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

Who has taken the #1 spot in the Week 17 AFC power rankings?

AFC Power Rankings for Week 17

Top nine teams in the AFC Power Rankings.

#9 - Los Angeles Chargers - (8-7)

Previous Rank: 8

Next Week: vs. Denver Broncos

The Los Angeles Chargers never saw the Texans coming, and that might have been the proverbial nail in the coffin of their playoff hopes. They have also dropped in the power rankings this week. They lost a three-way tie between the Raiders, themselves, and the Dolphins, leaving them on the outside of the wild card conversation. They get a softer opponent in the Broncos this week but could lose out on a playoff spot with one more loss.

#8 - Baltimore Ravens - (8-7)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Baltimore Ravens continue to be decimated by injuries or players being placed on the COVID/reserve list. Now they have to deal with potentially being without Lamar Jackson yet again. They have fallen a bit in this week's power rankings and may miss out on the playoffs.

#7 - Miami Dolphins - (8-7)

Previous Rank: 10

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Miami Dolphins have made history by becoming the first team in the NFL to have a seven-game losing streak and a seven-game winning streak.

They can also make history by becoming the first team to make the playoffs if they win out the rest of the season. With the Titans and the Patriots upcoming, it's going to take their best effort to end their season 10-7.

#6 - Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 6

Next Week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Cincinnati Bengals have emerged as one of the most surprising teams in the AFC as far as being competitive. They won, but they remain in their same power rankings spot for now. They are sneakily good and could very well take down the juggernauts that are the Chiefs this week. They remain in their power rankings spot for now.

#5 - New England Patriots - (9-6)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The New England Patriots have fallen down a spot in the power rankings, and that is because the Bills beat them so soundly. Had the Patriots won, they would have been sitting pretty as AFC East favorites, but two losses in a row will have them battling out the Dolphins in Week 18 for the potential last wild card playoff spot.

#4 - Buffalo Bills - (9-6)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Buffalo Bills are now in the driver's seat to win the AFC East after they beat the Patriots. That match saw the Bills easily dismantle the Patriots and showed why the Bills had always been a favorite to win the division.

They remain in the same spot in the power rankings for now, but one more win should all but secure their spot in the playoffs.

#3 - Tennessee Titans - (10-5)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: Miami Dolphins

The Tennessee Titans will all but win the AFC North, but that doesn't mean they will have an easy shot at it. They take on the Dolphins this week, who have one of the hottest defenses in the NFC. The Titans are hard to figure out, though they did beat the tough 49ers. They remain in their same power rankings spot this week.

#2 - Indianapolis Colts - (9-6)

Previous Rank: 2

Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

What a turnaround the Indianapolis Colts have had this season! They were once one of the bottom-barrel teams in the AFC and in the power rankings, but now they have emerged as one of the toughest teams to beat. That is in part because Johnathan Taylor is playing lights out and is a heavy favorite to land the MVP. The Colts need to beat the Raiders to try and steal the AFC South from the Titans.

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs - (11-4)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Kansas City Chiefs have dominated the AFC and the power rankings for weeks on end, and it doesn't look as though they are going to stop any time soon. The league thinking that they "figured out" Patrick Mahomes is a thing of the past and their defense has truly emerged as one of the most frightening units. The Chiefs might be the Super Bowl favorites next to the Packers.