Good Morning,
And happy Wednesday. In our first mid-week edition of 2023, we’re unleashing power rankings for all three major sports in season (NFL, NBA, and NHL). On a slow news day where the sports world is still holding its breath and saying prayers for Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin, let’s pause from the action and rank ’em. Hopefully, your team’s future looks bright in 2023…
Letter Rip!
NFL
Week 18 Power Rankings
Top Teams Shuffle Down the Stretch, But Rodgers, Brady, Belichick & Tomlin Are Surging Late
After the holidays, there’s only one week left in the NFL season to determine the postseason picture. The teams at the top have shuffled a bit down the stretch with nine teams boasting double-digit wins. Four franchises with iconic leaders dominated December in order to put their teams in position for the playoffs, and once they’re in, there’s no telling what they might do. Tom Brady (Bucs), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Mike Tomlin (Steelers) have all had a rough year. All four teams won in Week 17 with Rodgers (W4) and Brady (W2) riding win streaks toward the postseason. The Jags and Lions are also hot down the stretch. Here’s our final NFL Power Rankings before the playoffs.
NFL Power Rankings (Week 18)
1. Chiefs (13-3) | ↑2
2. Eagles (13-3) | ↓1
3. Bills (12-3) | ↓1
4. 49ers (12-4) | —
5. Cowboys (12-4) | —
6. Bengals (11-4) | —
7. Chargers (10-6) | ↑3
8. Vikings (12-4) | ↓1
9. Ravens (10-6) | ↓1
10. Giants (9-6-1) | ↑1
Teams 11-20: 11. Buccaneers (8-8) | 12. Packers (8-8) | 13. Patriots (8-8) | 14. Lions (8-8) | 15. Jaguars (8-8) | 16. Dolphins (8-8) | 17. Titans (7-9) | 18. Seahawks (8-8) | 19. Steelers (8-8) | 20. Jets (7-9)
Teams 21-32: 21. Saints (7-9) | 22. Browns (7-9) | 23. Raiders (6-10) | 24. Commanders (7-8-1) | 25. Panthers (6-10) | 26. Rams (5-11) | 27. Falcons (6-10) | 28. Broncos (4-12) | 29. Colts (4-11-1) | 30. Cardinals (4-12) | 31. Bears (3-13) | 32. Texans (2-13-1)
Biggest Risers: Bucs, Lions, Packers, Jaguars & Chargers
Biggest Fallers: Dolphins, Jets, Titans & Commanders
Editor’s Note: Do you agree or disagree with any of today’s Power Rankings? Reply to today’s newsletter to share your thoughts.
NFL Playoff Picture | Week 18 Schedule
Additional Storylines
CBS Sports: Week 18 Clinching Scenarios for AFC & NFC Contenders
ESPN: NFL All-Pro Team: The Best Players at Every Position
Sporting News: NFL Power Rankings Heading Into Week 18
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NBA
Post-Holiday NBA Power Rankings
Nets & Nuggets Soaring as NBA Calendar Transitions Into 2023
It’s been a strange start to the NBA season with teams grinding through seasons within a season. Ups and downs have shaken out and each franchise has begun to find its identity. Our first 2023 NBA Power Rankings are based on overall record and each team’s play over the last few weeks. The Nets (W12) and Nuggets (7 of last 10) have vaulted to the top while teams like the 76ers (8 of last 10) and Mavericks (W7) are surging while the Kings and Pacers are a bizarre surprise. Here’s where we see the NBA hierarchy as we launch the new year.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Nets (25-12)
2. Celtics (26-12)
3. Nuggets (24-13)
4. Grizzlies (23-13)
5. Bucks (24-13)
6. Mavericks (22-16)
7. Cavaliers (24-14)
8. 76ers (22-14)
9. Pelicans (23-14)
10. Pacers (21-17)
Teams 11-20: 11. Warriors (20-18) | 12. Heat (20-18) | 13. Suns (20-18) | 14. Kings (20-16) | 15. Clippers (21-18) | 16. Blazers (19-17) | 17. Knicks (20-18) | 18. Jazz (19-21) | 19. Wizards (17-22) | 20. Lakers (15-21)
Teams 21-30: 21. Hawks (17-20) | 22. Bulls (16-21) | 23. Raptors (16-21) | 24. Timberwolves (17-21) | 25. Magic (13-24) | 26. Thunder (16-21) | 27. Hornets (10-28) | 28. Spurs (12-25) | 29. Pistons (10-30) | 30. Rockets (10-27)
