2023 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 14?
If you like shake-ups, then Week 13 was a fun week for you.
The team with the NFL's best record (the Philadelphia Eagles) didn't just lose—it got flattened at home by the San Francisco 49ers. The AFC's highest-ranked team in these rankings (the Kansas City Chiefs) also lost at Lambeau Field Sunday night.
The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are both two games over .500 and in the thick of the postseason hunt. The Cleveland Browns are also 7-5, but they are fading badly after another loss on the West Coast. The Pittsburgh Steelers were stunned at home by a woeful Arizona Cardinals team. And the Atlanta Falcons took a one-game lead in the division no one seems to want to win.
It was a week that shook up the power rankings here at Bleacher Report more than any in well over a month. And as the dust settles around a wild Week 13, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to slot the league's teams from No. 32 to No. 1.
The former remains a constant. But there's a new team in the top spot.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-11)
1 of 32
Last Week: 32
Week 13 Result: Lost at Tampa Bay 21-18
Last week, the Carolina Panthers fired head coach Frank Reich in an effort to halt the franchise's death spiral.
In Week 13, the team kept right on spinning.
In many respects, Sunday's loss to Tampa was a microcosm for Carolina's disastrous season. There were bright spots—running back Chuba Hubbard topped 100 rushing yards and scored twice. But the Carolina defense had no answer for Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, and rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggled once again.
Per ESPN's David Newton, Young admitted that all the losing is wearing on the team. But he also remains resolute that things can and will be turned around.
"We're human beings," Young said. "Of course, no one is happy with how things have gone. We're all competitors. For all of us as a team, regardless of what the outside world may think, each game is huge for us. We all have that mindset. So yeah, I can't lie and say it's not frustrating. But ultimately, that's not what permeates through the locker room. It's the desire to want to do better, the desire to grow and the desire to want to play for each other.''
At this point, pride is all the Panthers have to play for. Well, that and wrecking their own first-round pick.
The higher it is, the more it's going to sting to hand it over to the Chicago Bears as part of the deal that brought Young to Charlotte.
31. New England Patriots (2-10)
2 of 32
Last Week: 31
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Chargers 6-0
In the most miserable season in New England in two decades, the Patriots keep finding ways to add new misery to the pile.
Sunday against the Chargers, the Patriots lost a fifth straight game for the first time since 1995. This is the first time Bill Belichick has been shut out twice in a season.
And as Tyler Sullivan wrote for CBS Sports, Sunday the Patriots accomplished a feat that no NFL team has since long before most of us were born.
"New England has now lost five straight games, but this recent three-game skid now finds the Patriots making some unpleasant NFL history," Sullivan said. "They are the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose three straight games all while allowing 10 or fewer points. To find the last time this occurred, you have to go all the way back to the 1938 season when the Chicago Cardinals lost three straight in the same fashion."
Just…ouch.
The Patriots are a complete disaster offensively. Bailey Zappe was just as putrid under center as Mac Jones has been. There's no quick fix for the dumpster fire the team has become. The franchise is going to have to be blown up. New England has to start from scratch.
And one of the first steps once the season ends is parting ways with the most successful head coach the NFL has ever known.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
3 of 32
Last Week: 30
Week 13 Result: Won at Pittsburgh 24-10
It's been a long season for the Arizona Cardinals. Without the services of quarterback Kyler Murray for most of the season, the Redbirds entered Week 13's matchup with the 7-4 Pittsburgh Steelers a two-win team with a better shot at the first pick in the 2024 draft than making the postseason.
They didn't look it.
Spurred by a 100-yard effort from former Steeler James Conner, the Cardinals literally weathered the storm of a third-quarter weather delay to control Sunday's game throughout. After the win, Conner told reporters that while outsiders may not think much of the Cardinals, the players know they are better than their record.
"We don't let our record define us," Conner said. "We don't let (our record) affect how we play, how we take the field, what we try to stand for. ... We're just going to keep fighting."
First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon lauded his team's effort against the Steelers.
"They believe in each other," Gannon said. "That's what we talked about (all week). 'Look to your left. Look to your right. Don't let your teammate down.' And it showed up all week, and that's why we gave ourselves a chance to win tonight."
The win doesn't erase 10 losses or salvage a lost season. But it's worth noting that all three of Arizona's wins this season have come against teams currently .500 or better.
"Even at 3-10, the pieces are falling into place for the Cardinals," Sobleski said. "Granted, the roster is still missing quite a few pieces, hence the overall record. But talent is emerging to help in the franchise's decision-making process next offseason. At this juncture, it looks more and more like the Cardinals don't need to seriously entertain another quarterback since Kyler Murray is playing well enough upon his return from last year's ACL injury. Tight end Trey McBride is the latest emerging factor as the team's leading receiver. Other pieces will need to be added, of course. Still, the thought of a complete roster overhaul wasn't out of the realm of possibility earlier this season. Now, the Cardinals are coming off their best win of the year and no longer sitting in the first or second overall draft slot."
