2008 NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

Phew...The Jaguars had given the Bengals their first win of 2008 in Week Nine but were able to keep the Lions at bay in Week 10 by earning their fourth win of the season.  The running game was revived this past week as Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew combined for 150 yards and three scores on the day. 

This is good news but it was also against a win-less Lions team.  On to the bad news, the Jaguars are forced to face a Titans team that is the polar opposite of the Lions in Week 11.  Now can the Jaguars whip up some magic and take down the undefeated Titans?

22.  Chargers  4-5

Where are the tough nose, grab you by the throat Chargers that we all know?  The Chargers pulled off a close, heated battle against division rival Chiefs in the last moments of the fourth quarter. Recently promoted defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera will need to step up and try to keep the Chargers afloat in the second half of the season. Rivera’s first task, stopping a 6-3 Steelers team in Week 11. 

21.  Saints  4-5

Yes, they are suffering from tons of injuries but just flat out blowing it against a divisional rival has put the Saints in a difficult hole in the NFC South. To add insult to injury, there is uneasy tension between Drew Brees and newly acquired tight end Jeremy Shockey who was benched in the second half of Week 10’s game. 

All this does not bode well for a Saints team struggling to get to .500 as they head to Kansas City to face the 1-8 Chiefs in Week 11.

20.  Packers  4-5

After starting the season 4-3 and losing a close battle with the Titans in overtime, most fans and critics thought the Packers had a legitimate shot in the NFC North. The first rule of business when facing the Vikings is to stack the box to stop Mr. “All Day” Adrian Peterson and force aging veteran, Gus Frerotte to throw the ball. 

Unfortunately for the Packers, they failed in the task above as Peterson burned the Packers defense for 192 yards and a score on Sunday.  After losing to their divisional rival Vikings, the Packers take on another divisional rival, Bears this Sunday.  Can Aaron Rodgers fire his team up and get them back on track in Week 11?

19.  Broncos  5-4

After falling behind a weak Browns team 20-10 at halftime, Jay Cutler went on to throw for 447 yards and three scores to bring his team to victory in Week 10.  Cutler will have to carry his team for the remainder of the season as rookie Ryan Torain has joined fellow running backs Michael Pittman and Andre Hall on the injured reserve. 

Cutler is not alone, of course, as the Denver defense must step it up as the team breaks in Tatum Bell who signed this week.

18.  Dolphins  5-4

At the end of the 2007 season, would anyone have thought the Dolphins would be above the .500 mark halfway through the 2008 season?  Bill Parcells has things looking up for the Dolphins and their future.  The Dolphins face the Raiders at home in Week11 and have the opportunity to go 6-4 through the first eleven weeks of this season.

17.  Vikings  5-4

Vikings fans wish it could be “All Day” every Sunday. After rushing for 192 yards in Week 10, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings set their sights on the 6-3 Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. After winning back-to-back games, can the Vikings make it three in a row on their way to battling back in the NFC North?

16.  Bills  5-4

After starting off 2008 with a 5-1 record, the Bills have gone on to lose three straight games. To make matters worse, those three straight losses have all been against divisional opponents. Can the Bills reverse their current downward trend and prevent being humiliated as they face the Browns on Monday Night Football?

15.  Colts 

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