Amy Lindgren

If you’ve been eying a corporate leadership position or if you’re in an executive role now, you know how complex the work can be. There’s a reason people at this level gobble up relevant books and podcasts: Smart leaders know they need input from a variety of sources to stay on track, both for themselves and for their organizations.

If you’re planning your next read, one of these books might be just what you’re looking for.

Head & Heart: The art of modern leadership, by Kirstin Ferguson, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2023, $22.95. As an executive herself, and a former Air Force officer (in her native Australia), Ferguson describes modern leadership as a balance between head and heart. Accordingly, she provides four key attributes of the modern leader for each category. Then she further redefines leadership by assigning the principles to anyone, at any level who acts as a leader. As she explains, leadership is a series of moments, not a position of authority.

While Ferguson’s argument is compelling, U.S. readers might also appreciate the fresh perspective offered by an author whose examples range from the Pacific Rim where she is based, all the way to North America.

The Unlocked Leader, by Hortense Le Gentil, with Caroline Lambert, Wiley, 2024, $30. Can you finish this sentence? “One in five CEOs…” Gold stars (and a look of surprise) if you guessed “…now seek therapy.” By supplying this data in the first paragraph, Le Gentil sets the tone for what follows. Hers is a refreshing and frequently surprising look at issues that can limit the success of leaders — and everyone else, for that matter. Included in that list are what she calls mindsets that turn into “mindtraps,” as well as trauma, and even inherited trauma.

Le Gentil builds the case for these obstacles and their impact, then switches gears to shifting mindsets (“mindshifting”) and redefining oneself in terms of an empowered approach to leadership (“mindbuilding”). This is a quick read that’s likely to stay with you.

All Pride, No Ego: A queer executive’s journey to living and leading authentically, by Jim Fielding, Wiley, 2023, $28. As a baby boomer who knew that he was gay since he was six, Fielding describes always feeling excluded, different and “less than” his peers. When he could no longer tolerate living a double life, Fielding sought roles where he could be himself, culminating in top positions at places like Dreamworks and Disney Stores Worldwide.

In All Pride, Fielding demonstrates why the personal can’t be separated from the professional, and how the professional is enhanced and even directed by the personal. As he says, “There are not a lot stories or books about Queer Leadership.” He also notes that his “leadership style and philosophy are unique and represent an important perspective and voice that is lacking in this genre.” Agreed. This book provides that voice while also presenting leadership counsel that can be appreciated at any level.

To the Top: How women in corporate leadership are rewriting the rules for success, by Jenna C. Fisher, Wiley, 2023, $28. By now there have been dozens, perhaps hundreds of leadership books written by and for women, and each no doubt contains at least a handful of valuable insights. This book joins the genre, but with a most welcome modern twist. In To the Top, Fisher embraces multiple aspects of today’s workplace, including remote and hybrid schedules, and presents strategies to help women leverage the same in their climb to the top.

Fisher’s advice spans topics ranging from pay raises to finding board roles, always from the perspective of rewriting the rules that have shut women out in the past. For women in the corporate world, this book is a good refresher on some standard advice but also a refreshing take on standard practices that are beginning to crumble.

Dream Big and Win: Translating passion into purpose and creating a billion-dollar business, by Liz Elting, Wiley, 2024, $28. Last but not least in this roundup of leadership books for executives: A title about creating your own executive role. It’s not exactly the fast track, but the rewards can be out-sized. As the co-founder of a translation company that generated $1.16 billion in revenues last year (yes, that was a “B”), Elting has secured No. 71 on Forbes’ 2023 list of Self-Made Women. It hasn’t been all roses and honey, however — as witnessed by the fact that Elting had to sell her share of TransPerfect after a bitter lawsuit with her ex-partner. This is a fast and fun read about building, leading, losing and recouping, all within your own executive suite.

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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.

Richard Adam “Dick” Bielski, a Baltimore Colts place-kicker who later became a team coach, died of cancer Oct. 15 at his Ruxton home. He was 91.

“He grew up in East Baltimore during the 1940s, a chunky Polish kid who used to bound down the marble steps of his family’s home on Madeira Street and race the half-block to Patterson Park to play pickup football games until dark,” The Sun wrote about him in 2014. “If I was there alone, I’d take the ball, kick and chase after it,” Mr. Bielski told the paper.

He was the son of Adam Bielski, a stevedore, and Stella Kuchtaik, a homemaker.

