NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Falcons, Eagles Rise, but Are They Better Than Jets?
NFL Power Rankings Week 11 are here for your consumption. I have dug through the trenches of the NFL and have sorted it all out for you. The Steelers lost to a formidable opponent, Monday Night was the Michael Vick show and the Cowboys are back, if only for a day.
So here is a break down of the NFL as I see it.
No. 32-21: The Bottom Feeders
1 of 21
32 (31). Panthers (1-8) lost to Buccaneers
The Panthers just cannot compete with the roster as it is. Injuries have taken a bad team and made it the worst.
31 (32). Bills (1-8) beat the Lions
The good people of Buffalo can go ahead and celebrate. This may be the last week you get to do so.
30 (29). Cardinals (3-6) lost to the Seahawks
This was a brutal game to watch. As it turns out, the Cards are a really bad team.
29 (26). Lions (2-7) lost to the Bills
How does it feel giving the Bills their only win? You should feel special.
28 (25). Bengals (2-5) lost to the Colts
The Bengals have problems beating good teams. What does that make them?
27 (24). Vikings (3-6) lost to Bears
It is only a matter of time now before Brad Childress is forced to walk the plank.
26 (23). Browns (3-6) lost to Jets
I knew they could not keep up their string of amazing wins against elite NFL teams.
25 (31). Cowboys (2-7) beat the Giants
Well, what do we have here? There may be some semblance of life in Dallas, but then again, maybe not.
24 (28). Broncos (3-6) beat the Chiefs
It seems the Broncos were tired of getting pushed around.
23 (27). 49ers (3-6) beat the Rams
My Rams fall to the hated 49ers and they lose control of first. I am a sad panda.
22 (19). Rams (4-5) lost to the 49ers
Ah, but I can still legitimately place the Rams ahead of the three win 49ers, at least for one more week.
21 (18). Redskins (4-5) lost to the Eagles
The only reason I did not drop them farther is that this team really is better than the rest of these scrubs. I think the butt-whooping they received on national television is punishment enough.
20. Chargers (4-5) BYE
2 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 20
Why They Stay The Same:
The Chargers were idle this week. With key losses from team's above them and below them, they were hopscotched into staying in the same place. Having no game this week did not hurt this team. I am sure if they had played, it would have.
19. Seahawks (5-4) Beat Arizona
3 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 22
Why They Move Up:
In the battle of who is worse in the NFC West, the Seahawks came out with a victory. Try as they might, the Seahawks stunk less on Sunday. Now if the Seahawks could get some consistency going, they just might win this division outright.
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18. Texans (4-5) Lost to Jaguars
4 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 15
Why They Move Down:
The Texans lost a heart breaker to the Jaguars. They were on the cusp of taking this one, but fate would not allow it. You can see the miracle at the two-yard line in the next slide.
17. Jaguars (5-4) Beat Texans
5 of 21Last Week's Ranking: 21
Why They Move Up:
Going into this game, I firmly believed that the Texans were a better team. The Jaguars are showing that they can beat almost anyone when David Garrard is at his best. I guess it helps to get a little help from the man upstairs.
The Jags finished off the Texans with a miraculous Hail Mary that I am sure you have seen by now. If not, it is posted here for your enjoyment.
16. Chiefs (5-4) Lost to the Broncos
6 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 14
Why They Move Down:
That is two losses to division rivals in as many weeks. It very well may be panic time in Kansas City. After their quick start, pundits were happy to laud the Chiefs as a surprisingly good team. It seems they may have been pretenders all along.
15. Raiders (5-4) BYE
7 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 17
Why They Move Up:
Normally a bye week does not net you a two-spot jump in the rankings. However, as the Raiders sat, the Chiefs and Texans lost. So, doing nothing proved fortuitous for the sliver and black.
14. Buccaneers (6-3) Beat the Panthers
8 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 16
Why They Move Up:
Normally, I do not condone picking on the weak and enfeebled. But in this case I will make an exception. The Bucs are a good, young team with potential star talent. If they keep this up they might be able to shock some teams in the playoffs.
Josh Freeman was lights out again on Sunday. He threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns. With him and LaGarrette Blount hitting on all cylinders, this team is tough to stop.
13. Titans (5-4) Lost to the Dolphins
9 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 10
Why They Move Down:
The Titans had just received some elite credibility. Then they go and blow to games to supposedly lesser opponents. Their losses to the Chargers and now the Dolphins have not helped their case any.
They absolutely have to beat the Redskins this week. Not only to stay afloat in these rankings, but to stay in contention in their divisional race.
