The Carolina Panthers recaptured the No. 1 spot with a convincing win heading into the playoffs. The Jets dropped seven spots and the Chargers dropped five to lead the fallers this week. Meanwhile, the Dolphins jumped six spots with their upset win over the Patriots and the 49ers moved up five with a season-ending win for outgoing coach Jim Tomsula. The Bills and Vikings both moved up four spots with playoff-altering wins to end the regular season.
Here are my final Power Rankings of the regular season:
| RANK | TEAM |
 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Panthers: After stumbling in Week 16, they came back with a dominating performance against the Bucs that has me thinking they are primed and ready for their playoff run. Last Week: 2 |
| 2 |  |
Broncos: Well, the storyline just got interesting in Denver, didn't it? It would be great to see Peyton write his fairy tale ending, but after what we've seen in 2015, the most important thing for the Broncos is that they enter the playoffs with two QBs they feel they can call on to win a game. Last Week: 3 |
| 3 |  |
Seahawks: Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin finished the regular season on a record-breaking pace, the run game thrived without two starting O-linemen, and the defense was in top form against a top opponent. This team knows how to peak for the postseason. Last Week: 4 |
| 4 |  |
Cardinals: The Cardinals may have been exposed on some levels on Sunday, but this is still a loaded team that has the potential to go deep into the playoffs. Last Week: 1 |
| 5 |  |
Bengals: That was a tough loss in Denver, but Andy Dalton may be back, but he won't be 100 percent. The good news is that Hue Jackson hasn't changed a thing in the playbook and AJ McCarron has shown that they can win games with him at QB. Last Week: 5 |
| 6 |  |
Vikings: They have the NFL's leading rusher and a very good defense, but this passing game is still not where it needs to be, and that will be a problem for them in the playoffs. Last Week: 10 |
| 7 |  |
Chiefs: The offense has done just enough over the last month of the season, but hasn't been prolific by any means. Late in the season it seems the Chiefs, like the Texans, have shown they can do it with defense. Last Week: 7 |
| 8 |  |
Steelers: The defense has taken a step back, and they don't have a healthy starting-caliber RB. Could they sign Ray Rice? Maybe. But until they do, it's all on Big Ben's shoulders. Last Week: 8 |
| 9 |  |
Patriots: It's been an ugly end to the regular season, but no team needed the bye as much as New England. They should be healthy and dangerous for a legitimate Super Bowl run. Last Week: 9 |
| 10 |  |
Redskins: The Redskins accomplished what they needed to on Sunday and could be a challenge for a Packers team that is limping down the stretch. Last Week: 12 |
| 11 |  |
Packers: The passing game is dysfunctional at this point, and Eddie Lacy hasn't given this team a complete game effort in a month. The defense ranks 27th against the pass, which is where a confident Kirk Cousins comes in. Last Week: 9 |
| 12 |  |
Texans: Did you see the defense on Sunday? Eight sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles … and they didn't have Jadeveon Clowney. And though you can question the competition if you want to, the offense has posted 30+ points in the last two games. Last Week: 13 |
| 13 |  |
Jets: The Jets falling short of the playoffs is definitely disappointing given the opportunity they had. But given where we thought they'd be in August, it's hard to term the season a disappointment. They need some upgrades on defense and the O-line, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good short-term answer at QB. Last Week: 6 |
| 14 |  |
Lions: The Lions finished strong, and it seems that owner Martha Ford is open to maintaining some stability in the organization. This was a playoff team a year ago. As quickly as things got off the rails this season, there's enough talent to get back on track just as quick.Last Week: 17 |
| 15 |  |
Bills: Rex Ryan got a vote of confidence from the owner, and he has shown he can rally the troops when he needs to. But this team needs to play cleaner and with more consistency if Rex is going to be in Buffalo long-term. Last Week: 19 |
| 16 |  |
Colts: The Colts decision to keep Chuck Pagano was absolutely the right one. His firing would have been a crime. This team needs more talent, not better coaching. Last Week: 16 |
| 17 |  |
Raiders: They stumbled through the last half of the season, but this team has come a long way and looks poised to be a playoff contender in 2016. Last Week: 14 |
| 18 |  |
Rams: The search for a franchise QB is on. Jeff Fisher has built a strong foundation for a winning franchise, but there are still pieces missing. It was not easy coaching in that environment this year. Last Week: 15 |
| 19 |  |
Falcons: Dan Quinn did a good job finishing .500 in his first season as a head coach with a team that was coming off three straight losing seasons. There are things to clean up, and they need more talent on defense, but the future looks bright. Last Week: 18 |
| 20 |  |
Saints: It was a disappointing season in New Orleans, and there could be big turnover in the offseason. We could be looking at a significant transition period on the horizon. Drew Brees feels like they are ready to make a jump. I'm not sure. Last Week: 21 |
| 21 |  |
Ravens: The way this team played at the end of the season, despite an incredible rash of injuries, speaks volumes about John Harbaugh's coaching ability and the stability of the organization as a whole. The Ravens will be back in 2016. Last Week: 20 |
| 22 |  |
Eagles: Whoever takes over as coach will have to tailor their schemes to the skill sets of this current group of players or have the patience to go through a systematic re-stocking of the roster. Chip Kelly was a system-over-talent guy. That's not the way most NFL coaches see it. Last Week: 24 |
| 23 |  |
Dolphins: Two head coaches, two coordinators, and now the GM has moved on. Mike Tannenbaum is running the show now and needs a strong personality as a coach who can right a ship full of high-priced free agents and get Ryan Tannehill on track. Last Week: 29 |
| 24 |  |
Giants: With Tom Coughlin stepping down, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ben McAdoo get the head coaching job. But as good as this offense is, GM Jerry Reese has got to find some help on defense to get this team to take the next step. Last Week: 25 |
| 25 |  |
Chargers: Mike McCoy will stay, which is good news. This is a talented roster when healthy, and they have a chance to win every game (wherever they end up playing them) with Philip Rivers at QB. Last Week: 20 |
| 26 |  |
49ers: It will be a second straight offseason full of change in San Francisco. Jim Tomsula is a good man and a good coach. He won't be out of work long. Trent Baalke may be running out of chances to hire a new coach. He needs to get this one right. Last Week: 31 |
| 27 |  |
Buccaneers: I expected the Bucs to put up more of a fight in the season finale, but this is a young team that is still putting it all together. They have their QB, though, so it won't be surprising to se them higher on this list this time next year. Last Week: 23 |
| 28 |  |
Jaguars: This is another team that has their QB in place, and plenty of offensive weapons to go with him. With the return of this year's first-round pick, Dante Fowler, and some defensive reinforcements, they can build toward respectability. Last Week: 26 |
| 29 |  |
Bears: John Fox is building a winning culture with this team and made definite strides in year one. If OC Adam Gase moves on for a head coaching job, that could be a setback for Jay Cutler. Last Week: 27 |
| 30 |  |
Cowboys: I was disappointed that this team couldn't figure out how to win a game due to the loss of one player, even if it was the QB. I've got news for you. Tony Romo hasn't played a 16-game season since 2012. They're going to have to figure out how to win without him. Last Week: 30 |
| 31 |  |
Browns: This franchise is a disaster. I can't sugarcoat it, or say it any other way. As bad as things have been, they've made things worse with their front-office decisions over the past two days. Last Week: 28 |
| 32 |  |
Titans: There is hope in the form of Marcus Mariota. The owner's decision on the next coach is critical to his development. Last Week: 32 |