Mr. Bielski starred at was then called Patterson Park High School and went on to the University of Maryland. He was a first-round draft pick in the NFL.

“Irv Biasi [Patterson Park’s then coach] stopped me in the hallway one day and said, ‘How come you’re not out for football?’” Mr Bielski said in 2014. “I told him I worked at Phil’s Bakery on Gough Street after school. So he got my work hours changed.

“After that, I’d get up at 4:30 every morning, load the truck and deliver buns and bread to Curtis Bay and Locust Point. Then I’d go to school and then to practice. I barely had time to brush my teeth. But if Irv hadn’t made me play, God knows where I would have been. That man molded my life.”

At Patterson Park, Mr. Bielski led a team that won 29 games straight, trampling Baltimore City College and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and whoever else would face the Clippers. The 1948 team was not scored on, The Sun’s 2014 story said.

Mr. Bielski said that then University of Maryland coach Jim Tatum came to the Bielski family home and told his mother if he played for the University of Southern California, which was offering a scholarship, he’d “get involved with all of those starlets.”

“When he left, Mom said, ‘You’re going to Maryland,’” Mr. Bielski told The Sun.

He helped the Terps to 35 victories in 41 games, a national championship in 1953 and a Sugar Bowl victory his freshman year.

Mr. Bielski was the ninth player chosen in the 1955 draft and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, who converted him to tight end. He then went to the fledgling Dallas Cowboys, where he made the Pro Bowl in 1961.

He moved to the Baltimore Colts in 1962 and caught 15 passes — two for touchdowns — and made 11 of 25 field-goal attempts, four of them against the champion Green Bay Packers.

He then became the team’s wide receiver coach in 1964.

“He worked under head coach Don Shula defeating the Cowboys in Super Bowl V,” said his daughter, Debbie Bielski.

In 1973, he joined what is today the Washington Commanders before returning to Baltimore as wide receiver coach.

In 1983, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Federals in the United States Football League and in 1984 became the team’s head coach.

“I remember the 1970 Super Bowl [between the Colts and Cowboys], which came down to rookie Jim O’Brien’s field goal. I coached the kickers, and when Jim lined up for the [32-yard] kick, I leaned over to [assistant coach] Bobby Boyd in the press box and said, ‘This is a lock, we are champions!’” Mr. Bielski said in 2014.

He met his future wife, Johan “Jo” Mazzadri in high school and they married in 1952.

“The were school sweethearts and they had a lifelong love story,” said his daughter.

He is survived by two daughters, Debbie Bielski and Jody Bielski; two sons, Ricky Bielski and Randy Bielski, all of Baltimore; a sister, Stephanie Bielski, of Hurlock; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2018.

Services were held Oct. 21 at the Ruck-Towson Funeral Home.

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In 2021, three major league teams lost at least 102 games. Two years later, two of them — the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers — will meet in the World Series.

The Orioles complete that trio of past losers, and although an American League Division Series sweep at the hands of the Rangers prevented them from reaching that same stage, their regular season featured more accomplishments than either club. After going 52-110 in 2021, Baltimore won 101 games and the AL East in 2023, enjoying what was comfortably MLB’s largest two-year improvement over the past century.

If Texas claims its first championship, it will have only two more victories across the regular season and postseason than the Orioles managed, while it’s not possible for Arizona to catch Baltimore in that regard. Yet, the Rangers and Diamondbacks are in the World Series, and the Orioles are at home.

Both teams, though, offer templates for Baltimore heading into the offseason. At his end-of-the-season news conference about 36 hours after the Orioles were eliminated, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias had little to say when it came to how he’ll approach the winter, saying that it was too early and not necessarily beneficial to dive into details. But aspects of the last two clubs standing exemplify checklist items for Elias and Baltimore’s front office this offseason.

Add legitimate pitching

Before Wednesday’s waiver claim of left-hander Tucker Davidson from the Kansas City Royals, here were the pitchers the Orioles had acquired directly onto their 40-man roster over the past year: free-agent signees Kyle Gibson and Mychal Givens; trade acquisitions Darwinzon Hernández, Cole Irvin, Danny Coulombe, Shintaro Fujinami and Jack Flaherty; waiver claims Jacob Webb and Jorge López; and Rule 5 draft pick Andrew Politi. Collectively, the group cost the Orioles about $20 million and five prospects Baseball America ranked among their top 30 at the time of the trades, though all were outside the organization’s top 10.

