NFL Power Rankings for Week 11

Predicting the wins was not easier after an Crazy week in the NFL. The NFL power rankings for week 11 has lots of ups and downs.
The 49ers had the same dominant appearance as they used to be before week 6. The Ravens, who blew 14 points lead in the fourth quarter, must not like it when we give them so much credit.
The Bengals and Bills suffered defeats at home. At home, the Jaguars were brutally embarrassed.
Afterwards, there exist the Vikings. They were thought to be finished after Kirk cousins injury but Dobbs resurfaced their playoffs hopes.
Predictable has not been this season. While they may be the dominant team for the time being, the Eagles are not unbeatable. Is there a pack member who is prepared to topple them from their perch? Not just yet, no.

Rank 1 Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

Jalen Hurts acknowledged that the Week 10 bye arrived at the ideal moment, so hopefully he and his left knee received the rest they needed. The Eagles’ next five games might be the most difficult any contender will encounter this year. Week 11 is away to Kansas City; they then have two difficult home games (against Buffalo and San Francisco) before going on the road to play Dallas and Seattle. Despite their 8-1 record, Philadelphia will be surprised if they don’t lose at least one game during that difficult schedule. A score of 3-2 would be excellent. Over the course of the upcoming month, the struggling pass defense will be put to the test; hopefully, we can determine whether this is the team’s weak point.

Rank 2 Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

The Chiefs are 7-2 and atop the AFC through nine games, exactly where they were the previous season, when they would go on to win the Super Bowl. There is almost no difference in the point differentials (plus-64 through nine games last year, plus-65 this year). But does it really feel that way? Maybe the way they’re winning games—while putting up fewer points—is what’s confusing us. Although Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are both competent quarterbacks and tight ends, the defense is unquestionably superior. It had to be a pleasant little bye-week surprise for the Chiefs to lose to the Ravens, increasing their chances of securing the top playoff spot. They still have four easily won road games left, but their home games will be more difficult. The route to become top seed begins now.

Rank 3 Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

The 2-0 Ravens rose to No. 7 in the Week 3 Power Rankings before falling to the Colts, who were led by their backup quarterback, at home. After winning handily in Cleveland in Week 4, the 3-1 Ravens were ranked eighth. However, they let a 10-point lead slip away in Pittsburgh the following week. Once again, after rising all the way to No. 2 in the Week 10 rankings, Baltimore lost to the Browns on Sunday, blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. No, not right now. Lamar Jackson, coaching, and a well-rounded roster are all there for them to contend for a championship. But in terms of trust, games like Sunday’s don’t help. Teams incapable of tackling always terrify me more. It was an extremely humble day when you consider the injuries that Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey sustained.

Rank 4 Detroit Lions (7-2)

Now let’s discuss the offensive line. It is true that it is challenging to include substantial OL analysis here on a weekly basis, primarily due to space constraints. However, dominant units like the Lions’ O-line on Sunday are worthy of the attention. Playing every snap, starting linemen Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, and Penei Sewell produced a nearly perfect game; Detroit gave up zero sacks and a total of eight pressures on 33 dropbacks from quarterback Jared Goff. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 1, 1, and 75 yards in touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Long or short yards made no difference. With the exception of a Decker penalty that erased a touchdown on the Lions’ opening drive and a goal-line stop in the second quarter, this team outperformed a strong Chargers team.

Rank 5 San Fransisco 49ers

After the three-game losing streak that preceded the Week 9 bye, the Week 10 victory, boy, it pretty much checked off every box. Is the rush to pass back? Indeed, it is. Has the improved Brock Purdy been shown to us? No doubt. Kyle Shanahan? at the top of his coaching tricks. Not sure you could ask for much more in a single game. From a positional standpoint, defeating the Jaguars 34-3 isn’t as important as winning the division, but it was still a noteworthy road victory over a strong opponent that could have easily been even more lopsided. It stopped the bleeding, brought the hysterics to a stop, and provided a launchpad for Niners November. With the injury-plagued 2020 season out of the picture, San Francisco has now won seven straight games in November.

Rank 6 Miami Dolphins (6-3)

The post-bye slate is nicely organized before the final three games against Buffalo, Dallas, and Baltimore. Teams that are will face the Dolphins in their next five games.500 or below. They still have three road games and five home games left, with the Ravens in Week 17 appearing to be a tough test. It’s possible that the critics who claim Miami hasn’t defeated anyone well won’t be silenced until December. For now, though, I doubt this team minds the stigma. The Dolphins should win this game because De’Von Achane is returning and the offensive line has received reinforcements. It’s also nice that it comes right in time for the start of midseason Hard Knocks.

