NFL Football Power Ratings For Week 11
Each week during the heart of the NFL season, and once or twice during the NFL Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NFL Power rankings. We check out the stats, looks at the records, and, most importantly, we take a close, close look at the heart of each team.
Best performance from Week 10 – Chicago – They took revenge to the next level in whipping the Lions. They forced Matt Stafford into 4 interceptions, returning two for scores. More importantly, with the win they closed the gap on the Lions putting them in a good spot to compete for a playoff spot down the stretch – although they both might make it.
Worst performance from Week 10 – There were a lot of worthy candidates this week but I have to give it to Philadelphia. At home against a poor Arizona team with nothing to play for they put forth a pathetic effort, led by Michael Vick. Larry Fitgerald went for 146 yards. Aren’t they supposed to have a shutdown corner?
Best game of Week 11 – Cincinnatti @ Baltimore – The Bengals may have lost but they showed last week that they are in the same class as the Steelers. Can they do the same on the road at Baltimore? This is a huge one in AFC North as the winner is tied with Pittsburgh at the top. Bengals also need it for confidence I think.
The Rankings
1. Green Bay (9-0) I wish there was something higher than number one for this team right now. They are looking pretty unbeatable. Tampa doesn’t look like it will put up much of a fight on Sunday.
2. San Francisco (8-1) Another easy call but there is a definite gap between the number one and number two right now. On a neutral field I would make SF +7 at least.
3. New Orleans (7-3) After the top two it gets much more complicated. I didn’t think New Orleans would be the third best team when I started putting the list together but it didn’t feel right to put them below some of the other teams with similar records.
4. New England Patriots (6-3) I am not sure they are the team I would bet on to win the AFC but they have proven over the course of two games against the Jets that they are the best team in the division. Pretty easy schedule down the stretch, might not lose again.
5. Baltimore (6-3) The Steelers may have the extra victory now but I still think Baltimore is the better team. They just have to be more consistent. Losing to Seattle was a real head scratcher.
6. Pittsburgh (7-3) The difference between the Steelers and Ravens is not very much. Even though they have already played twice this year I hope they get another shot at each other in a playoff game.
7. Chicago (6-3) Similar to San Francisco, all the Bears do is win. They are in a great spot right now but I like the Chargers on the road this week. SD has to come through eventually.
8. Detroit (6-3) I don’t like this Jekyll and Hyde stuff but the Lions are still a good team. Great scheduling for Detroit with the Panthers coming to town. Perfect opportunity to get well and possibly great value off the blowout loss.
9. Cincinnati (6-3) Last week showed how desperately they need rookie receiver A.J. Green. He is their best playmaker and without him the offense got bogged down. Against good teams they have to be able to score more.
10. Houston (7-3) This is the opportunity Matt Leinart has been waiting for. It will be too bad if without Schaub they can’t hold on down the stretch for first their playoff appearance.
11. New York Giants (6-3) Bummer to lose at SF but did anybody really think Eli could have a perfect season. Still a game up in NFC East but Dallas is gaining. Philly this week, possibly without Vick.
12. Dallas (5-4) The have the talent they just have to keep putting it together. The schedule opens up nicely for them with Washington, Miami and Arizona next before a home game against the Giants that will be critical.
13. New York Jets (5-4) The Jets squandered a huge opportunity last week at home against the Patriots. They can stay in it if they bounce back right away which seems likely with a road trip to visit Tim Tebow in Denver.
14. Atlanta Falcons (5-4) Tough, tough loss to division rival New Orleans last week. This team has a lot of talent on offense but it just hasn’t come together yet due to injuries. They need a super strong stretch run to extend their season.
15. Oakland (5-4) The Carson Palmer trade may be a dud but this team is in first place right now. That slim margin should be safe for a week as this team visits a lifeless Minnesota squad.
16. Buffalo (5-4) This team is reeling right now with a visit to Miami suddenly not all that inviting. Maybe getting on the road can snap these guys out of their funk because next week at the Jets could be miserable.
17. Tennessee (5-4) I am still not a fan of the Titans but I guess it is only fair to put them as the lowest ranked team with a winning record. A visit to Atlanta to face an angry team is likely more than this club can handle.
18. Philadelphia (3-6) It is hard to remember a team that so completely failed to live up to preseason promise like the Eagles are doing…in any sport. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
19. Tampa Bay (4-5) A little like Philly light down south. You can see there is talent but the production just isn’t there this season. Josh Freeman is proving to be mortal but it might be more injuries than anything else.
20. Miami (2-7) It is only two wins but this team showed some fire before and is now finally closing the deal. They face Buffalo this weekend with a real good chance of continuing their winning ways. No one would have thought that three weeks ago.
21. Denver (4-5) I am still amazed with how the Broncos are trying to win games…but they are succeeding. I hope they start blacking out the telecasts because watching Tebow is painful to watch at times.
22. San Diego (4-5) I actually missed these guys on the first pass through which is fitting for a team that doesn’t appear to be interested in playing. How many times can I write, what is up with Phillip Rivers?
23. Jacksonville (3-6) We are getting into toss up territory. I am putting the Jags up higher than some because their defense is pretty underrated. The offense can be terrible but the defense keeps them in it.
24. Cleveland (3-6) Someone please deliver Justin Blackmon to the Browns in the draft. This team is desperate for anyone who can make a big play. Josh Cribbs is a nice player but they hardly get anything out of him.
25. Seattle Seahawks (3-6) Baltimore losing at Seattle was a huge shock as this team refuses to hit rock bottom in the NFC West – where they would have company. Marshawn Lynch made Ray Lewis look silly, you have to look it up on YouTube.
26. Arizona (3-6) Is John Skelton the answer? Not likely but he is 2-0 as a starter this season compared to 1-6 for Kevin Kolb. As long as he keeps finding Larry Fitzgerald this team can surprise a little.
27. Kansas City(4-5) I had to drop this team way down with Matt Cassel out. Cassel wasn’t that great but I have no confidence in Tyler Palko and the running game isn’t what it was a year ago.
28. Washington (3-6) Skins have lost 5 in a row and a visit from the Cowboys won’t be the tonic they need on Sunday. Neither will going back to sexy Rex Grossman at QB. Nothing to like about these guys.
29. St. Louis (2-7) Its a lost season but at St. Louis fans had the World Series to celebrate. Did they really think they would be doubly blessed – they are lucky enough to be in the NFC West where they can hide amongst other terrible teams.
30. Carolina Panthers (2-7) After so many close games the Panthers were due to put up a stinker like they did last week losing by 27. Does Cam Newton have any more magic left in him this season?
31. Minnesota Vikings (2-7) Not necessarily the second least talented team in the league but the one that is showing the least. How much longer til they ditch the coach?
32. Indianapolis (0-10) The won’t lose this week – they have a bye.
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