None of those pitchers started a playoff game. Politi, Givens, Hernández and López didn’t make it to the end of the season in the organization. Irvin and Fujinami were left off the ALDS roster. The two highest-paid pitchers on it, Gibson and Flaherty, were used as long relievers when the Orioles were being blown out. Webb surrendered a game-deciding home run in Game 1 and a grand slam that broke open Game 2. Acquired for cash from the Minnesota Twins on the cusp of the season, Coulombe was the only member of this group to be worth at least one win above replacement in the regular season using the methodologies of both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference.

Comparatively, among the pitchers the Rangers have added in that same span are multitime Cy Young Award winners Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer; veteran left-handers Jordan Montgomery and Andrew Heaney; and dominant postseason pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. All have made at least one start during the playoffs except deGrom, who in six starts before Tommy John elbow reconstruction produced as many wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference, or more than all of Baltimore’s additions other than Coulombe.

The Diamondbacks were relatively tame, though their trade to acquire closer Paul Sewald from Seattle has paid off handsomely in the postseason. Their top starter, Zac Gallen, was acquired in a 2019 trade and has since blossomed into a Cy Young Award candidate; the Orioles perhaps have their own version of that in Kyle Bradish, who leads their core of early-career starters.

But as the ALDS showed, greater fortification is needed. Baltimore has shown reluctance to make splashy moves, but one wouldn’t necessarily be required. Eovaldi, who pitched seven innings of one-run ball to knock out the Orioles, signed for a guaranteed two years and $34 million, a deal structure Elias said the Orioles have had on the table with players they were unable to acquire.

“Those pursuits will be on the menu again,” he said. “We’re trying to win.”

Extend a young star

The Diamondbacks aren’t going to the World Series because they signed rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll to an eight-year, $111 million extension before this season. But it could help the possibility of returning throughout the 2020s.

Including a club option for 2031, the agreement goes for three seasons beyond Carroll’s initial period of team control. As Arizona fans have watched him shine in the postseason — including three key hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series — they do so knowing their prized phenom will be a Diamondback for years to come.

Orioles fans do not have the same certainty. In nearly five years under Elias, the only guaranteed multiyear contracts Baltimore has given out have been two-year pacts with pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery. None of those agreements bought out any would-be free-agent seasons.

Infielder Gunnar Henderson, Carroll’s AL counterpart as the favorite for Rookie of the Year, has five more years of club control remaining, and catcher Adley Rutschman, the runner-up for that honor last year, has four left. In that sense, there’s not exactly a rush to ink the pair — Elias’ first two draft picks with Baltimore and the club’s top position players by wins above replacement in 2023 — to long-term contracts. But several other teams have reached extended agreements with their phenoms, and the continued absence of such a deal with Henderson or Rutschman adds to the looming possibility they spend much of their careers elsewhere.

Any such thoughts among the fan base have been induced by the organization itself, with not only its lack of action but also its words. In August, Orioles CEO and Chairman John Angelos told The New York Times the franchise would struggle financially to retain all of its young talent.

“When people talk about giving this player $200 million, that player $150 million, we would be so financially underwater that you’d have to raise the prices massively,” Angelos said.

Asked about the veracity of that comment after the season, Elias said, in his experience, “things don’t [always] come out exactly how you meant them” when speaking with media before saying the front office “quietly” examines extension possibilities.

“We are very focused on keeping this organization as successful and healthy as possible within the constraints of reality,” Elias said. “Obviously, we have players here that we love, and you look at it right now and you go, ‘Boy, I wish we had those guys under contract for longer than they currently are,’ and a big part of the calculus of keeping this franchise healthy, is pursuing or examining opportunities to possibly keep some of these guys longer. I’ve said it over and over. We quietly work on this in the background. I don’t want to be the one out talking about it, but obviously, that’s a part of our job as a front office to tackle that subject.”

Maximize playoff odds

Much was made of MLB’s playoff format when the four teams that won at least 99 regular-season games combined for one playoff win against 11 losses.

But the 90-win Rangers, the AL’s fifth seed, facing the 84-win Diamondbacks, the NL’s sixth seed, shows the importance of just getting into the field. Either team surely would have preferred a bye of the wild-card round and home-field advantage throughout the postseason en route to the Fall Classic, but they won enough in the regular season to get to the postseason, then won enough there to reach the World Series.

