NFL Power Rankings 2013, Week 17: Giants remain at 24 after upset of Lions

As we move toward Week 17, we inch closer to the final regular-season edition of the Big Blue View Power Rankings. And with a win over the Lions, the Giants move up a few spots for Week 17.

There's another shakeup at the top of the power rankings, as the Seahawks faltered against NFC West rival Arizona and Denver blew past Houston. In the top 10, New Orleans continued its road struggles and New England against made its cast to be among the AFC contenders.

In the NFC East, Philly routed Chicago and Dallas edged out Washington, setting up a do-or-die winner-takes-all battle for the division on Sunday.

Here's the Big Blue View Power Rankings for Week 17:

1. Denver Broncos (12-3): What defense will be able to stop Peyton Manning and Co.? Von Miller's absence on defense, though, could prove to be trouble. (LW: 2)

2. Seattle Seahawks (12-3): The loss is a credit to how good the Cards are. But late in the year is not when you want to start losing. (LW: 1)

3. San Francisco 49ers (11-4): The Niners are getting hot at the right time, winning five in a row, and could be a very, very dangerous team to face in the playoffs. (LW: 3)

4. Carolina Panthers (11-4): Cam Newton proving to be clutch, and the Panthers knocking off New Orleans was a statement win.

5. New England Patriots (11-4): Any questions about the Patriots can be answered by their statement victory over Baltimore. (LW: 6)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5): This team goes as Andy Dalton does, so consistency is key. (LW: 7)

7. New Orleans Saints (10-5): It's inexplicable how badly this team struggles away from the Dome. (LW: 4)

8. Arizona Cardinals (10-5): Any questions about Arizona can be answered with their defeat of Seattle. (LW: 9)

9. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4): It's these sorts of slip-ups that concern me. (LW: 8)

10. Indianapolis Colts (10-5): Finally, the Colts are beginning to pick up their play. (LW: 11)

11. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6): What an offensive explosion against Chicago! They deserve to be the NFC East champs. (LW: 12)

12. Chicago Bears (8-7): On the losing side, what a letdown on the part of the Bears. (LW: 10)

13. San Diego Chargers (8-7): Whether they make it or not, the Bolts deserve to be in the playoffs. (LW: 15)

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): It will just be a more interesting offseason if the Cowboys don't win any more games. (LW: 18)

15. Baltimore Ravens (8-7): The Ravens played like they didn't belong in the same league as the Pats. (LW: 13)

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8): It's frustrating how inconsistently good the Steelers are. (LW: 19)

17. Green Bay Packers (7-7-1): Let's say it again: will this be the week Aaron Rodgers returns? (LW: 16)

18. Miami Dolphins (8-7): Can they allow you in the playoffs after being shutout by the Bills? (LW: 17)

19. Detroit Lions (7-8): What a disastrous second half of the year for the Lions. (LW: 14)

20. New York Jets (8-7): The Jets had an easier time vs. the Browns than New England, Baltimore or Chicago did. (LW: 21)

21. St. Louis Rams (7-8): This defense is making the Rams a team certainly on the rise. (LW: 22)

22. Tennessee Titans (6-9): This team is better than its record. (LW: 20)

23. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Shutting out a playoff team: not too shabby. (LW: 23)

24. New York Giants (6-9): Without Victor Cruz, the Giants put together one of their best games in weeks. Because we've seen the Lions falter lately, it lessens the value. (LW: 24)

25. Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1): The Vikings were competitive for a quarter. Yikes! (LW: 25)

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Tampa enjoyed a little winning streak, but they've struggled mightily against better competition. Is Greg Schiano back on the hot seat? (LW: 26)

27. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Who will be quarterbacking the Browns in 2014? (LW: 27)

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): They don't win very much, but Jacksonville is no pushover. (LW: 28)

29. Atlanta Falcons (4-11): When ESPN scheduled San Fran-Atlanta for Monday night in Week 16, this is certainly not what they envisioned. (LW: 29)

30. Oakland Raiders (4-11): They say when you have two quarterbacks you actually have none. (LW: 30)

31. Washington Redskins (3-12): The Skins were a few minutes away from beating Dallas. Twitter would have exploded. (LW: 31)

32. Houston Texans (2-13): Lovie Smith rocking the red, white and blue soon? (LW: 32)