Week 9 Power Rankings: Niners Sinking, AFC Leaders In a Cluster, Broncos Country Let's Ride??
Welcome back to my Power Rankings! This week’s list was especially difficult to make, and you can probably imagine why. There is a logjam of 6-2 teams in the AFC, and you could make a case for every one of the Chiefs, Dolphins, Ravens, or Jaguars at number 2. The Bengals have a worse record than the 49ers, but are scorching at the moment and defeated the ice-cold 49ers last week. The Jets have reeled out three straight, but barely squeaked past the Giants, who had -1 passing yards on Sunday, so are they for real?
Regardless, we’re almost half way done with the 2023 NFL regular season, and we’ve witnessed some truly eye-opening plays and unforgettable moments. So, without further ado, let’s rank each team and highlight their signature moment in 2023.
32. Arizona Cardinals (1-7, down 1)
Signature moment: Rondale Moore 45-yard touchdown rush vs Cowboys
No, you probably don’t remember this moment, but the Cardinals do because it was the defining moment of their only win of the season. When Moore raced past the Dallas secondary, there was a sense that the Cardinals were truly the better team that afternoon, and could actually pull up the upset.
31. Carolina Panthers (1-6, up 1)
Signature moment: Eddy Piñiero’s 23-yard, game-winning field goal vs Texans
Anytime you get your first win of the season on a game-winning kick, it will be remembered for the entirety of the year, even when Bryce Young hooked up with Adam Thielen on several big late down throws on the game-winning drive. Piñiero’s kick was taken back twice due to offsides penalties on Houston, so the suspense only made the moment more signature.
30. Chicago Bears (2-6, no change)
Signature moment: DJ Moore 56-yard touchdown reception vs Commanders
It had been nearly a calendar year since the Bears had beaten another NFL team, and there were talks of 0-17 from the media surrounding this Chicago team. DJ Moore’s 230-yard game—courtesy of a masterpiece by Justin Fields—was a sigh of relief for all Bears fans, who no longer had to endure their never-ending losing streak.
29. New York Giants (2-6, down 2)
Signature moment: Isaiah Hodgins 11-yard touchdown reception vs Cardinals
In hindsight, this game was the difference between 2-6 and 1-7, but after going down 20-0 after two quarters, Giants fans were wondering if their team would ever score. Hodgins’ catch from Daniel Jones was the biggest touchdown of the day, tying the game at 28, setting up a game-winning field goal drive, and restoring a glimmer of life within their fans.
28. Green Bay Packers (2-5, up 1)
Signature moment: Romeo Doubs 8-yard touchdown reception vs Saints
This catch by Doubs with 2:56 remaining in the 4th quarter was the cap of an 18-point quarter in a game in which the Packers trailed the Saints 17-0 and had just a 2.4% chance of winning at one point. There was also a serious belief that Jordan Love was the next “guy” in Green Bay after 30 years of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Things are looking a bit more grim for Love now.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (3-5, down 3)
Signature moment: Amik Robertson interception vs Packers
In a game in which the Raiders’ felt like their season could be revived, Robertson came up with the play of the year for Vegas with a game-sealing interception. Robertson’s anticipation and athletic leap made the play impressive, but especially with all eyes on Monday Night Football, this play was probably the moment Raiders fans will remember most from this season.
26. New England Patriots (2-6, down 1)
Signature moment: Mike Gesicki 1-yard touchdown reception vs Bills
Patriots fans needed this. Bill Belichick needed this. Mac Jones needed this. At 1-5, the Patriots were facing a season-long tank, the firing of their Hall-of-Fame head coach, and a roster dump at the end of the year. Now, this one win doesn’t change much about the outlook of the season, but Mac Jones’ throw to beat Buffalo in week 6 might have saved a job or two in that building, and at the very least, offered some happiness that Patriots fans are so used to.
25. Indianapolis Colts (3-5, down 3)
Signature moment: Matt Gay 53-yard field goal vs Ravens
Not only did this field goal give the Colts their best win of the year, but Matt Gay became the first player in NFL history to hit four 50+ yard field goals in a single game and out-kicked Justin Tucker. This kick also capped a game in which the Colts played their best defensive game of the year. They’re yet to restore that defensive identity that we saw early on.
24. Denver Broncos (3-5, up 3)
Signature moment: Justin Simmons interception vs Chiefs
Simmons’ game-ending pick but a bow on what was Patrick Mahomes worst career performance against the Broncos and his worst game of the year. Not only was Simmons’ interception and 33-yard return representative of the day that the up-and-down Broncos defense had, but it showed what Denver can be at their best—a playoff-caliber team led by a stifling defense.
23. Washington Commanders (3-5, no change)
Signature moment: Defensive stop on two-point conversion vs Broncos
Though there probably should have a been pass interference penalty called on Benjamin St. Juste, the Commanders escaped the Mile High city in a game where Sam Howell showed his full potential. Though they have spiraled since, Washington’s 2-0 gave a glimpse of the potential of their young offense.
