Ayo Edebiri Ranked

Welcome to "Ranked", a weekly series where I rank a franchise or filmography from worst to best and hand out assorted related superlatives. This week, I'm profiling the work of Ayo Edebiri-whose latest project "Ella McCay" is in theaters today. 

Ayo Edebiri's Filmography Ranked:

9.How It Ends (D+)

8.The Sweet East (C-)

7.After the Hunt (C-)

6.Opus (B-)

5.Inside Out 2 (B)

4.Theater Camp (B)

3.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (B+)

2.Bottoms (A-)

1.Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (A-)

Top Dog: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

The main reason that people are so frustrated by the long wait for the third Spider-Verse movie is that Across Spider-Verse is a great movie that ends on a crazy cliffhanger. Lord and Miller and their various collaborators managed to up the ante from Into the Spider-Verse by adding more characters/stakes to Miles Morales' story without sacrificing any of the emotional core that made the film so special. Despite all of the delays and rumors about it being significantly reworked over the past couple of years, my confidence in Beyond the Spider-Verse serving as a triumphant conclusion to the trilogy remains high (the current planned release date is June 18, 2027).   

Bottom Feeder: How It Ends (2021)

How It Ends' existence can be chalked up to a talented actor/writer/director (Zoe Lister-Jones) getting bored during COVID and securing funding for a half-baked idea they thought of during lockdown that could easily be shot while adhering to pandemic protocols. There's nothing particularly funny, touching or compelling about watching Lister-Jones walk around nearly empty LA streets alternating between having conversations with a younger version of herself (Cailee Spaney) and various people from her life that she'd like to talk to one last time on the day before the world is set to end via a giant meteor hitting Earth. None of Lister Jones' famous friends (Lamorne Morris, Olivia Wilde, Whitney Cummings, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen, Glenn Howerton, Logan Marshall-Green, Tawny Newsome) who were enlisted for extended cameos appearing to be overly invested in their roles is the final nail in the coffin for this poorly conceived film. 

Most Underrated: Theater Camp (2023)

Burdened by its indie status, the SAG strike blowing up its promotional efforts and releasing in the wake of Barbenheimer, Theater Camp never really had a chance to find its audience in theaters. Sadly, it also hasn't found much of a life on streaming despite the Searchlight-backed project being available on Hulu for 2+ years before exiting the service earlier this year (it is however currently available to rent on all of the major VOD platforms). Anyways, this love letter to musical theater and the colorful personalities that help bring it to life features a treasure trove of modern alt-comedy stalwarts (Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Edebiri, Owen Thiele, Molly Gordon-who also served as co-director and co-writer) and musical mainstays (Ben Platt, Noah Galvin-both of whom aided Gordon with the script) fully committing to the string of great interconnected bits that make up this movie.    

Most Overrated: None

Edebiri is such an in-demand performer right now that it's easy to forget that she's only been acting full-time for a handful of years after getting her start in entertainment as a television writer and stand-up comedian. Her relatively short acting resume has also protected her from having a film that appears in this dreaded section. I truly love every acclaimed project she's been in (Bottoms, Across the Spider-Verse, Mutant Mayhem) and the few projects of hers that I didn't really connect either got pretty widely panned (After the Hunt, How It Ends) or were too small to be seriously considered (The Sweet East). 

2025 NFL Power Rankings: Week 15

 ()=Previous Ranking

1,(1) Seattle Seahawks (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Indianapolis Colts

2.(2) New England Patriots (11-2) Week 15 opponent: Buffalo Bills

3.(3) Los Angeles Rams (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Detroit Lions

4.(4) Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) Week 15 opponent: Denver Broncos

5.(5) Denver Broncos (11-2) Week 15 opponent: Green Bay Packers

6.(6) Buffalo Bills (9-4) Week 15 opponent: New England Patriots

7.(8) San Francisco 49ers (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Tennessee Titans

8.(7) Chicago Bears (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Cleveland Browns

9.(11) Detroit Lions (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Los Angeles Rams

10.(13) Houston Texans (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Arizona Cardinals

11.(14) Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) Week 15 opponent: New York Jets

12.(12) Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

13.(9) Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Las Vegas Raiders

14.(10) Indianapolis Colts (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Seattle Seahawks

15.(16) Carolina Panthers (7-6) Week 15 opponent: New Orleans Saints

16.(15) Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) Week 15 opponent: Minnesota Vikings