Rank 7 Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

The Cowboys at AT&T Stadium are, in my opinion, the best NFL team—at least in the first half. For a brief while, I considered ranking 33 teams, with “Cowboys (in the first half) at AT&T Stadium” coming in at No. 1, but that’s not fair to my editors or you. Dallas has outscored opponents 107-22 in home first halves, including Sunday’s thrashing of the Giants (the team has been fine after halftime). The ‘Boys have won their last 12 games at home, so whatever the reason, they have a lot more magic there. The issue? Dallas must finish its current tasks before considering home playoff games. However, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and the passing game are currently thriving.

Rank 8 Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)

The Jaguars went from reaching previously unheard-of heights in the Power Rankings to collapsing quickly. It is not at all disheartening to lose to the 49ers, but Jacksonville was really clocked—and it could have been worse. Such significant home losses make us doubt every aspect of a contender’s background. Nevertheless, recent playoff teams have been on this side of the fence: the Bucs finished the 2020 season fairly well despite being destroyed at home by the Saints, and Minnesota was thrashed at home by Dallas the previous season, yet they hosted a playoff game. Therefore, there is positive historical precedent. It would have been nice for the offense to step up on a day when the defense simply wasn’t performing up to par.

Rank 9 Cleveland Browns (6-3)

Without a doubt, the Browns can win the North. They currently trail Baltimore by half a game at 6-3 and don’t have a particularly demanding schedule left. But Deshaun Watson is more responsible for their prospects than anything else. On Sunday, Watson had his best game as a Brown: He overcame a rough start (6-for-20 passing with a pick-six in the first half) and helped his team overcome a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter. Watson completed all 14 of his passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in the second half. It’s significant that Watson completed the feat without his two starting tackles and with an injured ankle. For now, all inquiries regarding his toughness and resilience have been addressed.

Rank 10 Houston Texans (5-4)

The Texans offense, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is not only the overwhelming favorite to win offensive rookie of the year, but may have also put his name in the MVP race, put on nothing short of an amazing performance. Once again, Stroud displayed exceptional ball placement and uncommon rookie poise. Real weapon Tank Dell, a fellow rookie, has developed. The seasoned Noah Brown also has two straight games with 150 yards or more in receptions. However, we must discuss the run game, which produced this season in a manner that hasn’t been seen before. Although Devin Singletary, the new feature back, isn’t a game-changer, he continued to grind out a 30-carry, 150-yard performance that gave Houston possession of the ball for 17 of the 30 minutes in the second half. The Texans’ offensive line deserves recognition for keeping Stroud clean and continuously creating holes against the hazardous Bengals defense.

Rank 11 Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

Throughout the Washington game, there were a few plays that demonstrated the negative aspects of Geno Smith’s season, which has been characterized by regression following an outstanding 2022 campaign. Smith was hearing the dissatisfaction of the Seattle fans while he struggled on third downs and left yards and points on the field. However, in the fourth quarter, he worked some late magic to lead the Seahawks to the game-winning field goal and touchdown. In addition, Smith had his first game without a turnover in his previous five appearances while throwing for a career-high 369 yards. That right there, combined with a big game from Kenneth Walker III, is how Seattle wins, even when facing a worn-out Washington defense. The Seahawks’ defense could definitely tighten up a little.

Rank 12 Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

Even with all of the recent optimism surrounding this team, the Bengals’ trip to Baltimore on Thursday looks to be a near-must-win if they want to win the AFC North for the third time in a row. The Ravens’ Sunday loss to Cleveland gave Cincinnati a chance to close the gap, but the Texans were too good for Cincinnati to handle. The deck has already been shuffled against the Bengals, who are now 5-4 overall and 0-2 in the division. Lamar Jackson has been a constant source of frustration for Cincinnati, and this season, the Bengals have already suffered a loss to the Ravens. It’s imperative for the defense to avoid another day like Sunday against Houston, which was possibly the team’s worst performance to date.

Rank 13  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

Another defender went down due to injury, more disappointment in the passing game — and another win. It’s truly incredible. The Steelers have perfected the art of winning with startling efficiency and few style points. Here’s a different, happier angle: The Steelers are adept at timing their big plays. This season, they have only outscored opponents in one quarter—the fourth—but it is the most important one. Even though the Steelers allow a lot of yards on defense (Green Bay had eight plays of 20 yards or more on Sunday), they excel in areas that matter more, such as sacks, takeaways, and points allowed. Almost all of the victories required the defense to close the door late. When a team consistently proves it can win close games, it’s difficult to doubt them.

