Just like that, we are entering the final week of the 2021-2022 season. For the most part, the playoffs are set and only a few games this weekend will decide who is in and who is out.
However, as we approach the final week of the regular season, there are still questions about which teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and which ones are pretenders. Let’s rank them from 32 to 1 to find out who all is for real.
All NFL gameday odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, January 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
NFL Power Rankings for Week 18
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
The Jaguars are just one game away from earning the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years — and they certainly need it. This is the worst roster in the NFL and things are seemingly getting worse by the week.
31. New York Giants (4-12) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
Just when you think things can’t get any worse for the Giants, they completely laid an egg against the Bears in Week 17. Mike Glennon had one of the worst quarterback performances in NFL history, and the team looks lifeless.
Will Joe Judge keep his job for the 2022 season? It’s looking less and less likely by the minute.
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30. Carolina Panthers (5-11) ⬇️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
Matt Rhule promises that the Panthers are heading in the right direction, but it sure doesn’t seem like it. Carolina totaled just 178 yards against the Saints and have now lost six consecutive games.
It looks like the Panthers are further away from contending for a Super Bowl now than when Rhule took over in 2020.
29. New York Jets (4-12) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
The Jets fought the Buccaneers until the very end but just couldn’t stop Tom Brady when it mattered. However, there were encouraging signs from that game, including the play of Zach Wilson.
The Jets are still a long way away from contending in the AFC East, but maybe not as far away as we thought a few weeks ago.
28. Houston Texans (4-12) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
The Texans hung around against the 49ers for a while, but the talent differential eventually was shown on the field.
Houston has been very competitive over the last few weeks, which is a sign that they are trending up.
27. Detroit Lions (2-13-1) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
The Lions have been competitive for most of the season, but they were embarrassed in Week 18 by the Seahawks.
The lone bright spot in the game was rookie receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught eight passes for 111 yards and a score. He is similar to another former USC receiver in Robert Woods and looks to be a keeper in Detroit.
26. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
For the first time in months, Russell Wilson finally looked like an elite quarterback. He only completed 20 passes, but he threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns in a game in which the Seahawks scored 51 points.
If this was his last game in Seattle, Wilson went out with a bang.
25. Denver Broncos (7-9) ⬇️ 4
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
If we have learned one thing from this season, it’s that the Broncos will be in the QB market once again this offseason.
Teddy Bridgewater was a competent starter, but not good enough to beat good teams consistently. Drew Lock isn’t it, and this team needs an elite quarterback to compete in the AFC West.
Otherwise, they are just treading water in the most competitive division in sports.
24. Washington Football Team (6-10) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
After winning the division in 2020, the Washington Football Team will officially finish third in the NFC East. Much like the Broncos, they will be in the quarterback market again in 2022, and until they find a franchise passer, nothing else matters.
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention after falling to the Bills on Sunday. However, they played well in that game, as the defense made several huge stops.
The Falcons are looking at a huge rebuild this offseason that may or may not include Matt Ryan.
22. Chicago Bears (6-10) ⬆️ 3
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds:
The Bears completely dominated the Giants in Week 17, as Mike Glennon had one of the worst performances in NFL history. Robert Quinn continues to look like one of the best defensive players in football.
If the Bears can find the right coach this offseason, they might not be that far away from contending for a playoff spot sooner rather than later.
21. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) ⬇️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
It’s hard to judge much from what we saw in Week 17 against the Packers. Sean Mannion is a backup quarterback for a reason, and the rest of the roster wasn’t good enough to win that game.
Will Week 18 be the last game for both Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins in Minnesota? We shall see.
20. Miami Dolphins (8-8) ⬇️ 5
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
Miami’s win streak finally came to an end as they were dominated by the Titans in Week 17. However, Brian Flores should get a lot of credit for how his team performed over the last two months. They didn’t quit and won the games they should have.
19. Cleveland Browns (7-9) ⬇️ 2
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: N/A
Cleveland has some major issues going into the 2022 offseason. Baker Mayfield has regressed in a big way and the offense doesn’t have any reliable playmakers.
It was a nightmare season for the Browns after finally winning a playoff game last season.
Baker Mayfield was sacked nine times in Cleveland’s loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night, capping off a disappointing night for the Browns. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) ⬆️ 4
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +25000
It’s hard to move the Steelers up in the power rankings after Ben Roethlisberger averaged only 2.7 yards per passing attempt, but here we are.
Pittsburgh still has an outside chance to make the playoffs, but this isn’t a good team.
17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) ⬇️ 4
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +20000
The Ravens have had one of the toughest seasons in NFL history. No team has been devastated more by injuries than Baltimore.
However, they still have an outside shot to make the playoffs going into Week 18. It’s unlikely, especially considering the state of the roster, but certainly not impossible.
16. New Orleans Saints (8-8) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +12500
The Saints need a win in Week 18 and a 49ers loss to make the playoffs this year. Sean Payton has done a fantastic job of steadying the ship after Jameis Winston went down with a season-ending knee injury.
