A freight train may have destroyed the DeLorean time machine at the end of Back of the Future, but I gathered the pieces together, kidnapped "Doc" and got the flux capacitor back online. With it, I travelled two years into the future and stole these Power Rankings from a laptop computer belonging to a still-handsome sports writer named Brad Gagnon.

Behold, your NFL Power Rankings from Feb. 26, 2017:

RANKTEAM
1 Packers: Now 33, Aaron Rodgers seems to be getting better with age, which explains why the Packers are the early favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2017. They have plenty of cap room to make tweaks and re-sign guards Josh Sitton and T.J Lang, they always draft well and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Eddie Lacy are coming off All-Pro seasons. There just isn't a lot to dislike in Green Bay.
2 Colts: Had it not been for Rodgers, Andrew Luck would have been MVP in 2016. So yeah, that historic new contract they gave him after an off-the-charts 2015 campaign is paying off. The problem is they've dug a bit of a cap hole and Ryan Grigson's drafting continues to leave something to be desired. Look for them to extend Vontae Davis, who has a huge cap number looming in the final year of his contract, mainly so that they can free up cash to keep the ageless Robert Mathis around. The Colts have become the AFC's top team, but that might have as much to do with the downfall of their conference peers as it does anything they're doing.
3 Steelers: The Steelers were actually able to spend some money last offseason and should be able to do so again this year. The tough Ben Roethlisberger is getting up there in age but remains basically in his prime, and they've supported him well with a rebuilt offensive line and some quality weapons. The offense was always solid, but the defense is also making a comeback. It's become easy to forget about Troy Polamalu and James Harrison with guys like Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones stepping up, and Kevin Colbert continues to draft well on that side of the ball. They could make a run in 2017.
4 Cowboys: The Cowboys are in a weird spot. On one hand, they're loaded with talent and are coming off a deep playoff run. They've learned to stay away from big-name free agents and have the best offensive line in the league by a long shot. The defense has been built up strongly by Rod Marinelli and they appear to be set everywhere for years to come. On the other hand, their quarterback, Tony Romo, is about to turn 37 and is slated to have one of the highest cap numbers in the league. Right now, this is a Super Bowl-contending team. But with Romo nearing the end of the line, the window is closing.
5 Seahawks:  A couple years ago, it was widely speculated that the Seahawks would have trouble paying the bills when rookie contracts expired for key pieces Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, Russell Okung and Bruce Irvin, but Seattle was smart to let aging vets Marshawn Lynch, Brandon Mebane and Tony McDaniel walk, easily giving them enough money under the annually expanding cap to keep the rest of those guys in town. They have come back to earth a little though. Their draft track record, which was probably inflated by a jackpot 2012 class, hasn't been strong and they've been forced to remain conservative on the open market. They're now just one of several contenders in what should be an NFC dogfight that will include familiar faces Green Bay and Dallas, as well as new arrivals New York, Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles.
6 Buccaneers: They made the right choice in picking Marcus Mariota first overall in 2015. While Jameis Winston has been a mess, Mariota has emerged into a polished franchise quarterback and is shining behind a solid offensive line. Of course, it helps to have All-Pro receiver Mike Evans as well as breakout tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Meanwhile, that defense -- which features stars at all three levels in Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Alterraun Verner -- has really flourished under Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier. They'll have the money to keep Johnathan Banks, but fellow impending unrestricted free agents Vincent Jackson and Logan Mankins will probably have to be replaced. If Tampa can do that seamlessly, it'll be the favorite to win the NFC South in 2017. The future's bright.
7 Los Angeles Rams: Sam Bradford needed a change of scenery last offseason, and so did the Rams organization. Back in Southern California after a controversial but highly-anticipated move, they swung the bat by trading up for Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook in last year's draft, and Cook rewarded them with an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. The Rams have so much depth from all of those high-end picks they acquired in the 2012 Robert Griffin III trade that they've become solid pretty much everywhere. They're going to have a hell of a time finding the cap room to re-sign impending free agents Chris Long, Jake Long, Alec Ogletree and Tavon Austin, but the good news is they don't really need to add anybody to become a contender right away.