Rank 14 Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Four turnovers—five if you include the turnover on downs in the third quarter. a defense that played for more than 37 minutes. Two devastating penalties in the last thirty-five seconds. And that’s how the Bills lost Monday night against the Broncos, kids. With their fourth loss in the previous six weeks, Buffalo has unexpectedly fallen to a.500 record. How are you managing this team? Josh Allen performed his typical goat-turned-hero routine, but Buffalo paid a price for his early mistakes and excessive amount of remaining time. Living week by week is not a way to dig oneself out of holes.

Rank 15 Minnesota Vikings (6-4)

This much is evident, if nothing else: Kevin O’Connell can coach a little, and Joshua Dobbs can play in this league. The Vikings are back in the running despite the fact that this season has not gone at all like the 2022 campaign did. Despite starting three different quarterbacks in the last three games, they have won five straight after their victory over New Orleans on Sunday, making it the longest win streak in the league. Given that Dobbs is the man, that shouldn’t be an issue moving forward, assuming he stays healthy. I publicly demanded a change in Arizona because, after a while, things became monotonous with Dobbs; however, he’s found his groove again and is in a better position, particularly with Justin Jefferson on the verge of making a comeback. And that defense for Minnesota, what about it? Since Week 4, it has allowed 297.9 yards per game and has committed 11 turnovers in its last five games, two of which were crucial ones against the Saints in the last three minutes or more.

Rank 16 New Orleans Saints (5-5)

Even though Derek Carr’s shoulder might be fine, the Saints’ performance in the Vikings game does not guarantee their recovery. The bye seems to have come at a fairly opportune time, as both wide receiver Michael Thomas and cornerback Marshon Lattimore sustained potentially painful injuries. Recall that, despite the 5-5 record, we are discussing the leader of the division. At this point, it might be more difficult to lose the South. With just one opponent currently holding more than four victories, the Saints have the easiest schedule remaining in terms of opponents’ win percentage. Additionally, four of their remaining seven games—including three straight in December—will be played at home. However, if the defense continues to deteriorate, Tampa Bay and/or Atlanta may gain access.

Rank 17 Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

They entered the bye on a minor high, coming back to.500 with two straight wins following a difficult stretch. In theory, all of the teams they still have on their schedule could win, but as of right now, the 6-3 Steelers are the team with the best record against those opponents. Given that the Bengals are only marginally ahead of them in the playoff standings, the road game against Cincinnati in Week 14 will also be difficult. Intriguingly, following their humiliating victory in Frankfurt, the Colts are now 4-1 away from Lucas Oil Stadium but just 1-4 at home. Four of the Colts’ final seven games are at home, so if Indianapolis is serious about contending for the postseason, that latter record needs to improve. This team’s opportunities are limited by the defense and Gardner Minshew, but it should improve this week in order to be prepared for the final stretch.

Rank 18 Los Angeles Chargers (4-5)

I’m not sure if the Chargers’ current win-two, lose-two pattern will continue throughout the season, but some patterns are sticking since they lost their last two games after a terrible defensive performance. Against the Lions, not even an outstanding performance from Justin Herbert was sufficient. The Bolts’ performance on defense was even worse than it was during the thrashing Miami in Week 1 at home. In related news, the Chargers are now 2-3 at Inglewood, having won both of their games against the Raiders and Bears. The final four away games are all winnable. The team’s four home games, which include a prime-time encounter with the Ravens and the regular-season finale against the Chiefs, could all be difficult ones. The 4-5 Chargers are only 2-3 against AFC opponents thus far, and they have five teams to pass in the playoff rankings. Though they haven’t died yet, they must act quickly.

Rank 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

The Buccaneers broke their losing streak and maintained their position in the NFC South race after four heartbreaking but respectable losses in a row. To be honest, they wouldn’t have been eliminated if they had lost on Sunday. Again, that’s just the way things are in the South. Despite all the jokes surrounding that division, I still think the Bucs are a sneaky-good team. They’re not great, and they’re not a serious contender for the championship, but in the right situation, they could surprise someone. That’s what the defense showed me, anyhow, in the game against Tennessee. In addition to stopping Derrick Henry cold, holding twice in the red zone, and making numerous plays in the backfield, Tampa also added a late pick. In previous games, Baker Mayfield appeared to be pressing, but not in this one. This level of defense really seems to calm the offensive approach a little.

