NFL Week 11 Power Rankings
As we head into Week 11 of the NFL season, it is time to take a look at where each team has stacked up over the past 10 weeks. It is also important to look ahead into the future and see where each team could potentially end up.
Will some surprise teams continue to surprise us or fall flat on their faces as we believed they would all along?
Will any slumping team manage to gain momentum and make a playoff push?
Which teams are eying the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft?
Which teams are eying the Super Bowl?
32. Carolina Panthers (1-8)
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The Panthers had promise entering the season but have been dismantled all season by injuries.
The running game has been abysmal as the offensive line never found the chemistry to gel together. The superstar committee of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart suffered because of the line’s inability. Neither runner appeared to have played at the high level they had the past two seasons. Steve Smith was bothered by injuries all season. The final nail in the coffin was the ineffective quarterback play of incumbent starter Matt Moore and rookie Jimmy Clausen.
Better luck next season.
31. Buffalo Bills (1-8)
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Although I admire what the Bills have done this season, playing extremely competitive football, they still remain the bottom of the barrel.
It was great to see the team finally win a game, as they have deserved to win for about a month at this point. The offense has really made up for the lack of defensive threats the team possesses. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller was a disappointment and is now injured. However, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Steve Johnson have become respectable football players. Both are two of the better surprises this season.
The future still looks brighter than it did last season.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
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One of the most inconsistent teams in the league, the Cardinals can never seem to generate any type of momentum.
One week the running game will be effective, the next it will be nonexistent. One week Derek Anderson will play well, the next he’ll play terrible. The defensive unit seems to force a dozen turnovers one week and then come up short the next.
Superstars Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes have done the best they can, but not even these three top-caliber players could do enough to will the team to a winning streak.
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29. Denver Broncos (3-6)
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Another one of the more inconsistent teams in the league, Josh McDaniels is too cocky for his own good.
It seems everyone outside of Denver loves to see him fail because of stunts like Week 10. Todd Haley refused to shake McDaniels’ hand because McDaniels was showboating on the sidelines with his players and trying to run up the score in the blowout victory. Somebody should have reminded McDaniels his team isn’t good and is towards the bottom of the league.
I’m sure most would love to see McDaniels’ Broncos embarrassed on prime time television Monday night Week 11.
28. San Francisco 49ers (3-6)
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The most disappointing team for me this season. I believed in Mike Singletary to have his team playing fantastic football this season.
I expected them to play smash mouth football and tough-nosed defense. Frank Gore has done all he can do to will this offense to victory, but Alex Smith’s poor quarterback play held the team back. It is great to see Troy Smith with an opportunity to succeed, but it is too little too late.
My preseason NFC West division winner fell flat on their faces and dragged me along with them.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7)
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In the running for most disappointing team of the season, it is still puzzling how awful this team has been. The running game has been terrible as they often forget this is what brought them to the playoffs last season.
The defense has been subpar after excelling last year.
The star power is there, but they have yet to be able to get it together this season. Somewhat of a shame since Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco would have been far more entertaining together if they were happy.
26. Minnesota Vikings (3-6)
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The Vikings are also among the league’s most disappointing teams as their tumultuous offseason followed them into the regular season.
The Brett Favre saga finally bit a team in the butt for the first time since he was in Green Bay. Favre, nor the rest of the team, came out with the same fire and intensity they had last season. The NFC Championship game hangover created a black cloud that followed them the entire season.
Brett Favre will finally retire at the end of the season, and the Vikings organization will be scrating their heads thinking "what if?"
25. Detroit Lions (2-7)
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I love the way the Lions have played this year and their outlook for the future.
The team is littered with a ton of young talent. This team has the potential to blossom into a powerhouse in the NFL within the next three season.
Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh are already towards the top of their respective positions. If Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best can stay healthy, this team has a dangerous core group.
Unfortunately, as competitive as they have been, they have yet to figure out how to close out a game.
24. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
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The Cowboys finally made their 2010 debut in Jason Garrett’s debut as head coach.
