Cover photo taken from Reuters.
Post-Week 11 Power Rankings
Stability at the top and chaos in the middle highlight the pre-Thanksgiving Power Rankings.
Tag: week 11
Colts (5-5) 
Week 11 Picks
Key divisional showdowns and a Super Bowl rematch in primetime highlight a gorgeous slate that should live up to the hype.
Cover photo taken from NBC News.
Last Week: 8-6
Season Total: 88-52
Ravens 23-20 Bengals 
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Steelers 19-16 Browns 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Lions 31-14 Bears 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Chargers 26-22 Packers 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Dolphins 27-17 Raiders 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Commanders 20-10 Giants 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Cowboys 30-9 Panthers 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Jaguars 22-17 Titans 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Texans 27-20 Cardinals 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
49ers 31-16 Buccaneers 
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
Bills 20-17 Jets 
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Rams 26-23 Seahawks 
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Broncos 22-19 Vikings 
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Chiefs 27-24 Eagles 
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Post-Week 11 Power Rankings
Week 11 was ugly and messy, but told us so much about so many teams. Here’s how I stack it up as we head into Thanksgiving.
Cover photo taken from VSiN.
1 – Chiefs (8-2) 
Death. Taxes. Patrick Mahomes beating division opponents on the road. Travis Kelce ripping the Chargers apart and breaking SoCal hearts. We all saw it coming, and it was still awesome. 15 and 87 are simply poetry in motion, and this is still the best team in the league. Sunday night’s game was a bit closer than I anticipated, and despite some heroics by the Chargers and Jerrick McKinnon’s best efforts to give the game away, there was no doubt who would win in the end. This offense is simply too dominant, and the defense is still playing well despite some hiccups on Sunday. The Chiefs are top of the league in total yards, passing yards, and scoring. Oh, and Mahomes has now won an impossible 25 straight games in November and December. So yeah, good luck stopping Kansas City.
2 – 49ers (6-4) 
2
I know most of you think I’m insane for continuing to put the 49ers this high, but I don’t care. I feel so strongly about this team, and I think they’re the best in the NFC right now. It’s a pretty tight race between them and the two teams below them, but I feel the most confident in San Francisco at the moment. They are simply dominant on both sides of the ball, and when they are playing the way they want to, you aren’t going to get past them. The defense is obviously one of, if not the best in the league, but the offense is finally starting to get everyone involved, and it’s a beautiful sight. I’d wager that more Niners games down the stretch look like Monday night’s. And that is a terrifying thought.
3 – Eagles (9-1) 
1
Philly’s cracks are starting to show. Losing Jordan Davis clearly has a massive impact on their defensive interior, and until newcomers Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh get more acclimated with this defense, their interior run-stopping ability will be hindered greatly. They did a solid job of containing Jonathan Taylor for the most part, but the weakness was clear. The bigger concern was the offense’s inability to move the ball on a Colts defense without its best player. The Raiders had a better offensive performance against Indy than the Eagles did. Perhaps the Commanders laid the blueprint of how to stop this team. They needed a wild JT fumble on a play that could’ve been blown dead to win on Sunday. It shouldn’t have been that close. Until they show us another complete performance, Philadelphia will keep on sliding.
4 – Cowboys (7-3) 3
The Cowboys are back after a single bad quarter/OT a week ago. All they did to respond was put together perhaps the single best performance of any team this year en route to the biggest road victory in franchise history. The defense was sensational, especially up front, as they destroyed the Vikings OL to the tune of 7 sacks. The offense was firing on all cylinders as everyone got involved, namely Tony Pollard, who has proven himself as one of the most dynamic and useful RBs in the league. Dak Prescott looked very comfortable, and the Cowboys looked like a complete juggernaut. They likely won’t have a better performance this year.
5 – Dolphins (7-3)
The Dolphins had the week off ahead of an absolute cupcake against Houston. I expect another offensive explosion out of them this week.
6 – 
Vikings (8-2) 4
That was as brutal as it gets in this league. I don’t want to throw in the towel and tell everyone who didn’t believe that the Vikings were legit at 8-1 that they were right, but they might have been onto something. I have no idea how you can come home after such a great win and get walloped so badly, but Minnesota didn’t have a semblance of a pulse on Sunday, and it was simply embarrassing. They should be ashamed of themselves. The good news is that they have nowhere to go but up. I don’t see them playing worse than that this season, and they get a shot at redemption in front of the nation on Thanksgiving. It’s going to be another tough one, but they can’t get any lower than this rock bottom.
