NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Post-Week 11 Standings

Parity is one of the best things about the NFL, but it seems as though it has been taken to an entirely different level this season. Aside from a select few elite teams, it is extremely difficult to predict which squads are of playoff caliber since there are so many teams hovering around the .500 mark.

It almost seems as though any team can beat another in any given week, so ranking the teams often feels like an exercise in futility. With that said, it's still interesting to develop a hierarchy since it provides a look into the future with regard to what we might see come playoff time.

The one thing that is even more difficult than ranking teams as they currently stand is predicting how they'll fare in Week 11. It has certainly been a wild season to this point, and it promises to get even wilder moving forward, but here is a look into the crystal ball as I predict how every team will stack up against each other once Week 11 comes and goes.

*All records are post-Week 11 projections

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

With both the Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers picking up their first wins of the season in Week 10, there will be no winless teams in the NFL this year. That certainly seems fitting considering how bunched up everyone is, but don't expect that to lead to a great deal of success for the Jags as the season reaches its latter stages.

Jacksonville got a little bit lucky against the Tennessee Titans in Week 10 since quarterback Jake Locker had to leave the game. There is no question that the Jaguars earned the win, and they do have a winnable home game this week against the overachieving Arizona Cardinals, but it's tough to envision them taking two in a row.

31. Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

The Falcons have plenty of built-in excuses for why they have struggled this season. Chief among them is the fact that they have been ravaged by injuries. Even so, Atlanta is playing far worse than anyone could have imagined. The offense has been unable to cover for the defense's shortcomings, and quarterback Matt Ryan has played poorly as of late with a depleted group of weapons at his disposal.

Atlanta has a golden opportunity to pick up its third win of the season against the Buccaneers this week, but the Bucs are coming off their first win. The Falcons did beat the Bucs earlier in the year, but it was a hard-fought game and Tampa now has momentum on its side. Because of that, look for the Falcons to continue their downward trend.

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-8)

Although the Vikings essentially need to win out and get some help in order to return to the playoffs this season, their fans finally have something to cheer about after a win over the Washington Redskins in Week 10. The Vikes suffered a setback in that game when quarterback Christian Ponder went down with a shoulder injury, but it isn't significant. He could start in Week 11 thanks to the extra few days of rest, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport:

Ponder isn't an elite quarterback by any means, but he appears to be Minnesota's best option. With that said, it doesn't really matter who is under center for the Vikes this week. They will run into a buzz saw in the form of the Seattle Seahawks, and the odds of them beating Seattle on the road are slim to none.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8)

Regardless of how well the Buccaneers perform down the stretch, it's likely that head coach Greg Schiano is a lame duck. Even so, his players have pride, so they're going to compete each and every week. They rose to the occasion in Week 10 by beating the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, and there is a decent chance that they can string a couple of wins together based on their Week 11 matchup.

The Bucs will host the NFC South rival Falcons on Sunday, and while that may have seemed like a mismatch earlier in the season, the Falcons are a shell of what they were last year. Tampa played with far more energy on Monday than Atlanta has all season long, and that alone should be enough to lead the Bucs to victory.

28. Oakland Raiders (3-7)

For a little while, it seemed like the Raiders were in line to challenge for a playoff spot in the AFC, but losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants have knocked them down a few pegs. There is no question that Oakland has turned some heads this season due to the play of quarterback Terrelle Pryor and many other young players. However, wins may be hard to come by for the remainder of the season.

In Week 11, the Raiders will face a Houston Texans team that they have outperformed this season, but Houston has really shown signs of life over the past couple weeks. Oakland will undoubtedly hang in there, but the Texans' home-field advantage will be the difference.

27. Washington Redskins (3-7)

After an awful start to the season, it looked as though the Redskins had gotten themselves back into the NFC East race, but a blown lead and eventual loss against the Vikings last week has put them in a precarious position. Things can change quickly since there is clearly no dominant team in the division, but it's too difficult to trust a team that has been as inconsistent as Washington.

