The 49ers claim the top spot in the 2023 NFL power rankings for Week 14.
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3) | Last week: 4 (+3)
There was a lot of talk after the NFC Championship last year, but the 49ers were more restrained heading into the rematch at the same site of Lincoln Financial Field—and they emphatically blew out the defending NFC champions, 42-19. Brock Purdy threw four touchdowns and is now getting deserved MVP hype.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) | Last week: 1 (-1)
Despite the loss, the Eagles are still in pole position for the top seed in the NFC, and they were dealing with injuries in Week 13—including Dallas Goedert, Nakobe Dean, and Zach Cunningham—and many have pointed out that they played three games in 13 days while San Fran had a mini bye. Regardless, a playoff rematch is very possible, and Philly added All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard ahead of this Sunday night’s matchup at Dallas.
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3) | Last week: 3
The Ravens return from their bye week with a tough final five-game stretch of matchups with all teams .500 or better: Rams, Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins, and Steelers. Roquan Smith and company will look to slow down a hot LA offense this Sunday.
4. Dallas Cowboys (9-3) | Last week: 5 (+1)
While the Dallas defense had a disappointing outing overall, they came through when it mattered most to help complement a scorching-hot offense led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on Thursday night. The Cowboys have a showdown with the Eagles and the opportunity to tie for first in the NFC East, and they’ve won five straight at home versus the rival.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) | Last week: 2 (-3)
The officiating was certainly unfortunate on Sunday night, but it was bad for both the Chiefs and the Packers—and the bottom line is that this season Kansas City has had some trouble offensively at the end of games. I must say, it was comical that Cris Collinsworth was completely silent when Patrick Mahomes threw the late interception; as awesome as Mahomes is, Collinsworth himself even realizes he probably goes a bit overboard about him at times.
6. Miami Dolphins (9-3) | Last week: 6
The Dolphins roasting the Commanders defense was perhaps the most predictable result of the 2023 NFL season. I cannot stress how wrong this take—which unfortunately many people will listen to—is; this was a total dime from Tua:
This is one of the coolest plays I’ve seen live. I cannot stress how bad this throw was and how amazing this play by Hill is. He’s got Fuller beat so badly he just flips his hips and goes and get the ball over the wrong shoulder. pic.twitter.com/QnKetsdrWL
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 3, 2023
7. Detroit Lions (9-3) | Last week: 7
It looked like the Lions were going to rout the Saints after jumping ahead by three touchdowns several minutes into the game, but it was still promising that both sides of the ball came through to seal the comeback attempt in New Orleans. David Montgomery has scored in every full game he’s played in his first year with Detroit, and he’ll face his former Chicago team again this week.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) | Last week: 8
Trevor Lawrence thankfully escaped Monday night with just a high-ankle sprain as opposed to something more serious, but the Jaguars did lose receiver Christian Kirk for a while due to a core muscle injury. Overall, despite more heroics by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Josh Allen, the Jacksonville defense was disappointing in the home loss to the Bengals.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-6) | Last week: 9
The Bills return from the bye a game back of a playoff spot in the AFC, but they head to Arrowhead to take on a Chiefs team coming off a loss. I’m looking for the offense to stay hot, but the defense must make stops.
10. Houston Texans (7-5) | Last week: 14 (+4)
Will Anderson Jr. recorded two sacks, Derek Stingley Jr. picked off two passes, and Jimmie Ward sealed the game with an interception of his own to help the Texans defend homefield against the Broncos and move to 7-5. Unfortunately, Houston lost stud rookie receiver Tank Dell for the year due to a leg injury, but C.J. Stroud is getting good pass protection and finding a way to move the ball through the air.
11. Green Bay Packers (6-6) | Last week: 16 (+5)
The early growing pains we talked about for the Packers have developed into Jordan Love and the team coming out the other end better off—and Love is now cooking during the three-game winning streak. Defensively, Keisean Nixon’s fourth-quarter interception of Patrick Mahomes was a fantastic clutch play. The underrated defense hasn’t even had Jaire Alexander (shoulder) in the lineup the past few games.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) | Last week: 10 (-2)
Kenny Pickett has shown flashes, particularly in close games, early his career; but the injury bug is a definite issue as he’ll again miss time due to an ankle injury. I think Mitchell Trubisky can do a nice job stepping in, but Pittsburgh is in a battle for a playoff spot ahead of a TNF matchup with Bill Belichick.
13. Denver Broncos (6-6) | Last week: 11 (-2)
The winning streak ends at five games for Denver, but they were probably happy with the style of game they played at Houston—it just didn’t work out with a win, ending on a Russell Wilson pass he threw under pressure that might have been a game-winning score if it was just a few inches higher.
14. Los Angeles Rams (6-6) | Last week: 17 (+3)
In the past two games with Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua all in the lineup, the Rams have put up point total of 37 and 36. And, as stated before, the “no-name” defense has been solid all season. Los Angeles can make some noise if they stay healthy.
