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 (12-3) | 1 | Because he's still Aaron Rodgers
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) | 2 | Clinched sixth consecutive AFC West title Sunday
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) | 4 | Clinched first NFC South title since 2007 Sunday
4. Dallas Cowboys (11-4) | 5 | Clinched NFC East Sunday
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) | 6 | Clinched playoff spot – and now in first place in NFC West
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-6) | 7 | May challenge KC as AFC's best team
7. New England Patriots (9-6) | 3 | Up next: Home against Duuuval
8. Buffalo Bills (9-6) | 12 | Bills-Patriots could be really good rivalry for long time
9. Tennessee Titans (10-5) | 9 | Can clinch AFC South with victory in either of last two games
10. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) | 13 | Suddenly the clear AFC North favorites
11. Arizona Cardinals (10-5) | 8 | The slide continues
12. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) | 10 | Oof
13. Baltimore Ravens (8-7) | 11 | Oof
14. San Francisco 49ers (8-7) | 14 | Still control their destiny for the playoffs
15. Miami Dolphins (8-7) | 15 | They keep winning and winning and winning
16. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) | 17 | Can clinch a playoff spot Sunday with win – and help
17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) | 22 | Remarkable fight – but still a long shot for postseason
18. Cleveland Browns (7-8) | 16 | If they win their final two games, they're in the postseason
19. Minnesota Vikings (7-8) | 18 | A good chance at the postseason got much worse Sunday
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) | 19 | They win the AFC North with two victories, two Bengals losses
21. Denver Broncos (7-8) | 20 | Playoff chances all but over now
22. New Orleans Saints (7-8) | 21 | Top-tier franchise; just not enough this season
23. Washington Football Team (6-9) | 23 | Ooooof
24. Atlanta Falcons (7-8) | 24 | They keep winning games they're supposed to win
25. Chicago Bears (5-10) | 28 | Changes could be looming in Windy City …
26. Seattle Seahawks (5-10) | 25 | … and in the Pacific Northwest, too
27. Carolina Panthers (5-10) | 26 | Lost 10 of 12 games after 3-0 start
28. New York Jets (4-11) | 29 | Got right against Duuuval Sunday
29. Houston Texans (4-11) | 31 | Impressive fight in this team lately
30. New York Giants (4-11) | 27 | Reportedly bringing back Jones, Judge for 2022
31. Detroit Lions (2-12-1) | 30 | Only team but Jaguars with chance at No. 1
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13) | 32 | No. 1 looks more and more likely