Post-Week 11 Power Rankings

1 – Cardinals (9-2) 1

The never-ending flip-flop of 1 and 2 continues this week with the Cardinals jumping back up to the top after a very nice win with their backups once again taking center stage. Colt McCoy, James Conner, and the rest of the offense had their way with the porous Seattle defense all game long to the tune of over 400 yards of offense. Once again, this team proved their depth and was very impressive in doing so. The questions with Kyler Murray’s health still remain, and he better come back soon if the Cards want to lock up a 1 seed as the season winds down.

2 – Packers (8-3) 1

The Packers defense played a poor game. That’s no secret. But, this team has played so well as of late with all of their injuries that a game like this was bound to happen. I’m not going to be harsh on them for very nearly winning despite all of their defensive shortcomings. If Green Bay had won on Sunday, everyone would agree they’d be the best team in the league. I don’t think putting them at 2 after losing at the buzzer is a big deal. Just look at the rest of the league falling apart at the top. This offense is still great, as was on display on Sunday, and the defense will be just fine, especially after getting all of their stars back. Pump the brakes, don’t overreact.

3 – Buccaneers (7-3) 4

I’m not too keen on putting the Bucs this high, but considering the way so many teams above them fared this week, it’s deserved. Tampa finally showed up and did their job in a dominant showing on Monday night, highlighted by one of their better defensive performances of the season. The offense looked nice as well, but that’s almost always the case. This team is dominant at home, now sitting at 6-0, so you can always count on them to show up when they’re comfortable. I still need this team to prove themselves to me when they’re uncomfortable.

4 – Patriots (7-4) 4

It seems to be a well known fact now that nobody in football is playing better than the Patriots in the last month or so. Let’s just put some numbers on display. This team is outscoring its opponents 94-13 in its last 3 games, including a 63-0 run in the last 7 quarters. They also haven’t allowed more than 7 points in a game since Halloween. Seems pretty good, doesn’t it? This defense is playing like it’s the best in football, and this offense is one of the more well-oiled machines in all of football. They found their winning formula, and now, they have found their stride. It’s as simple as that.

5 – Chiefs (7-4) 5

Well, well, well. Look who decided to show back up to the party. Now, even I will acknowledge that this might be a little high for the team I told you guys not to overreact to just a few weeks ago. But, in the time since then, I believe they have proven themselves, and proven me wrong in the process. Like the Patriots, this team has found its winning formula, and it somehow doesn’t revolve around Patrick Mahomes and the offense. It’s actually the defense, which looked nonexistent in the first half of the season, which has turned itself around and become the focal point of the team. They have been shutting down offenses left and right, and all Mahomes and company need to do is put up enough points. It’s a formula that doesn’t feel familiar with the Chiefs, but it’s working like a charm. We’ll see how it works down the stretch.

6 – Rams (7-3)

The Rams had a much-needed bye last week, and now it’s do or die time for them. It’s time for them to show us if they are truly a contender with stars everywhere, or a misalignment of elite talent that simply doesn’t have what it takes to get the job done. Which shall it be?

7 – Colts (6-5) 4

Please do yourself a favor and throw the 6-5 record out of the window when analyzing this team. Because once you do that, you’ll realize that they’re one of the best in football, just as I have. What isn’t there to like here? Jonathan Taylor is now playing at an MVP rate after an incredible 5 touchdown day, Carson Wentz is playing very well, and this defense is nothing short of elite. They can beat you in so many different ways, and rest assured, they will beat you. This team has figured themselves out, and it’s a scary sight. The back end of their schedule is very tough, so those difficult early losses could come back to bite. But the way this team is playing right now, I have full confidence in them to fight and fight and keep their playoff hopes alive.

8 – Cowboys (7-3) 4

Twice in three weeks, I have seen this Cowboys offense get dismantled by a defense that we would otherwise scoff at. Seems to be a bit of a problem. I do want to cut these guys some slack, though. Amari Cooper and Tyron Smith both didn’t play on Sunday, and CeeDee Lamb left the game at halftime. That being said, there’s never really an excuse to not find the endzone a single time against your opponent. We know the Chiefs are playing better defense than they did to start the season, but this is supposed to be a truly elite offense in Dallas. Even without Cooper, they still had Lamb for a half, not to mention Zeke and Tony Pollard out of the backfield with quite the capable QB in Dak Prescott. Why have they been so quiet (outside of a virtual bye week against Atlanta)? This offense better wake itself up soon, or the rest of the NFC will pass the Cowboys by like they’re a minivan on the interstate.

9 – Titans (8-3) 6

It is impossible to wrap your head around this team. Go ahead, try it. 7-0 against 2020 playoff teams. Beating teams with under 200 yards of offense and without Derrick Henry. Elite defense one week, terrible defense the next. Losses to the Jets and now the Texans. This team has shown me everything this season. Now, I don’t know what to do with them. It was abundantly clear that this was a completely different team without their star RB; a team that completely lacked an offensive identity. But at least they were winning games. Now, Henry’s absence has caught up to them. 4 picks from Ryan Tannehill was a performance we should have seen coming. I know what their record says, but without Henry, I just don’t see this team doing all that, and it’s finally catching up to them.

