The Daily Briefing Tuesday, November 16, 2021

If The Season Ended Today in the NFC after Week 10:

                                                   W-L           Div         Conf

            Green Bay      North        8-2              1          6-1

            Arizona            West         8-2              1          4-2

            Dallas              East          7-2              1          5-1

            Tampa Bay     South        6-3              1          4-3

            LA Rams         WC1         7-3              2          5-2

            New Orleans   WC2         5-4              2          4-3

            Carolina           WC3         5-5              3          3-4

            Minnesota                        4-5              2          3-2

            San Francisco                  4-5              3          4-4

            Atlanta                              4-5              4          2-5

            Philadelphia                      4-6              2          3-3

Green Bay, with a head-to-head win over the Cardinals, moves into the top spot.

The Panthers replaced the Falcons in the final WC spot after beating Arizona while Atlanta went down in flames to Dallas.  Perhaps most notable – the Vikings, 49ers and Eagles all won their 4^th games and moved to within a half game of the playoff line.

ESPN Stats & Info noted this:

The top 5 records in the NFL were all held by NFC teams through Week 7.

(ARZ 7-0, GB 6-1, TB 6-1, LAR 6-1, DAL 5-2)

The Cardinals, Packers, Buccaneers, Rams and Cowboys were a combined 30-4.

They are 6-8 since and each team has lost at least once, including back-to-back losses by the Rams.

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

This tweet from Hall of Famer Gil Brandt:

@Gil_Brandt

After observing pft’s obsessiveness with @AaronRodgers12, which Sunday night stood at 78 tweets since the Rodgers covid news first broke (not a single one showing concern for the QB’s health), someone got a little sensitive. 😂

Brandt was responding to learning that he had been “blocked” by the @ProFootballTalk.com Twitter account.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

The Cowboys rolled over Atlanta after receiving a gift from their head coach.  Nick Shook of NFL.com:

The Dallas Cowboys were forced to pick up the pieces after a surprise loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 9.

Well, maybe they weren’t picking up pieces. Perhaps they were, um, medicating.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy likes to place themes on weeks he deems important to the team’s journey. Last year, he turned to smashing watermelons to get his squad motivated before beating the Vikings. Last week, after being dominated by the Broncos in a 30-16 game that wasn’t as close as the final indicated, he turned to a soothing powder to alleviate the sting of a blowout loss.

“This past week coming off that ugly performance against Denver, McCarthy dubbed it R.A.W., meaning Red-Ass Week,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed on Monday’s NFL NOW. “In other words, get mad. Take it personally, and then get on the field and take it out on the Falcons.

“To reinforce that message, McCarthy actually had staff going around the locker room and handing out ‘Monkey Butt’ [Anti Monkey Butt]. What is ‘Monkey Butt’? I’m glad you asked. It is an anti-chafing powder. It’s got a variety of different uses. For instance if you’re sore from, I don’t know, getting your butt kicked like they did last week? Well, get yourself some ‘Monkey Butt’.

“The Cowboys players got a kick of out that. They certainly got the message, went out there and did their thing yesterday against the Falcons.”

Any football player who’s been through a handful of hot, sweaty training camp two-a-days will likely slam the pulpit when proclaiming the benefits of an anti-chafing powder. Personally, I always preferred the preventative and healing power of Gold Bond’s signature powder. The quirky-titled Monkey Butt did the job for the Cowboys, who heard McCarthy’s message loud and clear, and responded by decimating Atlanta, 43-3.

PHILADELPHIA

After wins over Detroit and Denver, the Eagles are feeling pretty good about QB JALEN HURTS.  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

Led by a strong rushing attack, the Eagles have won two of their last three games to improve to 4-6.

While his passing numbers haven’t set the world on fire, quarterback Jalen Hurts has been in the thick of the surge. He’s completed 67 percent of his passes for 443 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in Philadelphia’s last three games. And he’s tallied 31 carries for 186 yards.

In his Monday press conference, head coach Nick Sirianni touted Hurts’ progress.

“I just see his arrow completely pointed up,” Sirianni said, via Reuben Frank ofNBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I think we’ve all seen the way he’s played.”

Sirianni noted the improvement the team has made as a whole over the last three games, and that Hurts has been at the center of it. The head coach also pointed out that Hurts has started just 14 games, and saying effectively he’s still a rookie.

“So all I see is improvement every day from him,” Sirianni said. “It starts with the type of person that Jalen is and how much he loves this sport and how much he loves his teammates and how tough he is. And he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”

Questions remain as to whether or not Hurts is the team’s quarterback of the future. But Sirianni isn’t thinking past the present.

“My job here and Jalen’s job is to not focus on franchise quarterback moving forward,” Sirianni said. “It’s about, ‘What can we do today to get us ready for Sunday and what can we do tomorrow to get us ready for Sunday.’

“I say this every week, but my message isn’t going to change: ‘What can we do today to get ready for the next game?’ So, I think that’s Jalen’s mindset, that’s my mindset (and that’s) how we’re going to keep getting better each week. And the rest will take care of itself.”

While they’re still two games below .500, the Eagles are still firmly in the mix for an NFC playoff spot. Philadelphia could further its status as a contender with a victory over New Orleans in Week 11.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

Is this true?

@Eric_Branch

#49ers record at Levi’s Stadium the past two seasons:

vs. Rams: 2-0

vs. other teams: 0-8

Only 10 games?  Why of course, they were kicked out of Santa Clara County by overzealous community medical officials.

SEATTLE

After losing by 17 points, Coach Pete Carroll says the officiating was largely to blame for defeat.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll took issue with several calls that went against his team in its 17-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers and said the officials were a “huge part” of Sunday’s game.

“I’ve got some gripes about this,” Carroll told 710 ESPN Seattle on his Monday radio show.

The three plays that Carroll discussed in detail were Russell Wilson’s first-quarter scramble, Aaron Rodgers’ second-quarter fumble and Kevin King’s interception of Wilson in the third quarter.

The Packers led 3-0 when Rodgers fumbled a snap near midfield. Seattle’s Darrell Taylor emerged from the pile with the football, but officials had already ruled that Green Bay recovered. The ruling was upheld after Carroll challenged.

“Darrell is laying on top of the football and the quarterback was reaching underneath him,” Carroll said. “Darrell had it from the moment that ball’s on the ground. He got his chest on the ball and was laying on it … I don’t know how they looked at it. He’s laying on the ground and the guy’s reaching underneath him and they gave it to the offense and that’s a big play. God, that’s such a big play in the game.”

The score was still 3-0 when King intercepted Wilson in the end zone on a third-and-10 throw from the 12. Replays showed King losing the ball when he hit the ground.