17.(20) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) Week 15 opponent: Miami Dolphins

18.(17) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) Week 15 opponent: Atlanta Falcons

19.(21) Miami Dolphins (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

20.(18) Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

21.(19) Baltimore Ravens (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

22.(24) Minnesota Vikings (5-8) Week 15 opponent: Dallas Cowboys

23.(22) Cincinnati Bengals (4-9) Week 15 opponent: Baltimore Ravens

24.(29) New Orleans Saints (3-10) Week 15 opponent: Carolina Panthers

25.(23) Atlanta Falcons (4-9) Week 15 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

26.(28) Cleveland Browns (3-10) Week 15 opponent: Chicago Bears

27.(27) Arizona Cardinals (3-10) Week 15 opponent: Houston Texans

28.(25) Washington Commanders (3-10) Week 15 opponent: New York Giants

29.(26) New York Jets (3-10) Week 15 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

30.(30) New York Giants (2-11) Week 15 opponent: Washington Commanders

31.(32) Tennessee Titans (2-11) Week 15 opponent: San Francisco 49ers 

32.(31) Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) Week 15 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

Week 14 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2025 Edition

Quarterback

Biggest Winner: Josh Allen (Bills)

The Bills were looking for a heroic effort from Allen to beat a Bengals team that has been rejuvenated by the return of Joe Burrow and they got it. Allen looked like the reigning MVP in snowy conditions in Orchard Park, throwing for 251 YDS and 3 TD's and rushing for 78 YDS on 9 YDS including a career-long 40 YD TD. Allen will need to be brilliant once again in Week 15 as the Bills travel to Foxboro to take on the AFC East-leading Patriots who beat them at their place back in Week 5.

Honorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford (Rams), Joe Burrow (Bengals), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

Biggest Loser: Jalen Hurts (Eagles)

Patrick Mahomes seemed like a shoo-in for this dubious honor after struggling mightily against the Texans on Sunday night until Hurts came out and played what very well could be the new leading contender for the worst game of his entire career. He turned the ball over a whopping 5 times (4 INT's, lost fumble) and put up 248 scoreless YDS (240 passing, 8 rushing) in a soul-crushing OT loss to the Chargers that almost certainly wouldn't have happened if he made even just two fewer costly mistakes. The good news for Hurts and the reeling Eagles is 3 of the final 4 games on their schedule are against bottom 5 teams in the league right now including a Week 14 home tilt against the Raiders-who have lost 7 games in a row.  

Dishonorable Mentions:: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Justin Herbert (Chargers), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) 

Running Back

Biggest Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)

Gibbs stepped up in a big way in a crucial Week 14 win over the Cowboys that kept the Lions in the thick of the ultracompetitive NFC North/wild card races, gaining 120 scrimmage YDS and rushing for 3 TD's on 19 touches (12 carries, 7 receptions). The Lions will be hoping for another big day for Gibbs when they take on the Rams this Sunday. 

Honorable Mentions: Tony Pollard (Titans), Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars), R.J. Harvey (Broncos)

Biggest Loser: Ashton Jeanty (Raiders)

It was another muted showing for Jeanty in Week 14 as he was held to 38 scrimmage YDS on 12 touches (30 rushing, 8 receiving) in yet another loss for the Raiders to the Broncos. Week 15 presents the rare opportunity for Jeanty to have a good day during his lost rookie season as the Raiders are set to take on an Eagles defense that has had some serious difficulty stopping the run of late.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Breece Hall (Jets), Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Aaron Jones Jr. (Vikings)

Wide Receiver

Biggest Winner: Puka Nacua (Rams)

The Cardinals quietly respectable secondary was no match for Nacua. The star wideout was an even bigger focal point of the Rams passing attack than usual, registering 167 YDS and 2 TD's on 7 receptions on a day where Matthew Stafford didn't need to do much (21/33, 281 YDS, 3 TD's) to help secure an easy blowout win. Nacua will face the Lions in Week 15.  

