2023 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 12?

It's Thanksgiving Week across the NFL. But for every team with something to be thankful for as we head into Week 12, there's one that, um, isn't.

The Houston Texans are thankful for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw a career-high three interceptions but did enough to lead another win. The Cincinnati Bengals are anything but thankful after losing quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury.

The Denver Broncos are thankful for a fourth straight win that got the team back to .500 for the season. The Seattle Seahawks? Not so much—they squandered a late lead against the Los Angeles Rams in a game in which the team saw quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker III go down with injuries.

The Detroit Lions are thankful for a comeback victory that has them off to their best start in over 60 years. The San Francisco 49ers are thankful for a quarterback who was essentially perfect in Week 11. But the Carolina Panthers are still stuck dining on the oyster stuffing that is a one-win season, and the New York Jets may have to hold quarterback tryouts in the parking lot at ACME Markets.

Just as they do every week here at Bleacher Report, NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to sift through the week that was and rank the league's teams from worst to first.

Pass that nasty stuffing—because we're starting in Charlotte...again.

Last Week: 32

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 33-10

What is there to say about the Carolina Panthers at this point?

The Panthers looked completely overmatched against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday. Carolina managed just 187 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young was sacked seven times, averaged 4.2 yards per attempt and had a passer rating of 62.9.

The Panthers are terrible. Period. Full stop.

After yet another defeat, head coach Frank Reich continued to preach the process.

"Not getting the results you want is frustrating," Reich told reporters. "So, I'm frustrated most of all for (our coaches and players), but I'm frustrated for our fans as well. ... You want change to happen overnight, but sometimes it takes longer than you want. But you have to keep your head down and be strong-willed and keep your vision every day and be able to fight your way through the tough times."

But at some point, those results Reich mentioned have to start showing up. There has to be at least some sign of progress. Instead, there has been loss after loss after loss. And with a Carolina team that's winless away from Bank of America Stadium about to embark on a three-game road trip, it's hard to see when the frustration might stop.

And the only one who benefits from it is the Chicago Bears team that owns Carolina's first pick in 2024.

Last Week: 30

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

Week 11 was the best performance the New England Patriots have had in quite some time.

That it was also New England's bye week tells you everything you need to know about the Pats in 2023.

The Patriots have been a disaster offensively, ranking 26th in yards per game and dead last in the AFC in scoring. Quarterback Mac Jones and head coach Bill Belichick have borne the brunt of most of the criticism this year, and while longtime Patriots receiver Julian Edelman allowed that New England's struggles aren't solely Jones' fault while appearing on The Herd, he also didn't offer a ringing endorsement of the young signal-caller.

"If you're a guy, you're a guy," said Edelman, per WEEI's Mike Kadlick. "I'm not gonna come out here and just bash on Mac. It's been terrible for the whole unit—one play it's the offensive line, one play the receiver slips, one play the receiver drops the ball, there's a bad throw and collectively they're not doing well. But this is the National Football League. If you don't win, the quarterback and the head coach get the blame. When you do win, the quarterback and the head coach get the (credit)."

The reality is this—these Patriots are a bad team. Jones isn't the long-term answer at quarterback. And New England is going to face a litany of hard questions in the offseason—including whether to bring back Belichick in 2024.

Last Week: 31

Week 11 Result: Won at Washington 31-19

You cannot stop Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito. You can only hope to contain him.

An undrafted rookie free agent who lives with his parents, DeVito threw three touchdown passes Sunday in a win over the Washington Commanders, That gives DeVito five touchdown passes over his first two starts. Since 1950, that's the most touchdown passes by a Giants quarterback over his first two starts in franchise history.

That's right. Not Eli Manning. Not Phil Simms. Tommy DeVito.

While talking to reporters after the game, DeVito was quick to credit his coaches and teammates for Sunday's success.

"I did not [know it was a franchise record]," DeVito said. "Like I said, it's all about the play-calling and executing the plays. Sometimes we get got by the defense, different coverage vs. what we don't want, and it's up to me to make the right decision and put us in a good situation. But when we have the defense that we want vs. certain plays, my job is easy. I just give it to the guys in space and let them do what they do. And they made it easy for me [Sunday]."

It has still been a dismal season for a Giants team that won a playoff game last season. But for a little while at least, the Giants can enjoy a little positivity in Week 11.

"There's a gleam, G-Men," Sobleski said. "There's a gleam. It comes in the form of a 6'2", 210-pound undrafted rookie named Tommy DeVito. It's funny how the Giants offense looks somewhat passable when anyone other than Daniel Jones is behind center. To be fair, Weeks 9 and 10 did not go well, with New York being outscored 79-23 in back-to-back losses to the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. However, a spark emerged when DeVito threw for 246 yards and three scores against the rival Commanders. Improvement from DeVito is vital for the organization considering Jones' current injury situation and the likelihood the organization will pass on a quarterback in the draft. Bare minimum, the 25-year-old provides a developmental option, with the potential to start if/when Jones isn't ready."

