NFL Power Rankings Week 18: Where does every AFC team stand?

The final week of NFL games is here and so is the last entry into the power rankings for the regular season. It has truly been a journey for all AFC teams involved, with some shocking the league and becoming some of the strongest teams throughout the NFL. This final week will see the remaining teams in the hunt secure their trips to the postseason. The battle between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers should prove to be extremely exciting.

Here are the NFL power rankings for week 18.

AFC Power Rankings Week 18: Who has claimed the #1 spot?

#16 - Jacksonville Jaguars - (2-14)

Previous Rank: 16

Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Jacksonville Jaguars' season has been full of disappointment as they have consistently remained at the bottom of the league and power rankings. Trevor Lawrence might not be the quarterback of the future, but then again that could be due to the incompetence of how Urban Meyer used him. Now all that is left is to look towards the 2022 season.

#15 - New York Jets - (4-12)

Previous Rank: 14

Next Week: vs. Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets have had some flashes in their season but have mostly been near the bottom three of the power rankings this entire time. However, it seems as though with the right players around Zach Wilson, he could turn into a pretty capable quarterback. He certainly seems to be more capable than Lawrence.

#14 - Houston Texans - (4-12)

Previous Rank: 15

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Houston Texans have shown some fight through a mostly disappointing season. They have moved through the bottom level of the power rankings a lot. They did beat the Los Angeles Chargers and could very well take down their divisional rival, the Tennessee Titans, in the final game of the season. That would be some poetic justice for the Texans.

#13 - Cleveland Browns - (7-9)

Previous Rank: 12

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

There is a lot of growing concern that the Cleveland Browns are a quarterback away from becoming a truly competitive team in the AFC.

They have fallen to their lowest position in the power rankings all season. Things might point towards the Browns wanting to get rid of Baker Mayfield in the offseason.

#12 - Denver Broncos - (7-9)

Previous Rank: 13

Next Week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Denver Broncos have also had a mostly disappointing season and are also one quarterback away from becoming a true powerhouse in the AFC. They have bounced around in the power rankings but ultimately end up in the bottom five. Now that Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson are available, the Broncos might land a solid quarterback.

#11 - Baltimore Ravens - (8-8)

Previous Rank: 8

Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday's game will hold much more importance for the Baltimore Ravens and the Steelers. The Ravens need a win and some help to secure their trip to the playoffs. However, they have fallen quite a bit in the power rankings this week. The Ravens are looking to end their season against their divisional rivals and could be the last team to either beat or be beaten by Big Ben.

#10 - Miami Dolphins - (8-8)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins completely fell under pressure to return to the playoffs as they were dismantled by the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Now they have nothing left to play for, except to take down their divisional rivals, the New Engla9nd Patriots. The Dolphins have fallen a few spots in the final week of the power rankings.

Top nine teams in Week 18 AFC power rankings

#9 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (8-7-1)

Previous Rank: 11

Next Week: vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers won their final home game against the Browns and an emotional Big Ben was shown taking in the special moment. Even more special is that Mike Tomlin has spent 15 seasons without a losing record. The Steelers enjoyed a nice little boost in this week's power rankings due to their big win.

#8 - Las Vegas Raiders - (9-7)

Previous Rank: 10

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers is going to be a wild one. The Raiders have also worked their way back into the higher levels of the power rankings and the AFC.

No one can say that this team isn't tough. The Raiders are currently on a three-game winning streak.

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

Previous Rank: 9

Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The same can be said about the Chargers as has been said about the Raiders. The Chargers have worked their way back up the power rankings and to their potential playoff spot this season. All they need to do is beat their divisional rivals and they will be in the postseason.

#6 - Indianapolis Colts - (9-7)

Previous Rank: 2

Next Week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Indianapolis Colts lost an important game to the Raiders and have fallen quite a bit in this week's power rankings. Four spots might seem like a lot, but then again, the Colts lost and other AFC teams jumped ahead of them in this week's power rankings.

#5 - New England Patriots - (10-6)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The New England Patriots are staying put in this week's power rankings, even though they dropped 50 points on the lowly Jaguars. The Patriots now look to close out their season with a higher seeding by beating the Dolphins on the road. Should they lose, they will be swept by the Dolphins this season.

#4 - Buffalo Bills - (10-6)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: vs. New York Jets

The Buffalo Bills are also staying put in this week's power rankings, but have found their way to being #1 in the AFC East. They just need to beat the Jets and secure back-to-back division titles. The Bills have been up and down this season but should prove to be dangerous in the playoffs.

#3 - Cincinnati Bengals - (10-6)

Previous Rank: 6

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

The Cincinnati Bengals have proven to be one of the strongest teams in the AFC and have jumped in this week's power rankings.

The Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase connection has been special and should prove hard to deal with when the Bengals take on the postseason. They have secured their first AFC North title since 2016.

#2 - Tennesee Titans - (11-5)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. Houston Texans

The Tennessee Titans have proven that they don't need Derrick Henry to establish a strong run offensive. They ran through the Dolphins and their highly ranked defense on Sunday. The Titans will look to retain their #1 seed status by beating the Texans in their final game of the season. The Titans jumped only slightly in this week's power rankings.

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs - (11-5)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: vs. Denver Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs will stay in their #1 spot in the power rankings, even though they are #2 in the AFC. A disappointing and somewhat controversial loss to the Bengals has put the Chiefs in a much tougher position to land the #1 seed in the playoffs. The Chiefs are still a dangerous team regardless of their loss.