Honorable Mentions: Michael Wilson (Cardinals), Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Tee Higgins (Bengals)

Biggest Loser: Ladd McConkey (Chargers)

A very quiet night for a hobbled Justin Herbert-who is lucky to have not sustained any new injuries after getting sacked a career-high 7 times by the Eagles vicious front-through the air outside of a 60-YD gain on a screen pass to Kimani Vidal on the Chargers opening drive rendered McConkey effectively useless last night, catching just 1 of the 5 targets that came his way for 12 YDS. McConkey will look to bounce back in Week 15 against a Chiefs team that he had a solid outing (6/74) against back in Week 1.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers), Chris Olave (Saints)

Tight End

Biggest Winner: Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns)

The biggest beneficiary of Shedeur Sanders' first 300+ YD passing day was none other than Fannin Jr. The rookie tight end was making plays all over the field in this thrilling shootout with the Titans that the Browns ended up losing, ending the game with a whopping 8 receptions for 114 YDS and a score. If Fannin Jr is still available in your league, you should definitely consider adding him ahead of his Week 15 showdown with the Bears.  

Honorable Mentions: Brock Bowers (Raiders), Dalton Kincaid (Bills), Kyle Pitts (Falcons)

Biggest Loser: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

Kelce was so frustrated with his performance against the Texans that he left Arrowhead without fielding questions from the media. If you watched the game, you know why. Not only did Kelce struggle to get open against the Texans top-ranked defense (1 reception for 8 YDS), a pass that clanked off his hands in the 4th quarter was directly responsible for the Texans getting the game-clinching INT that handed the Chiefs their 7th loss of their season and puts them in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Kelce has really started to show his age in 2025, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if he decided to retire at season's end. He'll be a shaky starting option against the Chargers in Week 15.

Dishonorable Mentions: Mark Andrews (Ravens), Tyler Warren (Colts), Oronde Gadsden (Chargers)

Defense/Special Teams:

Biggest Winner: Seahawks

The Seahawks D/ST helped turn the tide of a pretty ugly game versus that was tied 6-6 at halftime and quickly made it an absolute laugher with a lopsided final score of 37-9. Rasheed Shaheed returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a TD started the party then they went onto get 3 takeaways (2 INT's and a fumble recovery) and a sack as Kirk Cousins continued to struggle in his return to action following the season-ending knee injury to Michael Penix Jr. A blocked field goal in the 2nd quarter served as the cherry on top of their huge day. They're currently the betting favorite to end up in this spot again next week as they're set to take on the suddenly stinky Colts that are going to be led by either Riley Leonard, Brett Rypien or 44-year-old Phillip Rivers-who officially joined their practice squad today after being out of football since the end of the 2020 season-on Sunday.       

Honorable Mentions: Eagles, Texans, Broncos

Biggest Loser: Browns

As I mentioned above, Browns/Titans was a shootout-which of course means the Browns defense didn't have a great day. They ended up getting just 1 sack and 1 pick on the typically very generous Cam Ward in a 31-29 loss. They won't be a preferred starting option this week against a Bears team that has done a very good job of limiting sacks and turnovers this season. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Ravens, Packers, Steelers

Movie Review: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

What's so appealing about Knives Out is that Rian Johnson has created a franchise that solely revolves around the brilliant, quirky private investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) solving a murder. Each whodunit experiments with tone and setting while always having a joke and something to say about a dark corner of our world at the ready. Johnson keeps the franchise's batting average at 1.000 with his third mystery entitled Wake Up Dead Man, which is playing in select theaters now and debuts on Netflix this Friday.

As the trailers have indicated, Wake Up Dead Man sees Blanc get summoned to upstate New York by a small-town police chief (Mila Kunis) to solve the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who was stabbed to death in a storage closet right next to the pulpit after delivering his Good Friday mass. Wicks presided over a church called Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, a post that he inherited from his late grandfather Prentice (James Faulkner) who served in the role for decades before his demise. Wicks utilized an incendiary, confrontational preaching style that alienated most people that walked into his church, but he did have a small band of fiercely loyal regulars (Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Daryl McCormack, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, Thomas Haden Church) that viewed him as a messiah. Given his proximity to the murder scene and checkered past as a former boxer who joined the priesthood with the hopes of atoning for his sin of accidently killing a man in the ring, Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor) has emerged as the primary suspect. Rev. Jud had clashed with Wicks for months over the way that he conducted himself as the leader of a church and was transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude after giving into his violent impulses and punching another priest in the face at his last church. Blanc isn't so sure that Jud is behind it despite having the clearest motive of any present at that fateful Good Friday service and what he ends up finding challenges not just the way he does his job but the entire belief system that he lives by.