Last Week: 25

Week 11 Result: Lost at Jacksonville 34-14

The 2023 season keeps getting uglier and uglier for the Tennessee Titans—especially when they hit the road.

After getting waxed by the Jaguars in Jacksonville Sunday, the Titans are a dreadful 0-6 on the road this season and have now lost nine straight away from Nissan Stadium. It was an efficient day for rookie quarterback Will Levis, who posted a passer rating of 143.8. But he only threw for 158 yards, and after the loss head coach Mike Vrabel wasn't interested in discussing small wins inside yet another loss.

"When you lose, nobody did enough," Vrabel told reporters. "We're not going to have that mentality, 'Well, this guy played good, but we lost.' We're trying to create a culture and an environment that when you lose everyone has to be better."

He also wasn't interested in discussing his job security.

"I don't try to concern myself with that," he said. "I really am focused on these players. I hurt for them. I played 14 years, won some games, won some championships. I am frustrated for players. I am disappointed for players. I want them to have success."

However, as the losses pile up, Vrabel's future as Tennessee's head coach is only going to grow cloudier—because this team appears headed for a full-on rebuild.

Last Week: 28

Week 11 Result: Lost at Houston 21-16

Since getting quarterback Kyler Murray back, the Arizona Cardinals have played a pair of tight games, which is progress after losing six straight by a combined 94 points.

But their performance in Houston—losing despite picking off C.J. Stroud three times—was a reality check.

Maybe Kyler Murray isn't the guy in Arizona. Maybe the team should replace the young quarterback.

After playing well against the Atlanta Falcons, Murray was far more uneven against the Texans—20 completions in 30 attempts for 214 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said he expects there to be growing pains as Murray adjusts to a new offense.

"Reps with his teammates in a new system, it's going to continue to improve," Gannon told reporters. "He made some big-time plays today and just like everybody, I'm sure he wants a couple back, but I thought he played well."

Of course, even if the Redbirds wanted to move on from Murray, there's the matter of his $230 million contract—a deal that includes a fully guaranteed salary of $35.3 million in 2024 and another $11.9 million for 2025 if he's still on the roster next March.

In other words, the Cardinals and Murray are all but certainly stuck with one another—at least through 2024.

The team has to hope he's more like the 2021 iteration and less like the quarterback who struggled before getting hurt last year.

Last Week: 29

Week 11 Result: Lost at Detroit 31-26

The good news for the Chicago Bears Sunday was that the team got back quarterback Justin Fields after a month-long absence with a thumb injury.

The bad news was that it didn't matter—the Bears squandered a double-digit lead late in Detroit and fell to 3-8 on the season.

This game was a gut punch in a number of ways. The Bears forced four takeaways. Gained nearly as many yards as the Lions. Had the ball over twice as long as Detroit. And still lost.

Defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker told reporters after the loss that he's still trying to figure out how the team let this one slip away.

"This is an ugly loss right here," Walker said. "I feel like this is the worst one. I don't know, man. I've seen a lot of football but, damn, you know. I don't know, man. Honestly, I couldn't answer your questions. I've got to watch the film. Because I really want to see, like, what the (expletive) happened."

Davenport knows what happened—the Bears stink.

"If ever there was an example of why Matt Eberflus shoudn't be head coach of the Bears, Sunday's meltdown was it," he said. "Eberflus has won six games as head coach—and lost 22. The Bears haven't won two in a row with him at the helm. They are winless in the NFC North. They haven't beaten a team with a winning record. It's not a matter of if Eberflus should be fired, only when. And a pretty compelling argument can be made that now would be good."

Last Week: 24

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. New York Giants 31-19

Since opening the season with back-to-back wins, the Commanders have won just twice in nine games. That's an ugly number, but there was an even uglier one Sunday—six.

As in six turnovers.

Three of those turnovers were Sam Howell interceptions, and the second-year signal-caller admitted to reporters that it's nearly impossible to win a game when you give the ball away half a dozen times.

"When you turn the ball over that many times, you're not going to win games," Howell said. "It starts with me. I've got to do a better job taking care of the football. I didn't give my team a chance to win."

Head coach Ron Rivera stuck up for his young quarterback.

"You can't turn the ball over, and you can't allow a couple of big plays," Rivera said. "I thought (Howell) had his moments. He took a shot early on and not sure if that was a good decision, but he had some really good moments, moved the ball really well and just can't turn it over and kill your own drive."

The cold reality is that given how the season is unraveling and with a new ownership group in the nation's capital, it's looking more and more likely that neither Howell nor Rivera is going to figure in Washington's long-term plans.

Last Week: 27

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Los Angeles Chargers 23-20

For most of the 2023 season, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jodan Love has struggled. There have been some good moments. But there have been bad ones as well.

Sunday against the Chargers, Love had his best game of 2023. He outdueled Justin Herbert of the Chargers, passing for 322 yards and two scores without an interception and leading the team on a game-winning drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.