If the Redskins can beat the Philadelphia Eagles on the road this week, they will keep pace in the division, but nothing suggests that they will be able to do so. Philly seems energized behind the play of quarterback Nick Foles, while Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III still doesn't appear comfortable. It wouldn't be shocking if the Redskins pulled off the upset, but it probably isn't a good idea to bet on them.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)

The Steelers bounced back from their disappointing loss to the New England Patriots nicely this past week, as they had their way with the Buffalo Bills at home. While Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh's offense played well, the defensive performance was most encouraging after the Steelers gave up the most yardage in team history to the Pats one week earlier.

With that said, there is a big difference between those offenses. Also, there is a big difference between Buffalo's offense and the Detroit Lions' offense. The Steelers will have to contend with an explosive Detroit offense in Week 11, and while they probably won't give up 600 yards again, Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson and Co. promise to have a field day.

25. Houston Texans (3-7)

After making the playoffs in consecutive seasons, most figured that the Texans had established themselves as perennial contenders. Things have gone south this season, however, and Houston now needs a miracle to reach the postseason once again. If the Texans are going to make a playoff run, they'll have to do it without superstar running back Arian Foster, as he is out for the remainder of the year, according to SportsCenter:

Houston does have a capable backup in the form of Ben Tate, and quarterback Case Keenum has breathed new life into the offense. The team's record doesn't show it, but the Texans have been much better in recent weeks. They have an advantageous matchup on tap against the Raiders in Week 11, and they should be able to come out on top.

24. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

The Bills have been a tough team to figure out this season, as they have beaten some solid opponents in the form of the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, and they have been competitive against many of the league's best teams. They have been unable to put it all together consistently though, and it will almost certainly lead to another season outside the playoffs. Even so, finishing strong would do this young team a lot of good heading into the 2014 campaign.

Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel looked shaky in his return from injury this past week, but that is to be expected against a Dick LeBeau defense. He'll have to contend with another tough defense this week when the Bills host the New York Jets, but Buffalo has been much better at home this season. Furthermore, the Jets are the definition of inconsistency, so the Bills will be in position to pick up a win.

23. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Things have rarely been pretty for the Browns this season, but they deserve a great deal of praise for performing as well as they have. Not only did they trade running back Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts early in the season, but they have dealt with injuries to quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Brian Hoyer. Jason Campbell has performed well since assuming the starting job, though, and the Browns have proven to be a difficult opponent.

Cleveland upset the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the year, and it has an opportunity to come away with a season sweep. The Bengals will be desperate to pick up a win of their own, however, as their grip on the AFC North is loosening. The Browns have an excellent defense that will allow them to keep things close, but the talent gap will prove a bit too wide in a Cincinnati victory.

22. Miami Dolphins (4-6)

Many thought that the Dolphins were guaranteed to live up to their immense promise this season after starting 3-0, but they are just 1-5 since, and there is a great deal of turmoil within the locker room. Even before the bullying scandal came to light, though, Miami simply wasn't performing well on the field. That was apparent in the Dolphins' Week 10 loss to the Bucs. 

Miami really needs to beat the San Diego Chargers at home this week in order to stop the bleeding, especially since it'll have to outlast the Chargers in order to qualify for the playoffs. Even though San Diego is coming off a loss, it hung tough against the Denver Broncos and should have plenty of momentum. The Dolphins are in disarray, and it's tough to envision them taking down the Bolts this week.

21. Tennessee Titans (4-6)

The Titans were one of the league's most pleasant surprises early in the season, and they seemed poised to be a thorn in the side of contenders all year long. That all came crashing down in Week 10, however, as they lost to the moribund Jaguars.

A big reason for that was the injury suffered by starting quarterback Jake Locker, and it turns out he will miss the rest of the season, as reported by Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com:

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a capable backup, but it's a big loss for Tennessee since Locker seemed to be developing into the franchise quarterback the team thought it drafted. The Titans are almost out of the AFC South after losing to Indianapolis, and they just seem like a different team when Locker isn't under center.

20. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

If there is one team that the Titans should take lessons from, it's the Rams. St. Louis could have curled up into the fetal position and given up on the season when quarterback Sam Bradford was lost for the year, but the team has persevered. Replacement Kellen Clemens hasn't exactly set the world on fire, but he has been a reliable caretaker for the offense. He has led the Rams to a win over the Colts as well as a near-win over the Seahawks.