7 – Bills (7-3) 1
The Bills are still not looking as good as they should be, but they’re back in the win column, and that’s all that matters. I will say that I like the way they’re running the ball lately, but other than that, I don’t see anything that stands out. Josh Allen has still been pretty average over the last month, and the defense continues to play below their standard. Buffalo is about to smack Detroit on Thanksgiving and the national media will start to fawn over them again, but I’d love to see them put together a complete, dominant performance against an actual team before giving them their flowers again.
8 – Titans (7-3) 2
The Titans just keep on winning. I don’t know if there’s a better culture in the league than the one Mike Vrabel has in Tennessee. They just play winning football week in and week out. Derrick Henry is still on a tear, Ryan Tannehill looks very comfortable off his injury, and this defense proved once again why they’re one of the best in the league, especially when fully healthy. Now, rookie WR Treylon Burks is getting involved offensively, which could give a huge boost to their virtually non-existent passing attack. Going into Lambeau and winning that convincingly in a primetime setting isn’t easy. But the Titans made it look like a walk in the park.
9 – Bengals (6-4) 2
Outside of getting thrashed by Cleveland on MNF a few weeks ago, the Bengals really weathered the storm while Ja’Marr Chase was out. They picked up two huge wins, albeit against pretty poor competition, and now sit in prime position to make a run at the division title with Chase returning to the lineup this week. Joe Burrow looked very comfortable without his top target, and even went Joe Mixon went down, Semaje Perine did a great job in relief. The defense did not play their best game by any means on Sunday, but they made all the plays they had to in order to lock it up in the fourth quarter. I feel great about this team now that their best player is returning and I’m super excited to see them make another push to the playoffs.
10 – Ravens (7-3) 2
I’m not going to try to guess or even make sense of Baltimore’s complete dud of a performance on Sunday. It was sloppy, it was ugly, it was lifeless, and it was straight up weird. But, they won, which is all that matters. I still don’t really know what to make of the Ravens at this point, but they keep on winning and still sit atop the division. I just have a feeling that won’t last very long.
11 – Seahawks (6-4) 2
Seattle had their bye this week ahead of a relatively easy matchup with Vegas on Sunday in the desert. It could turn into a shootout, so they should be thankful they got some rest in this week. I’m interested to see if they can keep up their dominance as the season winds down.
12 – Buccaneers (5-5) 3
The Bucs had the week off after the international trip last week. They head to Cleveland for a tough matchup with the Browns on Sunday, but if their defense keeps playing like they did going into the bye, they should be able to get back above .500.
13 – Commanders (6-5) 2
The winning ways are continuing in DC, and the formula keeps on being executed to perfection. It was the defense that stood out above everyone else in Houston, using an absolute dominant performance from start to finish highlighted by a handful of sacks and a pick six by Kendall Fuller to suffocate the Texans all game long. The offense also did its thing, as Taylor Heinicke played a very solid game and the run game continued to dominate. It was as complete of a performance as you could ask for. Now, Chase Young finally returns to give the defense another huge lift. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks have in store.
14 – 
Patriots (6-4) 2
It wasn’t pretty by any means (in fact it was nothing short of miraculous), but the Patriots continued their win streak on Sunday thanks to a dominant defensive performance and one of the most clutch punt return touchdowns in recent memory. Mac Jones actually played quite well against a solid Jets defense, but a combination of wind blowing kicks and passes all over the field left the offense with virtually nothing to show for it. Still, the Patriots showed plenty to like on Sunday, and now sit in a playoff spot with seven games to go. The remaining schedule is tough, but at this rate, I like their chances.
15 – Jets (6-4) 3
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Zach Wilson is by far the worst starting QB in the NFL, and his team is finally starting to agree with me. Robert Saleh knows it, and his teammates are taking notice of the narratives online. It’s only a matter of time before he’s rightfully shoved on the bench. And the Jets will be infinitely better off for it.
