NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Where does every team stand?

The chaos of Christmas Day may be over, but the NFL calamities have only just begun. Two more weeks of regular-season action linger before the path to the NFL's countdown to the ultimate holiday in Los Angeles begins.

Which NFL teams are entering the new year on the right note?

Trevor Lawrence's game-winning effort came up five yards short in New York (Photo: Getty)

#32 - Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13)

Last Week: 26-21 L @ NY Jets

Top Performer: QB Trevor Lawrence (317 total yards)

This Week: Sunday @ New England (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Jaguars can't escape any professional cellar just yet, but there's no denying that Urban Meyer's departure has put a little fight back in their step in the season's final stages.

The disastrous first NFL start of Jake Fromm (17) is another embarrassing wrinkle to the Giants' lost season (Photo: Getty)

#31 - New York Giants (4-11)

Last Week: 34-10 L @ Philadelphia

Top Performer: CB Logan Ryan (6 tackles, 2 pass breakups)

This Week: Sunday @ Chicago (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Not only have the Giants looked progressively worse, there's apparently no plan to deviate from this horrifying new normal: all signs point to the team retaining head coach Joe Judge and franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.

#30 - Detroit Lions (2-12-1)

Last Week: 20-16 L vs. Atlanta

Top Performer: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (9 rec., 91 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday @ Seattle (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

As a curious offseason awaits Detroit — anchored by some strong performances that haven't yielded wins just yet — it'll be interesting to see how the fourth-round rookie St. Brown fits into the mix, especially with the way he has ended the season (35 receptions, 340 yards, 3 scores over the last four games).

#29 - Seattle Seahawks (5-10)

Last Week: 25-24 L vs. Chicago

Top Performer: RB Rashaad Penny (17 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday vs. Detroit (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

In the midst of Seattle's dreary, first-round pick-free future, Penny is starting to reclaim the narrative on his NFL career. Sunday marked the second time over the past three games in which he earned at least 130 yards.

An uncertain NFL future lies ahead for Cam Newton and the Panthers (Photo: Getty)

#28 - Carolina Panthers (5-10)

Last Week: 32-6 L vs. Tampa Bay

Top Performer: WR Shi Smith (3 rec., 86 yards)

This Week: Sunday @ New Orleans (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

2021 has been so long that the supposed redemptions of Sam Darnold and Cam Newton happened in the same season; and now neither appears to be the Panthers' long-term solution under center.

#27 - Houston Texans (4-11)

Last Week: 41-29 W vs. LA Chargers

Top Performer: RB Rex Burkhead (22 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs)

This Week: Sunday @ San Francisco (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

As the Texans slowly try to sift through the precarious Deshaun Watson situation, they might've stumbled upon a diamond in the rough thrower in Davis Mills, who has amassed a 102-5 passer rating over the last three games.

#26 - New York Jets (4-11)

Last Week: 26-21 W vs. Jacksonville

Top Performer: QB Zach Wilson (193 total yards, 2 total TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs. Tampa Bay (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Despite the lack of stakes, it had to be inspiring for the Jets to watch Zach Wilson tally the most prolific rushing day (91 yards) for a green quarterback and for Michael Carter to become the first rookie to reach triple digits since Joe McKnight in 2011.

Chicago got back in the win column thanks in part to a vintage performance from QB Nick Foles (Photo: Getty)

#25 - Chicago Bears (5-10)

Last Week: 25-24 W @ Seattle

Top Performer: LB Roquan Smih (9 tackles, 2 TFL)

This Week: Sunday vs. NY Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

It doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things — potential future franchise quarterback Justin Fields didn't even get to relish it — but, as Kevin Malone once said, it's just nice to win one.

These next NFL teams are struggling to get off the naughty list

Taylor Heinicke was subjected to a rude welcome back to the NFL moment from the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday (Photo: Getty)

#24 - Washington Football Team (6-9)

Last Week: 56-14 L @ Dallas

Top Performer: S Jeremy Reaves (10 tackles, 1 TLF)

This Week: Sunday vs. Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Three consecutive divisional losses and a 42-point blowout loss in the NFL's Sunday night showcase later, it's clear that Washington are not ready to nab consecutive playoff berths and that they may have to re-evaluate their passing situation, as it doesn't appear Taylor Heinicke is the answer.

Kyle Pitts (8) is closing in on NFL history (Photo: Getty)

#23 - Atlanta Falcons (7-8)

Last Week: 20-16 W vs. Detroit

Top Performer: TE Kyle Pitts (6 rec., 102 yards)

This Week: Sunday @ Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Though the Falcons' playoff push is threatening to come up short — they're a game behind San Francisco and Philadelphia and on the wrong end of a tiebreaker with Minnesota — Kyle Pitts is 127 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka's NFL record for most yards gained by a rookie tight end.

