Week 13 Power Rankings and a Photo That Represents Every Team's Season
Nothing catches the eye more than a good photo, and you certainly see a lot of them when you spend hours writing power rankings every week. For this edition, I decided to narrow my gallery down to 32 photos and use them sum up every team’s season.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10, no change)
Reich was fired just 12 weeks into his inaugural season as the Panthers head coach, confirming the feeling of gloom and sadness surrounding his short tenure in Carolina, and a sense that he was being mishandled and overlooked by management. It was an ugly three months for Reich.
31. New England Pats (2-9, no change)
The face of Mac Jones after his ankle injury summarizes how Patriots fans have been feeling throughout their 2-9 start. There’s been a lot of screaming and crying in New England.
30. Arizona Cardinals (2-10, no change)
Just like Josh Dobbs on this play, the Cardinals never stood a chance this season. 2023 hasn’t been a year of disparity and heartbreak like it has been for teams such as the Patriots or the Giants. The Cardinals expected to be bad, and they are.
29. New York Jets (4-7, down 2)
As soon as what was supposed to be a magical year for Jets fans had begun, it was over. The entire season hinged on Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in the Big Apple, and after going down four plays into week 1, the Jets stood no chance.
28. New York Giants (4-8, down 2)
In a nightmarish year best summarized by a primetime game against the Seahawks in which Daniel Jones was sacked 11 times, the Giants have statistically been one of the two worst teams in the league. And oh by the way, thanks to the non-existent O-Line in this photo, Jones was ruled out for the season after six weeks.
27. Wash. Commanders (4-8, down 2)
The two men who are pictured, Chase Young and Montez Sweat, have been dealt away to San Francisco and Chicago, respectively. Now, it’s everyone else on Washington’s defense who is frowning after giving up 31 points to the Giants and 45 to the Cowboys—both season highs for those teams.
26. Chicago Bears (4-8, up 3)
Though head coach Matt Eberflus might paint a picture of being an easy-going, fun, locker room head coach, Justin Fields has wanted no part, repeatedly hinting at some of the incompetency coming from the coaching staff.
25. Tennessee Titans (4-7, up 3)
Will Levis’ milquetoast 2-3 start to his career is very emblematic of the Titans’ poor to mediocre 2023 campaign. So, I chose the very first Google image that came up when I searched “will levis.”
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7, down 6)
This hail mary that would have won a miraculous Thursday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills was not caught by Chris Godwin—Godwin barely turned around the see the ball. It’s been the story of the Buccaneers season—losing in close fashion, and it’s led to a 4-7 record that I don’t believe is telling of the talent on this roster.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7, no change)
The most notable thing about the Raiders this season besides Brian Hoyer touching an NFL field has been the coaching switch from Josh McDaniels to Antonio Pierce. Not only has the level of play elevated, including Aidan O’Connell, but the locker room is overjoyed to have the player-friendly Pierce leading the pack.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7, down 2)
Quentin Johnston’s late game drop was the main contributor to Chargers’ loss to the Packers, putting them at 0-5 in one-score games this season. Johnston’s drop is symbolic of the Chargers' tendency to put a win within reaching distance only to let it slip away in the final minutes.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6, down 5)
This was the very moment in which everyone watching Thursday Night Football gasped at the sight of Joe Burrow wincing in pain after trying to throw on the sideline. Burrow’s injuries have unfortunately been the story of the Bengals season, casting a cloud of gloom over every game but four between week 6 and week 9.
20. Los Angeles Rams (5-6, up 1)
The story of the Rams has been Puka Nacua’s surprising rookie season. He is 7th in targets, 11 in receptions, and 7th in yards despite playing about half his season alongside Cooper Kupp. Rams fans look like Nacua in this photo every time he touches the ball.
19. New Orleans Saints (5-6, down 2)
I can’t imagine what being a Saints fan is like. In the post Drew Brees era, no matter the talent on the roster, New Orleans always ends up being the most mediocre team in the NFL much to the dismay of their tired fanbase.
18. Green Bay Packers (5-6, up 4)
Look at Alexander’s right arm. That’s how the Packers season was looking after seven games—they were 2-5 with very little quality play from Jordan Love. Now look at his left arm—tilted upwards, representing the positive trajectory this team is on. They have taken a huge step from week 1 to now.
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-6, up 7)
Despite Bijan Robinson’s ultra-efficient play this season, Arthur Smith still opts for Tyler Allgeier essentially half the time despite Allgeier averaging 1.5 YPC fewer than Robinson.
