NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Teams Ready to Rise Following Divisional Triumphs

Nothing turns an NFL team’s season around faster or more effectively than winning a divisional game. When a squad beats someone they see twice a year, it can do miraculous things for team confidence in the long run.

Here are three teams who won a divisional contest in Week 10, and will follow it up with another victory this week.

New England Patriots

New England dominated the second half against the New York Jets on Sunday, outscoring their rivals 24-7 in the third and fourth quarters.

This week, they’ll play the Kansas City Chiefs, who weren’t able to stop the run in a loss to the Denver Broncos last week. The Patriots aren’t a dominant running team, but BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Stevan Ridley will be able to get something going against the Chiefs’ 26th-ranked run defense.

If not, Tom Brady will do the trick against the lackluster Kansas City.

Oakland Raiders

Carson Palmer finally looked comfortable in an Oakland Raiders uniform on Thursday, beating the San Diego Chargers for two touchdowns in a game where he had a perfect QB rating for a while.

Michael Bush stole the show, ripping off long runs on multiple occasions. The Raiders defense also looked solid, holding the Chargers to 17 points.

The Raiders are the most complete team in the AFC West. In Week 11, they’ll convince everyone in Minnesota by defeating the Vikings. 

New Orleans

We know the New Orleans Saints have the offense to win games. However, their defense has really taken a big step since their 31-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

In their last two games, the Saints have only allowed 39 combined points against more potent offenses in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. The Saints also picked up consecutive divisional wins to cushion their NFC South lead.

The Saints have a bye in Week 11, but they will display their vice grip on the NFC South when they return to action.

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