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29. Washington Commanders (4-9)
4 of 32
Last Week: 27
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Miami 45-15
After getting smoked in Dallas on Thanksgiving, the Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Head coach Ron Rivera assumed play-calling duties on that side of the ball, hoping to provide a spark.
Um…about that.
Instead of a spark, the Commanders were immolated—again. They allowed 406 yards of offense, gave up 45 points for the second time in a row and allowed over 30 points for the third straight contest—all losses.
Afterward, a clearly disgusted Jonathan Allen didn't mince words when discussing the state of the Washington defense.
"Just not a very good defense," the veteran defensive tackle told reporters. "Can't stop the run. Can't stop the pass."
It's not just the defense. Commanders quarterback Sam Howell threw a pick-six for the third week in a row. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin didn't catch a single pass. No. 1 running back Brian Robinson left the game with an injury.
It's going to take a lot more than a Week 14 bye to fix the Commanders—and Davenport expects the franchise to be blown up in the offseason.
"It's becoming more obvious by the week that Rivera is going to be let go as head coach," he said. "It's equally obvious that Howell isn't the long-term solution at quarterback. With a new ownership group in town, this team is going to be blown up in the offseason. Fans may not want to endure another ground-up rebuild in the nation's capital. But the reality is that is what is needed—because the Commanders are a mess."
28. New York Giants (4-8)
5 of 32
Last Week: 28
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
It's been a rough season for the New York Giants. The G-Men have been blasted by injuries. Blasted by opponents. And blasted by fans and the New York media.
However, despite an immensely disappointing season following last year's playoff run, general manager Joe Schoen told reporters that he and coach Brian Daboll have the same long-term plan they did when they took over in 2022—and they are staying the course.
"It's easy to lead when you're winning and you're out front and you're running out front, it's easy to lead," Schoen said. "I think as we continue to build this, it's Year 2, going through adversity, you find out a lot about people and it's been challenging for everybody in the building, including myself and Dabs, and how you lead when things aren't going well, I think, is important. And I think Dabs has done a good job. We are starting an undrafted free agent [Tommy DeVito] the last two games and we've won two games. It's not easy to keep everybody together."
The 2023 season is a wash. The decision that's going to make or break Schoen and this regime is the four-year, $160 million extension handed to Daniel Jones in the offseason. The Giants are all but stuck with Jones through 2025—releasing him before that would incur a dead cap hit that could sail past $20 million.
If Jones plays well next year, the 2023 season will be written off as just bad luck. If he doesn't?
That adversity Schoen mentioned will move to an entirely different level.
27. New York Jets (4-8)
6 of 32
Last Week: 23
Week 13 Result: Lost 13-8 vs. Atlanta
The quarterback carousel keeps spinning in New York—and every horse is hideously ugly.
After yet another dismal performance from Tim Boyle under center, the Jets made yet another change at quarterback Sunday against Atlanta—this time to veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian.
The results were the same as with Boyle. And with Zach Wilson before him. Offensive ineptitude on a migraine-inducing scale.
Moton thinks the Jets should stick with Siemian—even if at this point the team's season has already sailed.
"We've run out of 'I told so' lessons with how the Jets have completely botched their quarterback situation this season," he said. "Once Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles, general manager Joe Douglas should've been on the phone with teams in an attempt to find a plan C at the position in case Zach Wilson continued to struggle in his early development. The Jets didn't find an upgrade for the backup quarterback spot, so they started Tim Boyle after the coaching staff benched Wilson, which turned out to be another mistake.
"In three games this season, Boyle threw for a touchdown and four interceptions. Last Sunday, the Jets benched him for Trevor Siemian, who should've started for Gang Green after Wilson lost the fill-in starting job. Even Michael Kay of ESPN NY 98.7 FM knew this. Siemian has played in 36 career games, which include 30 starts, throwing for 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Now compare that to Boyle's four touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 20 career games (five starts). The Jets' 2023 season looks much like their 2022 campaign—it started with promise and then the wheels came off mostly because of subpar quarterback play."
26. Chicago Bears (4-8)
7 of 32
Last Week: 29
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
That the Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 is essentially irrelevant. It didn't change anything in Chicago. Didn't do anything to erase another miserable season. As a matter of fact, all it did was cost Chicago draft positioning.
All that matters for the Bears at this point is the fact that Chicago will probably have two picks inside the top five next year. The question is whether the team will use one on a quarterback and move on from Justin Fields.
Per Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times, the argument can be made that's exactly what the Bears should do.
"There are troubling indicators that he might not necessarily be able to carry out a bolder, more aggressive passing attack," he said. "He has been sacked 120 times in 35 games, and while the Bears have had offensive-line issues, some of that is because of indecision. He often struggles to reach even 200 passing yards. Between fumbles and interceptions, he has been a turnover liability since they drafted him. The result? In almost two seasons of the (Luke) Getsy-Fields pairing, the Bears rank 20th in points (19.6 per game), 23rd in passer rating (82.2) and last in passing yards (153.3 per game). They've won seven of 29 games."
