This week NFL Power rankings is full of surprises.Two weeks prior to the playoffs, every team, including those in Motown, was uncomfortable.
Division titles will be hung in San Francisco and Detroit.
However, in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and New Orleans, they are reconsidering the strategy.
They’re crying and feeling depressed in Denver, and the same may be true in Kansas City.
The Jaguars, who are clearly down but not out, join them, while Dallas lost another game while being much weaker.
Time will tell with Pittsburgh and Houston, as well as the Vikings and Falcons, who are still in the running.
However, time is running out, the margins have narrowed,
to determine who is rubbish and who is a diamond.
With sweet relief, the Bills and Packers made it through. The Dolphins and Seahawks also have this notion.
Big and small miracles can happen this season. The Rams, Browns, and Bucs are all now in the postseason.
NFL Power rankings will fluctuate, with a fresh combination every week, startling outcomes, and tricks on Sundays.
Few can dispute that the stakes have never been higher. Postseason places disappear in the blink of an eye.
The Ravens and Niners were the only two teams remaining in the Week 16 championship game with the greatest value.
Or so we believed, as disappointment weighed heavy.
Brock has accumulated four interceptions.
The Niners struggled to get closer, but they never quite looked right, and Purdy’s choices were ugly.
Merry Christmas, Baltimore! The Ravens have successfully completed their task twelve times in a row. Right now, you are the top.
Rank 1 Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
Ravens rise at the Top of NFL power rankings.After a somewhat rocky start against the 49ers, I felt the Ravens had a great deal of early confidence. Of course, a million things occurred after that. Although it was a great reaction to start the Brock Purdy pick party in the end zone, the defense gave in a few of times too easily, and the offense started with a three-and-out before an unlucky safety was called by the officials. But after that, Baltimore launched an offensive that resulted in a 33-19 victory away from home.
This season, the Ravens have already proven their mental toughness in a number of mental toughness tests. On Monday night, they checked two more boxes: first, turning the tide early in a hostile environment, and second, making a fantastic goal-line stand in the final minutes to end any chance of a miraculous Niners comeback. Even if the Ravens may have let up a little too soon, Lamar Jackson played such a calm, collected game. It undoubtedly swung the MVP conversation in Jackson’s favor on a night when his fiercest rival was eliminated from the game after throwing four picks. But don’t ignore the cause of Purdy’s horror performance: a relentless, swarming Baltimore defense.
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Rank 3 Miami Dolphins (11-4)
Dolphins elevated up in NFL power rankings this week.The Dolphins defeated a top club, just as we had begged them to do the entire season. Although the Fins defeated Dallas 22–20 in Miami, the reality is that they competed with a strong team and thrived in a competitive, postseason-like atmosphere. The crucial play may have been the third-and-2 convert with little under two minutes left in the game, but they needed every Jason Sanders bomb to win. When the Dolphins have their entire offensive line on the field, running the football has been their stealthy superpower this season. While they did not produce many monster runs on Sunday, they completed the ones that mattered. This now sets up a game versus the Ravens that might end up winning the division, which also happens to be another fantastic playoff table setter.
Following the unexpected loss to Tennessee in Week 14, Miami has reacted magnificently. This now sets up a game versus the Ravens that might end up winning the division, which also happens to be another fantastic playoff table setter. Following the unexpected loss to Tennessee in Week 14, Miami has reacted magnificently.
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Rank 4 Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
All things considered, it was a successful weekend since the Eagles triumphed and the Cowboys lost, snapping their three-game losing streak. With two games left that may win it (at the Giants, at the Cardinals), the division crown took a step closer to coming to Philadelphia. However, the overall performance of Monday’s victory over the Giants was really lackluster. The offense was having trouble, and the Eagles almost gave up a 20-3 lead to a team that benched its quarterback in the middle of the game. The special teams turnover for Philly was somewhat erratic, and although Jalen Hurts’ pick-six was well-covered by Dallas Goedert, Hurts was fortunate not to throw an interception on the play that preceded it.
Even though the Eagles outgained the Giants by about 200 yards, the game was close and came down to the last play because of all the blunders. It’s safe to presume that they’ll try to eliminate those as much as possible before the playoffs.
