Marcus Spears says that the Raiders are his biggest disappointment of the upcoming football season. There is a time and a place for it. The 16th week of the regular season is here. A group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personality evaluated how teams are stacking up. The surprises are still coming as the season draws to a close. How do these games affect the ranking? There are a number of changes in the top 10. We checked in with NFL Nation reporters across the league and asked them to name one player or coach on every team that has been a pleasant surprise this season. These individuals stuck out from the rest in a good way. Let's see what we can find. Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH Week 15 ranking: 1 It was a pleasant surprise. Even though he was gifted and capable of a big season, the production -- north of 1,000 rushing yards already with double-digit touchdown runs -- has been a big bonus for this offense, especially after he was kept out of the end zone for the entire 2020 season. He has grown as a runner and is more physical. He's been able to thrive behind one of the best offensive lines in football and alongside Jalen Hurts because of that. The significance of the injury for the Eagles is explained by Dan Orlovsky. Week 15 ranking: 3 DaQuan Jones was pleasantly surprised. Jones wasn't one of the players that received a lot of attention initially. One of the team's best free agency moves has been him. The veteran leads the team in run stop win rate, and has two sacks. He has disrupted the game up front. One of the catalysts to the defense is Jones. Week 15 ranking: 2 It was a pleasant surprise. He is a valuable member of the offense. He plays on passing downs because he is the team's most trusted pass protection. He's third on the team in pass reception with 46 and he's second on the team in touchdown with six. Week 15 ranking: 7 It was a pleasant surprise. Perine has been the team's primary back on third downs and has made big plays in the past, such as his touchdown reception. With Joe Mixon out of the picture, Perine was the top runner with 38 rushes for 164 yards and a touchdown. With Mixon healthy, Perine has commanded a higher snap share and helped the offense stay consistent. Week 15 ranking: 5 Dre Greenlaw was surprised. Greenlaw was a good player when he was healthy. He missed 17 games over the past two seasons and it was not clear if he would ever take the next step. Greenlaw has taken more of a leap forward with three games left. He leads the Niners in tackles with a total of 11 and has two forced turnovers. Fred Warner gets a lot of the credit for leading San Francisco's defense, but Greenlaw has enjoyed a breakthrough season that has catapulted him into the conversation of the league's best off-ball linebacker. Week 15 ranking: 4 There was a pleasant surprise. He has eight sacks, which is a career-high. He had career totals in his first four seasons. The Cowboys needed another pass-rusher when they lost Randy Gregory. There is more thatArmstrong has done. He already showed last season that he could be productive, as he is close in on 1,000 yards rushing and surpasses his career touchdown total with 11. Week 15 ranking: 6 It was a pleasant surprise. The Vikings had three of their top four defensive backs on injured reserve. They have been helped by the four-year veteran signed to the practice squad in Week 1. He did not get a defensive snap until Week 10, but he has started two games and made game-saving plays. Although Dantzler is back from injured reserve, it appears that he has been replaced by a different person. He's got his hands on five passes since the beginning of the year. Week 15 ranking: 8 Kader Kohou was surprised. After injuries to Trill Williams andByron Jones, the rookies was thrust into a starting role. Despite not having a full-time role until Week 5, he is fifth on the team in tackles and third in passes defense. Jones' future with the team in question has been called into question due to his ascension. Week 15 ranking: 10 It was a pleasant surprise. The Bolts signed Carter as a return specialist, but have depended on the fifth-year pro to play a significant role after wide receiver Mike Williams went down with an injury. Carter has caught a lot of passes and scored a lot of points. He is a fix-it person. One of the things that makes him smart is that he can play multiple positions as a receiver. Lindsey Thiry said that he has been great for them. Week 15 ranking: 9 I LB Patrick Queen was surprised. Since the Ravens added Roquan Smith to the middle of their defense, he became a defensive force. Queen isn't trying to do too much anymore and is more composed. He is one of five defensive players this season who have recorded over 90 tackles and multiple sacks. The Ravens will have to consider picking up Queen's fifth-year option after he plays so well. Week 15 ranking: 16 It was a pleasant surprise. Slayton was 7th on the depth chart this summer. He was trying to catch the ball, but he was not confident. It's a testament to his perseverance that he's their clear-cut No. 1 receiver now with over 600 yards receiving. This offense has been helped by Slayton's success. Week 15 ranking: 17 James Houston was surprised. Houston is living up to his nickname. Over the last four weeks, Jackson State has wreaked havoc. He was elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Thanksgiving Day game against Buffalo and has registered five sacks in his first four games. He is the third player, since sacks became official in 1982, to record at least 1.0 sack in each of his first four games. Week 15 ranking: 13 S Darrick Forrest was pleasantly surprised. The fifth-round pick missed most of his first season with a leg injury, but was able to play on special teams in the second half. He muscled his way into the starting lineup and forced Washington to use a lot of three-safety sets. In the secondary, it has createdVersatility. Forrest plays smart and physical and is fourth on the team in solo tackles. This week, everything you need.
