NFL Power Rankings: Breaking Down Every Team's Standing Ahead of Week 11

With every NFL team having played at least nine games during the 2013 season, the power rankings picture around the league is starting to become much more clear.

The home stretch is just around the corner, but there is still time for teams to make a significant run up the rankings—or slide down to the basement—over these next few critical weeks.

Let’s take a look at where every team stands heading into Week 11.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0; bye)

The lone remaining undefeated squad will finally get a true test against a good team with an elite quarterback next week. The Chiefs head to Denver to take on the Broncos, and that will ultimately determine if they are worthy of this lofty ranking.

2. Seattle Seahawks (9-1; beat Falcons, 33-10)

The Seahawks continue to roll, dominating the Falcons on the road and getting revenge for their playoff loss last season. This squad has to be considered the Super Bowl favorite in the NFC, although the competition behind Seattle is heating up.

3. Denver Broncos (8-1; beat Chargers, 28-20)

Peyton Manning may be banged up, but he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the league and is capable of leading the Broncos to greatness. If he can navigate past Kansas City this coming week, Denver will be in position to win the AFC crown for a second straight season.

4. New England Patriots (7-2; bye)

The Pats are coming off a much-needed bye and should only be healthier and more explosive in the second half of the season. Shane Vereen should return soon to give this offense another dimension, and that may be the edge this club has been looking for to separate from the pack.

5. New Orleans Saints (7-2; beat Cowboys, 49-17)

The Saints had lost two of their last three games heading into a Sunday Night Football showdown with Dallas but quickly alleviated any doubts about their ability. This team is dominant in the Superdome but needs to become more consistent on the road, especially if it isn’t able to secure home-field advantage come the postseason.

6. Carolina Panthers (6-3; beat 49ers, 10-9)

Cam Newton is finally getting some support from his defense, as it only conceded 151 total yards to the 49ers in Week 10. In fact, no team has scored more than 15 points against this unit since Arizona dropped 22 back in Week 5.

7. San Francisco 49ers (6-3; lost to Panthers, 10-9)

The Niners' offensive woes were front and center this past Sunday, so you have to expect that coach Jim Harbaugh will get them to respond in a big way this week. San Francisco has New Orleans on tap next, and Saints fans should be worried.

8. Detroit Lions (6-3; beat Bears, 21-19)

The Lions took control of the NFC North with a tough road win against the Bears. They have the inside track to make the playoffs as long as they don’t suffer a late-season slump.

9. Indianapolis Colts (6-3; lost to Rams, 38-8)

Indianapolis was absolutely smashed by a Rams team that may be a bit underrated in the Kellen Clemens-era. With four interceptions on the day, it is safe to say that quarterback Andrew Luck certainly misses top receiver Reggie Wayne.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4; lost to Ravens, 20-17)

The Bengals lost in overtime again, this time due to an intriguing decision by head coach Marvin Lewis to go for it on fourth down. It backfired and put the Ravens in position to win in extra time.

11. New York Jets (5-4; bye)

Gang Green are enjoying a bye after vanquishing the Saints in Week 9. They’ll try to get their first winning streak of the year going against Buffalo in Week 11.

12. Chicago Bears (5-4; lost to Lions, 21-19)

The Bears are in trouble without Jay Cutler, who exited yet again with a high ankle sprain. If previous seasons have proved anything, it is that this team needs the signal-caller to stay healthy in order to make the playoffs.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5; beat Packers, 27-13)

Nick Foles has lit a fire under this offense. The emerging star has thrown 16 touchdowns this year and has yet to throw an interception.

14. Green Bay Packers (5-4; lost to Eagles, 27-13)

The Packers have been ravaged by injury at the most important position—quarterback. As long as Aaron Rodgers can get back on the field and stay on it, things will be looking up for this group in a few weeks.

15. Arizona Cardinals (5-4; beat Texans, 27-24)

The Cards are an intriguing squad, capable of beating some decent teams but yet to prove anything against the elite ones. They have two tests in a row on tap, with the Seahawks this week and San Francisco the next.

