Week 17 in the NFL is here. This is the last chance for all 32 teams to either improve or hurt their power position in relation to the rest of the league in the 2020 regular season.
With a slew of double-digit win teams headed to the playoffs, it's been a top-heavy year as the calendar prepares to flip to 2021 with the playoffs toward Super Bowl 55 right around the corner. On the flip side, several other teams keep sinking toward the bottom.
Here's our latest and last big-picture look at the league's hierarchy before the battle to become No. 1 when it counts most begins:
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture Week 16 | Updated 2021 NFL draft order
NFL power rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs 14-1 (last week: 1)
The Chiefs' offense had a rough day against the Falcons. But they got the job done with defense and special teams to remind everyone they are complete contender in trying to win Super Bowl 55, too.
2. Green Bay Packers 12-3 (2)
Aaron Rodgers and the running led an offensive romp against the Titans. The defense also had another needed top-notch performance in holding down the Titans' passing and running games.
BENDER: Aaron Rodgers makes MVP race with Patrick Mahomes tight near the end
3. Buffalo Bills 12-3 (3)
The Bills have taken care of the AFC East title and now need to tune up so they position themselves well between the Chiefs and Steelers to stay longer in the playoffs with Josh Allen.
4. Seattle Seahawks 11-4 (4)
The Seahawks have become stronger defensively all-around as they have gotten healthier and now their running game is kicking in to help Russell Wilson. Going into the playoffs as the NFC West champions helps with at least one home game this time.
5. New Orleans Saints 11-4 (5)
The Saints destroyed the Vikings with their running game and timely big pass plays, which is their winning formula with either Drew Brees or Taysom Hill. The defense needs to start playing a little better in time for the playoffs, however.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 12-3 (6)
The Steelers dug themselves a deep hole against the Colts and it woke up Ben Roethlisberger and the offense, while the defense also went into total focused shutdown mode. That's the kind of team that can be dangerous in the playoffs vs. the quick out from the previous three weeks.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-5 (9)
The Buccaneers found their complete offense against the Lions, needing only one spectacular half from Tom Brady. They are peaking and functioning at the highest level at the ideal time with a wild-card playoff ticket punched.
MORE: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski get last laugh vs. Bill Belichick
8. Baltimore Ravens 10-5 (12)
The Ravens are rising to be their 2019 form with Lamar Jackson and now it looks like they will be in the playoffs with the rest of the offense finding its groove. The defensive injuries are something they still need to overcome against better opponents, however.
9. Miami Dolphins 10-5 (11)
The Dolphins pulled off a magical epic comeback with Ryan Fitzpatrick to keep their wild-card playoff hopes strong. They will hope to get a break from the Bills in Week 17 to save them.
10. Tennessee Titans 10-5 (8)
The Titans didn't seem ready defensively for the Packers and they're not built to play from behind. They can't take the Texans lightly in trying to secure the AFC South in Week 17.
11. Indianapolis Colts 10-5 (10)
The Colts took their playoff chances out of their own hands by blowing the big lead against the Steelers. They are a strong team who could give the heavyweights problems so everyone else in the AFC would be happy if they don't make it.
12. Cleveland Browns 10-5 (7)
The Browns got burned by the Jets because of their wide receiver COVID-19 issues and Baker Mayfield trying to make it work with inexperienced replacement options. Their defense isn't good enough to overcome that.
13. Los Angeles Rams 9-6 (13)
The Rams looked good to win the NFC West a few weeks ago, then the losses to the 49ers, Jets and Seahawks happened. Now Jared Goff is hurt and they might be out of playoff luck with a loss to the Cardinals in Week 17.
14. Chicago Bears 8-7 (15)
The Bears looked like they couldn't recover from blowing their 5-1 start to become a playoff team, but then they made the decision to start Mitchell Trubisky again and it woke up David Montgomery and the rest of the offense working on a favorable closing schedule. Don't forget the defense remains daunting, too.