The team came out with more intensity in this contest than they had all season. Only problem, it’s a little too late. It still must be encouraging for the large Cowboys fan base who has suffered through terrible coaching in recent years. The players were highly undisciplined this season. Tony Romo may not return this season, but rookie receiver Dez Bryant looks like a superstar already.
The future is bright in Dallas with their core group of talent including Romo, Jason Witten, Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware.
23. Washington Redskins (4-5)
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The Redskins suffered one of the most embarrassing losses of the season Monday night Week 11.
Michael Vick put together one of the most spectacular performances in NFL history, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for two scores. The Redskins are lacking a quality core to build from as their veterans are declining fast, and their young talent is not much talent to begin with. The Donovan McNabb extension was a head scratcher after he was benched prior to the bye week.
The Redskins, as usual, are in disarray.
22. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
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The Chargers have been let down repeatedly by poor special teams plays.
They have been hurt big by injuries on offense although Philip Rivers has been the one constant of the offense. Rivers has played so well with his motley crew of receivers aside from one of the all-time greats in Antonio Gates. Rivers is in the running for the MVP, but I expect them to miss the playoffs.
21. Seattle Seahawks (5-4)
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The Seahawks have been up-and-down this season and are a difficult team to figure out. One week I think they’re going down and they show up, changing my original thought. The next they’ll sputter, forcing me to change my mind again.
They play great at home in front of one of the best home crowds in all of sports. They are shaky on the road still despite having road wins against Chicago and Arizona.
The Mike Williams story is fantastic. I’m happy to see Marshawn Lynch getting a second chance. I do like the path Pete Carroll is taking the team.
Although they sit atop the NFC West division, I have a difficult time trusting them to win it at the moment.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
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Somehow, someway, Jacksonville has five wins.
Doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t trust this team at all.
Their offense isn’t too good, and their defense certainly isn’t. They have two impressive wins against the Colts and the struggling Cowboys. Their Hail Mary win over Houston Week 10 is a fantastic story, but not one for me to buy into them as a threat in this league. I don’t buy into Mike Sims-Walker as a No. 1 receiver in this league.
Although Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the premiere running backs in this league, he alone doesn’t justify me putting them any higher on this list.
19. Houston Texans (4-5)
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The Texans struggles aren’t too surprising, but the offensive struggles are.
They have been bit by the injury bug at times this season, but this unit has a lot of experience playing together and should have shown more chemistry this season. Matt Schaub seems to have regressed. Arian Foster has shown that he is an absolute stud in the Texans one cut system. Foster finds the hole and hits it hard on one cut progressing up field. He has the speed and power to compete with any defender. He has been one of the best surprises this season.
Still, the defense has been hurt throughout the season. Even if they were healthy, it would never have helped the atrocious secondary they put on the field each and every week. This will always hold them back as they can and will be lit up each game.
18. St. Louis Rams (4-5)
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Sam Bradford’s Rams are one of the best surprises this season.
Nobody expected them to be as competitive as they have been, and now they are eying a division title. Bradford’s accuracy is top notch. When he finally gets a quality receiver to play with, the NFC West division better watch out. Steven Jackson is still one of the top running backs in the league. He continues to play through injury after injury, trotting out each week and producing for his team. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has played very well this season for a young unit.
This team has such a bright future. Their fans deserve this success after suffering for years.
17. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
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The Browns have been competitive each week this season and could have been eying a division title if they didn’t slip up the first two weeks against Tampa Bay and Kansas City. They played the Jets well enough to win Week 10, losing in the final 30 seconds of overtime after previously defeating New Orleans and New England.
Peyton Hillis, despite his fumbling woes, is an absolute monster, powering over any and all defenders. He has scored in almost every single game this season and is a threat to catch out of the backfield. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy is proving he deserved to go higher in the draft. Thankfully, the quality QB is getting a chance to shine, and it looks like the Browns finally have their quarterback of the future after searching for what seems like forever.
16. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
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The Dolphins are about where I expected them to be this season.
They are a middle of the pack team but can be competitive on each week. They have a few unexpected wins this season, for example, the road win against Green Bay. The team is currently starting third stringer Tyler Thigpen. The running game has not been nearly as effective as it has been in the past. The Wildcat offense sounds more like a meow than a roar this season.
This team is simply on the way down after getting hit by injuries in recent weeks.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
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Kansas City is another surprise team very few expected to be this good.
Their coaching staff is amazing with head coach Todd Haley, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. They have coached this young squad extremely well throughout the season as they sit tied atop the AFC West division. Dexter McCluster’s injury has hurt this team’s ability to create mismatches on offense and special teams, but the bottom line is they are still in the running for a division title.
In front of one of the better home crowds in football, they will make a push the rest of the way as the offense begins to gel and progress.
14. Oakland Raiders (5-4)
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My preseason AFC West division winner. It is good to see Oakland finally succeed after being lost in the black hole for almost a decade. Tom Cable’s team has played competitive football over the past month and now they sit tied for first in the AFC West.
Darren McFadden has finally turned into the pro we knew he could be out of college. He seems bigger, faster and stronger than we have ever seen him. He is running with better decision making and more power. He is easily one of the most improved players this season and will carry the Raiders into the playoffs and for years to come.
13. Chicago Bears (6-3)
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The Bears are a tough team to figure out. They have one of the best defenses in the entire league. Superstars Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers are towards the top of their respective division.
The main problem holding the team back is Mike Martz’ all or nothing offense that could potentially get Jay Cutler killed as he drops back and back and back with oncoming blitzers eying his head.
Lovie Smith’s team is getting the job done for the most part though as they sit atop the NFC North division. I don’t expect them to make much noise in the playoffs, but I’m not saying it can’t happen with their fantastic and opportunistic defense.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
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The Bucs are one of the great surprises this season.
This young team has found the will to compete in almost every single game this season. They never believe they are down or out of a game. Josh Freeman reminds many of a young Ben Roethlisberger. Freeman can get it done with his legs and his arm and is simply too big for most defenders to take down on the first hit.
Freeman is earning the moniker as the "Comeback Kid" as he seems to lead his team to victory in the final few minutes most weeks. An unexpected, but fantastic surprise, the Bucs have a legit shot at making the playoffs if inexperience doesn’t come into play.
11. Tennessee Titans (5-4)
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Vince Young’s time to screw his bulb back in and shine is now.
The team acquired Randy Moss for the stretch run, so there are no excuses now. Chris Johnson is still running every bit as the superstar we have seen the past two seasons. The defense is as stout as ever, despite their slip up in Miami. It is difficult to believe head coach Jeff Fisher will not have this team ready to make a run at the division title to close the season.
With the speed on defense and bend-but-don’t-break mentality on defense, this is one team most people can trust.
10. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
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The Saints got back on track prior to the bye by defeating Carolina. Now, they eye a chance to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
The Saints were hurt by injuries to open the season, but they are finally getting healthy and at the right time. Dual threat Reggie Bush will provide a huge boost for the Saints who have seemed to plug in a million different running backs this season as both Bush and Pierre Thomas were out with injuries.
As long as Drew Brees and Sean Payton are there running the offense, the Saints will be eying a division title. Payton is too creative and Brees is too focused in the New Orleans era not to have this team competing.
They sit at No. 10 now, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the top five in a few weeks.
9. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
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I penciled in Green Bay for just one loss at this point, but they are still vying for No. 1 in the NFC North division. They have been hit hard by injuries but are finally starting to get healthy following the bye.
As long as Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the game, is on the field for the Packers, they have a chance. His arm strength, accuracy and ability to run the ball are top notch. He has a fantastic receiver in Greg Jennings to work with.
The oft-injured defense is getting healthy at the right time and will push any team in the NFC for a Super Bowl run.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-2)
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The Falcons completed a big come from behind victory against the Ravens to take sole possession of No. 1 in the NFC.
