NFL Power Rankings Week 17: It’s the Patriots and Steelers, then everyone else

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 12-3 heading into the last week of the regular season, and so are those pesky New England Patriots. This fact alone should make it quite obvious who will be the top team, and the second team, in the latest Power Rankings to be released.

Well, despite some sites listing a team like the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the Steelers, not sure how that happened, when it comes to the AFC it is the Patriots then everyone else.

I realize Power Rankings are completely meaningless, but they are great for discussion and debate. For instance, how the Steelers would be behind the Eagles, or Vikings, is almost laughable considering the trajectory of the Steelers in the last half of the season.

Nonetheless, it is time to recap the Power Rankings heading into the final week of the regular season. Check out some of the Top 10 lists below...

ESPN

1. New England Patriots
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
“10.5 wins: Pittsburgh ranks seventh in points scored and fifth in points allowed this season, so it's no surprise how well the team is doing. A Week 17 matchup against the winless Browns stands in the way of the Pittsburgh's first 13-win season since 2004 -- Ben Roethlisberger's rookie season.”
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. New Orleans Saints
7. Carolina Panthers
8. Kansas City Chiefs
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Baltimore Ravens

Sporting News

1. New England Patriots
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers rebounded from the tough loss to New England by dominating the Texans. They get the winless Browns in the regular-season finale.”
4. Carolina Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. Los Angeles Rams
7. New Orleans Saints
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Atlanta Falcons
10. Kansas City Chiefs

NFL.com

1. New England Patriots
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers surprised on Christmas -- not by winning, but rather by not playing down to a weaker opponent. Pittsburgh did what Super Bowl contenders are supposed to do against a depleted foe: win big. Consequently, Le'Veon Bell was not forced to run until the wheels fall off. The AFC's top running back received fewer than 20 touches for the first time since Week 1. He now has 406 on the year, easily the most in the NFL. With Antonio Brown's status up in the air, Pittsburgh needs its star back at full throttle. Healthy Bell >>> home-field advantage.”
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Carolina Panthers
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Baltimore Ravens