16 – 
Giants (7-3) 3
Is the Giants fugazi run finally coming to a merciful end? It just might be. Getting housed by the Lions in your own stadium is not exactly a promising sight. The offense has finally hit a wall, and the defense got torched, especially on the ground. The remaining schedule isn’t much prettier. New York has a massive Thanksgiving showdown in Dallas on Thursday, then the Commanders and Eagles twice each with tough matchups with Minnesota and Indianapolis sprinkled in. Are we positive that they can win any of those games? Let’s find out.
17 – Chargers (5-5)
I’ll give the Chargers credit: they were a lot more competitive than I imagined they would be on Sunday night. Getting Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back clearly did wonders for Justin Herbert, who was launching the ball all over the joint all game long and looked like his old self again. Even Josh Palmer made huge contributions. At the end of the day, they just couldn’t overcome Patrick Mahomes. So, I won’t be mean to the Chargers. For once, they don’t really deserve it.
18 – Cardinals (4-7)
I realistically should be dropping the Cardinals for Monday night’s absolute stinker, but it’s hard to beat elite teams with a backup QB. I really don’t have much else to say. They should be better when Kyler Murray returns to the lineup, but they’ll still be the same old mid Cardinals they’ve been all year long. They probably won’t look as bad as they did on Monday again, but we know this team is nothing special. Just keep on giving me Nuk fantasy points, and we’re chilling.
19 – Packers (4-7)
I had a lot more faith in the Packers to do literally anything on Thursday night, but they reminded us all that they still don’t do anything particularly well. The comeback against the Cowboys was nothing short of a fluke. The defense was porous once again as Derrick Henry absolutely manhandled them for sixty minutes, and they became the only secondary to allow Treylon Burks to do anything in his career. The offense really couldn’t get going either, despite two more touchdown catches by Christian Watson. Overall, it was just another bad Packers performance, one that we should all come to expect.
20 – 
Falcons (5-6) 2
The Falcons overcame the Justin Fields freight train in a pretty solid home win on Sunday. It did come at a cost, as Kyle Pitts is now likely out for the year with a knee injury, but he could never get involved enough offensively for me to believe that’s some sort of debilitating hit to that side of the ball. They did get Drake London involved, which is a great sign. And Cordarrelle Patterson broke the record for most kick return touchdowns in a career. On top of that, the defense finally came through and won them a game. It was just a solid afternoon all around in Atlanta.
21 – Browns (3-7)
The Browns keep on losing, but at least they showed some fight on Sunday in Detroit. Having the game moved on short notice didn’t seem to affect them, as they had a bit of a pulse. Amari Cooper continued to feast on opposing secondaries, but it just wasn’t enough as the defense laid a dud and the run game couldn’t really get going. I do think the Browns are going to look a lot better after Deshaun Watson comes back, but they still have one more game to go.
22 – Lions (4-6) 4
Look at the Lions stringing together impressive wins. Sunday’s might have been the best yet, as they smothered the Giants defensively and ran circles around them on the other side of the ball. Jamaal Williams poured in three touchdowns to take the NFL lead, Aidan Hutchinson continued his dominant ways, and the Lions have now won three in a row. They’re getting their groove, and are actually playing good football in outdoor environments. Plus, they should be getting Jameson Williams back soon, and the rookie is primed to make a huge splash. Thanksgiving’s showdown with Buffalo should be a lot of fun.
23 – 
Colts (4-6-1) 2
By all means, the Colts should have won on Sunday. They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and outplayed the Eagles for 58+ minutes. But, an unfortunate Jonathan Taylor fumble and the greatness of Jalen Hurts prevented Indy from returning to .500. Still, it’s hard not to feel good about what Jeff Saturday is doing with this team. They’re playing solid, winning football, and using their bread and butter of a running attack as the backbone of their team. I think we’ll see the Colts be a lot more competitive down the stretch with their newfound formula.
24 – 
Bears (3-8) 4
The Bears finally returned to Earth on Sunday in a tough loss in Atlanta. They simply folded in all three phases, with special teams and the offensive line folding the most. I don’t really think the result of the game or anything that happened in it matters as much as Justin Fields’ shoulder, which got injured in the waning stages of the game. He should be good to go this week, but shoulder injuries always plague QBs, so hopefully he’s able to make a full recovery soon.
