Sorin Drache

Tag: teams

  • NBA Power Rankings: Every team’s young riser

    Dec 25, 2024, 08:00 AM ET

    The NBA regular season is in full swing ahead of a blockbuster slate of games on Christmas Day, and teams are already bracing for potential moves ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Two months into the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping their hold atop the Eastern Conference standings with the defending NBA Finals champions Boston Celtics right behind. The Milwaukee Bucks are back in the mix, while the Philadelphia 76ers are still floundering near the bottom.

    Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have remained the constant leaders, with other teams jockeying up and down the standings. While the Golden State Warriors are struggling to keep pace, the Memphis Grizzlies are continuing to impress.

    For this week, we asked our NBA insiders to pick one rookie or young player (defined as someone 25 years old or younger) on each team who is already contributing. Whether as breakout starters or key reserves off the bench, these youngsters are making their presence felt this season.

    Here is where all 30 teams stack up in this week’s power rankings.

    Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

    Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18

    Jump to a team:
    ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
    DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
    LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
    NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
    POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

    1. Cleveland Cavaliers

    Young riser: PF Evan Mobley

    This could have just as easily been Darius Garland, but since he’s a year older and has already been an All-Star, the distinction goes to the 23-year-old big man who continues to improve in his fourth season after Cleveland selected him with the No. 3 pick in 2021 out of USC. The 6-foot-11 Mobley is shooting career bests from 3 (40%) and the free throw line (78.6%) while ranking 11th in the NBA in overall field goal percentage (57.1) and 14th in blocks per game (1.4). — Dave McMenamin

    2. Boston Celtics

    • 2024-25 record: 22-7

    • Previous ranking: 1

    • Next games: vs. PHI (Dec. 25), vs. IND (Dec. 27), vs. IND (Dec. 29), vs. TOR (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: G Jordan Walsh

    There’s no clear answer for Boston — not exactly a surprise, given it’s a veteran team with championship expectations — but the second-year guard is the closest thing to it. The 2023 second-round pick has shown flashes in limited playing time this season, with the things that will ultimately determine his ceiling as a player being his ability to add strength to his 6-6 frame and whether he can become a reliable 3-point shooter. If he can, he’s got a future as a talented defender with length. — Tim Bontemps

    3. Oklahoma City Thunder

    • 2024-25 record: 23-5

    • Previous ranking: 3

    • Next games: @ IND (Dec. 26), @ CHA (Dec. 28), vs. MEM (Dec. 29), vs. MIN (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: G Jalen Williams

    Chet Holmgren’s ascension has been put on pause because of his fractured pelvis, but fellow 2022 lottery pick Jalen Williams’ star rise has continued. The 23-year-old wing is averaging career highs in scoring (21.6 points per game), rebounds (5.9), assists (5.0), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.8) to build a case for the West’s best team getting a second All-Star selection alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. — Tim MacMahon

    4. Memphis Grizzlies

    • 2024-25 record: 20-10

    • Previous ranking: 4

    • Next games: vs. TOR (Dec. 26), @ NO (Dec. 27), @ OKC (Dec. 29), @ PHX (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: PG Ja Morant

    Morant, 25, has missed 12 games this season due to injuries. The latest setback occurred Thursday, when he took a hard fall after a contested drive through traffic against Golden State. Morant’s explosiveness lends itself to unnecessary injuries, especially when he tries to make spectacular plays, but he’s starting to learn it’s best to choose his spots. Still, Morant’s self-imposed ban on dunks weeks ago ended just about as quickly as it started. So, seriously prioritizing health is a must for Morant to reach his full potential. — Michael Wright

    5. Houston Rockets

    Young riser: C Alperen Sengun

    A fourth-year veteran, Sengun, 22, took a major step in his development over the summer working out for seven weeks in his native Turkey with Rockets assistant Cam Hodges and other player development staffers. The club immediately noticed improvements in Sengun’s maturity and approach to the game, and that is manifesting itself every night in the box scores. Sengun is averaging career highs in rebounds (10.6), assists (5.3) and blocks (1.0). But like most of Houston’s young roster, Sengun needs to improve as a shooter. — Wright

    6. New York Knicks

    • 2024-25 record: 19-10

    • Previous ranking: 8

    • Next games: vs. SA (Dec. 25), @ ORL (Dec. 27), @ WAS (Dec. 28), @ WAS (Dec. 30)

    Young riser: G Deuce McBride

    As New York’s 24-year-old backup guard and sixth man, McBride has been completely solid on both ends of the floor for coach Tom Thibodeau. McBride has been a more willing shooter and playmaker — even when captain and fellow floor general Jalen Brunson is on the court with him — and it’s no coincidence that the club’s five most efficient five-man lineups (with a minimum of 25 minutes played together) all include McBride. — Chris Herring

    7. Dallas Mavericks

    • 2024-25 record: 19-10

    • Previous ranking: 6

    • Next games: vs. MIN (Dec. 25), @ PHX (Dec. 27), @ POR (Dec. 28), @ SAC (Dec. 30)

    Young riser: C Dereck Lively II

    The 20-year-old has made the team’s controversial decision to tank in the final week of the 2022-23 season to keep its top-10-protected pick seem like a stroke of genius. The springy 7-footer is a phenomenal complement to the Mavs’ star duo as a defensive anchor and pick-and-roll finisher. He’s averaging 9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while shooting 70.8% from the floor as part of a rim-running tag team with Daniel Gafford. — MacMahon

    8. Milwaukee Bucks

    Young riser: G Andre Jackson Jr.

    An example of Jackson’s impact was on display during Milwaukee’s victory in the NBA Cup championship game when he held Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 3-of-12 shooting as the primary defender. After playing less than 10 minutes in each of the Bucks’ first four games, Jackson became a full-time starter by the eighth game, injecting youth, athleticism and defensive versatility into a veteran roster. — Jamal Collier

    9. Orlando Magic

    Young riser: F Franz Wagner

    With the 23-year-old Wagner joining Paolo Banchero (22) and Jalen Suggs (23), the Magic might boast the most under-25 talent of any NBA team. All three were ranked in ESPN’s top 25 under 25, with Banchero (third) and Wagner (fourth) in the top five. Although Banchero is still the face of the franchise, Wagner has taken a bigger step forward with his play in Banchero’s absence. Before joining him on the sidelines due to an oblique injury, Wagner averaged 26.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 19 games without Banchero as Orlando went 13-6 to stay in the hunt for home court in the East playoffs. — Kevin Pelton

    10. Denver Nuggets

    • 2024-25 record: 16-11

    • Previous ranking: 10

    • Next games: @ PHX (Dec. 25), vs. CLE (Dec. 27), vs. DET (Dec. 28), @ UTAH (Dec. 30)

    Young riser: G Christian Braun

    It’s easy to overlook the third-year guard because he does many of the little things the Nuggets need around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. But Braun is the team’s most accomplished prospect. After being a valuable role player in his rookie season as the Nuggets won a title, Braun has successfully moved into the starting lineup this season to help offset the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Braun is averaging 15 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 40.6% 3-point shooting and providing valuable defense and hustle. — Ohm Youngmisuk

    11. LA Clippers

    Young riser: G Jordan Miller

    Although Kevin Porter Jr. might be the obvious choice here, Miller is a prospect with potential. The 2023 second-round pick has shown that he can score as he averaged 25.4 points in the 2024 NBA summer league. When the Clippers are healthy, Miller isn’t in Ty Lue’s rotation, but when forced into action, Miller has scored in double figures five times this season. — Youngmisuk

    12. Los Angeles Lakers

    Young riser: G Max Christie

    The Lakers signed the 2022 second-round pick to a four-year, $32 million contract this past summer despite Christie playing only sparingly his first two seasons with the team. But with L.A.’s defense floundering a quarter of the way through the season (21st in the league), new Lakers coach JJ Redick inserted the 21-year-old into the starting lineup and he has helped fix their problems on the perimeter. The Lakers have gone 5-2 with Christie starting and he’s also becoming more reliable on offense, hitting at least one 3 in nine straight games. — McMenamin

    13. Golden State Warriors

    • 2024-25 record: 15-13

    • Previous ranking: 11

    • Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 25), vs. LAC (Dec. 27), vs. PHX (Dec. 28), vs. CLE (Dec. 30)

    Young riser: F Jonathan Kuminga

    Kuminga has been the franchise’s young riser since he was selected seventh in the 2021 NBA draft. Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski are all considered young talents who could help Golden State transition from the Steph-Draymond era. In his fourth season, Kuminga is still only 22 and full of potential. Kuminga started six consecutive games at power forward — and scored a career-high 33 points against Houston on Dec. 5 — but returned to the bench after Dennis Schroder was acquired. And on Monday, coach Steve Kerr was critical of Kuminga’s shot selection and decision-making in last week’s games at Memphis and Minnesota. As of now, it appears the Warriors have shelved the experiment of starting Kuminga. — Youngmisuk

    14. Minnesota Timberwolves

    • 2024-25 record: 14-14

    • Previous ranking: 12

    • Next games: @ DAL (Dec. 25), @ HOU (Dec. 27), vs. SA (Dec. 29), @ OKC (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: G Rob Dillingham

    He still hasn’t played much this season, but the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft had a promising stretch of games against the Celtics and Rockets while filling in for Mike Conley earlier this season. Dillingham averaged 13.0 points and 4.0 assists and shot 47.8% against two of the best defenses in the league. It might be tough for him to crack the Wolves’ rotation at the moment, but he has shown some flashes of why he was a lottery pick. — Collier

    15. Miami Heat

    Young riser: G Pelle Larsson

    Though Tyler Herro has made some big strides this season, it has been Larsson who has emerged. A 6-5 guard who was the 44th pick in June’s NBA draft, Larsson has proven to be a reliable 3-point shooter and earned some fairly consistent minutes in coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation — no easy feat — as part of a new crop of youngsters beginning to take on bigger roles this season. It’s a promising development as the Heat potentially start to edge into a post-Jimmy Butler world either this season or next. — Bontemps

    16. San Antonio Spurs

    • 2024-25 record: 15-14

    • Previous ranking: 19

    • Next games: @ NYK (Dec. 25), @ BKN (Dec. 27), @ MIN (Dec. 29), vs. LAC (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: C Victor Wembanyama

    You see it in flashes, but Wembanyama, 20, is gradually figuring out when to unleash various aspects of his ever-evolving game. The team believes there’s no limit to Wembanyama’s skill set. But acting coach Mitch Johnson said it’s difficult for a young player who is capable of doing everything to know on a game-by-game basis how to approach each situation. San Antonio’s video staff has shown him how each team tries to defend him, helping Wembanyama’s learning curve. — Wright

    17. Phoenix Suns

    • 2024-25 record: 14-14

    • Previous ranking: 13

    • Next games: vs. DEN (Dec. 25), vs. DAL (Dec. 27), @ GS (Dec. 28), vs. MEM (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: F Ryan Dunn

