Here at the ICT Zone, our power rankings are based on a very simple philosophy. "To be the man you gotta beat the man", if a lower ranked team beats a higher ranked team, then the two teams automatically swap spots regardless of results from prior weeks. After a week off, we move on to Week 17 of the NFL season.
Last week, the Bills were top of our power rankings, it's only fitting that the Patriots land at first going into the last week of the season. The usual super villains of the NFL, only time will tell if the Empire adds another super bowl victory. This week also had a few division deciders and the Patriots, Eagles and Packers all came away with decisive victories. The elephant in the room is the Dallas Cowboys and what they'll do with this season's collapse.
Next week will see a lot of teams sit their best players, but it seems clear that Lamar Jackson is the NFL MVP. The rest of the awards are a lot more complicated than that.
1. New England Patriots +9
(12-3)
Of course they are somehow in first place going into the last week of the season.
2. Arizona Cardinals
(5-9-1)
Kyler Murray is going to be dominant for a long time.
3. Baltimore Ravens
(13-2)
Best team doesn't always win the Super Bowl.
4. Houston Texans +1
(10-5)
By far the most inconsistent elite team in the NFL.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1
(7-8)
8 and 8 would be the perfect record for a team led by Jameis Winsten.
6. Philadelphia Eagles +14
(8-7)
The Eagles somehow turned this season around, but changes need to be made.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
(11-4)
Andy Reid is an absolutely elite coach, well deserving of a super bowl.
8. Atlanta Falcons
(6-9)
The Falcons have been the most frustrating team to watch.
9. Denver Broncos
(6-9)
Not sure where this franchise goes now.
10. Buffalo Bills -9
(10-5)
The Bills are still going to be an early round playoff exit.
11. New York Jets
(6-9)
Not a bad season but still feels like the Jets will overreact in the off season.
12. New Orleans Saints
(12-3)
Michael William Thomas Jr. is the best wide receiver in the NFL.
13. Seattle Seahawks
(11-4)
Yet another loss at home, that drops this team to 4 and 3 at home . . .
14. Green Bay Packers +4
(11-4)
Still a very overlooked team somehow.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
(8-7)
Not a bad season considering the quarterbacks behind center.
16. Tennessee Titans
(8-7)
Titans will lose and end at 8 and 8.
17. Miami Dolphins +15
(4-11)
4 wins is a huge turnaround given how the season started.
18. Minnesota Vikings -4
(10-5)
Still a very solid season despite the late loss.
19. Oakland Raiders +9
(7-8)
Can somehow still make the playoffs.
20. Dallas Cowboys -14
(7-8)
Wow, what an awful season that turned out to be.
21. Chicago Bears
(7-8)
Cam Newton.
23. Indianapolis Colts
(7-8)
.500 is somehow rewarding and disappointing based on how the season started.
24. New York Giants +6
(4-11)
At least Eli and Daniel are getting along.
25. San Francisco 49ers
(12-3)
Somehow this 49ers team is starting to feel overrated.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
(5-10)
This might be the NFL's most boring franchise.
27. Los Angeles Rams
(8-7)
This season was a huge disappointment and changes need to be made.
28. Los Angeles Chargers -9
(5-10)
Maybe go back to St. Louis, idk this is a funny turn of events.
29. Carolina Panthers
(5-10)
Christian McCaffrey is headed towards the Barry Sanders career path.
30. Washington -6
(3-12)
Terrible franchise, terrible team.
31. Detroit Lions
(3-11-1)
Soooo, new quarterback or nah?
32. Cincinnati Bengals -15
(1-14)
The real question at this point is what to do with the first overall pick.
Tom Brady seems to be getting better with age, but the reality is that he's finally on a team that surrounds him with the appropriate talent fitting for someone of his ability. He no longer has to throw 5'9" receivers who were ex-quarterbacks open. The Tampa Buccaneers are giving him the assets he deserves, evident by last season's super bowl win...
With the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar reaching the end of their primes, it seems like the game is in better hands than ever. It begs the question, who are the best young players, and rather than list the likes of Haaland and Mbappe, let's look at some of the best 18-year-olds in the game.
