Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Breaking New Ground
Josh Frey
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Folks, we’ve officially hit unprecedented territory. It is the first Week 18 power rankings in NFL history. It comes with its own ridiculous storylines too, including a playoff scenario where if the Chargers and Raiders game finishes in a tie, they both can make the playoffs. It’s been a wild ride, but we have hit the finish line. Thanks for tuning in to this series all season long, but without further ado, here is the final power rankings list of the 2021 NFL season.
1. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 37-10 win vs MIN
Trending: +1
This Week: 1/9 @ DET
It was a rout in Green Bay on Sunday night, with the Packers owning every facet of their game against the Vikings. With the win, they have secured that the road to the Super Bowl will once again run through Lambeau Field.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: 20-19 win vs BAL
Trending: +2
This Week: 1/9 vs SF
This game got off to a rough start, especially for QB Matthew Stafford, but he made up for it by the end. Stafford and Odell Beckham Jr. connected for a last-minute touchdown to win the game, and they are now another win away from an NFC West title.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 31-34 loss @ CIN
Trending: -2
This Week: 1/8 @ DEN
It took a couple weird defensive plays and some questionable calls, but Kansas City has lost a game for the first time since October. Still, this is a dangerous Chiefs team as we head into the playoffs.
4. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 29-15 win vs ATL
Trending: +1
This Week: 1/9 vs NYJ
Buffalo got off to a weird start, with the Falcons scoring on a safety off a punt return. Josh Allen also had one of his worst games passing the ball, with three interceptions on the day. The running game dominated the day though, with Allen and Devin Singletary combining for nearly 200 yards on the ground as well as four TDs. The Bills can clinch a second consecutive AFC East title with a win next week versus the Jets.
5. New England Patriots
Last Week: 50-10 win vs JAX
Trending: +3
This Week: 1/9 @ MIA
There’s not much else to say other than New England got back on track this week. It’s a very familiar tale for Jacksonville opponents in the 2021-22 NFL season. Mac Jones was back to slinging passes all over the field while the defense dominated the Jags offense. New England closes the season with a historically tough matchup in Miami.
6. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 34-3 win vs MIA
Trending: +3
This Week: 1/9 @ HOU
The Dolphins have been the NFL’s hottest team over the past couple months, but the Tennessee Titans hosted them and completely demolished them. This Titans team still has the top seed in the AFC despite not having Derrick Henry, so Mike Vrabel has to be at the top of the list for Coach of the Year.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 34-31 win vs KC
Trending: +3
This Week: 1/9 @ CLE
In the second consecutive massive win for the Bengals, both Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow had equally massive showings. The duo connected for 266 yards and three touchdowns, and it gave Chase the highest rookie receiving total in NFL history. The win clinched the AFC North for Cincy, and with a win in Cleveland, they can go into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 20-23 loss vs LV
Trending: -4
This Week: 1/9 @ JAX
Indy made sure that their Week 18 game against the Jaguars means something by losing to the Raiders this week. Overall, this was not a good game for the Colts. They had their chances throughout, but they just didn’t take advantage. Their mission is simple though: win and you’re in.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 28-24 win @ NYJ
Trending: -1
This Week: 1/9 vs CAR
Unfortunately, most of what we will remember from this game was not the in-game action. Instead, it was the off-the-field antics between Antonio Brown and the Bucs coaching staff. That said, this game was the Jets’ for the taking, and they just blew it. Because of that, Tampa moves down the list.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 25-22 win @ DAL
Trending: +3
This Week: 1/9 vs SEA
Kyler Murray owns Jerry’s World. It was yet another positive outcome for the Cardinals QB at this stadium, and dating back to his pre-NFL days, this has been a trend. It may have taken a few plays going his way this time, but with the win, Arizona stays alive in the NFC West race.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 22-25 loss vs ARI
Trending: -3
This Week: 1/8 @ PHI
For the first time in five weeks, the Dallas Cowboys defense was unable to force multiple turnovers, and it cost the team. Dak Prescott had a very average game by his standards as well, only making things harder for Dallas. All that said, and they still could have found a way to win this game.
12. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 23-7 win vs HOU
Trending: –
This Week: 1/9 @ LAR
With Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out with injury, this was Trey Lance’s chance to shine. The 49ers got the win, but Lance didn’t exactly shine. There’s a very real chance that San Francisco needs to win against the Rams in order to make the playoffs, and it’s equally real that Trey Lance may need to lead them there.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 20-16 win @ WSH
Trending: +1
This Week: 1/8 vs DAL
What a day for Jalen Hurts. Leading a road win against a division rival, clinching a playoff berth, and dodging a railing as it and about a dozen fans fell right in front of him. The stars are starting to align in Philly.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Last Week: 34-13 win vs DEN
Trending: +1
This Week: 1/9 @ LV
The Chargers did what they needed to against a reeling Denver Broncos team. Justin Herbert played well, and the defense shut down absolutely everything that Denver had going. Now, they’ve got a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs by beating the Raiders.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: 23-20 win @ IND
Trending: +2
This Week: 1/9 vs LAC
Has there ever been a more appropriate time for the Paul Rudd “Look at us” meme? This Raiders team seemed dead in the water weeks ago, and now after a huge win over the Colts, they have a “win and you’re in” chance against the Chargers.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 26-14 win vs CLE
Trending: +4
This Week: 1/9 @ BAL
This was likely Ben Roethlisberger’s last start at Heinz Field, and the Steelers sent him off with a big win to keep Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes alive. They need to get one last win and get a little help from the Jaguars to make it in.
17. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 19-20 loss @ LAR
Trending: -1
This Week: 1/9 vs PIT
Things have gotten difficult for the Ravens going into Week 18. The Lamar Jackson injury reared its ugly head, and Tyler Huntley made a few, well, not so great plays en route to a loss to the Rams.
18. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 3-34 loss @ TEN
Trending: -5
This Week: 1/9 vs NE
Well, so much for that seven-game winning streak. All the work that Miami had done over the past two months went to waste with one blowout loss at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins are now out of playoff contention, but they can also play spoiler this week when they host the Patriots. Another Miami Miracle maybe?
19. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 18-10 win vs CAR
Trending: +2
This Week: 1/9 @ ATL
Taysom Hill returned to the QB room after the pummeling Ian Book took on Monday night last week. With their actual backup QB and a revamped defense led the way for a Saints win. Now, they need one more win and a Niners loss to make another playoff appearance.
20. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 29-3 win vs NYG
Trending: +4
This Week: 1/9 @ MIN
Despite being eliminated from the playoffs, the Chicago Bears came out with some fire this week. Their defense completely shut down any and all offensive efforts by the New York Giants, limiting Mike Glennon to 24 passing yards.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 10-37 loss @ GB
Trending: -3
This Week: 1/9 vs CHI
Kirk Cousins missed a meaningful game for the first time in his Vikings tenure, and Minnesota’s offense looked completely lost without him. Sean Mannion started in his place, and while he completed his first touchdown pass, it was largely an ugly game for the QB.
22. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 14-26 loss @ PIT
Trending: -3
This Week: 1/9 vs CIN
Not a great look for Baker Mayfield, or the Cleveland Browns in general. They were unable to produce any semblance of an offense for large parts of this game, and the lack of a presence in the running game was quite confusing.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 51-29 win vs DET
Trending: +5
This Week: 1/9 @ ARI
In what could end up being his last home game for the Seattle Seahawks, Russell Wilson balled out. He passed for four touchdowns, and three of them found star receiver DK Metcalf. Next, they can play spoiler in Arizona.
24. Washington Football Team
Last Week: 16-20 loss vs PHI
Trending: +1
This Week: 1/9 @ NYG
Washington moves up in these power rankings by the sheer fact that they played some competitive football this week. Down here in the basement of the final power rankings, man, some of these performances got ugly. At any rate, it was a loss for Washington, but at least a respectable one.
25. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 10-34 loss @ LAC
Trending: -2
This Week: 1/8 vs KC
Did we expect anything else out of this Broncos team? This is a team that has been clinging onto life by beating bad teams all year, and it is certainly fitting that their season will likely close with blowouts dealt by two of the better teams in the league
26. New York Jets
Last Week: 24-28 loss vs TB
Trending: +3
This Week: 1/9 @ BUF
Speaking of competitive football, the Jets not only were competitive, but really should have beaten Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in this game. It almost seemed like the Antonio Brown incident woke the Bucs up because after that point, Tampa Bay played much sharper football.
27. Houston Texans
Last Week: 7-23 loss @ SF
Trending: -5
This Week: 1/9 vs TEN
Houston has been a sneaky hot team as of late, but they couldn’t keep the mojo going against San Francisco this week. Davis Mills was not very good in this game, and it ended up costing them.
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28. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 15-29 loss @ BUF
Trending: -2
This Week: 1/9 vs NO
A tale as old as time, the Atlanta Falcons struggled to score touchdowns this week. Instead, they kicked a pair of field goals of less than 30 yards. Matt Ryan didn’t help out much either with under 200 yards passing.
29. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 29-51 loss @ SEA
Trending: -2
This Week: 1/9 vs GB
Tim Boyle got the start once again for the Lions, and that simply won’t do for successful Kardiak Kitties football. Boyle threw three interceptions, and the Lions were unable to stay competitive in Seattle.
30. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 10-18 loss vs NO
Trending: –
This Week: 1/9 @ TB
Sam Darnold continues to play some uninspiring football for the Panthers, and Carolina’s offensive line did him very little favors. The Saints defense controlled this game throughout.
31. New York Giants
Last Week: 3-29 loss @ CHI
Trending: –
This Week: 1/9 vs WSH
Mike Glennon managed just 24 passing yards in this game. Garrett Bradbury had 21 receiving yards for the Vikings this week. That’s just about all you need to know from this game.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 10-50 loss @ NE
Trending: –
This Week: 1/9 vs IND
Jacksonville began the 2021 season at No. 28 in the power rankings, and they will finish the season at the very bottom. It’s been quite a ride for the Jaguars, but every person on the planet should be hoping they can pull off a miracle against the Colts in Week 18. If they can do so, a tie between the Chargers and Raiders means both of those teams will make the playoffs.