2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Chiefs, Cowboys lock up division, Browns fall apart
By Randy Gurzi
14. team. 26. . . Previous: 14th. Baltimore Ravens
14. Baltimore Ravens
Josh Johnson deserves a lot of credit for how he played on Sunday. A 14-year veteran, Johnson hadn’t started a game since 2018 with Washington but was asked to take the field in a huge game against the Cincinnati Bengals with both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley out.
Johnson threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns but was still on the wrong side of a 41-21 score. A huge reason for that was the Ravens’ inability to stop Joe Burrow who had 525 yards and four touchdowns. They also gave Johnson no help on the ground, finishing with 39 yards.
Baltimore is now 8-7 as they have been battling injuries all season and somehow treading water. In the end, they may come up short but they still deserve a lot of respect for not folding.
42. . . Previous: 9th. San Francisco 49ers. 13. team
13. San Francisco 49ers
An early 10-point lead wasn’t enough for the San Francisco 49ers who found themselves losing to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football. The loss re-sparked criticism for Jimmy Garoppolo who had a couple of turnovers and left plenty of plays on the table.
Even worse, general manager John Lynch liked a tweet saying the 49ers should leave Garoppolo in Nashville. He said afterward it was a mistake, but then again, he hasn’t “accidentally” liked any tweets supporting Garoppolo.
At 8-7, their season is still alive but this was a tough loss that makes it much harder for them to try and make it into the playoffs.