22. Tennessee Titans (3-4, up 4)
Signature moment: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 33-yard touchdown reception vs Falcons
This unreal deep ball that Will Levis threw across his body, falling down, with pressure in his face was the best throw by a Titans’ quarterback in some time, and could just be the turning point for this franchise away from Ryan Tannehill to the rookie QB out of Kentucky. Levis’ bomb to Westbrook-Ikhine also secured a much-needed win for Tennessee, who is now back in the wild-card hunt.
21. Houston Texans (3-4, down 5)
Signature moment: Andrew Beck 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown vs Jaguars
No fullback had ever reached a speed of 20 miles per hour until Andrew Beck who completed, perhaps, the most statistically improbable play of the season when he took off down the right sideline for the score in a defining team win against the Jaguars in week 3. It’ll be a long time until another play like this one happens again.
20. Los Angeles Rams (3-5, down 2)
Signature moment: Puka Nacua 22-yard touchdown reception vs Colts
Nacua has had an incredible and unprecedented season for a rookie, and no moment will be remembered more than his game-winning score that lifted the Rams to a promising position at 2-2 and staved off a 23-0 second-half run by the Colts. It was one of just three game-winning touchdowns in overtime this season, giving some additional drama to the Rams’ signature moment of 2023.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4, up 2)
Signature moment: Shaq Barrett pick-six vs Bears
If there is one defining moment of the Bucs season, it’s this well-anticipated interception of Justin Fields because the Buccaneers defense has been a top-10 unit in the league this year, and is keeping the team afloat. The Bears had momentum and a chance to push the ball down the field for a game-winning score with the potential to put the Bucs in a tough place going into week 3, but Barrett had none of it.
18. Minnesota Vikings (4-4, down 1)
Signature moment: Camryn Bynum interception vs 49ers
The Vikings’ Monday Night triumph against the 49ers without Justin Jefferson was a game in which the Vikings entered as heavy underdogs and came out as national heroes. Bynum had two picks in the game, but when he snared his second off Brock Purdy late in the fourth quarter, US Bank Stadium erupted and hope flamed throughout Minneapolis. All hope is gone now with Kirk Cousins out for the season.
17. Atlanta Falcons (4-4, down 2)
Signature moment: Younghoe Koo 53-yard game-winning field goal
There are several plays I could have chosen for Atlanta. Against the Packers and the Texans, there were plenty of clutch third and fourth conversions on game-winning drives, but because Tampa Bay was a division game for possession of the first place, I chose Koo’s kick. Though the Falcons are a week-to-week operation at this point, Koo’s kick was a message to the rest of the division that they are great down the stretch of games and a force to be reckoned with.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4, up 3)
Signature moment: Kenneth Murray interception vs Vikings
Facing the dreaded 0-3 hole, the Chargers needed a big play to keep their season afloat, and they got one when Murray picked off a tipped Kirk Cousins pass in the endzone to end the game. Looking at the Chargers season now, they would be in a 2-5 hole with a tough week 9 opponent in the Jets and would be a long shot to make the playoffs at this point if Murray doesn’t come up with that ball in LA’s 28-24 win.
15. New Orleans Saints (4-4, up 5)
Signature moment: Rasheed Shaheed 51-yard reception vs Colts
The Saints hadn’t had a breakout game offensively with new QB, Derek Carr, until last Sunday when they dropped 38 on the Colts. Shaheed was the biggest feature of the offense with three catches for 153 yards—none bigger than the 51-yard bomb on 3rd and 13 in a one-score game that would eventually set up a game-sealing Blake Grupe field goal.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3, down 1)
Signature moment: Alex Highsmith fumble recovery for touchdown vs Browns
Highsmith’s scoop and score, set up by the patented TJ Watt strip sack ended up being the game-winning touchdown in a must-win Monday Night Football game for Pittsburgh. The offense had given the Steelers nothing to work with all night, and it was clear that they would need a heroic play from their D. That’s what Watt does; he’s already had several signature, game-altering plays this season.
13. New York Jets (4-3, up 1)
Signature moment: Xavier Gipson 65-yard punt return for touchdown
On a play that garnered a crowd reaction louder than the blender in your kitchen, Gipson took off down the left sideline, cut back across the Bills punter, and flew into the endzone. It was an unforgettable night for Jets fans for a multiplicity of reasons, but through the good and the bad, Gipson’s kick return gave New York a huge week one victory and went down as one of the most memorable moments in recent Jets history.
12. Cleveland Browns (4-3, down 4)
Signature moment: Jake Moody missed 43-yard field goal vs 49ers
I understand that this was less of a play that the Browns’ made, a more of a blunder by the 49ers’ rookie kicker, but Moody’s miss gave the Browns a signature win over San Fran who was undefeated at the time and looked invincible. For Cleveland, the game will be remembered as their signature game because it was played on their terms—smothering defense, ugly offense, and a big play or two down the stretch.