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Rank 5 Detroit Lions (11-4)
Lions improved to top 5 team in NFL power rankings this week.You just knew that winning the NFC North would be difficult for the Lions, who will also be playing in their first home playoff game in thirty years. In the thrilling victory over the Vikings, they had to battle and scrap for every drive; four interceptions by Nick Mullens (all on deep balls) helped them tremendously. Though their down-to-down consistency was weak and they had few answers for Justin Jefferson, the Lions should also be commended for those defensive stops. Would they be better off playing more defensively? Yes, that’s right. Will they accept the crucial errors even if they give up large amounts of yardage? Indeed.
The fact that the offense has a variety of playmakers who can step out in any given game is also helpful. With 100 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs made up for his early fumble. In the second half, he and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown took control. Detroit’s incredible season will go on for at least one more game in January.
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Rank 6 Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
Cowboys dropped in NFL power rankings this week to number 6.After their defeat in Miami on Sunday, they may not be able to win a division title, even though they have already all but guaranteed a position in the playoffs. If that’s the case, the Cowboys will need to find a way to win three games on the road in the postseason in order to make the long-awaited Super Bowl comeback. The ‘Boys can compete at their highest level and have recently won five games in a row with remarkable style.
However, the majority of Dallas’ five road defeats have come from a continuous inability to convert third downs. Additionally, the offense struggled in the red zone against Miami, going just 1-for-3, and the Dolphins gained a significant early advantage thanks to a first-drive first-and-goal turnover. The defense played admirably for the majority of the second half, but was unable to complete the comeback, even though the offense made up for it late with an incredible 17-play, go-ahead touchdown drive.
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Rank 7 Buffalo Bills (9-6)
Last week, I took a slight risk by ranking the Bills eighth in NFL power rankings, and boy, did I receive criticism for it. At number two, several readers want them! I wasn’t going to do that, and the way they struggled against the Chargers on Saturday served as a reminder of their inconsistent play throughout the season. While it may not be the beginning of a trend, this kind of performance does not exactly inspire optimism for the future. In the space of a week, second-year back James Cook went from season-saving hero to fumble-prone liability. Plays by Taron Johnson, Rasul Douglas, and Ed Oliver were important for Buffalo’s defense.
And Josh Allen was money when he needed to be. However, as I always remind my children, it doesn’t have to be that hard. Still, the Bills are always interesting! Before everything is said and done, there will likely be a few more plot twists because the playoffs are still very much in play.
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Rank 8 Cleveland Browns (10-5)
A long ball from Joe Flacco is gorgeous. Although he was picked twice in the first half of Sunday’s game against Houston, the magical Browns won 36-22, stuffing the stockings of their supporters with two more touchdowns to begin the second half. Although the Texans were using a worn-out lineup, I was still convinced that Cleveland might pose a serious threat in the postseason after watching Flacco and Amari Cooper (who recorded an amazing 265 receiving yards and two touchdowns) consistently connect. But given how valuable he has been to the Browns this season, the injury to Dustin Hopkins is one to keep an eye on.
This club features one of the top five defenses in the league, if not the best, and a potent offensive game despite the uncertainties. Cleveland is dangerous because of this, even if they have to play away to start the playoffs.
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Rank 9 Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
In certain aspects, this team appears to be broken they have dropped this week in NFL power rankings. What other explanation is there for losing to a team whose quarterback, after the first quarter, had zero completions on ten pass attempts? Against the Raiders, the defense performed as expected, but the offense failed yet another test. Over the past five seasons, one of the most dangerous attacks in the league has become one of the most error-prone and disappointing teams due to dropped passes, fumbles, and poorly timed penalties. Compared to Desmond Ridder, Patrick Mahomes is averaging 6.9 yards per attempt, but he has had to use his legs more frequently to initiate offensive plays.
Throughout the season, the Chiefs have only put on a couple really spectacular offensive performances, and those came in September and October. It’s difficult to believe that magic might materialize again in time for the playoffs.
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Rank 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
It’s hard to imagine that the team that finished November with a six-game losing streak suddenly has a fairly clear route to win the NFC South: Tampa Bay needs to win one of the two remaining division games. The Bucs would have won the division three times in a row, and this one seems the least likely of the three. Some saw Baker Mayfield as a bridge quarterback who was at a crossroads in his career, even though he might have been able to keep the team competitive after Tom Brady’s retirement. Think about the crossed road. Over the last two weeks, Mayfield has been outstanding. All things considered, he is having one of his strongest seasons, if not his best.
The Bucs defense, which has seen its fair share of ups and downs, had a fantastic day on Sunday as well. The big-play element keeps that group strong. Suddenly, you have to have respect for this team.