Davenport tends to agree—for the sake of player and team.
"Fields' struggles are far from entirely his fault, although he bears (get it?) his share of the blame as well," he said. "The Bears have had substandard skill-position talent and a bad offensive line. Odds are good that Chicago's dream scenario is drafting a quarterback, trading Fields and landing Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. In any event, the best case for Fields is probably a fresh start on a new team—he's a better player than we've seen in the Windy City."
25. Tennessee Titans (4-8)
8 of 32
Last Week: 25
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Indianapolis 31-28 (OT)
It's not that often that three special teams miscues are the difference between victory and defeat. But that's what happened to the reeling Tennessee Titans Sunday.
Against the Colts, the Titans had a pair of punts blocked—one of which resulted in punter Ryan Stonehouse getting hurt. With Stonehouse sidelined, Ryan Tannehill was forced to function as the holder on a missed extra point that could have ended the game in regulation.
While speaking to reporters after another loss, head coach Mike Vrabel sang a familiar refrain—the Titans just need to play better.
"We have to be better," Vrabel said. "It starts with me, making sure that everything that we do is sound, and there's a level of execution. And then obviously be able to identify whether we've got scheme issues, or we have to move some guys around, or make some minor adjustments. And that's the case in all three phases."
Things are even worse for a Titans team that has now dropped six of eight after a 2-2 start. Running back Derrick Henry was evaluated for a concussion after leaving the game in the fourth quarter. And with Henry closing in on his 30th birthday and about to hit free agency, his time with the franchise may be coming to an end.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
9 of 32
Last Week: 26
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
It's been an…eventful season in Las Vegas.
The team has already fired its head coach in Josh McDaniels. Moved on from veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, turning the reins over to rookie Aidan O'Connell. And as the Raiders pitch and lurch through another season, news broke this past week that drove a rusty nail through the heart of the fanbase.
Per Hondo Carpenter of Raiders Today, then-general manager Dave Ziegler badly wanted to trade up in last year's draft to select Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud—only to be overruled by a head coach who was only interested in Alabama's Bryce Young.
"(Ziegler) felt the cost was cheap, and he was willing to do almost anything that didn't include Maxx Crosby," a source in the organization said. "He and Josh agreed that the price of No. 1 was too high, but Z wanted to move up to No. 2 and grab Stroud. He could have made the deal. He also knew Stroud would allow McDaniels to show the fans and the owner that an identity would be established. Josh was willing to move up for Bryce Young, but as expected, he went No. 1, and Stroud to the Raiders had long been dead."
Instead, both men have been fired, the Raiders have no long-term solution under center and the team is in the same spot it has seemingly been in almost constantly since getting blown out in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Irrelevant.
"The idle Raiders had time to make some tweaks during their bye week," Moton said. "Las Vegas released cornerback Marcus Peters, so we'll see changes in its secondary. Also, the coaching staff must figure out how to spark the offense. The Raiders have failed to score more than 17 points in three consecutive games.
"After a 2-0 start under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders have lost back-to-back outings to the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Pierce certainly brings new energy to the locker room, but now the team must dig into the X's and O's to outscheme its opponents. And of course, the players have to execute on the field."
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
10 of 32
Last Week: 24
Week 13 Result: Won vs. Carolina 21-18
Given that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had lost six of seven entering Week 13, how they got a win against the Carolina Panthers didn't matter nearly as much as just getting it done.
They got that win, in part due to a huge game from wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans caught seven passes for 162 yards and a score, becoming the first player in NFL history to open a career with 10 1,000-yard seasons.
Not surprisingly, after the win Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles had plenty to say about the veteran receiver while talking to reporters.
"I don't know how much more you can say. He's been like this for 10 years now—60 catches 10 years in a row, 1,000 yards 10 years in a row," Bowles said. "You know he's getting the ball. Everybody's trying to stop him, and he makes plays over and over. It's a credit to him, his work ethic and the way he approaches the game."
At 5-7, the Buccaneers remain in the mix in the morass of mediocrity that is the NFC South. Whether they stay there will depend on the next three weeks—Tampa travels to division-leading Atlanta next week before a trip to Green Bay and a home date with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)
11 of 32
Last Week: 22
Week 13 Result: Won at New England 6-0
At 4-7 entering Week 13, the last thing on the minds of the Los Angeles Chargers this week was style points. The Bolts just needed to win—and if that meant kicking a pair of field goals in a slopfest against the hapless New England Patriots, so be it.
That's the mentality that Chargers head coach Brandon Staley expressed to reporters after the team won in miserable conditions at Gillette Stadium Sunday.
"There weren't going to be any style points today. I wasn't expecting it to be a high-scoring affair," Staley said. "Sometimes the games are a track meet, 41-38. Sometimes, hey, it was a game like today, 6-0. You have to do what it takes to win."
