NFL Power Rankings| Week 14

49ers win a big game to take back the top spot in NFL Power Rankings, while the Packers keep getting better.

The same as the previous boss, meet the new one in NFL power rankings.

With a stunning display in Philadelphia, the 49ers ended the Eagles’ five-game winning streak and took the top place back. The scorching Niners have now won four in a row, and their season can be divided into three uneven halves: the 5-0 start, the three-game losing run, and now this current four-game winning streak. They’ve been fantastic this season, for the most part. If San Francisco’s victory over Philadelphia on Sunday night wasn’t enough to convince you, then nothing will.

However, it seems that five-game winning streaks were supposed to end in Week 13. The young Texans, who may quickly establish themselves as America’s Team, held off the other team carrying one of those into Sunday, Denver. Now, might they take the AFC South? Even though the Texans lost at home to Jacksonville in Week 12, the Jaguars’ unexpected loss on Monday night, which included injuries to Christian Kirk and Trevor Lawrence, has turned the tide in their favor. The AFC field, which would go into Week 14 with four of its seven current playoff teams playing with backup quarterbacks—including the lurking Colts—would be significantly weakened if Lawrence misses any time.

Here’s how I envision the hierarchy of the league developing as we approach the playoffs in just one month.

Rank 1 San Fransisco 49ers (9-3)

They have returned at the top of NFL power rankings. The 49ers are in first place for the first time since Week 7. In terms of these rankings, anyhow. Even after the team’s overwhelming, decisive victory in Philadelphia on Sunday, finding the NFC’s top seed is still a work in progress. Did the Niners come across an Eagles club that had recently been through a lot? Yes. But the playoffs are about that, right? Weekly prizes for first place include an additional week off. It’s a deathmatch. Who is up for another postseason meeting between these two teams? Yes, almost all of us do, and at this point it seems almost inevitable. During the team’s three-game losing streak, Brock Purdy has provided answers to all of your questions. Prior to that and ever since, he was the maestro.

Rank 2 Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

The Ravens more than deserved their vacation during the Week 13 bye after playing 12 straight weeks of games, which included a journey over the pond to London, two different visits to the West Coast, and back-to-back prime-time games. They’ve put themselves in a wonderful position to win the division and challenge for the top playoff seed in the AFC, even though they’ve made a few mistakes. Others have also contributed. Sunday’s losses by the Steelers, Browns, and Chiefs eased the division’s downward spiral, and made it easier to secure a first-round bye. Fortunately, Baltimore is in charge of its destiny. The bad: There are games left against Miami and Jacksonville, two teams that are also vying for the top slot, making for a daunting schedule. On December 25, there may be a Super Bowl preview with the Ravens hosting the 49ers. To all of you, a very happy Christmas.

Rank 3 Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

Eagles dropped from top spot to 3rd in NFL Power rankings. In Sunday’s lopsided loss to San Francisco, the 49ers’ run game and coverage scheme exposed the Eagles’ thinly staffed linebacker corps. Deebo Samuel gained 116 receiving yards on 115 of those plays because to poor tackles. To be honest, this has been a problem for a few weeks, but Philadelphia overcome Dallas, Kansas City, and Buffalo with important victories. Against San Francisco, that simply did not occur. Before scoring six touchdowns in a row, the Niners punted twice in their first two possessions. Even if the Eagles are permitted to lose games occasionally, it was an incredible sight to behold during such a significant game at the Linc. Nonetheless, this is the first time they’ve been truly outclassed in a few years. It’s not your fault that Jalen Hurts missed time; the score was 28-13 at the time of his departure and 35-13 when he came back, which is probably what it would have been if he hadn’t missed a play. Shaq Leonard, a veteran LB, was added on Monday. This is an interesting addition, especially because Philly signed him before Dallas, but did the playoff-hungry Colts cut a player who can actually turn around the Eagles’ recent defensive collapse?

Rank 4 Dallas Cowboys (9-3)

The Cowboys have gone 4-0 since the Eagles game, winning the first three of those contests by an average of thirty points. The victory this past Thursday stood out because, despite Seattle’s advantage for the majority of the second half, Dallas never gave up. Even if the defense had trouble getting off the field against the Seahawks, it’s a testament to how dangerous the Cowboys offense has become. However, the ‘Boys will get more sleep before their crucial showdown with the Eagles in Dallas this Sunday night. The competition for the NFC East title and the top seed in the conference was further heightened after the Eagles’ Week 13 defeat. Although Dallas has won 14 straight games at AT&T Stadium, the defense will need to improve after being thoroughly outplayed by the Seahawks.