St. Louis has a lot of momentum right now after destroying Indianapolis, so it would probably prefer to play this week, but the Rams are on a bye, so they'll look to pick up where they left off in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears.

19. New York Giants (4-6)

When the Giants started off 0-6, there were plenty of people saying that the G-Men shouldn't be counted out due to the fact that they have essentially risen from the dead so many times before. Those people have proven to be prophetic, as New York is currently on a three-game winning streak and a fourth consecutive victory certainly isn't out of the question.

The Giants are catching a lucky break since they'll get to take on a Green Bay Packers team without quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 11. The Packers proved in Week 10 that they are a shell of their usual selves when No. 12 isn't in the lineup, and now that the Giants have a formidable running game behind Andre Brown, they have all the tools necessary to take down Green Bay.

18. New York Jets (5-5)

The Jets' record suggests that they are playoff contenders, but those who have watched them over the course of the season know that they are far too inconsistent to hang with the league's best teams. They did manage to shock the New Orleans Saints a couple weeks ago, which was a massive win for head coach Rex Ryan, but with rookie quarterback Geno Smith struggling, the Jets' luck is bound to run out sooner rather than later.

New York needs to beat the Bills on the road this week in order to remain in the hunt, but there are no guarantees. The Jets beat Buffalo by just seven points earlier in the season despite dominating play. The odds aren't in the Jets' favor when it comes to playing that well against the Bills, and Buffalo is very tough to beat at home.

This figures to be a sloppy, low-scoring affair, and that is just the type of game that New York usually finds a way to lose.

17. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

It's amazing how big of a difference one player can make. With Rodgers in the fold, the Packers often look like one of the NFL's top teams. Without him, though, they aren't much better than ordinary. Former Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien did some good things in the absence of Rodgers and Seneca Wallace this past week, but he simply isn't a quality starting quarterback at the NFL level.

Also, since the Packers defense hasn't been particularly good this season, the team may have to win games in shootout fashion. The Giants have some issues in their own right, but two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning is unquestionably a better option than Tolzien. With that in mind, Green Bay will need an unbelievable team effort in order to outdo New York this week.

16. Chicago Bears (5-5)

Much like the NFC North rival Packers, the Chicago Bears are a different team without their starting quarterback. Jay Cutler receives plenty of criticism across the league, but he usually gives Chicago an opportunity to win. He had to be pulled from the Bears' Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions, and CNN's Rachel Nichols announced he won't be able to play against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11:

The Bears have a ton of offensive talent, and backup quarterback Josh McCown has done a nice job, but he can't make all of the throws that Cutler can. The Ravens have struggled to return to the form that helped them win the Super Bowl last season, but their defense has been very good. McCown will undoubtedly have his hands full come Sunday.

15. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)

The Ravens picked up their biggest win of the year in Week 10, getting past the Bengals in overtime. The game never should have gotten that far, as an Andy Dalton Hail Mary was tipped into the welcoming arms of A.J. Green at the end of regulation, but the Ravens showed the heart of a champion as they made a defensive stop in OT and nailed a game-winning field goal to get themselves back in the divisional race.

A win this week would elevate Baltimore to the .500 mark, and it is entirely possible against a compromised Bears squad. Playing at Soldier Field is tough even though the Bears will have to start McCown at quarterback, so the Ravens won't be able to steamroll past Chicago. They do have momentum behind them after beating the Bengals, though, which means they'll come through in a tight, low-scoring battle.

14. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

Dallas continued to show why it is the most maddening team in the league in Week 10, as the Cowboys were thoroughly outclassed by the New Orleans Saints. While Dallas can't be blamed for losing to a team like New Orleans, the game was never really close and the Cowboys didn't look like they belonged in the same building.

Since the Cowboys are idle this week, all they can do is sit at home and root against the Eagles, but if Philly is able to best Washington, Dallas will no longer find itself atop the NFC East.

13. San Diego Chargers (5-5)

The Chargers' 4-5 record simply isn't representative of how good they have been this season. San Diego nearly came back to beat the Broncos last week, and it has been competitive against elite teams so far in 2013. Quarterback Philip Rivers continues to enjoy a renaissance season, and the running game behind Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead has even come to life in recent weeks as well.

