NFL power rankings, Week 17: Jaguars rise, Raiders fall

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports) /
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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.