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Rank 11 Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
I’ll be honest: at 3-6, I gave up on the Rams. But since the Week 10 bye, their offensive has really come to life late in the season, making me seem foolish. Matthew Stafford is demonstrating to everyone his continued excellence. Demarcus Robinson has emerged with a surprisingly large following, while Puka Nacua is out there rewriting the rookie receiving books. It’s still Cooper Kupp, all the same. Kyren Williams has been the driving force behind everything. Despite a two-fumble first half against Washington in Week 15, the return of the second-year back to the starting lineup has greatly boosted Los Angeles’ aerial assault and ground game.
Did I also mention that Sean McVay has spent the most of this season coaching like crazy? Given that the Rams currently lead the league with 11 field goal misses, it would be unfortunate to see them lose a significant game—possibly even a postseason game—due to their kicking problems. But it’s impressive enough that we’re even discussing them as a potential playoff club.
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Rank 12 Houston Texans (8-7)
The Texans obviously need C.J. Stroud (concussion) back on the field to keep the storybook season alive, but it’s not quite over yet. Case Keenum had a difficult game in the Browns defeat, and Davis Mills’s flashy numbers from garbage time shouldn’t be given too much weight. Throughout the first three quarters of Sunday’s game, the quarterbacks failed to complete a pass longer than eighteen yards, and between them, they completed 12 of 18 passes for 67 yards, two interceptions, and three sacks. Though Stroud is the only signal-caller who provides the Texans a genuine opportunity to (a) make the playoffs and (b) maybe win a postseason game, Mills may be the superior choice between the two.
The running offense has fluctuated from game to game, and the pass defense is a concern. The season will still be successful even if Stroud is unable to come back and save this squad, but it will be even more memorable if the rookie leads one last push towards the playoffs.
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Rank 13 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
As I write this, Jacksonville’s season seems to be imploding; the Jaguars have lost four straight games and are playing their poorest football of the year. In the second quarter of Sunday’s game, the Buccaneers gained control and never looked back. It is still mathematically possible for the Jaguars to win the division and get to the postseason. Even if they begin at home, the prediction will still be uncertain if they make it to the tournament. The Jaguars are 2-5 when playing at Jacksonville, having lost their last two games against opponents worthy of the playoffs. It’s not entirely Trevor Lawrence’s fault, though, as he hasn’t had the Year 3 that many of us had anticipated. He is currently battling with a sprained shoulder.
The Jaguars struggle with kicking, defensive issues, and a lackluster wide receiving corps. Although Doug Pederson deserves recognition for his efforts in turning this team around, it has recently become uncontrollably crazy.
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Rank 14 Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
Both Jake Browning’s poorest performance and Ja’Marr Chase’s injury occurred during a difficult period. If the 34-11 loss in Pittsburgh wasn’t the last straw for Cincinnati, it certainly dealt a serious blow to its already slim hopes of making the playoffs. Despite the Bengals’ 0-5 division record, there’s a larger picture to take into account for this season. Even before Marvin Lewis took over as coach, it had been more than 20 years since Cincinnati finished without a victory in the North. For the record, Joe Burrow started three of those five defeats. Under Zac Taylor, the Bengals have altered the course of the team, winning the last two AFC North titles, but Saturday’s lopsided defeat exposed a concerning weakness.
They were thoroughly outplayed by a team that was starting its third quarterback of the year and had even worse chances of making the playoffs, both on and off the field.
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Rank 15 Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
With a 5-1 run that began in November, the Colts gained a lot of goodwill; nevertheless, the 29-10 loss against the Falcons proved to be too much. Similar to the 34-14 defeat in Cincinnati in Week 14, Indianapolis was outplayed by a competitive team on the road when their backup quarterback was starting. Following the opening-drive touchdown, Indianapolis’ offense faltered under Gardner Minshew, a backup quarterback himself, punting on their next four drives. The Colts have two turnovers on downs and a game-changing interception in the fourth quarter. However, the defense also performed poorly, ending a 19-game string of takeaways and recording only one sack of Taylor Heinicke (for no loss) after amassing 25 in the preceding six games.
Under Shane Steichen, the Colts have fared better than many preseason predictions in Year 1, but the happy-go-lucky season may be coming to an end.