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1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
6. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
7. Minnesota Vikings (11-3)
8. Miami Dolphins (8-6)
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
10. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
11. New York Giants (8-5-1)
12. Detroit Lions (7-7)
13. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)
Week 15 ranking: 11
It was a pleasant surprise.
As a wide receiver at UTSA, Woolen had off-the-charts measurables, but he was also a defensive back in college. He was considered a project pick by the Seattle Seahawks when they drafted him in the fifth round in 2022, a high-upside player who would need quite a bit of grooming. It's much less for that. While there are still growing pains, Woolen is making more big plays than mistakes. Woolen is third in the league with 13 passes defended and is tied for the lead with six picks.
Week 15 ranking: 14
It was a pleasant surprise.
During training camp, Walker worked his way into the defensive line rotation. The sixth-year veteran's emergence has made him a complement to Jeffery Simmons. Walker played with a lot of energy and took advantage of the snaps that he was given. Walker is third on the team with a career-high 6.5 sacks. He has a career high in tackles for a loss.
Week 15 ranking: 19
It was a pleasant surprise.
In his second season in Jacksonville, he has been more important. career highs in tackles (95), solo tackles (60) and forced fumbleds are the result of theJaguars using more of a box safety. He had two picks in the overtime victory over Dallas. He scored the game-winning touchdown on the second try.
Lawrence had a good fantasy performance against the Jets.
Week 15 ranking: 12
Running back Zonovan "Bam" Knight was surprised.
Even though he had a poor game on Sunday, he has emerged as their leader over the last few weeks. He has been in the lineup because of injuries to Michael Carter and Breece Hall. The ability to accelerate upfield in the Jets' outside-zone scheme is shown by Knight's 40 time speed. Next season the Jets will have Hall, Knight and Carter.
Week 15 ranking: 15
Josh Uche was pleasantly surprised.
The ability of the second-round pick from Michigan to win one-on-one battles in obvious passing situations has contributed to the New England's ranking third in the league in sacks. The biggest thing with Josh is that he's out there. He puts good plays on film and good plays on the practice field. He's been able to stay out there on a consistent basis and that's allowed him to continue to move ahead and build his communication and execution with his teammates.
Week 15 ranking: 20
CB Keisean Nixon was surprised.
Signed for only $965,000, the fourth-year veteran has given the Packers a boost with his kick return skills. He leads the league in return average (26.4 yards per return) and also leads with eight returns of 30-plus yards, the most by a Packers player this season. He has had two kick returns for more than 50 yards, including one earlier this season. He was tied for fourth on the team in special teams tackles entering Monday's game and has filled in on defense in the nickel package.
Week 15 ranking: 24
It was a pleasant surprise.
One of Cleveland's most consistent performers has been the former sixth-round pick. Peoples-Jones has 782 yards and 57 catches, both second on the team behind Cooper. Peoples-Jones had a touchdown catch in the win over Baltimore. He returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 13 of the season. Coming into this season, the receiver was a major question mark and the emergence ofDPJ has quieted that concern.
Week 15 ranking: 21
It was a pleasant surprise.
The free agent running back caught the attention of the coaching staff. He has been a good complement to Harris and the third-down back. Warren ran for a career-high 11 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season. He has 53 carries on the season and has an average of 4.5 yards per carry. He's got 21 catches for 178 yards.
