NFL Week 17

NFL rankings

1. Chargers: No one wants to play the hottest team in the league in the AFC playoffs

2. Colts: Season will only be remembered as a bust if they don't win Super Bowl now

3. Eagles: Boast NFC's longest current winning streak and look extremely dangerous

4. Saints: Seem to be fading, but road to the Super Bowl in NFC goes through Superdome

5. Cowboys: Dominated Redskins in a trap game, could earn division title Sunday

6. Vikings: Lost three of their last four games and may lose out on first-round bye

7. Patriots: Won three straight and clicked on all cylinders in win over Jaguars

8. Cardinals: Earned two straight wins over two of league's worst teams

9. Bengals: Still playing to level of competition, which could be good in playoffs

10. Packers: Playing in the desert today, and could be back there again in playoffs

Game of the week: Eagles at Cowboys

The NFC East title and possible first-round bye is on the line when these two rivals meet. The Eagles have won six straight games since a two-game losing skid in November that included a loss to the Cowboys.

Team on the rise: Jets

They've benefitted from good timing with the Colts resting starters and the Bengals possibly doing so tonight. So what? Win and they're in the playoffs.

Team on the decline: Vikings

They seem to pick up a new flaw each week. They're struggling running the ball and protecting their quarterback, and their secondary can't cover.

Fantasy tips

CAN'T MISS: Chris Johnson vs. Seahawks

SLEEPER: Donald Brown vs. the Bills

NOT THIS WEEK: Drew Brees vs. Panthers

FREE AGENT PICK UP: Devin Aromashodu

Local watch

Pro Bowler: Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (Highland HS) earned his first Pro Bowl berth this week. Ngata was named a starter after recording 40 tackles in 15 games.