NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Predicting Every Division Winner

There is a ways to go in the 2011 NFL season, but we're starting to see the cream rise to the top and the flawed teams fall out of playoff contention.  

This year has been as unpredictable as ever, but here are the teams I think will win their respective divisions. 

AFC East 

New England Patriots 

Not surprising. Actually, the Patriots have been more susceptible than we've seen in quite some time. I just have to give them the upper hand in any critical game with Tom Brady behind center and Bill Belichick on the sidelines.

Oh, and that Gronkowski kid, he's unstoppable.

If the defense continues to  improve, watch out for New England. 

AFC South 

Houston Texans

The fans in Houston deserve a playoff berth. They've seen the Texans blow games in the past, and they've always played second fiddle to the Colts.

Indianapolis hasn't won all year, and Houston is winning without Mario Williams or Andre Johnson. Who ever thought they'd become an extremely dangerous running game?

Props to the job Wade Phillips has done with his defense, too. 

AFC North 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

This division is much tighter than expected, with the Bengals surging out to a 6-3 record, but the Steelers' experience and Ben Roethlisberger put them over the top.

Big Ben is the best improviser in the league and the defense, although not the elite group we've seen in the past, has enough talent to make another Super Bowl run. 

Got to love that speedy receiving corp. 

AFC West 

Oakland Raiders 

Watch, the Raiders will get shutout next week. That's how crazy the AFC West has been this season. In all honesty, Oakland's run game is too powerful for anyone to consistently stop, and we saw a comfortable and poised Carson Palmer on Thursday.

Who knows how many yards this team will run for over over the last seven weeks with Darren McFadden set to return. 

A scary team once they reach the postseason. 

NFC East 

New York Giants 

The Giants played the 49ers tough in San Francisco, but for the first time in a while, Eli Manning failed his team in the fourth quarter. 

All is good though for the Big Blue, however.

They're still a game up in the division, and this week, they host the reeling Eagles who could be without Michael Vick.

NFC West 

San Francisco 49ers 

They have a five-game lead in the division. I'm looking to see if they can get that No. 1 seed if the Packers falter. Solid club. How about NaVorro Bowman? Little Patrick Willis to me.

If they can beat the Giants without Frank Gore having a rushing yard, you know they're a great team.

NFC South 

New Orleans Saints 

Still can't figure out what Mike Smith was thinking yesterday. The Saints took advantage and got a huge, moral-boosting road win. They're off this week and face the Giants and Lions at home in consecutive weeks. I have my faith in Drew Brees. They'll win the division by a game over the Falcons. 

NFC North 

Green Bay Packers 

The Lions are a nice story, as are the Bears. But the defending Super Bowl champs are the most fun team to watch in football. I wonder how many receivers Rodgers will hit tonight against the Vikings?

Week 11 Power Rankings

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

*MNF Matchup