The Orioles’ approach to the 2022 trade deadline — when Elias focused more on future playoff pushes than the one in front of him — doesn’t need to be relitigated, especially given how well it has seemingly paid off for Baltimore’s long-term future. But it’s worth noting the 2023 Diamondbacks won one fewer game with a run differential one run worse than the 2022 Orioles. Cracking the field with a mid-80s win total gives a team as much of a shot of a World Series as triple-digit victories.

Perhaps that justifies Elias’ modest approach to both the offseason and trade deadline, acknowledging his intent was to put the Orioles in the postseason. They of course managed to exceed expectations, but they could have won 10 fewer games and made the playoffs regardless. Maybe the format devalues the regular season, but it also reinforces the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity to get beyond it.

Of course, teams such as Arizona are the exception, not the rule. According to FanGraphs, the Diamondbacks rank 20th in the majors in payroll, with a sizeable portion of theirs devoted to players no longer in the organization. Since 2008, the World Series winner has, on average, ranked in the top eight among the league’s 30 teams in payroll, with the average participant ranked in the top 12, according to data from Spotrac. Arizona is only the third team in that span ranked 20th or lower, with Tampa Bay’s pennant-winning clubs in 2008 and 2020 ranked 28th.

Each opponent the Diamondbacks beat to reach the World Series had a higher payroll, with Arizona going 9-3 as clubs with lower payrolls otherwise went 7-17 through the first three playoff rounds. That includes an 0-3 showing from the Orioles, who ended 2023 ranked 29th, against the eighth-ranked Rangers.

But the Orioles got in, and an offseason spent devoted to increasing the probability they do so again could be enough to find Baltimore playing at this time next year.

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Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL teams. The rankings will take into account not just weekly performance, injuries and roster depth, but how well each team measures up as Super Bowl contenders.

Here are the rankings heading into Week 9:

1. Philadelphia Eagles (7-1, No. 2)

Last week: Win vs. Commanders, 38-31

Up next: vs. Cowboys

The Eagles needed three straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter to finally pull away, but they once again proved their mettle. It helps to have Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, who connected for two touchdown passes to help cover for a defense that allowed 26 first downs and 6.8 yards per play. Brown has blossomed into a superstar in Philly, becoming the first player in NFL history with 125-plus receiving yards in six consecutive games. All eyes will be on the status of Hurts’ injured knee heading into an intriguing matchup against Dallas.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2, No. 1)

Last week: Loss vs. Broncos, 24-9

Up next: vs. Dolphins in Germany

Was that clunker in Denver just a bad day or a cause for concern? Dealing with flu-like symptoms, Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst performances in a Chiefs uniform, throwing two interceptions and failing to record a touchdown pass for the first time since Dec. 5, 2021. The lack of receiving talent around tight end Travis Kelce is more glaring than ever, and Kansas City was only able to muster 62 rushing yards. Once in the driver’s seat, the Chiefs now find themselves in a crowded race for the top seed in the AFC.

3. Ravens (6-2, No. 3)

Last week: Win vs. Cardinals, 31-24

Up next: vs. Seahawks

The win in Arizona was a Rorschach test for the Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes. Did Lamar Jackson’s uneven performance against the Cardinals’ drop coverage reveal a blueprint for potential playoff opponents? Is Gus Edwards good enough to carry the running game down the stretch? Should Baltimore be concerned by the lack of production from free agent receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor? Is the defense vulnerable to lapses against inferior opponents? Just how good is a secondary that must continue to rely on Geno Stone and Brandon Stephens? There’s little doubt the Ravens have been playing well enough to be considered a title contender, but general manager Eric DeCosta is making a big bet on this group by not making any meaningful additions at the trade deadline.

4. Miami Dolphins (5-2, No. 5)

Last week: Win vs. Patriots, 31-17

Up next: vs. Chiefs in Germany

When the Dolphins’ stars are shining, they’re hard to beat. Tua Tagovailoa leads the league with 2,416 passing yards, Tyreek Hill is the first player in the Super Bowl era to top 1,000 receiving yards through eight games and cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepted a pass in his team debut, helping push Miami to 6-2 for the first time since 2001. When left tackle Terron Armstead comes back and the offensive line gets closer to full strength, the Dolphins could look even better.