The Drew Lock era probably officially ended on Sunday (Photo: Getty)

#22 - Denver Broncos (7-8)

Last Week: 17-13 L @ Las Vegas

Top Performer: LB Bradley Chubb (5 tackles, 1 INT)

This Week: Sunday @ LA Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Las Vegas — one that probably ate up Denver's relatively small playoff chances — probably didn't reveal anything new. Vic Fangio has probably earned himself another year with the Broncos while Drew Lock hasn't.

#21 - Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

Last Week: 30-23 L vs LA Rams

Top Performer: LB Anthony Barr (7 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 2 INTs)

This Week: Sunday @ Green Bay (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

Another week, another single-possession loss that will keep the Vikings up at night as they go into what's pretty much a must-win game on the road against the mighty Packers.

#20 - Cleveland Browns (7-8)

Last Week: 24-22 L @ Green Bay

Top Performer: RB Nick Chubb (184 total yards, 1 rushing TD)

This Week: Monday @ Pittsburgh (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Not only have the Browns lost consecutive games in last-second fashion to put a major dent in their bid for consecutive NFL playoff berths, Baker Mayfield's prime-time wilting could have them re-thinking their long-term plans as well.

#19 - New Orleans Saints (7-8)

Last Week: 20-3 L vs. Miami

Top Performer: DE Cameron Jordan (6 tackles, 2 sacks)

This Week: Sunday vs. Carolina (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

Lingering in the playoff chase if only thanks to the NFL's generous new wild card standards, New Orleans was dealt a cold, primetime taste of reality in the Big Easy when they ran into the red-hot Dolphins, forced to rely on the strengths of a third-string quarterback thanks to injuries and COVID.

Ben Roethlisberger (left) and the Steelers were crushed by the Chiefs, dooming their NFL playoff chances (Photo: Getty)

#18 - Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1)

Last Week: 36-10 L @ Kansas City

Top Performer: WR Diontate Johnson (6 rec. 51 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Monday vs. Cleveland (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

As the Steelers continue to struggle to open games up — and this time they couldn't even use garbage time to make the scoreboard look presentable — the end of the Ben Roethlisberger — and maybe even the Mike Tomlin era — seems more real than ever.

#17 - Las Vegas Raiders (8-7)

Last Week: 17-13 W vs. Denver

Top Performer: RB Josh Jacobs (27 carries, 129 yards)

This Week: Sunday @ Indianapols (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

The Raiders have allowed only 394 yards over the past two weeks to reinsert themselves back into the NFL playoff discussion and will have to put up another strong performance against Jonathan Taylor and the Colts if they want to make it complete.

These next teams linger on the fringe of the NFL playoff discussion

Samson Ebukam (in white) takes down Ryan Tannehill in Thursday's loss (Photo: Getty)

#16 - San Francisco 49ers (8-7)

Last Week: 20-17 L @ Tennessee

Top Performer: DE Samson Ebukam (4 tackles, 1.5 sacks)

This Week: Sunday vs. Houston (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

San Francisco may have to try to complete their playoff push without the services of Jimmy Garoppolo, whether that's by choice or because of the lingering thumb injury.

#15 - Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)

Last Week: 41-29 L @ Houston

Top Performer: RB Justin Jackson (162 total yards, 2 rushing TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs. Denver (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

No matter how tough the COVID situation gets in the NFL — and it got pretty ugly in LA — there are very few excuses for losing a win that could've been so beneficial in the playoff picture to the lowly Houston Texans.

#14 - Baltimore Ravens (8-7)

Last Week: 41-21 L @ Cincinnati

Top Performer: TE Mark Andrews (8 rec., 125 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday vs LA Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

It was probably way too much to expect for the Josh Johnson-led Ravens to top the Bengals, but a cruelly one-sided loss (their fourth in a row and easily the most embarrassing) now has them potentially depending on a hobbled Lamar Jackson against the suddenly division-leading Rams.

#13 - Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)

Last Week: 34-10 W vs NY Giants

Top Performer: LB Alex Singleton (12 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday vs Washington (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Winners of five of their last six and absolutely feasting on inferior competition, the Eagles may slowly be building a case toward becoming the NFC's "team you don't want to face" come playoff time.

#12 - Miami Dolphins (8-7)

Last Week: 20-3 W @ New Orleans

Top Performer: WR Jaylen Waddle (10 rec., 92 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday @ Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Perhaps nothing defines the Dolphins' new century of mediocrity more than the fact they became the first NFL team to both win and lose seven straight games, but they have seized control of their destiny, as wins over Tennessee and New England will thrust them into the postseason.

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals clinched an NFL playoff spot through no fault on their own (Photo: Getty)

#11 - Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

Last Week: 22-16 L vs. Indianapolis

Top Performer: QB Kyler Murray (332 total yards, 1 passing TD)

This Week: Sunday @ Dallas (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

The Cardinals (losers of their last three games and clinchers of a playoff spot through no fault of their own) must desperately regain their footing with the NFL playoffs looming, a task that gets no easier with the mighty Cowboys on the ledger.