Due to the fact that there is so much parity in the AFC, the Bolts are still very much in the running for a wild-card spot. In order to grab that spot, however, they'll need to beat out a team like the Dolphins. Based on the issues that Miami is currently dealing with, San Diego has to be considered the favorite even though it will be on the road.

12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

On the surface, the Cardinals may not seem like a special team by any means. Quarterback Carson Palmer is inconsistent and they don't have much of a running game, but they continue to hang in there and win games on a weekly basis. An easy schedule has definitely helped matters, but wins over the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers shouldn't be overlooked. The Cardinals may very well be for real.

Arizona is much better at home than on the road, so its game at the Jaguars in Week 11 is far from automatic, especially with the Jags coming off their first win. The Cardinals have a solid defense, though, as they are third in the league against the run, and that is certainly a portable game plan. It may not ultimately be pretty, but expect another Arizona win on Sunday.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

This season has been a roller-coaster ride for Eagles fans, as it started off great, dipped considerably and is now back on the ascent. Philly's upswing has coincided with the excellent play of quarterback Nick Foles, who seems to have established himself as the Eagles starter. Head coach Chip Kelly is reluctant to say it, but with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions, there is no denying Foles' effectiveness.

With that said, Foles did struggle a few weeks ago against the Giants before getting injured, so he has yet to prove that he can get the job done in a huge divisional contest. He'll have an opportunity to prove his worth in Week 11 against the Redskins, and based on how poorly Washington's defense has played this season, it's safe to say that Foles should fare quite well.

10. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

Everything was coming up roses for the 49ers prior to Week 10, when the Carolina Panthers came to town and beat them at their own game. Although San Francisco allowed just 10 points, its offense couldn't get off the ground and dropped a 10-9 decision. Conventional wisdom suggests that the defending NFC champions should have no trouble bouncing back, but that will be a challenge against the Saints in Week 11.

Even if the 49ers defense is able to hold Drew Brees and the Saints somewhat in check, it remains to be seen if their offense can score points. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been subpar to say the least in recent weeks, and he has a difficult assignment against a vastly improved New Orleans defense. Add in the fact that the game is in New Orleans, and things simply aren't lining up well for San Francisco this week.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

The Bengals are a very tough team to figure out. They have looked like one of the best teams in football on occasion with their recent win over the Jets serving as proof, but they come out and lay an egg far too often. They showed a great deal of resiliency in Week 10 by converting a Hail Mary against Baltimore and nearly coming all the way back, but they fell short and now find themselves with a pedestrian record of 6-4.

Cincinnati is most definitely favored to beat Cleveland at home this week, but it did lose to the Browns earlier in the season. When the Bengals put everything together, it can be argued that they are the most complete team in football. As long as they turn in an honest defensive effort and quarterback Andy Dalton is serviceable in Week 11, they'll be able to take care of the Browns.

8. Detroit Lions (7-3)

The Lions experienced a huge letdown last season, as they went from a playoff team to one of the worst squads in the league, but they have bounced back in a big way. Not only do they lead the NFC North, but with both the Packers and Bears experiencing quarterback issues, they have a chance to put a stranglehold on the division in the coming weeks.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has returned to Pro Bowl form, and he happens to be throwing to Calvin Johnson, one of the greatest receivers in the league today. Detroit will have to deal with a hostile environment this weekend, as it takes on the Steelers on the road, but the Lions are simply a more talented and complete team, so they'll come out on top.

7. New England Patriots (7-3)

Despite the fact that the Patriots have found a way to start off 7-2, they clearly have a lot of issues that they have to work through moving forward. New England had its best offensive performance of the year by a long shot a couple weeks ago when it picked apart the Steelers, and a Week 10 bye should go a long way toward preparing the Pats for the stretch run. That certainly doesn't guarantee success in Week 11, though.