Releasing a movie about how faith is weaponized to serve a personal/political agenda and prey on the vulnerability of the people that are looking to the church to help them through whatever problem they're facing in life right now is perfect. Christian nationalism is one of the driving forces behind the rise of fascism globally and Johnson takes aim at every angle of their ideology as this complex, sometimes extremely bleak mystery unfolds. Johnson doesn't mention any politicians or faith-driven figures by name but it's pretty clear what kind of rhetoric he's talking about and the way that the character dynamics play out mirrors real life to an eerie degree.

Despite its critiques of the role religion plays in the world and the people that are shaping the conversations surrounding it, Wake Up Dead Man isn't an anti-religious text in the slightest. A big part of Johnson's message here is about the importance of having the right messengers delivering the teachings of the Bible. While this sounds like a preachy message on paper, it never feels like Johnson is arguing for or against believing in God and is instead just engaging with what the storytelling of the Bible means and how the distortion of the sacred text to serve a hate-fueled agenda is an afront to its true teachings. Certain people are inevitably going to get pissed off by what transpires in certain parts of this movie, but I feel like it could inspire a lot of important discussions among people who are willing to earnestly engage with the film and maybe even get people to reconsider how they engage with the intersection of faith and politics that is at the forefront of our culture. Some of the best art around makes the viewer really think about the world they live in and it's awesome that Johnson has used super entertaining, funny whodunits as a jumping off point for these vital reflections. 

On a pure mystery level, Wake Up Dead Man is a little bit clunkier than its predecessors. None of the twists are overly shocking including the killer reveal and by focusing so much time on Rev. Jud's arc-which isn't a bad thing at all given the depth and gravitas O'Connor gives to the role, much of the supporting cast is sidelined for long stretches of the film-which minimizes the impact of the ensemble cast that has previously been one of the biggest assets of the Knives Out franchise. It's still a great time on the whole, I just feel like the flaws are pronounced enough here to put it behind it the first two installments after one viewing.

With Johnson's contract with Netflix officially up and him currently shopping an original script around Hollywood that he's hoping to shoot sometime next year, the future of Knives Out is currently wide open. It probably won't be the last time we see Blanc on screen, but it could end up being a bit before he returns, so I'll be sure to take some more time to savor Wake Up Dead Man before Johnson and Craig make their return at a TBD time on a TBD screen.           

               

Grade: B+

2025 NFL Power Rankings: Week 14

 ()=Previous Ranking

1.(2) Seattle Seahawks (9-3) Week 14 opponent: Atlanta Falcons

2.(3) New England Patriots (11-2) Week 14 opponent: Bye

3.(1) Los Angeles Rams (9-3) Week 14 opponent: Arizona Cardinals

4.(6) Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) Week 14 opponent: Chicago Bears

5.(5) Denver Broncos (10-2) Week 14 opponent: Las Vegas Raiders

6.(9) Buffalo Bills (8-4) Week 14 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

7.(11) Chicago Bears (10-3) Week 14 opponent: Green Bay Packers

8.(10) San Francisco 49ers (9-4) Week 14 opponent: Bye

9.(4) Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) Week 14 opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

10.(7) Indianapolis Colts (8-4) Week 14 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

11.(8) Detroit Lions (7-5) Week 14 opponent: Dallas Cowboys

12.(14) Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) Week 14 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

13.(16) Houston Texans (7-5) Week 14 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

14.(17) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) Week 14 opponent: Indianapolis Colts

15.(19) Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) Week 14 opponent: Detroit Lions

16.(20) Carolina Panthers (7-6) Week 14 opponent: Bye

17.(18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) Week 14 opponent: New Orleans Saints

18.(13) Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) Week 14 opponent: Houston Texans

19.(12) Baltimore Ravens (6-6) Week 14 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

20.(15) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) Week 14 opponent: Baltimore Ravens

21.(21) Miami Dolphins (5-7) Week 14 opponent: New York Jets

22.(25) Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) Week 14 opponent: Buffalo Bills

23.(22) Atlanta Falcons (4-8) Week 14 opponent: Seattle Seahawks

24.(23) Minnesota Vikings (4-8) Week 14 opponent: Washington Commanders

25.(26) Washington Commanders (3-9) Week 14 opponent: Minnesota Vikings

26.(30) New York Jets (3-9) Week 14 opponent: Miami Dolphins

27.(27) Arizona Cardinals (3-9) Week 14 opponent: Los Angeles Rams

28.(24) Cleveland Browns (3-9) Week 14 opponent: Tennessee Titans

29.(29) New Orleans Saints (2-10) Week 14 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