AJ Brown tried to do it all for the Titans on Thursday, though they'll be happy with his receiving antics as is (Photo: Getty)

#10 - Tennessee Titans (10-5)

Last Week: 20-17 W vs. San Francisco

Top Performer: WR A.J. Brown (11 rec, 145 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday vs. Miami (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

The roller-coaster Titans got back on the right track with a nationally televised win over the 49ers, a win supremely anchored by the return of Brown, who put in an MVP-esque performance in his first game since Nov. 21.

Damien Harris achnored the Patriots' offense on Sunday, scoring all three of their touchdowns (Photo: Getty)

#9 - New England Patriots (9-6)

Last Week: 33-21 L vs. Buffalo

Top Performer: RB Damien Harris (18 carries, 103 yards, 3 TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

No one in the NFL had a more sour Christmas than the Patriots after consecutive losses to the Colts and Bills, bringing them to two uncomfortable potential truths: that Mac Jones is a few steps away from being a true franchise quarterback and that this isn't quite the year for the Patriots to add to their crowded trophy case.

The cream of the NFL crop entering the penultimate week of the season

#8 - Buffalo Bills (9-6)

Last Week: 33-21 W @ New England

Top Performer: QB Josh Allen (378 total yards, 3 passing TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs. Atlanta (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Josh Allen rediscovered his MVP form at the perfect time, giving the Bills the greatest NFL Christmas gift of all: control of their divisional destiny, as they'll take the AFC East with two more wins.

#7 - Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)

Last Week: 41-21 W vs Baltimore

Top Performer: QB Joe Burrow (37-of-46, 525 yards, 4 TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs. Kansas City (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week-after-week, the Bengals are passing tests, the latest being a complete annihilation of the Ravens, but it feels that football's powers-that-be aren't content with just letting them contend: their NFL playoff spot is anything but assured in the wild AFC North and the mighty Chiefs lie ahead this weekend.

Tampa Bay will officially defend its Super Bowl title after clinching an NFL playoff spot on Sunday (Photo: Getty)

#6 - Tampa Bay Buccaneeers (11-4)

Last Week: 32-6 W @ Carolina

Top Performer: S Jordan Whitehead (7 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT)

This Week: Sunday @ NY Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Sunday's win against the downtrodden Panthers likely serves as a temporary reprieve from the Buccaneers' medical issues, but if that means hoisting yet another NFL division trophy — and keeping Tom Brady in tow — they can certainly live with it.

#5 - Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

Last Week: 30-23 W @ Minnesota

Top Performer: DT Aaron Donald (5 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack)

This Week: Sunday @ Baltimore (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Even if Matthew Stafford is inching toward NFL postseason jitters (throwing three interceptions despite the win on Sunday), the Rams have all the momentum in the NFC West and have recaptured the division lead from the reeling Cardinals.

Carson Wentz's lack of vaccination could hurt the Colts at the worst possible time (Photo: Getty)

#4 - Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

Last Week: 22-16 W @ Arizona

Top Performer: QB Carson Wentz (18-of-28, 225 yards, 2 TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs Las Vegas (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Just as it seemed like Carson Wentz was ready to take further control of the surging Colts' offense — taking charge after Jonathan Taylor put only "only" 102 yards — his lack of vaccination status will keep him out of the horseshoe helmet for the rest of the regular season after testing positive for COVID-19, keeping him out for 10 days per the NFL's policies.

#3 - Dallas Cowboys (11-4)

Last Week: 56-14 W vs Washington

Top Performer: DE DeMarcus Lawrence (2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 TD)

This Week: Sunday vs Arizona (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

A downright dominant performance from a team that's notorious for playing up or down to its competition (which included an in-character 330-yard outing for Dak Prescott) has many pegging the Cowboys as the greatest threat to a Pack-Bucs rematch in the NFC title game.

Aaron Rodgers (12) made Green Bay history in the NFL's Christmas Day showcase (Photo: Getty)

#2 - Green Bay Packers (12-3)

Last Week: 24-22 W vs. Cleveland

Top Performer: WR Davantae Adams (10 rec., 114 yards, 2 TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs Minnesota (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

While it was, perhaps, a bit more dramatic than it should've been, the Packers earned a win in the NFL's Christmas showcase while Aaron Rodgers earned history, passing Brett Favre for the most touchdown passes in the history of the legendary franchise.

A breakout game for Byron Pringle helped the Chiefs win their eighth straight game, an NFL-best (Photo: Getty)

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)

Last Week: 36-10 W vs. Pittsburgh

Top Performer: WR Byron Pringle (6 rec., 75 yards, 2 TDs)

This Week: Sunday vs Cincinnati (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

The NFL's worst nightmare is normally a full-strength Chiefs squad, but the fact that Kansas City were able to dismantle a somewhat legitimate Pittsburgh squad with such ease might be even more terrifying.