10 – Chargers (6-4) 2

To all 34 Charger fans out there, how do you guys do this? I mean, seriously. I don’t think I could handle a week of this. And I’m a DC sports fan. This team played such a good game on Sunday night, only to nearly Charger it several times in the 4th. Thank God for Justin Herbert, right? Once again, this team seems to be winning all of the games they typically lose. The only problem is that in between those wins they lay so many duds. Who knows what next week will bring with this team?

11 – Ravens (7-3) 2

Moving the Ravens down 2 spots isn’t an indictment on them. Hell, they just won with Tyler Huntley at QB leading a game-winning drive. I know they’ll be fine when Lamar stops getting sick every week. I was pleasantly surprised with their defense as well as the depth that they continue to show on offense. This is a team that feels primed for a strong second half surge. I just need to see it with Lamar.

12 – Bills (6-4) 7

So, something is fundamentally wrong with this team. Does anyone know what it is? Because I sure as hell don’t. Their offense is now nonexistent as Josh Allen has regressed to his old ways. And that once elite defense? Yeah, they might as well be the Panthers considering how much they statpadded against weaker competition. To put it plainly, this team tricked us badly. I’m done giving into those tricks. Once again, they were exposed, and this time it was by a real AFC contender. They’re not even the best team in their division anymore. I’m not burying this team, but they are tempting me. Unless they magically return to the Bills of September and October, I just don’t see this team doing anything substantial.

13 – Bengals (6-4)

The Bengals essentially did exactly what I thought they were going to do on Sunday. They went out, did their thing, and showed their stripes after a much-needed bye. They looked how I thought they would on both sides of the ball, and I think such a strong performance will help them get their mojo back as they try to pull away in this wild divisional and conference playoff race. As I’ve said before, I truly think this team has what it takes, and Sunday’s win in the desert was a huge step in the right direction.

14 – Vikings (5-5) 3

What do we have here? The Vikings are actually winning big games? I’m genuinely shocked. But in the best way possible. I’m happy that this team is starting to realize its potential, but still upset that it didn’t happen sooner. This team has always been better than their record, and it looks like the rest of the league is finally going to start to notice that. The defense didn’t play its best game against the Packers, but the offense was dazzling from start to finish. Kirk Cousins is having perhaps his best season yet, and he’ll need to keep it up if this team wants to make the playoff push that I know they can. The only question is whether or not they will.

15 – Steelers (5-4-1) 1

I was honestly impressed with the Steelers on Sunday night. They showed a ton of fight, never backed down, and even looked pretty good offensively. The biggest hole was their defense, which was to be expected with all of their injuries on that side of the ball. I have no doubt in my mind that Sunday’s game goes differently with T.J. Watt in the lineup. Alas, here the Steelers are, simply treading water in this tight division race. I think once they get healthy, they’ll figure it out. I’m not ready to stick a fork in this team at all. They’ve proven themselves to me offensively, and once their defense is at full strength once again, I think they’ll make the playoffs with ease.

16 – 49ers (5-5) 2

Like the Vikings, the 49ers are finally starting to figure it out and realize their potential. It makes me very happy. This team has returned to its roots and original identity of physical, run-first football, but the passing game has also emerged as a very solid and effective way of putting up points. The committee of RBs has done its job, Jimmy Garoppollo has looked great in recent weeks, and Deebo Samuel is simply the ultimate weapon in football. Run him out of the backfield, throw him a screen, send him downfield, it doesn’t matter. When he gets involved offensively, good things happen. Oh, and this defense is looking like itself again, especially in the secondary. Watch out for this team as a potential wild card dark horse. As long as they play like this, they can pull any upset on that first weekend of playoff football.

17 – Eagles (5-6) 2

The Birds just keep on doing it. There aren’t many more teams in the league I’ve enjoyed watching as of late than the Eagles, which is well documented at this point. This team is just so much fun. Jalen Hurts is figuring it out right before our very eyes, and even this defense is stepping up and making all sorts of plays. I think it’s time to not only dub the Eagles as one of the best young teams in the NFL, but a potential playoff team. With an unbelievably easy finish to their schedule, it’s entirely possible that this team could sneak into a wild card spot in the upcoming weeks. If they continue this level of play, I don’t see what’s stopping them.

18 – Saints (5-5) 3

It appears as though all of the Saints’ injuries are finally catching up to them. The absence of Alvin Kamara has left a major hole in their offense; a hole that isn’t easily filled by the likes of Trevor Siemian. My biggest question with this team is their defense, which has seemingly disappeared in recent weeks. It was their strong suit and their backbone for so many wins, and without it, this team is all but hopeless. With Kamara expected to miss even more time, things could get uglier even quicker. New Orleans might not enjoy their Thanksgiving night as much as they’d like to tomorrow.

