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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cory Kinnan

Week 18 Power Rankings: Joe Flacco and Browns more than a good story, Eagles continue to falter

We have reached the last NFL Power Rankings of the 2023 season. In this edition, we once again focus on Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns, and the Philadelphia Eagles for different reasons.

Everything is going right for the Browns right now. They have won four in a row and have clinched the top wildcard spot in the AFC. As they get set for the playoffs, do not expect to see many starters suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals this week.

The Eagles, however, have been trending in the wrong direction since Thanksgiving. As a result, the Dallas Cowboys are in the driver’s seat to win the division, and they will need to finish the season strong against the New York Giants this week.

How does the opposite trajectory of both of these teams impact their standings in this week’s power rankings? Here are your Week 18 edition of NFL Power Rankings.

32
Carolina Panthers (2-14)

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

At least their owner is a nice guy, right? Right?

31
Washington Commanders (4-12)

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders have landed themselves in Drake Maye territory.

30
New England Patriots (4-12)

They played the Bills valiantly, but the Patriots could not find a win.

29
New York Giants (5-11)

The Eagles better shape up or Tyrod Taylor and the Giants could catch them slipping.

28
Tennessee Titans (5-11)

Does Mike Vrabel want to head back to the college level and take over the Ohio State program?

27
Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Giff Smith is a real person.

26
New York Jets (6-10)

Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Their calling card was their defense this season until they met Joe Flacco and the Browns, who clinched a playoff spot against them.

25
Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles lost to who?

24
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

What would their record be if they played in any other division?

23
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

They had a fun run, but are now closer to a top-10 pick than the playoffs.

22
Chicago Bears (7-9)

Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

It was too little too late for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears. However, winning four of their last five with the chance to spoil the postseason hopes of the Packers is not a bad way to end the season.

21
Denver Broncos (8-8)

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

They’ll always have that midseason win streak!

20
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

No Joe Burrow, no playoffs.

19
Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)

Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Pierce has those boys playing hard.

18
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Does anyone want to win this division?

17
New Orleans Saints (8-8)

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Even after beating the Buccaneers, the fate of their NFC South hopes lie in the hands of the 2-14 Panthers.

16
Green Bay Packers (8-8)

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

With the chance to make the playoffs on the line, can the inconsistent Packers get it done against the Bears?

15
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks just gave up another huge run as I typed this out.

14
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Still a longshot to get in, the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive.

13
Indianapolis Colts (9-7)

Mandatory Credit: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Shane Steichen has this team in a position to potentially win their division this week or miss the playoffs outright.

12
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles are a putrid football team right now.

11
Houston Texans (9-7)

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

With C.J. Stroud back on the field, the Texans need to close out their season with a win over the Colts to seal their postseason fate.

10
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Finishing off their season against the Tennessee Titans, the Jaguars will need a win to win the AFC South after once holding a firm lead over the Texans and Colts.

9
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

Benefitting from playing in a bad division, the Chiefs are heading back to the playoffs. But they are limping to the finish line.

8
Miami Dolphins (11-5)

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The lack of quality wins has caught up to them as they have a chance to lose out on their division this weekend and potentially fall four slots in the AFC postseason seeding.

7
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams could beat anyone on their schedule right now. Don’t sleep on them.

6
Buffalo Bills (10-6)

One of the hottest teams in football right now, the Bills have pulled themselves out of their own grave and now have a shot to win the division against the Dolphins this weekend.

5
Detroit Lions (11-5)

They better be ready for the return of Matthew Stafford and the Rams in round one of the playoffs.

4
Cleveland Browns (11-5)

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco fever continues as the Browns can sit back and relax this weekend without the risk of playing any of their starters.

3
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys are good, but Mike McCarthy’s play-calling is leaving a lot to be desired.

2
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

There are cracks in the armor.

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