JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 18 2023 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are …
(13-3)
1
Baltimore Ravens
Peaking as the postseason approaches
(12-4)
2
San Francisco 49ers
NFC’s clear No. 1
(11-5)
3
Miami Dolphins
Oof
(11-5)
4
2
Cleveland Browns
Four consecutive victories
(11-5)
5
Detroit Lions
They lost … officially
(11-5)
6
1
Dallas Cowboys
They won … officially
(10-6)
7
1
Buffalo Bills
AFC’s second-hottest team … and still not in yet
(11-5)
8
4
Philadelphia Eagles
Four losses in five games
(10-6)
9
Kansas City Chiefs
Eight consecutive AFC West titles
(9-7)
10
Pittsburgh Steelers
Still a chance – but they need help
(9-7)
11
2
Los Angeles Rams
They’re in – and they’re dangerous
(8-8)
12
1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Win and they’re in
(9-7)
13
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Win Sunday and they win the AFC South
(9-7)
14
1
Houston Texans
Win Saturday and they’re in the playoffs – at least
(9-7)
15
1
Indianapolis Colts
Win Saturday and they’re in the playoffs – at least
(8-8)
16
7
Green Bay Packers
Win and they’re in
(8-8)
17
3
New Orleans Saints
Need to win – and have Buccaneers lose
(8-8)
18
Denver Broncos
Eliminated
(8-8)
19
7
Cincinnati Bengals
Eliminated
(8-8)
20
3
Seattle Seahawks
Need to win and have Green Bay lose or tie
(7-9)
21
3
Chicago Bears
Eliminated, but impressive lately
(7-9)
22
3
Minnesota Vikings
Still in it – but need a lot of help
(7-9)
23
2
Las Vegas Raiders
Eliminated
(7-9)
24
2
Atlanta Falcons
Need to win and have Buccaneers lose
(6-10)
25
New York Jets
Next year can’t come soon enough
(5-11)
26
New York Giants
Three consecutive losses after brief surge
(5-11)
27
Tennessee Titans
Up next: Duuuval in Nashville
(5-11)
28
Los Angeles Chargers
A lost season winds to an end
(4-12)
29
2
Arizona Cardinals
Wow
(4-12)
30
1
New England Patriots
Fighting to the finish
(4-12)
31
1
Washington Commanders
Seven consecutive losses
(2-14)
32
Carolina Panthers
Shut down in Duuuval
