AFC Power Rankings Week 17: Steelers fall, Pats stay at No. 1
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The 16th Sunday of the 2015 NFL season has come and gone, which means it’s time for another edition of Musket FIre’s AFC power rankings. Because this is a New England Patriots-focused site, we like to focus on just the AFC each Monday morning. Enjoy:
Next: 15. Cleveland Browns
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Next: 14. San Diego Chargers
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Next: 13. Miami Dolphins
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Next: 12. Baltimore Ravens
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens will look to avoid their worst record since 2007 by upsetting the Bengals on the road next week.
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12
Baltimore Ravens
AFC North, 5-10
Remember Chris Matthews, the lanky wideout who gave Logan Ryan all sorts of headaches in Super Bowl XLIX? Well, Ryan Mallet enjoyed his company in Week 16, connecting with him three times, one of which translated into a touchdown.
Even better, the Ravens defense reared its head in Week 16, which was a refreshing change from the unit’s usual stinky play this season. Jimmy Smith and Daryl Smith each got their mitts on a Ben Roethlisberger pass, and the defense as a whole held the league’s best aerial attack to just 215 yards through the air. A job well done.
The Ravens will look to avoid their worst record since 2007 by upsetting the Bengals on the road next week.
Next: 11. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Next: 10. Indianapolis Colts
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Next: 9. Buffalo Bills
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Next: 8. Oakland Raiders
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Next: 7. Pittsburgh Steelers
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As it stands right now, the Steelers are the odd ones out in the AFC playoff picture with the Jets and Chiefs entrenched as the Wild Card teams. All the Steelers can do is focus on getting a win on the road in Cleveland in Week 17 and hope that someone (like the Broncos) falter like they did on Sunday.
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7
Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North, 9-6
Never, never discount the underdog in a divisional rivalry. Despite being the better team for the entirety of the regular season, the Steelers were schooled by the Ravens in Week 16. Ben Roethlisberger looked like an aging quarterback, tossing a pair of interceptions (no touchdowns) and managing to hit superstar wideout Antonio Brown for just 61 yards.
Even more disappointing was the effort of the defense, a unit which allowed Ryan Mallet to beat them. Slot cornerback Brandon Boykin was the only Steeler who managed to drag Mallet down for a sack, indicating how poorly the Steelers pass rush played in Week 16.
As it stands right now, the Steelers are the odd ones out in the AFC playoff picture with the Jets and Chiefs entrenched as the Wild Card teams. All the Steelers can do is focus on getting a win on the road in Cleveland in Week 17 and hope that someone (like the Broncos) falter like they did on Sunday.
Next: 6. Houston Texans
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Next: 5. Denver Broncos
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Next: 4. New York Jets
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Next: 3. Cincinnati Bengals
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Next: 2. Kansas City Chiefs
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To close out the season, the Chiefs host divisional rival Oakland, a must-win game if the Chiefs want to welcome a Wild Card team next month.
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2
Kansas City Chiefs
AFC West, 10-5
Taking the reins at No. 2 for the second straight week, the Chiefs can now be called the hottest team in football after the Carolina Panthers fell in Week 16. Alex Smith and the Chiefs are winners of nine straight, and the AFC West title is all they have on their minds (they’ll be rooting hard for the Bengals tonight).
Jeremy Maclin’s seventh touchdown catch and Marcus Peters’ eighth interceptions powered the Chiefs to a playoff berth on Sunday. It wasn’t like the Chiefs destructed the Cleveland Browns, but they did everything they needed to earn a hard-fought December win over a team playing with nothing to lose.
To close out the season, the Chiefs host divisional rival Oakland, a must-win game if the Chiefs want to welcome a Wild Card team next month.
Next: 1. New England Patriots
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