NFL Power Rankings: Week 11
by Dave Ryan
Nineteen NFL teams remain alive at 5-4 or better, as the playoff race begins to tighten in each conference heading into week eleven.
1. Tennessee Titans (9-0)
Previous Rank: 1
On a day where their running game was completely shut down, quarterback Kerry Collins stepped up to help move Tennessee’s undefeated streak to nine games. Collins tossed two touchdowns in the win, after totaling a mere three in the season’s first half. A Week 11 trip to Jacksonville looks like a trap game, though, as the Titans look to win their tenth straight.
Next Game: at JAX (No. 20)
2. New York Giants (8-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Now that the Giants have taken out Philadelphia, Dallas and Pittsburgh in consecutive weeks, you’d be hard pressed to find a team more deserving of the No. 2 spot in the rankings behind Tennessee. With the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack, New York is on pace to rush for more than 2,700 yards this season. It all starts with the Giants’ much improved offensive line, which continues to perform as well as any unit in the league.
Next Game: vs. BAL (No. 10)
3. Carolina Panthers (7-2)
Previous Rank: 5
Despite the ugly win over Oakland on Sunday, with quarterback Jake Delhomme throwing four interceptions, Carolina still moved into first place in the NFC South. Former first-round pick DeAngelo Williams has taken a firm grasp on the starting tailback job, and he went over 100 yards for the second straight game. The Panthers get the winless Lions this weekend and have a great opportunity to extend their lead in the division.
Next Game: vs. DET (No. 32)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
Previous Rank: 3
If three rough weeks is a long enough stretch to be considered a slump, then Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is definitely slumping. With eight interceptions compared to only one touchdown pass in that span, Roethlisberger needs to turn things around against a dangerous San Diego squad in Week 11.
Next Game: vs. SD (No. 19)
5. New England Patriots (6-3)
Previous Rank: 8
Even on a weekend in which they shut down divisional-rival Buffalo, the Patriots hardly gained any breathing room as the Jets also won a tough game to tie them for first. New England will have the opportunity to gain the upper hand on the AFC East against Brett Favre and the Jets on Thursday, in what looks like one of the more intriguing match-ups of week.
Next Game: vs. NYJ (No. 13)
6. Washington Redskins (6-3)
Previous Rank: 6
Not only did the Redskins get some time to rest, but they also added a big-time free agent over their bye week. Cut by the Raiders after signing a seven-year $70 million contract in the offseason, DeAngelo Hall enters the Washington secondary with a new sense of purpose. Hall will be needed this weekend against a rested Cowboys squad that could benefit from the return of quarterback Tony Romo.
Next Game: vs. DAL (No. 8 )
7. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
Previous Rank: 7
Don’t look now, but the Indianapolis Colts are looking sharp and have won two straight big games. While everyone was so quick to write them off a couple weeks ago, the Colts have been rewarded with back-to-back perfect performances by Peyton Manning. Despite the NFL’s worst rushing attack, Indianapolis is, at worst, a serious threat for an AFC wildcard spot.
Next Game: vs. HOU (No. 25)
8. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
Previous Rank: 9
In what is shaping up to be their most crucial game so far this season, the Cowboys are still unsure if injured quarterback Tony Romo will be able to play this weekend against the Redskins. Dallas remains only one game back of second place in the division, and they might need a healthy Romo to have any chance to get a win on Sunday.
Next Game: at WAS (No. 6)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
Previous Rank: 4
With an offense that ranks third in the conference and fifth in the league in total points, the Eagles clearly have what it takes bounce back after their Week 10 loss to the Giants. It’s their defense that has been an area of concern lately, but that might not even matter Sunday against the anemic Bengals.
Next Game: at CIN (No. 30)
10. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Previous Rank: 11
During Baltimore’s current four-game winning streak, the team is averaging nearly 34 points per game and has only turned the ball over twice. Better yet, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has not thrown an interception in that stretch, and he finally looks to be getting comfortable with his role as starter. Flacco will be tested against the Giants and their second-ranked pass defense this Sunday, as the Ravens look to make a big statement against New York.
Next Game: at NYG (No. 2)
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)
Previous Rank: 14
They came close to letting the game slip away in the final seconds, but the Cardinals came up huge on defense Monday to grab their sixth win of the year. The win extended Arizona’s lead to a remarkable four games in the NFC West, and it should only be only a short time before they will have the division locked up for good. As long as Kurt Warner continues to play like an MVP candidate, Arizona should keep on surprising its opponents.