    Dunn doesn’t have too much competition for consideration as the Suns’ top young talent. There are only six players 25 or younger on the roster. Dunn and 22-year-old center Oso Ighodaro are the only players in that group to crack coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation. Dunn, a draft night acquisition from Denver, has been a bright spot so far, hitting 25 3-pointers in his first 23 games in the pros after knocking down just 12 3s in 65 games in college at Virginia. — McMenamin

    18. Indiana Pacers

    • 2024-25 record: 15-15

    • Previous ranking: 20

    • Next games: vs. OKC (Dec. 26), @ BOS (Dec. 27), @ BOS (Dec. 29), vs. MIL (Dec. 31)

    Young riser: F Jarace Walker

    With Indiana’s rotation hit by injuries early on, Walker, the former No. 8 pick in the 2023 draft, has made the most of his playing time. His numbers are still modest, with some up-and-down swings from game to game, but his impact on defense has been crucial for the Pacers, who are searching for answers on that end of the floor. As the Pacers continue to get healthy, they might have to find ways to keep Walker on the floor. — Collier

    19. Atlanta Hawks

    Young riser: G Dyson Daniels

    Daniels, 21, has been by far the biggest revelation in the Hawks’ group of newcomers. He is comfortably leading the league in steals (3.2) — earning the nickname Great Barrier Thief, a nod to his Australian roots — while also pouring in 13 points per game. His disruptiveness on the defensive end — which has resulted in Atlanta forcing turnovers at one of the highest rates in the league — has helped keep the team afloat. — Herring

    20. Sacramento Kings

    Young riser: G Keegan Murray

    Part of the reason for the Kings’ disappointing start has been their young talent’s lack of development this season. Keon Ellis, expected to start at shooting guard, has shot well from 3-point range (40%) but his role has fluctuated. Murray remains Sacramento’s most talented young player, but has been shunted into an off-ball role due to the addition of DeMar DeRozan. Murray, who is shooting a career-low 30% on 3s, has capably handled the task of serving as the Kings’ defensive stopper, but his skill set suggests he has more to offer on offense. — Pelton

    21. Chicago Bulls

    Young riser: F Matas Buzelis

    The Bulls drafted Buzelis with the 11th pick in June and the early returns have been intriguing. He did not play a lot of minutes at the start of the season, but has earned more playing time. He is averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and shooting 37.9% from 3 in about 18 minutes per game off the bench in December. — Collier

    22. Detroit Pistons

    Young riser: G Cade Cunningham

    In his fourth season, the 2021 No. 1 pick has emerged as a strong candidate for his first All-Star selection at age 23. Cunningham is recording career highs across the board, including 9.7 assists per game. Cunningham has also boosted his scoring efficiency by shooting a career-best 38.5% on 3s. Turnovers (4.5 per game, third highest in the NBA) remain a weakness but the Pistons can be more confident that Cunningham is the building block for a potential playoff team. — Pelton

    23. Philadelphia 76ers

    Young riser: G Jared McCain

    It is fitting that the answer to this question for the 76ers, who have been defined for the better part of a decade by injuries, is a player sidelined due to a meniscus tear. The rookie guard and TikTok star was one of the biggest surprises in the NBA over the first quarter of the season, and virtually the only bright spot during a dismal start for the 76ers. Now, though, McCain is out for an extended period after successful surgery earlier this month. — Bontemps

    24. Brooklyn Nets

    Young riser: G Cam Thomas

    Even though he has been on the rise for a few years now and remains out as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Thomas — who’s averaging a team-best 24.7 points per game — is the answer here. Despite the club’s continued development, and its perceived aim to land the top pick in the upcoming draft, the average age of Brooklyn’s roster is 26 — just north of the league average. At 24, Thomas is still one of the younger players on the roster, and first-year coach Jordi Fernandez has said he wants him to get more seasoning as a playmaker and defender. — Herring

    25. Portland Trail Blazers

    Young riser: G Shaedon Sharpe

    More than a year after trading Damian Lillard, the Blazers are still searching for their next great star. No Portland player cracked ESPN’s top 25 under 25, but Sharpe might have the strongest case. He has taken a step forward after core muscle surgery limited him to 32 games in 2023-24. Sharpe has averaged 17.7 points and shown progress as a finisher, hitting an impressive 58% of his 2-point attempts. If Sharpe can add consistent 3-point range (he’s shooting just 28% on 3s), his growing talent could prove difficult to contain.— Pelton

    26. Utah Jazz

    Young riser: C Walker Kessler

    Ideally, there would be more competition for this distinction among the several recent first-round picks on the Jazz’s roster, but Kessler, a third-year center, stands above the crowd. The 23-year-old 7-footer is averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 10.7 rebounds per game) while ranking among the league leaders in field goal percentage (71.9%) and blocks per game (2.9). — MacMahon

    27. Charlotte Hornets

    Young riser: G Tre Mann

    Brandon Miller has all the makings of a young, two-way star in Charlotte alongside franchise player LaMelo Ball. But 23-year-old guard Tre Mann was in the midst of a career season, shooting 40% from deep and averaging a personal-best 14 points per game, before being sidelined due to lower-back soreness and disk irritation. His scoring ability off the bench was a massive boost for a club that last week had its preferred starting five on the floor for the first time this season. — Herring

    28. Toronto Raptors

    Young riser: G Gradey Dick

    On a team with a bunch of young talent, the second-year guard has stood out for his rapid improvement from his rookie season. The 6-6 guard has seen massive statistical gains after being named the starting shooting guard for the Raptors. He has more than doubled his scoring average to 18.3 points while shooting more than seven attempts from 3 a game. — Bontemps

    29. New Orleans Pelicans

    Young riser: F Trey Murphy III

    Murphy likely won’t be the face of the franchise. But he’s positioned to be a solid long-term fixture in the starting lineup and one of the team’s main contributors on both ends of the floor. The 24-year-old averaged career highs last season in points (14.8), rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.2). He has improved his scoring (18.7) and assist (2.3) numbers this season. A versatile 3-and-D wing, Murphy continues to improve as he gains more experience. He has been one of the few bright spots in what has been an injury-riddled season for the Pelicans. — Wright

    30. Washington Wizards

    Young riser: G Bilal Coulibaly

    Coulibaly delivered the latest and most emphatic reason he is Washington’s young riser. Late in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ fourth victory of the season against Charlotte on Thursday, Coulibaly soared for a one-handed alley-oop dunk from a pass by Jordan Poole. Coulibaly is the draft jewel of the Michael Winger-Will Dawkins regime so far. He proved he was ahead of his development curve as a rookie when he averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and shot 34.6% from 3 last season. This season, the 20-year-old is averaging 13.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals. — Youngmisuk

  • WSL transfer window preview: What do all 12 teams need?

    Dec 18, 2024, 04:00 AM ET

    The January transfer window for the Women’s Super League (WSL) opens on Jan. 1 and closes on Jan. 30. While money is tight, as ever, in the women’s game, there are some possible deals in the offing. We assess what could happen at each of the 12 WSL clubs this summer.

    ARSENAL

    Arsenal will adopt a one-in, one-out approach to transfers, considering the current shape of their squad. Midfielder Katherine Kuhl, who joined in January 2023, is expected to depart after struggling for minutes, despite a strong loan spell with Everton last season. Loan moves for other academy graduates are also possibly, which could create space for potential reinforcements in the shape of a winger or a left-footed centre-back.

    In midfield, interim manager Renée Slegers has relied on left-back Steph Catley in a central defensive role, highlighting the need for depth in that area. Arsenal have been monitoring Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh for some time and made a world-record bid to sign the 26-year-old England international during the summer but may wait until the summer to move again as she is out of contract in the summer. Additionally, Victoria Pelova’s return from an ACL injury toward the end of the season could add further options.

    With several high-profile players out of contract in the summer, Arsenal’s priority will be to secure extensions for key squad members. However, appointing a permanent manager to succeed Jonas Eidevall remains the top task before new deals or transfer strategies can fully take shape. — EK

    ASTON VILLA

    Villa have already conceded 17 goals this season, so adding to their defensive ranks could give them a boost heading into the second half of the campaign. Another body in midfield could be useful too. But Villa currently find themselves in a bit of a tricky situation as far as forward planning is concerned, following the departure of head coach Robert de Pauw. Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has taken temporary charge of the team but, without a permanent manager in place, it’s hard to predict who their January targets will be.

    There are a lot of key players out of contract at Villa next summer and decisions on the futures of Rachel Daly, Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth and Dan Turner will need to be made ahead of the end of the season. Meanwhile, after signing a permanent deal in the summer following a successful spell on loan for Liverpool, 24-year-old midfielder Miri Taylor has started just three games this term and may have her eye on a move. — BL

    BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

    Brighton have performed exceptionally well under Dario Vidošić, surpassing expectations in the early stages of the season. For the first two months they sat as high as third, though losses to Arsenal and Chelsea have seen them drop to fifth now. Despite this, it’s a significant accomplishment for a team that has been near the bottom of the table in the past two campaigns.

    Securing a top-five spot will be Brighton’s main target and it would mark substantial progress for the Seagulls. But they will also have eyes on breaking into the top four, given the six-point gap separating them from Spurs.

    The arrivals of Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby were marquee summer signings, but with Kirby sidelined by a knee injury, Brighton may look to bring in an attacking midfielder to compensate for her absence. However, with players like Kiko Seike, Marisa Olislagers, and Jelena Čanković hitting their stride after 10 games, Brighton’s squad cohesion is evident. While they don’t necessarily need a major influx of new players, one or two strategic signings could provide valuable depth to manage injuries and ensure their competitiveness, particularly as they aim for strong runs in both the FA Cup and League Cup competitions. — EK

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    Bompastor: ‘Small details’ separate Chelsea from UWCL glory

    Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor discusses Chelsea’s chances of success in a competition she won as a player and manager, the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

    CHELSEA

    The reigning WSL champions have enjoyed a near-perfect start under new manager Sonia Bompastor and already boast an abundance of attacking talent, with the return of forwards Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel from anterior cruciate ligament injuries expected in the second half of the season. However, strengthening in should be a priority.

    Erin Cuthbert remains Chelsea’s most-reliable option in defensive midfield but while the Scotland international is arguably one of the team’s most valuable players, the Blues can’t continue to rely on her alone, especially during a demanding season. Youngster Wieke Kaptein has stepped in when needed, but Chelsea could benefit from added depth and experience.

    On outgoings, Bompastor may consider loan moves for young talents such as Julia Bartel or Alejandra Bernabe. Despite being with the squad for six months, both have had limited opportunities to feature and a loan spell could provide them with valuable game time and development opportunities, while also helping balance the squad.