“When we throw the ball, Russ throws the interception in the end zone, I don’t know, I see the ball on the ground,” Carroll said. “The guy’s got to finish the catch and I don’t know why that was looked at in that manner. They called it, they saw it and all that. But that’s points on the board. Russ took a chance right there and it didn’t work out for us. We were right down there to kick a field goal.”

On Seattle’s opening drive, the official’s initial spot gave the Seahawks a first down on Wilson’s third-down scramble. Play was stopped because of an injury to Green Bay linebacker Rashan Gary. Officials then ruled that Wilson was short of the line to gain a first down, bringing up fourth-and-1 from Seattle’s 41.

Carroll took issue with the amount of time officials had to change the spot.

“There’s a fellow hurt on the play and so time passes,” Carroll said. “We got a first down and we were in the huddle, we break the huddle, we’re at the line of scrimmage ready to go and they stop the game and reverse that play. The way we understand it is that the booth has like 20 seconds to make those decisions to overturn a call that might have been wrong on the field. But they had minutes and minutes and minutes. I don’t know, did they open up the span of time to look at it? I don’t know. I don’t know how that happened.”

Carroll said after the game that officials told him the spot was unlikely to be changed back to a first down had he challenged. On his radio show, he said he might have gone for it instead of punting had the running play clock not hurried his decision.

“I’ve never seen that happen before like that,” he said. “As they’re explaining it to me, they already started the shot clock, so I don’t even know what the distance is on the play until I’m looking around. It’s fourth down. Oh, heck, we’ve got to kick the football and kick them deep. That’s what I’m thinking. I didn’t have a chance to even figure that out in enough time to go ahead and decide to go for it.”

Carroll also seemed to disagree with a hold that was called on guard Damien Lewis near the end of the first half that pushed Seattle out of field goal range. Carroll said Lewis “got run over” on the play without elaborating.

Carroll was talking generally about his communication with officials during games when he circled back to Sunday.

“They were such a big part of the game yesterday,” he said. “They were a huge part of the game yesterday. So in an effort to try to make sure that we’re really on the same page and we’re working through it and we call the game together in a sense, you work at it during the course of the game. I’ve known some of these guys for a long time and they always show respect and I try to show respect, too. They’ve got a job to do and we’ve got a job to do, and we’ve got to figure it out. We don’t always see eye to eye, that’s for darn sure, and that happened yesterday.”

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH

The breathed a collective sigh of relief in The ‘Burgh when EDGE T.J. WATT’s tests for hip and knee injuries came back “negative.”  But neither he, CB MINKAH FITZPATRICK or QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER are confirmed to be back on Sunday.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Steelers are heading into this week not knowing whether their most important players on both sides of the ball will be in uniform when they face the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today that it’s too soon to say whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and outside linebacker T.J. Watt can play Sunday.

Roethlisberger is on the COVID-19 reserve list. He will need to test negative for two straight days before he can be activated to play on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Watt suffered knee and hip injuries in Sunday’s tie against the Lions. Tomlin indicated that Watt is a uniquely tough player who may be able to play through injuries that would sideline other players.

Tomlin also said that safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is unlikely to be cleared to return from the COVID-19 reserve list in time to play on Sunday.

AFC SOUTH

JACKSONVILLE

From the bottom of the barrel, the Jaguars have started to creep up towards respectability in recent weeks, topped by the win over mighty Buffalo.  Urban Meyer sees progress per John Oehser of Jaguars.com:

He’s aware of the record.

Head Coach Urban Meyer also knows the Jaguars must improve, particularly offensively. But he said Monday those issues don’t tell the season’s entire story – particularly lately.

“There’s a lot of positivity,” Meyer said.

Meyer, speaking a day after a 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, said the primary reasons for that are a defense that’s rapidly improving in recent weeks and an attitude that was seen again Sunday.

“We’re not far off,” he said. “I refuse to believe we’re far off.”

The Jaguars (2-7) after trailing 17-0 in the first quarter, rallied to within 20-17. They took possession with 2:22 remaining trailing by the final margin, but rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence lost a fumble at the Colts 45 trying to scramble with :50 remaining.

“It’s a bunch of street fighters,” Meyer said. “We have whatever games left, and we’re going to go try to win this one. The hardest thing is that this one stung because our I thought our guys put us in position to win that game.”

Meyer said he was encouraged by the Jaguars’ second half after a first half that he called “a recipe of getting your tail kicked in.”

“There were a lot of encouraging things,” Meyer said. “Most importantly, the team is growing.”

Meyer on Monday also discussed in detail Lawrence, reiterating what he said Sunday – that the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft was not solely responsible for the offense’s struggles Sunday.

“I know that’s not what people want to hear, but that’s actuality when you really watch film,” Meyer said.

The Jaguars, who produced 331 yards and two touchdowns offensively Sunday, struggled at times in the game – particularly in the first half. Lawrence went 3-of-14 for 36 yards during that span and the Jaguars went three-and-out on four of six possessions. They were one-of-eight on third downs during the first two quarters.

Meyer also cited six offensive penalties for the game and missed assignments – including a receiver missing an assignment that turned into a sack.

“It’s time tested, and I would be surprised if anyone ever said something different,” Meyer said. “People have off days, but when you struggle like we did in the first half it’s certainly not a player and it’s certainly not a quarterback.”

Meyer specified that he was not “absolving” Lawrence.

“I say, ‘We,”’ Meyer said. “He’s part of the ‘we.’ We have to play better.”

TENNESSEE

Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com politely makes the case that the 8-2 Titans aren’t all that good.

Mike Vrabel and his staff have done a remarkable job for the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans offense that was built around Derrick Henry, and Tennessee hasn’t lost since losing Henry. Tennessee’s big splash addition was Julio Jones, who has been mostly a non-factor due to injuries and finds himself on IR. The Titans defense was viewed as a problem for the season but it has played much better than expected. There are reasons the Titans are 8-2 and arguably the hottest team in football after six straight wins.

And there are also reasons to wonder if any of this is sustainable.

In this NFL, where each new hot contender immediately takes a terrible loss, the Titans stand out. They’re not losing, and that has them looking like a bankable asset. Maybe they are and the winning streak will continue for a long time. There are just some concerns beneath the surface.

Over the last two games — the two games since Henry’s injury — the Titans are averaging 229 yards per game. To put that into perspective, only two NFL teams are averaging fewer than 300 yards this season, and the Texans are dead last at 280.1. The offense has been terrible without Henry. The running game has completely dried up. It’s hard to ask Ryan Tannehill to carry an offense, especially without Julio Jones. Marcus Johnson had 100 yards on Sunday but it seems hard to believe he’ll be a consistent playmaker with Jones on IR.