Next Game: at SEA (No. 26)
12. Denver Broncos (5-4)
Previous Rank: 12
As injuries continue to cripple Denver’s backfield, more and more pressure is added to the shoulders of quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler responded in a big way with 447 yards passing in Thursday’s win over Cleveland and bounced back nicely after getting picked off three times the previous week. The 88 passes Cutler has thrown over the past two games are no fluke, so expect Denver to lean on him heavily as the season progresses.
Next Game: at ATL (No. 15)
13. New York Jets (6-3)
Previous Rank: 17
Quarterback Brett Favre might grab the headlines, but New York remains a contender because of their much improved running game, featuring Thomas Jones. After being ranked 19th in the league on the ground last season, the Jets rank among the league’s best in both total yardage and yards per rush in 2008. With eight rushing touchdowns on the year, Jones could easily find himself voted into his first career Pro Bowl if he continues his pace.
Next Game: at NE (No. 5)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
Previous Rank: 15
While the Buccaneers will try to beat teams with their ball-control rushing game, quarterback Jeff Garcia and the offense are averaging 292 yards per game in their last three. Adding to this aerial attack has been the emergence of fifth-year receiver Michael Clayton, who has battled through inconsistencies the past few years after an outstanding rookie season. Clayton’s improved play has given the offense a new dimension, as he should see more passes in the second half of the season.
Next Game: vs. MIN (No. 21)
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
Previous Rank: 22
No longer just an upstart team, Atlanta has moved into the category of serious contender in the NFC with their latest win. The offensive trio of Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White remains one of the more potent groups of weapons in the league, and they look primed to go wild against Denver’s 29th ranked defense in Week 11.
Next Game: vs. DEN (No. 12)
16. New Orleans Saints (4-5)
Previous Rank: 10
A season-high three interceptions by quarterback Drew Brees crippled the Saints’ chances on Sunday, and the team’s shot at the postseason became a bit more bleak. Brees remains on pace to shatter the NFL record for passing yardage in a season, but the Saints still cannot effectively establish a formidable ground game. The return of Reggie Bush is what this team is holding out for, but it could prove to be too little too late.
Next Game: at KC (No. 28 )
17. Green Bay Packers (4-5)
Previous Rank: 13
The Packers were only a few inches from their fifth win of the year on Sunday, but Mason Crosby’s missed field goal now forces Green Bay into a precarious situation at 4-5. The loss of leading tackler Nick Barnett to a torn ACL in the game might have actually hurt worse than the loss, as replacing Barnett’s role in the defense will be a challenge.
Next Game: vs. CHI (No. 18 )
18. Chicago Bears (5-4)
Previous Rank: 16
It wasn’t Rex Grossman’s play that caused the Bears to drop their fourth game of the year Sunday. With that said, the much-maligned quarterback’s tenure appears to be coming to a close after only one game. Starter Kyle Orton remains optimistic about suiting up in Week 11, which would push Grossman back to the bench and give Chicago a much more realistic chance of winning.
Next Game: at GB (No. 17)
19. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
Previous Rank: 20
San Diego saw their season flash before their eyes on Sunday after surrendering a last-second drive to the Chiefs, but they were let off the hook as Kansas City failed to convert a game-winning two point conversion. A trip to Pittsburgh Sunday could be a problem from the Chargers, who are 1-4 on the road this season.
Next Game: at PIT (No. 4)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)
Previous Rank: 19
Although the Jaguars took care of business against the Lions on Sunday, there’s still a long way to go if they plan on making a repeat appearance in the playoffs. Currently there are nine AFC teams that have a better records than Jacksonville, making this weekend’s match-up with Tennessee a must-win game.
Next Game: vs. TEN (No. 1)
21. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)
Previous Rank: 21
The solution is simple: get the ball to Adrian Peterson and good things will happen. The talented runner did it all by himself on Sunday en route to his best performance of the year. When Peterson runs the ball 25 times or more, the Vikings are 3-1, so it’s obvious what needs to be done if Minnesota wants to keep its win streak alive.
Next Game: at TB (No. 14)
22. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
Previous Rank: 18
If the panic button is in reach for the Bills right now, they have probably already pushed it. Buffalo went down for the third straight week Sunday, and they are now clawing to stay afloat in the AFC race. Buffalo’s inability to create turnovers has plagued them for most of the year, but they will get an opportunity to change that against Cleveland’s Brady Quinn in his second career start.
