NFL Week 11 Power Rankings

NFL Week 11 Power Rankings

1) Tennessee Titans: It's tough to argue with 9-0, whether or not the wins are pretty. That doesn't matter to this team anyway, as their playing style is old-school running and stout defense. It may be tempting to put the Giants here, but this spot has to belong to Tennessee until someone can manage to beat them.

2) N.Y. Giantsz: So much for Super Bowl hangover, huh? After pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the Giants are a commanding 8-1 in what is believed to be the best division in the NFL: the NFC East.

Their ability to run the ball and get to the quarterback on defense are unmatched, and after dispatching the Eagles week 10, there are very few questions that remain for this team. You could consider them 1b right behind the Titans 1a.

3) Carolina Panthers: I wouldn't call how they played against the Raiders pretty, but then again winning with Delhomme throwing for 72 yards and 4 INT's proves that the rest of this team is pretty good when they are put on the spot.

I can't say enough how important it is for the Panthers to establish a consistent running game if they aim to go deep in the playoffs, so send a note to DeAngelo Williams and tell him it would do Carolina a world of good if he could run like he did against Oakland.

4) Pittsurgh Steelers: I was tempted to drop them a few spots, but then I remembered how banged up they are, and losing two of three to a dominant Giants team and a resurgent Colts team is nothing to be embarrassed about. Mewelde Moore has proved far more valuable than anyone had thought, but he isn't Willie Parker. If "Fast" Willie can come back 100% and Ben is given some time to actually throw the ball, this team will be elite.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have an interesting situation brewing in the backfield with the Cadillac being cleared to play, joining an already crowded group of Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn. Everyone knows the Bucs can play defense, but the question is how will Jeff Garcia and this offense perform moving forward?

6) Washington Redskins: I don't really know what to think of this team.

At times they look like a machine, and in another instance they can look completely inept. One thing is clear, however, and that is this: Clinton Portis is the engine that makes this Redskins car run. Washington absolutely has to have him healthy, otherwise they will find it to be tough sledding in the near future.

7) New England Patriots: So there is life without Tom Brady...Matt Cassell seems to be maturing more and more every week, and other previous unknowns (Benjarvus Green-Ellis) are stepping up to the occasion for Belichick. The big question about this team now is how they will handle the loss of Adalius Thomas on defense. He did more for that unit than most people may realize.

8) N.Y. Jets: Brett Favre a game manager? Hah! Oh wait, you're serious?

The Jets are asking the all-time leader in just about every passing category to hand off first, and pass once the run has been established. Believe it or not, the formula seems to be working as the Jets are now 6-3 and tied for the division lead with New England. The game of the week, and maybe the season, comes around this Thursday as the Cassell-led Patriots tangle with the Favre-led Jets for sole possession of first in the AFC East.

9) Atlanta Falcons: Count me in as someone who thought the Falcons were gonna have a rough go of it this season. This team has done more than just exceed expectations; they are pushing for a good seed in the playoffs! Barring some type of major regression (which doesn't seem likely after they quieted the Saints last week) this team will have a division title with a rookie quarterback, the protege of Ladainian Tomlinson, and a makeshift defensive unit. This team is definitely one of the feel-good stories of the year up to this point.

10) Indianapolis Colts: Just when you thought they were done, they beat New England and Pittsburgh. Getting Bob Sanders back is going to go a long way to making this defensive unit solid, and Joseph Addai coming back healthy should take some of the pressure off of Peyton Manning. The Colts just earned the title of "team you definitely don't want to play anytime soon"

11) Arizona Cardinals: This team is probably the favorite of every fantasy football player out there. Kurt Warner has a streak of 8 straight games with at least 2 touchdowns, and they have three wideouts who each bring something special to the table. The emergence of Steve Breaston has cemented the receiver corp in Arizona as the best in the league, and Warner is showing flashes of his old MVP form. Now, if only Hightower can produce out of the backfield on a consistent basis, you'll be looking at maybe the scariest offense to defend against since New England last season.

