NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Examining the League's Best in Show

We're now through 10 weeks of the 2011 NFL season and two teams have separated themselves from the pack as the best the the league has to offer.

The Green Bay Packers ran their record to 9-0 with a resounding 45-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. It was more of the same from a Green Bay team that has clearly established itself as the best in all of football.

For the Packers, it all starts under center, where quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been historically good. Rodgers may be in the midst of the greatest season for a quarterback in NFL history. Watching him this year has been a treat, and his numbers have left me shaking my head.

The 27-year-old quarterback has completed 215 of 295 passes for 2,869 yards, with a league-high 28 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He leads the NFL in completion percentage (72.9 percent), yards per attempt (9.73) and quarterback rating (130.7). In fact, his passer rating is a whopping 29.4 points higher than second place (Drew Brees, 101.3).

Rodgers leads a Green Bay offense that currently ranks fourth in total yards (409.7 per game) and leads the NFL in points per game at 35.6. Until someone finds a way to shut down the Packers' offense, there will be nothing standing between them and another Super Bowl title.

The San Francisco 49ers have jumped out to an 8-1 record, but have done it in a much different fashion than the Packers. Jim Harbaugh's squad has won with a suffocating defense and a solid ground game.

The 49ers beat the New York Giants in a hard-fought battle in Week 10. That performance only solidified where they stand league-wide. San Francisco continues to stop the run to a ridiculous degree on defense, as the Niners are allowing a league-low 73.2 rushing yards per game. San Francisco is also allowing an NFL-low 15.3 points per game.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are getting things done with the running game on offense, as they rank seventh in the league in rushing offense (130.9 yards per game).

Harbaugh has instilled a toughness and hard-edge attitude in his squad that shows when you watch them play. They may not be the prettiest team in the league, but they get it done. Right now, only the Packers have done it better.

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