Rank 20 Denver Broncos (4-5)

Vancance Joseph, I misjudged you and your line of defense. To be fair, things looked a little rough in the beginning. However, even with Monday’s late touchdown drive, the effort has been pretty amazing since the first Kansas City game. Let me also give a special mention to Russell Wilson, who hasn’t always had it easy in Denver—or made it easy for himself. However, Monday was excellent, as the 34-year-old scorched the Bills’ defense on the two final scoring drives by making some clutch throws at the crucial moments, including a couple deft flip passes made under duress. The offense is still unpolished after two three-and-outs and a fumble in the second half.

Rank 21 Las Vegas Raiders (5-5)

Antonio Pierce made his sensational debut in Week 9 and then led his team to an emotional victory in Week 10 behind one of the interim coach’s favorite players. No, not the legendary Maxx Crosby, who managed to get some shots in on Jets quarterback Zach Wilson despite not being sack-less. Cris Collinsworth of NBC was all over Robert Spillane, revealing how Pierce intended to develop the player around him. That sentiment surprised me even though Spillane is a tough and intelligent guy. However, what appeared to be coachspeak at first soon began to sound biblical. Spillane was everywhere, and in the closing minutes of the game, he made an interception that changed the course of the game. With their new coach, the Raiders are 2-0 and back in the hunt at 5-5. Crazy stuff.

Rank 22 New York Jets (4-5)

 

Zach Wilson was rightfully criticized for his late interception against the Raiders. The Jets’ best opportunity to take the lead late in the game was ruined by the poor decision and throw. Even though Wilson’s story is largely characterized by his late-game errors and red-zone struggles, he has made progress offensively, despite the disappointing lack of offensive growth. He is utilizing his legs more, taking fewer sacks, reducing turnovers, and beginning to regain confidence when making big throws. He contributed to the Eagles’ lone defeat. Wilson performed admirably against the Chiefs as well; the only thing that derailed his game was the late giveaway, which may sound familiar. The Jets’ lack of discipline around Wilson is another issue. The Jets had eight penalties in total (seven on offense) and C.J. Uzomah had two, one of which called back a touchdown in Sunday’s loss. Too often, that aspect is neglected.

Rank 23 Washington Commanders (4-6)

Sam Howell twice did this Mahomesian thing near the beginning of both halves, sort of inviting the defenders to huddle up around him, before he flipped the ball to Brian Robinson for a long gain. The first one gained 48 yards and the second went for a 51-yard touchdown. Perhaps there is something there. Although he has had a few difficult games, Howell has generally persevered in the face of difficulty. On Sunday, he led two drives that decided the game, even though the team lost. Obviously, the discussion about benching Howell at one point was completely absurd. He and a few of the skill-position players are currently Washington’s strongest assets. The current question is whether the coaching staff is making enough of an effort to persuade Josh Harris, the group’s new owner, to keep the group in place. If so, Howell will either be allowed to continue working under this system or will have to pick up a new one.

Rank 24 Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

With his quarterbacks, Arthur Smith seems to be in a very awkward position at the moment. He expressed his desire to avoid “playing musical chairs” with them and, presumably, the ensuing weekly questions. It’s possible that Smith made the decision for Taylor Heinicke because of his hamstring injury and subpar performance on Sunday (following a mediocre game against the Vikings). In the very least, it makes room for Desmond Ridder to return, who on Sunday led a decisive drive before Arizona won it in the closing seconds and appeared more composed. Bijan Robinson was a great player who saw a lot of touches from the Falcons. However, what became of the defense? Late on, Kyler Murray shredded it.

Rank 25 Tennessee Titans (3-6)

Will Levis’ excellent premiere seemed like it happened months ago. To be fair to the rookie quarterback, the Titans’ offensive performance on Sunday was largely unsatisfactory due to a lack of cohesive playmaking on that side of the ball. Major problems still include inconsistent run-blocking and pass protection. It was an ugly loss to Tampa right from the start, and Mike Vrabel may not have many good answers. Tennessee went 0-for-2 on Sunday despite reaching the 10-yard line on two different drives, continuing their poor red-zone performance that began the season. Because the defense and special teams have been able to clean up after the offense, the Titans have survived similar cold snaps in the past. On Sunday, no. On Sunday, no. The primary causes of the problem were the Bucs’ lackluster pass rush and their weak secondary, which let the receivers run wild.