12) Miami Dolphins: This team could be anywhere from spot 11 to spot 16, but I put them here for one reason: they are playing inspired football.

This team still doesn't have as much talent as the elite teams of the NFL, but this wildcat formation on offense and Joey "the Mouth" Porter sacking the quarterback left and right, this team is suddenly a team you would rather not play at the moment. It will be interesting to see how this teams performs down the stretch, and whether or not they will be able to win the games they are supposed to now.

13) Baltimore Ravens: Apparently this is the year of rookie quarterbacks. Matt Ryan was supposed to be really good, he was a top 5 pick...but Joe Flacco? He was a late first-rounder, but he was the last guy Baltimore wanted to start. It took injuries and sickness to Kyle Boller and Troy smith for Flacco to see the field, and now he's leading a reborn Ravens team to a 6-3 record. This team has been hot as of late, and seems poised for a possible run at the division if Pittsburgh can't get healthy.

14) Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are a frustrating team to follow for one specific reason: they should be a lot better than their record.

The talent on this team is obvious, but for some reason as of late it hasn't been translating to wins. I will concede that their division is brutal this year; however, if the Eagles ever want to get back to their perennial NFC championship game status they need some division wins.

15) Dallas Cowboys: Anyone still think Tony Romo isn't a vital part of this team? Maybe it was just watching Brad Johnson attempt to play quarterback and Brooks Bollinger get dog piled every play to realize just how much Romo does for this team. Let's put it this way: the Redskins probably want the pinky to flare up and have Romo come back week 12 instead.

16) Chicago Bears: I never thought I'd hear fans wishing and praying for Kyle Orton to heal quickly, but the way Orton has performed this season it is obvious the Bears need him to win. I know Rex doesn't need any more criticism than what he already has, but he is just not capable enough to win on a consistent basis.

By the way, Matt Forte would be a hands down rookie of the year any other season, but the emergence of Matt Ryan makes the young quarterback an essentially a lock...

17) Minnestoa Vikings: Gus Frerotte played horribly against Green Bay, but Adrian Peterson is so good that it didn't matter.

Minnesota should have won this game easily, but silly turnovers kept the Packers in the game and nearly gave them the win. I hate to look towards next year, but without a dependable starting quarterback I don't know how far the Vikings can go this season.

Regardless, as a football fan first, it is so fun to watch Peterson run the ball. I really hope he has a long career without injuries because he is the best pure running back in the NFL today, and I believe he has the skills to become one of the top five to ever play.

18) San Diego Chargers: The team that has all the talent in the world but seems to struggle to put it together.

Philip Rivers is turning into one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL today, but unfortunately it appears Tomlinson has reached the peak and began passing over it. He is still one of the elite running backs when it comes to vision and awareness, but this season his body doesn't seem to allow him to do what he wants to.

On a side note, it's clear just how much Shawne Merriman means to this defense. Think Bob Sanders for the colts....

19) Buffalo Bills: If Dr. Jekyll had a football team, he would own the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills started the season looking dominant, and many thought that they would be able to dethrone the Patriots at the top of the AFC East. Then something happened all of a sudden: Trent Edwards decided to play like an inexperienced quarterback and the offensive line decided to stop blocking.

Also, the defense losing Donte Whitner was a huge loss because he makes that unit cohesive. If the Bills are gonna make the playoffs, they better wake up really quickly...

20) Denver Broncos: The Denver Cutlers, I mean, Broncos, are an enigma so far this season.

They have looked dominant, then pathetic, then in between.

The defense is in shambles due to injuries to Champ Bailey among others, and the backfield has been torn to shreds so badly by injury that Tatum Bell is back in town to run the rock.

There is one bright light for this franchise, however, and that is Jay Cutler and his camaraderie with Brandon Marshall and surprising rookie Eddie Royal. This team reminds me of the Colts of 2000 when Peyton Manning would throw 40-50 times a game to Harrison and Wayne, and every game was a shoot-out.