What’s helping the Titans is grabbing four wins that were decided by three points or less. Those games are coin flips and had one or two turned out differently we wouldn’t be paying nearly as much attention to Tennessee. On Sunday, the Saints could have won if not for a controversial roughing-the-passer call that negated an interception, or maybe if New Orleans’ last-minute two-point conversion attempt wasn’t pushed back due to a false start penalty. The Titans are getting a lot of those breaks. Maybe they lose against the Colts in Week 8 if Carson Wentz didn’t throw two horrid interceptions, or they lose in Week 9 against the Rams if Matthew Stafford didn’t throw two horrid interceptions. The Titans had something to do with those mistakes and the close wins, but it’s hard to depend on opposing quarterbacks losing their minds in their own end zone and throwing passes up for grabs each week.

The Titans have been outgained four times in their last six games, including against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They were outgained my more than 100 yards each of the last two weeks. In Football Outsiders’ DVOA, a per-play metric that adjusts for opponents, the Titans were ranked No. 14 in the NFL before Week 10 and are unlikely to move up after the Saints outgained them 373-264.

For those who will say all that matters are wins and the Titans have beaten some very good teams lately, that’s true. Given their lead on the Colts in the division, there’s a very small chance they won’t win the AFC South and host a playoff game. They’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC at the close of Week 10. But there’s a difference in appreciating what a team has done and wondering if can continue. 

The Titans are well-coached, they’re way better than anyone anticipated on defense and their 8-2 record gives them a cushion to figure things out on offense, particularly with a D’Onta Foreman-led running game. But you’ll probably hear a lot this week about the Titans being the AFC’s best team and a Super Bowl contender. That’s a lot harder to buy.

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

Albert Breer of SI.com comments on a random tweet:

Jeffrey  @DabearsBulls22

Mac Jones only decent bc of bill and coordinator

@AlbertBreer

I’m not going to compare Mac Jones and Tom Brady, because it’s not the right comp. BUT this is exactly what people said about Brady, circa 2001-05.

THIS AND THAT

PRUDENT, NOT COWARDLY

In recent weeks, two identically-initialed QBs TOM BRADY and TEDDY BRIDGEWATER have been spotted meekly avoiding tackle attempts on pick-six interceptions.  Mike Florio defends them:

It’s time to drop the fake macho football bullshit when it comes to quarterback behavior after a turnover.

Yeah, I said it. It is fake macho football bullshit.

Quarterbacks are quarterbacks, not defensive players. After a turnover, the quarterback has one job. To get out of the way, and to avoid getting injured. (Actually, that’s sort of two jobs. But you get the point.)

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is getting called out mercilessly by many (including Broncos coach Vic Fangio) for not making more of an effort to tackle Eagles cornerback Darius Slay after a third-quarter fumble on Sunday. Bridgewater actually spoke to reporters on Monday (something he wasn’t scheduled to do) in an effort to explain his heat-of-the-moment business decision.

He would have been better saying nothing. Ultimately, here’s what Bridgewater should have said: “Hey, guys, I had a serious knee injury five years ago, without contact. I’m not going through that again. If you don’t like it, I don’t know what else to tell you.”

That should always be the attitude when it comes to a quarterback playing defense after a turnover. Remember when Dolphins coach Brian Flores said in the preseason that he wants quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to pursue the ballcarrier after an interception? Get the hell out of here with that; the quarterback should literally get the hell out of there after a sudden change in possession.

This isn’t a running back or a tight end or a receiver or a tight end pulling up after a fumble. It’s the most important guy on the team, the straw who stirs the drink. They guy who must stay healthy for the team to have a chance.

Let it be 11 on 10 after a turnover. Let the quarterback be as useless as the giant white plastic kick/throw/run piece in electric football, the one that no one ever wanted to actually use. Just leave. Get away. Go to the sideline.

Nothing good comes from trying to make a tackle. (Just ask Baker Mayfield; that’s how he messed up his left shoulder, way back in Week Two.) As Bridgewater has learned, nothing good comes from even pretending to try to make a tackle.

Just leave the field. Or, if all else fails, shelter in place, like Tom Brady did after throwing his second interception on Sunday.

For all coaches, media, and fans, here’s the message, again: Drop the fake macho football bullshit. We no longer make fun of a quarterback who takes a dive in a collapsed pocket, like Jim Rome used to do with Jim Everett. We also shouldn’t chide a quarterback who decides not to throw his body in the way of a defender who ended up with the ball.

Nothing good comes from putting a starting quarterback unnecessarily in harm’s way, since the harm that comes to the starting quarterback could derail a team’s entire season.

TODD McSHAY’s TOP 32

Here is how Todd McShay of ESPN.com sees the top of the draft, including a 315-pounder named Little Brother in French.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250

Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 1

Thibodeaux is a phenomenal pass-rusher with great speed and size. He gets a good push on blockers, and he shows solid initial quickness and closing speed. Thibodeaux is effective dipping-and-ripping, but he also displays a strong inside move. Against the run, he locates the ball and then stacks and sheds blockers, often making plays in the backfield. He could use a little more work as a hands fighter, but there is no doubt that he is the top edge prospect in the class. And he is versatile enough to convert to 3-4 outside linebacker or even occasionally kick inside to rush the passer.

Through eight games, Thibodeaux has 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 5 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles. After an outstanding game against UCLA in October, he showed once again just how dominant he can be in Saturday’s win against Washington State, posting a pair of sacks.

2. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU*

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195

Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 2

Stingley burst onto the scene with six interceptions as a freshman in 2019. The numbers weren’t as eye-popping last season, and he hasn’t had a single interception in 10 games over the past two years, but he still has all the tools to be a truly dominant shutdown cornerback in the NFL. He is long, fast and physical, but his versatility is key. Stingley can play press-man, off-coverage, free safety and the overhang position. He is smooth with oily hips, and he has the recovery speed and instincts to make plays on the ball. A bonus: Stingley also has experience returning punts. In three games this season, he has 3.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble, but Stingley is out indefinitely right now after getting a procedure done on his injured foot.

3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama*

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 350

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 3

Neal has played all over the Alabama line, starting at guard as a freshman before sliding to right tackle in 2020 and finally left tackle this season. He mirrors and slides really well, and speed rushers struggle to get around his long frame. On run blocks, Neal excels with a quick first step and excellent angles. He shows range at the second level, which makes him perfect for a zone-blocking scheme. He also delivers blocks with power, though he is still developing his balance. His awareness stands out — he can locate blitzes, twists and stunts and seal off the pass rush. Neal can get in trouble occasionally lunging, but his skill set makes him an easy plug-and-play in the NFL.

4. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 219

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 4

Hamilton is a nightmare matchup for offenses. He has great size and closing burst while playing all over the defense. You’ll see him line up deep in coverage, over the slot and even at linebacker. Hamilton can blanket tight ends, and with solid ball skills and an ability to read the QB, he will make plays. He has three interceptions in seven games this year, along with 34 tackles and four passes broken up. Against the run, Hamilton can fill the alley, but he will need to work on his angles to avoid missing tackles. Hamilton injured his knee in October and has not yet returned.

5. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 269

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 5

Hutchinson plays a powerful game and is truly relentless in pursuit. Hutchinson also has fast eyes and locates the ball really well. I also like his inside move, and his ability to line up on either side and drop in coverage will be valuable to NFL teams. He has 10.0 sacks (tied for seventh in the country), 9 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles this season for the Wolverines.

6. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 7

Cross has long arms, good agility and solid quickness for a 310-pound left tackle. He’s a natural knee-bender with great balance and the mirror-and-slide skills to handle double moves and speed rushers. Cross is a patient pass-blocker and can pick up blitzes and other defensive line disguises. On run-blocking plays, Cross has strong angles and above-average range, but he needs to develop his lower-body strength and push. He sees more pass-blocking snaps than most collegiate linemen in the Bulldogs’ scheme, giving evaluators plenty of tape.

7. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 8

Wilson accelerates off the line and immediately puts defensive backs on their heels. He will drop his weight at the top of his route stem, and he is extremely sudden in and out of his breaks. Wilson occasionally is a body catcher, but I’ve also seen him make plenty of difficult catches away from his frame and in traffic, controlling his body and adjusting to off-target throws. There is big-play ability, too, thanks to elite speed and acceleration. He tracks the deep ball well, and while he isn’t going to elude many defenders laterally, he turns up field and hits the second gear so swiftly that he is trouble after the catch.

Wilson has 53 catches for 813 yards and nine touchdowns (tied for eighth in the FBS) this season, and he had arguably the best game of his career against Purdue on Saturday. He caught 10 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns — and added a 51-yard touchdown rush.

8. Drake London, WR, USC*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 24

London is a big target who is versatile enough to operate out wide or in the slot. He has great contact balance, terrific body control and solid hands. London has the speed to threaten vertically, will make plays in traffic over the middle and is smooth in and out of his breaks. I really like his ability to find the soft spots in zone looks. Before he fractured his right ankle (out for the season), London had 88 catches, 1,084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers still rank second, eighth and tied for 33rd despite the fact he hasn’t played since October, and six of his eight games saw him hit 130-plus receiving yards.

9. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 225

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 14

Dean is an off-ball linebacker who has good speed, suddenness, range and instincts. He can match up with running backs in coverage, but he can also go sideline to sideline in run defense. Dean will make a lot of plays in pursuit, closing on ball carriers and wrapping up on tackles. His improvement as a blitzer this season has been impressive, too. He can locate gaps and close on the QB. Dean shows an excellent motor on every single down. In 2021, Dean has 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions — including a pick-six.

10. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 184

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 12

Dotson is a bit undersized, but his suddenness, speed and route craftiness make him a dangerous offensive weapon. He is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, but he always seems to be in control. His tape is smooth, and his routes are sharp. Despite a smaller catch radius, his ball skills are terrific, and he will pluck the ball on the run and/or adjust to throws with excellent body control. Dotson can challenge vertically, too, but he doesn’t have the size to win many 50-50 balls. If he does win, he has the field vision and wheels to produce after the catch.

Dotson has 80 catches (fourth in the nation) for 993 yards (14th) and nine touchdowns (tied for eighth) this season, and he has at least five receptions in all 10 games. In an early November win against Maryland, he exploded for 11 catches, 242 yards and three scores.

11. Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 16

Lloyd is a versatile linebacker who moves like a safety — he played there in high school. He has the quickness, strength and balance to slip blocks, but there is room for improvement there. Lloyd is rangy and closes well in pursuit. He will oftentimes spy quarterbacks. When turned loose as a pass-rusher, he is an effective hands fighter, and he can win against running backs when hitting an inside hole. Lloyd has 84 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 3 interceptions and 6 passes broken up — and his 19.0 tackles for loss rank second in the country.

12. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 290

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 9

Leal’s versatility will be valuable in the NFL. He can win as an inside pass-rusher thanks to a quick first step, an ability to penetrate gaps and solid closing speed. But he can also use his speed-to-power, length and awareness to get it done off the edge — though he lacks the top-end speed to consistently get pressure outside. His range against the run is impressive, and he disengages quickly to make plays. Leal has 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, 2 QB hurries and a forced fumble in 10 games this season.

13. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida*

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 193

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 11

Elam is instinctive and aggressive. He has loads of top-end speed (he ran track in high school), great closing burst and excellent awareness in coverage, and he is able to play in press, zone or off-man. Elam follows the ball well when it’s in the air, and his on-ball production is solid. He has an interception and five passes broken up this season, and his 13 pass breakups in 2020 tied for the fourth most in the country.

14. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 27

A new No. 1 quarterback in the class! Pickett has really come on this season, currently sitting sixth in the country in Total QBR (84.0). His 3,517 passing yards are fifth, and his 32 passing TDs are fourth. He has four interceptions over 10 games, and he has completed 67.5% of his passes. His arm strength and pocket mobility are average areas in his game, but his toughness in the pocket, fast eyes on progressions and awareness in holding the safety stand out. His decision-making is improving after back-to-back seasons with 13-to-9 TD-INT ratios. And Pickett flashes some second-reaction ability, too, scrambling when he needs to create.

15. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama*

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 189

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 28

An Ohio State transfer, Williams is a big-play threat with elite speed and shiftiness as a ball carrier. When he plucks on the run, he accelerates away from defenders. Williams is still working through the nuances of route running, and he can occasionally be a body catcher, but he tracks and adjusts to balls in the air well. Williams has 1,028 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns (both top-10 numbers), and he is one of just 11 players averaging at least 20 yards per catch.

16. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 188

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 10

Olave’s ball skills are excellent, and there is plenty of speed in his game. His route running stands out, as he explodes off the line and creates separation vertically. He always seems to have a plan, and he drops his weight quickly to accelerate out of his breaks. I’d like to see him get stronger, but Olave is an extremely talented receiver prospect. He has 51 catches for 708 yards and 11 touchdowns (tied for first in the country) this season. Consider this: Olave has scored at least once in eight of nine games this season, and he has three games with at least 100 receiving yards and multiple TDs.

17. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 17

Karlaftis played just three games in 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19, but he is healthy this season, registering 3.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble-return TD in 10 games. He wins with power, holding his own at the point of attack and showing good stopping power. Karlaftis gets a good push as a power rusher and then falls inside when he is even with the QB. He has shown an ability to make an impact as an inside rusher as well.

18. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty*

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 6

Willis is terrific at extending plays and keeping his eyes downfield outside the pocket. His off-platform throws have plenty of “wow” factor, as he gets the ball out from various release points with velocity and hits tight windows. An Auburn transfer, Willis has thrown for 2,159 yards this season, with 21 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions — including three in an early November loss to Ole Miss. His completion percentage (66.4%) and yards per completion (9.2) have both improved from last season, but he has taken 38 sacks in 2021. On the ground, Willis has 755 yards and another 10 touchdowns.

19. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 20

Linderbaum is an effective zone blocker with great foot speed and range, and he is a solid combo blocker at the second level. At 290 pounds, he is a little on the smaller side, but he flashes good finishing power and anchors well for his size. But there is some room for improvement when it comes to staying square and in front of defenders.

20. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 15

Petit-Frere has heavy hands, and he will often knock defenders off balance and even sometimes to the ground with his power. But he is also very quick and shows body control in pass protection. He has not given up a single sack over four seasons (including one redshirt year) at Ohio State. As a run-blocker, he smothers defenders at the point of attack and seals off the backside. He was Ohio State’s right tackle in 2020 but moved over to the left side this season.

21. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 340

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 13

Davis is a massive 3-4 nose tackle, but he has experience as a traditional defensive tackle in a 4-3, too. He has power and will bull-rush blockers back into their quarterback. But he is more of a disrupter than a finisher — he has just 2.0 sacks in 10 games — and lacks first-step quickness and redirect ability. Against the run, Davis does a great job with gap control and is a true space eater. Good luck moving him off his spot. Watching his tape, the thing that jumps out is how often he requires double-team attention.

22. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 31

At his best in press-man coverage, McCreary can reroute receivers with his length and quick feet. He does get in some trouble when receivers make sharp cuts, and his run support needs to improve, but his ball skills and length lead to plays on the ball. His 12 passes defended, including a pair of interceptions, are tied for seventh in the nation. NFL teams that play a lot of press will want to take a look at McCreary’s tape.

23. Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare, OLB, South Carolina

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: NR

Enagbare is still raw as a pass-rusher, especially when it comes to how he uses his hands when engaged with blockers, but he has potential thanks to good burst off the edge (4.5 sacks this season and 10 QB hurries). One of the most impressive parts of his game is how often he gets his arms in passing lanes. Enagbare tends to play high, especially against the run, and he is neutralized by offensive tackles too often because of it. He is probably a situational edge rusher early in his pro career with the tools to develop into a bigger role.

24. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 18

Burks doesn’t have a ton of speed, and he won’t burn defensive backs off the line of scrimmage. But he is a savvy route runner who knows how to find the soft spots in zone coverage and use his frame to generate late separation. But what puts Burks among the best receivers in this class? His ball skills. He can pluck on the run with his oversized hands and does an outstanding job with body control to haul in deep passes or off-target throws. Burks is also effective after the catch, transitioning upfield, showing good vision and breaking tackles along the way. He has 815 receiving yards, and his eight touchdown catches are tied for 16th in the nation. A big matchup against Alabama’s defense looms (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET).

25. David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250

Grade: 88 | Previous rank: NR

Lining up opposite Aidan Hutchinson on Michigan’s defensive front, Ojabo has really come on this season, posting 10.0 sacks (tied for seventh in the country), 10.0 tackles for loss, 6 QB hurries and 5 forced fumbles (second). He has a super-quick first step and excellent torso flexibility when coming off the edge. He has speed and hunts for the ball, but he can get stuck on blocks occasionally.

26. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200

Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 21

Corral has improved as a pocket passer and decision-maker in 2021, but those are still work-in-progress areas. He is tough and mobile in the pocket, and he has a nice quick release, getting the ball out on quick-game throws and leading receivers into extra yardage. Corral has 2,774 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes this season, and he notably has just two interceptions after throwing 14 of them last season. His run-game ability is also playing a big part: He has 523 yards on the ground along with 10 scores. He rushed for 195 yards in a mid-October win over Tennessee.

27. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati*

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 188

Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 23

Receivers have a hard time getting off the line against Gardner. He is tall and long, and he smothers coverage underneath. Gardner has strong recognition ability in zone, is an adequate wrap-up tackler and flashes playmaking skill. He has three interceptions, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble so far in 2021. One concern: He plays almost too physical sometimes.

28. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan*

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 305

Grade: 87 | Previous rank: NR

Raimann is a former tight end who slid into a left tackle role with the Chippewas in 2020. He gets into position and walls off defenders against the run, though he will occasionally fall off a block late. As a pass-blocker, he has the ability to shut down defenders when he gets his hands inside, and thanks to great lateral mobility, he can take away the inside move. Considering he is relatively new to the offensive line, he is still raw, but Raimann’s ceiling is high.

29. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260

Grade: 87 | Previous rank: NR

McBride is the only tight end to rank inside the FBS’ top 45 in receiving yards this season — and he’s No. 17 overall with 919. His 78 catches also rank sixth overall. He is versatile, lining up out wide, in the slot and in-line with Colorado State. He can be a real matchup problem for defensive coordinators. McBride is a big target who makes plays in traffic and downfield, thanks to elite ball skills. He leverages his routes well and is productive after the catch.

30. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa*

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 321

Grade: 86 | Previous rank: NR

Penning moves defenders off the ball with his power, and he moves well for his size. I’d like to see some improvement in his footwork, and he has some issues with mirroring, but Penning is an absolute mauler. He’d likely be a swing tackle to begin his NFL career, but his upside is immense.

31. Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 255

Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 19

Wydermyer has been used primarily as a Y tight end with the Aggies, but he’s certainly also effective flexed outside or as an in-line blocker. He is a crisp route runner for a 6-foot-5 pass-catcher, and he gets separation at the top of his stem by using his quickness and frame. Wydermyer has a wide catch radius, showing solid body control on both throws over his head and deep balls. When it comes to blocking, he is at his best in small areas, showing enough strength to sustain. He has 474 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season.

32. Zion Johnson, OT/G, Boston College

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 316

Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 30

Johnson has experience at guard and tackle, and he will prove versatile in the NFL, too, with the foot speed, range and balance to excel in zone-blocking schemes. I wouldn’t classify him as a consistent mauler, but he is smooth getting set and tends to stay in front of his assignments as a pass-protector. His technique could use some refining, and he’ll need to improve his ability to anchor at the point of attack.

NFL RANKINGS

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com offers his current NFL rankings:

The NFL is known for its parity, but the 2021 season has taken this trait to an extreme.

As noted by Around The NFL colleague Gregg Rosenthal, only five teams are more than one game out in the loss column for a playoff spot as we enter Week 11. The wide-open nature of Our League™ is reflected in the NFL Power Rankings, which gets a comprehensive makeover every seven days.

It’s hard work … it’s honest work … and I’m excited to clock in and get my hands dirty. Rise and grind.

