NFL power rankings entering Week 17 of the 2023 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Baltimore Ravens (2): Their overriding strength might be the lack of a glaring weakness – a too-frequent inability to salt away fourth-quarter leads notwithstanding. But that wasn’t an issue Monday night, when the Ravens went on the road and dismantled a Niners team that was a near-consensus No. 1 prior to kickoff. And don’t let Lamar Jackson and Co. get to the Super Bowl … considering the sixth-year quarterback is now 20-1 against the NFC.
2. San Francisco 49ers (1): Small picture? Not so happy holidays, and QB Brock Purdy likely watched any MVP aspirations go up in smoke. Big picture? Niners should be fine – and getting embarrassed Monday might just trigger a steamroll into Super Bowl 58.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (3): Take a collective breath, Philly fans. The NFC East leaders dominated everywhere but the scoreboard while defeating the Giants on Monday, when Jalen Hurts also set a single-season quarterback record with his 15th rushing TD. Yes, last year’s team was probably better – but this season’s squad still has a very reasonable chance to go further.
4. Buffalo Bills (4): Given their season-ending charge, his 40 TDs produced (27 passing, 13 rushing), and the apparent front runners mostly stuck in reverse, is QB Josh Allen going to wind up as the league MVP?
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5. Detroit Lions (8): By now, you’re probably…