After the victory, Love told reporters that he knew the Packers offense was improving—it simply was a matter of time until it showed on the field.

"There's definitely a lot of learning," Love said. "Obviously, we're a young offense. We're building. We're just continuing to stack days. But it's so much learning that goes into it behind the scenes. The guys are just continuing to work every day, continuing to grow and learn from every rep, mistakes, things like that, that happen on the field. Just store that information and learn and grow as players. I like the trajectory the offense is going right now for sure."

At 4-6, the Packers still have a lot of work to do to get back into the postseason hunt in the NFC. But four of those six losses have come by a combined 11 points. If Green Bay can start winning those close ones, it may yet turn the 2023 campaign around.

Last Week: 26

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Seattle 17-16

Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, Matthew Stafford took a brutal shot on a flea-flicker that was intercepted.

It wound up being a blessing disguise—as it seemingly woke the veteran signal-caller up and set the stage for a late comeback that culminated in a one-point win in Stafford's first game back from injury.

"I don't know if I need to take that level of a shot every week to get going," Stafford told reporters after the game. "I know that late in the game, fourth quarter, we're within a score, I want the ball. It just so happened that I had my chest run through the drive before. I don't know if that's the thing that gets me going, but sometimes it's late in the game, you could be playing as poor a game as you want to play, (but) you play one great quarter, you've got a chance to win that thing."

Head coach Sean McVay had jokes as well.

"I thought (Stafford's) toughness was on display," McVay said. "Maybe we should punch him in the gut right before the games, huh?"

Amazing what sweeping a division rival for a team's first win since Week 6 can do for your sense of humor.

Last Week: 19

Week 11 Result: Lost at Miami 20-13

The honeymoon is over for Antonio Pierce's Las Vegas Raiders.

After winning his first two games as the head coach in Las Vegas, Pierce's Raiders came up short Sunday in Miami. And in the opinion of Bleacher Report's expert on all things silver and black, they did so because they got away from the recipe that had been working for the team.

"Sunday, the Raiders lost their first game under Pierce," Moton said. "On the road, the Raiders failed to capitalize on the Miami Dolphins' miscues, scoring just six points off three takeaways. In Week 11, the Dolphins had arguably their worst offensive showing of the season, scoring only 20 points, but they held the Raiders to 13 points and forced three turnovers as well.

"Las Vegas deviated from its run-heavy identity, and rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell struggled outside of the game-planned script for the Dolphins. The Raiders scored 10 points in the first quarter and three points for the remainder of the contest. O'Connell completed 24 out of 41 passes for 271 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions while Josh Jacobs recorded 14 carries for 39 yards. The Silver and Black accumulated 36 net rushing yards, which isn't the team's recipe for success. For the Raiders to win with O'Connell, they must run the ball effectively, which is what they did in Weeks 8 and 9 against the New York Giants and New York Jets, respectively.

"The Raiders have a long way to go to climb the NFL standings or our power rankings. Right now, their defense is more consistent and reliable than the offense, which raises major concerns with a first-year quarterback and offensive coordinator."

Last Week: 20

Week 11 Result: Lost at San Francisco 27-14

It's been a tale of two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The first was a happy tale—the Bucs won three of their first four games and rolled into their Week 5 bye a first-place team.

The second tale has not been so happy—since the bye, the Buccaneers have one victory in six games after falling by 13 in San Francisco Sunday. Still, despite the team's ongoing struggles, quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to insist that the Bucs can turn things around if they tighten things up a bit.

"It's a loss, first and foremost," Mayfield said to reporters. "The thing I look at is—I've consistently said that in some of these games, later in the game, we've continued to fight, and that's never changed. We have a team that's still willing to fight from this point forward. It's still about playing our best game, putting it all together, especially when you're playing competition like that. If you don't do that, if you give them more opportunities, they're going to take advantage. That's just the way this league works."

For all their recent struggles, the Bucs are still just a game back of the New Orleans Saints with a head-to-head win in the bank.

But Tampa needs to start peeling off wins—or that Week 4 victory in the Superdome isn't going to matter.

Last Week: 23

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

There has been more than a little conversation about the job security of Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith over the bye week. But after a pair of 7-10 seasons and three straight losses heading into the off week, Smith told reporters that he isn't worried nearly as much about the future as the present.

"It's pro football. Don't sign up for it," Smith said. "I mean, honestly. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you win 10 Super Bowls, or you don't win anything. That's what it is. If you don't like that, don't sign up for it. That's players, everybody. If you don't want the pressure, there's other professions you can go do. That's just what it is, you know what I mean? We know what we're hired to do. You embrace it and you try to do everything you can to win, so you do right by the job you're hired to do."

Um. OK.

Frankly, Smith has brought a fair amount of the criticism on himself. His usage of offensive stars like running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts (or more appropriately lack of usage) has been curious all season.