1 Green Bay Packers  8-2          Previous rank: No. 4

The defense is on a heater and it’s made Green Bay the most balanced team in football. The Packers registered an impressive shutout of the Seahawks at chilly Lambeau Field and have now held Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson to 34 combined points across the past three games. Aaron Rodgers returned from his one-game COVID-19 misadventure and showed some rust, guiding the Pack to just three points in the first three quarters before putting the game away with a pair of late touchdown drives. Green Bay dodged disaster when it learned Aaron Jones is unlikely to miss more than two games with a knee injury sustained in the second half. The schedule stays tough with a rugged divisional matchup this week in Minnesota.

2 Tennessee Titans 8-2                Previous rank: No. 3

The Titans are the hottest team in football — and they’ve made history in their surge to the top of the AFC standings. Mike Vrabel’s team held off the Saints, 23-21, and became the second NFL team ever to win five consecutive games against opponents that qualified for the playoffs the season before. The offense still feels limited with Derrick Henry on the shelf, but the Titans know how to grind out victories with a defense that is vastly improved. Jeffery Simmons collected two more sacks — giving him five in the past two weeks — and Tennessee made the key stop on New Orleans’ two-point conversion attempt in the final minute. An overdue layup against the Texans awaits.

3 Dallas Cowboys  7-2                Previous rank: No. 5

You don’t want to play an angry Cowboys team. A week after getting blown out by the Broncos in one of the most surprising outcomes of the season, Dallas returned the favor against a Falcons team that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After the 43-3 demolition — a game in which Dallas took a 36-3 lead into halftime — Jerry Jones said he couldn’t remember a more dominant performance in his 30-plus years as owner. The win — paired with a Cardinals loss to the Panthers — moves the Cowboys one game out of the top spot in the NFC as they hit a critical juncture in their schedule with matchups against the Chiefs, Raiders and Saints over a 12-day span. Buckle up.

4 Arizona Cardinals  8-2                Previous rank: No. 1

The Cardinals are doing the right thing. It might be painful in the short term, but it’s the prudent move to keep Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins out of game action, even if it means ugly results like Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Panthers. Murray attempted to play through a lingering shoulder injury last December and Arizona’s playoff hopes imploded. Giving Murray’s ankle and Hopkins’ hamstring the necessary time to heal will help the Cardinals in the long run as they attempt to make a deep playoff run. The team’s 7-0 start to the season provided Kliff Kingsbury’s team with some cushion. He’s smart to use it now.

5  Buffalo Bills     6-3                       Previous rank: No. 8

The Jets were just what the doctor ordered for the Bills’ slumping offense. Josh Allen picked apart New York’s weak defense, throwing for 366 yards with two scores in a 45-17 win at the Meadowlands. Allen’s offensive line provided him ample time to work from the pocket, and he re-established his connection with star receiver Stefon Diggs, who enjoyed just his second 100-yard day of the season. The Jets were a nice confidence booster, but we’ll need to see more evidence before declaring that Brian Daboll and Co. have successfully counteracted the game plans that stifled the attack before Sunday.

6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers  6-3        Previous rank: No. 2

Tom Brady had no interest in speaking with the media after Sunday’s upset 29-19 loss to the Washington Football Team, and you didn’t need a degree in psychology to know why. Brady never found a groove against Washington’s revitalized defense and was trapped on the sidelines as Tampa Bay’s D surrendered a marathon 19-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up most of the fourth quarter and ended with a touchdown that put the game out of reach. One can imagine Brady became further peeved when he heard Bruce Arians’ blunt assessment of the QB’s struggles in his own press conference. An ugly afternoon for the defending champs.

7 Kansas City Chiefs 6-4                      Previous rank: No. 12

Patrick Mahomes back? Patrick Mahomes back! There was reason for extreme optimism around Chiefs Kingdom after Mahomes looked unstoppable in a 41-17 beatdown of the Raiders in Vegas. This was the vintage Kansas City offense that had been missing for most of the season, and it all centered around the former MVP behind center: Mahomes finished with 35 completions on 50 passing attempts for 406 yards, five touchdowns and zero turnovers. His relentless play-making ability wore down the Raiders in the second half and served as a reminder that Mahomes in full flight is one of the best to ever play. “That guy is great,” Tyreek Hill said of his QB. “He’s unbelievable. I can’t ask to be in a better position with a better quarterback.”

8 New England Patriots  6-4                     Previous rank: No. 11

It almost feels like the good times never left Gillette Stadium — they just took a one-year sabbatical in 2020 like the rest of us. On Sunday, the Pats rolled over the Browns for their fourth consecutive victory in a 3.5-hour party at Foxborough. Two days earlier, Bill Belichick gushed about Josh McDaniels, telling reporters he didn’t believe the offensive coordinator “has any weaknesses as a coach.” Then McDaniels dialed up a game plan against Cleveland that produced six touchdowns in eight possessions when starter Mac Jones was on the field. Jones was back in a groove in what has been the most impressive season of any rookie QB by a wide margin. If he continues to mature, there’s no limit how far the Pats can go in a wide-open AFC.

9 Los Angeles Rams 7-3                           Previous rank: No. 7

The Rams certainly won the publicity game with their splashy moves to acquire Von Miller and Odell Beckham, but their slump on the field has now stretched across consecutive ugly prime-time performances. Monday night’s 31-10 loss to the 49ers was another feather in the cap of Kyle Shanahan, who has made it a habit to outshine fellow wunderkind Sean McVay in head-to-head matchups between NFC West rivals. Matthew Stafford was let down by multiple dropped passes from his receivers in L.A.’s first game without Robert Woods, who tore his ACL during Friday’s practice. Both Miller and Beckham were quiet in their first game action — that will have to change if the all-in Rams are to get where they want to be.

10 Baltimore Ravens 6-3                          Previous rank: No. 6

Lamar Jackson has mixed in some lows with the highs during the brilliant start to his pro career, but it’s hard to remember Jackson looking as demonstrably frustrated as he was on Thursday night in Miami. Jackson and the Ravens’ offense were a mess in what was supposed to be a homecoming party for the quarterback against the NFL’s 30th-ranked defense. Brian Flores sent waves of blitzes at Jackson, overwhelming the pass protection and repeatedly putting the fourth-year pro in impossible situations. Much will be made about the Dolphins creating a playbook for how to attack Baltimore — it’s on John Harbaugh and Co. to counterpunch after a humbling loss. “We just weren’t ready,” Harbaugh said, “and that’s on me.”

