NFL Week 11 Power Rankings

As should now be expected, Week 11 continued the trend of division leaders losing against sub-.500 teams as another slew of shocking results ruled the week.

As a result, these Power Rankings are becoming harder and harder to write. What exactly separates these teams when they all display fatal flaws and inconsistencies on such a regular basis? The vast majority of the teams in truth just blur into one big group in the middle of the pack, with nothing but their record to truly separate them.

With wins today from the Texans, Colts and Vikings, there now have been 11 wins since Week 9 from teams with a .500-or-below winning percentage against division leaders, the most such wins to occur during Weeks 9-11 of a single season since 1970.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2021

If nothing else, it does mean we’re likely in for a hectic culmination of the regular season as teams continue to scrap and falter.

So, heading into Week 12, this is how I see the landscape of the NFL. 

1.       Arizona Cardinals (9-2) +1

The Cardinals bounced back from their first real stinker of the season last week, beating the Seattle Seahawks in Colt McCoy's third consecutive start. The Cardinals looked pretty comfortable in this game, holding the bumbling Seahawks’ offense in check and moving the ball pretty well. Hopefully Kyler Murray can return soon to keep hold of the NFC’s top spot for good. 

2.       Green Bay Packers (8-3) -1

Of course the week the Packers sit atop the NFC would be the week they slip up to a sub-.500 team. The Packers had one of their better days on offense, surprisingly, as Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams got up to their usual tricks. This week, though, the formerly red-hot defense just couldn’t stop the Vikings – specifically Justin Jefferson, who carved up the Packers’ secondary. The Packers are still one of the legit contenders, though.

3.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)

For once this season, a team took care of another exactly how they should have done. The Bucs avoided a slip up against the New York Giants and strolled to an easy 30-10 win. The NFC South is the Bucs’ to lose and isn’t at risk barring a cataclysmic event in Tampa. The main focus is finding a way to the number one seed and staying healthy going into January.

4.       New England Patriots (7-4) +4

The Patriots are not the fourth most talented team in the NFL, nor do they hold the number one seed in the AFC, but how well they are playing, and who they are coached by, leaves me more confident in the Patriots than any other AFC team. The Patriots have the vibe of a team ascending, and their competent handling of the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night was the latest step.

5.       Dallas Cowboys (7-3)

The fact the Cowboys lost to the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t necessarily alarming. What is alarming is that this loss was far more emblematic of their loss to the Denver Broncos than it was their ‘good’ loss to the Buccaneers. The offense was out of sorts, failing to protect Dak Prescott, and without Amari Cooper – along with losing CeeDee Lamb to a concussion – the receiver room left an awful lot to desire. It isn’t panic time yet, but the Cowboys have to right the ship.

6.       Baltimore Ravens (7-3) +3

If the Ravens are trying to dispel the fact they’re a lucky team they could certainly be doing a lot more. This team’s ability to overcome injuries and illness alike is a testament to John Harbaugh and the entire organization. What’s important is the Ravens yet again found a way to win, keeping their place atop the AFC North in their hands while keeping the chasing pack of the AFC at bay.

7.       Tennessee Titans (8-3) -1

I’m disappointed in myself. Once I saw the Titans would face the Houston Texans this week, I said to myself: “Watch the Titans lose.” Low and behold… I should have written it somewhere. This weekend’s loss was a reminder of the work the Titans need to do on offense to overcome their injuries. Ryan Tannehill didn’t play particularly well, and anything short of perfect from him is too much for this weakened offense to handle.

8.       Los Angeles Rams (7-3) -1

The Rams had a bye after their drubbing at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers last week. It came at a good time, affording Sean McVay more time to get Odell Beckham Jr and Von Miller acclimated to their new surroundings and figure out this team's struggles for consistency.

9.       Buffalo Bills (6-4) -3

As you can ask with seemingly every team: what are the Buffalo Bills? At various stages this season they have looked to be the most complete and dangerous team in the NFL, or an over-hyped, ill-disciplined mess. Two of their last three games have been abysmal – the one good game came against the New York Jets. Buffalo had no answer for Jonathan Taylor, Josh Allen was inaccurate and careless, the offense has no balance, and now the Bills are back to looking up at the Patriots in the standings.

