This week's rankings feature a new No. 1 and a slight power shift in the AFC. It also includes its share of risers and fallers. Near the top of the rankings, the Jets have moved up four spots to No. 6. But the Steelers and the Patriots, after tough losses, fall three and five spots, respectively.
Other risers include the Falcons, who picked up six spots with their streak-breaking win over the Panthers, and the Bills, who jumped eight spots after running by the Cowboys. The Ravens were also rewarded with an 11-spot jump after stunning the Steelers. The Eagles are in a freefall, dropping nine slots after their home loss to the Redskins, and the Giants fall eight spots after folding in Minnesota on Sunday night.
Here are the Power Rankings heading into Week 17
| RANK | TEAM |
 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Cardinals: A dominating defensive performance, against a playoff team, without Tyrann Matthieu is as impressive as anything they've done on offense this season. Anybody notice David Johnson on Sunday? Another strong performance. Last Week: 2 |
| 2 |  |
Panthers: Don't worry, Panthers fans. This is the wakeup call they needed. Ron Rivera said, "The goal isn't to go undefeated. The goal is to win the Super Bowl." That goal is still out there. Last Week: 1 |
| 3 |  |
Broncos: Another critical OT victory led by Brock Osweiler has the Broncos in the playoffs and sitting pretty to claim the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Last Week: 8 |
| 4 |  |
Seahawks: It was October all over again in Seattle on Sunday. The formula is simple. Run the ball with power on offense, stop the run and go get the ball on defense. The Seahawks will need to get back to that next week in Arizona. Last Week: 3 |
| 5 |  |
Bengals: That was a tough loss in Denver, but AJ McCarron showed he's a gamer by lighting up the Broncos defense in the first half. Now we'll wait and see how bad his wrist injury is. Last Week: 6 |
| 6 |  |
Jets: The Jets are coming off as big a win as they've had all season. The defense has to continue to be a force, but Ryan Fitzpatrick will have to be the difference maker against Buffalo to win and get them into the playoffs.Last Week: 10 |
| 7 |  |
Chiefs: They've now won nine straight and still have a chance to win the AFC West. The defense is coming alive and they rank second in the NFL in points allowed per game. Last Week: 8 |
| 8 |  |
Steelers: Sunday was another example of why division matchups are so unpredictable. The Steelers now need help to get into the dance, but if they do, that defense is going to be a problem. Last Week: 5 |
| 9 |  |
Patriots: Don't look now, but the Patriots have lost three of their last five. This is a banged-up team, but they should take care of business against the Dolphins this week and earn a much-needed bye.Last Week: 4 |
| 10 |  |
Vikings: The Vikings have won two in a row and have a chance to win the NFC North with a win at Lambeau Field. Teddy Bridgewater has passed for 399 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT, and completed 71 percent in his last two games.Last Week: 11 |
| 11 |  |
Packers: As great as Aaron Rodgers is, he can't win games playing on his back. They face the prospect of back-to-back games against a Vikings team with 38 sacks (9 over the last two games). They better get the protections figured out. Last Week: 9 |
| 12 |  |
Redskins: Incredibly, they are NFC East champions. I like their defense, and as the running game has faltered in recent weeks, they've put it on Kirk Cousins' shoulders, and he's responded. They should win this week and enter the playoffs with a lot of confidence. Last Week: 12 |
| 13 |  |
Texans: Houston lifted a huge gorilla off its back with a win in Indy on Sunday. But the Texans will need to get Brian Hoyer back to get the job done.Last Week: 13 |
| 14 |  |
Raiders: The Raiders have won three of their last five, including two against the AFC West. They have a chance to win their eighth game and significantly alter the AFC playoffs against the Chiefs this week, which would be a big building block for a team that could bust out in 2016. Last Week: 14 |
| 15 |  |
