands this Sunday when they take on the Bengals on the road. If they win they'll secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. Joe Flacco needs to step up if they're serious about winning a championship.

7. Atlanta Falcons (9-6): Even after the Falcons lost to the Saints (as predicted here) I still feel like they're one of the more consistent wild card teams. They never lose to inferior opponents. Unfortunately they'll be playinf better teams in January.

8. Detroit Lions (10-5): They're partying like it's 1999 in Detroit because that was the last time they made it to the playoffs. This is a young team that overachieved this year in my opinion. It's been a nice story but I don't think they're ready for the playoffs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): The Bengals are playing their best football at the right time. If they beat the Ravens on Sunday they'll clinch the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. Even if they don't make the playoffs it's been a great season for the Bengals.

10. New York Giants (8-7): After all that's gone on this season, the Giants control their own destiny and can make the playoffs if they beat the Dallas Cowboys in front of their home crowd. This team hasn't been consistent at all this year so it will be interesting which one shows up on Sunday night.