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NFC Power Rankings continue to take shape entering Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. With just one game remaining in the regular season, teams are running out of time to secure their position. Here's how all NFC teams currently stack up.
NFC Power Rankings: Teams struggling the most
NFC teams ranked #16-#13 in the Week 18 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.
#16 - Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
Last week: #16
Next week: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions have remained at the bottom of the NFC Power Rankings for the entire 2021 NFL season. Despite the lack of talent on their roster, they have battled hard all season and found their way to a couple of victories. Their only chance of moving up the Power Rankings is defeating the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the season.
#15 - New York Giants (4-12)
Last week: #15
Next week: vs. Washington Football Team
The New York Giants could be making big changes this offseason after another year towards the bottom of the Power Rankings. They own the worst combined record over the last five years. General manager Dave Gettleman, head coach Joe Judge and quarterback Daniel Jones all appear to be in the hot seat.
#14 - Carolina Panthers (5-11)
Last week: #14
Next week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head coach Matt Rhule has just a 10-20 record through his first 30 games in the NFL. He has made several changes at quarterback and even fired his offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, but has been unable to find solutions. The Carolina Panthers enter Week 18 on a six-game losing streak.
#13 - Washington Football Team (6-10)
Last week: #11
Next week: vs. New York Giants
The Washington Football Team continues to plummet down the Power Rankings. They have an active four-game losing streak, which immediately followed a previous four-game winning streak. They will likely use the upcoming offseason to evaluate their quarterback situation, including Taylor Heinicke's future.
NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to do better
NFC teams ranked #12-#9 in the Week 18 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.
#12 - Chicago Bears (6-10)
Last week: #12
Next week: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Chicago Bears are rising back up the Power Rankings after winning their last two consecutive games. They were as low as 15th in the NFC Power Rankings this season. They are the only team in the NFL with an overall losing record, while also on an active winning streak entering Week 18.
#11 - Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Last week: #13
Next week: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Seattle Seahawks improved their spot in the Power Rankings after their biggest offensive performance of the season, scoring 51 points. They are still one of the most disappointing teams of the 2021 NFL season. They had hoped to compete for a Super Bowl, but instead they are in the bottom half of the Power Rankings.
#10 - Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Last week: #10
Next week: vs. New Orleans Saints
The Atlanta Falcons have bounced up and down the Power Rankings all season. They have been in the NFC Wild Card picture for much of the season. Unfortunately, have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. First-time head coach Arthur Smith will look to build off a decent season and make improvements for his second year.
#9 - Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Last week: #8
Next week: vs. Chicago Bears
The Minnesota Vikings were officially eliminated from the NFC Playoff race when they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers this week. This is the second straight year they will not be a part of the postseason. They will have decisions to make this offseason about the futures of quarterback Kirk Cousins and head coach Mike Zimmer.
NFC Power Rankings: Teams that are close
NFC teams ranked #8-#5 in the Week 18 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.
#8 - New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Last week: #9
Next week: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The New Orleans Saints have played their way back into the top half of the NFC Power Rankings. They are the only team in the conference that doesn't currently have a spot in the playoffs, but has a chance to earn one in Week 18. They need to win their game against the Falcons and have the San Francisco 49ers lose their game against the Rams.
#7 - San Francisco 49ers (9-7)
Last week: #7
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The San Francisco 49ers have not yet clinched a spot in the NFC Playoffs. Their scenario is very simple. If they win their game in Week 18 or the Saints lose their game, the 49ers are officially back in the playoffs. They missed out on the postseason in 2020 after making it all the way to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.
#6 - Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Last week: #6
Next week: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles have been surging higher in the Power Rankings recently. They have won their last four consecutive games entering Week 18 and clinched one of the NFC Wild Card spots. They are playing their best football at the right time and could potentially be dangerous in the playoffs.
#5 - Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
Last week: #5
Next week: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Despite a big win over the Dallas Cowboys this week, the Arizona Cardinals remain 5th in the NFC Power Rankings. It was their first victory after suffering through three consecutive losses, including one to the Detroit Lions, who are in last place in the NFC Power Rankings.
NFC Power Rankings: The top teams
NFC teams ranked #4-#1 in the Week 18 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.
#4 - Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Last week: #2
Next week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys fell a few spots in the Power Rankings but remain in the top four. They have not lost to any team this entire season with a losing record at the time of the game. The Cowboys enter Week 18 leading the NFL in scoring, averaging 29.9 points per game. They also lead the NFL with 33 forced turnovers.
#3 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
Last week: #4
Next week: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers survived a scare against the New York Jets this week. Tom Brady's late-game heroics saved them from defeat. They moved back into the top three in the NFC Power Rankings with the victory. Unfortunately, they will likely have to play the rest of the season without wide receiver Antonio Brown after his most recent outburst during the third quarter.
#2 - Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
Last week: #3
Next week: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Los Angeles Rams have achieved their highest spot in the Power Rankings. They are currently on a five-game winning streak, tied with the Packers for the longest active winning streak in the entire NFL. If they win their Week 18 game against the 49ers, they will clinch the NFC West division crown and the second seed in the NFC Playoffs.
#1 - Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Last week: #1
Next week: vs. Detroit Lions
The Green Bay Packers have clinched the top seed in the NFC Playoffs and the top spot in the Power Rankings. They will likely rest some of their starters in Week 18 as they get healthy for the postseason. That means they will likely remain in the top spot in the Power Rankings regardless of Week 18 results. Aaron Rodgers is the heavy favorite to win the 2021 NFL MVP award.
