Coming off a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, the Denver Broncos are now ranked No. 15 in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s down five spots from the team’s No. 10 ranking last week.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who will host Denver on Saturday, are ranked No. 14. The Bengals-Broncos showdown will have huge playoff implications.
Here is Davis’ commentary on Denver going into Week 17:
However if they lapse at Cincinnati on Saturday – and Denver’s résumé overfloweth with victories against lightweights – then, with no wild-card berth yet secured, the pucker factor will go up significantly heading into Week 18.
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 3, the Chargers are ranked No. 12 and the Las Vegas Raiders are ranked No. 27.
The Buffalo Bills are ranked No. 1 and the New York Giants are ranked No. 32 (last). To view the complete NFL power rankings going into Week 17, visit USATODAY.com.