30.(28) New York Giants (2-11) Week 14 opponent: Bye

31.(31) Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) Week 14 opponent: Denver Broncos

32.(32) Tennessee Titans (1-11) Week 14 opponent: Cleveland Browns 

Week 13 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers :2025 Edition

Quarterback

Biggest Winner: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) 

The Chiefs suffered a gut-wrenching loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving that greatly hurt their chances of making the playoffs this season, but nobody can attribute the defeat to the effort of their quarterback. Mahomes relished the opportunity to be back in his home state of Texas for the holiday and put together the kind of gem we used to see him from on a near weekly basis when the Chiefs offense was unstoppable from 2018-2022, throwing for 261 YDS and 4 TD's and rushing for 30 YDS. Mahomes has a really tough draw for a must-win Week 14 game as the stifling Texans defense are set to make their way to Arrowhead. 

Honorable Mentions: Jordan Love (Packers), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

Biggest Loser: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

Jackson was a freak fumble and questionable OPI call away from having a much better showing, but alas that wasn't the case, and he ended up in this undesirable spot. While yardage wasn't a problem as he threw for 246 and ran for 27, a slew of turnovers (3) and inability to get in the endzone after the aforementioned 2 potential TD's by Isiah Likely and Zay Flowers got ripped away from him ensured this was one of the ugliest games Jackson has had in quite some time as the Ravens got lit up at home by a Bengals squad that looked revitalized with the return of Joe Burrow to the lineup after missing nearly 3 months with turf toe. Jackson is playing terrible football right now and will be a questionable starting option in Week 14 against a Steelers defense that is shaky on the whole but has a knack for forcing turnovers and getting sacks.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Caleb Williams (Bears), Matthew Stafford (Rams)

Running Back

Biggest Winner: Bijan Robinson (Falcons)

In what has been a recurring story for the Falcons all season long, Robinson was sensational (193 scrimmage and a rushing TD on 28 touches) as the team suffered a close loss in a game they absolutely should've won against the Jets. Robinson faces the Seahawks in Week 14. 

Honorable Mentions: D'Andre Swift (Bears), Kimani Vidal (Chargers), R.J. Harvey (Broncos)

Biggest Loser: Travis Etienne (Jaguars)

Etienne struggled with efficiency (12 carries for 28 YDS, 1 reception for 13 YDS) and got a redzone TD stolen from him by Bhayshul Tuten-who was even less efficient gaining only 19 YDS on his 9 touches-on a day where the Jags leaned on Trevor Lawrence's arm and their defense to embarrass the helpless Titans. A Week 14 showdown with the Colts presents a less-than-ideal rebound opportunity for the leader of the Jags backfield commitee. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Ashton Jeanty (Raiders), Rico Dowdle (Panthers)

Wide Receiver

Biggest Winner: A.J. Brown (Eagles)

Feast your eyes on the only fantasy-relevant Eagle that showed well against the Bears on Friday! Admittedly, it took a late garbage time score to get Brown to the top of the WR leaderboard this week but that doesn't change the fact that he was making plays every time he got the ball in his hands-logging 10 receptions for 132 YDS and a pair of TD's and was the catalyst on every single one of the few productive drives the Eagles offense put together in this terrible showing in front of their home fans. Brown will look to stay hot against the Chargers in Week 14.   

Honorable Mentions: Rashee Rice (Chiefs), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Jameson Williams (Lions)

Biggest Loser: Justin Jefferson (Vikings)

Jefferson's increasingly nightmarish 2025 campaign reached a new low in Week 13 as undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer didn't look his way much as he got devoured by the Seahawks ferocious defense during his first career NFL start, which led to him catching just 2-of-6 targets for a measly 4 YDS in a blowout loss for the reeling Vikings. If Brosmer has to start in place of J.J. McCarthy-who remains in concussion protocol as of today-versus the Commanders this week, he should have a much easier time making plays than he did against the Seahawks but nobody should feel good about Jefferson's ability to put up numbers regardless of matchup quality given the bleakness of the Vikings QB situation at the moment.    