8 Bills: The Bills are probably the best team in football that doesn't have a star quarterback. Pro Bowler Sammy Watkins is a hell of a receiver but it really hurt that they gave away their 2015 first-round pick in order to add him in 2014. Sam Bradford hasn't done a terrible job in place of the disappointing EJ Manuel, but they remain far from shored up under center. On D, it won't be easy for Buffalo to keep impending unrestricted free agent Kyle Williams, especially with no wiggle room remaining on the monster deal Mario Williams signed in 2012 and with Marcell Dareus' huge 2016 extension taking up extra cap space. They may have to find a way to give both Williamses new contracts this offseason, or part with one of them.
9 Jaguars: The Jags have made a lot of mistakes over the years, but selling the No. 3 overall pick in 2015 for a bevy of picks was a stroke of genius. Once the draft's top player, Leonard Williams, was off the board, they knew a team like the Redskins, Jets, Bears or Browns would be desperate enough to trade up for Jameis Winston in the No. 3 spot, and that's exactly what happened. As a result, Jacksonville had three first-round and four second-round picks the last two years, plus more cap space than anyone in football. They've loaded up on quality free agents and talented youngsters and finally have a semi-reliable quarterback in Blake Bortles. Bortles isn't necessarily a Pro Bowler and might never become one, but he's well-supported now and the Jags truly have a chance to make a playoff run in the weakening AFC.
10 Vikings: They don't regret cutting Adrian Peterson after the 2015 season now that Jerick McKinnon is coming off a Pro Bowl campaign. Throw in that Teddy Bridgewater and Cordarrelle Patterson have become one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the league and the Vikes are sitting pretty on offense. They'd be in a lot better shape had they not been handcuffed by dead cap money left behind by Peterson and Greg Jennings, but all in all, Minnesota has benefited greatly from the addition of seven first-round picks -- Bridgewater, Patterson, Anthony Barr, Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes, Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith -- in a three-year period between 2012 and 2014. That's why they're coming off their first playoff victory since 2009.
11 Giants: The league's highest-scoring team is always in games thanks to the dynamic Pro Bowl receiving duo of Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz. Sure, the defense is mediocre and Eli Manning lacks consistency, but the cap space they used to rebuild that offensive line has paid dividends in a major way for both Manning and stud running back Andre Williams. They're now a little short on cash after spending big bucks on Jason Pierre-Paul and Prince Amukamara the last two offseasons while also extending Manning, but if some recent draft picks can emerge and they can bring back Pro Bowl guard Justin Pugh, the window should remain open for another year or two. Don't be surprised if the G-Men make another Super Bowl run before Manning and Tom Coughlin retire.
12 Chargers: Good thing the Chargers had a wild amount of cap space entering the 2016 offseason, because they were easily able to keep free agents Philip Rivers, Eric Weddle, Antonio Gates and Corey Liuget while also sprucing up weak spots such as the offensive line. With Peyton Manning retiring in Denver, the Bolts now have the best quarterback situation in the division and a relatively strong young roster. If they can stay healthy -- which hasn't been easy -- they'll be a playoff team in 2017.
13 Eagles: The gamble on Nick Foles didn't pay off and now the Eagles are hoping that younger potential replacements can finally right the ship for them at the quarterback position. But until that happens, the Eagles won't be a Super Bowl contender. Overall, this is a talented team that does a good job keeping its key players and drafts well, but top 2014 pick Marcus Smith is a bust and they need to find a replacement soon for LeSean McCoy. In other words, things remain far from perfect in Philly.
14 Bengals: Andy Dalton continues to be good, but not great. The Bengals are perennial contenders because they had enough cap space in 2015 and 2016 to keep key cogs Andrew Whitworth, A.J. Green, Andre Smith, Kevin Zeitler and Adam Jones, but they continue to be cursed in big games because Dalton isn't a Super Bowl-worthy quarterback. That could still change, but Cincinnati has to consider other temporary options. Because right now this roster is loaded enough at most positions to make a Super Bowl run, and All-Pro running back-receiver duo Jeremy Hill and A.J. Green won't be in their prime forever.
15 Broncos: This is a tricky one. The Broncos were a Super Bowl-worthy team in 2016 but Peyton Manning's retirement throws a wrench into where they stand. Denver has a pair of young backups who will compete for the starting job and could invest in another quarterback this spring, but there's little doubt the loss of Manning will hurt their chances in 2017. Manning's retirement gives the Broncos plenty of cash to re-sign Louis Vasquez and Emmanuel Sanders, but they'll be handcuffed without a Hall of Fame quarterback.