21) Green Bay Packers: I hate to play devil's advocate here, but would a Brett Favre-led Packers team be 4-5? The roster is essentially the same, but the fire seems to be gone. If the Packers don't get it going here really soon, the Green Bay front office is gonna be the most second-guessed administration since...I'm not going to go there

22) New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees' Christmas list only has one request: a defense...The Saints have an explosive offense, but until they can stop somebody on defense they won't get anywhere in this league. It's too bad, because Brees has done so much in restoring respectability to this franchise after the years of mediocrity.

23) Jacksonville Jaguars: Someone explain to me the difference between last year and this year for this team. They returned the majority of their roster, but for some reason they just aren't busting their butts for Jack Del Rio. They managed to beat the Lions after getting their T.V. taken away, but I don't know if T.V. is enough to get this team going for the undefeated Titans.

24) Cleveland Browns: The Brady Quinn era has finally come, and it started pretty well. They managed to somehow lose the game, but Quinn looked much sharper than Anderson did at any point this season. This season may be lost, but there is still a reason to be hopeful for the future years in Cleveland.

25) San Francisco 49ers: I absolutely love what Mike Singletary is doing for this team. He comes into the locker room, pulls down his pants to symbolize a point, kicks a player out of the game for lack of effort and attitude issues, then brings his team out the next week and almost beats a very good Arizona team. There are still plenty of kinks to work out, but if Singletary doesn't get this job then it will be a huge mistake on the part of the 49er front office.

26) Houston Texans: I'm still trying to figure this team out. Obviously the offense depends on Matt Schaub being healthy, but Andre Johnson has disappeared at times. The emergence of Steve Slaton has been good for this team, and Mario Williams has continued to prove why the Texans took him over Reggie Bush. There seem to be only a few components keeping this team from being really good, and when they get it figured out, be wary of these Texans.

27) Seattle Seahawks: So much for the idea that a coach announcing this is his last year and choosing an on-staff replacement won't cause the team to quit. I will concede that the injuries to Hasselbeck and the entire receiving corp has destroyed any offensive chemistry, but last year this defense was one of the best in the NFL. They still has Kerney and Tatupu and Trufant, what happened? Next we will see Holmgren take a page out of Brett Favre's book and decide he really doesn't want to retire; sorry Jim Mora, maybe next year?

28) Kansas City Chiefs: This team would probably have a few more wins if Herm Edwards wasn't coach.

It was obvious he couldn't coach in New York, but then he goes to Kansas City and destroys what used to be a proud franchise. Tyler Thigpen has been a pleasant surprise over the past few weeks, but he hasn't been able to overcome the deficiencies of the defense.

Anyone know what to think of the Larry Johnson saga? Getting charged with assault on a woman four times in five years is not exactly the right way to build a reputation, and before his last bit of trouble he was playing badly anyway. A lot of questions will be answered this off season.

29) Cincinnati Bengals: Their last game was proof that they are still an NFL team, and Ryan Fitzpatrick managed to look like a pro quarterback. This team needs Carson Palmer healthy, and a defense couldn't hurt right? Also, I think Marvin Lewis needs to go because he can't seem to handle the plate full he has in Cincinnati. Despite all the talent on offense there, they have been underachieving by a large margin.

30) Oakland Raiders: They played the Panthers hard last week, but just not enough offense to get the job done. Nnamdi Asomugha has solidified himself as the next great shutdown corner, completely phasing Steve Smith out of the game. Unfortunately, the Raiders are bad enough this year that he might get passed over for the pro bowl, which would be unfair to him.

31) St. Louis Rams: That 47-3 shellacking they took against the Jets was an embarrassment. They did not even resemble a pro team last week, and the only reason they aren't last is because the Lions still play football. Steven Jackson is the silver lining for this team, but I wanna know where Marc Bulger went and who is this impersonator wearing his jersey this past season and a half?

32) Detroit Lions- What is there to say? They signed Daunte Culpepper to play quarterback, which should be pretty self-explanatory. There are a few positives for this season though: Matt Millen is gone, which makes it a successful season regardless of what else happens; Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith are emerging as future studs; and Matt Millen is gone...oh, I said that one already?