Biggest Risers: Nets, Nuggets, Mavericks, Pacers & Kings
Biggest Fallers: Suns, Jazz, Pelicans, Hawks & Bucks
Additional Storylines
NBA: Week 12 Power Rankings: Nuggets Climb to No. 1 to Begin New Year
The Athletic: NBA Power Rankings: Nets Keep Winning, Luka Lifting Mavs, Other 2023 New Year’s Resolutions
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NHL
Power Rankings On Ice
Hurricanes Lead Stacked Metro Race as NHL Point Leaders Shake Out
Let’s go for the hat trick! Our third dose of power rankings in this glorious mid-week edition heads to the ice. The Bruins have a stranglehold on the NHL entering 2023, but the Hurricanes stole the show with an 11-game win streak (it was snapped by the Rangers last night). We also watched the Devils — once on a 13-game heater — fall off in dramatic fashion. The Metropolitan Division has six of its eight teams with 44 points or more to open 2023. No other division has more than three. It was a busy night on ice (check our highlights section), but here’s where we’ve got ‘em heading into the second half of the year.
NHL Power Rankings
1. Bruins (29-4-4) | 62 points
2. Hurricanes (25-7-6) | 56 points
3. Golden Knights (26-12-2) | 54 points
4. Stars (23-10-6) | 52 points
5. Maple Leafs (23-8-7) | 53 points
6. Capitals (21-13-6) | 48 points
7. Lightning (24-11-1) | 49 points
8. Wild (21-13-2) | 44 points
9. Jets (24-13-1) | 49 points
10. Kings (22-13-6) | 50 points
Teams 11-20: 11. Rangers (48 points) | 12. Devils (49 points) | 13. Avalanche (41 points) | 14. Flames (43 points) | 15. Penguins (44 points) | 16. Islanders (46 points) | 17. Kraken (44 points) | 18. Oilers (42 points) | 19. Red Wings (39 points) | 20. Sabres (40 points)
Teams 21-30: 21. Blues (39 points) | 22. Senators (39 points) | 23. Panthers (38 points) | 24. Predators (38 points) | 25. Canucks (35 points) | 26. Flyers (35 points) | 27. Canadiens (33 points) | 28. Coyotes (31 points) | 29. Sharks (31 points) | 30. Ducks (24 points) | 31. Blue Jackets (24 points) | 32. Blackhawks (20 points)
Biggest Risers: Hurricanes, Capitals, Bruins, Lightning
Biggest Fallers: Devils, Red Wings, Panthers, Avalanche
Additional Storylines
B/R: Updated 2023 Hart Trophy Rankings for NHL’s MVP
ESPN: NHL Power Rankings: New Year’s Resolutions for Every Team
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
NBA: Giannis Erupts for Career-High 55
The points keep coming! After a bucket-getting outburst in the NBA on Monday night, Tuesday brought a season-high 55-point outing from Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Bucks’ win over the Wizards (123-113). Giannis finished with 55-10-7. It was his third straight game with 40-plus.
NHL: Rangers Rally to Rip Hurricanes Streak
A busy night on ice yielded a streak-snapper in the Metro with the Rangers rallying past the Hurricanes in the third period (5-3) to end Carolina’s 11-game win streak. It was the Hurricanes’ first regulation loss in 18 games.
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THE STORYLINES
Brazil was in mourning on Tuesday as legendary soccer player Pelé was laid to rest after his death last week at the age of 82. Arguably the greatest of all time, over 200,000 mourners paid tribute to him before his burial. (CBS Sports)
After nearly a year’s worth of meetings, the transformation committee, charged with reshaping archaic NCAA policies, produced a 40-page final report that was released Tuesday to potentially expand March Madness fields. (Sports Illustrated)
After a pair of thrilling semifinal games on New Year’s Eve, the only hope is that college football’s final game will come close to matching the drama. Georgia vs. TCU has a David vs. Goliath feel about it. (Bleacher Report)
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THE HEADLINES
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