2017 NFL Power Rankings: Week 9
Teams Ranked 12th to 1st
How good has the Broncos’ defense been this year? It’s been so good, the team still ranks in the top 10 despite its putrid offense.
| Rank | Team | nERD | Rec | Playoff Odds | Off. NEP Rank | Def. NEP Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Washington Redskins | 2.41 | 3-4 | 12.90% | 17 | 9 | +1 |
| 11 | Green Bay Packers | 3.06 | 4-3 | 42.30% | 7 | 20 | 0 |
| 10 | Seattle Seahawks | 3.21 | 5-2 | 83.50% | 16 | 13 | +2 |
| 9 | Denver Broncos | 4.32 | 3-4 | 36.70% | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | Houston Texans | 4.35 | 3-4 | 38.70% | 12 | 11 | -1 |
| 7 | Minnesota Vikings | 4.64 | 6-2 | 81.50% | 9 | 12 | +1 |
| 6 | Kansas City Chiefs | 5.04 | 6-2 | 94.80% | 2 | 23 | -3 |
| 5 | New Orleans Saints | 5.14 | 5-2 | 82.60% | 5 | 18 | -1 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Rams | 5.17 | 5-2 | 71.90% | 10 | 8 | +2 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 5.7 | 7-1 | 95.80% | 6 | 16 | +2 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9.36 | 6-2 | 97.30% | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 13.16 | 4-3 | 73.50% | 8 | 2 | 0 |
The unit shined on Monday Night Football, holding the Chiefs (who came into the week with the league’s top offense) to 4.7 yards per play and a 30.0% Success Rate. For the season as a whole, Denver is first in Adjusted Defensive NEP per play and is tied for first in terms of yards allowed (4.5) per play.
The offense has been at the opposite end of the spectrum. They are tied for 28th in Adjusted Offensive NEP per play, ranking 28th through the air and 25th on the ground.
On Monday night, the Broncos actually outperformed the Chiefs in terms of total yardage (364 to 276), yards per play (5.2 to 4.7), NEP (-10.5 to -15.3, despite losing the turnover battle, 5-2) and Success Rate (42.9% to 30.0%). This explains why Denver did not drop a spot despite the 29-19 loss while the Chiefs fell three spots.
The Saints also dropped a spot despite a win, thanks to being in a dogfight against the Bears at home, while a strong all-around effort from the Eagles brought Philadelphia into the top three.
