PackFan’s NFL Power Rankings 2018: Week 11

PackFan2005 This was the week that some teams playoff hopes diminished completely. However, some teams also breathed new life, and stayed in the playoff race. But where do they rank?

#1. New Orleans Saints (8-1)
After upsetting the Rams, it came as no surprise that they absolutely demolished the Bengals 51-14. Also on a side note, Drew Brees passed Brett Favre for second all time for touchdown passes. For me, it’s bitter-sweet.

#2. Los Angeles Rams (9-1)
Very close win over the Seahawks that came down to the wire. For now, they retain the #1 seed in the NFC. But one slip up could change everything.

#3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
Well, it actually started out slow against the Cardinals of all teams, but like most expected, the AFC’s top team prevailed, and now sit at 9-1. With the Patriots losing, it sets them up further to get the #1 seed in the AFC.

#4. Los Angeles Chargers (7-2) +1 ⬆️
Well, it was a slow game against the Raiders, but they still ended with a win, and another chance at taking a higher seed in the playoffs.

#5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2-1) +4 ⬆️
In what most expected to be a struggle against two playoff teams, turned out to be a lopsided rout with the Steelers pulling out 52 points against a strong Panthers team. Pittsburgh showed on Thursday that they are a complete team, and now they sit with the #2 seed in the AFC.

#6. New England Patriots (7-3) -2 ⬇️
Their loss confused me in many ways. After looking like a Super Bowl contender for a few weeks, they went back to how they were against the Lions, only putting up 10 points again. They need to be more consistent to contend for the super bowl, and they can’t lose games like this against the Titans.

#7. Chicago Bears (6-3)
Defense dominated alongside a strong Mitchell Trubisky in yet another rout, this time of a struggling division rival. Chicago still maintains the lead in the NFC North, and may win it for the first time since 2010.

#8. Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1)
After their bye week, they head into a huge NFC North face off that may decide the division. They can not let their guard up.

#9. Carolina Panthers (6-3) -3 ⬇️
Was it just an off day for them? I still don’t know, and it’s beyond me how their defense, which has been good this season, gave up 52 points. Sure, Pittsburgh has an elite offense, but 52 points is straight up unacceptable. That’s not what a playoff team does. Now they are farther behind the Saints in the NFC South.

#10. Houston Texans (6-3)
Much needed bye week for them to get healthy. Now they have stiff competition with the Titans and Colts resurging in the south.

#11. Washington Redskins (6-3) +1 ⬆️
Sure, it was quite a slow win over the Buccaneers, but a win is a win, and now they lead the mediocre NFC East by two games. If they win these next few and their division rivals keep losing, the division will be theirs for the taking.

#12. Green Bay Packers (4-4-1) +4 ⬆️
It’s yet to be seen if Aaron Rodgers will run the table again, but a 31-12 win over the Dolphins is a good way to start. They have to keep the momentum going into a difficult Seattle game on Thursday Night.

#13. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) -2 ⬇️
I can’t drop them too far because they played the NFL’s best team, and did better than most thought. Well, besides giving up 51 points, but as for offense, it wasn’t too shabby.

#14. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) +1 ⬆️
The bye week was much needed for a team that suddenly has a losing record and is falling behind in the AFC playoff race.

#15. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) -1 ⬇️
Unfortunately for the super Bowl champions, after a loss to the Cowboys, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Saints are coming up next, and they are a more complete team. If Philly falls to 4-6, their playoff hopes are gone.

#16. Atlanta Falcons (4-5) -3 ⬇️
Just when we thought the Falcons were getting hot and making a beeline for the wild card round, the Browns beat them. Haven’t heard that much, ay? The Browns of all teams blew a gaping hole in Atlanta’s playoff quest, and like the Eagles, are in a precarious spot right now at 4-5.

#17. Seattle Seahawks (4-5)
Just imagine what would have happened if Seattle has upset the Rams. Well, in fact, they nearly did. But they were a first down short of it. Ironically, besides the Cardinals, all the NFC bird teams are 4-5. There will be a huge competition for a wild card spot among them.

