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NFL Nation, ESPN
Welcome to Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season. After this previous weekend, we had some shuffling among the many high 10 on this week’s Energy Rankings. The Dallas Cowboys took down the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Buffalo Payments received a thriller in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. And the Cleveland Browns climbed up our record after their win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Along with the up to date rankings, our NFL Nation reporters named the largest enhancements on every group this season — from Week 1 to now.
Let’s get began with our No. 1: the 49ers.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14
Bounce to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 14 rating: 1
Greatest enchancment: Cross rush productiveness
The Niners racked up 5 sacks in Week 1 however had simply 18 complete sacks via their first eight video games. What’s extra, they have been producing stress on solely 26.3% of dropbacks. Because the bye and buying and selling for finish Chase Younger, San Francisco has 22 sacks with a 34.9% stress charge, which ranks first and seventh within the NFL, respectively, over the previous 5 video games. San Francisco has invested closely in its entrance with the concept that it may be the point of interest of the protection, and it is no shock that the 49ers’ defensive resurgence has coincided with dominant play up entrance. — Nick Wagoner
Week 14 rating: 5
Greatest enchancment: Crimson zone offense
Let’s imagine your entire offense, particularly the passing sport, evaluating it to the place the Cowboys have been after the loss to San Francisco in Week 5, however the crimson zone enchancment has been dramatic. Within the first 5 video games, the Cowboys transformed touchdowns on 7 of 19 crimson zone journeys (36.8%). Since then, they’ve scored touchdowns on 25 of 38 alternatives. Quarterback Dak Prescott‘s effectivity has matched completely with coach Mike McCarthy’s playcalling. That is the way you lead the NFL in scoring (32.3 factors per sport). — Todd Archer
1:34
Stephen A.: This yr feels completely different for the Cowboys
Stephen A. Smith outlines why this season feels completely different for the Cowboys to significantly make a run.
Week 14 rating: 4
Greatest enchancment: Ball safety
Within the first 5 video games, the Ravens turned the ball over eight occasions (two interceptions and 6 misplaced fumbles), which was tied for the eighth-most turnovers within the league. Prior to now eight video games, wherein Baltimore has gone 7-1, the Ravens have dedicated seven turnovers (4 interceptions and three misplaced fumbles), which is tied for the fifth fewest within the league. The Ravens have proved that they’re a tough group to beat after they do not give the ball away. — Jamison Hensley
Week 14 rating: 2
Greatest enchancment: Third-down effectivity
The offense ranks third total on this class with a 47.7% conversion charge. The Eagles bought off to a sluggish begin on third down, going 4-of-13 (30.8%) within the opener in opposition to the Patriots, however started to shoot up the charts after that. It helps that third-and-shorts are virtually automated because of the tush push, with Philadelphia changing on greater than 90% of its sneak makes an attempt. — Tim McManus
Week 14 rating: 3
Greatest enchancment: Defensive effectivity
The Dolphins started the season by surrendering 233 dashing yards to the Chargers in a efficiency that did not replicate their offseason give attention to the defensive facet of the ball. Since Week 8, nonetheless, Miami ranks fourth within the NFL in defensive anticipated factors added (43.57), second in dashing yards allowed per sport (74.6) and first in yards allowed per sport (237) heading into Monday evening. The return of injured cornerback Jalen Ramsey, in addition to the group’s total familiarity with Vic Fangio’s system, has contributed to the defensive revival. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 14 rating: 6
Greatest enchancment: Crimson zone effectivity
The Lions’ offense can rating with the most effective of them, rating within the high 10 in scoring for the previous two seasons, but it surely wasn’t the most effective at capitalizing within the crimson zone to start out the season. By means of Week 9, Detroit’s crimson zone effectivity (48.1%) was within the backside tier of the league, tied with the Texans for twenty fourth. However of their 5 video games after the Week 9 bye week, the Lions have the fifth-best crimson zone effectivity (72.2%), with the working again tandem of rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and veteran David Montgomery thriving within the backfield. — Eric Woodyard
Week 14 rating: 7
Greatest enchancment: WR Rashee Rice
The rookie went from a part-timer who was within the lineup for under a 3rd of the snaps in Week 1 to the Chiefs’ solely constantly productive wideout. Rice has 23 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns up to now three video games. The opposite broad receivers have 16 catches for 147 yards and one landing mixed in that very same span. The Chiefs have gone to Rice in some large conditions, together with an enormous third down within the fourth quarter of a Week 12 sport in opposition to the Raiders whereas holding a slim lead — he scored on a 39-yard landing to interrupt the sport open. — Adam Teicher
Week 14 rating: 9
Greatest enchancment: TE Dalton Kincaid
Whereas the Payments’ first sport of the season wasn’t a excessive, the group’s hottest streak of the season when it comes to statistical manufacturing got here in Weeks 2-4, so enchancment right here is nuanced. However one factor that definitely leaped ahead for the group all through the season is the rookie tight finish’s position and involvement within the offense. Since Week 6, Kincaid has been focused at the very least six occasions in each sport, and he has developed right into a dependable goal for quarterback Josh Allen. Now with Dawson Knox again from injured reserve, the group can proceed to search out methods to fold within the two-tight finish strategy it envisioned when drafting Kincaid. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 14 rating: 11
Greatest enchancment: Passing offense
Surprisingly, Cleveland’s passing offense is healthier now with its fourth quarterback to start out a sport this season. Joe Flacco and his large arm have given Cleveland’s air assault a lift in these previous two video games wherein he was the starter. Flacco already has extra video games of at the very least 250 passing yards and two passing touchdowns (two) than Deshaun Watson has had (one) since being traded to the Browns earlier than final season. Cleveland is starting to seem like a playoff risk in a method that did not appear potential following Watson’s season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. Flacco’s unexpected emergence is an enormous cause. — Jake Trotter
1:13
Peyton Manning explains Joe Flacco’s success at 38
Peyton Manning credit Joe Flacco’s poise for his resurgence because the Browns’ quarterback.