5. Dallas Cowboys (5-2, No. 6)

Last week: Win vs. Rams, 43-20

Up next: at Eagles

When everything clicks, the Cowboys sure are impressive. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb torched the Rams’ defense, while DaRon Bland recorded his NFL-leading third pick-six and Micah Parsons wreaked havoc in the backfield. Dallas also excelled on special teams, with Sam Williams blocking a punt for a safety and KaVontae Turpin returning the ensuing kick 63 yards. The Cowboys failed their first big test in a blowout loss to the 49ers, but they’ll get the chance to prove themselves this week against Philadelphia.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2, No. 7)

Last week: Win vs. Steelers, 20-10

Up next: Bye

The Jaguars have been far from dominant, but they haven’t started the season 6-2 since 1999. Winning ugly in Pittsburgh is almost a rite of passage for any AFC contender, and Jacksonville accomplished that despite turning the ball over on two of its three trips inside the red zone. The Jaguars are expected to get four injured starters back after the bye week, which will be crucial in keeping pace in a tight conference race.

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-3, No. 4)

Last week: Loss vs. Bengals, 31-17

Up next: Bye

Make that three straight losses for the team that topped these rankings just three weeks ago. Poor defense and costly mistakes on offense have been a toxic mix, as quarterback Brock Purdy committed three turnovers in the second half Sunday while Joe Burrow ruthlessly picked the 49ers’ secondary apart. When Purdy is outgaining Christian McCaffrey on the ground, you know something is wrong. Perhaps the addition of Commanders defensive end Chase Young will help reignite a pass rush that has curiously struggled to record sacks despite boasting a surplus of talent up front.

8. Buffalo Bills (5-3, No. 8)

Last week: Win vs. Buccaneers, 24-18

Up next: at Bengals

Don’t forget about the Bills. While Buffalo teetered on the edge of disaster in recent weeks, it rebounded well Thursday night behind a solid performance on both sides of the ball. Josh Allen’s right shoulder injury didn’t seem to bother him too much, and Khalil Shakir might have announced himself as the third receiver the Bills have been looking for. Buffalo also addressed a glaring weak spot at the deadline, acquiring veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas from the Packers after being forced to rely on practice squad call-up Josh Norman.

9. Detroit Lions (6-2, No. 9)

Last week: Win vs. Raiders, 26-14

Up next: Bye

The Lions quickly put a humbling loss behind them and showed maturity in finishing off the Raiders on Monday night. Three Detroit turnovers, including a pick-six by Marcus Peters to pull Las Vegas within two points in the fourth quarter, and a 1-for-5 performance in the red zone kept the Lions from running up the score as they piled up 486 yards and allowed just 157. Six sacks, including two from defensive tackle Alim McNeill, continued a strong start to the season for the defense. The addition of Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is also a nice swing for a team that could use a big body on the outside.

10. Seattle Seahawks (5-2, No. 12)

Last week: Win vs. Browns, 24-20

Up next: at Ravens

If not for an interception that deflected off safety Jamal Adams’ helmet with 1:57 remaining Sunday, the Seahawks might have suffered a regrettable defeat. But thanks to that play and some great throws from Geno Smith on Seattle’s final drive, the Seahawks have a half-game lead in the NFC West. There were enough struggles on offense and some disappointing moments from the defense Sunday to feel uncertain about Seattle’s division title prospects, but given the state of the NFC, this team might already be a playoff lock.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3, No. 11)

Last week: Win vs. 49ers, 31-17

Up next: vs. Bills

Welcome back, Joe Burrow. The Bengals star quarterback finished 28 for 32 — including 19 straight completions at one point — for 283 yards and three touchdowns to lead a dominant win over what’s still considered one of the best teams in the league. It was a far cry from Burrow’s statuesque performances as he dealt with a calf injury during Cincinnati’s 1-3 start. Don’t overlook the Bengals’ ground game, either, which helped make play-action passes from under center — something Burrow said he worked hard on all offseason — more effective.

12. Cleveland Browns (4-3, No. 10)

Last week: Loss vs. Seahawks, 24-20

Up next: vs. Cardinals

Given the mix of talent and potential, this might be the most frustrating team in the league. The lack of clarity with quarterback Deshaun Watson, both in his ability and his availability, has created an awkward situation that has threatened to derail the season and coach Kevin Stefanski’s tenure. Backup P.J. Walker, who has just one touchdown pass and five interceptions in three games, is simply not good enough. Even if Watson does come back from his shoulder injury soon, it might be a while before we know whether Cleveland is truly a playoff contender.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4, No. 21)