Rank 5 Miami Dolphins (9-3)

The Dolphins have shown they can bounce back from the injury to Jaelan Phillips, going 1-0 against the Commanders while playing primarily strong defense on the road. However, the 45–15 victory over Washington was not without a price: LB Jerome Baker, who has been a stealthily important member of this Miami defense, suffered a knee injury. OT Terron Armstead and OG Robert Hunt both left the game, exposing the offensive line, proving that the injuries weren’t limited to the defensive end of the field. The Dolphins have shown their mettle this season against the NFL’s lower-tier clubs, but they will need to do it against Dallas, Baltimore, and Buffalo in three straight weeks from Weeks 16 through 18. Miami is currently sitting pretty at 9-3, but this not so healthy club can’t afford too many more major injuries. There are two home games against also-rans before that.

Rank 6 Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

You are free to complain about officiating as much as you like, but on Sunday night, Patrick Mahomes was throwing some odd-looking passes and the defense was being exploited for uncomfortably lengthy periods of time. For the past several games, Kansas City’s offense has struggled to come back from an early two-score deficit caused by Steve Spagnuolo’s squad. It did not work against the Packers, but it did work against the Raiders. This wasn’t a major concern before, but it certainly is now. The Chiefs’ decision to not run the ball more on Sunday night surprised me. In the first half, they gained 6.3 yards per carry on average, and in the second, 5.7. Travis Kelce (four receptions) was the only Chief to catch a pass longer than sixteen yards on a night when Mahomes was not playing well. Isiah Pacheco was the best player for Kansas City. Does Kansas City have a chance to make the playoffs if Mahomes isn’t quite perfect? That’s how it feels, kind of.

Rank 7 Detroit Lions (9-3)

The Lions’ record after twelve games is the best it has been since 1962, and they would need to lose 14 straight games between now and Week 18 in order to miss the postseason. They have a very good chance of hosting a postseason game and are still in the running for the top seed. Why, then, does Detroit seem to be experiencing a mild panic? The reason for this is that the Lions have insisted on adding unnecessary stress to the voyage by almost blowing leads by several touchdowns against the Saints and Chargers, barely overcoming the Bears, and creating a path for the Packers to take the NFC North. Even though Derek Carr was taken out of the game on Sunday, the defense is still a cause for concern as it collapsed in the second half. The Lions are currently experiencing a widespread sense of unease, particularly in light of several difficult games coming up.

Rank 8 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)

With the opportunity to climb up into the top playoff slot in the AFC, the Jaguars went into Monday night’s game. After suffering a devastating defeat to Jake Browning and the Bengals, they ended it with their season suddenly in jeopardy due to injuries to wide receiver Christian Kirk (groin) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle). In an unpleasant night at EverBank Stadium, where the home team fell to 2-4 on the season, several more Jaguars sustained injuries. While there is still hope, the Jaguars will have to endure a grueling short week with Lawrence’s injury concern. https://x.com/sportscorner921/status/1732096682966299117?s=20

Before Lawrence was injured in the fourth quarter, the offense was erratic, and a 48-yard field goal attempt sailed wide, although this one may be attributed to Jacksonville’s defense. It is simply not possible to let Browning complete 86% of his passes and give the Bengals nearly 500 yards of offensive production. Not for a club coming in with Super Bowl aspirations. I nearly had the Texans go ahead of the Jags, but I needed more information regarding Kirk’s and Lawrence’s injuries.

Rank 09 Houston Texans (7-5)

The Texans were prepared for the worst, having lost their last three games in agonizing ways and feeling like they were out of luck after Tank Dell sustained an injury that would terminate the season. However, the Texans are also aware that Jimmie Ward’s game-winning, last-second, end-zone interception—one of Houston’s three crucial picks on Sunday—clinched yet another thrilling triumph. They’ve emerged victorious from more close games than not; the last five victories all came down to the last seconds in one-score affairs. Although we have discussed other options, DeMeco Ryans has to be one of the front-runners for Coach of the Year, don’t you think? We are aware that he would prefer to do better offensively than to go 4-for-16 on third down and use a backup kicker to settle for three quick field goals. Even two months ago, it seemed unthinkable, but the youthful Texans took a stride toward the postseason.

