We have reached about the midway point of the 2023 season, and teams are beginning to separate themselves as competitors and frauds. What better time for another NFL Power Rankings? The entire AFC North, however, has remained difficult to figure out. The Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers all have winning records. Baltimore is pulling away from the pack, but this is a division that could sneak three teams into the playoffs.
There is still a ton of football to be played, but those who are pretenders are weeding themselves out. The Browns have proven to remain a competitive football team, even without their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. How good can this team be if they can get even average quarterback play?
Here are this week’s power rankings, featuring two teams from the AFC North rising up the board, while two more sink just a bit in the standings.
32
Arizona Cardinals (1-7)
Josh Dobbs is benched, and Clayton Tune is likely starting against the Browns. What incentive do they have to play Kyler Murray?
31
Carolina Panthers (1-6)
Bryce Young and the Panthers get their first win, but they have a long way to go.
30
Chicago Bears (2-6)
This team is going to look drastically different next year. From top to bottom.
29
New York Giants (2-6)
It turns out it’s hard to win games with your third-string quarterback. Unless you’re the Browns.
28
Green Bay Packers (2-5)
It might be time to call the Jordan Love experience what it is.
27
Washington Commanders (2-6)
I think we all see where this one is headed.
26
New England Patriots (2-5)
Beating the Bills a week ago, the Patriots have now fallen back on their face.
25
Las Vegas Raiders (3-5)
The Raiders are letting the NFL’s best aesthetic go to waste.
24
Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
The Colts are still scoring a ton of points, even with their backup quarterback. Head coach Shane Steichen gets it. Rome was not built in a day.
23
Denver Broncos (3-5)
Back-to-back wins for the Broncos!
22
Los Angeles Rams (3-5)
It’s time to fade the Rams.
21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
I have said it every week, but the Buccaneers and former Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield have yet to beat a good team.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
They almost pulled out another ugly win. Is the tread running thin on this team?
19
New York Jets (4-3)
Zach Wilson is playing abysmal football, and that will catch up to the Jets.
18
Tennessee Titans (3-4)
The Will Levis era has arrived in Nashville.
17
Houston Texans (3-4)
Still ahead of schedule on their rebuild, there will still be plenty of highs and lows for DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud, and the Houston Texans.
16
Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Enter Taylor Heinicke, exit Desmond Ridder. This team is directionless.
15
New Orleans Saints (4-4)
I mean, someone has to win the NFC South.
14
Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
The Vikings got a big win in Lambeau but may have lost their season as Kirk Cousins goes down.
13
Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)
They beat the Bears, but there is no reason to trust in Brandon Staley to get the Chargers over the hump.
12
San Francisco 49ers (5-3)
Three straight losses and Mr. Irrelevant looks like Mr. Irrelevant. Brock Purdy’s Linsanity run looks like it has come to an end.
11
Cleveland Browns (4-3)
They almost snuck out their third straight win, but the quarterback play once again haunted them. If they cannot figure it out under center, the Browns will continue to trend downhill.
10
Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
Dallas steamrolled the Rams, but there is still something soft about this football team.
9
Detroit Lions (6-2)
There is still an uneasy feeling about considering the Lions legit contenders, but they are an easy team to buy into.
8
Seattle Seahawks (5-2)
The Seahawks barely escaped the Browns at home, but this is a well-coached team that can make a run at a Super Bowl.
7
Miami Dolphins (6-2)
The Dolphins have beaten up some bad teams. But can they beat a team with a winning record? They have not yet.
6
Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
Joe Burrow is back.
5
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)
The Jaguars are still not as explosive as they can be, and that might be the scariest part. The big question though: can they put it all together?
4
Buffalo Bills (5-3)
It is still unclear which Bills will show up each week. But when they are on, they are one of the premier teams in the NFL.
3
Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
Losing to the Broncos is a tough pill to swallow. But every team gets one bad loss per season.
2
Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Lamar Jackson is feeling it right now and the Ravens are playing excellent football right now on both sides of the football.
1
Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)
The Eagles have an overwhelming amount of firepower all over the field. Even when Jalen Hurts is off, someone is always there to step up.