"Any win is a good win, right? It's really difficult to make that claim after seeing the Chargers beat the lowly Patriots by the score of 6-0," Sobleski said. "To be fair, New England's defense ranks eighth overall. Still, an offense that features quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler should be able to manage more than 241 yards of offense, especially with Herbert hit only once for the entire game. At 5-7, Los Angeles remains in the hunt. But Sunday's outcome against one of the league's doormats certainly doesn't inspire confidence when four division games remain and the Buffalo Bills round out the schedule."
21. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
12 of 32
Last Week: 20
Week 13 Result: Lost 33-28 vs. Detroit
The first year of the Derek Carr era in New Orleans has been—rocky.
As in Derek Carr keeps getting rocked.
In a season where Carr has already missed time with shoulder and head injuries, the veteran signal-caller now finds himself in the concussion protocol again. This, after a season in which the Saints have struggled to score touchdowns and Carr has drawn boos from the home crowd.
"Carr has had a rough year and not just based on his passing numbers. He's gone into concussion protocol twice over the past three weeks after taking big hits in the pocket. He also played through an AC joint sprain early in October," Moton said. "To his credit, Carr hasn't missed a game, which speaks to his toughness. With that said, the Saints need more out of him when he's on the field. In 12 contests, Carr has thrown for 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. In fairness, his teammates have to help him out as well.
"On Sunday, New Orleans had a couple of clunky turnovers. Carr delivered an accurate ball to tight end Juwan Johnson, who dropped it and allowed Brian Branch to pick it off. Offensive lineman James Hurst inadvertently knocked the ball out of Carr's hand on a fumble. The Saints have had recent success in the red zone with running back Alvin Kamara and versatile tight end Taysom Hill in the run game, but their offensive inconsistencies will continue to bury them in these power rankings and possibly cost them a playoff berth."
20. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)
13 of 32
Last Week: 21
Week 13 Result: Won at Jacksonville 34-31 (OT)
Joe who?
Per Paul Dehner of The Athletic, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning said that while last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't go as planned, he felt he learned a lot from his first career NFL start:
"When you're sitting in the quarterback room, you're kind of like: 'Hey, do you like this or this more? Do you like this or this more?' And you kind of think that you know. But then once you're in a game and you have that experience and you have your notes from that, 'I feel more comfortable with this.' Versus last week it's like: 'I don't know. Call what you think is gonna work and we'll roll with that.' As we continue to get more games around the plan, the offense will kind of morph into whatever we're doing well."
Apparently, he wasn't kidding, because his second start went just a tad better than the first. Simply put, the 27-year-old was outstanding against the Jaguars, with just five incompletions in 37 attempts, over 350 passing yards, a 76-yard scoring bomb to Ja'Marr Chase and a rushing touchdown.
Whether Browning will be able to back that up (or come close) this weekend against a Colts team enjoying success of its own with a backup quarterback remains to be seen. But if he can come anywhere close to playing at that level on a weekly basis, Cincinnati's postseason aspirations may not be over after all.
19. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
14 of 32
Last Week: 17
Week 13 Result: Won 13-8 at New York Jets
Sunday against the New York Jets, the Atlanta Falcons managed less than 200 yards of total offense. Quarterback Desmond Ridder completed just 12 of 27 pass attempts and barely posted a passer rating of 70. Atlanta averaged all of 2.6 yards per carry.
And yet, the Falcons were able to squeeze out a win—one that moved the team into first place in the NFC South.
The question for Moton is whether being in first place in that division really matters.
"The NFC South consists of four teams that you cannot trust on a weekly basis," he said. "However, the Falcons have the division title in their sights following back-to-back victories. They're 3-0 against their NFC South rivals with games against each team left on the schedule. The Falcons won't sniff the top 10 spots in our power rankings, but they'll hang around the mid-teens as a potential division winner.
"Atlanta has to beat teams with its run game, but if Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier struggle on the ground as they did against the Jets, the Falcons could lose to the lowest of teams in the standings. Until second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder turns the corner in his development or Atlanta's defense makes the leap from solid to elite, the Falcons will remain a mediocre squad that likely goes one-and-done if they make the playoffs."
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
15 of 32
Last Week: 12
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Arizona 24-10
Everything that could go wrong did for the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
For starters, the Steelers were thumped by a two-win Arizona Cardinals team—a performance that head coach Mike Tomlin didn't mince words about while addressing the media after the game.
"That was a horrible day at the office," Tomlin said. "We didn't do much right in that game, to be quite honest with you. Just JV football in a lot of ways."
The problem is that the loss may be the least of Pittsburgh's problems.
One week after finally surpassing 400 yards of offense for the first time in over three years, Pittsburgh managed just 317 yards. And now the team will be without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett for the foreseeable future—Pickett will have surgery to repair his injured ankle this week and could miss a month.
That wasn't even the only major injury the Steelers endured Sunday. After missing the past month with a hamstring injury, Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup—and promptly broke his hand.
If there's a silver lining, it's that while the Steelers have a short week to get ready to play on Thursday night, they are taking on New England.
And the Patriots have been making everyone look good this season.