Rams: The Rams have gotten back to their winning formula -- running the ball and dominating the line of scrimmage on defense. This is a team that has swept the Seahawks and beat the Cardinals in Arizona. If they can figure out the QB puzzle, 2016 could be a big year for the Rams, too.Last Week: 17 |
| 16 |  |
Colts: With the slimmest of playoff hopes alive, the Colts will likely turn to Charlie Whitehurst at QB in Week 17. He and Matt Hasselbeck both got banged around on Sunday. The Colts have got to make protection a priority this offseason.Last Week: 16 |
| 17 |  |
Lions: This team has gone 5-2 since their bye, and the offense has put up 30+ points in consecutive games. Ownership needs to stay the course now that the team has figured things out. This can be a playoff team in 2016. Last Week: 19 |
| 18 |  |
Falcons: No one picked the Falcons to be the team that ended the Panthers undefeated season, especially after that 38-0 beating two weeks ago. But the defense pressured Cam Newton all day. That and a turnover-free Matt Ryan have to be part of the equation every week.Last Week: 24 |
| 19 |  |
Bills: There are positive pieces in place on offense, but the defense, Rex Ryan's wheelhouse, has been a huge disappointment. There will be new players in the mix next season, but Rex has to re-evaluate his system.Last Week: 25 |
| 20 |  |
Ravens: In true John Harbaugh fashion, this team continues to fight. It's all they have left. There will be no "playing out the string" in Cincinnati this week.Last Week: 31 |
| 21 |  |
Saints: If that was Sean Payton's and Drew Brees' last game in the Superdome, they went out the right way -- with three Brees TD passes and an offensive fireworks show. This franchise has some big decisions to make in the offseason. Last Week: 22 |
| 22 |  |
Chargers: Even an improved performance by an inconsistent defense wasn't enough to help the Chargers win a game. After a season of close losses, this team needs playmakers on both sides of the ball to help Philip Rivers get this franchise over the hump. Last Week: 21 |
| 23 |  |
Buccaneers: Four losses in the last five games have brought the Bucs back to earth after a mid-season resurgence. Jameis Winston will continue to improve, but the defense needs to play better.Last Week: 20 |
| 24 |  |
Eagles: Sam Bradford is not the answer. Neither is DeMarco Murray. But for Eagles fans who want to blame Chip Kelly's offense, this defense has given up an AVERAGE of 400 yards and 27 points per game this season. You can't win NFL football games like that. Last Week: 15 |
| 25 |  |
Giants: We knew the Giants defense was bad. But now you see how thin this team is on offense. Take away Beckham, and Eli is working with very little.Last Week: 18 |
| 26 |  |
Jaguars: They teased us with a little late-season run, but more consistency on offense and more talent on defense are needed on Gus Bradley's team. Last Week: 23 |
| 27 |  |
Bears: John Fox, like John Harbaugh, has his team playing hard late in the season despite having "nothing" to play for. It's still about creating a winning culture in Chicago, and even Jay Cutler has bought in, which is why offensive Adam Gase may be the real MVP of this team. Last Week: 26 |
| 28 |  |
Browns: I have to admit, Johnny Manziel has me paying attention a little bit. He has an uncommon energy and playmaking ability, but I still don't know if that's something you can build a franchise around.Last Week: 29 |
| 29 |  |
Dolphins: I've asked this question before, but how many people does Ryan Tannehill have to get fired before the Dolphins realize he's the problem? The front office personnel that oversaw the offseason plan are as guilty as any of the many coaches that they've run through the turnstile in Miami. Last Week: 27 |
| 30 |  |
Cowboys: The defense continues to play hard, holding five of the Cowboys' last seven opponents under 20 points. Last Week: 28 |
| 31 |  |
49ers: The Niners have lost three in a row and five of their last six. They're still playing hard, but there are already whispers about whether they have the right guy in Jim Tomsula. That's unfair. This is a roster thin on talent. Last Week: 30 |
| 32 |  |
Titans: They are starting over in Tennessee. The good news for fans and whoever gets to take over the franchise -- they have their QB. Last Week: 32 |
