NFL Power Rankings 2023: Week 15, All 32 Teams

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The No. 1 spot remains unchallenged, but the rest of the top 10 is interesting.

The Chiefs are struggling, the Eagles finished their tough run of games with a whimper, and the Lions look more like…well…the Lions than the up-and-coming NFC contenders we saw earlier this season.

SIX AFC teams are tied at 7-6, and six more NFC teams are within a game of a Wild Card spot.

It will be a wild run to the end of the season.

NFL Power Rankings, 2023:

NFL Team Rankings:

1. San Francisco 49ers

It was not the bloodbath some expected when it was announced Geno Smith would sit out the game, and the defense gave up a little too much to Drew Lock. Still, the 49ers cruised to a win, averaging 13.6 yards per pass and 7.5 yards per carry. Pretty good.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens got all they wanted from a good Rams team which beat the Browns in Week 13. Promisingly given their late-game struggles earlier this season, Baltimore was able to drive for a touchdown late and, despite giving up a field goal to force overtime, win on a walk-off punt return touchdown. The road does not get easier with the Jaguars, 49ers, and Dolphins the next three weeks. The Ravens will have to earn the No. 1 seed if they want that bye.

3. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys finally got their big win, crushing the Eagles at home to take control of the division. Dak Prescott is firmly in the MVP conversation, and the defense forced another three turnovers on Sunday night. All of that said, while the Eagles are now finished with their tough run, the Cowboys are just getting started. They have trips to the Bills and the Dolphins over the next two weeks before a home date with the Lions in Week 17.

4. Miami Dolphins

Will be updated following Monday Night Football.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Perhaps it is not a surprise the Eagles finally folded given the run of games they played, but they put in another lackluster effort against the Cowboys on Sunday night. The loss drops them to the No. 5 seed, although they still control their destiny in the division if they can win out. They will need the defense to improve for that to happen. The good news is Philly gets the Giants twice and the Cardinals after a trip to the likely Geno Smith-less Seahawks in Week 15.

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes was livid after the game because of an offsides call on Kadarius Toney that negated a go-ahead touchdown, but the reality is the Bills allowed the Chiefs to stay in the game, and they simply could not take advantage of the opportunity. Kansas City has now lost four of their last six and has mounting injury concerns on defense. The Chiefs need to get right the next two weeks against the Patriots and Raiders. As it stands, the Broncos are only one game back in the division.

7. Buffalo Bills

It was still closer than it should have been late, but the Bills were able to turn this strong performance against a good team into a much-needed win. Now 7-6, Buffalo is tied with five other teams hunting for a playoff spot. That means they need to keep winning, and they still have tough games against the Cowboys (next week) and Dolphins (Week 18) sandwiched around easier matchups against the Chargers and Patriots. The Bills just beat the Chiefs and might be better than a few teams ahead of them, but their current playoff situation is precarious.

8. Detroit Lions

There was no magical comeback this week. The Lions simply lost to the Bears, their second loss in three games and fourth concerning performance in a row. Since their bye, the Lions are 22nd in yards per play allowed and 30th in points per drive allowed. They have faced Chicago twice, the Chargers, the Packers, and the Saints during that span. Over the last four games, Jared Goff has 7 touchdowns and 8 turnovers. They still have a two-game lead in the division, but they have to play the second-place Vikings twice in addition to the Broncos and Cowboys. It is time for some worry in Detroit, but it is difficult to find teams worthy of jumping them on this list.

9. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams pushed the Ravens to the brink a week after taking it to the Browns. Kyren Williams has unlocked this offense, Cooper Kupp looks healthy, and Matthew Stafford has broken out of his slump. Los Angeles gets the Commanders, Saints, and Giants before a date with the 49ers in the season finale. They have a real path to a Wild Card spot. If they make it, Sean McVay deserves Coach of the Year consideration considering the expectations for this team in August.

10. Cleveland Browns

The individual stats for Joe Flacco over the last two weeks (55% completion rate, 6.3 yards per attempt, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) are not outstanding, but the offense has looked functional for the first time in a long time with him at quarterback, although three turnovers kept this game closer than it should have been. The defense made it right with four takeaways of their own and is getting some key players back to full health. With a one-game lead over the group at 7-6 and games remaining against the Bears and Jets, the Browns are in a great position to make the playoffs.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions and did not look quite right as a passer, but he also added three touchdowns against a tough Browns defense while making it a close game late. With Lawrence looking relatively healthy, the real concern is on defense. Joe Flacco threw for a 311/3/1 line against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 31st in yards per play allowed and 28th in points per drive allowed over the last five weeks. That will be a major concern next week against the Ravens. The good news is the rest of the teams in their division lost, and the Jaguars close out the final three weeks with the Bucs, Panthers, and Titans. Even if they lose against the Ravens, they should be fine.

12. Denver Broncos

An injury to Justin Herbert might cheapen the win somewhat, but the Broncos were already beating the Chargers before Herbert left the game. Despite coming up just short against the Texans in Week 13, the Broncos’ game plan is working like a charm and has them right in the playoff hunt following six wins in seven games. They get the struggling Lions on Saturday before finishing with the Patriots, Chargers (perhaps without Herbert again), and Raiders. The path is wide open for Denver to make the playoffs.

13. Green Bay Packers

Will be updated following Monday Night Football.

14. Cincinnati Bengals

I wrote the Bengals off much too quickly following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. Even without a big game from Ja’Marr Chase, Cincy moved the ball against the Colts (6.8 yards per play) and continued to put Jake Browning in great spots. They have also found some juice in rookie running back Chase Brown, who had a 54-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. The defense still has questions, and the rest of the schedule is not easy. Still, they are right in the mix.