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Rank 16 Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
After Drew Lock’s spectacular game-winning drive against the Eagles in Week 15, Geno Smith had a high bar to meet when he returned to the starting lineup, and he didn’t live up to it on Sunday. But he heated up late, as Seattle secured a victory it desperately needed with the second of two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks’ primary goal right now is to offer Smith a path into the playoffs, and he has a good chance to do it with the upcoming games against Pittsburgh and Arizona. The question of whether Smith will continue to be the starting quarterback in 2024 should be put on hold for the time being.
Any team with playmakers like the Seahawks can be a postseason threat, even though they may not be the most disciplined team in the league or have the most consistent play from week to week.
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Rank 17 Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
With two games remaining after the surprising dominance of the Bengals, they are 8-7 and have a slim chance of making the playoffs. Even though Mike Tomlin has faced more criticism from Steelers supporters this season than I can recall, we should never underestimate a team headed by the coach. Even with the most experienced coaches in this league, it is possible to be overcome by consecutive home losses to teams that came into Acrisure Stadium with a 2-10 record. However, Tomlin silenced the cries of the crowd to bench him for at least one game, giving himself an opportunity to extend his record of.500 or higher seasons for one more season.
With his impressive performance in lieu of Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph also altered the narrative around quarterbacks locally. According to Tomlin, the former third-stringer will start for Pittsburgh again this week against Seattle. Do the Steelers have a strong team? Not certain. But intriguing? Of course.
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Rank 18 Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
It’s getting late, but the Vikings aren’t done yet. After Kirk Cousins was lost for the season, they should be commended greatly for salvaging the season and even extending the team’s winning run to five games in the middle of the season. Given that Justin Jefferson was out for the whole hot streak, it is quite impressive that coaches Brian Flores and Kevin O’Connell were able to get the most out of their respective teams and still be in the running for the playoffs. Jefferson put on a show in Sunday’s six-point loss to Detroit, showing everyone how special he is with his unbelievable diving TD reception and his last-second conversion on third-and-27.
That performance served as a reminder of what may have happened if this team’s core had been healthy for a longer portion of the campaign. The Vikings can make the playoffs with a 2-0 record against the Packers and Lions, but they need to be ready for the potential that their otherwise fantastic season may end in disappointment.
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Rank 19 Green Bay Packers (7-8)
It’s one thing that in Week 15, Baker Mayfield had one of his better performances against the Packers defense. However, it’s quite another for Bryce Young to record his first major victory of his NFL career against coordinator Joe Barry’s team in the midst of a less-than-spectacular rookie campaign. Following in the long-standing history started by Mike Pettine, Dom Capers, and Bob Sanders, Barry is the most recent player in that position to face criticism from the supporters. In the end, the Packers prevailed, and it was heartening to witness the offensive potential of a (relatively) healthy Aaron Jones. Additionally, players like Tucker Kraft and Bo Melton have made some excellent contributions for Green Bay.
The Packers are most likely in if they can win two more games, but right now it seems like a lot to ask. With the close victory over Carolina, their playoff chances may have increased, but my confidence in them did not.
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Rank 20 Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
They’re not quite dead, much like the classic Monty Python joke. With two road games left against Chicago and New Orleans, the Falcons have a lot of heavy lifting ahead of them. They may also want some assistance because the Bucs also won in Week 16. For now, though, Taylor Heinicke helped keep the season alive. He started the game out dangerously, but after settling in, he ended up giving the passing game—and the offense as a whole—the consistency they had been missing for weeks. Naturally, the backs had a significant role in the victory as well. Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson formed a potent trio that was effective both passing the ball and running it.
With the defense and special teams all playing well, it was truly a three-phase triumph. It felt like a reminder of all the possibilities Atlanta had lost throughout a disappointing season overall. Despite everything seeming hopeless, Arthur Smith and the Falcons can still turn things around and could even get a home playoff game if things go well.
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Rank 21 Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
Is Antonio Pierce doing enough to persuade Mark Davis to assign him as head coach on a full-time basis? Undoubtedly, Monday’s thrilling victory over the Chiefs contributed to that goal. Since taking over, Pierce’s resume has had a few blemishes, like as a shutout at home, but the last two games have been outstanding: the Raiders have won just two games at Arrowhead in the in ten years, defeating the Chargers 63-21. However, keep in mind that following Jon Gruden’s retirement in 2021, Rich Bisaccia, Davis’ last interim coach, went 7-5 and guided the Raiders into the postseason before handing the reins to Josh McDaniels.
With two games remaining, Pierce’s squad is at 4-3, but he has managed to get some excellent play from them. His future there might depend on how he performs in the remaining two matches.
