Week 14 Power Rankings: Packers and Rams Soar, Steelers and Broncos Slide
Back on September 9th—a day prior to the opening Sunday of the 2023 NFL season, I released the first edition of power rankings in Around the Associations history. The storyline that I chose to highlight alongside the rankings was a player from every team that fans would be looking out for this season, whether it was because of pressure, hype, career resumé, or other reasons. Today, let’s look back at those players and grade them on how they’ve played this year based on preseason expectations.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-11, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Bryce Young (QB) | Grade: D
Part of being the first overall pick is that you usually get put in a terrible situation in year one. Young has shown flashes, but with incompetent play calling, a morbid offensive line, and an uninspiring skill group, he has stood essentially no chance. Young’s size has also played a factor. He’s been sacked more than any QB not named Sam Howell and has a high percentage of his passes batted at the line of scrimmage. Especially with CJ Stroud torching defenses for his Texans, a 1-11 record is almost as bad as Bryce Young could have imagined his rookie year.
31. New England Patriots (2-10, no change)
Person with all eyes on them: Bill Belichick (HC) | Grade: F
The Patriots were expected to finish last in the AFC East, but even though they haven’t been special since Tom Brady’s departure, no one saw them at the bottom of the entire AFC at 2-10. Not only is New England losing, but they are losing in ugly, sloppy fashion, which always stems back to the head coach. The NFL today is an offensive game nowadays, and the Patriots’ offense looks worse than my 4th-grade flag football team’s hail-mary-based offense. Belichick’s seat is boiling, and knowing Robert Kraft’s history with the 2nd winningest coach of all time, he will be applying for jobs in March.
30. New York Jets (4-8, down 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Aaron Rodgers (QB) | Grade: “Retake next class”
To judge Rodgers’ season off of four snaps would be completely unfair, so while the Jets’ season has been an F, Rodgers deserves another chance to take the test—next season.
29. Washington Commanders (4-9, down 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Chase Young (DE) | Grade: B+
The Commanders traded Young to the 49ers after seven weeks in hopes of retooling their entire defense. Since then, Young has shown promise as Nick Bosa’s partner in crime on the edge in San Francisco. It’s not as if Young wasn’t performing in the nation’s capital either. For the season, he has 6.5 sacks (5.0 coming with Washington) which is one short of his career best. He is also on pace for career highs in QB pressures and tackles for loss.
28. New York Giants (4-8, up 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Darren Waller (TE) | Grade: D+
Waller’s drop-off continues. Even as the clear number-one option for the Giants, he hasn’t produced a 100-yard game yet. In fact, he’s only gone over 4o yards three times this season before missing all of November with a hamstring injury. Waller has only scored just one touchdown this year—a contributing factor as to why the Giants have the second-worst redzone efficiency of any team. In fairness to the veteran, his quarterback play has been terrible. He hasn’t played with Tommy DeVito yet, but Daniel Jones was very poor in his time before getting injured.
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-10, up 3)
Player with all eyes on them: Caleb Williams (QB) | Grade: C-
Williams is still on track to become the first quarterback taken in the draft, but the hype has cooled down a little bit. Though he put up similar numbers to his Heisman campaign in 2022, USC lost their final five games (mostly at fault of the defense). Williams also raised some eyebrows when he made a list of NFL teams he wouldn't play for and when he said he’d like to be a partial stakeholder in his future NFL team’s ownership.
26. Chicago Bears (4-8, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Justin Fields (QB) | Grade: C-
Perhaps this C- grade is not all Fields’ fault. It was completely unfair of us to put MVP expectations upon him given how poor the coaching and skill positions are around him with the exception of DJ Moore. Even so, Fields looked horrendous early in the season, giving up unnecessary sacks, not making his reads quickly enough, and running the ball less efficiently than the season prior in which he broke several quarterback rushing records. Although Fields has picked up his play as of late, he essentially has to play at a pro-bowl level for the next five weeks with the Bears in line to have a quarterback at their fingertips in the 2024 draft.
