Week 17 Power Rankings: So long until September

By Connor Byrne | Wednesday, January 02, 2008 | ( 21 )

Got something to say?

Every Wednesday during the NFL regular season, RealFootball365.com brings you its power poll, ranking the teams from the worst of the moment to the best. This is the 17th and final installment of the 2007-08 season.

32. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 30; 1-15) - It was a catastrophic season in Miami, indeed, but Bill Parcells has a history of righting ships. In other words, the Dolphins should be sailing calm waters sooner than later.

31. Oakland Raiders (LW: 32; 4-12) - The Raiders doubled their win total from 2006, which is hardly anything to brag about. Without question, this is a franchise that has a long way to go, and it might be hard-pressed to become relevant again under the past-his-prime Al Davis.

30. St. Louis Rams (LW: 28; 3-13) - Rumor has it St. Louis could hire past disaster Tom Donahoe as its next personnel guy. Memo to the Rams' organization: Cut off that engagement before it's too late.

29. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 30; 4-12) - There isn't a lot to build on in Atlanta. The next general manager, whomever it is, will have a long, arduous climb uphill in his attempt to fix this disastrous franchise.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 27; 4-12) - Losing nine consecutive games is hardly the way a team wants to end its season. There is no question the Chiefs will be in for another long year in 2008.

27. Baltimore Ravens (LW: 31; 5-11) - In nine seasons as the Ravens' head coach, alleged offensive genius Brian Billick never established much of an attack. He rode the coattails of a great defense for a while and won't be missed in Baltimore. The team made the right decision when it fired Billick on Monday.

26. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 23; 5-11) - Mike Nolan is a charming, popular individual who dresses well, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be held accountable for having just 16 career wins in three seasons as San Francisco's coach. This is a franchise that needs to end the Nolan experiment and find his successor.

25. New York Jets (LW: 26; 4-12) - The Jets were lucky to finish 10-6 in 2006, and they were unlucky to finish 4-12 in 2007. Seven wins would be an ideal, fitting medium for next season's Jets.

24. Detroit Lions (LW: 21; 7-9) - Detroit fans must be as disappointed as any in the league right now. Their team began the season 6-2, showing so much promise in the process, and lost seven of its final eight. Typical Lions, eh?

23. Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 24; 7-9) - In the end, the Bengals were only one game worse in '07 than '06. That isn't a drastic drop-off, but Marvin Lewis still ought to go.

22. Carolina Panthers (LW: 22; 7-9) - Unless the Panthers are convinced they can lure Bill Cowher from the CBS studio, they should retain the underappreciated John Fox.

21. Buffalo Bills (LW: 19; 7-9) - Just when it looked as if the Bills were beginning to turn themselves around, they lost three in a row and ended yet another season with a losing record. Where's Bill Murray? Every football campaign is Groundhog Day in Buffalo.

20. Denver Broncos (LW: 25; 7-9) - When looking at which teams disappointed the most during the season, Denver has to be near the top. The Broncos, despite a lot of big names and talent on both sides of the ball, have now missed the playoffs twice in a row.

19. New Orleans Saints (LW: 17; 7-9) - The Saints had their moments in '07, but they were never really able to put positives together consistently. In all likelihood, however, New Orleans will bounce back next year in a weak division.

18. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 15; 8-8) - Despite a disappointing finish, the Vikings managed to exceed expectations with a .500 record. For that, coach Brad Childress, his staff and players deserve praise.

17. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 18; 8-8) - Finally, the Cardinals -- under rookie coach Ken Whisenhunt -- made some progress. This goes down as their first season sine 1998 of eight-plus wins. It will be interesting to see how Whisenhunt handles the QB situation, whether he uses Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart or both, in Year 2.

16. Chicago Bears (LW: 16; 7-9) - First order of business, Chicago, find a quarterback. Once you do that, find a running back. Without either, you won't compete for much.

15. Houston Texans (LW: 20; 8-8) - With so much ability and a very good head coach, the Texans have quickly gone from NFL doormat to legitimate franchise. Look for this still-young organization to make a run for the playoffs next season, where it hasn't ventured since coming into the league in 2002.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 14; 8-8) - From 5-8 to 8-8. The sun is out in Philadelphia once again.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 11; 9-7) - It will take a lot for the Buccaneers, champions of the NFC South, to get by the Giants in the first round of the playoffs. Tampa had a nice rebound year, but it's still not exactly a team packed with talent.

12. Tennessee Titans (LW: 12; 10-6) - Tennessee should thank its lucky stars Indianapolis had nothing to play for last weekend; otherwise the Titans would be sitting home and watching January football, not partaking in it.

11. Cleveland Browns (LW: 13; 10-6) - Two bits of bad news for the Browns: 1. Despite a very good year, they didn't make the postseason; 2. They don't have a first-round pick this April. Ouch.

10. Washington Redskins (LW: 10; 9-7) - Sometimes it pays to sit on the bench and watch for 10 years. Todd Collins is a quarterback on a mission, folks, and he'll certainly receive a nice chunk of change during the offseason.

9. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 9; 10-6) - The Seahawks are virtually unbeatable at Qwest Field, so it's easy to envision them advancing to Round 2 of the playoffs, even against an inspired Washington team.

8. New York Giants (LW: 9; 10-6) - Big Blue gave the Patriots all they wanted and more in Week 17, but the Giants' best wasn't enough to overcome New England. Still, these G-men -- if they handle their business -- should skate past Tampa this weekend.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 6; 10-6) - Pittsburgh will probably be known soon as the best team in 2007-08 to lose during the first round of the playoffs.

6. Green Bay Packers (LW: 7; 13-3) - After a phenomenal year, the Packers will have a week's worth of rest, and then they'll have a tough test in Lambeau.

5. San Diego Chargers (LW: 5; 11-5) - Tennessee, among the least spectacular teams to make the AFC playoffs in a while, awaits the red-hot Chargers this weekend. If the Bolts don't get by the Titans, they'll never hear the end of it.

4. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 4; 13-3) - You can bet the Cowboys want no part of the Redskins, who just crushed Dallas in Week 17, come Round 2 of the playoffs. The 'Boys will sit at home this week and hope Seattle handles itself well and eliminates Washington.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 3; 11-5) - With a responsible yet proficient quarterback, terrific running attack and excellent defense, the Jaguars are a perfect team for January football.

2. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 2; 13-3) - A lot has been said about how focused New England is, but what about these Colts? Indy may very well be playing with a king-sized chip on its shoulder beginning in two weeks. Remember, these guys are the champions until someone pushes them off the mountain.

1. New England Patriots (LW: 1; 16-0) - On behalf of everyone who is sick and tired of the '72 Dolphins, thank you, New England. With that in mind, the Pats still have a long way to go.

RealFootball365.com: Power Rankings resume next September.

Got something to say?

	About Connor Byrne Sorry, Connor Byrne's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
	read more

Share! | RSS | Bleacher Report

Comments: 21 | Sign Up View all comments


	No.1 Raidernation	01:29 PM 01/02/2008

	You still wanna talk down on the Raiders? We played Jacksonville, Indy, Green Bay and San Diego the last four games. All the...


	No.2 Raider Revenge	02:05 PM 01/02/2008

	Connor Byrne: Please reconsider doing the ranking next year. Or at least analyze the teams better. The Raiders will make you eat...


	No.3 David	02:40 PM 01/02/2008

	This is the end of the season, so the Raiders are where they are for a reason. KC has Larry Johnson and so should be higher for...