NFL power rankings: How high can Cowboys climb after landmark win?
NFL power rankings entering Week 15 of the 2023 season (previous rank in parentheses):
1. San Francisco 49ers (1): The first team to clinch a playoff berth this season, they’ve won 11 straight against their NFC West ‘competition’ − putting them on the brink of consecutive division titles for the first time in 11 years. Certainly helps when you have a quartet (RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle and WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk) that can give you more than 500 yards from scrimmage on any given Sunday.
2. Dallas Cowboys (4): Though they’ll still need some help to win the NFC East, particularly during such a tough stretch of the schedule, no doubt at this point that they’re playing the best football in the division. And speaking of foot and ball, Brandon Aubrey’s remarkable season (perfect on all 30 FG tries) continued in Sunday night’s thrashing of the Eagles when he became the first kicker to connect from 59+ yards twice in the same game. Also, HC Mike McCarthy is undefeated without an appendix.
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5. Kansas City Chiefs (5): Is QB Patrick Mahomes really that mad at the officials? Or are they a convenient outlet to vent for his underperforming receivers? Or the fact he’s in the midst of a career-worst six-game string without exceeding 300 passing yards? Or same ball of wax? The franchise’s first road playoff game in eight years looks increasingly likely.
10. Los Angeles Rams (11): An overtime loss at Baltimore was their first since Week 10 bye. But with the next three against sub-.500 opponents, LA’s playoff push seems to be in good shape – especially given QB Matthew Stafford’s inspired play of late (992 yards, 11 TDs passing, 2 INTs, 102.2 QB rating over past four games).
11. Cleveland Browns (14): Thanks to Joe Flacco, they became the eighth team in league history with four different starting quarterbacks earning wins in the same season. Thanks to Joe Flacco, they don’t plan to need a fifth different passer moving forward.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (16): Things have gotten so bad, HC Mike Tomlin – now two wins shy of a 17th consecutive non-losing season – is calling out a talented wide receiver for his lack of maturity … five years after such a stance might’ve really made a difference.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (24): How good is DE Maxx Crosby? Since 2000, he’s one of four players – including Khalil Mack, DeMarcus Ware and J.J. Watt, so fine company – with at least 50 Sacks and 300 tackles in his first five seasons.
29. Los Angeles Chargers (23): Did you see JK Scott’s 83-yard punt Sunday, tied for the longest league-wide in the past decade? Yeah, it was the only good thing to happen to the Bolts on a day when QB Justin Herbert wrecked his passing hand.
31. New England Patriots (31): This week’s game against the Chiefs was the first ever flexed out of a Monday night time slot. But not to worry. In a Yuletide miracle, the Pats will play on Sunday night at Denver in a Christmas Eve showcase … unless the Grinch intervenes again.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.