Last week: Win vs. Bears, 30-13

Up next: at Jets

With a healthy Justin Herbert, the Chargers are dangerous. Playing without a glove for the first time since fracturing the middle finger on his left hand in Week 4, Herbert completed his first 15 passes and led Los Angeles to points on each of its first five drives in a dominant win. Austin Ekeler led the team in receiving yards, and rookie Quentin Johnston even got involved. There’s still a long way to go, but the Chargers have kept their playoff hopes alive.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3, No. 13)

Last week: Loss vs. Jaguars, 20-10

Up next: vs. Titans

Injuries to quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) don’t bode well for a team that has been winning by the slimmest of margins all season. While Pittsburgh’s defense has been good enough to keep the team in every game, it must be even better if the offense has to rely on backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky and an ineffective running game.

15. New Orleans Saints (4-4, No. 23)

Last week: Win vs. Colts, 38-27

Up next: vs. Bears

Now we know how good the Saints offense can be. Derek Carr hit several long passes to Rashid Shaheed, Michael Thomas and Chris Olave as New Orleans averaged 17.7 yards per reception and recorded 511 total yards, its most since 2020. Taysom Hill, at the right moments, remains an effective weapon. After hitting a rough patch, the Saints are still tied for first in the NFC South.

16. Atlanta Falcons (4-4, No. 15)

Last week: Loss vs. Titans, 28-23

Up next: vs. Vikings

While the Falcons have been saying all the right things when it comes to Desmond Ridder, we might have seen the beginning of a quarterback change Sunday. After Ridder was sacked five times and lost his sixth fumble of the season, he was replaced by Taylor Heinicke, who finished 12 of 21 for 175 yards and a touchdown as Atlanta scored 20 second-half points. Given a division title is within reach, the Falcons can’t be too patient with their second-year quarterback.

17. New York Jets (4-3, No. 19)

Last week: Win vs. Giants, 13-10 (OT)

Up next: vs. Chargers

The Jets snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Sunday, as a missed 35-yard field goal attempt by the Giants’ Graham Gano with 28 seconds left gave Zach Wilson enough time to complete two long passes to set up the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. Wilson then helped lead the Jets down the field on their first possession of overtime — aided by a pass interference penalty — before Greg Zuerlein kicked the game-winning 33-yarder. It was an ugly win that featured a combined 24 punts, 15 penalties and four third-down conversions on 34 attempts, but it puts the Jets above .500 as they await the potential return of Aaron Rodgers.

18. Minnesota Vikings (4-4, No. 14)

Last week: Win vs. Packers, 24-10

Up next: at Falcons

Kirk Cousins’ time in Minnesota might be over. The 35-year-old quarterback reportedly suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Sunday’s win, and his contract voids at the end of the season. The Vikings must now hang their playoff hopes on Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired at the trade deadline after an up-and-down stint as the Cardinals’ starter.

19. Tennessee Titans (3-4, No. 25)

Last week: Win vs. Falcons, 28-23

Up next: vs. Vikings

The Titans might have their answer at quarterback. Rookie Will Levis threw four touchdown passes in his NFL debut, and while many of those deep throws required plenty of luck, the former Kentucky star gives the offense some much-needed juice. It helps to have DeAndre Hopkins on the receiving end, too. How Levis plays in a short week against a strong Steelers defense will help answer some questions about his potential.

20. Houston Texans (3-4, No. 17)

Last week: Loss vs. Panthers, 15-13

Up next: vs. Buccaneers

After a blazing start, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has cooled off recently, which first-year coach DeMeco Ryans said is the result of defenses seeing more film of the Ohio State star and making adjustments. How the No. 2 overall pick adjusts himself will be the most interesting storyline to watch for the rest of Houston’s season.

21. Los Angeles Rams (3-5, No. 16)

Last week: Loss vs. Cowboys, 43-20

Up next: at Packers

The Rams’ season hinges on the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his right thumb and is day to day. But he hasn’t been very effective when he does play, completing just 59.7% of his passes and ranking 24th in passer rating. Coach Sean McVay will need to work some magic to keep this team afloat.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4, No. 18)

Last week: Loss vs. Bills, 24-18

Up next: at Texans

Three straight losses have quickly overshadowed a strong start for Tampa Bay. An ineffective rushing attack has put too much on the shoulders of Baker Mayfield, who hasn’t been good enough to elevate the offense by himself. The Bucs have averaged just 16.3 points per game, which ranks 26th in the league.