Week 14 rating: 8
Greatest enchancment: Third-down conversions
The Jaguars have been one of many worst within the league at changing third downs within the first month — simply 29.7%, which ranked twenty ninth. From Week 5 on, nonetheless, they’re changing 40%, which ranks fifteenth. They’ve fared higher at changing third-and-7 or longer since Week 5 (22.4%) than they did in Weeks 1-4 (11.8%), and that has been an enormous enhance. — Michael DiRocco
Week 14 rating: 10
Greatest enchancment: Passing offense
In Week 1 in opposition to the Ravens, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for under 242 yards, and the group scored solely 9 factors. Since then, Stroud has caught fireplace, and coming into Week 14, he was the chief in passing yards and the Texans are fourth in passing yards per sport (258.2). He has elevated receivers like Nico Collins, who crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the primary time in his profession, and rookie Tank Dell, who hit 709 yards with seven touchdowns earlier than his season-ending fractured left fibula. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 14 rating: 18
Greatest enchancment: Protection
There cannot be one other unit within the league with this sort of turnaround. From Week 2 to Week 5, the Broncos surrendered 164 factors, together with the notorious 70-20 loss to the Dolphins. Since Week 6, nonetheless, they’ve surrendered 12 touchdowns in eight video games mixed. They’ve 19 takeaways in these video games, and the protection has powered the Broncos again into the playoff dialog. — Jeff Legwold
Week 14 rating: 19
Greatest enchancment: Shifting the sticks
Within the first 5 weeks of the common season, the Bengals had the best charge of offensive drives that have been three-and-outs (32.1%), in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info. That quantity has dropped significantly since that span. Over the previous 9 weeks, the Bengals have diminished that charge to 21.2% and are ranked 14th in that class. And the advance has continued even with Jake Browning at quarterback as a substitute of an injured Joe Burrow (wrist). Cincinnati’s three-and-out charge is 15.2% in Browning’s three begins. — Ben Child
Week 14 rating: 12
Greatest enchancment: Rookie receivers
Jayden Reed (second spherical), Dontayvion Wicks (fifth) and Malik Heath (undrafted) mixed for 2 catches for 48 yards within the season opener in opposition to the Bears. Three months later, Reed leads the Packers in receiving yards, Wicks leads the Packers in yards per catch and Heath has been a much bigger a part of the offense of late. GM Brian Gutekunst’s plan for the younger receivers to develop as quarterback Jordan Love grows seems to have labored. — Rob Demovsky
Week 14 rating: 14
Greatest enchancment: QB Matthew Stafford
It wasn’t till Week 6 in opposition to the Cardinals that Stafford had thrown extra touchdowns (six) than interceptions (5) on the season. His numbers have steadily improved, at the same time as he is handled accidents to his hip and proper thumb. Stafford has 10 passing touchdowns over his previous three video games, tied for the second most he has had in a three-game span in his profession. The Rams have regarded like a distinct group since getting back from their Week 10 bye — they’re 3-1 in that stretch, together with an additional time loss to the Ravens — and that is largely due to how Stafford has performed. — Sarah Barshop
0:23
Demarcus Robinson provides the Rams the lead with a TD
Matthew Stafford avoids the stress and finds Demarcus Robinson ultimately zone for a Rams landing.