10.   Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

The Chiefs are coming. The only reason they remain so low is due to their critical tie-break losses to the Bills, Titans, and Ravens. However, the defensive resurgence of this team, led by a destructive Chris Jones, has this team rolling again and I wouldn’t be surprised if this team still found a way to the number one seed in the AFC.

11.   Los Angeles Chargers (6-4)

The Chargers picked up an incredibly important win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. At least offensively, LA looked more like we expect them to. Justin Herbert was awesome and showed exactly why he is as coveted as he is. He has such an impressive command of the offense and showed the ability to take over a game. Brandon Staley has to figure out this defense, though.

12.   Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) +1

Back to winning ways for the Bengals. Following their bye, Cincy was impressive once again in their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The defense was much improved, making plays at every level and covering for a sluggish offense through three quarters. The offense didn’t exactly pop throughout the game, but Joe Mixon ultimately powered the team to victory. 

13.   Indianapolis Colts (6-5) +5

The Colts aren’t quite dead yet. Far from it. I’ll admit, I had pretty much written off the Colts, but I was evidently very premature to do so. When they can get Jonathan Taylor going, which is frequently, this is a difficult team to contain What’s more, Carson Wentz is playing well and protecting the ball. That’s all the Colts need, and it is proving to be a reliable formula.

14.   Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) -2

Despite leaving LA with a loss, Sunday night’s game highlighted how important every phase of the game is. The Steelers were out of this game, then one big, opportunistic play on defense and a big special teams play flipped this game. Pittsburgh cannot afford to miss T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick in many more games, though, or they may struggle to keep pace in the AFC.

15.   Minnesota Vikings (5-5) +4

This week showed how good the Vikings can be. Kirk Cousins was excellent, showing the ability and form of a QB ready to lead his team to the playoffs. Justin Jefferson is unquestionably one of the best receivers in the NFL and needs to be heavily involved every week – very good things will happen. Now Mike Zimmer has to find a way to replicate this performance. If they do, a playoff spot is ready to be taken.

Justin Jefferson out of the backfield for a TD on what looks like an option route pic.twitter.com/raGEJvA8wc

— SyedSchemes (@syedschemes) November 21, 2021

16.   Cleveland Browns (6-5) -1

It was important that the Browns beat the Detroit Lions – which they did – but I’m concerned about this team. Baker Mayfield is very tough, but does he give this team the best chance to win? I don’t think so. He isn’t playing well and it doesn't seem his body will allow him to be much better. Even so, Case Keenum doesn't represent much of an upgrade. Nick Chubb’s return was a big boost and they’ll need him healthy the rest of the way.

17.   San Francisco 49ers (5-5) +3

Maybe the 49ers’ drubbing of the Rams wasn’t a fluke. They only had to deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, but the 49ers have pieced together impressive and authoritative wins in back-to-back weeks now and are positioning themselves well for the final playoff push. Deebo Samuel is awesome, and watching Kyle Shanahan work with him is a joy. Jimmy Garoppolo is improving but he still needs to find more consistency.

18.   Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) +2

Don’t look now, the Eagles may be up to something. It is incredible to me that it took this long for the Eagles to move to a run-first offense, but now that they have they are a dangerous team. The switch is bringing the best from Jalen Hurts, who is looking more like a quarterback they can build around, and the defense is having its own resurgence. Don’t forget the Eagles in the playoff picture.

19.   Carolina Panthers (5-6) -2

A week after everything seemed so positive in Carolina the Panthers slipped up against the Washington Football Team. The defense struggled to contain Tyler Heinicke and Washington’s ground game. Cam Newton didn’t play badly, but he and the offense ultimately failed to move the ball when they most needed to. They’re still in the thick of it, but they cannot afford to slip up many more times.