Now, with seven games left and both meetings with the NFC South-leading Saints still to be played (including one next week), the stakes are high for both Smith and the Falcons down the stretch.

Finish 7-10 again, and he's likely not going to be back in 2024.

Last Week: 22

Week 11 Result: Lost at Buffalo 32-6

The hook has come for Zach Wilson. Possibly for good.

After a truly atrocious performance against the Bills on Sunday, the Jets benched Wilson in favor of Tim Boyle. And now, it appears that move is at least semi-permanent—per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets will start Boyle at quarterback Friday against the Miami Dolphins.

Benching Wilson makes sense to Moton. Doing so for a quarterback who might actually be worse is another story.

"The New York Jets may be ready to end the Zach Wilson era," he said. "Since Week 8, the Jets have scored one touchdown, and Wilson has struggled mightily over the past month. In the Jets' last six games, Wilson has thrown just two touchdown passes and three interceptions. No, he's not the only issue with Gang Green's offense, but quarterbacks who complete fewer than 60 percent of their passes have a hard time holding onto starting jobs.

"The Jets made the decision to bench Wilson a week or two too late. Last Sunday, Boyle took over for Wilson, but he's thrown for three touchdowns and nine interceptions in his six-year career. Unfortunately for the Jets, their 2023 campaign is starting to look like last season's with a post-bye week collapse."

Last Week: 18

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

The Indianapolis Colts hit the bye week at 5-5, which is actually pretty good when you consider all the team has been through.

This is a team that was hit hard by personnel losses in free agency. That saw top running back Jonathan Taylor hold out all summer and then start the season on the PUP list. That lost starting quarterback Anthony Richardson to a season-ending injury.

Last week in Germany, the Colts struggled offensively, managing just 10 points in a win over the New England Patriots. But as head coach Shane Steichen told reporters, when one side of the ball has faltered this season the other has stepped up.

"No matter what the circumstances are, if the offense ain't scoring points like we haven't been the last two weeks, the defense has stepped up and we're finding ways to win games," Steichen said. "That's the stat that matters, is winning football games. But again, it's the resilience and the belief that every time we step on that field that we are going to win the football game."

Calling the Colts a playoff contender is probably pushing it, although with quarterbacks dropping like flies in the AFC, it can't be ruled out, either.

In Steichen's first season, the Colts can't be overlooked.

Last Week: 17

Week 11 Result: Lost at Green Bay 23-20

Just about everything that could go wrong for the Los Angeles Chargers did in Week 11.

It's not just that the Bolts lost another close game—five of the Chargers' six losses have come by a combined 14 points. Or that the their porous pass defense allowed a 300-yard passing day to Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The team also lost its top edge-rusher when Joey Bosa was carted to the locker room with what appeared to be a serious foot injury.

After allowing almost 400 yards to a Packers offense that has struggled this season, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was asked about relinquishing defensive play-calling duties by reporters.

He, um, didn't take that well.

"I have full confidence in our way of playing," Staley said. "Full confidence in myself as the play-caller and the way that we teach and the way that we scheme. Full confidence in that. We've got to bring this group together and do it consistently, and that's where it's at. You can stop asking that question. I'm going to be calling the defenses, so we're clear. So you don't have to ask that again."

"To save the Los Angeles Chargers, Justin Herbert has to be more than a quarterback. He must become Batman because no team finds more ways to lose in clutch moments than the Bolts," Moton said. "Last week, the Chargers scored on their final five drives of the game and still lost 41-38 to the Detroit Lions at home. In Week 11, they lost their fifth game by three or fewer points this season, falling 23-20 to the Green Bay Packers. It seems cruel to associate Herbert (19 touchdown passes and five interceptions) with this team's fall. Staley should start to look for a new job because he's led this team and its defense nowhere."

Last Week: 21

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Minnesota 21-20

The Denver Broncos are back in it.

After a woeful 1-5 start that saw plenty of criticism leveled at both quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton, Sunday night's victory in Minnesota was Denver's fourth straight. Wilson has looked more like the quarterback the Broncos mortgaged their future to obtain. The defense has been excellent. And as Moton wrote, the Broncos look less like a tomato can and more like a potential wild-card contender.

"Remember when doubters said that head coach Sean Payton rode the wave of his 2009 Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints into a bloated contract and that he couldn't fix a washed-up Russell Wilson? Well, look at what Payton has done with the Broncos and Wilson since a Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Some of you owe apologies," he said. "Denver avenged its loss to Kansas City. Yes, Patrick Mahomes played through that game with the flu, but the Broncos snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs. As an underdog by more than a touchdown, Denver beat Buffalo, and the club just knocked off a red-hot Minnesota Vikings team that had won five consecutive games.

"The Broncos have come a long way since the Miami Dolphins fed them a 70-burger in Week 3. They've won four straight outings and battled back into the AFC wild-card playoff race. The Broncos have pulled themselves out of the power rankings basement, and they could be 'Danger-Russ' with Wilson, who's played at an efficient level, throwing for 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions since Week 4."