Week 14 rating: 16
Greatest enchancment: Cross rush
The Colts are tied for third within the NFL with 42 sacks, and precisely half of that complete (21) has been collected up to now 5 video games. The Colts had an underwhelming move rush efficiency in opposition to the Bengals on Sunday, however they recorded six sacks in every of their earlier two video games in opposition to the Buccaneers and Titans. Apparently, the Colts have achieved it by committee. Their sack chief, Samson Ebukam, has simply eight. However the Colts have 4 gamers with 5 or extra sacks in 2023. — Stephen Holder
Week 14 rating: 13
Greatest enchancment: Run sport
It is laborious to search out an space to spotlight after back-to-back losses to groups with two wins coming into the matchup. However these video games however, the Steelers’ floor sport is far improved from the primary half of the season. Starting with the Week 9 win in opposition to the Titans, the Steelers outrushed their opponents in 4 of their subsequent 5 video games. Additionally they confirmed a capability to search out the fitting steadiness between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The Steelers’ run protection additionally has confirmed enchancment from the start of the season. — Brooke Pryor
Week 14 rating: 17
Greatest enchancment: Defensive takeaways
The Vikings’ protection has improved in a number of methods since its shaky begin to the season. However after forcing solely two turnovers within the first three video games of the season, tied for No. 22 within the NFL, the protection pressured 17 in its subsequent 10 video games — tied for No. 7 throughout that interval. That uptick, which incorporates 9 fumble recoveries and 9 interceptions, has coincided with seven victories in 10 video games. — Kevin Seifert
Week 14 rating: 15
Greatest enchancment: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s utilization
The way in which the Seahawks have been utilizing the twentieth choose of the 2023 draft is perhaps the one factor they’re doing higher for the reason that opener. Smith-Njigba’s taking part in time and targets have elevated following a sluggish begin to the season, when he was coming off wrist surgical procedure and the Seahawks leaned into multiple-tight finish units. They’ve gotten him extra concerned since then, although there’s nonetheless room for Smith-Njigba to make a much bigger impression, particularly on third down. — Brady Henderson
Week 14 rating: 23
Greatest enchancment: Offensive scoring
Scoring has been a wrestle for the Bucs, however they did muster 29 factors in Sunday’s win over the Falcons. In Weeks 1-8 this season, they averaged 17.29 offensive factors per sport, and in Weeks 9-14, it is picked as much as 23.5 factors per sport. The largest space of offensive enchancment — which has allowed them to be extra balanced and fewer predictable — has been the bottom sport with Rachaad White and a few Chase Edmonds now that he is wholesome. In Weeks 1-8, they averaged 77.9 dashing yards per sport. In Weeks 9-14, that common jumped to 104.2. — Jenna Laine
Week 14 rating: 21
Greatest enchancment: Run sport
The Saints opened up the season with Alvin Kamara out on suspension and averaged a meager 2.6 yards per rush within the season opener. The working backs had solely 4 dashing TDs via the primary 11 video games of the season (two by Tony Jones Jr., who’s not on the group). Kamara has three dashing touchdowns up to now three video games, and the Saints have been ready to make use of him and Jamaal Williams final week in tandem for the primary time all season. — Katherine Terrell
Week 14 rating: 20
Greatest enchancment: WR Drake London
London confirmed promise in his rookie season however was held catchless on one goal in Week 1. It appeared like an anomaly then and proved to be now. He has change into a transparent No. 1 receiver for Atlanta, together with a 10-catch, 172-yard sport Sunday in opposition to Tampa Bay. He has 56 catches for 745 yards and two touchdowns on the yr. He is on tempo to finest his rookie yr numbers of 72 catches for 866 yards and 4 touchdowns and is a transparent participant to construct round for the longer term. — Michael Rothstein
Week 14 rating: 26
Greatest enchancment: Interceptions
Defensive takeaways, generally, are up — a core tenet of coach Matt Eberflus’ H.I.T.S. precept and the Tampa 2 protection — after a sluggish begin to the season (eight in Chicago’s previous three video games). However for those who zero in on passes the Bears have picked off, you will discover one class wherein Chicago is performing higher than the 31 different groups. The Bears have 9 interceptions since Week 10, which is essentially the most within the NFL throughout that stretch, after producing six within the first 9 weeks of the season. — Courtney Cronin
Week 14 rating: 25
Greatest enchancment: Crimson zone protection
Heading into Monday evening, the Titans’ crimson zone protection topped the NFL in permitting opposing groups to attain on solely 37.2% of their visits contained in the 20-yard line. What’s been most spectacular in regards to the crimson zone protection is the way it has been in a position to maintain groups from scoring regardless of possessing the ball inside Tennessee’s 10-yard line. Its finest efficiency got here in Week 12 in opposition to the Colts, when the Titans allowed just one landing on 5 crimson zone visits, together with 4 that penetrated inside their 10-yard line. — Turron Davenport
Week 14 rating: 22
Greatest enchancment: OLB Khalil Mack
Mack had little impression producing sacks or pressures via the primary three weeks of this season. He had a move rush win charge at fringe of 6.9% in that span, which ranked 53rd within the NFL. Then, in Week 4, Mack exploded for a career-high six sacks in opposition to the Raiders. He’s now the NFL’s sack chief with 15 on the season, which ties his profession excessive. In a season the place the Chargers have fielded one of many league’s worst defenses, Mack has been a shiny spot, taking part in like one of many league’s finest outdoors linebackers since Week 4. — Kris Rhim
1:07
Why the Commanders are at a crossroads
Jeremy Fowler explains the modifications that could possibly be coming for the Washington Commanders.