20.   New Orleans Saints (5-5) -4

How bad does Taysom Hill look at quarterback for him to remain in his gadget role? The Saints signed him to a quirky extension on Monday, giving flexibility depending on his position, but the fact he isn’t already the starter is hardly a ringing endorsement. Trevor Siemian is not going to be the answer for this season, yet he remains the starter. The team is falling apart around him. The Saints have to pull it together. Soon.

21.   Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) -7

The Raiders are well and truly crumbling. By record alone, the Raiders are well in the hunt, and they have shown this season the ability to compete, but they feel like a descending team. Having an interim head coach lead a team to glory is a tall order and that is proving to be the case for Rich Bisaccia in Vegas. I’m not optimistic he can find the answers to keep this team in the hunt.

22.   Denver Broncos (5-5) -1

Denver had a bye. At 5-5, they sit just a game back of the final playoff spot. I don’t expect them to challenge for it for much longer, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them upset another few teams. 

23.   Seattle Seahawks (3-7)

It feels as though the Seahawks are destined for their first losing season with Russell Wilson as their quarterback. This team just isn’t playing well, nor is it talented enough to make up for it. Wilson still looked off and the defense couldn’t stop a McCoy-led Cardinals offense. This offseason is going to be one of transition for this franchise.

24.   Chicago Bears (3-7)

The Bears are certainly finding some pretty painful ways to lose games. They didn’t appear to have much of a chance heading into their matchup with the Ravens, but their go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter gave Chicago real hope. Unfortunately, they let it slip with seconds remaining and head into Thanksgiving with very little to be thankful for.

25.   Washington Football Team (4-6) +2

I don’t think it will amount to much, but Washington is putting up a fight as they search for a late-season surge. Heinicke and the ground game came to life against a strong Panthers defense, and the defense stiffened in several high-pressure spots to stamp out the Panthers’ comeback efforts. They are just a game out of a Wild Card spot, but they’ll need some help to make it theirs.

26.   New York Giants (3-7)

Daniel Jones is not it. I feel we already knew this, but Monday Night Football was certainly further proof. The Giants couldn’t stay competitive and are clearly not close to the level of the Buccaneers or many of the teams above them. Sweeping change must come.

27.   Atlanta Falcons (4-6) -2

Is it just me who finds it funny that the Patriots beat, and shutout, the Falcons by the margin they famously overcame in Super Bowl LI? The Falcons have shown some promise and signs of progress, but they can’t compete with the best teams in the NFL.

28.   Miami Dolphins (4-7)

Miami took care of business against the New York Jets to further separate themselves from the very bottom of the AFC, but it still feels too little too late for this team to make a serious push. Positively, Tua Tagovailoa looked good – save a poor interception – and his connection with Jaylen Waddle is a big positive. Tagovailoa is on the clock to prove he can be the guy – that has to be the main focus of the season now.

29.   Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8)

Yet again, the gap between the Jaguars and much of the NFL was emphasized. The Jaguars were mauled by the 49ers from the very first play. The Jaguars were out-played and out-matched and offered very little reason for optimism – they even dropped back down to fourth in the AFC South.

30.   New York Jets (2-8)

I can’t believe Joe Flacco is still starting games in the NFL. There isn’t much more that can be said about the Jets, but at least they appear to have gotten one thing right: drafting Elijah Moore. Moore had a huge game, validating his pre-draft buzz. He grabbed eight passes for 141 yards and a touchdown as the sole bright spot for this struggling Jets team.

31.   Houston Texans (2-8)

It may seem harsh not to give the Texans a bump up after a shock-win over the AFC’s top seed, but the difference between being ranked 31^st and 29^th is ultimately irrelevant. It was a great win for a team sorely in need of positivity, but it won’t amount to much more than a bump in the road for Tennessee – I am happy to see Tyrod Taylor playing well, though.

32.   Detroit Lions (0-9-1)

Considering how Tim Boyle played at QB for the Lions it is surprising they were even remotely close to the Browns, but such was the (lack of) quality of Cleveland’s performance. It really seems like the Lions will have a very tough time getting a win this season.