Last Week: 16

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

The New Orleans Saints headed into the bye week in first place in the NFC South. But they also hit the off week an inconsistent .500 football team that was ravaged by injuries in a Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

While addressing the media, head coach Dennis Allen pledged that the Saints were going to take a long look at the team as a whole over the bye.

"We've got to make sure that we're: A, from a coaching standing point, doing the right things and coaching the right things; and B, are the players doing what we're coaching them to do?" Allen said. "And certainly, if (players) are not doing the things we're coaching them to do at the level we need them to do it at, then yeah, we do have to consider some changes."

There will likely be changes coming whether the Saints like it or not. Quarterback Derek Carr is in the concussion protocol, although he appears to have avoided further injuring his right shoulder. The news wasn't as encouraging about wide receiver Michael Thomas (knee) and cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle)—both suffered what Allen called "fairly significant" injuries against the Vikings.

Last Week: 10

Week 11 Result: Lost at Baltimore 34-20

That the Cincinnati Bengals lost in Baltimore Thursday night is the least of the team's problems.

Because in the game there was a disaster. A catastrophe. A truly apocalyptic injury—quarterback Joe Burrow's season is over after tearing ligaments in his right wrist.

Jake Browning will lead the Cincinnati offense moving forward, and while the injury certainly appears to be a season-killer, offensive tackle Orlando Brown isn't ready to write off 2023 just yet.

"Zac and (offensive coordinator Brian) Callahan will have a great plan," Brown said, via Paul Dehner Jr. and Larry Holder of The Athletic. "That's the thing about this organization, they are never down. I got a ton of confidence in our team and the players and personnel we have. Jake is going to get the job done."

Davenport disagrees.

"The Bengals are done," he said. "Cooked. Toast. It doesn't matter if Browning is a capable backup or not. There are certain players that NFL teams just cannot afford to lose—this is no different than the Kansas City Chiefs losing Patrick Mahomes. As if losing Burrow wasn't bad enough, the Bengals have a brutal schedule the rest of the way—every team the Bengals play from here on out is .500 or better. Frankly, at this point the best thing for Cincy might well be losses—and the higher draft pick that comes with them in 2024."

Last Week: 15

Week 11 Result: Lost at Denver 21-20

Over the past few weeks, the story of Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs has captivated the NFL. Just a few days after arriving in the Twin Cities, Dobbs led the Vikings to a win over the Atlanta Falcons. The following week, he and the Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints.

However, Sunday night in Denver, Dobbs' bid for a third straight win came up short. But even Denver head coach Sean Payton acknowledged to reporters that he was impressed by what he saw from the journeyman backup.

"Man, he's a lot slippier than I ever (realized) ... he was tough to get down," Payton said. "And he's taller. I turned to (offensive coordinator Joe) Lombardi in pregame and said, 'Gosh, I don't remember Dobbs being 6'3". And I didn't realize how well he can move in the pocket. And we all kind of lived it in that last two-minute drive. It was just one escape after the other and finally we got off the field."

"Dobbs' feel-good story doesn't end simply because the Vikings lost to the Broncos on Sunday Night Football," Sobleski said. "The quarterback still had his squad in a position to win late in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota's defense finally broke and allowed a touchdown as the two-minute warning neared. Granted, Dobbs committed two turnovers, which led to six points in a one-point loss. However, the fumble came courtesy of what should have been deemed an illegal hit and his arm was hit from the backside to tip the ball for an interception."

Last Week: 14

Week 11 Result: Lost at Cleveland 13-10

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been outgained in every game this season. Over the first nine games of the season, that didn't stop the team from winning six times.

Sunday in Cleveland, the Steelers were unable to make it seven out of 10.

It was another rough day throwing the ball for Kenny Pickett, who went 15-of-28 for 106 yards against Cleveland's top-ranked defense. Pickett didn't throw a touchdown pass in the game, and in doing so he made some unfortunate history. Per Jarrett Bailey of Behind the Steel Curtain, of the 315 quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 500 pass attempts, Pickett is the only one to throw a touchdown on less than 2 percent of his throws (1.9%).

In 23 career games, Pickett has thrown zero touchdown passes in 10 of them. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud already has more career passing touchdowns than Pickett in less than half the games, and New York Giants rookie Tommy DeVito has more games with multiple passing touchdowns.

Any time that a quarterback is doing worse in a statistical category than Tommy DeVito, that is a bad sign. But while addressing the media, Tomlin defended his quarterback.

"I think the Cleveland Browns had a lot to do with (Pickett's struggles)," he said. "I'd be disingenuous if I didn't compliment them on their players, their schematics, how they played today, the venue component of it... from an offensive perspective, there was a lot of things that were challenging today."

Maybe Pittsburgh can finally outgain a team when it faces the Joe Burrow-less Bengals in Week 12. It will try to do so with a new offensive play-caller after Matt Canada was shown the door Tuesday.

