NFL power rankings, Week 17: Jaguars rise, Raiders fall
In this week’s NFL power rankings, the Jacksonville Jaguars continue their rapid ascent, while the Las Vegas Raiders hit a new low.
2-12-1. Previous: . Houston Texans. 32. team. 10.
The Texans remain on the bottom of the list, but a nice win after two games of showing up against Dallas and Kansas City.
31. team. 57. . 3-12. Previous: . Chicago Bears
Chicago plays hard every week, it simply doesn’t have the talent to win games.
45. . 4-11. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 30. team
At least the Cardinals showed fight. The Broncos were gutless in defeat.
32. . 4-11. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 29. team
The Cardinals gave Tampa Bay a good fight, but couldn’t stave off Tom Brady late in the game.
28. team. 46. . 4-10-1. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts
Three points isn’t going to get it done.
Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 27. team. 44. . 5-10
Atlanta is now finished off in the NFC South. Time to focus on 2023.
51. . 5-10. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 26. team
Where did that come from? The Rams lighting up the Broncos for 51 points wasn’t on the Christmas bingo card.
6-9. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 25. team. 28.
How many games can you lose when blowing a late lead? The Raiders are hellbent on setting the record.
Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 24. team. 53. . 6-9
For the Browns, this entire season has ben an exercise in frustration.
15. . 6-9. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 23. team
New Orleans is clinging to playoff hopes, but it would take a miracle.
Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 22. team. 87. . 6-9
Somehow, the Panthers control their own destiny. Win out and host a playoff game.
Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 21. team. 55. . 7-8
Pittsburgh, like the Saints, needs a miracle. Can it somehow find magic?
7-8. Previous: . New England Patriots. 20. team. 47.
The Patriots could easily be 9-6 right now, but two huge miscues have cost them. Yet, they win out, they make the playoffs.
30. . 7-8. Previous: . New York Jets. 19. team
New York still has a chance, but it must win out and get some help.
team. 36. . 7-8. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 18
The Seahawks need to beat the Jets and Rams at home, and then get some favorable results elsewhere.
7-8. Previous: . Tennessee Titans. 17. team. 35.
This feels like the end. Week 17 means nothing for Tennessee, but beating the Jaguars in Week 18 with Malik Willis? Good luck.
. 7-8. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 16. team. 48
Somehow, the Buccaneers moved up the rankings. Good defense, horrific offense and coaching.
Previous: . Detroit Lions. 15. team. 50. . 7-8
Crushing loss to the Panthers. Now, the Lions are in real trouble when it comes to the playoff picture.
14. team. 49. . 7-8. Previous: . Green Bay Packers
The Packers need to win out at home against the Vikings and Lions, and get either one loss from Washington, or two from New York.
58. . 7-7-1. Previous: . Washington Commanders. 13. team
Win and in despite the recent two-game skid. And keep Taylor Heinicke as the quarterback.
31. . 8-6-1. Previous: . New York Giants. 12. team
New York lost at the gun in Minnesota, but should still find the playoffs with relative ease.
team. 59. . 8-7. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 11
Alarms are going off in Miami. Four straight losses, and Tua Tagovailoa has played poor football.
Jacksonville Jaguars. 10. team. 52. . 7-8. Previous:
The Jaguars deserve a top-10 spot having won five of their last six, while taking control of the AFC South.
9. team. 26. . 10-5. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore isn’t impressing anybody, but it is surviving while Lamar Jackson is on the mend.
Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 8. team. 13. . 9-6
Justin Herbert will never again have to hear talk about his not being in the playoffs. Well done.
Minnesota Vikings. 7. team. 60. . 12-3. Previous:
How the Vikings are 12-3, nobody knows. It’ll make for a great investigation one day.
team. 123. . 11-4. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 6
Dallas proved to everybody it can torch the Eagles’ defense. Now, when Jalen Hurts is under center, can it stop Philadelphia’s offense should they meet again?
. 11-4. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 5. team. 42
Brock Purdy? Trey Lance? Jimmy Garoppolo? Who cares. The Niners keep rolling.
. 11-4. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 4. team. 56
Cincinnati almost had a complete meltdown in New England, but survived. If the Bengals can beat the Bills this week, they move into the second seed — at the least.
12-3. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 3. team. 16.
Buffalo pulled away late from Chicago, but ultimately handled business. Next up, a trip to Cincinnati.
12-3. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 2. team. 124.
The Chiefs put together their best game in over a month, easily handling Seattle. Kansas City is still very much alive for the AFC’s top seed.
54. . 13-2. Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles. 1. team
We’re not moving the Eagles down because they lost a one-score game in Dallas with a backup quarterback.