17. Cleveland Browns (7-5)
16 of 32
Last Week: 14
Week 13 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Rams 36-19
The Cleveland Browns undoubtedly want to get out of the Pacific Time Zone.
Since returning to the NFL In 1999, the Browns have played 18 games out west. After nearly getting doubled up by the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Cleveland has won just three of those games. The last time Cleveland tasted victory in the Pacific Time Zone was over a decade ago in Oakland.
West Coast woes may have been a theme Sunday. But the overarching one continues to be injuries. The Browns started their fourth quarterback of the season Sunday when Joe Flacco took the field. Flacco played reasonably well against the Rams, but he lost his top wide receiver when Amari Cooper was forced from the game with a concussion.
"Sunday's outcome had to be disappointing for the Browns but not for the reason most would have expected going into the contest," Sobleski wrote. "The league's No. 1 defense let Cleveland down. In contrast, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco didn't look out of place at all leading the Browns offense. If anything, a sliver of hope might have emerged that Flacco can provide a steadying presence behind center, as the Browns make their final push toward a postseason berth. Flacco threw for 254 yards and two scores in his first game action since January (with the New York Jets). Health is the Browns' biggest bugaboo right now, with Myles Garrett dinged and Amari Cooper suffering a concussion against the Rams."
16. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
17 of 32
Last Week: 16
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
Not that long ago, Joshua Dobbs was the toast of the Twin Cities—the quarterback who was going to save Minnesota's season after Kirk Cousins got hurt.
Fast forward four interceptions in an ugly loss to a bad Bears team, and the shine is all the way off that penny—so much so that Dobbs' days as a starter in Minnesota may already be over.
With veteran backup Nick Mullens and youngster Jaren Hall now available as options, head coach Kevin O'Connell admitted to reporters that Minnesota's time off will be spent puzzle-solving.
"I think the quarterback position needs to be evaluated to figure out what we think gives us the best chance to win," O'Connell said. "We'll take a look at that from the standpoint of, 'What's the best fit right now for our team?'"
Mullens is a low-ceiling career backup. Hall is essentially a complete unknown. Dobbs is mobile but prone to turning the ball over. The reality is that there may not be a right answer to this question for the Vikings.
But at least whoever starts under center in Week 14 should have wide receiver Justin Jefferson back after a stint on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
15. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
18 of 32
Last Week: 19
Week 13 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 36-19
Entering the 2023 season, most expected this to be a rebuilding season in Los Angeles. The Rams were getting younger. Shedding big salaries. Looking to the future.
There was just one problem with this long-term plan—someone forgot to tell the Rams. And after handling the Browns for their third straight win, the Rams are suddenly a .500 team in the postseason mix.
The Rams got three touchdown passes from quarterback Matthew Stafford and another big game from wide receiver Puka Nacua, who went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. And now, as head coach Sean McVay told reporters after the win, the goalposts for these Rams have moved—toward playing on into January.
"We came to life in the most important moments," McVay said. "If we continue to play this way, then you continue to have conversations where you're relevant to maybe earn an opportunity to play afterwards."
However, for the Rams to get into the postseason tournament, it's going to take some doing—next week, the team heads to Baltimore face the top seed in the AFC, and Los Angeles closes the season with a trip to Santa Clara to play the 49ers.
Winning at least one of those games would likely be necessary. Neither will be easy.
14. Green Bay Packers (6-6)
19 of 32
Last Week: 18
Week 13 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 27-19
If San Francisco's throttling of the Eagles in Philadelphia was Week 13's biggest statement, Green Bay's Sunday night victory over the Kansas City Chiefs was a close second.
The Pack are back, baby!
In back-to-back games, the Packers have taken down Super Bowl contenders in the Lions and Chiefs. And in both of those games, quarterback Jordan Love played lights-out football, outdueling first Jared Goff and then Patrick Mahomes.
Love's first career start came against Kansas City, and he told reporters after the win that he was eager to show how much has changed since that day two years ago.
"Obviously I've had this game circled for a long time," Love said. "This was my first start, and I obviously didn't play how I wanted to the first game. To be able to see these guys and get the victory is huge."
"There are no guarantees in the NFL," Davenport said. "But these Packers look like a playoff team—in large part due to Love's growth as a quarterback. A Week 17 trip to Minnesota is Green Bay's only remaining contest against a .500 or better team, and the Vikes aren't the team that beat Green Bay by two scores earlier in the season anymore. Green Bay has a very real shot at 10 to 11 wins and a wild-card spot—and at being the sort of team no one wants to face on Super Wild Card Weekend."
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-5)
20 of 32
Last Week: 15
Week 13 Result: Won at Tennessee 31-28 (OT)
Minshew Mania has made its way to Indianapolis.
After passing for 326 yards and leading the Colts to comeback win over the Titans in overtime, Minshew has the Colts 7-5 and in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Minshew is an easy player for the team to rally behind.