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Rank 22 Denver Broncos (7-8)
Despite the fact that the Broncos scored first and the Patriots were not producing much on offense, something didn’t seem right for Denver from the beginning of the game on Sunday night. However, the home team’s third-quarter performance was a complete bust as New England scored two offensive touchdowns and then pulled off an incredible scoop-and-score on special teams, while the Broncos were losing ground. Thank Sean Payton and his squad for a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback. They did it without Courtland Sutton, who was injured in the first quarter and missed two touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Unknown pass catchers like Lucas Krull and Brandon Johnson stepped up, but Russell Wilson made plays.
The defense was unable to come up with one more stop, which would have been a terrific ending and greatly increased Denver’s chances of making the playoffs. Although Payton has had an interesting first season with the Broncos and accomplished some excellent things, I have a feeling that this three-point setback will hurt all offseason.
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Rank 23 New Orleans Saints (7-8)
Although they have more time to be ready for the suddenly-hot Buccaneers, will the Saints be able to turn things around this season? Week 16 saw victories for Tampa Bay and Atlanta, which moved New Orleans up to third place in the NFC South. The Rams’ victory over New Orleans on Thursday was a cruel blow, as Alvin Kamara was shut down and some of the team’s biggest weaknesses from this season—such as tackling on defense and completing drives on offense—were once again exposed. The Bucs thrashed the Saints in their first meeting in New Orleans back in Week 4, and Tampa Bay, which is presently enjoying a four-game winning streak, is undoubtedly a lot better squad now than it was then.
In the rematch, Derek Carr and the offense may have to set the tone, and there have been encouraging developments in that area. However, right now, both winning the division and jumping four NFC clubs to secure a wild-card berth sound like difficult tasks.
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Rank 24 Chicago Bears (6-9)
They started 0–4 but have subsequently gone 6–5 while playing a pretty good brand of soccer. However, the question of what may have happened if the Bears had performed better in the fourth quarter remains. Their effort in the last 15 minutes has lost them the chance to win big away from home against teams like Detroit and Cleveland, who both have double-digit wins, and has created the possibility of an upset on Sunday against Arizona. Because Chicago’s defense faltered too much in the final minutes and Justin Fields botched a terrible pick in the fourth quarter to terminate a promising drive, the Cardinals were able to trim the Bears’ advantage from 21-0 to 24-16.
In the end, the Bears defeated Arizona with a three-win total, but they need to understand that if they want to contend with the division’s elite teams, they will need to overcome their late-game difficulties.
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Rank 25 New York Jets (6-9)
Even though the Jets started the game strong on Sunday, taking a 27-7 lead, it’s difficult to argue that they did anything close to a stellar performance just one day after it was revealed that general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh will return for the following campaign. After a couple misses, Breece Hall played brilliantly, and the special teams produced some huge plays early on. But against Jacoby Brissett, how can a defense that so rattled Sam Howell be so defenseless? In garbage time, even if Brissett replicated his performance from the previous week against the Rams, outperforming Howell, the Jets cannot claim to be a premier defense while allowing such an incident to occur.
Right now, everything is advanced preparation for the upcoming season. Even though this season is over, Saleh and Douglas still need to be evaluated based on what occurs right now.
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Rank 26 Tennessee Titans (5-10)
Ryan Tannehill was able to give a last-minute gasp because to Will Levis’ high ankle sprain. In a shaky performance against the Seahawks, Tannehill just didn’t have it. Nothing particularly awful, though. In the grand scheme of things, this may be his last ride with the team. Tannehill’s deal is not guaranteed past 2023, and Levis is the future—at least in part. Not only does his future with the Titans remain uncertain, but also theirs. This is a club that will lose a number of players to free agency. Some well-known athletes aren’t expected to return. It’s not a salary-cap space problem.
The Titans may want to clear the decks and divert their funds to something else because this team is a 5-10 team in what appears to be a mediocre division at best. Although Derrick Henry performed well on Sunday, he is in the same contractual situation as Tannehill. Regarding DeAndre Hopkins: what? The final two games may have more on the line than first appears.
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Rank 27 Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
Even with lost seasons, intriguing things can still happen. Derwin James’ diminished performance in Saturday’s close defeat to Buffalo really opened my eyes. He played only 40 of the 52 defensive snaps and took just a few snaps at safety, making him essentially a nickel corner in the game. Since joining the NFL as a first-round selection in 2018, James has had a significant influence on the Chargers, seldom leaving the field while healthy. James’ position in the final stretch is reportedly different in the eyes of interim coach Giff Smith, which may cast doubt on his future with the team given that he will have a salary-cap cost of just under $20 million in 2024.