Rank 10 Cleveland Browns (7-5)

Though his intentions at quarterback are still unknown, Joe Flacco performed admirably considering that he had just gotten off the sofa a few weeks prior. With less than seven minutes remaining and the Browns having the chance to drive for a one-point lead, Flacco’s poor pass selection set off an avalanche that ultimately resulted in the Rams prevailing 36-19. Although Dorian Thompson-Robinson is anticipated to be available for the Week 14 matchup with the Jaguars, Flacco appeared (for the majority of the game) to be a player capable of handling a postseason environment. Right now, the Browns, who are presently ranked sixth, are fighting for their postseason survival. On the whole, Cleveland’s defense has been excellent; nevertheless, Sunday’s performance was possibly its poorest of the year. The Browns had best hope that was an isolated incident since they are dependent on that component of the equation to win.

Rank 11  Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

For a long time now, we have wondered if the Steelers are genuinely a playoff team—not if they will make it in, but if they even deserve to. The Steelers will be without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett for this Thursday’s game against New England due to their devastating home loss to Arizona on Sunday. An ankle injury forced him out of the game on Sunday in the second quarter, but even before the injury, Pickett had failed to build on rookie playcaller Mike Sullivan’s impressive debut performance the week before. In addition, Pittsburgh made numerous self-inflicted mistakes, including as mislining up, prior to backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s devastating interception. Mike Tomlin has managed to lead this team to a 7-5 record, but with Pickett potentially out for several games, it’s difficult to avoid the smoke and mirrors feeling. In fact, with him, the Steelers have appeared rather beatable.

Rank 12 Buffalo Bills (6-6)

After their bye, the Bills return to the game and face two potentially life-changing games against playoff-caliber clubs. They must first travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs, and then they must play the Cowboys at home. In a close AFC field, two losses would undoubtedly be fatal for Buffalo. It would be a season-changing two wins. A divide probably heightens the drama, but it doesn’t lessen the amount of work still needed to get in. Josh Allen was the kind of player we’ve been waiting for him to be against the Eagles, so it’s unfortunate that we’ve come to this place. The Bills need that Allen in the last stretch. This injury-plagued defense of the Bills doesn’t seem like the lockdown unit it was recently, which adds to the question of whether this incredible playoff run is indeed possible.

Rank 13 Indianapolis Colts (7-5)

Indianapolis needs to swiftly figure out its run game since Jonathan Taylor might miss a few games. Although Zack Moss has performed admirably in Taylor’s place this season, the Colts’ running assault took a step back on Sunday. Against the Titans, they averaged 2.4 yards per carry and had a 5-yard long run. The Colts were consequently 1-for-5 in the red zone, scoring their first touchdown there on the game’s last play. Gardner Minshew rallied Indianapolis with great performance, and at crucial moments, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce made some incredible grabs. With the help of the special teams, the Colts overcame a division rival that had won all of its prior meetings at Nissan Stadium, extending their winning streak to four games. However, for an Indianapolis squad that lacks some tiebreakers and still needs to rack up more victories to be assured of a spot in the postseason, this was a little too close for comfort.

Rank 14 Green Bay Packers (6-6)

Packers Jumped 4 spots in this week NFL power rankings. With Green Bay’s stunning victory over Kansas City, the season has completely changed, and with a highly favorable schedule remaining, it now seems more likely than not that the Packers will make the playoffs. They currently have a tiebreaker over the Rams and are positioned in the last NFC wild-card berth. Consider this: the playoff format is being determined by the 2-5 Packers’ victory over the 3-5 Rams in Week 9. Regardless, Green Bay is building a run behind Jordan Love’s breakout and a defense that is producing timely stops (without David Bakhtiari or Aaron Jones). The story is largely told by the turnovers. Green Bay’s turnover ratio was minus-4 in the first nine games. during the previous three games? Plus-five. And to think, there were some Packers supporters who were starting to get excited about a quarterback selected in the first round. For now, forget about that. Love will always exist.

