NFL power rankings entering Week 18 of the 2023 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Baltimore Ravens (1): If you didn’t think they were the league’s best after handling the Niners, then consider that the AFC’s top-seeded squad has won 10 games against teams with winning records – seven of those by at least 14 points. Case. Closed. (As is the MVP debate about QB Lamar Jackson.)
2. San Francisco 49ers (2): They’re the first team in league history with a running back (Christian McCaffrey), tight end (George Kittle) and two wideouts (Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk) all over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. With the NFC’s bye secured, Niners now need to ensure CMC and his injured calf are ready to add to his output three weeks from now.
3. Buffalo Bills (4): All they need to do to surprisingly snatch another AFC East title is beat the Dolphins – against whom Josh Allen has thrown multiple TD passes in 12 straight games, the longest streak by a quarterback against another team in league history.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (6): Only Tom Brady’s Patriots have won more consecutive division titles than the eight Andy Reid and (mostly) Patrick Mahomes have strung together since 2016. But doesn’t appear there will be a sixth straight AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium this season.
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5a. Dallas Cowboys (10): Did they really win Saturday? Regardless, this is a team capable of doing serious damage in the postseason … if…