23. Denver Broncos (3-5, No. 24)

Last week: Win vs. Chiefs, 24-9

Up next: Bye

It might have felt like it at times, but this is far from the worst team in the league. Ending a 16-game losing streak against the Chiefs could be a turning point for Denver, which might have found a winning formula behind running back Javonte Williams and an effective ground game. Maybe Russell Wilson is turning the corner, too.

24. Indianapolis Colts (3-5, No. 20)

Last week: Loss vs. Saints, 38-27

Up next: at Panthers

While the Colts offense has been surprisingly good with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, his nine turnovers in four starts have been costly. And as promising as first-year coach Shane Steichen has been as the offensive play-caller, his unwillingness to rely on a running game that averaged 6.8 yards per carry Sunday was puzzling. Jonathan Taylor had just one carry after rushing for 94 yards in the first half, while Minshew finished with 41 pass attempts.

25. Washington Commanders (3-5, No. 22)

Last week: Loss vs. Eagles, 38-31

Up next: at Patriots

The Commanders are clearly thinking long term, for better or worse. After coming up just short against the Eagles, they traded a pair of promising pass rushers, sending Montez Sweat to the Bears for a 2024 second-round pick 2024 and Chase Young to the 49ers for a 2024 compensatory third-round selection. Washington now has nine draft picks next year, including five in the first three rounds. It’s smart business, considering both players are pending free agents, but it’s certainly disappointing to give up on the season this early.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (3-5, No. 29)

Last week: Loss vs. Lions, 26-14

Up next: vs. Giants

The return of Jimmy Garoppolo was not enough to lift the Raiders offense, as he finished 10 of 21 passing for 126 yards and an interception while taking six sacks. Davante Adams had just one catch on seven targets, and Jakobi Meyers had just one reception on the only pass thrown his way. The defense led by Maxx Crosby is competing hard, but that effort is being wasted.

27. Chicago Bears (2-6, No. 26)

Last week: Loss vs. Chargers, 30-13

Up next: at Saints

While backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and the Bears’ rushing attack could not get much going on offense, it was the defense that was a much bigger disappointment. Chicago did not force a punt until the middle of the third quarter and allowed the Chargers to convert on 7 of 12 third downs. According to ESPN, the Bears did not generate pressure on 30 of Herbert’s 40 dropbacks. Perhaps the addition of Sweat will boost the pass rush, though it’s a curious trade considering he could be a half-season rental.

28. New England Patriots (2-6, No. 27)

Last week: Loss vs. Dolphins, 31-17

Up next: vs. Commanders

Given how badly Mac Jones has struggled this season, it seems likely the Patriots will be drafting a quarterback in April. New England is on pace to have a top-five pick, something it hasn’t done since taking defensive end Willie McGinest at No. 4 overall in 1994.

29. Green Bay Packers (2-5, No. 31)

Last week: Loss vs. Vikings, 24-10

Up next: vs. Rams

Maybe surrounding Jordan Love with the league’s youngest group of pass catchers wasn’t such a good idea. The first-year starter has looked overwhelmed during a four-game losing streak, throwing four touchdown passes to seven interceptions. The defense has been equally disappointing, ranking 28th in efficiency according to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA.

30. New York Giants (2-6, No. 28)

Last week: Loss vs. Jets, 13-10 (OT)

Up next: at Raiders

Nobody expected Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito to be leading the offense, but recording minus-9 passing yards in an NFL game is embarrassing, no matter the circumstances. The Giants rank last in the league in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game, and don’t seem to have any answers. After receiving a new contract this season, it’s up to Daniel Jones to prove he’s capable of lifting the offense out of this rut.

31. Carolina Panthers (1-6, No. 32)

Last week: Win vs. Texans, 15-13

Up next: vs. Colts

Bryce Young picked a good time to deliver his best game as a pro, as the No. 1 overall pick helped deliver Carolina’s first fourth-quarter comeback since 2018. Rumblings about Stroud being the better option began after the No. 2 pick’s strong start to the season, but Young showed enough growth Sunday to feel good about the direction of the franchise.

32. Arizona Cardinals (1-7, No. 30)

Last week: Loss vs. Ravens, 31-24

Up next: at Browns

The real season might be about to start for Arizona. Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday there’s a chance Kyler Murray could start as he gets set to return from ACL surgery. The only fair evaluation of this team should come with Murray under center, but it could take a while for him to get back on track as he adjusts to a new group of players and coaches.

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