Last Week: 11

Week 11 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Rams 17-16

It's bad enough that the Seahawks blew a fourth-quarter lead in Los Angeles and lost to the Rams for the second time this year to fall a game back of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

But that may be the least of Seattle's problems—in the loss, quarterback Geno Smith suffered an arm injury that leaves his availability for Thursday's critical matchup with the Niners in jeopardy.

Smith actually re-entered the game in an effort to lead a comeback, but he didn't promise he'd play Thursday.

"We'll see how it goes," he told reporters after the game.

Head coach Pete Carroll was similarly cryptic.

"I don't have any idea," Carroll said. "I have no idea. Sorry."

However, by Monday the tone was more optimistic. Carroll still wouldn't guarantee that Smith will play, but he indicated that he's tentatively expected to.

That isn't the only injury issue the Seahawks have. Running back Kenneth Walker III suffered an oblique injury in the game, and wide receiver Tyler Lockett played despite missing practice all last week with a hamstring injury he has been battling for some time.

It would be no easy feat to down the 49ers at full strength. If Seattle is down its No. 1 running back and No. 2 wide receiver and starting Drew Lock at quarterback, Seattle has little chance of taking down SF and avoiding falling two games back in the division.

Last Week: 13

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Arizona 21-16

The Houston Texans didn't score after halftime in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. After throwing just two interceptions in his first nine starts, Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud was picked off three times by the Redbirds.

That the Texans still found a way to win the game speaks to just how different this Houston team is.

While talking to reporters after the win, head coach DeMeco Ryans lauded the resiliency his quarterback and team showed in Week 11 while allowing that the Texans need to cut down on the miscues moving forward.

"You're going to have miscues, you're going to have bad plays, but it's all about how you respond to those plays," Ryans said. "So, we will continue to highlight all the positive things that C.J. is doing. And then we'll also coach him up on those negative plays."

"In just 10 games, Stroud has thrown for almost 3,000 yards," Davenport said. "Fellow rookie Tank Dell has been a force at receiver. Devin Singletary has eclipsed 110 rushing yards in back-to-back games. Journeyman linebacker Blake Cashman piled up a whopping 19 tackles Sunday. The Texans aren't 6-4 solely because of Stroud. This is a team. A good team. And the job Ryans has done coaching that team up in his first season has been remarkable. These Texans are no fluke—and they have earned their spot in these power rankings."

"The Texans' 2023 draft class has the potential to go down as one for the ages," Sobleski added. "Stroud has already established a commanding lead for this season's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and placed himself among the league's best quarterbacks. Will Anderson Jr., who's been a consistent presence all season, provided pressure on the final play to seal the victory against the Cardinals. Tank Dell set new career highs Sunday with eight receptions for 149 yards. Henry To'oTo'o is the squad's second-leading tackler. Juice Scruggs would have been the offense's starting center had he not found his way to injured reserve. The Texans are one win away from matching the last two seasons' victory total thanks largely to an outstanding crop of rookies."

Last Week: 8

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Pittsburgh 13-10

The Cleveland Browns have been through their fair share of adversity and then some in 2023. Running back Nick Chubb has been on the shelf much of the season with a torn ACL. Quarterback Deshaun Watson joined him there last week after breaking a bone in his right shoulder.

Losing the best offensive player and starting quarterback would be a crippling blow to most teams—but the Browns have weathered the storm so far. Sunday against the rival Steelers, the Browns trotted out rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who looked abysmal in his first start this season against the Baltimore Ravens.

To be clear, Thompson-Robinson was hardly flawless against the Steelers—24 completions in 43 attempts for 165 yards and an interception. But at the game's end when the Browns needed a drive from the youngster, he delivered—moving the Browns into position for the game-winning kick.

After the game, Thompson-Robinson told reporters that it mattered a lot that Cleveland's coaches and players believed in him.

"They believed in me," Thompson-Robinson said. "They trusted me. I've been working my tail off. I think that whole drive just shows how close this team is and how much they believe in me."

It's fair to ask how far these Browns can really go given their offensive limitations. But Cleveland's defense was outstanding yet again Sunday, and that defense is going to keep the Browns in a lot of games.

"The Browns aren't asking much from Thompson-Robinson," Sobleski said. "After being thrust into the lineup due to a season-ending shoulder injury to starter Deshaun Watson, DTR took the reins and helped lead the Browns to a victory over the rival Steelers. Granted, he'll probably need to play better for the team to compete against better competition. However, Cleveland can shorten games by making them ugly. The Browns have a good offensive line and talented backs to run the ball. Their defense is the league's best. The rookie quarterback simply needs to make a couple throws and runs per game and avoid back-breaking turnovers."

Last Week: 9

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 34-14

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Week 11 looking to do two things. First, the team wanted to wash off the stink of a 34-3 drubbing at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers the week before. Second, the team wanted to get an offense going that has struggled a bit of late.