16. Minnesota Vikings (5-6, down 3)
Every Vikings game this year has been like the 50-50 ball that Jordan Addison took to the house against the 49ers. Every game except one has been a one-score game and the Vikings are 5-6 in those games.
15. Indianapolis Colts (6-5, up 4)
The slight look of surprise on head coach Shane Steichen’s face as the Colts scored their lone touchdown against the Patriots sums up how Colts fans have felt this season. They have the chance to be the first team to surpass their preseason win total next week which was a measly 6.5.
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-5, down 2)
As these Seahawks linemen walk back from the field into the darkness of the tunnel, their season is doing the same thing. After a haunting loss against the Rams in week 11 and getting thumped by the 49ers in week 12, the schedule gets no easier. In their next three weeks, Seattle plays Dallas, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.
13. Cleveland Browns (7-4, down 4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson limping off the field after a huge hit in his endzone against the Broncos portrays the fashion in which Cleveland is limping to the finish line of the season in hopes of sneaking into the wild card game.
12. Houston Texans (6-5, down 2)
CJ Stroud must be pointing to the football gods that told Carolina to draft Bryce Young first overall, being he has been nothing short of amazing in his rookie season. Stroud has completely turned the Texans’ franchise around, breaking all sorts of rookie records, putting the Texans in the playoff conversation and himself in the MVP discussion.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4, up 4)
What’s been more Steelers-like than a game-ending goal-line interception to beat a sub .500 team? Aside from starting 0-8 and finishing 9-8, nothing. The Steelers have reached 7-4 despite being outgained in their first 10 games and having a -23 point differential using clutch 4th quarter plays like this one.
10. Denver Broncos (6-5, up 4)
There’s no question that Russell Wilson has turned things around in year two as a Bronco, but the primary reason for Denver’s league-best five-game winning streak has been the defense. When Justin Simmons picked off Patrick Mahomes to top off an inspiring 24-9 win, there was a feeling that the defense could help this team take the next step. And it has.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-6, up 2)
Josh Allen’s look of agony after misconnecting with Gabe Davis on a potential game-winning touchdown on the road against the best team in the NFL sums up the Bills season. They are still one of the best teams in the NFL but in the moments that count the most, they always seem to come out on the wrong side.
8. Detroit Lions (8-3, down 3)
The story of Detroit’s dream 8-3 start has been a high-power offense trademarked by Dan Campbell’s 4th down aggressiveness and never-faltering belief in his guys. Campbell is the current favorite for coach of the year and as long as he avoids performances like the one on Thanksgiving, the award should be his in February.
7. Miami Dolphins (8-3, no change)
Though they’ve slowed down a bit in recent weeks, the Dolphins are still the NFL’s most fun offense. Highlighted by this day in which they scored 70 points against the Broncos, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert are box-office and the reason why Miami is 8-3.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3, up 1)
Going into the year, Jacksonville’s offense was expected to be the catalyst behind what has been a strong 8-3 start, but their defense has been one of the most surprising units of the season. Led by Josh Allen’s career-best 12.0 sacks, the Jags D is flying around and causing problems for almost every team they play.
5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3, up 1)
Da’Ron Bland and the Cowboys are just having fun. When you have the highest point differential and haven’t trailed at home for a second, you’re allowed to have a little fun. Bland’s teammates threw him into the Salvation Army Pot after his NFL record fifth pick-six of the season capping off the best Thanksgiving game for the Cowboys in years.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3, no change)
It’s unfair of me to highlight the Chiefs’ struggles on offense given how great their defense has been this year, but this photo is truly the biggest story in Kansas City besides the tiresome Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift romance. The Chiefs got right against the Raiders last week, but that doesn’t change their absurd lack of depth at the wide receiver position. We’ll see if it costs them in January.
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3, down 1)
No linebacker duo has excelled more than Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen in the Charm City. They’re responsible for the Ravens only allowing 15.6 points per game and 273.9 yards per game (both second in the league). Sunday night was no different when they stifled Austin Ekeler, turned over the Chargers five times, and only allowed 279 yards of total offense.
2. San Francisco 49ers (8-3, up 1)
The 49ers are locked in with one thing in mind: winning the Super Bowl. They felt robbed by last year’s playoff loss to the Eagles when they were stripped of both of their quarterbacks. This week, they’ve got those Eagles on the docket. I’m sure all 53 guys will have a game face like Christian McCaffrey’s on Sunday.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1, no change)
The Eagles have trailed at halftime in each of their last four games including 17-7 deficits against the Chiefs and Bills. Somehow, they have won every one of those games. So, were we surprised when Olamide Zaccheaus put the Eagles on top with this miraculous 3rd and 15 heave from Jalen Hurts? No.