    As the season progresses, Chelsea will likely go deep into three competitions, as well as challenging for the WSL title, so Bompastor will have to be able to rotate her squad. — EK

    CRYSTAL PALACE

    Like most of the teams around the bottom of the table, scoring goals has been a problem for Palace this season. Elise Hughes, who scored 23 goals in 27 games last term to help her team win promotion from the Championship, remains sidelined with an ACL injury, so bringing in more attacking firepower could give Laura Kaminski’s side the edge in the battle to avoid the drop.

    While Kaminski has regularly hailed the support she has received from club chairman Steve Parish, Palace aren’t expected to have a great deal of money to work with in January, so it is about being smart with the budget they do have to ensure they have the best chance of staying in the WSL. As a newly-promoted side, it is always difficult to navigate contract situations due to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s long-term future and, with Palace currently at the bottom of the table, it’s likely any decisions over players’ futures will wait until closer to the summer. — BL

    EVERTON

    Only Leicester have scored fewer goals than Everton this season and so bringing in another forward feels like a necessity, particularly with the club having lost the creativity of midfielder Inma Gabarro to an ACL injury in September. Brian Sorensen’s side also have just the one recognised centre-back in Megan Finnigan, so bolstering that back line would also be a smart move.

    Sorensen has had to be smart with his transfers over the past couple of years owing to Everton’s wider financial struggles. While the Blues are unlikely to spend big in January, the manager confirmed after his team’s Merseyside derby win in November that he has already earmarked his targets for January, so there are expected to be incomings. But, like their city rivals Liverpool, Everton don’t have a particularly deep squad, so departures aren’t expected.

    Among the players out of contract next summer are midfielders Lucy Hope and Justine Vanhaevermaet. Both have played a vital role under Sorensen so far, so it might be wise to extend their stays. — BL

    LEICESTER CITY

    Leicester started the season strongly under new manager Amandine Miquel, but a combination of injuries and tough fixtures have derailed their momentum. Now, just one point above the relegation zone, the team face a challenging second half of the campaign.

    Injuries have hit Leicester hard, leaving them without a natural striker for an extended period. Midfielder Ruby Mace has been deployed in the role while Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann, and Noémie Mouchon remain sidelined. Adding to their woes, Shana Chossenotte suffered an ACL injury early in the season, ruling her out for the remainder of the campaign. While injuries are not unique to Leicester, wealthier clubs like Manchester City possess the depth and funding to better absorb such setbacks.

    Short-term loans from other WSL clubs could help Leicester cover their paper-thin squad in key positions for the rest of the season. However, relying on loans is not a sustainable solution for long-term league stability. Miquel has provided young players with valuable minutes, which bodes well for their development, but the lack of experienced players leaves the team vulnerable. — EK

    LIVERPOOL

    It’s hard to assess where Liverpool are at the moment because they’ve had so many injuries all over the pitch. The impending return of some of those players, including last season’s top-scorer Sophie Román Haug, should give the team a massive boost but, with Matt Beard’s side having only scored nine goals in 10 games so far this term, adding another reliable goal threat would be a smart idea.

    Unfortunately for Liverpool, there’s unlikely to be the budget available to seriously bolster their ranks in January. Beard admitted as much after his team’s defeat to Arsenal, though he has previously said he would be looking to bring “possibly one” new player to the club next month. He also described Japan international Fuka Nagano as “one of the best holding midfielders in the world,” so handing her a new long-term deal feels imperative.

    Liverpool are already down to the bare bones due to injury so it’s unlikely they will sanction any major departures in January. That said, promising young defender Hannah Silcock could perhaps benefit from a loan spell in the second half of the season. — BL

    MANCHESTER CITY

    City came into this season with one of the most complete squads in the WSL, but injuries have hit them hard in recent weeks, with major absences in both attack and defence. An injury to captain Alex Greenwood, while not as serious as first feared, means it would make sense for Gareth Taylor’s side to dip into the market for another central defender. Though defender Kerstin Casparij has just signed a new deal to secure her future.

    The club recently hired Therese Sjögran as the club’s director of women’s football, following her 10-year stint as sporting director at Swedish champions FC Rosengård, and her knowledge of Swedish market could prove useful.

    Also, keep an eye on the future of England forward Chloe Kelly. She is out of contract at the end of the season and has largely been relegated to a bench role in recent months. With Euro 2025 coming up next summer, it would not be a surprise to see her leave in search of regular game time. — BL

    MANCHESTER UNITED

    Despite several key departures, United recruited well in the summer and look to have the spine of a very good squad. They have the best defence in the WSL, while midfielder Grace Clinton has continued the excellent form she displayed on loan at Tottenham. However, they’ve only scored 16 goals so far this term — nearly half the number managed by league leaders Chelsea — and adding another goal threat could help take them from top-three challengers to title contenders.

    While United could benefit from adding to their attacking ranks, uncertainty over the future of Hayley Ladd — who has made just three WSL appearances so far this season — means a midfield reinforcement could be a necessity too. With Wales having qualified for next summer’s Euros, Ladd may well be eager to leave the club in the hope of getting more minutes under her belt.

    Meanwhile, there are several players out of contract at the end of the season, including Millie Turner, Jayde Riviere and Clinton, though the latter does have an option to extend for another year. The futures of all of those players will need to be looked at sooner rather than later. — BL

    TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

    Spurs have endured a turbulent first half of the season following the highs of last year, which saw them reach the FA Cup final and secure a top-six finish. This season, however, they’ve struggled to maintain form, often squandering early leads to settle for draws against mid-table opponents.

    The departures of Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton have left significant gaps in the squad. Clinton returned to her parent club, Manchester United, and Bizet signed for them permanently, leaving Spurs without two key contributors from last season. Although the club brought in Maite Oroz and Hayley Raso to bolster the team, injuries have disrupted their impact.

    If Spurs are to progress, reinforcements are crucial, particularly in midfield, defence, and goalkeeper. The club are eyeing Sweden international Jennifer Falk to share responsibilities with Becky Spencer in goal, but could do with some seasoned players to bolster a defensive line which has leaked 23 goals, the second highest in the league thus far.

    Tactical cohesion has also been elusive so far for manager Robert Vilahamn, with formations and player linkups seldom delivering consistent results. Adjustments in both recruitment and strategy will be key to turning their season around. — EK

    WEST HAM UNITED

    West Ham’s need for experienced players remains a glaring issue. After four transfer windows under Rehanne Skinner, the club have yet to address long-standing gaps that predate her tenure. While it’s commendable that they club have leaned on younger players, West Ham’s ability to compete against top-tier teams, who boast squads filled with seasoned talent, highlights the stark difference in squad depth and experience.

    Skinner has previously opted to offer longer contracts to younger players rather than shorter, high-value deals for more experienced names, citing budget constraints — an all-too-familiar scenario for mid-to-lower table teams. While this strategy has its merits for future development, West Ham urgently need to find immediate solutions.

    Leveraging the loan market could be a lifeline, as several top clubs are eager to send players out for short-term experience. However, West Ham must also prioritise filling key gaps left by the summer departures of Hawa Cissoko, Honoka Hayashi, and Mackenzie Arnold. Without bolstering the squad with seasoned professionals, the team risk further struggles. Currently sitting ninth, just three points above the relegation zone, West Ham must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and acquiring the experience necessary to secure their survival. — EK

  • NBA Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up

    Dec 11, 2024, 08:00 AM ET

    We’re nearing the end of 2024, but nowhere close to the end of what’s been an intriguing 2024-25 NBA season.

    After a slow start, the Milwaukee Bucks have made a comeback in the Eastern Conference standings. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers, after an unprecedented run in the inaugural NBA Cup last year, are struggling this season to stay afloat in the conference standings.

    In the West, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies are making their presence known, chasing the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who seem unmovable at the top.

    In addition to our weekly rankings, our NBA insiders break down the biggest issues on offense or defense for all 30 teams. From slow starts to lack of defensive paint presence, here is what is plaguing teams on both ends of the court.

    Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

    Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4

    Jump to a team:
    ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
    DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
    LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
    NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
    POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

    1. Boston Celtics

    Biggest issue: Elevating their defense

    It’s hard to find any blaring issues with the defending champions and a team that’s seen as the favorites to repeat this season, but it will be interesting to see if Boston can improve on its solid, but not spectacular, showing defensively. The Celtics currently rank 10th in the league in defensive rating, well south of its No. 2 ranking last season. Kristaps Porzingis returning and getting up to speed should help. — Tim Bontemps

    2. Cleveland Cavaliers

    Biggest issue: Free throw attempts per game

    To be fair, the only issue a healthy team with a 21-4 record can have is that it must wait four months for the playoffs. However, ranking 26th in free throw attempts with 20.6 per game is at least mildly concerning for a few reasons. It could mean Cleveland doesn’t attack the paint enough, it doesn’t get a good whistle, or both — a combo that can make postseason success more elusive. — Dave McMenamin

    3. Oklahoma City Thunder

    • 2024-25 record: 19-5

    • Previous ranking: 3

    Biggest issue: Rebounding

    Oklahoma City ranks second to last in rebounding rate (47.5%) after finishing 28th in that category last season. In this instance, however, there is a 7-foot asterisk. The Thunder have been an average rebounding team since Isaiah Hartenstein made his season debut, which was delayed by a broken hand. Hartenstein, who was signed to a three-year, $87 million deal over the offseason in large part to address this issue, averaged 12.8 rebounds in his first eight games entering Tuesday’s NBA Cup knockout-round matchup with the Mavs. — Tim MacMahon

    4. Dallas Mavericks

    • 2024-25 record: 16-9

    • Previous ranking: 8

    Biggest issue: Luka Doncic’s slow start

    The Mavs have the league’s fourth-ranked offense despite one of Dallas’ scoring staples producing disappointing results. The Mavs average 14.1 field goal attempts off seven or more dribbles — third most in the league — but rank 27th in effective field goal percentage (42.9) off those shots. By contrast, Dallas ranked fifth in that category (52.9% eFG) last season, when the Mavs led the league with 15.1 such shots per game. The drop-off is primarily due to Doncic’s slow start after missing all of training camp and preseason due to a calf contusion. His effective field goal percentage on such attempts is a career-low 41.0%, but he’s improved since taking 10 days off to rest a sprained wrist and work on his conditioning (51.9% eFG in four games). Last season, Doncic had a 56.7% eFG on 683 shots off seven-plus dribbles, the best of the 28 players with at least 250 attempts. — MacMahon

    5. Memphis Grizzlies

    Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

    It’s tough to nitpick a team that has won nine of its past 10 outings, especially one that just snapped a 10-game skid against Boston on the road. Memphis ranks among the top seven in offensive and defensive rating. Offensively, the Grizzlies are putting up their best effective field goal percentage (56.1%) in a decade. But they lag just behind the rest of the league in 3-point shooting, ranked 17th in 3-point percentage heading into Monday’s games. If Desmond Bane (32.3%) gets back to his career average (41%) from deep, watch out. — Michael Wright