"He's trying his hardest," linebacker Grant Stuard said. "He takes accountability for the bad and the good. It's really cool to just see him succeed because a guy like myself, being a backup, and seeing somebody else thrust into that role and continue to excel and succeed, that's a guy I love to rally behind because that's a guy I can believe in. That's a guy we can be inspired by."
"Shane Steichen's squad isn't getting enough credit for finding ways to win. At 7-5 with Anthony Richardson out for the season and Jonathan Tayor injured again, the team is exceeding every expectation," Sobleski said. "Most see any offense led by Gardner Minshew and understand there are limitations, and the quarterback will inevitably make a mistake or two every game. But wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Zack Moss picked up the slack in the running game. And the Colts defense has been fantastic during their four-game winning streak. Add in a couple of punt blocks against the Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis is playing a complete brand of football."
12. Denver Broncos (6-6)
21 of 32
Last Week: 11
Week 13 Result: Lost at Houston 22-17
The Denver Broncos entered Week 13 winners of five straight. The team was on a roll. Moving the ball. Stopping opponents. Winning the turnover battle.
That winning streak ended Sunday in Houston. Largely because Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson tossed three interceptions. After the loss, Wilson admitted to reporters that his turnovers played a big part in Denver's winning streak coming to an end.
"First one was tipped, they made a good play,'' Wilson said. "Second one took a shot down the field, thought we had them honestly, he made a heck of a play—don't know how he made that play honestly. Third one trying to win the game for us ... We felt like we could have won this game ... reality is we've got to be better. I've got to be better. It starts with me."
However, head coach Sean Payton made it clear that the loss wasn't Wilson's to bear alone.
"I thought we were sloppy most of the game,'' Payton said. "All the things we've been good about, the takeaways, giveaways, that script flipped [Sunday]."
At 6-6, Denver's postseason hopes are still alive, and the Broncos face just one opponent the rest of the way that has a winning record.
But the Broncos don't have much margin for error the rest of the season.
11. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)
22 of 32
Last Week: 13
Week 13 Result: Lost at Dallas 41-35
The good news for the Seattle Seahawks is that Geno Smith played his best game of the season Thursday in Dallas—334 passing yards and three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the league.
The bad news is that didn't matter—Seattle still came up short on the road for its fourth loss in five games—a defeat that dropped the team to .500 on the season and the outer fringes of postseason contention in the NFC.
Despite the setback, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters after the game that no one in the Emerald City is panicking.
"There's no concession to losing, but we will definitely build on this," Carroll said. "The story is not told what's going to happen."
The problem is that the story rather is being told. The Seahawks were destroyed by the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 9. Lost by three scores at home against the 49ers in Week 12. Couldn't seal the deal with a fourth-quarter lead in Dallas in Week 13. And now the Seahawks have to travel to San Francisco in Week 14 before hosting the top-seeded Eagles in Week 15.
Even if the Seahawks get a split in those games, they will have to scratch and claw their way into the postseason.
If they lose both, Seattle's chances of making the playoffs for a second straight season are in deep trouble.
10. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
23 of 32
Last Week: 9
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
The Buffalo Bills are arguably the biggest disappointment in the NFL this year. And after losing a crusher to the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime last week, Buffalo's postseason hopes are in real jeopardy.
ESPN's FPI gives the 6-6 Bills a 21 percent chance to make the playoffs. DVOA is even less kind. It leaves the Bills with a 13.5 percent chance to get into the postseason. There's no single reason that can be pointed to as the sole cause of the Bills' woes. There have been injuries. Questionable coaching decisions from head coach Sean McDermott and now-fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. And as Frank Schwab wrote for Yahoo Sports, far too many turnovers from quarterback Josh Allen.
"Since the start of last season, Allen has by far the most turnovers in the NFL at 35, according to StatMuse. Nobody else has more than 28. This season he leads the NFL with 13 interceptions," he wrote on Nov. 29 (before Week 13 started). "He has thrown at least one pick in 10 of 12 games and in some games his turnovers have been the most glaring reason for a loss, like the Week 1 loss to the Jets when he turned it over four times."
Buffalo has a talented roster—one that has won the AFC East three years in a row. But the Bills are at Kansas City next week, home against the Dallas Cowboys the week after, and they close the regular season in Miami.
Buffalo's chances of 10 wins are all but non-existent.
And a losing record is a real possibility.
9. Houston Texans (7-5)
24 of 32
Last Week: 10
Week 13 Result: Won vs. Denver 22-17
For most of the 2023 season, quarterback C.J. Stroud has been the star of Houston's surprising season. Sunday against the Denver Broncos, one of the pass-catchers stole the spotlight.
Now, Stroud had himself another day—274 passing yards and a touchdown. But with rookie sensation Nathaniel Dell out with a season-ending leg injury, Nico Collins was the main beneficiary to the tune of a career-high 191 yards and a touchdown on nine catches.
While talking to reporters after the victory, Stroud talked up the young wide receiver.
"I'm just proud to see his work pay off," Stroud said. "Blessed to be able to be in a position to feed him like that and he's definitely stepped up when we needed him to."