#18. Tennessee Titans (5-4) +2 ⬆️
Well here’s something. The Titans upset the Patriots by a large margin, and that’s not easy for even the best of teams to do. So what can we take from that? The Titans are deep into the race for the #6 seed.

#19. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
Unlike most of the other 4-5 teams, the Colts are legitimate playoff contenders. Now, you wouldn’t have heard someone say that at the beginning of the season, but now, you just have to wonder if they really can sneak in. There’s only one space left for grabs (Chargers have practically locked up the #5 seed), and the Colts are in a big race to get to it.

#20. Miami Dolphins (5-5) -2 ⬇️
Despite starting the season 3-0, the Dolphins playoff hopes are in jeopardy after a brutal loss to the Packers. Injuries are also starting to pile up. Ryan Tannehill, Albert Wilson, and Jakeem Grant are among them. Perhaps they’d be better off with those three healthy.

#21. Dallas Cowboys (4-5) +4 ⬆️
The Cowboys saved their tumultuous season with a big Sunday Night win over their division rival Eagles. Now they’re fighting along with the Super Bowl champions to dethrone the 6-3 Redskins. Before the season, I never thought I would type that sentence.

#22. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)
It might be time to face the facts. The Jaguars season is over. Yes, it happened way earlier than we thought. Here’s what they have learned. Blake Bortles is not the answer. Move on. Next.

#23. Cleveland Browns (3-6-1) +5 ⬆️
Baker Mayfield said he woke up “feeling dangerous,” and proceeded to maul the Falcons alongside fellow rookie Nick Chubb. Cleveland showed a sign of life, and that’s a good sign going into next season.

#24. Detroit Lions (3-6) -3 ⬇️
Was firing Jim Caldwell the right move? Caldwell went 9-7 consecutive years in 2016 and 2017, and made the playoffs in ‘16. Now, Matt Patricia is 3-6 in his first year with the Lions. It may just be his first season, so Detroit will probably give him a few more seasons to fix this team, who has looked confused and lost the last few weeks.

#25. Denver Broncos (3-6) -2 ⬇️
Don’t worry, I have an explanation as to why I dropped them during their bye week. It’s just because their schedule isn’t in their favor the next three weeks. They have to play the Chargers, Steelers, and Bengals, all of whom have winning records. That may put them at 3-9, and cost Vance Joseph his job.

#26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) -2 ⬇️
These are the Buccaneers we have been accustomed to seeing the last few years. 500 yards of offense and only 3 points? I’d be worried if I was Dirk Koetter.

#27. San Francisco 49ers (2-8) -1 ⬇️
Looks like Mullens mania is over, as the third stringer fell back down to earth against the Giants, and even managed to lose to them. Good news is, they are in a prime spot for a top five draft pick.

#28. Buffalo Bills (3-7) +3 ⬆️
Apparently Matt Barkley was the answer for this team at quarterback, as he made the Bills offense look good in a mauling of the Jets. Subsequently, Buffalo finally had enough sense to cut Nathan Peterman. It’s about time!

#29. New York Giants (2-7)
You would think that since they won, I would move them up. Well you are wrong. This team is still utterly awful, and won against the Nick Mullens led 49ers. Also, why did they win? They could have ranked to try to take the first overall pick from the Raiders.

#30. Arizona Cardinals (2-7)
Somehow, this team kept up with the Chiefs for a bit. But of course, it didn’t last long, and now they have fallen to 2-7. However, what I’ve learned is that they aren’t as bad as I saw them earlier this season.

#31. New York Jets (3-7) -4 ⬇️
You know you’re bad when the Buffalo Bills score 41 points against you and hold you to 10 points. I’ve clearly had New York too high in these rankings for a while.

#32. Oakland Raiders (1-8)
The only good things to come out of the Raiders season are...
1. They will most likely get the first overall draft pick in 2019.
2. We have a team to pity and laugh at again.

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