    6. Houston Rockets

    Biggest issue on offense: Poor shooting

    Houston gets it done on the defensive end, but the Rockets rank 16th in offensive rating due in large part to poor shooting. Houston ranks 27th in effective field goal percentage (50.3%), but its saving grace has been offensive rebounding. The Rockets are No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (14.2), gobbling up their misses. Houston’s starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green are shooting below 40% from the field, and opponents have outscored the Rockets in the paint in their past six games. — Wright

    7. New York Knicks

    Biggest issue: Karl-Anthony Towns’s slow defensive start

    Towns’s advanced defensive metrics have improved in recent weeks, however he’s still allowing opponents to shoot 6.5 percentage points better than their seasonlong averages near the basket. That’s the worst rate among NBA centers who have played 15 games and defended at least four rim attempts per outing. Because of that, it will be worth watching how often coach Tom Thibodeau plays Towns with Precious Achiuwa, the backup big and rim protector who recently made his season debut after returning from an injured hamstring. — Chris Herring

    8. Golden State Warriors

    Biggest issue: Balancing a deep rotation

    Steve Kerr has been using 11-to-12-man rotations, touting the depth of the roster. But with De’Anthony Melton out for the season and other injuries that have kept key players out, Kerr has been experimenting and even shortening his rotation to 10 during their 12-3 start. Perhaps the most important thing is finding the right lineup to maximize Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. The Warriors are starting Kuminga to see if he can be the much-needed scorer they need alongside Stephen Curry. Kerr would love to start Draymond Green at center alongside Kuminga but doesn’t want to wear out Green against bigger centers and could settle on bringing him off the bench and starting Kevon Looney. Also, finding the right lineup to get Hield humming from 3 again will go far. — Ohm Youngmisuk

    9. Orlando Magic

    • 2024-25 record: 17-10

    • Previous ranking: 6

    Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

    Only once in the past nine seasons have the Magic ranked outside the NBA’s bottom seven in 3-point percentage, but this year’s league-worst 31% accuracy would be a new modern low. (Orlando shot 29.5% in 1989-90, the franchise’s inaugural season.) The Magic figured newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would help, but he’s shooting a career-worst 30%, while Jalen Suggs has slipped from 40% last season to 32%. Orlando’s biggest concern is healthy oblique muscles. Improbably, Franz Wagner suffered the same oblique strain that has sidelined Paolo Banchero, leaving the Magic without their top two scorers. — Kevin Pelton

    10. Denver Nuggets

    Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

    While they held Atlanta to 9-of-40 shooting from behind the arc in a much-needed win Sunday, the Nuggets’ defense has been poor. In each of its past five losses, the Nuggets surrendered 122 or more points, including allowing 145 to the Knicks in a 27-point rout back on Nov. 25. In their previous four losses, the Nuggets allowed 16, 22, 18 and 19 3-pointers to opponents and gave up 122 points to a Washington team that had lost 16 straight. It’s bad when Nikola Jokic says maybe the Nuggets need a different kind of motivation. “In my country, after this kind of stretch, you’re going to get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you had hoped,” Jokic said after that Washington loss. “Maybe that’s what we need to do.” –Youngmisuk

    11. Miami Heat

    Biggest issue: Terry Rozier’s efficiency

    It might be a little unfair to single him out, but things haven’t gone as hoped for Miami since acquiring Rozier in January 2023. This season, the Heat are seven points per 100 possessions better with Rozier on the bench. Jimmy Butler has moved into a more of an on-ball role in recent games as Rozier comes off the bench. — Bontemps

    12. LA Clippers

    Biggest issue: Scoring

    The Clippers’ defense has been outstanding, keeping them in almost every game. Offensively, Ty Lue will have to find enough points to win games. The Clippers average 108.7 points this season, seventh to last in the league. Outside of James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers have to find more offense, especially off the bench. With Derrick Jones Jr. — one of five Clippers to average 10 or more points this season — out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury and Terance Mann out with a finger injury, the Clippers will need guys like Kevin Porter Jr. to provide more offense. — Youngmisuk

    13. Milwaukee Bucks

    • 2024-25 record: 13-11

    • Previous ranking: 14

    Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

    The Bucks have had major challenges defending the perimeter for the past two seasons, ever since they swapped Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, and those issues have been highlighted even more frequently this season. One of the major issues for Milwaukee during its 2-8 start was how teams attacked its guards on defense, forcing it into the fourth most on-ball screens in the NBA during that span, per ESPN Research. The key for the Bucks defense is for their guards to provide some resistance to give Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo a chance to protect the rim. — Jamal Collier

    14. Minnesota Timberwolves

    Biggest issue: Defending without Rudy Gobert on the floor

    The Wolves have still been an elite defense this season when Gobert is at center, holding teams to 107.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. It’s when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year sits when the Wolves struggle, surrendering 113.2 points per 100 possessions. That’s the difference between what would be the No.1 defense in the league in efficiency and an average defense. — Collier

    15. Phoenix Suns

    Biggest issue: Points in the paint

    Phoenix averages just 15.3 points in the paint, which puts it 27th in the league. The stat is damning for a few reasons, starting with the clear lack of offensive firepower the team gets from centers Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro. And perhaps the most alarming issue is that the Suns rely heavily on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal’s jump shots to generate points, which ultimately makes them easier to defend if they don’t diversify their shot locations. — McMenamin

    16. Los Angeles Lakers

    Biggest issue: Opponents fast-break points per game

    There are myriad issues plaguing the Lakers, but a persistent pain in their side all season has been giving up easy points in transition. Teams are scoring 15 fast-break points per game against L.A. — the only three teams that allow more (Portland, Utah and New Orleans) are all well below .500. To make things worse, the Lakers have gotten their turnovers under control — 7th best with 12.5 miscues per game — meaning that they just aren’t getting back fast enough on defense. — McMenamin

    17. Atlanta Hawks

    Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

    Atlanta has been a slightly above-average club at forcing misses near the rim, holding opponents a little more than one percentage point beneath their seasonlong field goal rates. The Hawks would also gladly take being an average club on the perimeter. Instead, they rank dead last in the NBA in 3-pointers allowed, 3-pointers attempted and opponent 3-point percentage — even though newcomer Dyson Daniels has been one of the most disruptive wing defenders in the association to this point. — Herring

    18. San Antonio Spurs

    Biggest issue: Slow starts

    San Antonio sits at .500. But you can look back at 10 of their 12 losses and quickly point out the devastating impact slow starts have had on the Spurs. Part of it is inconsistency with lineups considering San Antonio still hasn’t played with the starting five it envisioned coming into the season due to injuries to Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama. But the Spurs have also lost the opening quarter in 10 contests, owning a net rating of minus-31.4 over 120 first-quarter minutes. It’s an issue San Antonio recognizes but hasn’t been able to solve. — Wright

    19. Sacramento Kings

    Biggest issue: Opponent 3-point shooting

    Remarkably, only the Thunder — the league’s best defensive team — are allowing fewer 2-pointers per game than the Kings. That’s partially by design. Without a strong rim protector, Sacramento tends to help aggressively on drives, resulting in the league’s highest 3-point attempt rate on defense — 46% of all shots they face. Opponents are making those 3s at a 38% clip, second highest in the NBA, and while that typically doesn’t carry over, the Kings might be an exception. They’ve ranked in the league’s bottom five in opponent 3-point percentage each of the past four seasons. — Pelton

    20. Brooklyn Nets

    Biggest issue: Defense inside the paint

    No one sends opponents to the line more per shot attempt than the Nets, a slightly surprising stat considering how well they’ve been playing relative to the preseason expectations that they would be in the running for the 2025 No. 1 draft pick. The Nets have allowed opponents to shoot nearly 67% from inside of six feet, tied for the league’s third-highest rate. (Similarly, or perhaps even worse, the team is allowing the highest effective field goal rate in the league.) The inability to stop clubs from converting that close in leaves Brooklyn in a position where it is often fouling inside the paint. — Herring

    21. Indiana Pacers

    Biggest issue: Tyrese Haliburton’s offensive struggles

    The Pacers’ run to the NBA Cup and Eastern Conference finals was fueled by a dynamic offense, which ranked second in the NBA last season behind the champion Celtics. That’s fallen to 19th in offensive efficiency to start this season, the biggest difference for a struggling Indiana team. The Pacers are fueled by Haliburton, who last season was one of the league’s breakout stars, and have not been able to generate the same electric offense this year. Put simply, the Pacers need Haliburton to perform like the player who carried their offense last season. — Collier

    22. Chicago Bulls

    Biggest issue: Point of attack defense

    The Bulls knew they were going to have a lot of challenges when they traded their best defender, Alex Caruso, in exchange for Josh Giddey, an offensive first point guard. Their defense ranks 27th in efficiency because of their inability to put pressure on ball handlers, which often results in easy driving lanes and opposing guards getting into the paint, especially with forward Patrick Williams sidelined recently with a foot injury. — Collier

    23. Detroit Pistons

    Biggest issue: Turnovers

    This is unsurprising for a team whose two primary ball handlers (guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey) are 23 and 22, respectively. Cunningham’s 4.7 turnovers per game lead all qualifying players, and Detroit is one of five teams with multiple players averaging at least three turnovers. As a result, the Pistons have the league’s third-highest turnover rate. Those miscues are limiting an offense that still ranks 22nd in per-possession scoring. — Pelton

    24. Philadelphia 76ers

    Biggest issue: Lack of star driven offense

    The biggest issue with this team is health. But from a strictly on-court perspective, the team is mired at 27th in offensive rating, thanks to ranking 28th in 3-point field goal percentage. One easy fix? The team’s superstars must hit their shots. Joel Embiid is just 3-for-23 from 3 this season, while Tyrese Maxey (29.3%) and Paul George (31.2%) have also struggled — not a good look from a trio with high offensive expectations entering this season. — Bontemps

    25. Portland Trail Blazers

    Biggest issue: Defensive rebounding

    There’s no shortage of issues for the Blazers, who rank in the bottom 10 in three of the four factors on offense and defense, but they’re dead last in defensive rebounding. Among Portland’s primary starters, only center Deandre Ayton is grabbing defensive boards above the league’s average rate, and the Blazers sink even lower when Ayton is on the bench. Portland has been rebounding slightly better during its current four-game skid, but there have been few misses to secure. Opponents are shooting a league-high 53% from the field in four losses this month. — Pelton

    26. Charlotte Hornets

    Biggest issue: Inability to draw fouls

    The Hornets’ biggest problem, aside from not having LaMelo Ball due to him missing time with a calf strain, is the club’s inability to generate trips to the line on offense. No NBA team has a lower free throw attempt rate — in terms of free throws per game, or free throws taken per shot attempt — than the Hornets; an ugly reality considering that Charlotte also ranks dead last in 2-point shooting percentage. Getting better efficiency from the line or from inside the arc wouldn’t hurt given that the Hornets have played an NBA-high 16 clutch games, where the score is within five points or fewer in the final five minutes. — Herring