The Patriots have a very difficult task on their hands, as they will travel to Carolina to face the Panthers on Monday night. Carolina is beginning to hit its stride after beating the 49ers in Week 10, and its defense won't be easy for the Pats to solve. Patriots fans are probably expecting more offensive fireworks out of their team, but they'll be in for a rude awakening when the Panthers slay yet another giant.

6. Indianapolis Colts (7-3)

Ranking the Colts isn't particularly easy since they have huge wins over the likes of the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, but were also coming off a drubbing at the hands of the St. Louis Rams coming into Week 11.

The Colts simply failed in all phases in Week 10. They gave up too many big plays on defense, allowed a long punt return on special teams and couldn't get anything going offensively.

Indy needed quarterback Andrew Luck to put the team on his back, and he did so—unlike his performance against St. Louis. Luck performed well against a solid Titans defense on Thursday night, and even scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. 

5. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

It took the Panthers some time to find their footing this season, but they are finally in midseason form. Not only is quarterback Cam Newton playing some great football, but the defense is making a case to be called the best in the NFL. Carolina is in the top five against both the run and the pass this season, and that makes life so much easier for Newton and the Carolina offense.

The Panthers are on a five-game winning streak, and they haven't allowed more than 15 points in any of those games. They will host a Patriots team that appears to be coming around offensively, though, which means something has to give. There is no doubt that the Panthers are a solid team, but this game will prove whether or not they're true contenders. Based on the way they have played lately, there is reason to believe that they'll rise to the occasion yet again.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

The Chiefs are currently the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL, but their reign is bound to come to an end. Kansas City has lucked out in a significant way this season; its schedule has been easy as pie, and it has played a number of mediocre quarterbacks, too. The Chiefs won't have that luxury this week, however, when they face the Broncos on the road on Sunday night.

With each passing week, the Chiefs have found a way to win, and football fans have pointed to this game as their first potential pitfall. While they may not be as good as their record suggests, they deserve a lot of credit. Their defense is fantastic, especially when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. That could be an issue with Peyton Manning banged up, but the Broncos have too much offensive firepower to lose this game at home.

3. New Orleans Saints (8-2)

The Saints were put to the test in Week 10, as observers were interested to see how they would bounce back from their shocking loss to the Jets. New Orleans showed no ill effects in its win over the Cowboys and reasserted its dominance in the NFC. The Saints figure to have a tougher matchup on their hands in Week 11 when they host the 49ers, but recent performances suggest that New Orleans has the advantage.

San Francisco may boast the toughest defense that Brees has had to deal with all season long, but he finds a way to produce regardless of who he is playing. Also, the Saints are third in the league against the pass this season, and that doesn't bode well for Kaepernick, who is already struggling to produce. As long as the Saints don't get gashed on the ground by Kaepernick and Frank Gore, they should be able to score a big win at home.

2. Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

After narrowly defeating the Rams and Buccaneers in consecutive weeks, the Seahawks answered plenty of questions in Week 10 by blowing out the Falcons. Atlanta obviously isn't a very good team, but it was nice to see Seattle play up to its potential.

That potential will be ratcheted up a few more notches in the coming weeks, as star wide receiver Percy Harvin has been added to the 53-man roster and plans to play on Sunday, according to Rapoport:

Even though Harvin will probably be eased back into action, his mere presence adds another dimension to the Seahawks offense. Seattle will play Harvin's old team, the Vikings, in Week 11, and Minnesota happens to be one of the league's worst teams. An easy schedule allowed the Seahawks to work out the kinks without losing a game in recent weeks, and that will pay dividends once again this week.

1. Denver Broncos (9-1)

The Broncos may not be a perfect team. They lost to the Colts and nearly let one slip away against the Chargers in Week 10, but they boast what may ultimately be viewed as the most dominant offense in NFL history.

That, of course, could come crashing down without Manning, but ESPN's Adam Schefter said he will play against Kansas City:

There is definitely some concern regarding Manning, as the Chiefs get to the quarterback more than any other team in the league, but Manning is usually great when it comes to protecting himself and getting the ball out quickly. As good as the Chiefs defense has been this season, it hasn't been tested by an offense as good as Denver's. Provided the ankle injury doesn't bother Manning too much, he'll prove that the Broncos are the best team in the AFC West and the NFL as a whole.

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