NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Where does every team stand?

These next NFL teams are struggling to get off the naughty list

Taylor Heinicke was subjected to a rude welcome back to the NFL moment from the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday (Photo: Getty)

#24 - Washington Football Team (6-9)

Last Week: 56-14 L @ Dallas

Top Performer: S Jeremy Reaves (10 tackles, 1 TLF)

This Week: Sunday vs. Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Three consecutive divisional losses and a 42-point blowout loss in the NFL's Sunday night showcase later, it's clear that Washington are not ready to nab consecutive playoff berths and that they may have to re-evaluate their passing situation, as it doesn't appear Taylor Heinicke is the answer.

Kyle Pitts (8) is closing in on NFL history (Photo: Getty)

#23 - Atlanta Falcons (7-8)

Last Week: 20-16 W vs. Detroit

Top Performer: TE Kyle Pitts (6 rec., 102 yards)

This Week: Sunday @ Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Though the Falcons' playoff push is threatening to come up short — they're a game behind San Francisco and Philadelphia and on the wrong end of a tiebreaker with Minnesota — Kyle Pitts is 127 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka's NFL record for most yards gained by a rookie tight end.

The Drew Lock era probably officially ended on Sunday (Photo: Getty)

#22 - Denver Broncos (7-8)

Last Week: 17-13 L @ Las Vegas

Top Performer: LB Bradley Chubb (5 tackles, 1 INT)

This Week: Sunday @ LA Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Las Vegas — one that probably ate up Denver's relatively small playoff chances — probably didn't reveal anything new. Vic Fangio has probably earned himself another year with the Broncos while Drew Lock hasn't.

#21 - Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

Last Week: 30-23 L vs LA Rams

Top Performer: LB Anthony Barr (7 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 2 INTs)

This Week: Sunday @ Green Bay (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

Another week, another single-possession loss that will keep the Vikings up at night as they go into what's pretty much a must-win game on the road against the mighty Packers.

#20 - Cleveland Browns (7-8)

Last Week: 24-22 L @ Green Bay

Top Performer: RB Nick Chubb (184 total yards, 1 rushing TD)

This Week: Monday @ Pittsburgh (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Not only have the Browns lost consecutive games in last-second fashion to put a major dent in their bid for consecutive NFL playoff berths, Baker Mayfield's prime-time wilting could have them re-thinking their long-term plans as well.

#19 - New Orleans Saints (7-8)

Last Week: 20-3 L vs. Miami

Top Performer: DE Cameron Jordan (6 tackles, 2 sacks)

This Week: Sunday vs. Carolina (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

Lingering in the playoff chase if only thanks to the NFL's generous new wild card standards, New Orleans was dealt a cold, primetime taste of reality in the Big Easy when they ran into the red-hot Dolphins, forced to rely on the strengths of a third-string quarterback thanks to injuries and COVID.

Ben Roethlisberger (left) and the Steelers were crushed by the Chiefs, dooming their NFL playoff chances (Photo: Getty)

#18 - Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1)

Last Week: 36-10 L @ Kansas City

Top Performer: WR Diontate Johnson (6 rec. 51 yards, 1 TD)

This Week: Monday vs. Cleveland (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

As the Steelers continue to struggle to open games up — and this time they couldn't even use garbage time to make the scoreboard look presentable — the end of the Ben Roethlisberger — and maybe even the Mike Tomlin era — seems more real than ever.

#17 - Las Vegas Raiders (8-7)

Last Week: 17-13 W vs. Denver

Top Performer: RB Josh Jacobs (27 carries, 129 yards)

This Week: Sunday @ Indianapols (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

The Raiders have allowed only 394 yards over the past two weeks to reinsert themselves back into the NFL playoff discussion and will have to put up another strong performance against Jonathan Taylor and the Colts if they want to make it complete.