Mission accomplished—on both fronts.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had one of his better games of the season in Sunday's lopsided win over the Tennessee Titans, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Calvin Ridley and rushing for two more. The third-year quarterback, who has been hampered by a knee injury, posted the third-highest passer rating of his career in the win, telling reporters it felt good to get the offense untracked.

"That's one of the cleaner games offensively we've played," Lawrence said. "Seemed like we stayed on schedule, seemed like we kept them on their heels. We did a great job of mixing up all the different shots, getting it out quick, running the ball movements, all that."

"When the Jaguars play like they did Sunday," Davenport wrote, "they look like a team absolutely capable of hanging with the AFC's best teams. The problem is that there are also weeks like Week 10 where it's difficult to take the Jaguars seriously as a Super Bowl contender. We may well find out which is the case over the next month—beginning with next week's trip to Houston to face the surprising Texans, the Jags play four straight games against teams that are .500 or better, highlighted by a Week 15 home date against the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens.

Last Week: 12

Week 11 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 32-6

It has been an up-and-down season for the Buffalo Bills—one that began with a stunning loss to the Jets in New York. Sunday in Buffalo, the Bills had their chance at revenge—and they took full advantage.

The Bills dominated the Jets in every facet of the game in a blowout win, but while Buffalo put the brakes on a two-game skid, Moton wrote that it's a game that comes with a caveat.

"Don't get carried away with the Bills' 32-6 win over the Jets," he said. "In that game, the Jets benched quarterback Zach Wilson, which is something they should've done weeks ago, and in some ways further self-destructed with Tim Boyle under center. Buffalo tipped over a team that only needed the slightest push to fall apart. Nonetheless, the Bills deserve credit for their highest-scoring output since Week 4.

"Last week, the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after a 24-22 Monday night loss to the Denver Broncos, elevated quarterbacks coach Joe Brady and responded with a balanced performance against a top-10 defense in total yards and points. Buffalo racked up 130 yards on the ground, and Josh Allen threw for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Bills have to do more than beat a Jets team with a glaring quarterback issue on a downslide to get back in the Super Bowl discussion, though. In the next four weeks, they'll play the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. If Buffalo comes out of that gauntlet 2-1, it would likely earn a spot near the top of our power rankings again."

Last Week: 5

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas Raiders 20-13

Sometimes, for a team to truly be considered a Super Bowl contender, it needs to show it can win when not playing at its best. It needs to show that it can find a path to victory in different ways.

The Dolphins did that in Week 11. Miami scored just 20 points—its lowest output at home all season. The Dolphins turned it over three times. But thanks to a solid performance from cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins defense, the team got past the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ramsey, who was playing in just his third game with the Dolphins, intercepted a pair of passes, telling reporters after the win that it feels good to be out there after a seven-game absence.

"I do feel great. I've put in a lot of hard work," Ramsey said. "At the same time, the only way to get ready for football and be really in football shape and feel like the guy that I am is to play more football, and this is only my third game. Technically, I'm just now in my training camp, preseason, really."

"We already knew that the Dolphins were one of the best offensive teams in the league—Miami leads the NFL in total offense and scoring offense," Davenport said. "But in showing that they can win a game when that offense isn't at its best, the Dolphins proved much more dangerous. If the Miami defense starts playing at anywhere near the level of the offense, look out."

Last Week: 7

Week 11 Result: Won at Carolina 33-10

The Dallas Cowboys were a double-digit favorite heading into Sunday's matchup with the hapless Panthers.

Dallas played like it.

Quarterback Dak Prescott had his streak of 300-yard passing games snapped, but he was efficient and threw two touchdown passes. Running back Tony Pollard tallied 80 total yards and scored for the first time since Week 1. And cornerback DaRon Bland tied an NFL record with his fourth pick-six of the season.

Prescott told reporters that it was simply a matter of a good team taking care of business.

"It was about focusing on where we were and, if you look on paper, a lesser opponent," Prescott said. "... So, we had to get going fast and not take them lightly and keep the focus high. And, yeah, we got the job done."

"I still don't know that I can put the Cowboys on the same tier as the Philadelphia Eagles or even the San Francisco 49ers," Davenport said. "There's just too much recent history of the Cowboys shrinking in the spotlight when it's at its brightest. But the Cowboys absolutely have the potential to beat anyone in the NFC when they play at their best. The question remains whether they can do that against a quality opponent in the postseason—and after watching Dallas get blown out by the 49ers and lose to the Eagles, there's ample room for skepticism in that regard."

Last Week: 6

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Tampa Bay 27-14

In the NFL, a passer rating of 158.3 is perfect. A quarterback can't do any better. And Brock Purdy of the 49ers posted that perfect passer rating in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers.

Of Purdy's 25 pass attempts, just four fell incomplete. Purdy averaged a whopping 13.3 yards per attempt and tossed three touchdowns. It was a master class on how to play quarterback in the NFL—from a second-year pro who was the final pick in the 2022 draft.