25. Tennessee Titans (4-8, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Azeez Al-Shaair (ILB) | Grade: B-
Al-Shaair hasn’t changed the outlook of the Titans season like some of the top players at his position, but he’s certainly been solid. One of Tennessee’s bright spots this year has been their run defense—they rank 13th in yards allowed, and 4th in YPC. However, in 2022, they were 2nd and 1st in those same categories, so it’s not like the 5h year man hasn’t moved the needle much. Still, he is having his best season as a pro, already totaling 114 tackles, and two sacks—both career highs.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7, down 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Davante Adams (WR) | Grade: B-
Per usual, week-to-week operations in Las Vegas have been chaotic, but Adams has maintained his calm through the storms. He’s on pace for 1,150 yards—his worst mark in four seasons, but still very solid—and he’s done it with Jimmy Garoppolo who has burnt out, and rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell. Adams will likely have a new home next season, but unlike many receivers when they enter their 30s, he has not fallen off a cliff like some expected him to.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7, down 1)
Player with all eyes on them: J.C. Jackson (CB) | Grade: D-
Mr. INT has been Mr. NOT this season—he’s done a whole lot of nothing. After a pick in week one, he’s done virtually nothing. He was problematic enough in Los Angeles that the Chargers dealt him to New England after two weeks. His PFF grade of 40.8 is one of the worst of all corners, and the writing is on the wall that he will not be a Patriot next season.
22. New Orleans Saints (5-7, down 3)
Player with all eyes on them: Trevor Penning (LT) | Grade: B-
Penning’s season started poorly when he was hammered by Arden Key in week 1, giving up 1.5 sacks, and a near strip-sack. Since then, he has slightly turned things around in synch with the entire New Orleans offensive line, which has looked better as the season has progressed. Penning has only started five games, but he has looked solid in his second year after a rough year one.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7, up 4)
Player with all eyes on them: Devin White (ILB) | Grade: D+
Any time there are reports of a player being benched despite coming back from injury, it can’t be good. That’s exactly what’s coming out of Tampa Bay with Devin White, and I don’t think it’d be the worst move in the world either. White ranks in the bottom third of all linebackers in PFF grade, and hasn’t recorded 10 tackles since week 1. For context, White had eight games of 10+ sacks in 2020, and six of those games in 2021. Moreover, White has only recorded two sacks in the final year of his deal. This certainly isn’t the type of contract year that White had in mind.
20. Atlanta Falcons (6-6, down 3)
Player with all eyes on them: Kyle Pitts (TE) | Grade: C+
Honestly, we should just be thankful that Pitts hasn’t fallen off the face of the earth after one of the most surprisingly bad seasons by a tight end in recent memory. Pitts is on pace for 697 yards this season which is 341 more than last year, but still 329 fewer than his rookie season output. I’ll give Pitts some benefit of the doubt. After all, he’s being thrown to by Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke—neither of whom are to-25 quarterbacks—but with what we saw in 2021, he should be breaking 60 yards consistently instead of the lone 60+ yard performance he had against Houston.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6, up 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT) | Grade: C
Brown has done all he can protecting Joe Burrow and Jake Browning this season, but it’s safe to say that his prime has passed. The pass protection with Brown in the game this year has been sub-par, and once again, Joe Burrow had barely any time to operate in the picket before his season-ending injury. Joe Mixon is a high-volume runner, but hasn’t exactly been the most efficient—he averages 3.8 yards per carry on the season. Brown was brought in to revive a line that has cost the Bengals important playoff games in the last two seasons but hasn’t shifted the needle much.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5, down 7)
Player with all eyes on them: George Pickens (WR) | Grade: B-
Pickens has improved from his rookie year despite Kenny Pickett’s backup level of play, and Matt Canada’s incompetent offense. He’s become a deep ball merchant this season, averaging the 3rd most yards per catch this season of any receiver. Pickens has also been clutch. He had a game-winning touchdown in the final minutes of a week three win over the Ravens and has put up 60.1% of his yards in the second half of games. Here’s a stat about Pickens that tells the story of the Steelers this season. 32 of his 44 receptions this season have been between his own 21 and 50-yard line.
17. Minnesota Vikings (6-6, down 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Garrett Bradbury (C) | Grade: B
Bradbury is tough to judge. His PFF grade lowered from 2022 when he was playing poorly, but the Vikings have developed into one of the best offensive lines when healthy (PFF has them at 3rd best). Bradbury has cleaned up his penalties this season with just one false start in nine games. It will be interesting to see if Minnesota chooses to re-sign him this offseason.
16. Denver Broncos (6-6, down 6)
Player with all eyes on them: Russell Wilson (QB) | Grade: B+
The eye test hasn’t been lights out this year, but the advanced stats say otherwise. Even when the Broncos were losing five of their first six games, Wilson has been consistent. He has a QBR of 99.0 (up 14.6 from last season), is in the top 10 for completion percentage, and has the 5th best TD to INT ratio. Although it still seems like Wilson could go back to his 2022 self at any given time, he has revived his career in Denver with a clean season that has the Broncos in playoff contention.
