NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Latest 2016 Standings and Pre-Finale Reaction

Unfortunately, Week 16 of the NFL season was marred by injuries, most notably to Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota. 

Based on these injuries, this week’s NFL power rankings have been shaken up significantly. Teams are obviously rewarded for what they have accomplished already, but how they project moving forward is also a factor in the power rankings.

As a result, the downgrade at the quarterback position has caused both the Titans and Raiders to drop well below where they would have been ranked with Carr and Mariota at the helm. 

Here’s a look at the full power rankings, followed by a breakdown of a few teams still fighting for playoff positioning entering Week 17:

       9. Oakland Raiders

Due to Derek Carr’s injury, the Raiders are now preparing for life with Matt McGloin at quarterback. McGloin hasn’t started since 2013, when he went 1-5 during his rookie year in Oakland. 

It’s going to be a difficult transition for Oakland, but they still have reason to feel confident going into the playoffs. 

The Raiders will face the Denver Broncos in Week 17, who are likely to start rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch, according to Mike Kliss of 9News. With a win over Lynch and the Broncos, the Raiders will lock up the No. 2 seed, giving them a bye and an extra week to prepare McGloin for a playoff run. 

Should the Raiders lose, the door …

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