NFL Power Rankings: Identifying the Top Dogs in Each Division

Week 11 in the NFL season is only going to clear the smoke a little more but nonetheless, enough to keep the debates going and the playoff picture changing.

That said, there are some interesting divisional races in current flow so to that end, here are the current leaders in each one. However, don't think that this won't change next week either.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers (8-0)

Green Bay has a 2.5 game lead heading into the Monday night game against Minnesota, a win there and make it three games over Chicago and Detroit. The Packers still have three divisional games left against Chicago and Detroit (twice), so the road to 16-0 won't be easy.

But, it's not like that's the goal anyway. First it's winning the division and then the conference before the Super Bowl, regardless of record. So don't expect the cheese to drop any time soon, if at all, in 2011.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (8-1)

It's funny to think that just one year ago the 49ers finished 6-10 and one game back of Seattle (7-9) in the NFC West. Obviously things have taken a turn in the Bay Area and San Fran finds itself right behind the defending Super Bowl champions.

Now yes, you can make the argument of how vehemently weak the rest of the NFC West is, but the reality of Frisco is that they're just that good. We have to remember that the 49ers have only played one divisional game and have four road wins over Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Detroit and Washington.

AFC South: Houston Texans (7-3)

Currently tied with Pittsburgh for the best record in the AFC, the Houston Texans hold the tiebreaker however, so right now they're the cream of the AFC crop. With a bye this week however, three straight tough games are next against Jacksonville (away), Atlanta (home) and Cincinnati (away).

The question is when WR Andre Johnson returns. It seems like every week his return is anticipated but has yet to really happen, therefore, don't believe it until you see it. That said, Houston hasn't even needed him,4 as they've won four straight since losing at home to Oakland (who by the way leads the AFC West).

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

The Steelers have a favorable schedule remaining and although they were swept by Baltimore, Pittsburgh has played much more consistent football otherwise. Their only other loss was to Houston on the road, so it's safe to say that the Steelers can still win the division.

Regardless, Pittsburgh will at least earn a wild-card spot and with the playoffs in mind, having that opportunity in the NFL's second season is all that matters. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh is for real, even if they slipped up against the Ravens, but don't let that deter you from thinking they're out of AFC title contention.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints (7-3)

The Saints got a gigantic road win over the Falcons on Sunday afternoon and it propels them even further ahead in the NFC South. Now New Orleans has a two-game lead, a somewhat favorable schedule remaining and a QB in Drew Brees, on pace to break the single season passing record.

Now obviously getting that record is important, but it's nowhere near as important as winning the division or conference. That said, it will be difficult for the Big Easy to catch the 49ers and Packers, so by season's end, expect New Orleans to be the NFC's No. 3 seed.

AFC East: New England Patriots (6-3)

After two straight losses to the Steelers and Giants, it seemed that New England had lost some of their charisma. Well, twas not the case and the Patriots got a big win over the Jets on Sunday night.

The win gives the Pats' control of their own destiny in the AFC East and with their next five games as quite winnable, don't be surprised if New England is battling for another playoff bye atop the AFC. Only Buffalo remains as the team with a winning record on the schedule, and based on their recent efforts, the Bills are slowly removing themselves from playoff contention.

NFC East: New York Giants (6-3)

Debatable with the AFC West, but regardless, the NFC East is a wide-open division that won't be determined until the final weeks. Looming behind the leading Giants at 5-4 are the surging Cowboys who have won two straight and finally looking like a consistent team.

The Boys and G-Men have yet to fave one another in 2011, so expect the division race to be determined by those two games in Weeks 14 and 17. Not to mention New York still has a tough schedule outside of Dallas, so don't be surprised if the Big Apple slips up in the NFC, much like the Jets did against the Pats' in Week 10.

AFC West: Oakland Raiders (5-4)

The NFL's most wide-open division goes to the AFC West. The Raiders may lead at 5-4, but everyone else is 4-5 and the Broncos are winners of two straight (2-2 in the division). San Diego may be 4-5, but the Bolts are on the fritz and the Chiefs can't figure out how to win at home.

As for Oakland, winning at the Chargers was arguably the biggest win for anyone in the division this season through Week 10, but there's still quite a bit of football left. But, the Raiders are proving to become a complete team.

They controlled the game throughout against San Diego, so until someone can stop their ground game, Oakland is the team to beat in the AFC West.

Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

1. *Green Bay Packers (8-0) (LW 1)	17. Tennessee Titans (5-4) (LW 19)
2. San Francisco 49ers (8-1) (LW 3)	18. San Diego Chargers (4-5) (LW 16)
3. Houston Texans (7-3) (LW 5)	19. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) (LW 17)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) (LW 6)	20. Denver Broncos (4-5) (LW 25)
5. New Orleans Saints (7-3) (LW 7)	21. *Minnesota Vikings (2-6) (LW 22)
6. New England Patriots (6-3) (LW 8)	22. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) (LW 24)
7. New York Giants (6-3) (LW 4)	23. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) (LW 21)
8. Chicago Bears (6-3) (LW 10)	24. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) (LW 27)
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) (LW 2)	25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) (LW 18)
10. Dallas Cowboys (5-4) (LW 15)	26. Seattle Seahawks (3-6) (LW 29)
11. Detroit Lions (6-3) (LW 9)	27. Miami Dolphins (2-7) (LW 30)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) (LW 11)	28. Carolina Panthers (2-7) (LW 23)
13. New York Jets (5-4) (LW 12)	29. Washington Redskins (3-6) (LW 26)
14. Buffalo Bills (5-4) (LW 13)	30. St. Louis Rams (2-7) (LW 31)
15. Atlanta Falcons (5-4) (LW 14)	31. Cleveland Browns (3-6) (LW 28)
16. Oakland Raiders (5-4) (LW 20)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-10) (LW 32)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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