    27. Toronto Raptors

    Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

    Toronto’s overall struggles are a bit by design in the rebuilding of the Raptors roster. But as the team continues to progress, one thing to monitor is whether it can increase its 3-point attempt rate. The Raptors are 29th in the league in 3’s attempted per game, ahead of only the Nuggets — a number that would automatically be helped by the return of Immanuel Quickley, who has been limited this season with an elbow injury. — Bontemps

    28. New Orleans Pelicans

    Biggest issue: Inconsistent paint presence on defense

    You can trace back all that ails New Orleans to injuries. But it’s uncertain whether a fully healthy squad could have avoided the team’s current struggle to consistently defend near the basket. Yes, there are issues with transition defense and half-court offense. But the Pels rank 29th in opponent points in the paint (54.7 per game). Roster construction has a lot to do with that. Coach Willie Green has complimented the efforts of starting center Yves Missi. But Missi is a 6-11, 20-year-old rookie. Behind Missi, the Pels have two centers in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis who stand at 6-8. — Wright

    29. Utah Jazz

    Biggest issue: Turnovers

    Utah averages 18.4 turnovers, 1.5 more than any other team. The Jazz have many flaws — and until recently were at the bottom of the Western standings — but turnovers might be their worst on both ends of the floor, as Utah also leads the league in points allowed off of turnovers (23.7, 2.6 more than any other team). Second-year point guard Keyonte George leads the team with 3.3 turnovers per game, but he’s far from the only culprit. Five Utah players average at least two turnovers. — MacMahon

    30. Washington Wizards

    Biggest issue: Defense

    The Wizards have a lot of issues after another throwaway season, but the biggest on-court matters revolve around their defense. Outside of its stunning win over Denver on Saturday when it held the Nuggets to 113 points, Washington has given up 121 or more points in five of its past seven games — all losses. In their past two defeats, the Wizards have allowed 137 and 140 points each to the Mavericks and Grizzlies. Everyone knows this is a rebuilding season for Washington, but certainly management wants to see some incremental improvements to remain competitive. — Youngmisuk

  • NFL Week 15 Power Rankings 2024 – How all 32 teams stack up

    • NFL Nation, ESPNDec 10, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

    Welcome to Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season. The Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs kept rolling last week to move to 12-1, but a few wild games shook up our standings.

    The Buffalo Bills were upset by the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles narrowly escaped the Carolina Panthers, and the Arizona Cardinals lost their third straight game.

    In addition to the updated rankings, we asked our NFL Nation reporters to pick the most shocking statistical ranking — good or bad — for the team they cover. Where does quarterback Bryce Young rank among the best in the league right now? Is the Minnesota Vikings’ defense sliding?

    Let’s start with the Lions.

    Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.

    Previous rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14

    Jump to a team:
    ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
    CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
    JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
    NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
    SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

    Week 14 result: Beat the Packers 34-31
    Week 14 ranking: 1

    Most shocking ranking: 1st in total points per game

    Detroit’s offense has posted 20-plus points for 11 straight games while averaging a league-high 31 points. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson uses a creative approach to get the most out of his playmakers, including quarterback Jared Goff, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, among others. Detroit also has a point differential of plus-183, which is its highest through the first 13 games of any season in franchise history. This offense has appeared unstoppable at times. — Eric Woodyard

    Week 14 result: Beat the Chargers 19-17
    Week 14 ranking: 3

    Most shocking ranking: 28th in sack percentage

    The Chiefs sack opposing quarterbacks on just 5.5% of dropbacks and put pressure on them just 32% of the time, which is 22nd in the league. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is still blitzing 36.5% of the time, which is the third-highest mark, but it is far from the dominant pass-rushing team it was last season when the Chiefs led the NFL in sack percentage (8.8%). — Adam Teicher

    Week 14 result: Beat the Panthers 22-16
    Week 14 ranking: 4

    Most shocking ranking: 1st in total defense

    The Eagles had one of the worst defenses in the league in 2023 and have done a complete 180 under new coordinator Vic Fangio. Philadelphia allows the fewest yards per game (284.2) and is tied for second in points per game (18) compared with 30th last season (25.2). The pass defense has shown the most growth, jumping from 31st (252.7 YPG) to second (178.5). — Tim McManus

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Rams 44-42
    Week 14 ranking: 2

    Most shocking ranking: 19th in time of possession

    The Bills are second in the NFL in points margin per game (9.9) and have the ninth-most rushes per game (27.8). Despite all of that, winning the time of possession (29:40) battle has not been a strength. Part of that is due to the Bills’ ability to score quickly, as they’re averaging 30.5 points per game. It’s also due to the defense struggling to get off the field — it’s eighth worst in third-down defense, which was an extreme issue against the Rams. — Alaina Getzenberg

    Week 14 result: Beat the Falcons 42-21
    Week 14 ranking: 6

    Most shocking ranking: 17th in yards allowed per game

    The Vikings’ defense ranks No. 1 in efficiency and No. 2 in expected points added, but it allows 337.8 yards per game. In fact, over the past three weeks, Vikings opponents have averaged 433.3 yards. Largely, that tells us there are holes in the Vikings’ zone coverages that can be exploited. But Minnesota has limited scoring to 18.5 points per game, sixth in the NFL, in part because it has the second-most takeaways (27). — Kevin Seifert

    Week 14 result: Beat the Browns 27-14
    Week 14 ranking: 5

    Most shocking ranking: T-15th in total sacks

    With 32 sacks, the Steelers’ pass rush ranks near the middle of the pack — a surprise given the Steelers and T.J. Watt usually rank near the top. But don’t mistake this number for a lack of effectiveness. After all, the Steelers lead the league with 28 takeaways. Prior to facing the Bengals, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin noted opponents are trying to neutralize Pittsburgh’s pass rush by running a lot of max protection and three-man routes. Austin didn’t sound too concerned about the lack of sacks. “Sometimes the pressure is just as good as a sack if we can force an errant throw or force some things like that,” he said. — Brooke Pryor

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Lions 34-31
    Week 14 ranking: 7

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in dropped passes

    The Packers had an issue with dropped passes last season, but nothing like this. They lead the league in both drops (26) and drop percentage (7.3%) and already have one more drop than they had in all of 2023 (when their 25 drops were tied for 10th most), according to ESPN Research. Green Bay has three players in the top 10 in drops. Dontayvion Wicks is No. 1 with nine drops, Jayden Reed is tied for second with seven, and Romeo Doubs is tied for ninth with five. — Rob Demovsky

    play

    1:27

    Why Josh Jacobs is a star fantasy RB

    Mike Clay refers to Josh Jacobs as a “fantasy star” following his hat trick touchdown performance in the Packers’ loss to the Lions.

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 8

    Most shocking ranking: 1st in wide-open throws

    Quarterback Lamar Jackson tops the NFL with 35.9% of his passes being wide-open throws, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That means over one-third of his attempts have come when the average separation between the target and nearest defender is 5 or more yards at the arrival of the pass. This is the result of Jackson’s ability as well as the improved elusiveness of Baltimore’s wide receivers and tight ends. There have been many instances when he doesn’t see anyone open and scrambles to buy time for one of his targets to free up. — Jamison Hensley

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Chiefs 19-17
    Week 14 ranking: 9

    Most shocking ranking: 19th in rushing

    Throughout the offseason, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman boasted about the dominant rushing offense they would build in L.A., but it hasn’t panned out that way. Averaging 111.5 yards per game, the rushing offense is slightly improved from where the Chargers finished last season (25th), but it has largely been a disappointment and by far the worst of Harbaugh’s NFL career. During Harbaugh and Roman’s four seasons in San Francisco, they had the second-best rushing offense in the NFL; the lowest the 49ers ranked was eighth in Harbaugh’s first season. — Kris Rhim

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 10

    Most shocking ranking: 3rd in rushing

    Under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy last season, Washington rushed for more than 125 yards only twice and ranked 27th in rushing yards per game (93.6). Now, it averages 156.9 rushing YPG. Some of that stems from quarterback Jayden Daniels, but even if it was just the running backs, Washington would still rank eighth and average almost 14 more yards per game than a year ago. It has been an emphasis under coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and it has led to five games with more than 200 rushing yards and nine with more than 125. — John Keim

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 11

    Most shocking ranking: Quarterback C.J. Stroud leads the league in dropbacks under pressure

    Stroud has been pressured on 39% of his dropbacks (199), the third most in the NFL, and he has the most passing yards under pressure (1,053). That starts with the offensive line. It would make more sense if the Texans hadn’t heavily invested in their line, but it’s made up of high draft picks and expensive contracts. Their O-linemen have a combined cap hit of roughly $51 million this season, per Roster Management System, which is fifth highest in the NFL. In 2023, Stroud was pressured on only 35% of his dropbacks (16th). — DJ Bien-Aime

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 12

    Most shocking ranking: T-8th in pass attempts

    During the offseason and training camp, coach Sean Payton talked about a good defense and a productive run game as two of the best “allies” for a rookie quarterback. And then he proceeded to put the first rookie starter he has coached in dropback mode early and often, with 434 pass attempts so far. Bo Nix has responded positively for the most part, but he has thrown more passes than Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson, and he’s tied with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. It’s a good bet a lot of folks didn’t see that coming, perhaps even Payton, when the season began. — Jeff Legwold

    Week 14 result: Beat the Cardinals 30-18
    Week 14 ranking: 13

    Most shocking ranking: Quarterback Geno Smith is second in passing attempts

    Smith has thrown 466 passes, and the Seahawks are fifth in designed pass rate. Few expected their offense to be that pass heavy with a defensive-minded coach in Mike Macdonald who wants to run the ball, but that has been the reality in Ryan Grubb’s first season as coordinator. A number of factors contributed, including repeated struggles to stay on schedule, some large deficits that put Seattle in dropback mode and perhaps Grubb’s pass-first inclination. The Seahawks also haven’t been effective at running the ball for much of the season, though their run game might be emerging after breaking out for a season-high 176 yards Sunday. — Brady Henderson

    Week 14 result: Beat the Bills 44-42
    Week 14 ranking: 16

    Most shocking ranking: Linebacker Jared Verse ranks fifth in QB pressures

    Verse, the Rams’ 2023 first-round pick, has 59 pressures, which ranks fifth in the NFL this season. He’s first among rookies, beating out Chop Robinson (43), Laiatu Latu (39) and teammate Braden Fiske (32) through Week 14. The Rams entered the season trying to figure out how to replace the production of retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and they added two players who have had success getting to the quarterback. — Sarah Barshop

    play

    2:19

    Dan Orlovsky calling in receipts after Rams’ win over Bills

    Dan Orlovsky calling in receipts after Rams’ win over Bills

    Week 14 result: Beat the Raiders 28-13
    Week 14 ranking: 14

    Most shocking ranking: 8th in rushing

    Tampa Bay not only went from the league’s worst rushing attack the past two years, averaging 82.5 yards per game, to 138.3 yards per game this season, but its 6.7 yards per rush on gap run plays is tops in the league. The Buccaneers have dominated with a three-headed attack featuring Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. — Jenna Laine

