USA Today Power Rankings – Syndication Server

NFL power rankings show 49ers looking more like Super Bowl contender

The 49ers are on the move in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings.

The wheels didn’t fall off for the San Francisco 49ers in Weeks 2 and 3, but they got extremely wobbly.

Fortunately for the 49ers they answered the call in a ‘get-right’ game against the rebuilding New England Patriots. San Francisco thumped them 30-13 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday and steadied themselves after a rocky start to the year.

Their beatdown of the Pats was enough to launch the 49ers up five spots in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings. They’re now back in the top 10 after falling all the way to No. 12 following their loss to the Rams.

Now they’re in a position to climb even higher per USA TODAY’s Nate Davis:

WR Brandon Aiyuk still seems to be in preseason mode, currently on pace for a 700-yard season. Yet Sunday was a good “get right” game anyway for a team that still won’t be quite right until its reinforcements arrive. DE Nick Bosa had a season-best seven pressures, and LB Fred Warner managed his first pick-six in five years. At least the Niners are in a stretch where they only travel once in six weeks, their next two contests of the divisional variety (Arizona, Seattle) followed by two against hobbled 2023 division winners (K.C., Dallas).

This is a massive stretch for the 49ers where they can assert themselves as a dominant team in the NFC West, and as Super Bowl contenders.

San Francisco still lands among the contender tier because of their recent history, but they’ll need to play better down the stretch if they want to make another deep playoff run. Two NFC West games followed by those showdowns with the Cowboys and Chiefs will give them an opportunity to string together wins and get back to playing championship-level football.

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Where MSU lands in USA TODAY’s Big Ten Football Power Rankings for 2023 season

See where the Spartans are listed in USA TODAY’s post-spring power rankings for the Big Ten

With spring ball in the rear view mirror, many have begun to look ahead to the fall and how teams are stacking up in their conferences in 2023. This is the case for Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY.

Myerberg released a batch of Big Ten football power rankings last week, which also included the biggest question for each team as they leave spring practice. Coming off a 5-7 season in 2022, Michigan State is not considered one of the top teams in the league but also not near the bottom of the conference.

See where Myerberg ranks Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten teams in his post-spring power rankings:

Jets hold steady in top 12 of latest USA Today power rankings

Week 10 was a very interesting, and sometimes wild, week in the NFL. The New York Jets got to sit around and enjoy it as they wrapped up their bye week before getting back to work to prepare for the Patriots in Week 11.

As a result, there was some shuffling at the top of the latest power rankings from USA Today’s Nate Davis, but the Jets held steady in their spot at No. 12.

12. Jets (12): As they look for elusive solutions to solve their Patriots problem, maybe WR Elijah Moore’s shift into the slot will weaponize him once again.

It remains to be seen how effective the Jets can make Moore again, but giving him more time in the slot, his natural position, will be a step in the right direction.

A date with a top-ten team in New England (No. 10) awaits the Jets in Week 11 and a win could vault the Jets back into the top ten themselves. Not surprisingly, the Bills (No. 3) and the Dolphins (No. 5) both sit in the top five. So it shouldn’t come as a shock that a division that currently has all four teams in a playoff position has all four teams among the top 12 of the power rankings.

Jets nearing top half of latest USA Today power rankings

Once upon a time, in what now seems like a distant galaxy, the New York Jets were sitting dead last in Nate Davis’ power rankings for USA Today. Heading into Week 6, the Jets now sit just outside the top half of the power rankings.

After Sunday’s 40-17 win over the Miami Dolphins, the Jets moved from No. 22 up to No. 17. But their ranking didn’t come without a shot at who they have beaten thus far.

17. Jets (22): Hate to pour any cold water on their 3-2 start. But we have receipts showing the NYJ have beaten one backup quarterback and two rookie passers. Let’s see how it goes against Rodgers in Lambeau Field this Sunday.

Yes, the list of quarterbacks isn’t exactly a “who’s who” in the NFL. However, other team haven’t seem to get as much grief for beating the Jets when Joe Flacco was at quarterback.

Yes, they do face Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. But has Rodgers been typical Rodgers? Not completely. Have the Packers been typical Packers? Not completely. For the record, the Packers do sit 9th in Davis’ rankings, dropping two spots after losing to the Giants in London.

Safe to say the Jets will be in the top half of the rankings, and maybe earn some respect, with a win in Green Bay Sunday.

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Commanders fall in latest power rankings ahead of Week 1

The Commanders aren’t far from the bottom.

The Washington Commanders continue to receive little respect around the NFL. In the latest version of the USA TODAY Sports NFL power rankings, Nate Davis has the Commanders at No. 26 in his power rankings.

Here’s why Davis has Washington at No. 26:

26. Commanders (23): Even if Washington doesn’t rake in a ton of wins this season, the first has already been secured given rookie RB Brian Robinson escaped serious injury after getting shot in an apparent carjacking.

Washington is one spot below its opponent in Week 1, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags had the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in each of the last two years.

The Commanders have been anywhere from No. 19 – No. 28 in various power rankings throughout the offseason. It doesn’t matter. The real games begin for Washington on Sunday.

The Giants are the only NFC East team below the Commanders, and they come in at No. 29.

Where is Washington in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings?

Washington lost by 42 points in Week 16. Where are they in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings?

