BY JEFF YODER

DEC. 7, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

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Good Morning,

Our Week 14 NFL Power Rankings are hot off the press, and the World Cup is down to its final eight. The Aaron Judge decision could happen any minute. We'll keep holding our breath. Until then, chew on the mid-week edition. 

Enjoy!

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MLB

World Awaits Judge's Decision

Image: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Free Agent Moves, Draft Lottery & More, But Everyone is Waiting on Aaron Judge

A busy day in December baseball news saw more free agents sign on the dotted line, and the 2023 MLB Draft order was made official. The Cubs were the busiest club with two big additions, and the Pirates got the No. 1 pick in the draft. But everyone is still waiting on the biggest decision of the offseason — Aaron Judge. The Yankees and Giants reportedly have competing bids on the table. Will today be the day?

MLB Free-Agent Tracker

P Taijuan Walker (Phillies): 4 Years, $72 Million

P Jameson Taillon (Cubs): 4 Years, $68 Million

OF Cody Bellinger (Cubs): 1 Year, $17.5 Million

OF Mitch Haniger (Giants): 3 Years, $43.5 Million

2023 MLB Draft Lottery

1. Pirates

2. Nationals

3. Tigers

4. Rangers

5. Twins

Full MLB Draft Order

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Aaron Judge’s Decision Getting Close as Yankees & Giants Anxiously Await

CBS Sports: Pirates Get No. 1 Pick in 2023 Draft; Nationals, Tigers, Rangers, Twins Follow Up

NFL

Week 14 Power Rankings

Photo: Dylan Buell / Getty Images

Eagles Back At No. 1; Bills, Cowboys and Bengals Continue Win Streaks

The Chiefs dropped out of our No. 1 spot after a loss to the Bengals, and Cincinnati’s rise continues after their fourth straight win. The Cowboys are also climbing once more after another blowout victory, and the Eagles are back on top. The 49ers dropped due to quarterback injuries despite a win And it’s a big week ahead with matchups between the Eagles-Giants, Jets-Bills and Lions-Vikings. Here’s where they stand entering Week 14:

NFL Power Rankings (Week 14)

1. Eagles (11-1) | ↑1

2. Bills (9-3) | ↑1

3. Cowboys (9-3) | ↑1

4. Chiefs (9-3) | ↓3

5. Vikings (10-2) | —

6. Bengals (8-4) | ↑2

7. 49ers (7-4) | ↓1

8. Dolphins (8-4) | ↓1

9. Giants (7-4-1) | ↑1

10. Ravens (8-4) | ↑1

Teams 11-20: 11. Titans (7-5) | 12. Commanders (7-5-1) | 13. Seahawks (7-5) | 14. Jets (7-5) | 15. Buccaneers (6-6) | 16. Raiders (5-7) | 17. Chargers (6-6) | 18. Patriots (6-6) | 19. Packers (5-8) | 20. Lions (5-7)

Teams 21-32: 21. Steelers (5-7) | 22. Browns (5-7) | 23. Jaguars (4-8) | 24. Falcons (5-8) | 25. Cardinals (4-8) | 26. Saints (4-9) | 27. Panthers (4-8) | 28. Bears (3-10) | 29. Colts (4-8-1) | 30. Rams (3-9) | 31. Broncos (3-9) | 32. Texans (1-10-1)

Biggest Risers: Buccaneers, Raiders, Lions, Steelers

Biggest Fallers: Chiefs, Titans, Falcons, Colts

Editor's Note: Do you agree or disagree with any of today's Power Rankings? Reply to today's newsletter to share your thoughts.

Week 14 Schedule

Additional Storylines

NFL: Titans Fire General Manager Jon Robinson After Blowout Loss to Eagles

The Ringer: Week 14 NFL Power Rankings: Here Come the Bengals

B/R: NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 14?

WORLD CUP

The Quarterfinals Are Set

Photo: ANP / Getty Images

Morocco’s Dream Run Continues Into Quarterfinals; Portugal Blasts Switzerland Behind Ramos Hat Trick

A tale of two matches took place on the final day of the Round of 16. Morocco stunned Spain after a scoreless draw led to penalty kicks, and the Moroccans’ dream run into the quarterfinals is still alive. In the afternoon, Portugal left no doubt with a 6-1 thrashing against Switzerland. Goncalo Ramos netted the first hat trick of the World Cup as Portugal dominated with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. The quarterfinals are set, and they include seven soccer giants and the underdogs from Morocco.

World Cup Highlights (Round of 16)

Morocco def. Spain (0-0, 3-0 PKs)

Portugal def. Switzerland (6-1)

Quarterfinals Bracket

Croatia vs. Brazil (Fri. 10:00 am ET)

Netherlands vs. Argentina (Fri. 2:00 pm ET)

Morocco vs. Portugal (Sat. 10:00 am ET)

England vs. France (Sat. 2:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Ronaldo’s Bench Role Can Help Portugal in a Way He Refused to at Man. United

Yahoo! Sports: Morocco Knocks Out Spain on Penalty Kicks to Advance to Quarterfinals

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🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

🏀 NBA: Donovan Mitchell Drops 43 in Cavs’ Win

LeBron James made another return to Cleveland on Tuesday, but it was Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs who got the win (116-102) with a massive fourth quarter runaway. James had a 21-point, 17-rebound performance, but Mitchell went for a season-high 43 points on 17-for-27 shooting.

🏒 NHL: Marner Point Streak at 20 After Leafs’ Win

A game of dueling point streaks was the focal point of the NHL on Tuesday between the Maple Leafs and Stars. Mitch Marner extended his streak to 20 games as the Leafs won (4-0), but Jason Robertson’s point streak came to a halt at 18.

THE STORYLINES

🏈 College Football Transfer Portal

The NCAA transfer portal cycle for 2023 has officially opened. The portal has fully cranked into gear with the FBS transfer window beginning Dec. 5 and ending Jan. 18. (CBS Sports)

⚾️ The Judge Sweepstakes

The San Francisco Giants’ confidence is growing in their hopes of signing American League MVP Aaron Judge, but the Yankees have cash on the table. (USA Today)

🏀 Brittney Griner’s Prison Life

Russian authorities transferred Brittney Griner to one of these dreaded Mordovian prisons last month after her last-gasp appeal of her drug smuggling conviction went nowhere. (Yahoo! Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Rams Claim QB Baker Mayfield Off Waivers as Humbling Journey Continues (Yahoo! Sports)

• Titans Fire GM Jon Robinson After 6 Seasons, Blowout Loss to Eagles (ESPN)
• Iconic Boxing Referee Who Officiated Tyson-Holyfield Rematch Dies At 85 (USA Today)
• Former Saints Coach Sean Payton Says He’ll Coach Again ‘Sooner Than Later’ (NBC Sports)
• Cameroon Soccer Legend Eto’o Apologizes for Kicking Fan in World Cup Altercation (SI)

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Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

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