There is something about the Falcons defense that is still difficult to trust at this point, and it is the secondary. This unit can be exploited.
The offense is starting to take off and Matt Ryan is gaining momentum quickly.
Roddy White is an absolute stud and is making a claim for best receiver in the game. As evident in Week 10, Roddy White is simply too big, fast and strong for most cornerbacks in this league.
The Falcons really need to get their running game going with Michael Turner ala 2009, and then, they will jump in the rankings.
7. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
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This team would be absolutely nowhere without Peyton Manning.
He’s that good and could potentially set a record with a fifth MVP award.
Despite being hit by the injury bug all season, the Colts match-and-plug players here and there and Peyton Manning still gets it done no matter who is on the field. If you want to jump out there for the Colts, go ahead; Manning will find you and turn you into a superstar.
This team still has a lot of problems on defense, and they have shown throughout the season the offense is not as explosive as it has been in the past.
Still, where there’s Peyton Manning, there’s a way.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
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The Steelers stumbled big time in their first home game after being on the road for three straight weeks. Actually, the Steelers didn’t just stumble, they tripped over their own feet and landed flat on their faces.
Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu were injured in the Week 10 loss to the Patriots but are both expected to play Week 11. I expect them to come out with a vengeance against the Raiders and perform so well that they will jump in next week’s rankings.
Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin will have this entire team focused and looking for blood.
5. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
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Ray Lewis would agree the Ravens were slighted by the short week, but there are plenty of other teams that will have to deal with the same circumstance. A loss is a loss and bottom line, their own miscues on the final drive of the game cost them the victory in Atlanta.
Still, Baltimore is loaded on both offense and defense. There are superstars across the board in Lewis, Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and Terrell Suggs.
It almost seems as the Ravens are still trying to gel as they work Ray Rice back into the offense. The team has the experience together to be a force in their playoff push. It is tough to go against the Ravens who started the season hotter than almost any other team in the league with road victories over New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
4. New York Giants (6-3)
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Despite the home embarrassment to the lowly Dallas Cowboys, the Giants remain one of the most consistent and balanced teams in the league.
Hakeem Nicks is already a superstar in just his second year. Eli Manning has developed fantastic chemistry with his receivers. The receiving corps. has taken a hit with Steve Smith out due to a pectoral injury, but Mario Manningham is a more than capable replacement. The defense has been fantastic this season.
They will have their toughest test of the season against Michael Vick this week.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-3)
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With Michael Vick’s improved field vision and accuracy, on top of his already incredible athletic gifts, the Philadelphia Eagles have an opportunity to win the Super Bowl.
Vick currently has the best offense he has ever had around him. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin make up one of the best receiver duos in the league. Running back LeSean McCoy is one of the best dual threat backs in the league as he can run inside the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Although the defense is suspect, Michael Vick can lead this team to the top of the league as he is simply untouchable at the moment.
2. New England Patriots (7-2)
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The Patriots made a strong plea for No. 1 this week, but the Jets tie breaker played a role. The Patriots were overly dominant against the Steelers Week 10. Actually, they were so dominant on both offense and defense that it didn’t even make sense. The team went into Pittsburgh fully focused on the mission at hand after their embarrassing defeat in Cleveland Week 9.
If Tom Brady is that determined the rest of the way and Bill Belichick has his defense that prepared during the stretch run, there is no doubting this team can win a Super Bowl.
They have the potential to be inconsistent on any given week because of their overall inexperience. It remains to be seen if that will play a major role in upcoming weeks.
1. New York Jets (7-2)
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Although they were shutout three weeks ago against the Packers and were forced to overtime by the Lions and Browns, the Jets remain the No. 1 team in the league. Their depth, balance and coaching staff is top notch.
They have one of the most ferocious defenses in the league with arguably the best defender in the game in Darrelle Revis. The running game is great, and Mark Sanchez and his receivers are gaining chemistry.
Wins are wins and they sit tied atop the NFL.
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