Titans power rankings round-up going into Week 18

A look at where experts have the Titans in their respective NFL power rankings going into Week 18.

The Tennessee Titans fell further into the abyss of being one of the worst teams in the NFL in Week 17 after dropping their 11th contest of the 2023 campaign in a 26-3 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans.

We start our power rankings round-up on the mothership, where USA TODAY’s Nate Davis has the Titans falling four spots to No. 29. Here’s Davis’ thoughts on Tennessee:

29. Tennessee Titans (25): Borrowing from last week’s thought but … two years in, pretty crazy they won’t even leverage an opportunity to potentially showcase QB Malik Willis to other teams.

I have to agree with Davis here.

With Levis sidelined in Week 16, the Titans had a chance to play Willis and give him one last look ahead of the offseason, when they’ll have to decide whether or not to keep him.

Not that anyone would have expected him to, but playing well would have helped Willis’ non-existent trade stock or, at the very least, would have given the Titans a better idea about his ability to be Levis’ backup in 2024.

Instead, the Titans opted to roll with Ryan Tannehill, who will be gone in free agency this coming offseason. Perhaps the Titans will change course in Week 18 if Levis, who is dealing with a foot injury and shouldn’t play even if healthy enough to do so, doesn’t suit up.

Now, our round-up:

NFL power rankings Week 18: Steelers, Packers keep playoff hopes alive

With the action of Week 17 in the books, it’s time to take a look at our updated NFL power rankings going into Week 18.

With the “Sunday Night Football” game in the books, it’s time to take a look at our updated NFL power rankings going into Week 18 of the 2023 season.

The Sunday night contest saw the Green Bay Packers go into U.S. Bank Stadium and manhandle the Minnesota Vikings, 33-10. With the win, the Packers kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

Along with the Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Vikings, Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are still alive in the NFC playoff picture with just two spots left.

The Baltimore Ravens made yet another emphatic statement in Week 17 after destroying the Miami Dolphins, 56-19. In the process, Lamar Jackson made his MVP case even stronger.

In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans all won their games, which means they enter the final week with the same record at 9-7. However, the Jaguars currently hold the tie-breaker to keep them in first place.

There are currently five teams alive for three remaining spots in the AFC playoff race, a list that includes the aforementioned AFC South teams, along with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, a look at our NFL power rankings going into Week 18 of the campaign.