15. Arizona Cardinals 8-7 (14)
The Cardinals can't seem to get consistent, good defense, as their work against the run can drag down their pass-rush potential. That also puts more pressure on Kyler Murray and the offense to be pinpoint, and that group is inconsistent, too.
16. Las Vegas Raiders 7-8 (16)
The Raiders couldn't get it done with Jon Gruden for a playoff run despite a promising first half that included wins over the Saints and Chiefs. Unfortunately, it looks the defense needs yet another overhaul.
17. Dallas Cowboys 6-9 (20)
How about them Cowboys with Andy Dalton? This is the kind of normal offense using the wide receivers and running game well that one expected after Dak Prescott went down. It just took a while.
18. Minnesota Vikings 6-9 (17)
The Vikings have been trying to keep their young and injury-riddled defense together with duct tape and zone coverage but it's caught up to them against the run, too. Kirk Cousins and the offense did as much as they could under the circumstances.
19. New England Patriots 6-9 (19)
The Patriots have played OK pass defense, but they have wilted against the run and their offense is third-rate in relation to the rest of the league without Brady and with Cm Newton.
MORE: While Patriots' AFC East future looks bleak for a while
20. Los Angeles Chargers 6-9 (21)
The Chargers got another close win over the Broncos. It's unfortunate they've gotten the hang of this one-possession thing with Anthony Lynn and Justin Herbert so late in the season.
21. Washington Football Team 6-9 (18)
Ron Rivera has done his best to navigate through a bad quarterback situation and it doesn't help other offensive injuries have also been an issue. They have one more week to prove they are playoff-worthy because of defense.
22. San Francisco 49ers 6-9 (22)
The 49ers have fought hard even though their dream of returning to the Super Bowl has been dashed. Look for a big healthy rebound in 2021.
23. Carolina Panthers 5-10 (28)
The Panthers have been on a roller coaster in the first season of Matt Rhule. Their injuries haven't helped, but just imagine if they shake off their overall inconsistency on both sides of the ball in 2021.
24. New York Giants 5-10 (23)
The Giants don't really belong in the playoffs with their run defense remaining shaky and their offense remaining inept. But they still can get there with the game of the season against the Cowboys
25. Denver Broncos 5-10 (25)
Drew Lock keeps making it hard to know whether he's the guy, trading some big mistakes for some big plays. Credit the defense for grinding well all season without Von Miller.
26. Detroit Lions 5-10 (24)
The Lions couldn't fix any part of their defense and that was the reason for the quick downfall of Matt Patricia. They also need to consider some big offensive changes around D'Andre Swift and Kenny Golladay in 2021.
27. Philadelphia Eagles 4-10-1 (26)
The Eagles now are stuck facing that dreaded offseason decision after elimination: What do they do at quarterback next season between Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz? There's no easy answer there, and there's also a question about coach Doug Pederson, too.
28. Atlanta Falcons 4-11 (29)
The Falcons have fought until the end with Raheem Morris getting much better play from their defense. They continue to have close-game and blown-lead woes, however, something that needs to be corrected with the new coach, whether it's Morris or someone else.
29. Houston Texans 4-11 (27)
The Texans' defense went into the tank and J.J. Watt has every reason to be embarrassed to be associated with the 2020 version. Deshaun Watson is great, but he's not a miracle worker.
30. Cincinnati Bengals 3-10-1 (30)
How about them Bengals, winning two in a row to get some good vibes for next season when presumably Joe Burrow is back to take them to a higher level from quarterback. The surge might have confirmed Zac Taylor is getting a third season.
31. New York Jets 2-13 (31)
Adam Gase is also coaching the Jets better but the Rams and Browns wins now make us wonder whether the Jets were overachieving with him all season for most of the season. Either way, he can't stay, can he?
IYER: Why Trevor Lawrence is a much better fit with Jaguars than Jets in 2021 NFL Draft
32. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-14 (32)
The Jaguars lost again, like they have done in every game since Week 1. But they also won Trevor Lawrence, so there's that.