25 – 
Saints (4-7) 5
Good for the Saints to look like a real team again. It’s about time. Andy Dalton looked like a real QB, spreading the ball around and getting everyone involved. Chris Olave had perhaps the best game of his rookie season, highlighted by a long touchdown catch in which he absolutely torched perhaps the league’s best corner in Jalen Ramsey. The defense wasn’t great, bu they did what they had to do down the stretch. It helped that Matthew Stafford left the game with an injury.
26 – Jaguars (3-7) 1
The Jaguars had their bye this week ahead of a really intriguing matchup with the Ravens on Sunday. Believe it or not, I think Jacksonville might have a real shot in that one. But we’ll dive more into that on Thursday.
27 – Raiders (3-7) 5
The Raiders must have heard my slander (and must’ve known I took them +2.5), because their last few minutes in Denver on Sunday displayed more life than I’ve seen from them all year long. The Broncos defense was giving them fits all game long, but Derek Carr put on his big boy pants and led a fantastic drive to tie the game and send it to OT, then hit two huge passes to win it on a beautiful deep ball to Davante Adams. Adams had another big game, and Josh Jacobs got back to his productive ways as well. I’m not going to give this defense props for shutting down the worst offense in football, but that’s always a positive as well.
28 – Steelers (3-7) 1
I have one major takeaway from the Steelers’ performance on Sunday. That takeaway is that Najee Harris might not be completely cooked. He had a great game against a solid defensive front, and finally looked like he did in 2021. I’m not saying that he’s back by any means, but it was promising to see that. Kenny Pickett wasn’t awful either, especially when he was targeting George Pickens, who is easily Pittsburgh’s WR1 at this point. The defense got some key takeaways, but it wasn’t enough to stop the potent Bengals offense. I thought it would be closer, but I still like what the Steelers showed me.
29 – 
Broncos (3-7) 6
There is no reason to talk about the Denver Broncos in any context. Next!
30 – Rams (3-7) 6
I told you this team would look dreadful without Cooper Kupp. Outside of a long touchdown and maybe one other nice drive, this offense was stuck in quicksand against a Saints defense that isn’t very good. It didn’t help that Matthew Stafford got hurt again, but come on. This team doesn’t do anything well, and they looked completely lifeless, just as I predicted.
31 – Panthers (3-8) 3
You know, at least the Panthers were competitive for most of the game on Sunday. That’s a lot more than I can say for the team below them. Baker Mayfield was pretty bad, but so was the rest of the team, and so was the team across from them. It was just an ugly mess, and the inferior team always loses those kinds of games.
32 – Texans (1-8-1) 1
Yeah, this is way worse than I thought. The Texans are cooked in every aspect, as they can’t get anything going on either side of the ball anymore. Dameon Pierce has disappeared, Davis Mills is a statue in the pocket, and the defense might as well not even be there. Houston is on the fast track to the #1 overall pick, and they better pray they don’t mess it up. They have a plethora of picks and can turn this around pretty quickly. Cleaning house and starting over with a new star QB could do wonders for this franchise. Lord knows they need it.
All stats taken from ESPN.
Week 11 Picks
Last week’s upsets made for a losing record after several great performances. Let’s try to get back on track this week.
Cover photo taken from Dallas Cowboys.
Last Week: 6-8
Season Total: 86-62-1
Packers 20-17 Titans
Thursday, 8:15 PM EST, Prime Video
This week’s Thursday nighter is going to be a strange one. Both of these teams are in weird spots right now, with both picking up wins last week but still in a really precarious spot on the season. Both Green Bay and Tennessee could really use a win here, but the Packers need one infinitely more. I think they have some great momentum from their comeback last week and have found a wrinkle in their offense by getting Christian Watson involved. While I think the Titans defense is probably the best unit in this game, it’s hard to bet against the Packers at Lambeau with everything going right for them. Plus, I just don’t know what to make of Tennessee’s offense right now. This is bound to come back to bite me, but I’m rolling with the hot hand.
