NFL Power Rankings - Week 15: Eagles plunge without Wentz, Jaguars join top 5

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. New England Patriots (10-3)

Previous Rank: 1st

Tom Brady lost his semi-annual game in Miami on Monday. If we've learned one thing about No. 12 over the years, this defeat will only serve as motivation. - Sanderson

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

Previous Rank: 5th

Antonio Brown is building a worthy case for MVP and the Steelers now find themselves in the AFC's driver seat. - McClymont

3. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)

Previous Rank: 2nd

You didn't actually think the Case Keenum-led Vikings wouldn't suffer another loss this season, did you? Even with that defeat to the Panthers, the division is all but secured and the first seed in the NFC is still within reach. - McClymont

4. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

Previous Rank: 4th

Seattle remains the class of the NFC West until Los Angeles can knock them off, making Sunday's game a philosophical and practical must-win for one of the NFL's most fun teams. - Srinivasan

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)

Previous Rank: 8th

Put your hand up if you thought the Jaguars would have a shot at the AFC's top seed with three weeks left in the regular season. ... Anyone? - Browne

6. New Orleans Saints (9-4)

Previous Rank: 6th

New Orleans shouldn't be too disheartened by the close divisional loss to the Falcons, especially after losing Alvin Kamara for most of the game. They might be the NFC's most well-rounded outfit. - Browne

7. Carolina Panthers (9-4)

Previous Rank: 10th

It hasn't always been pretty for Cam Newton this season, but the superstar has come through when it counts. His 62-yard run to seal the win over the Vikings was spectacular. - Browne

8. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Previous Rank: 9th

The Falcons' fate, and that of the NFC South, will be decided in their final two games of the season (at Saints, vs. Panthers). But Atlanta can't afford to look past Tampa Bay in Week 15. - Browne

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

Previous Rank: 7th

Russell Wilson may be in the MVP race, but the Seahawks will be doomed if Bobby Wagner misses any time. - Srinivasan

10. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)

Previous Rank: 12th

The Chargers are peaking at the perfect time, with their chances of making the playoffs increasing with each big win as the regular season reaches the home stretch. - Srinivasan

11. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)

Previous Rank: 3rd

There are not many things to say about Carson Wentz's injury. It sucks, and the Eagles' chances with Nick Foles at the helm do too. - Sanderson

12. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

Previous Rank: 11th

That might have been an all-time choke job Sunday against the hated Steelers, but with three easy games left on their schedule, the Ravens could find their way to a playoff rematch. - McClymont

13. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)

Previous Rank: 16th

Kansas City isn't falling apart just yet, but it'll need to use its final three weeks to avoid one of the most spectacular collapses in recent memory. - Srinivasan

14. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)

Previous Rank: 14th

The running game is heating up and Ezekiel Elliott is one game away from returning. The Cowboys may just pull this off if they get some more help in the NFC race. - Sanderson

15. Detroit Lions (7-6)

Previous Rank: 17th

What was that about an injured hand? Matthew Stafford had the second-most passing yards of Week 14 after he threw the ball 44 times. The Lions will need more of that to vault back into a playoff spot. - McClymont

16. Tennessee Titans (8-5)

Previous Rank: 13th

When will the Titans realize they have a sports car they're treating like an old jalopy? Marcus Mariota hasn't been good this year, but his scheme and coaches are most at fault. - Browne

17. Green Bay Packers (7-6)

Previous Rank: 19th

Jamaal Williams deserves the credit for keeping the Packers afloat in Aaron Rodgers' absence. The rookie running back put up 545 total yards and five touchdowns in the last five weeks. - McClymont

18. Buffalo Bills (7-6)

Previous Rank: 18th

Snow games are fun. The Bills being in the playoff race is fun. Now, let's not think about all the things that need to fall into place for them to actually make it. - Sanderson

19. Oakland Raiders (6-7)

Previous Rank: 15th

What happened to Derek Carr and who was he replaced with? - Srinivasan

20. Miami Dolphins (6-7)

Previous Rank: 25th

Miami gets its biggest win of the season over the Patriots to keep its playoff hopes alive, thanks to Jay Cutler. There's a sentence you wouldn't have believed a month ago. - Sanderson

21. Washington Redskins (5-8)

Previous Rank: 20th

The Chargers outgained Washington 488-201 on Sunday. So no, it wasn't close. - Sanderson

22. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

Previous Rank: 22nd

It's a shame that standout campaigns from Chandler Jones and Larry Fitzgerald will go to waste with the Cardinals stuck in another mediocre season. - Srinivasan

23. New York Jets (5-8)

Previous Rank: 21st

We're about to find out just how much Josh McCown was holding things together in New York. With three playoff-caliber teams up next, it won't be pretty. - Sanderson

24. Houston Texans (4-9)

Previous Rank: 24th

The NFL's concussion protocol failed once again, this time allowing Tom Savage to return after a scary reaction to a hit. The Texans will want to forget most of 2017 existed. - Browne

25. Chicago Bears (4-9)

Previous Rank: 27th

Did you know Jordan Howard recorded his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and is fourth in the league in rushing? Maybe he won't be slept on again next year. - McClymont

26. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)

Previous Rank: 23rd

With nothing left to look forward to, the Bengals should spend these final three weeks running Joe Mixon into the ground. - McClymont

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9)

Previous Rank: 26th

One question should dominate Tampa's offseason: Is Jameis Winston a franchise centerpiece? - Browne

28. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)

Previous Rank: 29th

Jimmy Garoppolo is building a strong rapport with Marquise Goodwin. Though it's too late for the 49ers this year, they have to be optimistic about their rebuild entering 2018. - Srinivasan

29. Denver Broncos (4-9)

Previous Rank: 30th

Denver blanked New York 23-0 but it's too little, too late for one of the year's most disappointing teams. - Srinivasan

30. Indianapolis Colts (3-10)

Previous Rank: 28th

The Colts snatched defeat from the jaws of victory once again in a snow-filled affair with the Bills. The bright side? Indy is a lock for a top-five pick now. - Browne

31. New York Giants (2-11)

Previous Rank: 31st

Did you guys see the Giants fan with the "All I want for Xmas is Eli" sign? That was so sad. - Sanderson

32. Cleveland Browns (0-13)

Previous Rank: 32nd

Josh Gordon is certainly fun to watch. Seeing the Browns blow another shot at victory was not. - McClymont