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Seahawks 30-18
    Week 14 ranking: 15

    Most shocking ranking: T-24th in receiving touchdowns

    An offense with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, along with Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch, has just 15 receiving touchdowns through 13 games. This is as talented and deep of a receiving unit as the Cardinals have had in recent memory. The touchdown receptions have been concentrated between Harrison, who leads all rookies with seven, and Wilson, who has four. No one else has more than two, but another shocking stat is that McBride — who leads the team in receiving yards with 851 — doesn’t have a touchdown reception. — Josh Weinfuss

    Week 14 result: Beat the Jets 32-26 (OT)
    Week 14 ranking: 20

    Most shocking ranking: 30th in rushing yards per attempt

    The Dolphins led the NFL in 2023 with 5.1 rushing yards per attempt on the strength of Raheem Mostert’s career season and De’Von Achane’s breakout campaign. This year, that number has dropped to 3.9 yards per carry as Miami has struggled to find the explosiveness that made it so dangerous last season. Mostert has battled injuries and was essentially demoted after a critical fumble in Week 9. Achane has been Miami’s lead rusher, but his efficiency unsurprisingly dropped after he averaged nearly 8.0 yards per carry in 2023. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

    Week 14 result: Beat the Bears 38-13
    Week 14 ranking: 21

    Most shocking ranking: 22nd in red zone efficiency

    In 2023, the Niners led the league in red zone efficiency and their 67.2% conversion rate was the fourth best by any team over the past three seasons. This year, the Niners have had little trouble moving the ball with 51 red zone drives, which is tied for sixth in the NFL. But they have consistently failed to put the ball in the end zone. Some of that can be attributed to the star players they’ve been missing with injury, such as wideout Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) and running back Christian McCaffrey (PCL), but the number of negative plays and ineffectiveness in the run game has been jarring for an offense that not long ago was the best in football at finishing drives. — Nick Wagoner

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Vikings 42-21
    Week 14 ranking: 17

    Most shocking ranking: Quarterback Kirk Cousins leads league in interceptions

    Through the first nine games, Cousins was efficient enough to lead the team to a 6-3 record, including a 4-0 NFC South mark. The wheels have come off since. The Falcons have lost four in a row, and Cousins has been a major turnover risk with 15 interceptions. He has no touchdown passes and eight interceptions during that four-game stretch, the first time a QB has had no touchdowns and eight or more interceptions in a four-game span in a season since 2005. Cousins is tied with Baker Mayfield for the most fumbles (12) this season. — Marc Raimondi

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 18

    Most shocking ranking: 28th in pass block win rate

    The Colts have had some surprising offensive line struggles. Their highly regarded line is still one of the league’s best at run blocking (74.1% run block win rate), but pass protection (53.2% pass block win rate) has been an adventure. If not for quarterback Anthony Richardson’s ability to escape the pocket, the Colts might rank much worse than seventh in sacks allowed, where they currently sit. — Stephen Holder

    Week 14 result: Beat the Cowboys 27-20
    Week 14 ranking: 19

    Most shocking ranking: 31st in run block win rate

    The Bengals are never going to be known for their ground game. Since 2022, Cincinnati has the fewest total rush attempts in the league. However, the run blocking has been lackluster, to say the least. The Bengals have the worst win rate on run plays (67.4%) after being eighth (71.8%) in the same category last season. Chase Brown has helped mitigate that by ranking 11th in yards after contact per carry, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. But the inability to win on blocks should be something that must be evaluated as the Bengals enter a pivotal offseason. — Ben Baby

    play

    5:27

    Ja’Marr Chase reunites with young Bengals fan Brixton Wood

    Ja’Marr Chase reunites with Brixton Wood after the young Bengals fan’s cancer returned and required significant treatment.

    Week 14 result: Beat the Giants 14-11
    Week 14 ranking: 24

    Most shocking ranking: T-31st in yards per carry allowed

    The Saints didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher for 55 straight games from 2017 to 2020 under then-defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who became the head coach in 2022 before he was fired earlier this season. The Saints’ once-stout run defense has struggled and is tied for last in yards-per-carry allowed. The Saints and Panthers are allowing rushers to run for 5.0 yards per carry. — Katherine Terrell

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Bengals 27-20
    Week 14 ranking: 23

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in rushing touchdowns

    The Cowboys’ four rushing touchdowns have them threatening the team record. In 2011, they had just five. Three other times they had six, including the first two seasons of the franchise in 1960-61. Calvin Hill (1971) and Emmitt Smith (1990, 1995) share the team record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with … four. With how the Cowboys handled running back in free agency, maybe there figured to be a drop-off in 2024, but the poor efficiency up front has contributed to the lack of rushing touchdowns. — Todd Archer

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Steelers 27-14
    Week 14 ranking: 25

    Most shocking ranking: 2nd-most explosive plays allowed

    The Browns gave up the fewest yards per play (4.6) last season, but that figure has ballooned to 5.7 in 2024, mainly because of the 100 explosive plays they’ve allowed. It’s a head-scratching issue for a defense that gave up the second-fewest explosive plays in 2023 and returned the majority of its starters for a second season with coordinator Jim Schwartz. According to Schwartz, there has been no commonality in these plays — sometimes it’s missed tackles and other times it’s coverage breakdowns. — Daniel Oyefusi

    Week 14 result: Lost to the 49ers 38-13
    Week 14 ranking: 22

    Most shocking ranking: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams leads NFL in sacks taken

    Opposing defenses have brought down the No. 1 draft pick 56 times through 14 weeks, which is 15 more than the next most-sacked quarterback (Houston’s C.J. Stroud, 41). The Bears did a better job of protecting Williams after Thomas Brown took over playcalling duties beginning in Week 11 (Williams was sacked three times each versus Green Bay and Minnesota), but the numbers crept back up against Detroit (five) and culminated with Williams taking seven sacks in the Bears’ seventh straight loss in San Francisco. David Carr still owns the single-season record (2002, 76), which Williams is flirting with because he’s sacked an average of 4.3 times per game. — Courtney Cronin

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Eagles 22-16
    Week 14 ranking: 26

    Most shocking ranking: Quarterback Bryce Young is 13th in Total QBR since Week 9

    Young’s QBR of 62.8 over his past five games is better than that of Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels, to name a few. This is shocking because Young had a QBR of 9.9 in his first two starts of the season and only 34.1 last season as a rookie. His improvement has been remarkable. — David Newton

    Week 14 result: Bye
    Week 14 ranking: 28

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in pass block win rate

    After finishing 32nd in pass block win rate in 2023, addressing the offensive line was one of the Patriots’ top priorities in the offseason. Yet, through 13 games, the Patriots have had nine different starting lineups on the line due to a combination of missed personnel evaluations, poor performance and injuries. There has been zero improvement with a 51.4% pass block win rate, which hasn’t helped Drake Maye’s adjustment to the NFL. — Mike Reiss

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Dolphins 32-26 (OT)
    Week 14 ranking: 27

    Most shocking ranking: T-28th in takeaways

    It’s hard to believe a defense with three players who earned All-Pro or Pro Bowl status in 2023 (cornerback Sauce Gardner, linebacker Quincy Williams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams) has only 10 takeaways in 13 games. That includes only two interceptions (both by backup cornerback Brandin Echols). In fact, the Jets have yet to record an interception since Jeff Ulbrich became the interim coach eight games ago. Scheme, coaching and underperforming players have contributed to the turnover shortage. — Rich Cimini

    play

    1:18

    Rodgers uncertain what the Jets will look like next season

    Aaron Rodgers tells Pat McAfee the importance of finishing the season strong since there are no guarantees of having a spot on the Jets next year.

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Jaguars 10-6
    Week 14 ranking: 29

    Most shocking ranking: 27th in red zone touchdowns allowed

    Tennessee’s red zone defense was the best in the league last season, allowing touchdowns only 37.7% of the time. This year’s team is giving up touchdowns on 65.1% of opposing teams’ red zone visits. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has had a tough time finding ways to get pressure on quarterbacks without sacrificing coverage on the backend. Tennessee has also had its share of issues with penalties at the most inopportune times, which extends drives and give offenses another set of downs to find the end zone. — Turron Davenport

    Week 14 result: Beat the Titans 10-6
    Week 14 ranking: 30

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in total defense

    The Jaguars are giving up 396.1 yards per game. If that number holds over the final month, it will be the second-worst average in franchise history, behind only the 2020 team (417.7). They hired coordinator Ryan Nielsen to fix the defense, and the numbers in the four major defensive categories — total defense, rushing (132.6 allowed per game, 24th), passing (263.5 allowed per game, 31st) and scoring (26.5, 28th) — are all worse than 2023. — Mike DiRocco

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Buccaneers 28-13
    Week 14 ranking: 31

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in the NFL in rushing

    After grinding out a combined 494 yards on the ground in their final four games last season, averaging 123.5 yards per game, the Raiders had high hopes for the running game in 2024. Instead, Las Vegas is averaging 79.1 yards per game. Although Zamir White and Alexander Mattison have missed a combined eight games because of injury, former practice squad lifer Sincere McCormick is averaging 5.5 yards per carry in three games. Diamond in the rough, or more like fool’s gold? — Paul Gutierrez

    Week 14 result: Lost to the Saints 14-11
    Week 14 ranking: 32

    Most shocking ranking: 32nd in points per game

    There’s no reason to get too fancy. Sure, the Giants are averaging an embarrassing 5.2 yards per pass play and rank dead last with eight touchdown passes in 13 games, but it all ties into their inability to score points. The Giants are averaging 14.9 points per game, which is more than two full points worse than any other team. When asked Sunday why their passing game struggled so badly against the Saints, coach Brian Daboll said, “It’s a collective thing, put it on me.” Fair enough, because he took over playcalling this season. — Jordan Raanan

  • NCAA volleyball tournament preview: Which teams have a tough road to Louisville?

    It finally could be the ACC’s year in NCAA women’s volleyball. The league has two No. 1 seeds, Pittsburgh and Louisville, and the final four is in an ACC city, Louisville.

    The other three major conferences — the Big Ten, the Big 12 and SEC — all have had national champions. So did the former Pac-12. The closest the ACC has come is making the championship match.

    The last breakthrough for the ACC could happen with this tournament, and not just because of the strength of No. 1 seed Pitt (29-1) and Louisville (25-5). Two new members of the ACC are No. 2 seeds and also in the hunt for the title: nine-time NCAA champion Stanford and SMU, the only team to defeat Pitt this season.

    Nine teams from the ACC, Big Ten and SEC are in the field, with six from the Big 12. In all, 12 schools have combined to win the previous 41 NCAA women’s volleyball championships, led by Stanford. Penn State and Nebraska, the other two No. 1 seeds this year, have seven and five titles, respectively.