Bears 26-23 Falcons
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
I don’t trust the Bears to win a game convincingly to save my life. Hell, I don’t know if I even trust them to win a game at all at this point. But the Falcons are simply a team that’s reeling more than almost any other in football right now. Even at home, I don’t see anything to like with them. At least Chicago has Justin Fields, who has been one of the most unstoppable players in the league for the last month. I don’t know if he’ll be able to continue replicating his incredible performances, but I know I can trust him more than anyone on Atlanta. Maybe, just maybe, this is the one that the Bears finally win.
Bills 17-14 Browns
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The big storyline here is the weather. It’s going to be one of the biggest blizzards that someone ever decides to play football in with plenty of wind to boot. So, at the very least, this is going to be low scoring and close (as long as they don’t move the game). I actually wanted to pick Cleveland here, seeing as though the conditions likely favor the better running team. But there’s simply no way I can pick the Browns in a game like this. The Bills need this win badly, and these conditions favor them seeing as though they’re built for it. I know they lost to New England last year in that frigid wind-fest, but I just feel like this one will be different.
Eagles 24-16 Colts
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Eagles finally suffered their first loss on Monday night, and I think it’s safe to say they won’t have many more games like that for the remainder of the season. They have a great opportunity to bounce back in this one. If last week was any indication, the Colts will be feisty, especially returning home, so I think this game will be close for a bit. But the Eagles are simply so much better than Indy is on both sides of the ball, and that will prove to be the difference. They won’t let themselves get physically dominated like they did against Washington.
Patriots 25-17 Jets
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Let me get a couple of things straight. I think the Jets are better than the Patriots. I also don’t think this game should be a blowout. But history is simply pulling me in this direction. The Patriots own the Jets so bad that it’s almost embarrassing. Every time you think New York has the team that can overcome New England, they collapse. It happened earlier this year when I picked the Jets, so I’m simply not going to make that same mistake again. I think it’s worth noting that I have only picked one (1) Jets game correctly all year long, and that was when they beat Denver. So, take this with a grain of salt. I just don’t trust Zach Wilson to not give this game away like he always does. He has been awful in every game he has played against the Patriots, and I don’t see that changing. All New England has to do is capitalize on those mistakes, and they’ll be golden.
Saints 19-13 Rams
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Remember when these teams were good? Yeah, those were the days. Now, they’re two of the most unwatchable teams in football that will make this game an eyesore from start to finish. At least the uniform matchup is gonna be great! Simply put, the Rams are going to accomplish absolutely nothing with Cooper Kupp out. He is their entire offense, and they won’t be able to move the ball whatsoever, even against an awful Saints D. New Orleans has nothing promising on offense either, but they certainly have more to like than LA at this point. All they have to do is get Alvin Kamara involved, and they will win. It’s hard to tell whether or not they will, but you just have to pray they use common sense.
Giants 23-20 Lions
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
I wanted to pick the Lions so bad here. I just want the Giants to lose so bad. The question is whether or not I can trust Detroit in a spot like this. All signs point towards a resounding no, but they did put together another nice performance last week in Chicago, and that was a similar road environment to this one. But I just think this all boils down to a very simple matchup to assess. The Giants are the third best rushing team in football with 164 yards/game, led by this year’s top RB in Saquon Barkley. The Lions, meanwhile, have the second worst rush defense in the league, giving up an incomprehensible 160 yards/game on the ground. So, this will come down to whether or not Detroit can stop Barkley and the Giants on the ground. I simply do not see that happening. Maybe they can force Daniel Jones into some mistakes like they did last week with Justin Fields, but New York is simply better defensively than Chicago is, and that will also prove to be a huge factor.
Ravens 27-16 Panthers
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
A 13-point spread seems a bit harsh, but this should be a blowout for Baltimore. They’re coming off a bye and likely getting some key offensive pieces back like Mark Andrews and Gus Edwards. The Panthers are coming off a mini-bye and a win last Thursday, but this is an infinitely tougher test than that one. Combine that with the fact that Baker Mayfield is starting this game for Carolina, and you have a disaster waiting to happen. The Ravens are way better on both sides of the ball and should control this one from start to finish.
