NFL Power Rankings: Mid-Level Teams That Will Rise in Week 11

With playoff hopes of several NFL teams hanging in the balance, Week 11 is sure to bringing about both excitement and disappointment. Middling teams across the league know every game is vital as the regular season winds toward its conclusion.

Here are three teams that will keep the dream alive this week.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas goes up against Washington for the second time this season after beating the Redskins by two in Week 3.

Felix Jones, who was the offensive star in the previous meeting, is still battling a high ankle sprain, so DeMarco Murray will need to continue his strong run of play.

The Cowboys have a favorable schedule moving forward and might finally be living up to their potential, as illustrated in Sunday's destruction of Buffalo. If Dallas' defense can continue to make positive strides, they could be dangerous come playoff time.

Week 11 Prediction: Cowboys by 10

Atlanta Falcons

Mike Smith made a bad decision to go for it on fourth down inside his own territory, and it cost him against New Orleans. If the Falcons would have been in scoring range within another first down, it would have been acceptable, but not from your own 29.

That said, Atlanta has a lot of winnable games down the stretch and should be able to bounce back from Sunday's loss against the Tennessee Titans at home.

Matt Ryan needs to start limiting his turnovers if the Falcons are going to optimize their postseason chances, though.

Week 11 Prediction: Falcons by six

New York Jets

New York's three-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Patriots on Sunday night. The Jets have given up more than 30 points in all four of their losses—that's no surprise, because their offense isn't good enough to survive shootouts.

Now they must enter Tebow-mania in Denver and emerge victorious to remain relevant in the AFC. The Jets defense should be able to contain the Broncos offense, so it will be up to Mark Sanchez to make some key throws. It won't be pretty, but Rex Ryan and Co. will find a way on Thursday.

Week 11 Prediction: Jets by seven

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