If they make it to the playoffs, they are going to be a tough out for anyone due to their defense.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) ⬆️ 3
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +10000
The Raiders have now won three consecutive games and have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Coincidentally, that was the last time they had a winning season.
Despite a really strange season for Las Vegas, they have a chance to be one of the final seven teams left in the AFC.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) ⬆️ 5
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +6000
The Eagles have clinched a playoff spot in their first year under new head coach Nick Sirianni. Are they an actual Super Bowl contender? Probably not, but this team deserves credit for battling back from a 2-5 start and earning a spot in the postseason.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +4000
If the Chargers beat the Raiders in Week 18, they are in the playoffs. We need that to happen, especially since Justin Herbert is one of the most entertaining quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
The Chargers should make the playoffs and will be a tough out for anyone in the AFC.
12. Buffalo Bills (10-6) ⬇️ 3
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +800
The Bills beat the Falcons in Week 17, but it was hardly a convincing win. Josh Allen threw three interceptions and completed just 11 passes against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Buffalo is likely to win the AFC East, but they have to have some major concerns about their quarterback going into the playoffs.
11. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +3500
Trey Lance looked much better in his second start, but can he perform well enough against the Rams in Week 18 to earn a playoff spot? That will be a big test for the rookie quarterback.
10. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) ⬇️ 5
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +2200
As long as the Colts defeat the Jaguars in Week 18, they will be in the playoffs. However, they have a bigger problem, as Carson Wentz is regressing.
If they can’t trust him to drop back and win games, they will quickly be eliminated from the playoffs.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +2000
Joe Burrow has led the Bengals to an AFC North title in just the second year of his career. A big reason why is due to JaMarr Chase, who is having the best rookie receiving season since Randy Moss.
With those two paired together for the foreseeable future, the future is bright in Cincinnati, even if nothing much comes of it this postseason.
8. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) ⬇️ 4
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +1200
The Cowboys still look a bit off on offense, for whatever reason. They’ve clinched the NFC East, but are they good enough to win multiple games in the playoffs? That remains to be seen.
7. Tennessee Titans (11-5) ⬆️ 4
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +1300
All the Titans need to do is beat the Texans (in Houston) in Week 18 to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC. If they can accomplish that and get to 12 wins, it will be one of the most impressive coaching seasons in NFL history.
Tennessee is a mentally and physically tough team that has overcome so many injuries on both sides of the ball.
Bet Tip: With the road to the AFC likely going through Tennessee, the Titans aren’t a bad Super Bowl bet at 13:1. With Derrick Henry likely to return to the lineup by the AFC Divisional Round, don’t be surprised if the Titans wind up in the Super Bowl this year.
The Chiefs are still the favorite, but the Titans have the best value on the board with the easy road ahead.
6. New England Patriots (10-6) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +1800
The Patriots did what good teams should in Week 17: dominate bad opponents. They intercepted Trevor Lawrence three times in a game that was never close.
The Patriots still have an outside chance of winning the division, but it seems likely that they are going to be the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
5. Arizona Cardinals (11-5) ⬆️ 3
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +1800
The Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the Cowboys in Dallas. Kyler Murray looked healthy for the first time in months and the defense had an outstanding performance.
Bet Tip: The Arizona Cardinals can still clinch the NFC West, and Caesars has their odds to do so set at (+290). To achieve the feat, Arizona will need to defeat Seattle and hope the 49ers take down the Rams in Week 18.
Given that Seattle is already eliminated and San Francisco dominated Los Angeles earlier this season, this might not be a bad bet to take a chance on.
4. Los Angeles Rams (12-4) ⬆️ 2
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +900
All the Rams need is a win over the 49ers (or a Cardinals loss) to wrap up the NFC West. But Matthew Stafford hasn’t played well in about a month and that should be the bigger area of concern.
Can he get right before the playoffs?
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) ↔️
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +700
The Buccaneers didn’t move in our power rankings after a comeback win over the Jets, but their road to the Super Bowl just got a lot tougher. With Antonio Brown quitting on the team, Tom Brady just doesn’t have as many weapons at his disposal as he did last season.
The Buccaneers are still a threat in the NFL, they just aren’t as dangerous as they were a few weeks ago.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) ⬇️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +475
The Chiefs slipped up in Cincinnati, but they are still the best team in the AFC. Their road to the Super Bowl got a little bit tougher as they no longer control home-field advantage, but that might not matter as they have the clear-cut best quarterback in the conference.
1. Green Bay Packers (13-3) ⬆️ 1
- Playoffs Odds: N/A
- Super Bowl Odds: +400
The Packers have won 13 or more games in three consecutive seasons and have officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC once again. While they have been unable to make it out of the NFC since 2010, this feels like the season when they finally get over the hump.
Bet Tip: If you’re a believer in Green Bay, consider picking them to win the NFC Championship at (+175) odds. With the No. 1 overall seed wrapped up, they should be favored in each game on their side of the bracket.
Thanks for reading our NFL Week 18 Power Rankings! For more NFL betting tips, check out our NFL bet of the day.