Commanders 22-19 Texans
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
This is a must-win game. We cannot lose to the Texans after what we’ve done in the last 5 weeks. That’s the type of loss that completely derails a season beyond repair. This team has to stay focused and keep the good things going. This is the place where it would be so typical for them to lose. It has to be different this time. Yes, the Texans are a perfectly competitive team, but they also have the worst record in the league. I don’t care what the situation is. You have to win. The defense has to keep playing lights out, and boy would I love to see Chase Young make a huge impact in his return. The run game has to keep on moving the ball and making Taylor Heinicke’s life easier. And he has to keep feeding Terry McLaurin all game long. The formula is there and we should be able to execute it against the worst team in the league. Just… don’t lose.
Broncos 17-14 Raiders
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX
I hate both of these teams so much that I don’t even want to pick this game. I don’t want to even think about this game. I’ll just drop this here and move on.
Vikings 26-23 Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS
On paper, this is probably the game of the week. Look at the Vikings getting so much national love! Good for them. That’s great and all, but I really need them to pull through and win another one. They are coming off an incredibly draining, emotional win last week in Buffalo. They could either keep that momentum up and come home to pull off another huge win, or they could fall flat on the national stage. While the latter seems more likely, I’m not going to lose faith in this time that I’ve been riding all year long. The Cowboys are coming off a 4th quarter collapse and probably want to bounce back in dominant fashion, but it’s going to be hard. Minnesota is playing great offense and the defense has some mojo now. This is such an air-tight matchup that is so difficult to pick, but I just think the Vikings are the better team, so I have to rock with them. This is another opportunity for them to make a massive statement, and I think they’ll be up to the task.
Bengals 20-19 Steelers
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS
Contrary to what you might think, this game should also be pretty tight. For starters, the first meeting between these teams was absolutely insane, and Joe Burrow had 5 turnovers. So don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that Cincy will just roll in this game. I think Pittsburgh not having Minkah Fitzpatrick is a huge deal, but having TJ Watt is an even bigger deal. His impact was felt in a massive way last week, and I think the Steelers defense will once again make life uncomfortable for Joe Burrow, especially while he’s still without Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals we saw two weeks ago against Carolina are nowhere close to the Bengals we’ll see this Sunday. This all boils down to whether or not they can out-physical their bitter rival and win a tough road game. They couldn’t do it against Cleveland a few weeks ago. It’s really hard to imagine them doing it this week. But, I can’t trust Kenny Pickett and this Pittsburgh offense. At least the Browns have competent players on that side of the ball. The Steelers have nothing. By all means, this is a must-win game for Cincinnati, and I think their defense will rise to the occasion and make the difference in this game. Just don’t be surprised if it goes the other way.
Chiefs 31-20 Chargers
Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC
These teams are trending in completely opposite directions. The Chiefs are scorching hot and my #1 team in the league right now as Patrick Mahomes continues to shred defenses en route to potentially another MVP. They’re getting everyone involved offensively, and the defense is finally playing up to its potential. The Chargers, meanwhile, won’t stop falling apart, and there’s nothing Justin Herbert can do about it. The defense isn’t good at all and is likely going to get torched once again by this unstoppable Chiefs offense. Precedent would suggest that this will be a close game due to this being the second meeting between these teams and it being in primetime at SoFi and whatnot. To that, I simply say that I do not care. The Chiefs are leagues better than the Chargers, and Mahomes shines on primetime no matter where he plays. Give me KC in dominant fashion.
49ers 23-14 Cardinals
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
We still don’t know who will be starting at QB for the Cardinals in this game, but it doesn’t matter. The 49ers are an infinitely better team that should be able to handle them all game long. Arizona is certainly competent, and either QB gives them a good shot to win, but San Francisco’s defense will simply be too much to overcome. The Mexico crowd should also have a blast watching the Niners run all over the Cardinals’ defense, which gives up the third most points per game in the league. There could be a lot more points scored in this game, but this feels right for where these two teams stand right now.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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.
Week 11 Picks
The 2021 season continues to roll on at a lightning-fast pace. It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway done already. There’s still plenty of ball left to be played, and this week promises to be a good one. I had a solid Week 10, going 8-5-1, which brings my season total to 91-57-1. Having a tie in there is so strange. Let’s get into this week’s picks:
Patriots 27-17 Falcons
Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX
Week 11 kicks off with a rematch of one of the best Super Bowls of the century, but the outlook of this game is obviously a lot different. What isn’t different is the fact that the Patriots are still good, as they enter this game as arguably the best team in the AFC. I’ve seen a lot of overreactions to the Pats lately, but I think it’s fair to overreact given how they’ve played. This shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them. The Falcons just got bulldozed by the Cowboys, and while teams usually bounce back after blowouts, I don’t see their offense doing much against this air-tight New England defense. Mac Jones and the offense should do more than enough against a bad Atlanta defense to get the job done fairly easily.
