2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 18: Tom Brady clinches, Aaron Rodgers on the verge
By Randy Gurzi
55. . . Previous: 14th. Pittsburgh Steelers. 14. team
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
There aren’t a lot of teams playing with as much confidence as the Pittsburgh Steelers are right now. They’ve won three in a row and five of their last six — the only loss in that span was a 16-14 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh got their revenge on the Ravens in Week 17 as they were able to get a huge win on the road, thanks to a last-minute touchdown from Kenny Pickett.
The rookie orchestrated an 11-play, 80-yard drive and on the final play of that drive, Phe avoided the rush and threw a dart on the run. That pass landed in the hands of Najee Harris, who scored the 10-yard touchdown that put them up 16-13.
Just like he did last week, Kenny Pickett once again comes through in the clutch. pic.twitter.com/f5M6IZTjmw
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 2, 2023
Pittsburgh now heads home to play the Browns, who found a rhythm this weekend. This game looked to be a boring one a couple of weeks ago but just got very meaningful.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 13. team. 48. . . Previous: 17th
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There’s still a chance Tom Brady will suffer his first losing season as a starter. While that has to be decided still, the 8-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will finish 9-8 at best which would be Brady’s worst finish since 2002 — and it would be only the second time (outside of 2008 when he tore his ACL in Week 1) that he doesn’t have at least 10 wins.
Even with all that being said, he’s still taking his team to the playoffs. Tampa Bay was down 21-10 in the fourth quarter against Carolina in Week 17 and found a way to come back. Brady threw two touchdowns and ran another as he and the Bucs clinched the NFC South title.
They might have won the worst division but they’re clicking at the right time and can’t be taken lightly by whoever gets stuck heading to Raymond James Stadium in the Wild Card Round.