11. Buffalo Bills (5-3, down 2)
Signature moment: Stefon Diggs 11-yard touchdown reception vs Dolphins
Diggs caught a beautiful ball over the middle from Josh Allen to put Buffalo on top of Miami 21-14 in a game that the Bills would pull away in to win 48-20. Diggs sprayed beer into the stands, and although he was fined $13,659, the score and celebration were a reminder of who the true class of the AFC East was.
10. Seattle Seahawks (5-2, up 1)
Signature moment: Devon Witherspoon 97 pick-six vs Giants
I was between Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s game-winning touchdown against Cleveland, Tyler Lockett’s game-winning touchdown against Detroit, and Witherspoon’s pick-six, but I went with Witherspoon. His tide-turning score cemented a dominant win in primetime and sunk the Giants to the lowest of lows. As he waved the peace sign to the fans at Metlife stadium, it seemed clear that this would be a play the Seahawks would look back on as representative of a potentially successful year.
9. San Francisco 49ers (5-3, down 6)
Signature moment: George Kittle 10-yard touchdown reception vs Cowboys
George Kittle only has three touchdowns this season, and all of them have come against the rival Cowboys. This ten-yard strike from Brock Purdy was the duo’s third of the night and was a stamp on a profound 42-10 romp of Dallas. Kittle’s touchdown was also signature because later in the game, he would flash a shirt to the crowd that read “F--- Dallas,” stirring up plenty of controversy around the league as well as earning Kittle a healthy fine.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3, up 4)
Signature moment: Game-winning 4th down stop vs Seattle
Sure, their victory against the 49ers is the Bengals’ signature win of the year, but stopping Seattle in the red zone for the third time in the fourth quarter was a turning point for a Cincinnati squad that started out 0-2 for the second straight year. Though the struggling offense was the main storyline for the first four weeks of the season, the defense wasn’t doing the team any favors either, so clamping down Seattle on a potential game-winning drive was a sign that the tides were shifting for the Bengals.
7. Detroit Lions (6-2, no change)
Signature moment: David Montgomery game-winning two-yard rush vs Chiefs
This one isn’t the flashiest of moments, but it symbolizes something great. The Lions’ opener against the defending Super Bowl champs ended exactly how week 18 vs the Packers in the season prior ended—a big late down conversion to seal the game. This win gave the team and all their fans the belief that the Lions could truly keep up with the league’s elite, and it got the ball rolling towards what looks like an 11+ win season and an NFC North crown.
6. Dallas Cowboys (5-2, up 4)
Signature moment: Stephon Gilmore interception vs Chargers
Gilmore’s pick of Justin Herbert won an all-important game for a Cowboys team that was coming off an ugly 32-point loss to San Francisco. If Dallas had lost on a game-losing drive on Monday Night, Jerry Jones could have been forced to make roster changes, and the media would have been all over Dak Prescott. Instead, Gilmore shushed the naysayers and pushed the Cowboys record forward to 4-2.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2, up 1)
Signature moment: Christian Kirk 44-yard touchdown reception vs Saints
The Jaguars’ Thursday Night Football triumph in New Orleans marks the point in their season where they really caught a wave of momentum that has propelled them to a 6-2 start. Kirk caught the football and took off down the sideline for the go-ahead score, quieting the Superdome Crowd, and putting the Jags on the map as a true contender.
4. Miami Dolphins (6-2, up 1)
Signature moment: Tyreek Hill 4-yard touchdown reception vs Chargers
Talk about starting the season off with a bang. The Dolphins looked like they were in serious trouble at the start of this game-winning drive, but they worked their way down the field, and Tua Tagovailoa threw a perfect ball to Tyreek Hill to cap off a game that showed that Miami was an elite offensive team and a force to be reckoned with.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2, up 1)
Signature moment: Nelson Agholor 12-yard touchdown reception vs Lions
The second last season ended in heartbreaking fashion, the Ravens knew they needed to bolster their passing attack. Now, they’ve got Lamar Jackson dancing inside and outside of the pocket for 10 seconds before delivering a strike to newly acquired Nelson Agholor for a touchdown against one of the best teams in the league. That score, to put the Ravens up 14-0 in the early game of the week represents all of the progress the Ravens have been hoping to achieve for years.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2, down 1)
Signature moment: Patrick Mahomes 9-yard rush vs Jets
It was not his flashiest of plays, but Mahomes showcased his grit and ability to run in key moments when he slid down inside the two yard line to seal a Sunday Night Football win over the Jets with Taylor Swift in attendance. Over the course of the last couple of seasons, with the lack of weapons on offense, it’s been these types of plays that Mahomes has made to win games (the AFC Championship game against Cincinnati comes to mind).
1. Philadelphia Eagles (7-1, up 1)
Signature moment: De’Andre Swift 9-yard touchdown rush vs Commanders
What better play to conclude this edition of my power rankings than a play that concluded perhaps the best game of week 8. For the first time in weeks, the Eagles were stopped on the “Tush Push” when Washington forced a fumble late in the second quarter. Late in the fourth, Nick Sirianni pulled out his bag of tricks and lined up in Tush Push formation, only for De’Andre Swift to turn out of the backfield for a game-ending nine yard score.
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