Week 14 rating: 27
Greatest enchancment: Cross rush
It bought off to a sluggish begin, with a mediocre 26.1% stress charge over the primary three video games. For the following 10 video games, the stress charge jumped to 36.4%, second within the league over that span. Bryce Huff (23.5%) is producing stress on the sting, whereas Quinnen Williams (14.4%) is among the many high inside pass-rushers. Stress from the entrance 4 is important within the Jets’ scheme as a result of they do not prefer to blitz. In truth, they’ve the second-lowest blitz charge within the league. — Wealthy Cimini
Week 14 rating: 28
Greatest enchancment: The linebackers
That is now the energy of the group in its 3-4 protection. Center linebacker Bobby Okereke has proved to be a star in the course of the protection, doing somewhat little bit of every little thing (119 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 INTs, 8 passes defended and 4 pressured fumbles). Second-year inside linebacker Micah McFadden is a stable complement subsequent to him, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, after a sluggish begin, has 11.5 sacks. This offers the Giants one thing to construct round transferring ahead. — Jordan Raanan
Week 14 rating: 24
Greatest enchancment: Cross rush
Whereas Maxx Crosby getting residence has been a continuing for the Raiders — he now has a career-best 13.5 sacks on the season — his getting assistance is a comparatively new improvement. Think about: The 5 sacks Las Vegas had in opposition to Minnesota on Sunday have been yet one more than the Raiders had the earlier three video games mixed. Plus, 11 gamers apart from Crosby have registered at the very least one sack this season. And eventually, with 4 video games to play, the Raiders’ 33 group sacks have already eclipsed final season’s complete of 27. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 14 rating: 29
Greatest enchancment: Cross safety
Little or no has improved in Washington — the Commanders are 4-9 for a cause — however the move safety has at the very least stabilized. They allowed six sacks within the season opener vs. Arizona — and 40 within the first seven video games mixed. However up to now six video games Washington has allowed 18 as quarterback Sam Howell has dealt with the stress higher, extra calls have been designed for fast releases and the road has achieved a greater job. It may nonetheless be higher, but it surely has improved. At one level Howell was on tempo to be sacked an NFL-record 107 occasions; it is now at 75.8 — the present document is 76. — John Keim
Week 14 rating: 30 Greatest enchancment: Passing offense With Kyler Murray underneath middle, the Cardinals’ passing sport has improved in droves from Week 1, when Joshua Dobbs was working an offense he had spent simply two weeks in at that time. The Cardinals averaged 6.3 yards per completion in Week 1 and averaged 11.2 in Week 13, their most up-to-date sport. Arizona’s passing yards per dropback has additionally jumped two yards from 3.5 to five.5 since Week 1. Murray’s return had loads to do with that, as did offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s expertise within the system with this crop of gamers, giving him virtually three months to determine how his receivers, working backs, tight ends and offensive line can work in tandem. — Josh Weinfuss Week 14 rating: 31 Greatest enchancment: Run protection Permitting a league-low 3.2 yards per carry, the Patriots have been in a position to make opponents one-dimensional on offense, with nostril sort out Davon Godchaux and outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings two key cogs. Godchaux is in his seventh NFL season and line of defense coach DeMarcus Covington stated: “He is likely one of the finest run defenders, as a nostril sort out, within the sport. Actually good block recognition, run explosion, block destruction and total making tackles [50]. He is every little thing you need in a nostril sort out.” — Mike Reiss Week 14 rating: 32 Greatest enchancment: DT Derrick Brown A lot of the focus was on Professional Bowl OLB Brian Burns earlier than the season, however it’s Brown who has been essentially the most constant and improved defender. He confirmed on Sunday that he’s, as Burns says, unblockable one-on-one. He had double-digit tackles and an interception off a ball he tipped in opposition to the Saints. He deserves severe Professional Bowl consideration. — David Newton
