NFL Power Rankings: Why Top Is Destined for Late-Season Shakeup

Gabe ZaldivarDec 6, 2011

It's a good thing nothing is set in stone, because I could sure go for the shakeup that is about to take place atop the NFL power rankings.

We have seen the Green Bay Packers play perfect football so far this season, but do not think they will be going post to post without a loss. They still have a game or two that can give them fits and, more importantly, they don't want it.

The top five will get a great shuffle in the next couple weeks, especially considering the schedule the New England Patriots have.

New England will be putting its best foot forward as it tries to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC. It has the Redskins in a week and then gets the Denver Broncos.

Here is where things get interesting. You don't want to bet against Tim Tebow right now, but I have to. That game will feature a Tom Brady explosion the Broncos offense can't keep pace with.

Finishing off with Miami and Buffalo, the Patriots have a very real chance of winning out the rest of the season.

Now about those Packers, I have them winning every single game, if they were already destined to clinch just about everything in the next couple weeks.

After that, it will be about rest and relaxation for their starters, especially Aaron Rodgers. The last game of the season could see a wild-card hopeful Detroit Lions battling a Packers squad that just wants to remain healthy.

The Packers will surely rest Rodgers a great amount against that pass-rush. The Patriots could be dark horses to claim the prize of No. 1 in the final week—not that this matters.

Being top dog means little in the playoffs with the defense they have. But the rankings, for all their worth, are about to get a shuffle.

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