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NFL power rankings Week 17: Top teams tumble, new No. 1, are Cowboys bottom 10?

December 22, 2025
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This might be the most top-heavy season in recent NFL memory. Following Sunday’s games in Week 16, there are now eight teams within one game of having the league’s best record, and the San Francisco 49ers could make it nine by Monday night’s end. The two teams sitting atop last week’s rankings both lost, with the Denver Broncos losing by 14 points at home after standing alone as the best record.

Things are shaping up for an incredible playoff season and with two weeks remaining, seeds are more up for grabs than ever. Meanwhile, if the top if heavy, the bottom is as well. There are seven teams with four wins or fewer, stinking up the joint each and every week. The battle for the No. 1 draft pick is just as intense as that for the No. 1 seeds. Here’s a look at our latest Power Rankings.

32 . New York Giants ( 2-13 ) | Last Ranking: 31

Nov 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka looks on during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

31 . Las Vegas Raiders ( 2-13 ) | Last Ranking: 32

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

30 . New York Jets ( 3-12 ) | Last Ranking: 28

Aug 9, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

29 . Arizona Cardinals ( 3-12 ) | Last Ranking: 27

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in the backfield prior to a preseason game against the Chiefs at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.

28 . Cleveland Browns ( 3-12 ) | Last Ranking: 29

Jul 23, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

27 . Washington Commanders ( 4-11 ) | Last Ranking: 25

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) before the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

26 . Tennessee Titans ( 3-12 ) | Last Ranking: 30

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) warms up before an NFL pre-season game against the Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.

25 . Miami Dolphins ( 6-9 ) | Last Ranking: 22

Aug 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

24 . New Orleans Saints ( 5-10 ) | Last Ranking: 26

Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore looks on against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

23 . Cincinnati Bengals ( 5-10 ) | Last Ranking: 24

Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

22 . Atlanta Falcons ( 6-9 ) | Last Ranking: 23

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 22: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons participates in warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

21 . Dallas Cowboys ( 6-8-1 ) | Last Ranking: 21

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

20 . Kansas City Chiefs ( 6-9 ) | Last Ranking: 18

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

19 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 7-8 ) | Last Ranking: 15

Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scrambles during the second quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

18 . Minnesota Vikings ( 7-8 ) | Last Ranking: 19

Aug 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks to the field against the Tennessee Titan during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

17 . Indianapolis Colts ( 8-6 ) | Last Ranking: 20 (PENDING MNF)

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 14: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field following his team's 18-16 loss against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

16 . Baltimore Ravens ( 7-8 ) | Last Ranking: 16

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens sits on the bench during the second quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

15 . Carolina Panthers ( 8-7 ) | Last Ranking: 17

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

14 . Detroit Lions ( 8-7 ) | Last Ranking: 13

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field for practice ahead the Houston Texans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

13 . Pittsburgh Steelers ( 9-6 ) | Last Ranking: 14

Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

12 . Green Bay Packers ( 9-5-1 ) | Last Ranking: 10

Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons speaks during an introductory press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28 to acquire Parsons in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round picks. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

11 . Houston Texans ( 10-5 ) | Last Ranking: 12

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

10 . Philadelphia Eagles ( 10-5 ) | Last Ranking: 8

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) picks up yardage with a push from wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) and tight end Dallas Goedert (88) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

9 . Los Angeles Chargers ( 11-4 ) | Last Ranking: 11

Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

8 . Jacksonville Jaguars ( 11-4 ) | Last Ranking: 9

Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images

7 . San Francisco 49ers ( 10-4 ) | Last Ranking: 7 (PENDING MNF)

Aug 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan watches from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

6 . Chicago Bears ( 11-4 ) | Last Ranking: 6

Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

5 . Buffalo Bills ( 11-4 ) | Last Ranking: 5

Sep 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) strips the ball from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) while attempting to pass the ball during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

4 . Denver Broncos ( 12-3 ) | Last Ranking: 2

Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton gestures before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

3 . Los Angeles Rams ( 11-4 ) | Last Ranking: 1

Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay reacts against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

2 . New England Patriots ( 12-3 ) | Last Ranking: 4

Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

1 . Seattle Seahawks ( 12-3 ) | Last Ranking: 3

Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Power rankings Week 17: Top teams make way for new No. 1, Cowboys bad

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