    Pitt’s fortunes have soared in the past decade. The Panthers were in an eight-year NCAA tournament drought when Dan Fisher took over as coach in 2013. The Panthers now are in their ninth consecutive NCAA tournament and have advanced to the final four the past three years in a row.

    Those appearances ended in the national semifinals. Pitt — and the ACC — want to take the last steps to winning it all. But the Big Ten’s two powerhouses, Nebraska and Penn State, hope to add to that league’s trophy collection. And don’t count out two-time defending champion Texas, despite an 18-6 record and No. 3 seed.

    The first and second rounds, which will be streamed on ESPN+, are played Thursday through Saturday on campus sites. The regionals are also on campus sites Dec. 12-15. The national semifinals are Dec. 19 and the championship match Dec. 22, both at Louisville’s KFC Yum Center.

    ESPN’s volleyball experts break down the bracket heading into the early rounds.

    Jump to:
    Surprises | Toughest roads
    Underdogs | Players to watch

    Which team’s seed surprised you the most?

    Sam Gore: I think the most anticipated decision was who should get the overall No. 4 seed. With Stanford beating Louisville the final week of the season and ending the regular season on a nine-match winning streak, I was leaning toward Stanford being awarded the No. 4 seed, and Louisville dropping to No. 5. So I was initially surprised at Louisville getting that No. 4. However, I was impressed at the convincing explanation by the committee as to why it gave Louisville the No. 4. Whereas most of us were looking at the past 10 matches, the committee was focused on the total body of work for the season, and Louisville’s complete résumé gave it the edge. All it did was give Stanford another motivating factor to prove the committee wrong, which could be great for fans to watch.

    Aishwarya Kumar: There is so much parity over the board that I found the seedings after the top eight all over the place. Purdue being awarded the No. 13 overall seed (a No. 4 seed) really surprised me. The Boilermakers beat Kansas (No. 3) and Utah (No. 4) in nonconference play, and they finished fourth in the Big Ten. They also beat Oregon and Minnesota. I’d have definitely put them in the top 10.

    Plus, who else was surprised by Louisville beating Stanford for the No. 4 overall seed? With Stanford’s hot streak toward the tail end of the tournament, I was confident it would get the No. 4 overall seed, but the committee decided to award it to Louisville based on the entire season. Tricky, but I will accept it.

    Holly McPeak: We knew who the top three seeds would be after the last week of matches. The committee had a tough choice to make between Louisville, Stanford and Creighton for fourth overall seed. Louisville got the nod because it had the No. 1 strength of schedule in the country and no bad losses outside of top 10. Creighton being in a weaker conference hurt it in terms of RPI, but it had a good chance to surprise some teams in the tournament. Stanford with the big win over Louisville the Saturday before the selection show gave it a nice boost, but the loss to Miami, held it back at 5. The good news? The rubber match could possibly be played in the NCAA tournament in a regional final if seeds hold up and they both advance.

    I like the bracket. There are some interesting first-round matchups such as Tennessee and Georgia Tech, as well as Hawai’i and TCU. The committee made sure that you would not play a team from the same conference as you during the first and second rounds, and that can be a difficult job. No real big surprises besides the four.

    Courtney Lyle: I was surprised to see Louisville as a top-4 seed as well, but after speaking with the committee, it makes sense (as Holly explained). I also love the storyline of Louisville getting the chance to host all the way to the championship match. It adds pressure and drama to the tournament! The committee did not look at the host site as a factor in putting them in the top 4, but as a fan, it should be fun to watch.

    Michael Voepel: Who the last No. 1 seed would be was the only big drama. Overall, no huge surprises or snubs, which reflects the fact that the committee has improved its bracketing process in recent years.

    It’s notable that the demise of the Pac-12, previously volleyball’s longest-running power league, sent successful teams to other conferences. Six former Pac-12 schools made the 2024 field: No. 2 seed Stanford from the ACC, No. 3 Arizona State and No. 4 Utah from the Big 12, and No. 4 Oregon, No. 6 USC and unseeded Washington from the Big Ten. (The volleyball bracket lists only the top eight seeds in each region).

    These schools all faced the challenges of new league opponents and big travel changes, but maintained the standard of play the Pac-12 was known for.

    Which of the top-four seeds has the toughest road to Louisville?

    Gore: This is the most balanced overall bracket I’ve ever seen. However, it does appear that Louisville has the toughest road. Not only could there be a potential Stanford rematch, but you could argue that several of the seeds in this region have what it takes to advance to the national semis.

    McPeak: We have some blue-blood programs with lower seeds in some of the brackets, and it will make for some incredible drama. Texas having to go through a dangerous USC team, Creighton and Penn State to earn a bid will be challenging but not impossible. I will be keeping a close eye on that part of the bracket.

    But in terms of a top-4 seed, Nebraska needs to beat Wisconsin which is a very good team and beat them for the third time this season. It is really hard to beat a good team three times in one season.

    Penn State doesn’t have it easy with Creighton and two-time defending NCAA champ Texas in its bracket.

    Voepel: Louisville, both for the path the Cardinals could face and the pressure to make the final four at home. We saw that pressure get to Minnesota in 2018 when the final four was in Minneapolis. The Gophers, then the No. 2 overall seed when the tournament only seeded the top 16, were upset on their homecourt by No. 15 seed Oregon in the regional semifinals. Minnesota had tried all that season to avoid talk of the final four, but it weighed heavily on them in that loss.

    Louisville split its ACC matches against Stanford this season, so that would be a challenging regional final for the Cardinals. But they also may have to get past No. 4 seed Purdue in the regional semifinals; the Boilermakers were 25-6 overall and fourth (16-4) in the Big Ten. Purdue is on the short list of best programs to never make a final four.

    Lyle: The left side of the bracket is going to get heated (meaning the Pitt and Louisville quarters). Playing Stanford for a third time would be really interesting for Louisville. I’m also watching Florida and Purdue in this quarter. Florida’s Kennedy Martin should scare everyone. She has had double-digit kills every match of her career. In the Pitt quarter — a possible SMU/Kentucky rematch would be interesting. UK swept the Mustangs in September. I think both of those teams, along with TCU and Oregon would be interesting to watch against Pitt.

    Which team seeded 4 or lower has the best chance to make a deep run?

    Gore: The winner of the No. 6 seed Minnesota vs Western Kentucky first round match could make a run. Minnesota has wins over Texas and Wisconsin, so it’s capable of beating anyone; and Western Kentucky may have forgotten how to lose, as it has won 24 straight matches! Based on the bracket, also watch out for No. 6 seed Florida, No. 6 seed Texas A&M and No. 7 seed FSU.

    Kumar: I am excited for No. 7 seed Missouri and No. 6 seed Texas A&M. Both teams are super scrappy and they can really rattle higher-ranked opponents. Remember Texas A&M beating Texas at Gregory Gymnasium in an enthralling five-setter in October? Missouri has really surprised me this year. Setter Marina Crownover, who transferred from Texas, has really thrived in Missouri. She played a key role in Missouri’s five-set win against Texas earlier this season. If any team can cause upsets in the tournament, it’d be these two for me.

    McPeak: Minnesota has battled injuries all year long, but it’s capable of matching up against any team in the country when it’s healthy. Melani Shaffmaster is really good and Lydia Grote, Julia Hanson, and Mckenna Wucherer are a dangerous three-headed monster for the Golden Gophers.

    Georgia Tech can be a dangerous team when it’s serving well and playing its style of defense. The Yellow Jackets have many experienced players who are ready for a big breakthrough in the bracket.

    USC was one of the best blocking teams in the Big Ten. If they can minimize errors, I think they can upset some teams.

    Oregon is a team that is dangerous offensively. If it’s able to pass and get its hitters good looks, and it can match up with lots of strong teams. Try to stop Onee Ofoegbu or Mimi Colyer when they are hot. I dare you!

    Voepel: If No. 6 seed USC gets past an expected second-round matchup against No. 3 Texas in Penn State’s quarter of the bracket, the Trojans may ride that momentum all the way to a regional final matchup against the Nittany Lions.

    In Pitt’s quarter of the draw, No. 6 seed Minnesota and No. 7 seed Missouri could make it to a Sweet 16 showdown.

    Who is the tournament’s must-watch players?

    Gore: There are so many who could hold this distinction, but in every Pitt match I’ve called, Olivia Babcock looked like she was a level above everyone on the floor. I’d also put Florida’s Kennedy Martin in that category.

    Kumar: Babcock is the loudest, most obvious choice. Whether from the service line or the pin, Babcock brings flair and flash to the Panthers offense. Her jump serves terrify opponents, and her heavy swings leave them powerless. She brings a burst of energy to the Pitt team with her blocks. She’s second in the nation in aces per set. She’s a strong contender for player of the year. Coaches are spending extra time preparing for Babcock’s explosiveness. Texas coach Jerritt Elliott. said to me “Babcock is the biggest influence right now — she can really take over a match.”

    But, here’s the twist. I am going to go with the less obvious choice: Kami Miner. She’s the best setter in the nation. Her precision with each set is magnetic to watch, like the air above her is a chess board (thanks to the endless hours of training she received from her father and former NBA player Harold Miner).

    “We go as Kami goes — when she’s good, we’re winning and when she struggles, we struggle,” said coach Kevin Hambly. “That’s the pressure of being in that position, and Kami handles it with grace, and I have all the confidence that she’s going to be doing a great job.”

    McPeak: There are so many special players. Babcock and Torrey Stafford of Pitt are both must-watch players.

    Madisen Skinner of Texas is always a player who can dominate and elevate her game when there is a lot on the line.

    Sarah Franklin of Wisconsin, the AVCA POY from 2023 improved her numbers this year and has been so consistently elite all season long.

    Harper Murray for Nebraska is one of the best players in the game. Her foot speed makes her special, and she excels in every skill.

    Martin is a special talent at Florida and lately 40% of its offense goes through her because she can score even when everybody in the gym knows where the ball is going.

    Being a former setter, there are so many elite setters in this tournament. Bergen Reilly of Nebraska is fun to watch and makes it look easy. Miner is a dynamic player who gets her hitters in fantastic spots to score from everywhere on the court even if she is on her knees or bumpsetting.

    Rachel Fairbanks of Pitt is elite and an amazing competitor. Her volleyball IQ is one of the best, and so are her work ethic and desire to be the best.

    Voepel: To the list of elite stars add Louisville fifth-year outside hitter Anna DeBeer. She helped lead her hometown Cardinals to final four appearances in 2021 and 2022. She is Louisville’s top scorer this season, averaging 3.88 points per set. DeBeer and teammates Charitie Luper and Elena Scott were all first-team ACC selections.

    Lyle: It’s Babcock for me (although I could choose about 10 different players — thank goodness we can watch them all on ESPN+ *wink wink*). Babcock is the reigning AVCA Freshman of the Year and she’s on the short list for AVCA Player of the Year this season (as a sophomore). I love how Pitt uses her all over the court. She has such a well-rounded skill set. Babcock has two triple doubles this season — kills, digs, aces and kills, digs, blocks. She’s a star.

