The Packers were shellacked 38-8 on the road against the Cardinals, who have a chance to end the regular season as the top seed in the NFC. Green Bay was beaten so soundly that coach Mike McCarthy pulled Aaron Rodgers to save him from punishment, and let Scott Tolzien finish out the game.
In Week 17 the Packers’ game vs. the Vikings has been flexed into NBC’s primetime slot, since they’ll be playing for the NFC North division title. Even if the Packers win, however, they won’t crack SWN’s Top 5 power rankings.
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5. Broncos (10-4)
The Broncos have problems on offense. Brock Osweiler has looked solid at some points in relief of the injured Peyton Manning, but too often has dips in his performance which don’t allow Denver to put up any points. Still, the Broncos are a threat to any team in any game because their run game has been revitalized with Osweiler under center, and their defense is the best in the NFL.
The Broncos rank No. 1 against the pass. They have killer pass rushers (DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller) and two shutdown cornerbacks (Chris Harris, Aqib Talib). They also rank third against the run, and control their own destiny as far as earning a first-round bye. Anytime Denver gets the decent version of Osweiler, they’re in great position to earn a W.
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4. Seahawks (9-6)
Seattle’s defense really hit an upswing as the season went on, and they’re now in the top 5 per Football Outsiders. They rank third vs. the pass, and CB Richard Sherman is having one of his best years, even if his interception total is down. Maybe now he knows why his INT-based barbs thrown Darrelle Revis’ way were flawed. Teams are now attacking his counterpart, although they’ve figured out ways to compensate.
They are also getting the best football of Russell Wilson’s career. Even though they laid an egg Sunday vs. the Rams, few teams are as explosive as the Seahawks, and they could be getting Marshawn Lynch back shortly.
3. Patriots (12-3)
The Pats are always dominant, and Tom Brady is having one of his best seasons. The reason they aren’t higher is a mounting injury list. Several offensive lineman are dotting the reports, in addition to their top two wide receivers (Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola), and their top two running backs (LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis). Even with all those issues, they were able to take a surging Jets squad to overtime on the road.
If Edelman returns, the Patriots could become an offensive juggernaut again, and potentially waltz to the Super Bowl with a less-than-imposing AFC field competing against them.
2. Panthers (14-1)
For once, Cam Newton didn’t look quite like Superman. Newton was great, and on the ground he looked as powerful and swift as ever, but for the first time this year he couldn’t rescue Carolina’s weak receiving corps, and they fell to the Falcons. This doesn’t mean they were exposed, or shouldn’t be taken seriously anymore. It does prove that Newton is a human being, however, and that there are teams with much more offensive talent that can compete with Carolina, who relies on one man.
The Panthers’ defense is still dominant, led by LB Luke Kuechly and CB Josh Norman, who did have a rough outing vs. Julio Jones. They will be fine, and in all likelihood will have home field throughout the playoffs.
1. Cardinals (13-2)
For weeks they’ve passed the eye test as the best team in the NFL, and now that the Panthers have finally lost a game it’s not silly to put them atop the list. Arizona’s defense will absolutely miss CB Tyrann Mathieu, but on Sunday they still looked dangerous. Rookie RB David Johnson has been a revelation, Carson Palmer is playing MVP-caliber football, and the receiving corps looks like the deepest in football.