Bills 23-21 Colts
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
This 2020 playoff rematch is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week. These are two of the hottest teams in the AFC, but neither team feels very hot. They’ve both stumbled as of late, but on their best days, they can both beat anyone else in football. So, what gives in a matchup like this? Honestly? I don’t know. This is a really, really even matchup. Both of these teams have great offenses and are backed by equally great defenses. Part of me wants to lean towards the Colts because they can actually run the football. But, the Bills being at home, and also having Josh Allen at QB, are just enough for me to pick them in a very close, defensive battle. If there’s anything I know, it’s that this will be a close one, and a very fun one to watch.
Ravens 24-16 Bears
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Both of these teams aren’t playing the most ideal football in the world as it stands, but I know they’re both itching to get back on track. Both teams also come in fairly well-rested, as Chicago had a bye last week and Baltimore played on Thursday. To put it plainly, I just don’t see a team as talented as the Ravens dropping back to back games against bad teams. Last week probably lit a fire under them, and I think they’ll bring that fire to the field on Sunday and do just enough to stop a pesky Bears team. It might not be the biggest margin of victory, but this team is simply too good to lay down and die for a second consecutive time. But, I won’t be surprised in the slightest if/when Justin Fields and company make things interesting in the fourth.
Browns 29-17 Lions
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Surely the Browns don’t lose this game, right? The Lions might be starting Tim Boyle in this game for crying out loud. There’s just no way Cleveland loses. Especially after last week’s embarrassment. This is a team that wants to show the league that they’re still capable. Beating up on the winless Lions is a perfect opportunity to do so. If they can’t do that, then it might be time to stick a fork in them.
Titans 28-10 Texans
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Oh look, it’s the best team in the AFC against the worst team in the AFC! Does anything else really need to be said? Whatever the spread is, take Tennessee and forget it. You’re welcome in advance for the free money.
Packers 27-16 Vikings
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
You guys know how I feel about the Vikings. I really like this team, especially offensively, and I think they have what it takes to compete with anyone. But, this might be too tall of a task for them. Not only does Aaron Rodgers historically own this franchise, but the Packers defense is easily the best in football right now, and I can see Kirk Cousins having his monthly stinker in a matchup this tough. I think this is going to be a long day at the office for Minnesota on both sides of the ball, and another great win for the best team in football.
Dolphins 19-14 Jets
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Yuck. Don’t want anything to do with this game. At least the Dolphins have shown in 3 straight weeks now that they’re a team capable of winning games. The Jets have shown that a few times, but with Joe Flacco starting at QB, I just don’t see that being the case this week. Miami’s defense is riding a high after last week, and it won’t take much to shut down this New York offense. As long as their offense does its job, this shouldn’t be too difficult for the Fins. Unfortunately, they almost never do.
Eagles 23-20 Saints
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
I know it sounds weird, but this is honestly my most anticipated game of the week. These are two teams that I feel very strange about for different reasons, and I think this game will answer a ton of questions about both of them. I feel like the Eagles are a lot better than they seem, and they’ve certainly been playing like it. Meanwhile, the Saints are treading water despite all of their injury woes, and have been arguably the unluckiest team in football. I just don’t know how to feel about either team. I’m rolling with the Birds because I like the way they’ve been playing, and momentum is on their side. Not to mention it’s the dome-playing Saints on the road in frigid Philly. It will be a very tough test for Jalen Hurts and his offense against a very stout Saints defense, but I see the Eagles making more plays down the stretch than the Trevor Siemian-led Saints offense to pull this one out in a very, very close game.