Next Game: vs. CLE (No. 24)
23. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
Previous Rank: 23
Picking up their third-straight victory, the Dolphins kept their miraculous turnaround season churning with a win over the Seahawks on Sunday. Miami’s defense, led by linebacker Joey Porter, continue to stifle opposing offenses, as the relentless tackler leads the NFL with 12 sacks through nine games. With games against Oakland and St. Louis in two of their next three, the Dolphins could be thinking about the playoffs before it’s all said and done.
Next Game: vs. OAK (No. 31)
24. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
Previous Rank: 24
Over the past three weeks, Cleveland has allowed 978 passing yards and seven touchdowns through the air. The Browns have only intercepted one pass in that span, and it came on Thursday against the Broncos when they yielded nearly 450 yards to quarterback Jay Cutler. Without a serious pass rush to keep opposing quarterbacks off balance, the Browns will remain extremely weak at stopping other teams from racking up the yardage.
Next Game: at BUF (No. 22)
25. Houston Texans (3-6)
Previous Rank: 25
The woes continue for Houston when quarterback Sage Rosenfels is on the field. Houston’s backup has turned the ball over eight times and the Texans are 0-3 in games where he has thrown a pass, indicating that this team needs Matt Schaub to return from injury as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Schaub could easily sit out three more games, leaving little hope for this team in the near future.
Next Game: at IND (No. 7)
26. Seattle Seahawks (2-7)
Previous Rank: 26
Another week without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck led to another Seattle defeat, as the Seahawks remain one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams in 2008. The three-way tie with St. Louis and San Francisco at 2-7 is painful to watch, as the Cardinals likely have already clinched the division. At the very least, Hasselbeck’s return could help Seattle in their effort to climb out of the cellar.
Next Game: vs. ARI (No. 11)
27. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)
Previous Rank: 28
Even if it looked like the 49ers turned a corner this past Monday, it was still just more of the same for their struggling offense. Newly entrenched starter Shaun Hill turned the ball over three times and failed to complete half of his passes, as suspect play calling and costly penalties derailed their chances yet again. Up next is fellow cellar dweller St. Louis, in a game that probably won’t have many television viewers.
Next Game: vs. STL (No. 29)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-8 )
Previous Rank: 29
Close games have made cost the Chiefs this season, and last Sunday was no different. Despite failing a two point conversion attempt that would have won the game, Kansas City lost their third-straight game by four points or less and their fifth-straight overall. Things have looked promising on offense as of late, but the Chiefs remain 1-8 and still can’t seem to find a way to close out an opponent.
Next Game: vs. NO (No. 16)
29. St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Previous Rank: 27
The initial optimism with new coach Jim Haslett has cooled off, and the Rams have come back to reality with their third-straight loss. Sunday was an all-time low however, as St. Louis gave up 40 first-half points in a blow out by the Jets. As expected, things are a mess for the Rams right now, and it’s probably foolish to expect anything else out of these guys for the rest of the year.
Next Game: at SF (No. 27)
30. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8 )
Previous Rank: 31
Led by a former seventh-round pick at quarterback, the Bengals head into a weekend match-up with Philadelphia looking for an unprecedented second-straight victory. There isn’t a team in the league who has been worse so far on offense, and yet there is still a sliver of hope as running back Cedric Benson and receiver Chad Ochocinco improve each week.
Next Game: vs. PHI (No. 9)
31. Oakland Raiders (2-7)
Previous Rank: 30
If fans have been frustrated by the play of second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell so far this season, then Week 10’s horrible performance out of backup Andrew Walter might have been enough to take a little pressure off Russell. Walter was picked twice and fumbled the ball three times in Sunday’s loss, proving that there’s not a whole lot to be excited about in Oakland regardless of who is under center.
Next Game: at MIA (No. 23)
32. Detroit Lions (0-9)
Previous Rank: 32
Nevermind the one-yard touchdown pass he threw early in the game, Drew Stanton was completely uninspiring in his first NFL game. The second-year quarterback was sacked five times and held the ball far too long to be considered effective. Detroit could be in trouble in Week 11 against the Panthers, as defensive end Julius Peppers looks as dangerous as ever.
Next Game: at CAR (No. 3)