11 Los Angeles Chargers 5-4                   Previous rank: No. 9

The Chargers remain a frustratingly inconsistent operation, particularly on offense. A week after Justin Herbert and Co. appeared to shake their slump in a win over the Eagles, the L.A. attack was again out of sync in a 27-20 loss to the Vikings, the Bolts’ third loss in five games at SoFi Stadium this season. The hit-or-miss nature of the offense is putting the other side of the ball in a vulnerable position, as Los Angeles continues to lose the time of possession battle on a weekly basis. A tired Chargers defense had the Vikings at second-and-17 and third-and-20 on the final possession of the game and surrendered first downs in each instance as Minnesota successfully ran out the clock for the win.

12   Cleveland Browns  5-5                     Previous rank: No. 10

At some point, we might have to believe what the Browns are telling us: This is an inconsistent team incapable of putting together a sustained stretch of good play. Sunday’s 45-7 loss to the Patriots served as an indictment on both sides of the ball and left players openly questioning the coaching staff’s ability to make adjustments after it was over. The Browns put up a touchdown on their first drive and never scored again. The defense surrendered scoring drives covering 99, 95, 92 and 83 yards. Last place in the tightly packed AFC North is not where Cleveland thought it would be with seven games to go. The disappointment is real.

13  New Orleans Saints  5-4                    Previous rank: No. 13

Sean Payton was not a happy man after Sunday’s 23-21 loss to the Titans … and we get it. His kicker missed two extra points, a potential game-tying two-point conversion was foiled in the final minute, and officials cost New Orleans seven points with a highly questionable roughing the passer penalty. Credit the Saints for hanging tough against a red-hot opponent, on the road, with four key offensive starters sidelined by injuries. But it’s the result that matters most, and New Orleans missed out on a golden opportunity to move into a first-place tie with the Bucs atop the NFC South.

14  Minnesota Vikings 4-5                      Previous rank: No. 21

The Vikings’ offense needed to start taking chances again. The attack had become increasingly conservative in recent weeks, with Kirk Cousins repeatedly throwing short of the sticks. That changed in Sunday’s win over the Chargers, a critical victory in which Justin Jefferson re-established himself as the most explosive playmaker on the team. Jefferson was uncoverable at times, finishing with nine catches for 143 yards, including the crucial 27-yard catch late in the fourth quarter that helped Minnesota run out the clock to seal the win. Per Next Gen Stats, Cousins was 5-for-6 for 114 yards when targeting Jefferson more than 10 yards downfield. It’s a trend that must continue with a critical showdown against the Packers on tap.

15 Indianapolis Colts 5-5                         Previous rank: No. 18

The Colts came out of the creampuff portion of their schedule with wins over the Jets and Jaguars, but Sunday’s victory over a feisty Jacksonville team left more questions than answers. The offense struggled to get anything going after a fast start, and Carson Wentz was back to making the kind of ill-advised throws that got Indy beat by the Titans in Week 8. A bad team like Jacksonville won’t always make you pay, but Wentz won’t be nearly as fortunate with matchups against the Bills and Buccaneers on tap. The Colts have yet to win a game against a team with a winning record this season — if they don’t come out the next two weeks with at least a split, they’ll confirm their also-ran status.

16 Cincinnati Bengals  5-4                     Previous rank: No. 16

The bye came at an ideal time for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Statistically speaking, the Bengals were one of the best defenses in football over the first seven weeks of the season — but things fell apart in back-to-back losses to the Jets and Browns. Cincinnati surrendered 75 points in the two losses, struggling to stop both the run and the pass. Now in his third season on the job, Anarumo’s future in Cincy might hinge on what happens the rest of the way. Said Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard: “We gotta look at ourselves and see what team we’re really made of these last weeks.”

17  San Francisco 49ers 4-5                   Previous rank: No. 24

With his team in virtual must-win territory and scrutiny at a high point in his time on the 49ers sideline, Kyle Shanahan cooked up his best game plan of the season. The result was a blowout of the rival Rams that may serve as a turning point for what’s been one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams. Jimmy Garoppolo continued to build on his recent run of strong play, and Deebo Samuel delivered another All-Pro-level performance for the Niners, who won at Levi’s Stadium for the first time in 393 days. This was a complete effort by San Francisco, which needed just one stellar night to re-establish itself as a player in the NFC postseason race.

18  Pittsburgh Steelers  5-3-1                       Previous rank: No. 14

The Steelers played down to the level of their opponent on Sunday, and it cost them what should have been an easy win at Heinz Field. With Ben Roethlisberger at home following a positive COVID-19 test, Mason Rudolph and the rest of the Steelers bumbled their way to a 16-16 tie against the winless Lions. Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth fumbled near the Detroit sideline with eight seconds left, denying Pittsburgh the chance at a potential game-winning (and face-saving) field goal. Big Ben’s availability for this week is in doubt, and it was revealed Monday that star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has also landed on the COVID-19 list. The Steelers are being challenged right now.

19 Carolina Panthers 5-5                                 Previous rank: No. 25

Cam Newton is back and scoring touchdowns, Christian McCaffrey is healthy and living in the second level of defenses, and the Panthers are once again a credible NFC playoff contender. Newton had a surprise supporting role in Week 10, accounting for two touchdowns and a downfield pass that resulted in a defensive pass interference call in a 34-10 win over the Cardinals. Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that Newton will work with the first-team offense this week in practice, a sure sign the former MVP will replace P.J. Walker as starter on Sunday against Washington. This all remains a bit, well, weird considering the circumstances that led to Newton’s exit from Charlotte — but Rhule and Panthers brass deserve some credit for putting the greater good ahead of pride. 

20 Las Vegas Raiders  5-4                            Previous rank: No. 15

Is it happening again? Raiders fans hoped this season would be different than the two that preceded it, but Sunday night’s 41-14 loss to the Chiefs felt like a harbinger of doom. In Week 9, the offense faltered on the road against the Giants. In prime time at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night, it was the defense that faltered against a version of Patrick Mahomes that Silver & Black fans hoped was staying in witness protection. At 5-4, the Raiders remain in the thick of the AFC West race, but it’s fair to wonder if Vegas and the rest of the division had its chance to run away and hide from the Chiefs … and squandered it. Ready or not, here they come.

21  Philadelphia Eagles 4-6                              Previous rank: No. 26

If the Eagles go on to make a dash to the playoffs (not a pipe dream in the wide-open NFC Wild Card race), we might point to Darius Slay’s 83-yard fumble return as the season’s turning point. On the final play of the third quarter, Slay scooped up Melvin Gordon’s fumble, fumbled the ball himself, then recovered and dashed nearly untouched to the end zone to silence the fans at Mile High and send Philadelphia to its fourth road victory in six tries. With a steadily improving Jalen Hurts under center, the Eagles have a chance to make some noise if their defense can continue to deliver impact plays like we saw from “Big Play Slay” on Sunday.