Rank 15 Seattle Seahawks (6-6)

When the defense effectively made one true stop during the game—a third-quarter turnover on downs at the Seattle 30-yard line—the Seahawks’ finest offensive performance since maybe September was squandered. This team’s offensive and defensive standings are difficult to predict due to their unpredictable play from week to week and a few chronic injuries. However, the situation actually is as follows: The 49ers, who destroyed the Seahawks on Thanksgiving, will be visiting Santa Clara on Saturday. The Seahawks are currently 6-6 and two spots out of the playoffs after their loss to the Cowboys. It’s going to be an intense playoff chase, but one that’s uphill, as they host the Eagles following that. Kenneth Walker III’s comeback could be beneficial, while Geno Smith appeared much healthier against Dallas despite his obvious injury sustained during the previous game against the 49ers. Though there is still hope for the playoffs, Seattle may need to pull off a victory over a formidable NFC opponent in order to have a chance.

Rank 16 Denver Broncos (6-6)

The Broncos’ chances of making the playoffs may have been greatly enhanced by a victory on Sunday, since it would have given them tiebreaker advantages over three of the teams vying for wild-card slots. However, Houston prevailed in the end, hurting Denver’s hopes. After trailing 13-0 early in the third quarter, the Broncos appeared to be able to scrape by. After a shaky start, the defense was lights out, forcing four punts in five possessions, and Russell Wilson was immediately cooking. However, in the remaining 16 minutes of play, Wilson threw the first of three picks, the last one coming in the end zone with a last-minute opportunity to win. Denver was early put in a hole by the defense, and in the end, the offense was unable to come through. To qualify for the postseason right now, the Broncos may need to go 4-1 in the last stretch and need some assistance.

Rank 17 Minnesota Vikings (6-6)

There should be plenty of drama in this week’s post-bye game against the Raiders, regardless of whether Justin Jefferson participates or not. Given Joshua Dobbs’ enormous problems against the Bears in Week 12, head coach Kevin O’Connell may decide to switch quarterbacks before or during Sunday’s game. Nick Mullens, the backup quarterback, should, at the absolute least, be aware and prepared for this game. Jaren Hall, the rookie, is also back in the mix. The outcome of this game and the subsequent stretch will not only determine whether the Vikings advance to the postseason, but it also probably will influence the team’s quarterbacking strategy in the offseason. Can the offensive line, which has been a strength of the squad, continue this way? This is another worry. It wasn’t hostile to Chicago.

Rank 18 Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)

Perhaps this is the result of hanging about with Joe Burrow, but at what point did Jake Browning become into a ruthless killer? I couldn’t help but notice how at ease Browning appeared as he dissected the Jaguars on Monday night. I was about to give Zac Taylor a hard time for the terrible Tyler Boyd trick-play turnover, which was never a good idea in the first place. However, it was the one instance in which Taylor asked Burrow’s substitute to win the game for him rather than giving Browning the ball in the second half. With a surprising 32 of 37 throws (including at least one clear drop) for 354 yards and a touchdown pass in the OT victory, Browning had a major performance. Thanks to an amazing effort by Browning in his second NFL start, the Bengals’ prospects of making the playoffs went from minuscule to merely remote. Whoa.

Rank 19 Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

The clear positive news is that the Falcons departed Gotham as the only team in first position in the NFC South. Unfortunately, the offense regressed against the Jets, accumulating only 194 yards overall, with 11 of their 14 drives going for less than 14 yards. Five three-and-outs and two possessions resulting in lost yardage were endured by them, including the safety in the first quarter that gave Atlanta a 2-0 early lead. You can infer everything you need to know about the Falcons’ scoring problems from the fact that the Jets lost the turnover fight 3-0 despite having the ball with a chance to win at the conclusion of the game. And yards aren’t the only factor. In a game, even the Patriots have scored more. Can Atlanta continue to win games in this manner? It’s unlikely based on its recent defeats to clubs like Arizona, Tennessee, and Washington.

Rank 20 Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

With Sunday’s victory over the Browns, the unpredictable season took a turn for the better. The Rams are presently even at 6-6 after three straight victories (followed by three straight defeats). This season, nothing has been simple for this team—perhaps the one exception being Puka Nacua’s acclimation to the NFL. The rookie receiver battled through cramping and a rib injury on Sunday to surpass 1,000 yards for the season, after a few quieter games recently. He had four receptions for 105 yards and a 70-yard touchdown, in addition to a 31-yard run that set up the game-winning score. With Demarcus Robinson, Kyren Williams, and Nacua all playing significant offensive roles in the latter stages of the season, the Rams appear to be well-positioned to make the playoffs, despite still having two difficult road games left against San Francisco and Baltimore.

