NFL Power Rankings Week 17: The Buccaneers, Falcons, and the NFC's most pointless standoff

Over the next two weeks, the fate of the NFC South will be decided.

That’s right, folks. The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are duking it out for the (likely) No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff field next month. In one corner, you’ve got the resurgence of Baker Mayfield leading a high-octane Tampa Bay offense. In the other, you’ve got rookie Michael Penix Jr. trying to do what Kirk Cousins couldn’t for almost the entire second half of the season — keep the Falcons’ offense afloat.

No disrespect to anyone involved here, but can we drop the charade?

Neither the Buccaneers nor the Falcons will stand much of a chance against the NFC’s No. 5 seed. Right now, that’s the 13-win Minnesota Vikings. Crazier things have happened, and I know the ghost of the “BeastQuake” looms over us all when we look at the supposed undeserved playoff teams that happen to win their division. But the Vikings are just so much better than both squads, assuming that matchup holds up. (I feel similarly about the Detroit Lions in the same position.)

Even still, at this point in time, there is no reason to believe that either the Buccaneers or Falcons have enough for a deep playoff run. Among many other reasons, their division title chase would already be over for one party if that was the case.

So, kudos to whoever finishes on top — we hope you defy all the odds.

The Buccaneers and Falcons are a major point of conversation in For The Win’s Week 17 NFL Power Rankings. Let’s see where the NFC South contenders and the rest of the league sit, with the playoffs finally around the corner.