22 Seattle Seahawks  3-6                                Previous rank: No. 19

It may be unfair to say Russell Wilson launched a PR assault to celebrate his early return from finger surgery, but it sure felt like the Seahawks quarterback was trying to top Adele for the biggest event on television this weekend. The Return did not go to plan, however: Wilson looked like a shell of himself after the four-week layoff, and the Seahawks were shut out for the first time ever with their star quarterback under center. Wilson’s passer rating (39.7) was the fourth-lowest of his career, as the offense wasted a strong performance by an improving Seattle defense that held Aaron Rodgers to three points through the first three quarters. The 2021 Seahawks may never find a way to put it all together.

23 Denver Broncos  5-5                                 Previous rank: No. 17

The Broncos came into Week 10 hoping to prove that the previous Sunday’s dominant win over the Cowboys wasn’t a fluke — then they stepped on the field and made all their doubters look smart. Denver delivered a flat and uninspired effort in a 30-13 home loss to the Eagles that showed just how far this team remains from serious contention in the AFC. Teddy Bridgewater played perhaps his worst game as a Bronco, piloting the offense to just one touchdown in five red-zone trips and making an apparent “business decision” on the Darius Slay 83-yard fumble return that sealed Denver’s fate. It was a bad look for the quarterback and a bad way for the Broncos to hit the bye week.

24 New York Giants 3-6                                    Previous rank: No. 22

The Giants spent their bye week just trying to get healthy. Injuries have been the story with this team, with critical players on the offense disappearing for large swaths of the season. Running back Saquon Barkley and wide receivers Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton have each been sidelined for three games or more. Electric rookie wideout Kadarius Toney missed two games. The injury avalanche has muddled the evaluation process of third-year QB Daniel Jones while putting handcuffs on offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who doesn’t need any additional impediments to the job. If any team deserves some “injury luck” in the second half, it’s the G-Men.

25 Chicago Bears 3-6                                    Previous rank: No. 23

The Bears have disappointed on defense after a fast start, but the news isn’t all bad. The team continues to receive superstar play from Roquan Smith, who has fully entrenched himself as one of the best off-ball linebackers in football. Smith was an absolute menace against the Steelers before the bye, recording 12 tackles and one sack in the narrow loss at Heinz Field. He had 93 tackles through Week 9, tied with Seahawks star Bobby Wagner for the most in the NFL. Khalil Mack has been the face of the Bears’ defense for several years, but he’s no longer the team’s best player on that side of the ball.

26 Washington Football Team 3-6                   Previous rank: No. 28

This was the version of the Washington Football Team that Ron Rivera believed he was taking into battle in September. The defense picked off two Tom Brady passes and held the high-powered Bucs offense under 300 yards, while the offense closed the game out with one of the most impressive drives by any team this season. Taylor Heinicke led Washington on a stunning 19-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that bled more than 10 minutes in the final quarter and removed any chance of Brady riding in to save the day. It would have been a perfect Sunday if not for the terrible news that star pass rusher Chase Young tore his ACL in the game and must undergo reconstructive knee surgery. Just one of those years.

27 Atlanta Falcons 4-5                                      Previous rank: No. 20

 “We were outcoached and outplayed.” There’s not much else Arthur Smith could say after an embarrassing 43-3 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday at Jerrah World. One week after a gritty win over the Saints that gave credence to the thought that Atlanta could be a playoff team, the Falcons looked completely out of their depth against a conference superpower Dallas team that was in a foul mood after its own blowout loss a week earlier. Matt Ryan threw for a measly 117 yards, Cordarrelle Patterson exited with an ankle injury, and the Cowboys scored four consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 36-3 lead into the tunnel at halftime. It was as demoralizing as a loss gets, but the page turns fast in the NFL. Up next: The surging Patriots on Thursday night.

28 Miami Dolphins 3-7                                         Previous rank: No. 29

Brian Flores needed that win. Tua needed that win. Dolphins fans needed that win. The 22-10 upset over the Ravens was fun and silly and memorable — and for reasons that went beyond the greatest touchdown in NFL history that didn’t count. Credit Brian Flores and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer for cooking up a high-risk/high-reward game plan that sent waves of pressure at Lamar Jackson to stunningly successful results. The Ravens’ high-flying offense — which piled up 500 yards on the Vikings four days earlier — didn’t even manage a touchdown until there were four minutes remaining in the game. It was a coaching masterpiece that maximized the abilities of Miami’s talented secondary. Chef’s kiss.

29 Jacksonville Jaguars 2-7                                   Previous rank: No. 27

Urban Meyer didn’t get a win on Sunday in Indianapolis, but the first-year NFL coach provided more evidence he has stabilized the operation after the self-immolation that marked the early portion of his rookie season. Jacksonville fell behind 17-0 against the Colts but fought back and was in position to potentially win the game before Trevor Lawrence lost a fumble in the final minutes. Led by Josh Allen, Jacksonville’s defense is showing signs of improvement, but Meyer and the Jags braintrust must devote significant resources to adding pieces around Lawrence in the offseason. The rookie too often seems to be on an island.

30 Detroit Lions 0-8-1                                       Previous rank: No. 31

The good news is obvious: The Lions didn’t lose on Sunday, which counts as undeniable progress for a team that went into its bye at 0-8. That said, Detroit let another second-half lead slip away and failed to seize the moment when a thoroughly spooked Ryan Santoso badly missed a 48-yard attempt in overtime that would have sent the host Steelers to the locker room in shame. After the game, an exasperated Dan Campbell likened the game — and his first season as Lions coach, we surmise — to living in The Twilight Zone, a strange and mysterious place where nothing is quite what it seems. “We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose, either,” Campbell said. “All you can ask for is improvement and we improved.”

31 New York Jets  2-7                                       Previous rank: No. 30

Mike White Mania was fun while it lasted. The backup quarterback was in over his head against the Bills, throwing four interceptions in an ugly performance that will quiet any talk of keeping Zach Wilson on the bench any longer than necessary. The 45-17 loss was also another hideous day for Robert Saleh’s defense, which has delivered the worst four-game stretch in the history of the franchise. How bad has it been? The Jets are the first team to allow at least 45 points three times in a four-game span since the 1966 Giants. GM Joe Douglas has so much work to do to return the Jets to respectability, but dedicating serious resources to the defense needs to be at the top of the priority list.

32  Houston Texans 1-8                                      Previous rank: No. 32

When we look back at the history of the Texans a decade from now, 2021 will be remembered — if it’s remembered at all — as the lost season for Houston’s NFL franchise. The depressing Deshaun Watson saga overshadowed anything that happened on the field from the summer through October, and when that drama was (temporarily) tabled post-trade deadline, all that was left was the worst team in football playing out the string ahead of what could be a massive organizational reboot. The coaches and players live in football purgatory: They exist, but everything about this team feels ephemeral. The wrecking ball is coming. Collect your paychecks and try to compile some decent tape.