19 – Browns (6-5) 3

Oh man. I know they say the rich get richer, but do the poor get poorer as well? Because it appears that’s happening to the Browns. I don’t care that they won. They were in a complete struggle with the Lions from wire to wire, and it’s largely because of Baker Mayfield’s QB ability, or complete lack thereof. This offense has been a complete dumpster fire since the Bengals game, and I can’t understand why. Critics don’t even have OBJ to scapegoat anymore, so the clear problem is Baker. He is continuing to hold this team back. Yes, Cleveland’s run game is more than enough to put this team in positions to win games, but that’s just not a winning formula in 2021. I don’t want to bury my pick to win the AFC this early, but it’s getting really close to happening. With Baker playing the way he is, this team is on the thinnest ice in the world.

20 – Broncos (5-5) 2

The Broncos won their bye week by having so many teams in the same tier as them forget how to play football for a weekend. Good for them. Who knows what the back stretch of the year holds for this team? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

21 – Washington (4-6) 5

Is this team back? No, I told myself I wouldn’t get my hopes up. It’s hard not to do that after two massive wins filled with exciting plays and pure winning football. Once again, this team fought and fought all game long, making every play necessary on both sides of the ball to ensure a victory. Taylor Heinicke is showing more resilience than prime Tony Romo, and this defense has somehow returned to form, giving up plays here and there but stepping up when they’re called upon. I think this team has what it takes to win games this way, and it can clearly work against any team from Tampa to Carolina. The final stretch of the schedule is a rather interesting one, and the next couple of games will tell us how sustainable this formula truly is.

22 – Panthers (5-6) 1

There is no doubt that the return of Cam has done wonders for this team. Their offense is alive once again. That is, until they aren’t. In crunch time against Washington, this team folded on both sides of the ball, but especially offensively. When the going got tough, Cam was lost and confused. Part of that was the play of Washington’s defense, but these players have to shoulder some blame as well. I will say that this team has played better than I thought they would, and I think they have a nice thing going. Perhaps they’ve found some momentum to carry into next season.

23 – Raiders (5-5) 3

I’m not wasting my time here. I’m simply not going to talk about this team. You can’t make me do anything.

24 – Bears (3-7) 1

I’m not sure how to feel about the Bears after Sunday’s game. Losing your starting QB to injury and fighting through it to nearly win the game with an incredible 4th down play is very admirable, but choking the way they did is a bit less admirable. This is just the same old Bears team to me. With Fields at the helm, it felt like they would put themselves in positions to win. But, with him out, I fear that won’t be the case much longer.

25 – Dolphins (4-7) 3

I won’t go crazy over the Dolphins beating yet another bottom feeder, but this team has still looked plenty nice in recent weeks. Nothing stands out or jumps off the screen other than their defense, which is finally realizing its potential. But, until I see it more consistently, and hopefully against better opposition, this is where they remain.

26 – Seahawks (3-7) 3

I mean, come on. This team is the epitome of a joke. Every time we think it can’t get any worse, it does. It just gets worse and worse. Going from getting shut out to losing to a backup QB at home? What’s next? Losing a Monday Night Football game to a team that is literally allergic to winning on MNF? God I hope so.

27 – Falcons (4-6) 3

All I’ll say about the Falcons is that it’s funny that 28 – 3 = 25. Life is just poetic sometimes.

28 – Giants (3-7) 1

The Giants are truly one of the hardest watches in football. Their offensive identity is simply nonexistent. You know it’s bad when your tackle has more touchdowns than your first-round or $72 million WR. I still don’t know what it will take to solve this team’s plethora of issues. I’m done trying to figure it out.

29 – Jaguars (2-8)

There’s not a lot I can say about the Jags that I haven’t been saying for weeks now. It’s the same story every single Sunday with this team, and that’s fine. I give them a pass as a rebuilding team with arguably the worst roster in football. It just gets tiring after a while, you know?

30 – Texans (2-8) 2

I cannot express to you guys how shocked I am that the Texans won on Sunday. I still can’t really wrap my head around it. But, they did it, and I’m happy for them. It was clear that this team was significantly better with Tyrod Taylor at QB, and he showed that yet again on Sunday. I’m not sure how many more wins this team has in them before the season is all said and done, but with him under center, I know they’ll never back down from a fight.

31 – Jets (2-8)

There are honestly positives here with the Jets. For one, I love that they’re finally getting Elijah Moore involved offensively. There’s no point in getting a draft steal if you don’t use him effectively, and they’re finally figuring out ways to do so. Other than that… yeah, I got nothing.

32 – Lions (0-9-1) 2

It’s a miracle that it took this long, but the winless Lions are finally at the bottom of the Power Rankings. It’s about time. I still think they’re a solid, competitive bunch, and they came very close to winning once again on Sunday. But, nobody is going to win with Tim Boyle at QB. I know this team’s first win is just around the corner, but I’m also confident that it won’t be with that guy at QB. It’s safe to say I won’t be spending my Thanksgiving afternoon with this team.

All stats taken from ESPN.