Top 12 NFL regular season Power Rankings, 1997

[74_75_78_79_]

Defending-Champ Packers ought to get the top-spot with everyone; but 13-3 KC ought to be right up against their rearview mirror. As for the remaining 13-3 team (with new HC Mariucci at helm)...? A bit paper-tiger-like to begin with (Rice injured most of year don't help) and did get blown-out at Arrowhead near season's end.

Four playoff teams in NFC Central in '97 (as was the case three years prior)! Is anyone going to place Jags above Steelers despite being wild-card (wild-card due to mere "net division pts" tie-breaker)? Champ-to-be Broncos ought to not rank too high, losing back-to-back convincers in December at Pittsburgh & SF. I personally wasn't imagining them making it to the SB yet alone winning it as they did.

Do non-playoff winners, Jets (9-7) & Wash (8-7-1), have a chance to break in? How about respectable 8-8s, Oilers & Seahawks?

[ChrisBabcock]

wow.... This was a tough one. All the upper echelon teams were fairly equal this season, then the tier below that all seemed fairly equal. You're right, I don't think anyone didn't predict the Pack to repeat.

1. Packers
2. Chiefs... won thier last six including vs. Denver and SF
3. 49ers... December win vs. the eventual champs. Got blown out by KC though. Definitely not one of Young's better seasons even though he made All Pro. Losing GOAT for most of the year definitely hurt.
4. Broncos... great offense but lost to Steelers and 49ers in December
5. Steelers
6. Lions... finished up the year 5-1. Barry's best season and a very good pass D.
7. Jaguars... did beat KC
8. Buccaneers... faded a bit after a 5-0 start
9. Patriots... 5-2 finish. Jags only quality win during the year though
10. Dolphins... another team that managed to beat KC
11. Jets
12. Redskins

Notable exclusion... Giants. They would be my #13. Beat a bunch of creampuffs. Best win was probably vs. a 9-7 Lions team.

[7DnBrnc53]

Yeah, as much as it pains me to say it, Denver probably deserved to be ranked fourth (even though the Steelers and 49ers were paper tigers. I can't believe the Broncos lost to them).

[74_75_78_79_]

1) Packers
2) Chiefs
3a) Steelers
3b) Jaguars
5) Forty Niners
6) Broncos
7) Buccaneers
8) Patriots
9) Dolphins
10) Lions
11) Giants
12) Jets