15. Seattle Seahawks (6-6) | Last week: 13 (-2)
The Seahawks drop a couple of spots in this week’s power rankings after the Week 13 loss, but the performance from Geno Smith and the offense on Thursday night was encouraging. Amazon’s Tony Gonzalez made an interesting reveal before the game that the team discussed during the week that they need to do a better job of connecting with DK Metcalf—and they certainly did that with three touchdowns. Seattle had some beef with the officiating at the end of the loss, as well.
16. Indianapolis Colts (7-5) | Last week: 15 (-1)
The Colts have somewhat quietly won four games in a row, taking advantage of facing all sub-.500 teams and getting into position for a wild card slot in the AFC. Indy is second in the NFL in sacks this year, and their style of play is traveling well on the road (5-1 record).
17. Cleveland Browns (7-5) | Last week: 12 (-5)
While the Browns drop a bit in this week’s power rankings after their second straight double-digit loss, Joe Flacco threw the ball well in his first start with the team. It’s curious that he didn’t get more opportunities for other teams. Cleveland now returns home, where they’ve been much better, to host the Jaguars.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) | Last week: 20 (+2)
In his second start for the Bengals, Jake Browning stepped up in a major way to help Cincy upset Jacksonville in overtime. Frankly, Browning played a lot like Joe Burrow would, distributing the ball to the right place with great timing and accuracy—and the Bengals should not be counted out of the playoff picture.
19. Minnesota Vikings (6-6) | Last week: 18 (-1)
As the Vikings return from their bye with the boost of Justin Jefferson, the question is about the starting quarterback. I think they should stick with Joshua Dobbs and see how he fares with Jefferson back in the lineup.
20. Atlanta Falcons (6-6) | Last week: 19 (-1)
Arthur Smith does not mind low-scoring gritty games, and the Falcons came through with a road win at the Jets to get back to .500. Containing Mike Evans will be a big task for the Atlanta defense this week in a key NFC South battle.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7) | Last week: 21
The offense couldn’t get much going, but the Chargers defense took care of business in a shutout win at Foxboro. Los Angeles faces Denver the first of two times this month in Week 14.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) | Last week: 23 (+1)
Justin Jefferson is back for Minnesota, and it’ll be fun to see Davante Adams on the other side for the Raiders. Vegas has two consecutive home games in their return to action after the week off.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) | Last week: 24 (+1)
Mike Evans crossed 1,000 receiving yards for an unprecedented tenth consecutive season to begin his career in the Bucs’ Week 13 win over the Panthers. The run defense was a concern with an insane number of injuries at linebacker last week, so hopefully Devin White and Lavonte David can return for the Falcons game.
24. New Orleans Saints (5-7) | Last week: 22 (-2)
Derek Carr suffered his second concussion in a month, and he’s been banged up too much in his first season with the Saints—and this one came when New Orleans finally appeared to be clicking in the comeback attempt versus the Lions. New Orleans needs to get to 7-7 while hosting the Panthers and Giants the next two weeks.
25. Chicago Bears (4-8) | Last week: 26 (+1)
The Bears regime, including quarterback Justin Fields, are entering a massive stretch heading into 2024. Remember, Matt Eberflus has his team playing .500 football since the 0-4 start.
26. New York Jets (4-8) | Last week: 25 (-1)
The situation on offense for the Jets has almost become a joke, but it’s good to see Zach Wilson get vindicated to some extent—again, I’m not sure how much better this current team would be even with Aaron Rodgers under center.
27. New York Giants (4-8) | Last week: 27
The Giants won two in a row before last week’s bye, and they’ll look to have a solid final five games in Year 2 under Brian Daboll, with another big offseason ahead.
28. Tennessee Titans (4-8) | Last week: 28
Derrick Henry went over 100 yards and had his second consecutive game with two touchdowns, so that was on track with his usual December performances. It’s just a bit sad that Henry’s team is now at 4-8 and not really in the mix for a playoff spot.
29. Arizona Cardinals (3-10) | Last week: 29
Kyler Murray moves to 2-2 this year after James Conner (two touchdowns) helped lead a victory at Pittsburgh, and Jonathan Gannon’s energetic club will take the bye to recharge ahead of the final four games of the year.
30. Washington Commanders (4-9) | Last week: 30
The changes to the defensive side of the ball didn’t work in Game 1. We’ll give it time, but the entire Commanders team feels broken right now. Zero receptions from Terry McLaurin and two catches from Jahan Dotson isn’t going to cut it.
31. New England Patriots (2-10) | Last week: 31
The Patriots are the first team since 1938 to allow ten points or fewer in three consecutive games and lose all three games.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-11) | Last week: 32
It didn’t result in a win, but the Panthers seemed to immediately have some semblance of an identity in the first game after the firing of head coach Frank Reich. Chuba Hubbard scored twice in the loss to Tampa, and the success on the ground is something to build on.