Dishonorable Mentions: Jaxson Smith Njigba (Seahawks), Rome Odunze (Bears), Zay Flowers (Ravens)

Tight End

Biggest Winner: Brock Bowers (Raiders)

Bowers made the most of his limited looks against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon, catching all 4 of his targets for 63 YDS and 2 TD's. The sole bright spot on the Raiders dismal offense will face a Broncos defense that just got lit up by Zach Ertz in Week 14.

Honorable Mentions: Trey McBride (Cardinals), Zach Ertz (Commanders), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

Biggest Loser: Dallas Goedert (Eagles)

As I said above, the Eagles offense outside of Brown was pretty awful this past week and Goedert was very quiet for the most part-catching just 2 passes for 27 YDS against a Bears defense that has struggled to contain TE's all season. After a hot start to the year where he logged 5 TD's and 24 receptions over his first 5 games, the pendulum has shifted in the other direction for Goedert as he hasn't been a viable starter for much of the past 2 months. He'll get a Chargers defense that has been among the best in the league at limiting TE production in Week 14.

Dishonorable Mentions: Oronde Gadsden (Chargers), Cade Otton (Buccaneers), Theo Johnson (Giants)

Defense/Special Teams

Biggest Winner: Seahawks

Max Brosmer was completely in over his head facing one of the top defenses in the league in his first NFL start and the Seahawks took full advantage of that, picking up 4 sacks, a fumble recovery and 4 INT's including a pick six by Ernest Jones that is destined to become one of the funniest plays in NFL history. The Seahawks have another great matchup in Week 14 when they take on the reeling Kirk Cousins-led Falcons.  

Honorable Mentions: Bills, Jaguars, Patriots

Biggest Loser: Rams

The Rams D failed to take advantage of the Panthers vulnerabilities on offense, and it arguably cost them the game as they surrendered 25 points, got 2 sacks and forced 0 takeaways in a shocking 31-28 upset loss that snapped a 6-game winning streak and knocked them out of the top seed in the NFC. They should be out for blood this week against a Cardinals team that has surrendered the 6th most points to opposing D/ST's in 2025.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Texans, Lions, Browns 

Josh Hutcherson Ranked

Welcome to "Ranked", a weekly series where I rank a franchise or filmography from worst to best and hand out assorted related superlatives. This week, I'm profiling the work of Josh Hutcherson-whose latest project "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" releases in theaters on Thursday. 

Josh Hutcherson's Filmography Ranked:

14.Tragedy Girls (D+)

13.The Kids Are All Right (C-)

12.Detention (C-)

11.The Polar Express (C-)

10.RV (C)

9.Journey to the Center of the Earth (C)

8.Kicking & Screaming (C)

7.Red Dawn (C+)

6.The Beekeeper (B)

5.The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2 (B)

4.The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 (B)  

3.The Hunger Games (B)

2.The Disaster Artist (A-)

1.The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (A)

Top Dog: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

While The Hunger Games franchise has displayed an impressive level of consistency through its first five films, Catching Fire reached heights that none of the other entries have. Francis Lawrence made such an impression with this electrifying, emotionally charged masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking that they haven't let anyone else direct a Hunger Games movie since (that streak will remain intact as Lawrence is returning for next year's Sunrise on the Reaping).    

Bottom Feeder: Tragedy Girls (2017)

I watched Detention last week in preparation for this piece and while I found it to be a pretty obnoxious mess of a horror comedy, it's easier to sit through than Tragedy Girls. Aside from a couple good kills, this slasher satire is a completely worthless affair filled with grating characters and enough eye roll-worthy meta jokes to fill a dozen movies.      

Most Underrated: The Disaster Artist (2017)

Much like the book it's based on, The Disaster Artist expertly threads the needle between detailing the insanity/hilarity of the chaotic production of the singular cult classic The Room and telling a surprisingly touching underdog story of a man living out his dreams to be a movie star against all odds. 

Most Overrated: The Kids Are All Right (2010)

As a Sundance-launched dramedy from 15 years ago, The Kids Are All Right has unsurprisingly faded into obscurity. However, it still managed to get nominated for multiple Oscars including Best Picture and that's enough for me to still declare it overrated. Lisa Cholodenko's film about a lesbian couple (Julianne Moore, Annette Benning) whose lives take a sudden turn when their children (Mia Wasikowska, Hutcherson) request to meet their biological sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo) is a dull indie that takes a couple of bizarre, contrived turns that undermine its attempts to find the heart and humor in the inherently uncomfortable relationship dynamic that drives its narrative.