15. Indianapolis Colts (7-5, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Jonathan Taylor (RB) | Grade: B-
Hey, the Colts weren’t entirely sure if Taylor would suit up in the blue and white again in his career, but after a long standoff that consisted of trade searches and contract debate, Taylor returned to the field. In the five games that he played, he averaged 4.1 YPC and 82.8 YPG—similar numbers to his 2022 season—and the Colts scored 25.8 PPG. Now, Taylor is dealing with a thumb injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the regular season, but if the Colts can get him back on the field, it’s clear he’ll give them a boost.
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-6, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Jamal Adams (SS) | Grade: D-
Without Adams last season, the Seahawks were 16th in pass defense. This year, with Adams, the predicted improvement of second-year secondary players Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant, and 5th overall pick Devon Witherspoon, they have somehow slipped to 25th in pass defense. Adams has been targeted 31 times this season and has allowed 26 receptions. When he was a Jet, Adams helped re-define the safety position when he had 9.5 sacks in 2019, but he has no sacks or interceptions this season. Adams’ season hit a new low last week when he gave up a wide-open touchdown to Jake Ferguson and then attacked a reporter who commented on the touchdown after the game.
13. Cleveland Browns (7-5, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Deshaun Watson (QB) | Grade: C-
Expectations for Watson were high in year two as a Cleveland Brown—he was viewed as the missing piece to a Super Bowl contender, especially with one of the league’s top defenses. Watson was disappointing once again though, with stats of 61.4% completion, 223 passing YPG, 7 TD, 4 INT, and an 84.3 rating through five games. The two games in which he had a rating of over 75 were against two of the league’s worst passing defenses in Tennessee and Arizona. Watson does have a saving grace though. The Browns were 4-1 while he was in and scored 26.6 PPG. Since being ruled out for the season, after scoring 26 points on Baltimore, the Browns offense has been lackluster and they are 0-2.
12. Los Angeles Rams (6-6, up 8)
Player with all eyes on them: Steve Avila (LG) | Grade: A-
Avila, a second-round pick in this year’s draft, ranks 27th among 76 qualified offensive linemen in PFF grade. The Rams’ offensive line was projected to be below average in what looked to be a rebuilding year, but they’ve certainly defied expectations despite youth on the left side of the line with Avila at guard and Alaric Jackson, who was undrafted in 2021, at tackle. The Rams’ o-line has given up the fourth-fewest sacks and has been instrumental in Kyren Williams’ breakout season with Avila being a propeller of the operation.
11. Green Bay Packers (6-6, up 7)
Player with all eyes on them: Jaire Alexander (CB) | Grade: D
Alexander has only played five games with season due to back and shoulder injuries, but in the time he’s been on the field, he’s been nowhere near the level we are accustomed to seeing. In 78 snaps, he’s been targeted eight times for six catches, 103 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 156.3. Sure, he’s going against Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Moore, but Alexander was expected to be one of the top corners in the league this year.
10. Houston Texans (7-5, up 2)
Player with all eyes on them: CJ Stroud (QB) | Grade: A+
Stroud has been nothing short of a revelation for a Texans’ team that was ranked 31st in the preseason power rankings. His stats look like those of an MVP candidate—3,540 passing yards (leads the NFL), 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions (second-best ratio to Dak Prescott), and a 101.2 passer rating (4th overall). Given an inconsistent running game, a very heavy load has been placed on Stroud—he’s thrown over 35 passes in four of Houston’s last five games. Most importantly, the Texans are 7-5, in the thick of the AFC playoff race, and Stroud is leading the way with swagger, confidence, and heart that we are unaccustomed to seeing from a rookie.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-6, no change)
Player with all eyes on them: Damar Hamlin (FS) | Grade: P
Hamlin earns a passing grade for merely seeing the field. After he was ushered away in an ambulance last season, there wasn’t too much optimism that he’d live, let alone play football again. Hamlin remains the overwhelming favorite to win Comeback player of the year, and anything he does on the field for the rest of his career will add to a legacy that is incredible in its own way.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4, down 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Calvin Ridley (WR) | Grade: B+
After the first half of week one, we were all wondering if Ridley was poised to contend for the receiving title. He’s obviously cooled off, but anyone could have seen that coming. After a year and a half without playing, Ridley has been a very capable WR1 for Trevor Lawrence and is on pace for 1,000 yards. He’s shown his versatility being an every-down receiver this season with nearly identical numbers from 3rd to 4th down. The reason Ridley has been left out of the A range is his inconsistency. He’s gone over 80 yards in five games, and under 40 yards in seven games with no in-between.