Panthers 24-20 Washington
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Storylines are everywhere. The biggest one is Cam Newton vs. Ron Rivera, which isn’t something that I was expecting to happen this season. Cam’s return to Carolina has been well-documented by now, and while this isn’t some sort of Brady-Belichick-like rubber match, it’s still intriguing. Both of these teams need wins to keep their season afloat, so this should be a hard-fought, close game throughout. I have to take the better team, which has to be the Panthers. They’re getting healthy offensively, and while I have no idea what I’m going to see out of Cam on Sunday, he seems to bring the energy with him wherever he goes, and I think it’s going to lift this offense enough to overcome a Washington defense that looks like it’s returning to form. Moreover, the Panthers defense is riding a high after last week’s shutdown of the Cardinals, and I think they’ll force Taylor Heinicke and the WFT offense into enough mistakes to put this game away late.
49ers 30-14 Jaguars
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The 49ers appear to be back, although just one game isn’t going to tell us this team’s trajectory for the rest of the season. What I do know is that the Jaguars shouldn’t be too much of a problem for them. They’re not much of a problem for anyone. They’ve been pesky in recent weeks, but I just don’t see that being the case in this game, at least not for its entirety. The Niners offense is playing efficient and physical football, and their defense is making plenty of plays. Against a rookie QB and bad roster, they should have a field day.
Bengals 31-21 Raiders
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
I can definitely see this game being a blowout, but I am done picking blowouts. Never again. The Bengals are coming off a much-needed bye, while the Raiders are sinking in the world’s fastest quicksand. This one doesn’t feel like it’s going to be competitive. It feels like Vegas has nothing to play for, despite being in the thick of the AFC playoff race. And while the Bengals are treading water in the AFC North, I think they know that they can beat anyone if they play their best ball. This will be an inspired bunch looking to make up for back to back embarrassing losses, and I expect them to put it to a reeling Raiders team that is simply lacking any signs of life.
Cowboys 30-27 Chiefs
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
Well, this is it. Perhaps the most anticipated game of the season with more stars on the field than you can count. It’s going to be fun, no doubt, but our expectations need to be tempered. Everyone is riding the wave of the Chiefs after last week’s mightily impressive win in the desert, but this is still a team that has struggled all season long. The Cowboys, however, have barely struggled at all in 2021, and if last week was any indication, they took their one week of struggle very seriously. While I don’t think Dallas is going to roll in this game, I feel like they’re going to be comfortable for most of it. Patrick Mahomes seemingly has his mojo back, so perhaps he can pull off some magic to make things interesting late in the 4th quarter. But, the Cowboys have shown that they can win in the clutch as well. The better team will win this game.
Cardinals 28-17 Seahawks
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
The health of Kyler Murray is the NFL’s biggest mystery, and nobody knows when he’ll be back. Could it be this week? Next week? Next month? We don’t have a clue. I put my faith in Arizona’s B-team last week, but they let me down in a big way. However, I believe in second chances. This is a pick that will remain whether Kyler can go or not. The Seahawks are playing absolutely abysmal football with no signs of life on either side of the football. At least I know what the Cardinals are capable of, whether they’re playing starters or backups. This isn’t a team that’s going to drop back to back games to bad teams.
Chargers 23-17 Steelers
Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC
Sunday Night Football is full of questions and COVID issues. There are a plethora of Steelers players that are either out or in doubt for this game. Moreover, both of these teams are in a very weird spot right now. They both need a win desperately, and a loss will set them back in a huge way in this wild AFC playoff race. This is an easy pick for now, only because it’s likely that Mason Rudolph will start at QB once again for the Steelers. Last week inspired little-to-no confidence in Rudolph, so it’s easy to pick a Justin Herbert-led team to beat him. The Chargers haven’t inspired much confidence either, but surely they won’t lose to Mason Rudolph… right?
Buccaneers 27-20 Giants
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
One of the wonders of the world is why the Giants always cause Tom Brady so much trouble. This exact same matchup was on MNF last season, and New York very well could have won that game. Now, the Bucs are coming in off a poor loss to Washington, whereas the Giants are coming off a bye. All the makings are here for another upset. However, it’s just too hard to pick against Tom Brady. The status of both Gronk and AB are still in question, but even if they don’t play, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll have another poor performance. The Giants’ defense isn’t to be trifled with, but with Tampa being back home on primetime, it just feels impossible to pick against them. It’ll be close, but I just don’t see the Giants pulling off this upset.
All stats taken from ESPN.
Raza Talks Sports 