NFL energy rankings coming into Week 14 of the 2023 season (earlier rank in parentheses):
1. 49ers (2): Sunday’s efficiency in Philadelphia was proof constructive that San Francisco is undoubtedly the league’s greatest staff when all of its key components are within the lineup. And if QB Brock Purdy is not cautious (116.1 QB score), he will set a report as essentially the most environment friendly quarterback within the bounds of a single season.
2. Ravens (4): Hope you are properly rested, fellas. Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Rams, who’re in eighth place general within the NFC, is Baltimore’s solely remaining contest in opposition to an opponent not at present projected to achieve postseason.
3. Eagles (1): In order that they head to Dallas, the place they’ve misplaced 5 in a row, to face scalding QB Dak Prescott whereas hindered by the league’s fourth-worst cross protection. Appears like a very good recipe to fall from the NFC’s No. 1 seed to its fifth by subsequent Monday … until Philly’s newly signed linebacker could make a heckuva immediate distinction right here.
4. Cowboys (5): Beat the Eagles on Sunday, and that is 15 victories in a row at AT&T Stadium – to not point out first place within the NFC East. And, naturally, that is necessary as a result of a division title ensures a minimum of one playoff sport at house – the place Dallas simply grew to become the third staff in league annals to attain a minimum of 30 factors in its first six video games in its personal yard to begin a season. The Cowboys are additionally the fifth staff to crack 40 factors in 4 consecutive house video games.
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5. Chiefs (3): Regarding traits? The following loss will tie for his or her most within the common season since QB Patrick Mahomes grew to become the starter in 2018. That is the primary time that the protection has outranked the offense since 2015. And Sunday was Okay.C.’s first loss with Taylor Swift in attendance. Panic. Button.
6. Dolphins (6): The NFL’s No. 1 offense now additionally paces the league in choreographed celebrations – which might be key in focusing Miami earlier than its subsequent legit sport, internet hosting Dallas on Christmas Eve.
7. Lions (7): Given his basic lack of affect properly into his second NFL season, it is easy to overlook what a weapon WR Jameson Williams may be. Then he serves recent discover Sunday.
8. Texans (9): With 4 INTs within the 4 video games since he rejoined the lineup, CB Derek Stingley Jr. is serving a reminder for why he was drafted forward of the Jets’ Sauce Gardner in 2022.
9. Payments (11): From a soccer standpoint – which is not the necessary one on this context – the seemingly lack of OLB Von Miller should not damage all that a lot given his utter lack of manufacturing (3 pressures, no sacks) coming off ACL reconstruction.
10. Jaguars (8): Their streak of 4 consecutive prime-time wins got here to an finish. So, too, doubtlessly did their standing as an AFC contender – relying on the severity of QB Trevor Lawrence’s ankle harm.
11. Rams (12): The franchise’s first 1,000-yard rookie receiver, Puka Nacua, can be solely the sixth within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966) to crack that mark in his first 12 NFL video games.
12. Broncos (13): Dangerous time for QB Russell Wilson (3 INTs in Sunday’s loss) to revert to the 2022 model of himself. A date with the Chargers’ conference-worst cross protection ought to get him again on monitor … if he can keep away from OLB Khalil Mack.
13. Packers (16): Given HC Matt LaFleur has by no means misplaced a sport in December – his 16-0 mark is the perfect in league historical past – Inexperienced Bay is sitting fairly, notably with 5 video games scheduled this month.
14. Browns (14): Among the many AFC North’s present QB1s, Joe Flacco may be the perfect one not named Lamar Jackson. That is the place we’re.
15. Colts (15): The right way to greatest clarify QB Gardner Minshew II’s first four-game profitable streak within the NFL? In all probability Indy’s 9 takeaways throughout that run, extending its league-best streak of video games producing a minimum of one turnover to 17.
16. Steelers (10): Dangerous information concerning their sputtering playoff push. QB2 Mitchell Trubisky has proven little proficiency transferring this staff since coming to Pittsburgh final yr. However he’ll want to carry the road for so long as it takes Kenny Pickett (ankle surgical procedure) to get again onto the sphere. A minimum of the Steelers are on a two-game streak outgaining their opponents and draw New England’s non-existent offense subsequent.