Week 15 ranking: 18
Jake camarda was surprised.
The Bucs haven't had a lot of success in recent years in drafting special teams players, but Camarda, a fourth-round pick out of Georgia, has made a difference. His performance in the win over the Rams has been dubbed one of the best ever by a punting coach. In that game, three of his punts were among the longest in franchise history, and in games where he has punted six or more times, his gross average is the best in NFL history. He averaged 48.98 yards per punt for the season.
Week 15 ranking: 23
Josh Jacobs was pleasantly surprised.
After not having his fifth year option picked up by the Raiders, Jacobs has been the team's most valuable player. Jacobs has proved his worth as a running back after the team's approach was built. His 86-yard walk-off scamper in Seattle is the longest run of the season. Jacobs is about to be paid.
Dan Orlovsky, Rex Ryan and Ryan Clark were not happy with the way the game was being played by the Pats.
Week 15 ranking: 26
It was a pleasant surprise.
Shaheed joined the team after an injury and has had to fight for playing time. He shows off his speed as both a kick returner and a wide receiver. He catches the ball at an average rate of 22.3 yards per catch. He is in line to replace Deonte Harty, who went on season-ending IR after being placed on a restricted free agent tender.
Week 15 ranking: 22
It was a pleasant surprise.
After the Falcons declined the fifth-year option on their former first-round pick, he responded with his best and healthiest season of his career. In Falcons coach Arthur Smith's scheme, McGary has shown marked improvement as a pass-blocker with a career-high pass block win rate against single defenders and double teams. If both player and franchise can find reasonable financial terms, there could be a reason for a continued relationship. A big win for McGary.
Week 15 ranking: 25
It was a pleasant surprise.
Since Matt Rhule took over a 1-4 team, the Carolinas have gone 4-5 and are only a game out of the playoffs. Many thought the organization would tank, but he kept playing hard. Before he took over, the players respected him greatly. If owner David Tepper doesn't hire him, another team might.
Week 15 ranking: 30
It was a pleasant surprise.
The fifth-round pick from Southern Utah had no issue holding his own against FBS defensive linemen during the Senior Bowl, which initially caught Chicago's attention as the Bears looked to shore up protection of their quarterback. The left side of the O-line is allowing less pressure on the Bears in pass protection. Jones turned in one of the best seasons of all rookies, with 5 sacks, 4 hits and 24 hurries allowed, while becoming a mainstay on the Bears' offensive line.
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Week 15 ranking: 29
It was a pleasant surprise.
He was placed on injured reserve in November after hurting his shoulder. The Rams coaching staff has been impressed by Atwell since his opportunities increased with the injuries to Allen Robinson and Cooper Kupp. Sean McVay said earlier in the month that Atwell should have had more chances. McVay said that he wouldn't run away from it because the guy had had his chances.
Week 15 ranking: 28
It was a pleasant surprise.
He had never played more than 18% of his defensive snaps. With injuries to Shaquille Leonard, he was forced to play a lot more and has been a revelation. Franklin ranks fourth in the NFL with 141 tackles and has become a more versatile player. Franklin has nine tackles for losses this season, which is more than any other off-the-ball linebacker.
Week 15 ranking: 27
It was a pleasant surprise.
The third-round pick has yet to experience the learning curve of his peers. In 160 defensive snaps, he has 3 sacks and 4 pass breakups. He's started two of the last three games, a sign of his growth and the growing trust in him by the defense.
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Week 15 ranking: 31
It was a pleasant surprise.
Murray was added to the practice squad after Javonte Williams was injured. The man was released after a lot of fumbling. After returning from an ankle injury, Mike Boone suffered a season ending injury. Murray leads the Broncos in rushing with 510 yards and is coming off a 130-yard performance in a win over the Cards.
Week 15 ranking: 32
Jerry Hughes was pleasantly surprised.
Hughes has 6 sacks in the past two years combined with the Bills. The star pass-rusher was thought to be Jonathan Greenard, who had 8 sacks in 12 games in 2021. Hughes is tied for 21st in the league with 33 first pressures. He has shown that he still has a lot left in him.
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