Rank 26 Green Bay Packers (3-6)

The relationship between Jordan Love and his top receiver, or at least the guy we thought would be his WR1, has been the most disappointing aspect of his season. Despite being the clear leader going into the summer after his breakout season the previous year, Christian Watson missed three games due to a hamstring injury. Every game since Watson’s return, we’ve seen the second-year pro haul in at least one catch for a sizable amount of yardage, but there hasn’t been any connection with Love. On Sunday, Watson made two excellent grabs, but he also dropped a third-down pass horribly, and Love was picked off twice while throwing to Watson.

Rank 27 Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

Sunday’s game against Seattle will see Matthew Stafford return to the lineup, but will that be enough for the Rams—who have dropped four of their previous five games—to make a real push for the postseason? The Rams have shown themselves to be successful without Stafford, so there’s good reason to believe that his return will be a significant improvement—especially considering that Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, two of the team’s most dependable wide receivers, depend on the quarterback. Prior to getting hurt, Kyren Williams was producing, and in Week 12, he could return to the field against the Arizona team he scorched for 158 yards on 20 carries in Week 6. That is superior to the Rams’ average of 2.6 rushing yards in their Week 9 loss to Green Bay. But the Rams are 1-3 at home and the defense has had its hands full all season, so internal improvement cannot be solely attributed to injury returnees.

Rank 28 Chicago Bears (3-7)

To Matt Eberflus’ credit, after a 0–4 start, he has managed to get his team, particularly the defense he is now leading, to play better football over the last month or so. If the first four games of 2023 had gone better, Eberflus might have been named Coach of the Year after going 2-2 with Tyson Bagent starting in place of Justin Fields. The trick now is to use Fields to win. Though the team is 4-17 under his watch with the starting quarterback, Eberflus needs to figure out why the third-year pro is headed in the right direction and may start against the Lions on Sunday. There’s a catch, too: Chicago has a difficult remaining schedule, which begins with road games against Detroit and Minnesota prior to their Week 13 bye.

Rank 29 Arizona Cardinals (2-8)

After a 1-8 start, a team can only muster so much optimism, but Kyler Murray showed no problems with that. We all had to wait a little while for his return, but in Sunday’s win, we got to see a glimpse of the brilliant, flawed playmaker who could take the heart out of a defense. That was about as difficult of a game as the Falcons’ defense has encountered all year. Murray appeared to be in excellent form and prepared to lead the team for the rest of the season, despite some rust, particularly on third downs. If Murray appears to be in excellent shape and the Cardinals end up winning a few games in the end at the expense of their draft position, then fine. Getting Murray back to his best is more important than a few draft picks every day, especially on Sundays.

Rank 30 New England Patriots (2-8)

The Patriots’ defenses had been eroding for a few years now, and some unpleasant and embarrassing events toward the end of the previous campaign seemed to foreshadow the convergence of problems in 2023. Inexplicably, the team let go of promising young CB Jack Jones. Late in the Germany defeat, Mac Jones was benched and replaced by Bailey Zappe, who made an odd choice on the fake-spike pick that ended the game. Ty Montgomery and Jalen Reagor, the two active wide receivers, combined to play one offensive snap against the Colts. It’s difficult to picture a fairytale ending here as the Pats, jet-lagged and star-crossed, crawled into the bye. How will the final stretch of New England look? Will things change in any way?

Rank 31 New York Giants (2-8)

To finish the season, they have seven games left, plus a bye week. They are essentially forced to start Tommy DeVito against the Commanders this week, and possibly even beyond. The Cowboys’ thrashing on Sunday was made even more painful by sideline arguments between several offensive players, including Saquon Barkley. Brian Daboll’s greatest challenge as the Giants coach will be this one; it will be more difficult than making them a contender and winning a postseason game the previous year. All things considered, Washington and New England are two favorable opponents at the moment, and the bye could help ease some of the tension. However, following Xavier McKinney’s candid questioning of the defensive coaches, it appears as though more powerful storms could arrive at any time.

Rank 32 Carolina Panthers (1-8)

It’s a little surprising that last Thursday’s game against the Bears marked the offensive low point for Bryce Young and the Panthers, at least in terms of yards and first downs, given how similar it felt to earlier Carolina games—aside from the one Andy Dalton started. This team obviously needs more playmakers. It is evident that the offensive line is not yet complete, or nearly so. There hasn’t been much run play. Coaches are just one of many things to take into account when making offseason improvements. Frank Reich’s hirings from the previous winter were praised by all. Hopefully, Young continues to improve over the next few months, but if not, you can be sure that a lot of things will change in his immediate vicinity.