Now, it’s hard to predict future personnel moves because Smith most likely won’t be the Chargers’ head coach next season and a new front staff is expected to take control. Still, once the new administration takes hold, I’ll be watching James closely.
Rank 28 New York Giants (5-10)
For the next two games, I’ll be curious to watch how Brian Daboll manages the quarterback position. It would have been sacrilegious to recommend anybody other than Tommy DeVito to receive those photographs not too long ago. However, Daboll decided to bench DeVito in favor of Tyrod Taylor against the Eagles on Monday, and it proved to be a wise decision as the Giants trailed 20-3 while DeVito was in the game and outscored the Eagles 22-13 with Taylor in action. Although DeVito scored six of those second-half points on defensive plays, he wasn’t finishing the job before the half ended.
It begs the question of whether DeVito’s popularity has declined in any way. Though I’m not sure if that’s the case, it’s possible that the rose has already bloomed. Although DeVito’s ceiling may be as a backup, Daboll’s handling of these closing games may reveal a lot about that.
Rank 29 New England Patriots (4-11)
I have a feeling that Bill Belichick isn’t as fixated on the Patriots’ draft pick as other supporters are. The club has already been shut out twice this season and participated in 13 games that were at least very close, which further supports the notion that the injury-ravaged Pats have not given up on their struggling coach. The exciting victory at Denver further cemented this belief. The fact that they have only triumphed in four of those games is obviously concerning, but Bailey Zappe has given this club some much-needed motivation, and the defense is playing remarkably well, especially in light of all the injuries the group has suffered.
Chad Ryland made up for missing a 47-yard field goal and an extra point by making a 56-yard game-winning kick, but he’s still not quite right following huge misses against the Colts and Giants. Though it’s far from a great New England team, this team is just a few plays away from winning six or seven games. It’s possible that only Belichick and owner Robert Kraft know what lies ahead for him, but there’s a case to be made that the Pats aren’t as distant from contending as some may think.
Rank 30 Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
Even if a lot of Cardinals supporters are already considering the upcoming season, they still need to be worried about Kyler Murray’s inconsistent performance during his shortened 2023 campaign. Given Arizona’s defense’s lack of depth and talent after major attrition this past offseason, the team’s struggles aren’t the most startling thing to see. But it’s considerably more concerning in the case of Murray for several reasons. Arizona intends to develop around some young players and has better offensive personnel. Additionally, in the face of difficulty, first-year coordinator Drew Petzing has shown considerable inventiveness.
Murray, to be fair, has had his moments. But the passing game has stagnated, even if Murray’s numbers in Sunday’s loss at Chicago looked decent. He’s been great in fourth quarters (67.6 percent completions, 486 yards, three TDs), but pretty darned ordinary in the first three quarters (59.4 percent, 819 yards, three TDs). I’ll feel better if he finishes strong against Philadelphia and Seattle.
Rank 31 Washington Commanders (4-11)
The conversation around Sam Howell has become a touch gloomy lately because Jacoby Brissett has eclipsed him in both of the last two games as a reliever. It might not have been as horrible if that had occurred earlier in the season, when Howell began to show any true promise. However, both Howell’s performance (17-of-48 passing, 158 yards, one touchdown, three picks) and the offense’s output with him in the field have clearly declined over the last two weeks. Brissett has led TD drives on five of his last six opportunities, though.
Is it worthwhile to start the journeyman a few times in the late season? With a 2024 reset being the main focus, it could not affect what happens in the upcoming season, but it could provide Howell a short mental break and enable him to view the game from a different angle.
Rank 32 Carolina Panthers (2-13)
Panthers have maintained the lowest rank in NFL power rankings. Bryce Young’s career day in a loss to the Packers was made possible by the Panthers’ recent pattern of increased competition. Ultimately, we wouldn’t have many highlights from Young’s debut season if he hadn’t had that kind of game before the end of the campaign. The effort on Sunday was positive despite against a struggling Green Bay defense. Though he struggled to threaten downfield for the majority of the season, Young produced several remarkable plays and ultimately succeeded in attacking vertically. According to Next Gen Stats, he went 6-for-6 for 102 yards and a touchdown on post patterns.
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