16 49ers: The cap-strapped 49ers miss Mike Iupati, Justin Smith and Vernon Davis, and there's a chance they cut ties this offseason with the venerable but tired Patrick Willis, but they still continue to breed superb young defenders and Colin Kaepernick has been just good enough to keep them competitive. Still, they're a team that struggles to get to 10 wins. And unless Kaepernick shocks the world and makes some major improvements, they're probably going to get worse before they get better.
17 Raiders: Derek Carr isn't a superstar but the Raiders have had so much cap space and have used so much of that space on weapons for Carr that the offense has managed to improve quite a lot the last couple years. With All-Pro Khalil Mack holding things down on the defensive side of the ball, this is a team on the rise. Don't be surprised if they make a run at the AFC West title in 2017.
18 Patriots: Tom Brady has finally faded. He'll be 40 before he plays another snap and the stubborn Patriots won't force him to step aside. It's not as though they have better options, but that might soon change with New England holding its highest draft pick since taking Jerod Mayo 10th overall in 2008. The Pats are still young in most spots, but the Bills and Dolphins have caught up to them in the AFC East. Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork and Nate Solder are all gone from that 2014 Super Bowl team, they had to pick between Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower last offseason, and now they'll have to fight to keep Sebastian Vollmer, Rob Ninkovich and Jamie Collins. This might be the beginning of a transition period for Bill Belichick and Co.
19 Lions: The Lions have yet to find a reliable replacement for Matthew Stafford, who continues to define inconsistency. Throw in that they took a step backward on defense following the loss of DeAndre Levy (they couldn't afford to re-sign him after making Ndamukong Suh a trillionaire in 2015) and you can see why this team has failed to take off despite plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Detroit remains competitive because Stafford is still an above-average quarterback and Calvin Johnson remains one of the best receivers in the game at the age of 31, but the Lions have some clear limitations.
20 Panthers: The Panthers are low on funds after breaking the bank last offseason to keep Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis in town. The problem is that Newton still lacks consistently and this team hasn't been good enough to contend. Now Carolina will have to somehow find the money to keep impending unrestricted free agents Charles Johnson, Star Lotulelei and Ryan Kalil, which might not be in the cards. The defense is good but they continue to have problems passing and running effectively. Still, with Newton, they'll have a chance in 2017.
21 Dolphins: The Dolphins continue to cause frustration because Ryan Tannehill is a great quarterback and top 2014 draft picks Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry have joined Branden Albert and Mike Wallace as key cogs on offense. That's why they score a lot of points. But the 35-year-old Cameron Wake has declined and top 2013 pick Dion Jordan is officially a bust. On the same side of the ball, they're missing Jared Odrick and Randy Starks, whom they couldn't afford to keep around the last two offseasons. With Tannehill getting huge bucks, there's not a lot of wiggle room. The Dolphins will continue to lose a lot of high-scoring games in 2017.
22 Falcons: Once the Falcons committed some high draft picks to the offensive line, spruced up the secondary and gave Julio Jones that mega-extension, we knew they were only a pass rusher or two away from contending. Unfortunately, that's still the case as Atlanta continues to take a back seat to Carolina and the emerging Buccaneers in the NFC South. But if some of their young defenders can step up in 2017, the high-scoring Falcons could make a playoff run with Matt Ryan still in his prime at 32.
23 Cardinals: The transition from the Carson Palmer era at quarterback hasn't been easy on the Cardinals, who might finally be realizing you can't win in this league without a premier pivot. They were somewhat cap-strapped even before signing Michael Floyd to a big extension last offseason, and now they have to decide what to do with impending unrestricted free agents Larry Fitzgerald, Calais Campbell, Jonathan Cooper and Tyrann Mathieu. They're still a perennial contender in the weakening NFC West, but the Cards might be on the verge of a miniature rebuild.
24 Ravens: The Ravens have finally come to terms with the fact Joe Flacco's 2012 playoff run was an aberration. Among quarterbacks who started at least 40 regular-season games between 2011 and 2014, Flacco had the league's worst passer rating, and things didn't get any better in 2015 and 2016. The Ravens were never going to pay him the ridiculous amount of back-loaded money on that monster deal he signed in 2013, and they're now moving on to younger, less proven options. In addition to that, they're paying big bucks to old men Haloti Ngata, Lardarius Webb and Terrell Suggs, whose contract has been re-negotiated on an annual basis. C.J. Mosley notwithstanding, they haven't truly hit on a first-round pick in about a decade. Safe to say they're rebuilding.
