NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Labeling the League's Contenders and Pretenders

With every passing week, we learn more about the identity of each team. Some identities are clearer than others, which can help us differentiate between the contenders and pretenders.

Here are four teams, two contenders and two pretenders, with one from each conference per category.

Contenders

Houston Texans (7-3)

Despite all their injuries, the Houston Texans are a legit team. First off, they lost arguably their two best players and still hit a four-game win streak. And although they must rely on backup QB Matt Leinart, he has time to prepare.

Not only did the Texans' bye week come right on time, but Leinart's first game will be at the 3-6 Jaguars. Sure, the Jags play well at home; however, Leinart does have potential. In addition, Houston still has a top 10 defense, which will only help as Leinart continues to develop.

Chicago Bears (6-3)

The Monsters of the Midway are for real, especially after such a dominating performance against the Lions last week. Chicago is riding a four-game win streak and their next four games are against the four AFC West teams, so a record of 10-3 or 9-4 is quite possible.

The defense is playing much better and the offense is not turning the ball over. Picking the right time to allow Jay Cutler to sling the rock is important; but when effective, Cutler is as good as it gets in pro football.

Pretenders

Buffalo Bills (5-4)

In the recent weeks, Buffalo has been exploited by opposing offenses. Teams have run the ball to set up the pass against Buffalo and have limited turnovers. The Bills defense has thrived off interceptions, but otherwise they haven't done anything.

Giving up 385 total yards per game makes interceptions obsolete—although Buffalo may score, the opponent will score right back. And unless the Bills can start forcing punts and relying more on RB Fred Jackson instead of throwing the ball, Buffalo will have a disappointing ending once again.

Detroit Lions (6-3)

Since beginning 5-0 the Lions are just 1-3 and on the verge of a meltdown like they suffered in 2007. We're talking a New York Mets-esque meltdown because the Lions were keeping pace with Green Bay for so long, but then fell apart so quickly.

Detroit's rush defense and rush offense are arguably the worst in football. If your defense can blanket Calvin Johnson while manning up elsewhere, Detroit doesn't have much more of a game plan to move the ball. Not having a ground game is killing them right now, as is their inability to stop the run.

We have to remember that football is won inside the trenches at no more than a four-yard radius in any direction. That said, the Lions aren't good enough yet to solely rely on throwing the ball because defenses are adjusting, as evidenced by what the Bears, Falcons and 49ers have done to them.

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

1. Green Bay Packers (9-0) (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. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) (LW 24)
6. New England Patriots (6-3) (LW 8)	22. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) (LW 21)
7. New York Giants (6-3) (LW 4)	23. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) (LW 27)
8. Chicago Bears (6-3) (LW 10)	24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) (LW 18)
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) (LW 2)	25. Seattle Seahawks (3-6) (LW 29)
10. Dallas Cowboys (5-4) (LW 15)	26. Minnesota Vikings (2-7) (LW 22)
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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