Rank 21 Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)

In the most Chargerian turn of events, the once-productive offense has faltered just as the defense has shown impressive growth in recent games. The strategy paid off with an unexpected road shutout—the team’s first since 2017—but the team’s newfound identity is quite appropriate. The Chargers and Lions combined for 954 yards in Week 10’s 41-38 setback for Los Angeles. The Chargers have since scored 20, 10, and 6 points while giving up 23, 20, and 0 points. Though the Chargers did a good job of stopping the Ravens and Packers before that, the Patriots are a terrible offensive team. It’s difficult to predict what this means for the Bolts in the long run, but it makes sense that this club struggles to play full games in which all three groups perform admirably, even when they win.

Rank 22 New Orleans Saints (5-7)

It appears that Saints supporters are still a little cold toward quarterback Derek Carr, and Sunday was an interesting example of how that relationship is developing. Carr got off to a poor start, and even though Juwan Johnson mishandled his interception, Carr was jeered by Saints supporters. Then he started to heat up, making 15 straight passes in the second quarter to help spark a third-quarter comeback that reduced a 24-7 deficit to 24-21. But the fans jeered even harder when Carr fumbled on a bad center exchange. His injuries forced him to leave the game a few minutes later, and Jameis Winston offered the Saints a late shot to win, but quarterbacking wasn’t the only key in this case. The Lions frequently displayed their strength against the Saints’ defense, which was formerly the team’s undisputed strength.

Rank 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)

Do we give Mike Evans enough credit? Do we really understand the kind of career he’s had, really? I saw a highlight of Evans’ 75-yard reception on Sunday, and the announcer said, “And he’s only 30 years old!” I mean, I know a lot about the ages of NFL players, but how can a man only thirty years old when he has had ten straight seasons with 1,000 yards? It is illogical. Second is Randy Moss, who began his career with six consecutive seasons like that. Jerry Rice, who owns the record with 14 seasons of 1,000 yards receiving, will be Evans’ next opponent. Whether his team is in the postseason or not, the man never fails to deliver, rain or shine. This Sunday in Atlanta, he will have an opportunity to keep Tampa Bay in the playoff hunt. Evans and the offense may have to carry the strain because the Bucs’ defense is depleted by injuries and appears weak at times.

Rank 24 Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)

Although Jimmy Garoppolo was benched this season and Aidan O’Connell, a fourth-round pick, hasn’t played above par through five starts, there is still time for O’Connell to try out for the starting job next season. Although I believe there is a sliding scale for rookies, Antonio Pierce returning to Garoppolo is a definite possibility if O’Connell doesn’t get better. Pierce is attempting to become that exceptional temporary employee who maintains the position. He must therefore win games. After Jon Gruden was sacked two years prior, Rich Bisaccia, the Raiders’ previous interim coach, went 7–5, guided the team to the playoffs, and almost pulled off a surprise victory over the Bengals on Super Wild Card Weekend. However, Bisaccia was not given a full-time position. Pierce is now 2-2, and the final five games are going to be really tough.

Rank 25 Chicago Bears (4-8)

The club that appeared absolutely lost in September put forth a good effort against Minnesota in Week 12. The three mainstays of the team, Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus, and Justin Fields, have been working hard. Fields’ injury recovery took longer than expected, but it paid off in the victory over the Vikings, despite the difficulty he caused with his two turnovers in the fourth quarter. After a 0–4 start, Eberflus has guided the Bears to a 4–4 record and a positive point differential in the last two months. After acquiring and prudently extending DE Montez Sweat, who has only played four games, Sweat is currently second on the team in sacks. Will the outcome of the next five games determine the franchise’s future course? That’s how it seems.

Rank 26 Tennessee Titans (4-8)

Despite the Titans’ 4-8 record, Sunday’s defeat was significant since it was their first real home loss of the year, multiple Tennessee players sustained injuries during the contest, and the special teams coordinator was fired the next day. A potential victory was transformed into an overtime loss due to injuries sustained by three comparatively irreplaceable standouts (DT Jeffery Simmons, RB Derrick Henry, and P Ryan Stonehouse) throughout the game. The Titans’ fate seems set, even if they were to finish the season with five straight victories; even then, they wouldn’t be assured a spot in the playoffs. Henry and Simmons may have escaped major damage. The futures of Mike Vrabel, Henry, and other people in Tennessee are currently up for debate. Determining Will Levis’ potential going into the offseason is also a matter that needs to be addressed because this struggling team is presently in trouble.