  • QB Room, Thanksgiving edition: 1 thing we like about every NFC team’s quarterback outlook

    It’s Thanksgiving week in the NFL and a good time to take stock of the NFC’s quarterback outlook with a pinch of optimism. For every. Even the New York Giants.

    No need to beat the stuffing out of teams this week. So off we go with thankful thoughts …

    I’m thankful that the 2025 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded with quality running backs, which is going to be a position Dallas needs to address in serious fashion to help balance out the offense and help quarterback Dak Prescott. Take a spin around the league and look at how much running backs have been making a difference for quarterbacks this season: Derrick Henry in Baltimore, Sequon Barkley pn Philadelphia, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit, Bucky Irving in Tampa, etc. The Cowboys haven’t scared anyone or pushed anyone around in the run game since the 2022 season. Dallas needs to get back to that baseline, and there is an array or running backs in this draft that can get that job done.

    Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson's new weekly quarterback-centricNFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson's new weekly quarterback-centricNFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)

    Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson’s new weekly quarterback-centricNFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)

    I’m thankful the Giants did two things with the release of quarterback Daniel Jones. First, they meaningfully committed to moving off a situation that was neither working nor getting better. Now they can focus on whatever veteran quarterback migration presents itself this offseason, as well as a shallow draft class that is going to require some very smart evaluation. The second thing the Giants did was free Jones up to move along with his career, rather than burying him on the bench and carrying out a selfish charade. Jones may not have worked out as the franchise centerpiece that New York was looking for, but he handled things with class and dignity. He earned the right to finish the 2024 season learning from someone else.

    I’m thankful the Eagles found a way to balance out their scheme with a dynamic running back in Saquon Barkley who has taken a significant amount of wear and tear (and risk) off Jalen Hurts’ body. As indispensable as Barkley and wideout A.J. Brown are in the short term, Hurts remains the centerpiece that the next decade will be built around. From the moment he started and had the ability call his own number in the run game, Hurts was cranking the odometer on his legs and incurring more punishment on his body than he or the Eagles were letting on. General manager Howie Roseman couldn’t let that continue, so he went and got Hurts the best running partner he could find. Hurts will be around far longer than Saquon will be, but Barkley will have helped make that longevity possible by taking some of the punishment off Hurts’ seasonal grind.

    I’m thankful the Washington Commanders are going to have anywhere from $104 to $130 million in cap space next offseason to help fortify the offense — and most especially the offensive line — with some depth and talent around quarterback Jayden Daniels. That cash spent in free agency will help to balance out a set of draft picks that are bottom heavy, with three of Washington’s seven 2025 picks sitting in the seventh round. There will also be some interesting options in the wide receiver group, helping the Commanders to find a higher-end talent to pair with Terry McLaurin. Daniels had the Commanders ahead of schedule the first half of the season, but you can feel the depth chart needs weighing right about now.

    While I don’t want to celebrate a firing, I’m thankful the Bears made an aggressive move in favor of saving the rookie season of Caleb Williams, moving on from Shane Waldron and elevating Thomas Brown to the offensive coordinator position. Brown got caught in a Hunger Games situation with the Carolina Panthers, with a coaching staff that was pitted against itself and a roster that wasn’t very good. For the rest of this season, he’s the best thing that could have happened for Williams mentally. It has already shown as Brown has pushed Williams to get back to accessing the running part of his skill set. He’ll engineer confidence back into Williams. Just watch.

    I’m thankful that when Sean McVay gave up on Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams sent Goff to a front office and general manager in Brad Holmes that built a monster around him. Consider the 2024 offensive pieces that were all added in the months or years after the Lions traded for Goff in March of 2021: offensive tackle Penei Sewell and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight end Sam Laporta. That’s seven high-level performers on offense. It’s no wonder Holmes swept the Pro Football Writers’ Association and Sporting New Executive of the Year honors in 2023.

    I’m thankful Aaron Rodgers absolutely had to get himself out of Green Bay in 2023, clearing the way for Jordan Love to finally get his career moving. Looking back, this all could have gone very, very differently if Rodgers had simply decided that he was going to stick it out with the Packers through the 2023 season. If Rodgers had remained in the fold rather than pushing for a trade to the New York Jets, the Packers were not going to pick up Love’s fifth-year option for the 2024 season, and he likely would have left the franchise in that spring’s free agency cycle. Instead, Rodgers pushed his way out, Love and the Packers compromised on a two-year extension (rather than Green Bay picking up his fifth-year option) and the rest is history. But all it would have taken to sink the Packers at the quarterback spot was Rodgers sticking around just a little longer.

    I’m thankful Sam Darnold chose his backup quarterback opportunity very carefully in March of 2023, when he was coming off a career-flattening two-year run with the Carolina Panthers. Despite Brock Purdy having the starting job and needing to beat out former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance for backup duties, Darnold trusted his instincts and went to a place that historically had a strong run game commitment under Kyle Shanahan — not to mention a scheme that created a solid supply off open receivers and tight ends. Going to the 49ers and learning Shanahan’s offense resurrected Darnold’s career and made this 9-2 Minnesota Vikings season possible. The franchise couldn’t have asked for a better outcome following the season-ending knee injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, who has spent his first season learning from a guy that has seen a lot of frustrating situations in his career.

    I’m thankful Kirk Cousins and the Falcons got a bye week just before arguably the most important back-to-back of the season to kick off December — versus the Los Angeles Chargers and then on the road in an emotional return to Minnesota for Cousins. Cousins’ last two games for the Falcons stand as his worst two-game stretch so far in Atlanta, and falling flat in the next two could prove disastrous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting Mike Evans back and looking like a different team in Sunday’s commanding win over the Giants. Having the bye to work with Cousins and also plenty of time to prepare for a playoff-contending Chargers team could end up being vital. Because if the next two games go in the same direction as the last two, it’s going to get tense in Atlanta.

    I’m thankful some of the September reports after Bryce Young’s benching — which suggested he could have played his last snap for the Panthers and was headed for an offseason trade — will very likely turn out to be wrong. Those in the organization who still believed in him after this season’s rough start were adamant that Young just needed a mental pause to reset himself and regain some confidence. Since taking back the starting job and shedding two underwhelming wide receivers before the trade deadline, Young has gotten better with each passing week, culminating in one of the most encouraging performances of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Young’s size is never going to change, but the skill set that made him the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft is still there. And the Panthers’ best-case scenario is turning into the right direction and building around it in the offseason.

    I’m thankful Arch Manning could be coming in the 2026 NFL Draft class, or potentially the 2027 class. The Saints feel like a franchise that is on the cusp of a total rebuild inside one of the next two seasons. It might not be in 2025, given that Derek Carr could still be the starting quarterback and keep the Saints from sinking into the total abyss. But 2026 could be bleak with the age of the backfield and injury history of some of the skill position pieces on offense and pillars on defense. There’s a very real likelihood that the Saints have have another top-15 pick in the upcoming draft, start bottoming out in 2025 and have top five picks in both the 2026 and 2027 drafts. If that’s the case, Manning — who starred at New Orleans’ Isidore Newman High School, and is the grandson of Saints royalty Archie Manning — could end up near the top at either of those drafts. And the Saints will likely have a quarterback need, barring Spencer Rattler blossoming.

    I’m thankful Baker Mayfield’s 2023 “prove it” year didn’t turn out to be fool’s gold and he’s finally reaching the full potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Interestingly, Mayfield’s first seven seasons and first 100 games stack up pretty solidly with the first seven seasons or first 100 games of Drew Brees when it comes to sheer production. While the three-game stretch without Mike Evans showcased how much he means to Tampa Bay’s offense, it also showed that Mayfield could still keep the Buccaneers competitive without Evans and Chris Godwin. Yes, the Bucs had a four-game losing streak from mid-October to mid-November. But no, they were never really an embarrassing offense in that span. Mayfield had everything to do with that — and the remaining schedule now looks extremely winnable when it comes to mounting a playoff run. A 5-1 or even a 4-2 finish could win the NFC South.

    Despite it not being perfect, I’m thankful that Kyler Murray is through 11 games of the season and still playing healthy football for the first time since 2020. That has been one of the big priorities inside the franchise, to keep Murray healthy as the program pragmatically learns how to become a contender. While the Seahawks loss certainly toed the line of letting things get out of control — and that offensive line has to figure out how to reincorporate Jonah Williams — Murray remains upright. On top of that, the Cardinals have once again figured out how to consistently beat bad teams. Next, they need to learn how to consistently beat good teams down the stretch this season. Playoffs or not, that would be a step forward and momentum into a 2025 season where things can really turn a corner.

    I’m thankful Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh sticks to who he is and protects his quarterbacks through investment in the offensive line and the running back room. When Harbaugh took over the Chargers and kept dropping hints that he was going to be the same guy he’s always been, it induced some eye-rolling simply because it sounded … well … old. But here we are about to enter December with running backs and running games suddenly feeling trendy again. That approach has helped temper the amount of pressure put on quarterback Justin Herbert after the wide receiver depth chart was retooled with younger players the last two drafts. The results? Herbert is getting back to that dynamic and exiting passer and athlete that had us so encouraged his first few seasons in the league. And it’s not going to stop here, either. Get ready for Harbaugh’s next old school rules addition this offseason: A dynamic tight end to help bring it all together.

    I’m thankful the 49ers have some time to continue figuring things out with Brock Purdy before he gets his next extension. He’s already had one surgery on the elbow of his throwing arm, and now he’s feeling shoulder soreness. Maybe more than some of Purdy’s up-and-down games as a passer, the health of his arm — and not fully trusting everything the organization says about it — has me white-knuckling a little bit. Purdy’s next contract has the possibility to be an astronomical mistake if the health of his arm goes south or he simply levels off as a starting quarterback. Really, he needed a clean season with the arrow consistently pointed up to land the $60-million-per-season deal that is going to be sought by his representation. That has not happened thus far. But like Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys before them, the 49ers have a fourth year left on Purdy’s rookie deal to make sure the circumstances for an extension are ideal, not to mention franchise tags. Right now, there’s reason to lean into a continuation of the measurement.

    I’m thankful the Seattle Seahawks have a trap door to get out of the final year of Geno Smith’s contract if his regression since his banner 2022 season continues. This is the second straight season Smith’s arrow has pointed a little further down. His interceptions have weighed on the Sehawks four straight weeks, with the defense being more responsible for keeping together a 2-2 record in that span. Smith turned 34 in October and it’s fair to wonder if there’s an upward reversal in the cards for him at this stage. The rest of the season will likely dictate the feeling about that. But if it’s looking like he is what he is … and likelier to get worse than better in 2025, the Seahawks can get out of his deal with a modest $13.5 million in dead salary cap. Given that Seattle can save some money walking away from Smith after this season — and given that Seattle is in rough cap shape if they keep him — it’s a useful option on the table.