The 49ers appear to have fully shaken off the three-game skid the team endured recently, and head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that's partly because Purdy stayed even-keeled even when things weren't going well.

"Brock's been great because he's been consistent through it all," Shanahan said. "I never felt any difference with Brock during those three losses. I think he's pretty realistic so he doesn't get into stuff that's not that accurate."

The 49ers are loaded with talent at the offensive skill positions. The defense has Pro Bowlers at all three levels in edge-rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner and safety Talanoa Hufanga. But there's one thing that didn't go well for the Niners on Sunday—Hufanga suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

It's a blow, to be sure. But the Niners still remain arguably the biggest threat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC.

Last Week: 4

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 34-20

The good news for the Baltimore Ravens is that after a heartbreaking Week 10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, they got back on the right track Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The bad news is that it was a costly victory—because in the win star tight end Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury and cracked fibula.

While talking to reporters after the win, quarterback Lamar Jackson (who tweaked his own ankle against the Bengals) acknowledged that losing his favorite receiver is a blow.

"I believe it's going to be a huge challenge," Jackson said, "but we have [tight ends] Charlie [Kolar] and [Isaiah] Likely. Those guys are going to step up. We're going to build chemistry."

Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that "there might be an outside chance" Andrews returns this season.

Against a Bengals team that suffered its own devastating injury, Andrews' absence didn't matter. But if the Ravens are going to make a deep playoff run, they will have to overhaul the passing game on the fly if Andrews does not return.

Last Week: 3

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Chicago 31-26

There was a time when a shaky outing from the quarterback for the Detroit Lions would surely result in defeat. Of course, there was a time when defeat came with regularity in Motown.

However, this is a different time. These aren't those sad-sack Lions. And despite throwing a season-high three interceptions and drawing boos from the hometown crowd (which has suddenly become a bunch that expects success), Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the Lions on a pair of late drives to rally Detroit past the Bears and to the team's best record through 10 games in over half a century.

While addressing the media after the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell applauded Goff's resiliency.

"Down two scores, that's when he's at his best," Campbell said. "I think that speaks volumes. He never got frazzled, and really, I don't know that I've ever seen him get frazzled. He just wants to punch himself in the face sometimes."

Sobleski was impressed by Detroit's resiliency as well.

"To fully understand how good the Lions are right now, they're 8-2 for the first time since 1962," he said. "For the first time in the Super Bowl era, the squad sporting Honolulu blue is an actual contender. They didn't need Barry Sanders or Calvin Johnson to reach this point. Instead, Detroit is a quality squad at every level. What's important about their latest win over the rival Bears is that they won despite not playing their best football. Jared Goff threw three interceptions, and the Bears doubled the time of possession. Yet Detroit still found a way to escape with a victory, as good teams often do."

Last Week: 2

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia 21-17

"The Kansas City Chiefs have a problem."

It's a mantra that one pundit or another has uttered in recent years. The defense wasn't good enough. The secondary had issues. The offensive line wasn't good enough.

But the Chiefs have always seemingly overcome those "problems," because Kansas City had something no other team in the league had: Patrick Mahomes. In 2023, the Chiefs also have quite possibly the most underrated defense in the league, one that held the Eagles' high-octane offense under 100 total yards in the first half of Monday's game.

But these Chiefs might actually have a problem: The wide receivers just aren't good.

Yes, they still have the NFL's No. 1 tight end in Travis Kelce, who had seven catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. But defenses are bracketing him with double-coverage constantly, and the Kansas City wideouts can't make them pay for it.

Justin Watson was targeted 11 times Monday night and caught less than half those for 53 yards.

The Chiefs are going to make the playoffs and will probably win the AFC West. But once the postseason starts and they have to face the Bills or Ravens, those deficiencies at wide receiver could be a problem.

Last Week: 1

Week 11 Result: Won at Kansas City 21-17

Heading into Monday's Super Bowl rematch in Kansas City, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expected his squad to have their hands full with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

"Every year, he's gotten better," he said. "He obviously has a full understanding of what they're doing. Heck of a player. Understands the coverages that you're throwing at him. Real good football player."

For the first 30 minutes of the game, though, it looked like the Eagles were headed for the same result as the last time they played the Chiefs.

Hurts and the Philadelphia offense could get nothing going, amassing less than 100 yards of offense. The NFL's No. 1 run defense was getting gashed on the ground.

But NFL games have two halves, and the league's best teams find a way to win even when they don't play their best. And while Hurts had a forgettable night throwing the ball, the Eagles didn't allow a point after intermission and squeaked out a four-point win.

"It might not have been an emphatic message," Davenport said, "but the Eagles sent one Monday, nonetheless. Gutting out a win at Arrowhead against the Super Bowl champions showed resiliency and guts. And it solidified the Eagles' status as the NFL's No. 1 team."