JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 17 2021 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are …

Rank.Team (record) | Prev. | Comment

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3) | 1 | Because he's still Aaron Rodgers
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) | 3 | Because he's still Tom Brady
3. Los Angeles Rams (12-4) | 5 | Give them a puncher's chance in playoffs
4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) | 2 | Lost hold on AFC's No. 1 seed Sunday
5. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) | 4 | Capable but inconsistent
6. New England Patriots (10-6) | 7 | Clinched playoff spot versus Duuuval
7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) | 10 | So many weapons
8. Tennessee Titans (11-5) | 9 | Currently holding AFC's No. 1 seed
9. Buffalo Bills (10-6) | 8 | Still feel like a tough postseason out
10. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) | 6 | Can clinch playoffs in Duuuval
11. Arizona Cardinals (11-5) | 11 | Ended slide impressively Sunday
12. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) | 12 | Win and they're in
13. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) | 14 | Win and they're in – and they may get in anyway
14. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) | 16 | Quietly one of season's most impressive stories
15. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) | 17 | Win and they're in
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) | 20 | What a sendoff
17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) | 13 | Injuries just too much to overcome
18. Miami Dolphins (8-8) | 15 | Not elite yet – but very impressive run
19. New Orleans Saints (8-8) | 21 | If they finish above .500 it's a great season
20. Cleveland Browns (7-9) | 18 | Never were what we thought they were
21. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) | 19 | End of an era?
22. Denver Broncos (7-9) | 20 | Fought all season, just not enough
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) | 24 | Impressive, unexpected season
24. Washington Football Team (6-10) | 23 | Four losses since reaching .500
25. Chicago Bears (6-10) | 25 | Two consecutive victories may not prevent change
26. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) | 26 | End of an era?
27. Carolina Panthers (5-11) | 27 | Are 2-11 after 3-0 start
28. New York Jets (4-12) | 28 | Fighting to the finish
29. Houston Texans (4-12) | 29 | Much better than many expected
30. New York Giants (4-12) | 30 | Limping to the finish
31. Detroit Lions (2-13-1) | 31 | Still have a chance at No. 1
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) | 32 | Oof