Rank 27 New York Jets (4-8)

Sunday’s game against the Falcons became the first of three must-win games after Aaron Rodgers stated last week that it “wouldn’t make sense” for him to attempt a late-season return if the Jets weren’t contending. The Jets lost, 13-8. After starting the season with a 4-3 record, it was their fifth consecutive loss overall and the third in which they had limited their opponent to 16 points or fewer. Rodgers is not expected to start against the Texans in Week 14, but a fourth quarterback for the Jets could. Tim Boyle was replaced by Trevor Siemian, who was almost as ineffective as Boyle. Although the Jets are still in contention for a wild-card berth, it’s safe to say that Aaron Rodgers’ return this season is unlikely.

Rank 28 New York Giants (4-8)

By New York standards, this was a relatively calm break heading into the Week 13 bye, but there are still things to work out before the season ends. To start, the Giants must choose between Tyrod Taylor, who has returned off injured reserve, and Tommy DeVito at quarterback. The offensive line’s condition is another. The squad has improved since LT Andrew Thomas returned, but there hasn’t been much of an offensive spark, and DeVito is still getting benched roughly every five plays. Nothing would please the Giants more than RT Evan Neal to perform well in the final moments. When he plays, he may be a burden at times, and if his pass-blocking skills on the edge don’t improve, he might be kicked inside.

Rank 29 Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

To be honest, I did not anticipate that the Cardinals would easily cruise to a bye after defeating Pittsburgh in a big game, but that is exactly what happened. We have another opportunity to commend Jonathan Gannon for the effort he has gotten out of this team during the game. There have been big challenges along the way, and no matter how young the club is, losing six games in a row in the middle of the season could shatter its morale. That hasn’t occurred in Arizona, and it didn’t occur against a team fighting for a postseason spot on the road in a challenging atmosphere with two weather delays to boot. With safety blanket Trey McBride, quarterback Kyler Murray may be cooking something special if he stays with the Cardinals the next season. The tight end, who is one of Murray’s most reliable targets in Year 2, had a major role in the 99-yard, game-winning touchdown drive.

Rank 30 Washington Commanders (4-9)

Sam Howell appeared to be a rather good (and affordable) building block for the Commanders not too long ago. After that, he proceeded to toss a pick-six in three consecutive Washington losses. Washington has dropped to 1-5 at home throughout that time, and Howell has only registered one touchdown throw. Regardless of his coaches or teammates, Howell needs to cut down on the turnover-worthy plays and sacks he takes this season. His big-play ability, toughness, and agility are strong points in his game. That’s not an excuse for Washington’s poor offensive line or defense, which has put Howell in some extremely difficult situations, but these are the kinds of things that might keep him from locking down the starting position through 2024 and beyond.

Rank 31 New England Patriots (2-10)

This season, the Patriots have only won one of the seven games in which they have held their opponents to 24 points or fewer. That’s not even the most astounding statistic concerning this team’s lackluster offensive performance. The Pats have limited their opponents to 10 points or less in each of their last three games, but they have lost all three. Three other NFL teams, however, were victorious from games where they let up 28 points or more in just Week 13. It seems like Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham, or even Steve Grogan could start as quarterback right now and it would probably make little difference. A bad scenario has somehow become worse: Rhamondre Stevenson hurt on Sunday, and New England is already without numerous receivers. This season has been awful for the Patriots, even by early 1990s standards.

Rank 32 Carolina Panthers (1-11)

You can now pour one out for the Panthers, who became the first NFL team to be officially eliminated from postseason play. For a mere ten game seconds on Sunday in the late third quarter, Carolina held the lead until the Bucs applied pressure and gained the upper hand. The Panthers’ offensive woes have continued throughout the season, much like the Patriots’. But unlike New England, Carolina still has a strong and evident investment in its young quarterback. The Panthers should focus on boosting Bryce Young’s effectiveness and confidence for the balance of the season in the hopes that 2024 will be his breakthrough year. With games remaining against the Packers, Jaguars, and all three NFC South opponents, Carolina can also attempt to play spoiler in the closing stages of the season. The Panthers might as well try to upset the apple cart and see if they can get a first-round pick in 2024 without waiting around.