16. Cleveland Browns (4-5; bye)

The Browns have some hope under Jason Campbell and need to climb back to .500 this week against rival Cincinnati. This team definitely has the promising young offensive weapons to make an unexpected run in 2013.

17. Baltimore Ravens (4-5; beat Bengals, 20-17)

The Ravens are suffering a terrible post-Super Bowl hangover but are still very much in contention. They gutted out a tough win against the Bengals and just have to hope they get hot at the right time again.

18. Dallas Cowboys (5-5; lost to Saints, 49-17)

The ‘Boys were utterly destroyed in the Superdome in front of a national audience, and their grasp on the NFC East is slipping away. This team has to turn things around quickly if it is going to secure a postseason spot for the first time since 2009.

19. St. Louis Rams (4-6; beat Colts, 38-8)

Tavon Austin proved why he was the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, as the rookie speedster totaled 314 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts. If he can keep that up and the defense continues playing at a high level, St. Louis will make the NFC Wild Card race very intriguing.

20. San Diego Chargers (4-5; lost to Broncos, 28-20)

The Bolts put up a valiant fight against the Broncos but ultimately came up just short. That could be their downfall, as this team has another three contests left against Denver and Kansas City.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6; beat Bills, 23-10)

The Steelers defense made major strides in a week, giving up just 10 points this week—compared to the 55 that New England dropped in Week 9. This team doesn’t have a decent shot at the playoffs, but the Black and Yellow could make things intriguing down the stretch.

22. Tennessee Titans (4-5; lost to Jaguars, 29-27)

Jake Locker’s latest injury is likely the death knell for the upstart Titans’ playoff shot. The emerging quarterback must get healthy and stay healthy in 2014, as he clearly has what it takes to lead this squad to great heights. A loss to the Jags shows just how far this team has fallen without him.

23. Miami Dolphins (4-5; lost to Bucs, 22-19)

The ‘Phins were exposed on Monday Night Football, allowing the Bucs to pick up their first win of the season. This team has to protect Ryan Tannehill better if it is going to have any chance at finishing with a respectable record.

24. Washington Redskins (3-6; lost to Vikings, 34-27)

The ‘Skins are inconsistent as they come and aren’t going to get anything done until they have a defense that is capable of putting together a few stops. Major offseason adjustments are in order if this club desires to get back into the playoffs.

25. Buffalo Bills (3-7; lost to Steelers, 23-10)

The Bills finally returned EJ Manuel to the lineup, but the rookie wasn’t able to come in and save the day. The signal-caller has some work to do and rust to shake out, but his development should have fans excited for the future.

26. New York Giants (3-6; beat Raiders, 24-20)

The G-Men are getting healthy and winning games, but it seems to be too little, too late. Don’t expect this winning streak to continue for much longer, as the team is too flawed and turnover prone to keep getting lucky.

27. Minnesota Vikings (2-7; beat Redskins, 34-27)

The Vikings could rally around Christian Ponder to end their season, as the young quarterback seems to be playing with renewed passion after sitting on the bench for a while. Hopefully his shoulder injury isn’t major and he returns to the lineup at 100 percent health.

28. Houston Texans (2-7; lost to Cardinals, 27-24)

This season has been unexpected, and it continues to get worse, as Arian Foster is now out for the year with a back issue. The offseason cannot come soon enough for Texans fans.

29. Oakland Raiders (3-6; lost to Giants, 24-20)

The Raiders improved slightly after Week 9’s meltdown at home against Philly but still lost to the lowly Giants. This team needs to get more consistent if it is ever going to leave the league’s basement.

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-7; lost to Seahawks, 33-10)

The Falcons are barely edging the Texans for the league’s most disappointing team, but their 33-10 loss to Seattle showed just how far they have fallen. Hopefully Atlanta can pick up the pieces, get healthy and come back in 2014 with something to prove.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8; beat Dolphins, 22-19)

The Bucs are no longer winless, earning a solid “W” against the Dolphins. It may not mean much for embattled coach Greg Schiano’s job security, but at least he won’t suffer through a winless season.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8; beat Titans, 29-27)

The Jags finally got a notch in the “wins” column. Don’t expect the joy surrounding the club to last, as Arizona is up next and will provide a very tough challenge.