NFL power rankings, Week 18: Why not the Jaguars?
The month of December was a disaster for the Jacksonville Jaguars, regardless of the team’s flawless dismount on New Year’s Eve.
How many teams are actually playing consistently great football heading into the playoffs, though?
In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens have turned into an absolute steamroller — beating the Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins by a combined 67 points in the last three weeks. But after the Ravens, who else is there looking like a real Super Bowl contender?
The Dolphins have looked the part, at times. They’ve also put up a 1-4 record in their five games against teams with winning records, and were throughly smashed by the Ravens on Sunday.
If ever there was a year ripe for an unexpected team to string together a couple wins and be a surprise contender, this sure looks like the one.
The Jaguars will need to do more than blow out the Carolina Panthers to convince anyone that they’re really back. But why not Jacksonville? The team is a win against the Tennessee Titans from securing another AFC South title. After that, it’s anyone’s guess what happens next.
With just one week of regular season action left, here’s how all 32 teams stack up:
Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
Last week: No. 1
Week 17 result: 56-19 win vs. Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Last week: No. 3
Week 17 result: 27-10 win vs. Commanders
Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Last week: No. 4
Week 17 result: 27-21 win vs. Patriots
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Last week: No. 7
Week 17 result: 20-19 win vs. Lions
Detroit Lions (11-5)
Last week: No. 5
Week 17 result: 20-19 loss vs. Cowboys
Cleveland Browns (11-5)
Last week: No. 8
Week 17 result: 37-20 win vs. Jets
Miami Dolphins (11-5)
Last week: No. 2
Week 17 result: 56-19 loss vs. Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Last week: No. 6
Week 17 result: 35-31 loss vs. Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
Last week: No. 10
Week 17 result: 26-25 win vs. Giants
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Last week: No. 13
Week 17 result: 25-17 win vs. Bengals
Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Last week: No. 15
Week 17 result: 33-10 win vs. Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
Last week: No. 18
Week 17 result: 26-0 win vs. Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Last week: No. 16
Week 17 result: 30-23 win vs. Seahawks
Houston Texans (9-7)
Last week: No. 17
Week 17 result: 26-3 win vs. Titans
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Last week: No. 9
Week 17 result: 30-23 loss vs. Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Last week: No. 11
Week 17 result: 23-13 loss vs. Saints
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Last week: No. 14
Week 17 result: 25-17 loss vs. Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Last week: No. 19
Week 17 result: 23-20 win vs. Raiders
Denver Broncos (8-8)
Last week: No. 20
Week 17 result: 16-9 win vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)
Last week: No. 12
Week 17 result: 23-20 loss vs. Colts
Chicago Bears (7-9)
Last week: No. 21
Week 17 result: 37-17 win vs. Falcons
New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Last week: No. 22
Week 17 result: 23-13 win vs. Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Last week: No. 23
Week 17 result: 37-17 loss vs. Bears
New York Jets (6-10)
Last week: No. 24
Week 17 result: 37-20 loss vs. Browns
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Last week: No. 25
Week 17 result: 33-10 loss vs. Packers
Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
Last week: No. 31
Week 17 result: 35-31 win vs. Eagles
New York Giants (5-11)
Last week: No. 27
Week 17 result: 26-25 loss vs. Rams
Tennessee Titans (5-11)
Last week: No. 26
Week 17 result: 26-3 loss vs. Texans
New England Patriots (4-12)
Last week: No. 28
Week 17 result: 27-21 loss vs. Bills
Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
Last week: No. 29
Week 17 result: 16-9 loss vs. Broncos
Washington Commanders (4-12)
Last week: No. 32
Week 17 result: 27-10 loss vs. 49ers
Carolina Panthers (2-14)
Last week: No. 30
Week 17 result: 26-0 loss vs. Panthers
