• Final NFL Power Rankings1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)The Seahawks allowed an average of 6.5 points in their last six games. ThatÕs it. In this era, thatÕs unheard of. ItÕs also why the Seahawks are favorites to win it all again. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings2. New England Patriots (12-4)Foxboro hasnÕt been as airtight in the playoffs over the last decade as you might think, but make no mistake: the AFC road goes through New England. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings3. Green Bay Packers (12-4)Fourth straight NFC North title, 8-0 at home, first-round bye. WeÕll call that #AaronRodgers. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings4. Denver Broncos (12-4)The first-round bye is nice, but can Peyton beat Brady in the cold in January? In a word, yes. In six words, yes Ð if they feed C.J. Anderson. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings5. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)The Cowboys notched their second 12-win season since 1995 and are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2009. That should quiet the Romo critics for at least a week. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings6. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)With a good defense, a great running game and weapons galore on the outside, Pittsburgh looked like a playoff sleeper. HereÕs hoping for a speedy recovery for LeÕVeon Bell. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings7. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)Another 11-5 season and AFC South championship for Andrew Luck. But can he beat elite competition when it matters most? (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings8. Detroit Lions (11-5)Matthew Stafford is now 0-16 on the road against winning teams. Good luck in the playoffs. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings9. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)Four seasons, four playoff appearances for Andy Dalton. Now he just needs to win one. So does the franchise in general. WeÕre closing in on a quarter of a century. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings10. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)After last yearÕs Super Bowl hangover, the Ravens are back in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. Baltimore doesnÕt feel like a serious contender, but who knows? Joe Flacco has gotten hot before. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings11. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)With four losses in six games, this team has one-and-done written all over it. Still a heck of a season, though. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings12. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)As bad as the NFC South was, you have to hand it to Carolina. The Panthers won four straight to end the season Ð this after six straight losses Ð and host the reeling Cardinals in the payoffs. ThatÕs a pretty nice reward for a sub-.500 team. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings13. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)The Eagles beat 10 teams; seven finished with a losing record. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings14. Houston Texans (9-7)The Texans fell just short in their playoff bid but set a franchise record with 34 takeaways. J.J. Watt, meanwhile, became the first player in NFL history to record multiple 20-sack seasons. With a transcendent player on that side of the ball, Houston will be in the mix for years to come. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings15. Buffalo Bills (9-7)Encouraging season for Buffalo, which finishes with its first winning season in 10 years. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings16. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)The Chiefs almost made the playoffs despite not throwing a touchdown to a receiver all season. If thatÕs not amazing, I donÕt know what is. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings17. San Diego Chargers (9-7)The notoriously up-and-down Chargers went 2-4 in their final six games to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings18. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)If youÕre a 49ers fan, just say thanks for the memories. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings19. Miami Dolphins (8-8)Apparently it doesnÕt matter where the Dolphins play; theyÕve gone 4-4 at home and 4-4 on the road each of the last two seasons. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings20. New York Giants (6-10)If you extrapolate Odell Beckham Jr.Õs last four games over the course of a full season, youÕd have 172 catches for 2,424 yards and 28 touchdowns. ThatÕs how good heÕs been. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings21. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)It wasnÕt just that the Falcons lost to Carolina; itÕs how they lost Ð embarrassed at home, 34-3. Has there been a more un-clutch team in the NFL over the last five years? (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings22. New Orleans Saints (7-9)The silver lining for the Saints? They went 4-4 on the road. With a few tweaks, especially on defense, this team could easily be back in the Super Bowl mix. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings23. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)A rookie quarterback, no Adrian Peterson, injuries Ð the Vikings have nothing to be ashamed of, especially since they lost four games by three points or fewer. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings24. Cleveland Browns (7-9)What began with a magical 7-4 start ended with five straight losses, during which Cleveland averaged 11.4 points. The Browns once again have questions to answer this offseason, starting under center. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings25. St. Louis Rams (6-10)This franchise needs to get two things: healthy, and a quarterback. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings26. Washington Redskins (4-12)Washington is 7-25 (.219) over the last two seasons. At this point, no one is safe Ð not even RG3. Hell, especially RG3. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings27. Chicago Bears (5-11)The Bears closed the season with five straight losses and failed to score a touchdown in their final game at Minnesota. If Jay CutlerÕs contract isnÕt the worst in football, itÕs got to be close. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings28. New York Jets (4-12)New Yorkers may disagree, but Rex RyanÕs tenure wasnÕt a failure. He deserves a lot of blame for what happened, but he did some good things, too. Bottom line? Be careful what you wish for. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings29. Oakland Raiders (3-13)A team that was built for 8-8 went winless on the road. Not much else to say. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)The Jaguars were 3-5 at home and 0-8 on the road. This is a young team that simply needs time to mature. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)Remember at the beginning of the season when I said I wasnÕt buying the Bucs? Well, they just went 0-8 at home. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
  • Final NFL Power Rankings32. Tennessee Titans (2-14)Oakland and Jacksonville were bad this year; Tennessee was worse. The Titans closed the season with 10 straight losses and have no hope of being competitive in the foreseeable future. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
  •  Next Gallery NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
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