"The Texans aren't just winning because of Stroud," Davenport said. "Rookie edge-rusher Will Anderson logged two sacks against Denver. Veteran safety Jimmie Ward snagged the end-zone interception that sealed the game. Collins stepped up in a huge way after Dell was lost to injury. Different players stepping up and guiding the team to a win is a hallmark of a legitimate playoff contender. And while no one saw it coming before the season, the Texans appear to be just that."
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
25 of 32
Last Week: 7
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Cincinnati 34-31 (OT)
That the Jacksonville Jaguars lost in Week 13 at home to the Cincinnati Bengals is bad.
It also may be the least of the team's problems.
Watching Jacksonville's defense get carved up for over 350 passing yards by backup quarterback Jake Browning was bad.
But again, it may be small potatoes compared to the team's other problems.
Watching No. 1 wide receiver Christian Kirk hobble off the field with a groin injury on the game's first play ain't good. Again, though, it's a minor inconvenience compared to the team's biggest problem.
As Davenport noted, watching quarterback Trevor Lawrence get twisted like a pretzel before being helped to the locker room is the only thing that matters from Monday night:
"Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, early reports indicate that at the very least Lawrence sprained his ankle, with head coach Doug Pederson admitting that he's still being evaluated. If it's just a minor sprain that costs Lawrence a game or two, the team can survive that. But if we're talking about a month or longer, this could effectively be a season-killer.
"Mind you, this was a team that went into Monday night looking to tie the Baltimore Ravens for the best record in the AFC. Now they leave the game just one up on the Colts and Texans with massive questions hanging over the franchise. This injury could legitimately ruin Jacksonville's season. Period. Full stop."
7. Detroit Lions (9-3)
26 of 32
Last Week: 8
Week 13 Result: Won 33-28 at New Orleans
After falling at home to the Packers on Thanksgiving, the Lions were looking to bounce back in Week 13. The team got that rebound—thanks largely to one of its newer faces.
Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been a force for the team much of the season. But Sunday was LaPorta's best game yet—nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in a five-point win over the New Orleans Saints.
But for Moton, the win brought with it concerns.
"The Lions had one of those wins that leaves you with more concerns than convictions," he said. "The Lions led the Saints 21-0 and then their offense fell asleep for two quarters, and the defense allowed New Orleans back in the game. Detroit escaped the Caesars Superdome with a 33-28 victory.
"The Lions have a 9-3 record for the first time since 1962. They deserve praise for going into unfamiliar territory, but if Detroit wants to become more than a feel-good story, its defense has to tighten up down the stretch. The Lions have allowed an average of 30.3 points per game over the last four weeks. Typically, Super Bowl-caliber squads can beat opponents in multiple ways while playoff contenders outside the title discussion usually win in a certain fashion. Right now, the Lions fall in the latter category, which is why it's hard to push them into the top five. They're a dangerous postseason contender, though."
6. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
27 of 32
Last Week: 2
Week 13 Result: Lost at Green Bay 27-19
There's been plenty said and written about the officiating at the end of Sunday night's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers—lamentations that the Chiefs were jobbed by two non-calls that should have been flagged as defensive pass interference.
However, one person you won't see piling on to that conversation is Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. While speaking to reporters, Kelce told the truth. The Chiefs didn't get ripped off.
They just got outplayed.
"That's a good football team, and they executed better than us, and that's the bottom line," Kelce said. "I ain't gonna blame this thing on anybody but ourselves."
Now, it would be ridiculous to panic over one loss to a surging Packers team—the odds of Kansas City winning an eighth consecutive AFC West title are still exceedingly high. The Chiefs have one of the best defenses of the Mahomes era this season. And they do still have Mahomes, who is pretty good at throwing footballs.
But these Chiefs are not the prohibitive favorites in the AFC. They may not even be the favorites at all. And the team's inability to offer up any kind of consistent vertical passing game has become a genuine cause for concern.
5. Miami Dolphins (9-3)
28 of 32
Last Week: 6
Week 13 Result: Won at Washington 45-15
It has been a long time since the Miami Dolphins won nine of their first 12 games—over two decades. Not only did Miami accomplish that feat Sunday, but in demolishing the Commanders in Washington, the team served notice that it has to be considered among the AFC's best.
Everything was working for the Dolphins on Sunday. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill destroyed the Commanders secondary, averaging over 30 yards a catch as he continues his assault on Calvin Johnson's single-season receiving yardage record. De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert combined to gain 116 yards on the ground and scored three times. Miami's defense allowed just 245 yards of offense and scored on a pick-six.
As quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who threw for 280 yards and two scores in the win, told reporters after the victory, the Dolphins are rolling in every facet of the game.
"Everyone is locked in," Tagovailoa said. "Everyone knows that we can do something special this year, and no one on our team is trying to waste that opportunity."
With the Titans and Jets next on the schedule, there's a good chance the Dolphins will be 11-3 when they close the season with a stretch that could well decide whether they can acquire the No. 1 seed in the AFC—vs. Dallas, at Baltimore and vs. Buffalo.
