NFL power rankings, Week 17: Steelers rise, Browns fall

The NFL power rankings saw a big shift this week in the AFC North, with the Cleveland Browns suffering a brutal defeat and the Pittsburgh Steelers rising up.

Trevor Lawrence!

They won again!

Deshaun Watson should force his way out of Houston if the Texans don’t knock their head coach search out of the park.

Give Cincinnati credit, it’s not giving up despite being without hope and Joe Burrow.

The defense was non-existent in Dallas, and now so are the Eagles’ playoff hopes.

The Falcons actually moved up for their effort in Kansas City. Hold onto a few interceptions, and they pull a massive upset.

Does John Elway keep believing in Drew Lock? Huge question this offseason.

The Panthers aren’t good, but they’ve played hard all year. Nice win on the road in Washington.

Pitiful team, pitiful effort.

Remember the Giants’ four-game winning streak? That’s a nice memory.

The defense is rancid, and so are the Vikings.

Give the 49ers credit. They’ve been beaten up and out of the race, and yet they play as hard as any team in football.

Dallas is somehow fighting to host a playoff game. The NFC East is something else.

Dwayne Haskins is a mess, on and off the field. Washington still controls its own destiny, but needs to beat the Eagles in Week 17.

What a sideshow. The Raiders were once 6-3 and beating the Chiefs with under a minute remaining. Now? Yikes.

Just no ability to score a point.

The Chargers get a nice bump this week. Considering they finish the season playing Kansas City’s backups, it could be a four-game win streak to finish the year.

Arizona is 3-5 in its last eight games, and one of those wins was on a Hail Mary. The other two came against the NFC East.

The Bears are somehow a win away from the playoffs.

The Rams better hope Jared Goff can play, because despite his limitations, they’re sunk without him.

The defense is a full-blown tire fire. It’s tough to see the Titans beating a top-tier offensive team in January.

All the Browns had to do was beat the Jets. Now, they’re well-positioned to brutally torture their fans once more.

Miami needed Ryan Fitzpatrick and a miracle in the final seconds, but the Dolphins continue to win. Now, one more in Buffalo and it’s time for the postseason.

The Colts had to drop. You can’t blow a 17-point lead when the opponent is offensively challenged. Brutal loss and it could knock them out of the playoffs.

Down 24-7, it appeared we were headed for a full-scale meltdown. Then, the Steelers turned the tide and perhaps saved their Super Bowl dreams.

Don’t look now, but the Ravens have won four straight and they suddenly control their own destiny.

The Buccaneers are a tough team to figure, but when Tom Brady has time, they’re a major problem.

Seattle has to be feeling very, very good about its defense.

Drew Brees struggled again facing Minnesota, but 52 points makes a lot of things feel better.

The NFC has a ton of teams which are close in talent level, but the Packers must be considered the favorite.

Buffalo is playing the best football in the NFL, bar none.

The Chiefs keep winning, but it’s starting to become worrisome that nothing feels easy for such a talented team.