15. Houston Texans

Things went about as badly as possible for the Texans in Week 14. Not only were they crushed by the Jets while giving up 301 passing yards to Zach Wilson – something scientists did not believe was possible – they also lost C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Will Anderson to injury. The good news is they get the Titans this week, but an important game against the Browns awaits in Week 16. It is fair to wonder what the offense will look like when that game rolls around.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Drew Lock deserves credit for playing much better than expected, but the Seahawks still suffered their fourth loss in a row and fifth in six games against the 49ers on Sunday. A defense that looked promising at one point this season gave up 9.9 yards per play to the 49ers including several big plays. A date with the reeling Eagles awaits on Monday night, a game the Seahawks need if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

17. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts lost to the Bengals, snapping a four-game winning streak. The defense continued to struggle, and the offense could not get anything going against what had been a vulnerable Bengals defense, although a missed field goal and blown red-zone possession made things look worse than they were. The biggest disappointment might have been Zack Moss, who has not recaptured his early-season magic with Jonathan Taylor on the sidelines. The Colts have a manageable schedule the rest of the way which should keep them in the wide open AFC Wild Card race, but they seem to be a rung below some of the other teams vying for those spots.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

Well, any good feelings following the win over the Bengals have been blown away by back-to-back losses to the Cardinals and Patriots, teams that have four combined wins against the rest of the NFL. The offense struggled with Mitch Trubisky at the helm on Thursday night, albeit against a good defense, and it does not appear as if Kenny Pickett will be able to play in Week 15. The Steelers finish with the Colts, Bengals, Seahawks, and Ravens with three of those games on the road. It could be a tough end to the season.

19. Minnesota Vikings

In an ode to Iowa football, the Vikings “beat” the Raiders 3-0 in a game that was tied at zero until 1:57 left in the fourth quarter. Josh Dobbs was rightfully benched, but not before a literal hospital ball opened up Justin Jefferson for a big hit that could force him to miss even more time. Once a great story, the Vikings appear to be falling apart. Still, a win is a win, and they sit in a playoff spot as it stands. How long that will be the case is an open question with two games left against the Lions, one against the Packers, and the resurgent Bengals up next week.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As the NFC South turns. The Bucs get to lead this unholy triumvirate this week after a game-winning touchdown drive from Baker Mayfield sunk the Falcons and earned Tampa Bay the No. 1 spot in the division. The Bucs probably have the toughest schedule of the three teams, but that does not matter in this division. Nothing does. Just enjoy the ride.

21. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta had their destiny in their hands, but a late touchdown drive by Baker Mayfield followed by a Hail Mary that came up just a few yards short handed the Falcons their seventh loss and cost them their top spot in the division. On the bright side, the defense continues to play pretty well, Desmond Ridder had a solid game, and the schedule the rest of the way is not tough. Still, it is anyone’s guess what happens in this wild division.

22. New Orleans Saints

The Saints ran just 52 plays, gained just 207 yards of total offense, and easily beat the relegation-level Panthers. That is the good news. The bad news is the offense gained just 207 yards and has injuries throughout. New Orleans gets another easy matchup against the Giants in Week 15, but how good or bad a team is has no bearing on who wins games in the NFC South.

23. Chicago Bears

The Bears finished the job this week, holding off the Lions for a 28-13 win. Chicago’s defense ranks top five in both yards per play allowed and points per drive allowed over the last five weeks, and they have wins over the Vikings and Lions sandwiched around their bye week. They might be a little too far back in the playoff race, especially with a tough game against the Browns this week, but the Bears look like a team that will finish strong.

24. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert suffered another broken finger, this time on his throwing hand, but the Chargers were already struggling to move the ball before Herbert left. This has the feel of a team just playing out the season and waiting for the inevitable news that Brandon Staley has been fired.

25. Arizona Cardinals

A big win against the Steelers sent the Cardinals into the bye week on a high note, but reality strikes this week with the 49ers coming to town. They should look at that game as a chance to put pressure on the Patriots for the No. 2 overall pick.

26. Las Vegas Raiders

What’s worse than being on the winning side of the worst offensive game of football in recent memory? Being on the losing side. The Raiders likely beat the Vikings if not for two turnovers (the third was on a last-second lateral play) including a fumble in the red zone. Taking the positive side, the first few games under interim coach Antonio Pierce were promising, and Las Vegas gets to play the likely Justin Herbert-less Chargers on Thursday night. Especially if Josh Jacobs sits out that game, we could be in for another offensive masterclass.

27. New York Jets

I made a joke about Zach Wilson in this space last week, but fair play to him. He threw for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns while leading the Jets to an easy win over the playoff-contending Texans. History does not offer a ton of confidence that Wilson and the Jets offense will be able to keep things going against the Dolphins this week, but it was a good performance that deserves praise.

28. New England Patriots

Bailey Zappe threw 3 touchdowns and Ezekiel Elliott went for 140 total yards as the Patriots stunned the Steelers on Thursday night. They still were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, but it was a welcome performance after a dreadful few weeks. A tough run against the Chiefs, Broncos, and Bills will make a strong finish to the season difficult, but the Patriots defense was already playing at a high level. If the offense can just be functional, New England could play spoiler over the final month.

29. Tennessee Titans

Will be updated following Monday Night Football.

30. Washington Commanders

The Commanders did not give up 45 points in Week 14. The haters will bring up Washington was on bye this week, but I call it progress. A tough finish with games against the Rams, 49ers, and Cowboys awaits following the off week.

31. New York Giants

Will be updated following Monday Night Football.

32. Carolina Panthers

The defense did its job against the Saints, but the offense remains a disaster following the coaching change. The Panthers face four teams fighting for a playoff spot the rest of the way. A 1-16 season appears likely.