7. Detroit Lions (9-3, up 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) | Grade: A
Detroit has not had to overuse Gibbs, and yet, he has been everything they could have asked for and more. He’s shared the carry load with David Montgomery in the role of an early-down back, and Montgomery as the third and fourth down guy. It’s worked magic for Detroit, who is 4th in rushing compared to 21st last season. When Detroit has needed Gibbs to produce on his own, he has. In the game that Montgomery was injured, he had 152 on 26 carries. This efficiency has been a theme alls season for Gibbs—he’s 2nd in the league with 5.3 yards per carry. Gibbs seemed like a reach after he was picked 12th overall in the draft, but Brad Holmes nailed this one.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4, down 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Chris Jones (DT) | Grade: B+
In past years, Jones’ elite pass rushing has made up for the holes in the Chiefs’ secondary. This season, all 11 positions on defense have stepped up despite Jones not being the game-wrecker that he’s been in years past. Make no mistake though, the Chiefs have still benefitted from his 7.5 sacks. Their sack and pressure rates when Jones is on the field vs off are +2.4% and +8.8%. Given that there was doubt that Jones would even play the first eight games of the season due to previously steadfast contract talks, Kansas City has gotten good production out of their veteran.
5. Miami Dolphins (9-3, up 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Tua Tagovailoa (QB) | Grade: A
Tagovailoa has to be a dark horse MVP candidate given how quickly the Dolphins’s offense can break out into historic form. Say what you will about Tyreek Hill carrying Tagovailoa, but 3rd place in passing yards, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, and passer rating doesn’t happen by accident. Most importantly for the Dolphins, after a year overshadowed by Tagovailoa’s reoccurring concussions, he has stayed healthy. In the last two seasons, Miami is 17-6 in games that he starts and finishes. All things considered, a healthy Tagovailoa playing at his current level makes the Dolphins a contender.
4. Dallas Cowboys (9-3, up 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Dak Prescott (QB) | Grade: A
Prescott is another quarterback who has answered questions about him and silenced his critics in the process. He’s having his best season as a pro with career highs in completion percentage and passer rating. Aside from a letdown in an important game vs San Francisco, Prescott has looked incredibly sharp, only throwing three interceptions in all games besides that one. In fact, he has the best touchdown to interception ratio in the league this season with 26:6—a whole lot better than his 23:15 ratio in 2022. Cowboys have a chance to tie the Eagles in record with a win in their clash this Sunday, and there is no reason not to believe that Prescott can’t lead them there.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2, down 2)
Player with all eyes on them: Jalen Carter (DT) | Grade: A
Though Carter’s numbers aren’t off the charts—Will Anderson Jr. has more tackles and sacks than him—he is still the favorite for DROY because of what he has shown. Carter has no significant weaknesses—he’s quick on his feet, has a high IQ, is bigger and more flexible than more linemen, and has all of the pass-rushing moves in his arsenal. The only reason why his stats don’t pop out is because the Eagles front is so good, that Carter doesn’t get as many snaps as other rookies. When the door opens, Carter will leap through and become an immediate star.
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3, up 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) | Grade: C
Let’s be clear, Beckham has been somewhat disappointing in his first year as a Raven, but he has saved what was looking to be potentially his last year in the league in the last four weeks. Through six games, Beckham had 14 catches, 162 yards, and no touchdowns. In his last four games, he has 13 for 246 and two scores. More so, he provides Lamar Jackson will a veteran presence—a “security blanket” if you will—after Mark Andrews went down for the season in week 11. Still, Beckham probably didn’t envision being the second option, behind rookie Zay Flowers at this point in the year, but he just hasn’t played well enough to earn the title of WR1.
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3, up 1)
Player with all eyes on them: Brock Purdy (QB) | Grade: A+
You don’t have to think that Brock Purdy is an elite quarterback to agree that he has done everything the 49ers have asked him to do this season. He has played cleaner, more efficient football than any quarterback in the league, and is generating production out of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey that no quarterback in San Francisco has been able to get. To be at the top of any power rankings, you need a great quarterback, and Purdy is that for the 49ers.
Which grades do you agree and disagree with? Leave a comment down below.