17. Vikings (18): Dangerous information concerning their belated playoff push. Minnesota (6-6) is 5-2 since WR Justin Jefferson’s hamstring harm … sadly, he is set to rejoin the lineup. Rimshot.
18. Falcons (20): With Tampa Bay and Carolina on faucet the subsequent two weeks, Atlanta can nearly put the NFC South away by working its divisional report to 5-0.
19. Seahawks (17): Per Subsequent Gen Stats, WR DK Metcalf hit 22.23 mph final Thursday on his 73-yard TD dash at Dallas – the quickest time recorded since RB Raheem Mostert topped that determine twice in 2020. Injured RB Kenneth Walker III has the eighth-fastest time in 2023 (21.56 mph), he and Metcalf bracketing six Miami gamers.
20. Buccaneers (23): Professional Bowler Mike Evans simply grew to become the primary participant to begin a profession with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Do it once more in 2024, and he matches GOAT WR Jerry Rice for the longest streak at any level in league historical past.
21. Bengals (26): Their win at Jacksonville was their first Monday night time street victory since 1990, snapping a string of 9 consecutive defeats in that context. Extra importantly, QB2 Jake Browning’s sterling efficiency restores a glimmer of hope … even when realists suppose that is nonetheless a misplaced marketing campaign.
22. Titans (19): In case you noticed Sunday’s sport, their first loss in Nashville this season, little shock that particular groups coordinator Craig Aukerman bought sacked Monday.
23. Chargers (21): Mack leads the league with a personal-best 15 sacks and is a half-sack shy of the century mark for his profession. WR Keenan Allen leads the league with 102 receptions and wishes 5 extra to set a brand new profession excessive. Superb the Bolts have simply 5 wins.
24. Raiders (22): A staff that is been making an attempt to rally noticed CB Marcus Peters waived for monetary causes throughout the bye week. Welp. Let’s examine what Jack Jones can do.
25. Saints (24): RB Alvin Kamara wants two extra TD receptions to hitch Christian McCaffrey and Corridor of Famers Marshall Faulk and Lenny Moore as the one ones with 50 profession dashing touchdowns and 25 receiving. Query now’s, who’s throwing the ball to him in New Orleans?
26. Cardinals (29): Hope you bought TE Trey McBride on the fantasy waiver wire when he was nonetheless sitting there. Over the previous six video games, he has 41 catches for four hundred and forty yards. No marvel Zach Ertz’s need to play elsewhere was obliged.
27. Bears (25): 4 of their last 5 video games are in opposition to groups at present holding playoff spots – nearly definitely QB Justin Fields’ most necessary audition for Chicago … or the staff that is going to wind up buying him in a couple of months.
28. Jets (27): Should not they be reluctant to begin QB Zach Wilson, the No. 2 decide of the 2021 draft, Sunday given how poorly he’d evaluate in an on-field matchup with Houston QB C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 decide of the 2023 draft?
29. Giants (28): Christmas has arrived early, Huge Blue set for a fifth prime-time sport Monday night time in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. And when Christmas truly rolls round, the G-Males can be again in an unique late-afternoon window to get steamrolled by Philadelphia. Rejoice.
30. Commanders (30): Is not the suggestion Sam Howell has solved Washington’s years-long QB quandary only a bit untimely? In spite of everything, he is as much as a league-leading 14 interceptions, together with a pick-six in every of the previous three video games.
31. Patriots (31): They grew to become the primary staff in 85 years to lose three consecutive video games regardless of not permitting greater than 10 factors in any of them. Do it once more Thursday night time at Pittsburgh, and the Pats will match the 1938 Chicago Cardinals’ run of ineptitude.
32. Panthers (32): They cannot declare to be first in lots of areas however proceed to steer the league in losses (11) and, on Sunday, Carolina grew to become the preliminary staff formally eradicated from postseason rivalry … not particularly simple whenever you stay within the NFC South.
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Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on X, previously Twitter @ByNateDavis.
