NFL Power Rankings - Week 17: Seahawks, Chiefs edge back toward contenders

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. New England Patriots (12-3)

Previous Rank: 1st

Like clockwork, the Pats appear to be the class of the NFL, but they can't afford a slip up against the Jets with the Steelers wrapping things up against the Browns. - McClymont

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

Previous Rank: 2nd

If Jeff Fisher wants credit for this year's Rams, he should also take a huge amount of blame for somehow turning MVP candidate Todd Gurley into just a normal guy. - Browne

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Steelers remained a dominant offensive force without Antonio Brown in the lineup and secured one more week of recovery for the wideout. They're staying hot at the perfect time. - Sanderson

4. Minnesota Vikings (12-3)

Previous Rank: 4th

It seems crazy that the Vikings went 24 years without a shutout. They may not last another month before getting their next one. - Sanderson

5. New Orleans Saints (11-4)

Previous Rank: 6th

Fueled by one of the best rookie classes in recent memory, Drew Brees and Co. are a terrifying offense ready to set the league on fire during the postseason. - Srinivasan

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)

Previous Rank: 5th

The Jaguars are one of the best defenses of all time, a notion that would be taken more seriously if they weren't, well, the Jaguars. No one wants to see them next month. - Srinivasan

7. Carolina Panthers (11-4)

Previous Rank: 7th

We all could take a page from Chosen Newton's book with the 2-year-old celebrating his father's success. Don't sleep on the Panthers this year as the elder Newton begins to heat up. - Srinivasan

8. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)

Previous Rank: 8th

The drop-off from Carson Wentz to Nick Foles is significant. The Eagles will have to continue to squeak out wins in order to reach their desired destination. - McClymont

9. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)

Previous Rank: 10th

The Chiefs' midseason freefall after looking like the best team in football means the majority aren't buying their turnaround, but Kansas City is still one of the AFC's more dangerous playoff teams. - Browne

10. Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

Previous Rank: 9th

It's been a bizarre year for the defending Super Bowl finalists, but they could be a frightening team come January if they clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Panthers. - Srinivasan

11. Seattle Seahawks (9-6)

Previous Rank: 15th

Seattle remains alive in the playoff hunt, showing resilience to stay in the race despite their long list of key injuries. - Browne

12. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)

Previous Rank: 11th

Somehow, some way, the Ravens are one win away from the AFC's top wildcard seed with the league's 26th-ranked offense. - Sanderson

13. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)

Previous Rank: 13th

The Chargers aren't in charge of their own playoff fate with one week to go. Most teams in the AFC are hoping they fall short. - Browne

14. Tennessee Titans (8-7)

Previous Rank: 17th

The Titans control their own destiny, but missing the playoffs would be a fitting result considering Marcus Mariota's shockingly dismal campaign. - Srinivasan

15. Buffalo Bills (8-7)

Previous Rank: 16th

It may not feel that way, but Buffalo enters the final week of the season with a legitimate shot at the playoffs. - McClymont

16. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

Previous Rank: 12th

There's no two ways about it, the suspension to Ezekiel Elliott killed the Cowboys' season. - McClymont

17. Detroit Lions (8-7)

Previous Rank: 14th

Sorry, guys. You can't complain that a blown call in Week 3 cost you the playoffs if you're going to lose to the Bengals in Week 16. - Sanderson

18. Washington Redskins (7-8)

Previous Rank: 20th

An 8-8 season looks much better than a 7-9 season. A win against the Giants could be enough to keep Jay Gruden in D.C. - McClymont

19. San Francisco 49ers (5-10)

Previous Rank: 24th

Putting up 44 points against the usually dominant Jaguars defense is a huge accomplishment for Jimmy G and Co. San Fran will widely be fancied as a 2018 playoff contender. - Browne

20. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

Previous Rank: 22nd

If Bruce Arians does leave the Cardinals and wants to continue coaching, he won't be short on opportunities - either as a head coach or a coordinator. - Browne

21. Green Bay Packers (7-8)

Previous Rank: 18th

What is more embarrassing? Becoming the first team since 2006 to get shut out twice at home in the same year, or possibly needing to release your future Hall of Fame quarterback because you misunderstood the rulebook? - Sanderson

22. Oakland Raiders (6-9)

Previous Rank: 19th

"Hey, Derek. Any chance you haven't cashed that $40-million check we gave you in June have you?" - Browne

23. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

Previous Rank: 21st

It's been a disappointing year in Miami, but things can end off on a sweet note if the Dolphins are able to eliminate the Bills from playoff contention. - McClymont

24. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)

Previous Rank: 29th

"Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble. And if I stay, it will be double." - Marvin Lewis, probably. - Sanderson

25. Chicago Bears (5-10)

Previous Rank: 28th

Mitch Trubisky broke the Bears' rookie record for passing yards this week. He has also thrown for less than 200 yards in eight of his eleven starts. So take that record with a grain of salt. - Sanderson

26. New York Jets (5-10)

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Jets enter the final week with a shot at six wins, something completely unheard of before the season began. - McClymont

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)

Previous Rank: 26th

The Buccaneers simply can't compete in the NFC South if Jameis Winston continues to make a series of head-scratching mistakes, while Dirk Koetter's time may be up. - Srinivasan

28. Houston Texans (4-11)

Previous Rank: 27th

Will this be Bill O'Brien's last game with the organization? Time will only tell, as the Texans wrap up another subpar year submarined by Deshaun Watson's ACL injury. - Srinivasan

29. Denver Broncos (5-10)

Previous Rank: 25th

Denver has marginally improved in the last three weeks, but will it be enough to get Vance Joseph a second season? It shouldn't be. - Browne

30. Indianapolis Colts (3-12)

Previous Rank: 31st

The state of the Colts' winter depends on Andrew Luck's health status. It's clear they can't afford another year without their franchise player. - Srinivasan

31. New York Giants (2-13)

Previous Rank: 30th

Now they're not even scoring points. What was the point of finishing out the final string of games with Eli Manning over Davis Webb? - McClymont

32. Cleveland Browns (0-15)

Previous Rank: 32nd

It's almost over. I promise this time. - Sanderson