Robert Kowalski is back for Week 18 of his NFL Power Rankings!
**Note** A Par score of 0 is set for calculating rankings week to week.
| Rank | Team | Week 18 | Week 17 | Notes |
| 1 | BUF | 8.5 | 8.25 | Face a desperate Patriots team week 18 |
| 2 | KC | 8.25 | 8 | 5-0 in division, 7th straight AFC West Title |
| 3 | CIN | 7 | 6.5 | End the season hosting Ravens who need lots to happen to seed higher |
| 4 | DAL | 6.5 | 5 | Success in season – now it’s the NFC title game or bust |
| 5 | PHI | 6.25 | 4.5 | Most TDs scored (58) and Sacks (67) in a season with one to go |
| 6 | SF | 5 | 5.25 | 9-1 since trading for McCaffrey |
| 7 | TB | 2.75 | 2 | Inconsistent but looks formidable entering playoffs |
| 8 | JAX | 2 | 1.5 | Jags white hot since November thanks to Lawrence |
| 9 | LAC | 1.5 | 1.5 | Injuries behind them – LAC as dangerous as any playoff team |
| 10 | GB | 1.5 | 1.5 | Where was this defense all year? |
| 11 | NE | 0.75 | 0.25 | Perhaps Mac Jones is not the answer at QB? |
| 12 | SEA | 0.75 | 0 | Could have had playoffs locked in if not for letdown home loss to LV |
| 13 | NO | 0.5 | 0.5 | Made a run in December but too many mistakes doomed the season |
| 14 | NYG | 0.5 | 0.5 | As a big surprise as any this year: NYG Playoffs |
| 15 | DET | 0.5 | 0.25 | Even if Lions don’t make playoffs, it’s been a very good year |
| 16 | CLE | 0.5 | -0.5 | Wasted the year when they traded for Watson |
| 17 | MIA | -0.25 | 2.5 | All Dolphins seasons somehow end up at 8-8 after 17 weeks |
| 18 | MIN | -0.5 | 0.5 | 11 victories by one score and 8 4th quarter comebacks |
| 19 | BAL | -0.5 | 1.5 | Ravens have not faced a team with a winning record since week 6 |
| 20 | CAR | -0.75 | -0.5 | From Mayfield to Sam Darnold to almost incredibly almost playoffs |
| 21 | PIT | -0.75 | -1.75 | Great growth collectively after the Week 9 Bye |
| 22 | DEN | -1.5 | -4 | Lost 9 games by 7 or fewer points |
| 23 | WAS | -3 | -2 | Playoff caliber Defense not enough to succeed on their own |
| 24 | LAR | -3 | -2 | Now the big decisions to come on how to unfold 2022 in time for 2023 |
| 25 | NYJ | -3.5 | -1.75 | Offense only scored 4 TDs in the last five; all lossses |
| 26 | TEN | -3.5 | -5.5 | Every franchise suffers through injuries… and then there’s the Titans |
| 27 | CHI | -4 | -3.5 | Defense must improve dramatically to stop the run next year |
| 28 | ATL | -4 | -4 | 6 wins in a reset year (Ryan > Mariota > Ridder) |
| 29 | LV | -4.5 | -5 | Lost 5 games this year where they held double digit leads in the 2nd half |
| 30 | HOU | -6.25 | -5.25 | Next year’s QB is not on the roster now |
| 31 | ARI | -7.75 | -8 | underperformed, injuries, suspensions led to this mess |
| 32 | IND | -9 | -6.25 | -137 point differential on the season |
