It appears as if Santa Claus saved his best Wisconsin-destined gift for last as the news hit Thursday that Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers would return to action Sunday for the team’s win-and-in regular season finale against the Chicago Bears.
We’ve discussed Rodgers’ impact in regards to the Las Vegas point spread before, with the 30-year-old signal-caller’s worth amounting to anywhere from 7-10 points against the line. But Rodgers hasn’t played since November 4 and that, coupled with the absence of pass rushing specialist Clay Matthews (thumb), had an effect in our Week 17 power rankings adjustments. Checking in at 80.5 (19th) through 15 weeks, the return of Rodgers has moved Green Bay to a power number of 85.5 (ninth) entering the final weekend of action.
And for those of you chomping at the bit to shred Dallas’ move from 81.0 to 80.0 despite a come-from-behind win at Washington in Week 16, note that the Tony Romo injury (back) has been factored into the equation. We agree that Romo is worth more than one point towards the Las Vegas line, but the Cowboys have yet to rule their star quarterback out for Sunday, which is why we made only a minor adjustment for the time being.
The numbers in brackets indicate each team’s Power Ranking, which is based on a scale of 1-100. These numbers can be used as a baseline to determine the point spread between any two teams on the list. Keep in mind that these numbers do not account for home field advantage, situational analysis (extra rest, back-to-back road games, divisional rivalries, etc), injuries, weather or public perception. They are merely to be used as a baseline for your initial analysis.
1. Seattle Seahawks [90.0]
Record: 12-3 (Lost 17-10 vs. Arizona)
Previous ranking: 90.5 (1)
2. Denver Broncos [89.5]
Record: 12-3 (Won 37-13 at Houston Texans)
Previous ranking: 89.5 (2)
3. Carolina Panthers [89.0]
Record: 11-4 (Won 17-13 vs. New Orleans
Previous ranking: 88.5 (T3)
4. San Francisco 49ers [88.5]
Record: 11-4 (Won 34-24 vs. Atlanta)
Previous ranking: 88.5 (T3)
5. New England Patriots [87.5]
Record: 11-4 (Won 41-7 at Baltimore)
Previous ranking: 87.0 (6)
T6. Cincinnati Bengals [87.0]
Record: 10-5 (Won 42-14 vs. Minnesota)
Previous ranking: 86.5 (7)
T6. New Orleans Saints [87.0]
Record: 10-5 (Lost 17-13 at Carolina)
Previous ranking: 88.0 (5)
8. Philadelphia Eagles [86.0]
Record: 9-6 (Won 54-11 vs. Chicago)
Previous ranking: 84.0 (10)
9. Green Bay Packers [85.5]
Record: 7-7-1 (Lost 38-31 vs. Pittsburgh)
Previous ranking: 80.5 (19)
10. Kansas City Chiefs [85.0]
Record: 11-4 (Lost 23-7 vs. Indianapolis)
Previous ranking: 86.0 (8)
11. Arizona Cardinals [84.5]
Record: 10-5 (Won 17-10 at Seattle)
Previous ranking: 83.5 (11)
12. Indianapolis Colts [83.5]
Record: 10-5 (Won 23-7 at Kansas City)
Previous ranking: 83.0 (T12)
13. Baltimore Ravens [83.0]
Record: 8-7 (Lost 41-7 vs. New England)
Previous ranking: 84.5 (9)
14. San Diego Chargers [82.5]
Record: 8-7 (Won 26-13 vs. Oakland)
Previous ranking: 82.0 (14)
T15. Pittsburgh Steelers [82.0]
Record: 7-8 (Won 38-31 at Green Bay)
Previous ranking: 81.5 (T15)
T15. Miami Dolphins [82.0]
Record: 8-7 (Lost 19-0 at Buffalo)
Previous ranking: 83.0 (T12)
17. Chicago Bears [81.0]
Record: 8-7 (Lost 54-11 at Philadelphia)
Previous ranking: 81.5 (T15)
18. St. Louis Rams [80.5]
Record: 7-8 (Won 23-13 vs. Tampa Bay)
Previous ranking: 80.0 (20)
19. Dallas Cowboys [80.0]
Record: 8-7 (Won 24-23 at Washington)
Previous ranking: 81.0 (T17)
20. Detroit Lions [79.5]
Record: 7-8 (Lost 23-20 vs. NY Giants)
Previous ranking: 81.0 (T17)
21. New York Jets [79.0]
Record: 7-8 (Won 24-13 vs. Cleveland)
Previous ranking: 78.5 (T22)
T22. New York Giants [78.5]
Record: 6-9 (Won 23-20 at Detroit)
Previous ranking: 78.0 (T24)
T22. Minnesota Vikings [78.5]
Record: 4-10-1 (Lost 42-14 at Cincinnati)
Previous ranking: 78.5 (T22)
T24. Tennessee Titans [78.0]
Record: 6-9 (Won 20-16 at Jacksonville)
Previous ranking: 78.0 (T24)
T24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [78.0]
Record: 4-11 (Lost 23-13 at St. Louis)
Previous ranking: 79.5 (21)
T24. Buffalo Bills [78.0]
Record: 6-9 (Won 19-0 vs. Miami)
Previous ranking: 77.5 (27)
27. Atlanta Falcons [77.5]
Record: 4-11 (Lost 34-24 at San Francisco)
Previous ranking: 78.0 (T24)
T28. Cleveland Browns [77.0]
Record: 4-11 (Lost 24-13 at NY Jets)
Previous ranking: 77.0 (T28)
T28. Washington Redskins [77.0]
Record: 3-12 (Lost 24-23 vs. Dallas)
Previous ranking: 77.0 (T28)
30. Jacksonville Jaguars [76.5]
Record: 4-11 (Lost 20-16 vs. Tennessee)
Previous ranking: 76.5 (T30)
31. Oakland Raiders [76.0]
Record: 4-11 (Lost 26-13 at San Diego)
Previous ranking: 76.5 (T30)
32. Houston Texans [75.5]
Record: 2-13 (Lost 37-13 vs. Denver)
Previous ranking: 75.5 (32)
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