NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Chiefs plummet as Ravens reach the summit

Normally, December 25th is when a big man dressed in red always delivers… but not this year.

I’m not talking about Saint Nick — as ever, that dude came through. Just ask my children.

No… I’m talking about the Chiefs’ Big Red. You might think it’s unfair to specifically point out head coach Andy Reid — but at the end of the day, the buck stops with him. There can be conversations about the talent at his disposal, but it is his job to ensure that the players on the field play (and behave) to a certain standard.

And for one reason or another those standards have been slipping badly — never more so than on Christmas Day against the Raiders.

But not even a terrible display by the Chiefs could bring me down after stuffing my face with turkey and mince pies all day.

This week’s voters were Rocky Magana, Jared Sapp, Dakota Johnson, Nate Christensen and myself.

1. Baltimore Ravens (2nd)

Lamar Jackson will win MVP and the Ravens will hold the AFC’s No. 1 seed. We all know what happened the last time the Ravens were this good.

Who am I kidding?

2. San Francisco 49ers (1st)

Did you see that CMC’s touchdown won one gentleman $429,000?

3. Miami Dolphins (6th)

Talk about a statement win!

4. Buffalo Bills (7th)

The team of destiny isn’t winning the Super Bowl while the Ravens exist.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (3rd)

Jalen Hurts’ touchdown runs are not in the same league as Cam Newton’s touchdown runs.

6. Dallas Cowboys (4th)

As long as they can’t win on the road, they can’t win the Super Bowl.

7. Detroit Lions (8th)

Congrats on winning your first division title in a generation.

8. Cleveland Browns (9th)

Is Joe Flacco going to do it again?

9. Kansas City Chiefs (5th)

Rightly or wrongly, the Chiefs aren’t about to make any big mid-season changes. I mean, look how it worked out for the Bills.

10. Los Angeles Rams (13th)

Getting hot at the right time.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18th)

Remember when we were saying that the Buccaneers should trade Mike Evans to Kansas City because of how bad they were? What a time to be alive.

12. Seattle Seahawks (17th)

Still looks safe for a playoff spot.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (10th)

Destined for a first-round exit in the playoffs.

14. Houston Texans (11th)

The CJ Stroud injury has ruined their season.

15. Green Bay Packers (16th)

A promising season draws to a close.

16. Indianapolis Colts (15th)

With a win over the Raiders, they can help deliver the AFC West to the Chiefs. I don’t trust that Kansas City will take care of that business.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (20th)

They are going to extend Mike Tomlin this offseason.

18. Las Vegas Raiders (22nd)

They simply have to give Antonio Pierce the big job.

19. Atlanta Falcons (24th)

New quarterback or head coach this offseason?

20. New Orleans Saints (21st)

They are so boring to watch.

21. Denver Broncos (14th)

Hahahahaha, I know we’re bad — but come on!

22. Minnesota Vikings (19th)

Nick Mullens had the most Jameis Winston performance of all time.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (12th)

See, Jake Browning… the Vikings were right!

24. Chicago Bears (25th)

Justin Fields is worth another season or two.

25. Tennessee Titans (23rd)

It’s over for Ryan Tannehill.

26. New York Jets (26th)

Greg the Leg saved Robert Saleh’s job.

27. Arizona Cardinals (28th)

Nothing can save Kyler Murray’s job.

28. Los Angeles Chargers (27th)

So it was Staley holding back the Chargers’ defense this entire time.

29. New York Giants (29th)

They’ve shown enough in recent weeks to be hopeful for next year…. if they make the right decision at quarterback.

30. New England Patriots (31st)

Bill Belichick with a Wolf of Wall Street performance. He ain’t f*ckin leaving!

31. Washington Commanders (30th)

Beggars belief.

32. Carolina Panthers (32nd)

The Packers’ defense made the Panthers’ offense look capable.

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