The way Miami played Sunday, it can beat any of those teams.
4. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
29 of 32
Last Week: 5
Week 13 Result: Won vs. Seattle 41-35
For all the Cowboys have accomplished this year, there are still legitimate questions surrounding their viability as a Super Bowl contender, Sure, Dallas was an 8-3 team that had won 13 straight at home entering Thursday. But the Cowboys didn't have a win over a Super Bowl contender. They were blown out by the San Francisco 49ers and lost a close one in Philadelphia.
Knocking off a 6-5 Seattle Seahawks team in a close game at AT&T Stadium doesn't qualify as a signature win. But quarterback Dak Prescott told reporters after the game that this was still a big victory for the team.
"This was a big one to get," Prescott said. "The first one with a winning record, but more importantly in the fashion that we did. Tough game, down at halftime, down in the fourth quarter. The guys and the team just making plays when plays were needed."
For Davenport, it simply sets the stage for a season-defining game next week.
"Dak Prescott should be in the MVP conversation given how he's playing," he said. "Ditto for cornerback DaRon Bland and Defensive Player of the Year. But none of that will matter if the Cowboys can't beat Philly at home in Week 14. That game is their shot—their shot to show they deserve inclusion on the top tier in the NFC. A chance to get back in the NFC East race. Lose there, and it's the same old Cowboys—good, but not good enough to be a real threat to make it to Vegas."
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
30 of 32
Last Week: 4
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
After downing the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, the Ravens hit the off week in an enviable spot—at 9-3, Baltimore held the No. 1 seed in the AFC entering Week 13.
After downing the Chargers in Los Angeles, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters the team was looking forward to a breather.
"Let's take a breath, step away, regroup," Jackson said. "There's still a lot of the season left."
Head coach John Harbaugh gave his team the week off, believing that the Ravens needed rest more than reps on the practice field. He said that this off week was all about recharging ahead of the stretch run.
"This is a beneficial time," Harbaugh said. "We're going to try and make the most of it and then be ready to roll for what's going to be the toughest schedule in football for the next five weeks."
Harbaugh isn't joking about Baltimore's schedule the rest of the way—it's quite the gauntlet. After a home date with the Los Angeles Rams next week, the Ravens draw four straight against teams with winning records—trips to Jacksonville and San Francisco, a showdown with the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore and then a home date with the rival Steelers that could carry immense stakes.
To get the No. 1 seed, the Ravens are going to have to earn it.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
31 of 32
Last Week: 1
Week 13 Result: Lost vs. San Francisco 42-19
The Philadelphia Eagles have spent a sizable chunk of the season atop these power rankings. But Sunday, the Eagles got smoked.
To say it was an ugly performance by the Eagles defense is an understatement. Sunday was the first time since 1966 that the Eagles allowed touchdowns on six consecutive drives. San Francisco averaged eight yards a play—the most the Eagles have surrendered at home since 1971. Brock Purdy's 148.8 passer rating is the third-highest ever allowed in Philly to an opposing quarterback.
However, as badly as the Eagles defense was embarrassed Sunday, Sobleski isn't hitting the panic button just yet.
"The Eagles still own the NFL's best record at 10-2, but they're clearly not the league's best team after Sunday's beatdown at the hands of the 49ers," he wrote. "The beauty of professional football is that it's a week-by-week league. Poor losses can easily be forgotten through the churn of an entire season. As an example, the Kansas City Chiefs somehow lost to the Indianapolis Colts before capturing last season's Lombardi Trophy. One bad outcome doesn't define an entire campaign. The Eagles know they were outplayed. They've been knocked down a peg or two. But they're still a damn fine team more than capable of winning a Super Bowl."
We'll see if he feels the same way after Philly heads to Dallas to face a Cowboys team Sunday night that has won 14 in a row at home.
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3)
32 of 32
Last Week: 3
Week 13 Result: Won at Philadelphia 42-19
The game of the week in Week 13 featured no shortage of subplots. It was a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game—a chippy affair played by the teams most consider the two best in the NFC.
By the time the final gun sounded, it was payback. And a statement by the 49ers—a proclamation that while Philly may have the better record, the Niners are the better team.
After the 49ers trounced the Eagles, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan attempted to downplay the significance of the game while talking to reporters.
"There wasn't much to last year with this," Shanahan said. "We were just excited to come out here and play a really good team and play well and get a win."
Davenport is buying that even a little.
"After getting rolled by the Eagles last year in Philadelphia without quarterback Brock Purdy," he said, "there's no way it didn't feel good to repay the favor. And the 49ers did so in dominant fashion. The Niners gouged one of the NFL's best run defenses for 146 yards and 5.2 yards per carry. Deebo Samuel gashed the Eagles to the tune of 138 yards and three scores. Purdy threw four touchdown passes. And the San Francisco defense put the clamps on Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia offense. The Eagles still have the NFC's best record, but there's no way to rank them ahead of the 49ers with a straight face after that whuppin'.
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