12. Dolphins (5-4) Beat the Titans
10 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 13
Why They Move Up:
The Dolphins are one team in the NFL that think they are better than they are. It is a notion that has carried them thus far. They have a mediocre defense and were without two of their quarterbacks this Sunday and still won.
The wildcat better be working the rest of the year. Chad Pennington is out for the year and it remains to be seen what they can get out of Chad Henne.
11. Packers (6-3) BYE
11 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 12
Why They Move Up:
The Packers can thank the Titans for their boost in the rankings. I hope the Packers got all the rest they needed. They have their rivals up next and the Vikings are a desperate team.
10. Bears (6-3) Beat Vikings
12 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 11
Why They Move Up:
It might be true that this win was relatively easy with Favre throwing interception after interception, but the Bears looked good.
I have to single out Jay Cutler, because I was rather rough on him at the beginning of the season. You can't blame me though, he spent more time on his butt than in the pocket. But he has completely turned it around and has the fans in Chicago thinking of a bright future.
9. Giants (6-3) Lost to the Cowboys
13 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 5
Why They Move Down:
It is a bit humorous for non-Giants fans to see that the surging New York team got the Cowboys right as they started to care about the season. If this was last week, the Giants would have steam rolled the Cowboys.
As it were, the Cowboys played like this was their Super Bowl. They were running in for touchdowns, picking off passes and generally playing sound football.
8. Ravens (6-3) Lost to Falcons
14 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 3
Why They Move Down:
The Ravens just found out firsthand what we all knew for certain, the Falcons are a great team at home. The Ravens should not think too much of their three loss season, at least not yet. They should get back on track when they take on the league's pin cushion, the Carolina Panthers.
What does trouble me is their 2-3 road record. If the Ravens fail to put together a winning streak, they will need to play at least one away game in the post season.
7. Steelers (6-3) Lost to the Patriots
15 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 1
Why They Move Down:
All year, there has been a flip-flop for the top spot in the NFL. The Steelers seemingly dodged a bullet when they narrowly beat the Bengals on Monday.
What it could have been was playing a couple of tough opponents in a row. The Steelers have been playing great ball all year. They may be a little exhausted. They do get some easy games coming up. They should beat the Raiders next week and then follow that with a road game in Buffalo.
6. Colts (6-3) Beat the Bengals
16 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 8
Why They Move Up:
For the second week in a row, the Bengals pushed a better team to the limit. That should be commended.
As for the Colts, you got lucky. It isn't everyday that a team will give you five turnovers. Especially, not on a day when your franchise player is playing sub par football. Peyton Manning looked human out there. The Colts dodged a bullet this week.
5. Patriots (7-2) Beat the Steelers
17 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 9
Why They Move Up:
This is not the first time the Patriots have ventured into the top five this season. I am guessing this time it will be a bit more permanent. The Pats just passed one of their harder tests of the regular season in beating the Steelers.
There is not much else left in the schedule for them to worry about other than the Jets in a couple of weeks. If they get past them, it should be somewhat smooth sailing.
4. Saints (6-3) BYE
18 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 2
Why They Move Down:
I am sorry Saints fans. I know that your team should not be punished on a bye week. It just so happens there were some teams that proved their case of hopping over you this weekend.
You can prove your worth by beating up on Seattle this week.
3. Eagles (6-3) Beat Washington
19 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 7
Why They Move Up:
It should not be enough to beat the Redskins to move up to the three spot. But it is the way that the Eagles did it, that gives them such a boost.
The Eagles ran circles around the Redskins on Monday Night Football in Washington. They placed nearly 60 points on the board against an actual NFL team. Michael Vick looked stunning last night. If they play even close to how they played against the Redskins, it will be tough to find a team that can beat them.
2. Falcons (7-2) Beat Ravens
20 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 6
Why They Move Up:
The Falcons needed to answer a few questions going into last weekend's match with the Ravens. Could they beat a top team? Are they really that good at home? Are they the real deal?
The Falcons answered yes to all of the above. Their overtime win against the Saints was not just good fortune, it was a sign of things to come. With their recent win against the Ravens, the Falcons can now be considered true contenders to get to the Super Bowl.
1. Jets (7-2) Beat Browns
21 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 4
Why They Move Up:
Normally, beating the Browns is no cause for celebration. The Jets, however, did what the Saints and Patriots could not do, and that is beat Cleveland.
The Jets are the most balanced team in the NFL. They boast the best defense in the league and when Mark Sanchez is comfortable, they are one of the better offenses around. The Jets should stay at the top for the next couple of weeks. But what I can't wait for is their game on December 6th against the Patriots.
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