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2020 NFL power rankings, Week 17: Chiefs secure No. 1 seed in AFC

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the second quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the second quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

. 6-9. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 21. team. 42

The Niners were back in Arizona for the third time in four weeks and they were the visiting team this time around as they looked to avoid being swept by the Cardinals.

C.J. Beathard got the start behind center and was sacked three times and lost a fumble. But the 49ers’ offense rolled up 398 total yards – including 227 yards on the ground. Jeff Wilson had 183 of those rushing yards, Beathard threw for three TDs and San Francisco held off a late rally.

47. . 6-8. Previous: . New England Patriots. 20. team

Bill Belichick’s club won’t be in the postseason tournament for the first time since 2008 and the club also won’t finish with a winning record for the first time since the head coach’s debut campaign in Foxborough in 2000.

There is plenty of blame to go around as quarterback Cam Newton never looked the same after missing time (COVID-19). The defense had season-long issues vs. the run (27th in NFL), which actually began during the second half of ‘19.

team. 28. . 7-8. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 19

Las Vegas’ defense had been abysmal in its previous five games and not much better on Saturday night at home against the Dolphins, allowing 383 total yards to an offense that used both Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick. But the crushing blow came after Jon Gruden’s team took a two-point lead with 19 seconds to play.

A 34-yard pass play and a roughing the passer penalty enabled the Dolphins to steal a win and end the Raiders’ playoff hopes.

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