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Heading into Week 14, the Washington Football Team was 6-6, two games out of first place and in control of their own playoff destiny. Fast forward to three weeks later, Washington has lost three consecutive games and stands at 6-9.

Washington’s playoff aspirations are now on life support.

Before Washington’s current losing streak, it had climbed up to No. 15 in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings. However, it’s been a rough three weeks for the WFT. An ugly home loss to Dallas that was much worse than the score indicated, a depleted WFT roster that the Eagles ran through, around and over by the Eagles, culminated by an embarrassing 56-14 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Washington ranked No. 23 in last week’s power rankings. Surely, the WFT would be in line for a significant fall after losing by 42 points in prime time, right?

Amazingly, Washington remains at No. 23 in the new USA TODAY NFL power rankings.

Here’s what Nate Davis said about Washington entering Week 17.

23. Washington (23): WFT went full anagram Sunday night, embarrassing itself on and off the field in front of a national TV audience. And some obsolete advice? Leave those team benches in Dallas.

The truth is, there are a lot of average to bad teams in the NFL. Washington is in that bunch.

With two games remaining in the 2021 season, can Washington end the season on a positive note?

Washington drops 4 positions in latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings

Washington falls four spots in the new USA TODAY NFL power rankings.

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After four consecutive wins, the Washington Football Team climbed to No. 15 in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings after a Week 13 win at Las Vegas.

Washington’s four-game winning streak ended with a Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Therefore, the WFT dropped four spots in last week’s power rankings. Despite the loss, Washington remained in the playoff hunt, holding onto the NFC’s No. 7 playoff spot.

After the loss to Dallas, Washington had a tough week, seeing over two dozen players added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, including quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Washington was forced to sign veteran Garrett Gilbert last week, who made an emergency start under center for the WFT.

With so many players sidelined, the Eagles took advantage, piling up over 500 yards of total offense in picking up a 27-17 win over Washington.

Considering the circumstances surrounding Washington’s loss, how far would they fall in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings?

In the new power rankings, Washington comes in at No. 23. That’s two consecutive weeks of dropping four positions in the rankings. Here’s what Nate Davis said about Washington ahead of Week 16:

23. Washington (19): Cleveland and Washington were teams most affected by COVID in Week 15. Tuesday’s loss in Philadelphia might very well prove unsurvivable for WFT, which winds up in 10th place rather than in wild-card spot.

You can’t ignore the havoc COVID created on Washington over the last week. Could Washington have defeated the Eagles with Heinicke or Allen? Yes, on any other week, Washington can defeat the Eagles with Heinicke or Allen. But Washington’s defense wasn’t beating anyone on Tuesday night.

Now, Washington must get right in a hurry with a trip to Dallas Sunday.

NFL power rankings roundup Week 12: Where the Eagles sit after 2 straight wins

NFL power rankings roundup Week 12: Where do Philadelphia Eagles sit after 2 straight wins

The Eagles have won two straight games and if not for a close loss to the Chargers at home, the Birds could be heading to New York on a four-game winning streak.

With teams around the league preparing for Week 12, it’s time for a power rankings roundup, with experts from around the league putting some respect on Philadelphia’s name.

For the first time in months, the Birds have entered the top-20 in most outlets.

Did Washington move up in the latest power rankings after second consecutive win?

Washington moves up again in the latest power rankings.

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Don’t look now, but the Washington Football Team is moving on up.

After starting the season 2-6 with some embarrassing defensive performances, Washington won its second consecutive game in Week 11, defeating the Carolina Panthers, 27-21, in head coach Ron Rivera’s return to Charlotte.

Washington upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10, 29-19, in a game the WFT dominated from start to finish. Washington held Tom Brady and the explosive Bucs offense to just 273 total yards.

Yet, Washington received little national attention.

So, after an impressive road win over the Panthers, did Washington move up in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings?

Yes, but not far. Washington moved up to one spot to No. 23 in the latest edition.

23. Washington (24): Why did no one make a bigger deal of QB Taylor Heinicke’s Carolina revenge tour last week? Were there really more prominent prodigal sons in Charlotte or something?

Washington hosts a reeling Seattle Seahawks on Monday night at FedEx Field. A win over the Seahawks would put Washington one game under .500 before a Week 13 trip to Las Vegas.

Washington makes jump in latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings

Washington makes a move in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings after upset win over the Bucs.

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The Washington Football Team picked up their biggest win of the season on Sunday in a 29-19 upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It was the type of performance many expected from Washington all season. However, an injury to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick combined with an underachieving defense dampened the hopes of Washington fans through the first half of the NFL season.

In the win over the Buccaneers, quarterback Taylor Heinicke played his best game of the season, outplaying the legendary Tom Brady. At the same time, Washington’s defense held the Bucs to a season-low 273 total yards.

How did Washington’s big win impact it in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings?

Washington moves up four positions to No. 24 this week. Here’s what Nate Davis said about Washington:

24. Washington (28): Their best win of the season, a surprising upset of the Bucs, was diluted by the loss of their best player after DE Chase Young tore his ACL. Welp, should help them rise up the draft board to fix their QB issue if nothing else.

The loss of Young is a devasting blow to a Washington defense that has been playing well for the past month. However, Young isn’t Washington’s best defender, at least not yet. That honor belongs to defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

Washington faces the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Can the team go on a winning streak and climb even higher in next week’s power rankings?