25 Saints: With the Drew Brees era coming to an end (the 38-year-old isn't likely to be re-signed after another mistake-filled season), the Saints are about to enter a rebuild. This is a cap-strapped organization that has only remained afloat recently thanks to a decent offense, but now they could be forced to say goodbye to Brees, Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs and Marques Colston. Despite the presence of star safeties Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, the defense hasn't been good for years, and now the offense is about to endure a tough transition.
26 Titans: The Titans are slowly rebuilding, which is fine. They have several young quarterback options who will compete this spring and summer and they've used a glut of cap space to add some quality depth on both sides of the ball. They do have some building blocks in Kendall Wright, Avery Williamson, Chance Warmack, Taylor Lewan, Bishop Sankey and several more recent early selections, but they're still coming off another losing season and that might not change until they get steady results under center.
27 Jets: Same old Jets. They gambled on Geno Smith and it backfired. Then they gambled on Jameis Winston, and thus far it has backfired. Winston can't avoid trouble off the field and can't avoid mistakes on it, which is why the Jets are coming off yet another losing season despite possessing one of the NFL's best defenses. They remain somewhat competitive thanks to some of the talented veterans they added with an exceptional amount of cap space in 2015 and 2016, but they continue to be handcuffed by poor play under center, and it doesn't help that they sold the draft farm to Jacksonville in order to move up for Winston.
28 Chiefs: At some point, the Chiefs realized Alex Smith wasn't going to win them a Super Bowl. At around the same point, Jamaal Charles started declining. And that's when the overhaul began. They parted ways with the overrated and ridiculously expensive Dwayne Bowe last offseason and weren't able to keep veterans Tamba Hali and Eric Berry in free agency. Considering how many busts they drafted early between 2008 and 2014, it's no wonder they've fallen this far. Smith is still an efficient quarterback and the pricey Justin Houston carries the defense, but that and impending free agent Dontari Poe is about all they have right now.
29 Texans: This might be the end of the line in Houston for impending unrestricted free agents Andre Johnson and Arian Foster as the Texans continue a slow, painful rebuild. They're still dealing with big questions at the quarterback position and it might now be safe to call top 2014 pick Jadeveon Clowney a bust. It's a shame, but the Texans are completely wasting J.J. Watt's prime. They've added some decent pieces with money to spend in free agency and have some decent quarterback options via the draft, but they're running out of time.
30 Browns: Same old story for the Browns, who have a solid running game, a good offensive line, a decent defense but no quarterback. They were smart to resist the temptation of trading up for Jameis Winston in 2015, but the free agents they've swung at since then have failed and Johnny Manziel is now out of football. The good news is the Browns have used oodles of cap space to load up on solid veterans on both sides of the ball, but you can't win these days without a reliable quarterback. That continues to evade this organization, which may have to use yet another first-round pick on that position this spring.
31 Bears: The Bears gambled two years ago that they could find a better quarterback than Jay Cutler in free agency or the draft and learned their lesson the hard way. While Cutler experienced a minor redemption elsewhere, the Bears toiled with Josh McCown in 2015 and couldn't get much out of youngsters in 2016. The jury's still out there, but this is a rebuild for a franchise that struggled in its first year without Matt Forte last year. They paid a king's ransom to keep Alshon Jeffery around last offseason and now might have to do the same with impending free agents Kyle Long and Martellus Bennett. Throw in that 2014 first-round pick Kyle Fuller has officially become a bust and that Brandon Marshall's best days are behind him and it's easy to see why this franchise is in shambles.
32 Redskins: Looks like that might be it for Robert Griffin III. Not only did he become a colossal bust, but that trade set an already-hurting organization back half a decade. General manager Scot McCloughan has done a good job rebuilding the defense with some solid draft picks, but the offense has become stale beyond just the quarterback position and they don't have any reliable veterans aside from Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Williams. They're on the right track, but it's going to take some time.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will enter the 2017 season as defending champs (Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will enter the 2017 season as defending champs. (Getty Images)