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2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Jaguars and Steelers soaring

By Sayre Bedinger

Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Power Rankings; Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Cleveland Browns

. Previous: 22nd. Cleveland Browns. 24. team. 53.

Just when I thought I had the Cleveland Browns figured out, they go and lose a barn-burner to the New Orleans Saints. As far as NFL power rankings go, this team is going to hover in this range for the remainder of the season. The inclusion of Deshaun Watson in the lineup has not paid great dividends in terms of offensive production.

You can’t help but wonder what kind of thoughts the Browns are having internally about Watson beyond this season given what we’ve seen so far, but he’ll certainly have to start playing like an MVP sooner rather than later with his fully guaranteed $230 million deal.

23. Carolina Panthers

87. . . Previous: 23rd. Carolina Panthers. 23. team

For my money, I’d prefer to take a shot on the Panthers making the playoffs in 2022 than any of the other teams in the NFC South. The Falcons are cooked. The Saints are just not exciting enough this season. The Tom Brady-led Bucs are a shell of what they once were. I will take the unpredictability of this Panthers team in the postseason if I can get it.

Thanks to a win this past weekend against a good Detroit Lions team, those playoff hopes are still alive for the Panthers. At 6-9, the Panthers are currently projected to pick 8th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they could also win their final couple of games here and make it to the postseason depending on what else happens in their division.

If nothing else, you have to tip your cap to the job Steve Wilks has done with this team since taking over as interim head coach.

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