With Thanksgiving just eight days away, last season’s Super Bowl participants are in the top two spots of the Week 11 NFL power rankings ahead of a showdown this Monday night.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) | Last week: 1
While both squads had the bye week the prepare for the Super Bowl rematch, the Eagles might’ve taken the extra time to structure the offensive attack without tight end Dallas Goedert (forearm) in the lineup. The Philly defense, which has had some troubles versus the pass this year, will no doubt be determined at KC.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) | Last week: 3 (+1)
Andy Reid has exceled after the bye week throughout his career—and in general, his teams have played better through the end of the season after their bye week. The Chiefs are 25-3 in stretches following their bye week since 2019. They’ll certainly have a good plan of attack at home this Monday night.
3. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) | Last week: 2 (-1)
The Ravens have trailed for just 28:46 this season, and the other four teams in the top five of least time spent trailing the past four decades started 10-0. So, the loss to the Browns was another incredibly tough one for the Ravens. A pick-six by the offense played a huge hand in the loss, but look for the Baltimore defense to be angry after giving up the lead last week.
4. Detroit Lions (7-2) | Last week: 4
The defense perhaps not having quite enough firepower compared to top teams in the league is a concern, but the Lions can score with anyone if a shootout breaks out. I like that CBS announcer Tony Romo talked up Jared Goff in the 41-38 win at the Chargers last week, as not enough people realize how well the former No. 1 pick is playing.
5. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Coming off the bye, the 49ers emphatically ended their three-game skid in a blowout victory at Jacksonville, with everyone on offense getting in on the party and the defense dominating in their first game with Chase Young. The lone downside to the win was that Christian McCaffrey’s touchdown streak ended at a record-tying 17 games.
6. Dallas Cowboys (6-3) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Dak Prescott has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to two interceptions the past three games, and the Cowboys did virtually whatever they wanted through the air versus the Giants. It looked like one of my intramural flag football games in college when we faced inferior teams. CeeDee Lamb set an NFL record with three consecutive games of ten-plus receptions and 150+ receiving yards. Unbelievably, some didn’t think that Lamb was a No. 1 receiver entering this season.
7. Miami Dolphins (6-3) | Last week: 10 (+3)
A major reinforcement is on the way for Miami after the week off, with star rookie running back De’Von Achane—with 455 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns with a YPC over 12.1 in his three games before going on IR—back from his knee injury to face the Raiders. Also, the Dolphins’ in-season Hard Knocks debut comes next Tuesday.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) | Last week: 5 (-3)
Joe Burrow uncharacteristically threw a couple of late interceptions at home in the loss to the Texans, and the Cincinnati defense took a step back after excellent recent play. Bengals-Ravens on Thursday Night Football this week should be a tremendous playoff rematch between the rivals.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) | Last week: 8 (-1)
As we’ve seen throughout the season, off games happen—and, while the 49ers deserve a ton of credit for the way they played, it’s clear the Jaguars were off a bit, too. That said, being off has been nothing new for the passing game this year, and they need some type of jolt there. As usual, I’d like to see more Travis Etienne Jr. and work the play action off him.
10. Buffalo Bills (5-5) | Last week: 9 (-1)
I think offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was somewhat of a scapegoat in Buffalo. The players simply need to play better. That said, I’m interested to see how interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady—recently a hot potential head coach candidate—fares. More tempo and more Josh Allen running could open things up, but it’ll be a tough task facing the Jets defense this Sunday.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) | Last week: 11
The Steelers defense ended their second consecutive week with a game-sealing interception with the other team down four points and driving for a potential game-winning touchdown. It doesn’t need to be super pretty on offense right now; Pittsburgh is finding a way to win games and is on track to get into the dance.
12. Seattle Seahawks (6-3) | Last week: 13 (+1)
A great second half by Geno Smith and the passing offense in their win against the Commanders could be something that jumpstarts an inconsistent attack in the second half of the season. Facing a Rams team that handled them in the season opener, this week will be a good test for Seattle.
13. Cleveland Browns (6-3) | Last week: 15 (+2)
The Browns are without Deshaun Watson (shoulder) for the rest of the year, as a new injury is a shoulder fracture that could lead to more damage if he takes another hit. The good news for Cleveland—coming off the improbable comeback win at Baltimore—is that they are set up to play through the run game and strong defense.
14. Minnesota Vikings (6-4) | Last week: 16 (+2)
Joshua Dobbs’ play remains one of the best sports stories of 2023, as he’s played a huge role in keeping the Vikings not only afloat—but thriving—in the NFC playoff picture following a win over the Saints. I probably hit on it every week, but the Minnesota defense is no joke with their aggressive style of play under Brian Flores.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) | Last week: 12 (-3)
Justin Herbert’s outing against the Lions felt like one of those funny Angels tweets for the MLB (“Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani combine for seven hits, three home runs, Angels lose 11-5.”), with the Chargers defense not performing in a much tougher matchup against the Lions than they faced the previous two games.
16. Houston Texans (5-4) | Last week: 20 (+4)
Lost in the C.J. Stroud top-notch play and MVP talk is just how quickly DeMeco Ryans has gotten the entire Texans team to buy-in and play at a high level. The defense is playing with the type of energy we see from Ryans’ run as the 49ers defensive coordinator, and the run game found some life with Devin Singletary (30 carries, 150 yards, one touchdown) in the Week 10 win at Cincy.
17. Denver Broncos (4-5) | Last week: 18 (+1)
With the progress they were making defensively, it was clear the Broncos should not have been totally counted out of the AFC if they could weather the storm of facing the Chiefs and Bills—and they not only weathered the storm but won both games behind stellar defense and an offense that’s made enough plays. For all the criticism Sean Payton got early this season, he’s done a good job in Year 1 with Denver.
18. Indianapolis Colts (5-5) | Last week: 19 (+1)
Facing the Patriots offense certainly helped, but the Colts defense had a stronger outing allowing just six points after giving up 37+ their previous three contests. There wasn’t a ton of room to run, but Shane Steichen appears set to ride All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor as Indy looks to compete for a playoff spot in the crowded AFC.
19. New Orleans Saints (5-5) | Last week: 14 (-5)
Jameis Winston nearly led the Saints back after entering with a big deficit following Derek Carr leaving due to the concussion protocol, and he did so by giving his weapons opportunities to make plays. Carr now has the bye week to get cleared with New Orleans at 5-5 ahead of Thanksgiving.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) | Last week: 21 (+1)
The Raiders continued to ride Josh Jacobs—and they finally were able to get Davante Adams (six receptions, 86 yards) more involved—in their Sunday night win over the Jets, improving to 2-0 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. It’s interesting that the NBC broadcast noted that Pierce told Jacobs and linebacker Robert Spillane that he’s their franchise building blocks on each side of the ball, and Spillane came up with another big interception late in the Week 10 victory.
21. New York Jets (4-5) | Last week: 17 (-4)
I totally agree with Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s assessment that Zach Wilson is actually playing pretty well. That interception was a backbreaker, but it was his only big mistake of the night and he made some positive eye-opening throws late in the game, too. Overall, the Jets need to protect better, and they need receivers outside of Garrett Wilson to step up.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) | Last week: 24 (+2)
Running back Rachaad White (106.3 total yards per game over the past four games) has brought some much-needed balance—even if it’s not necessarily coming on carries—to the Bucs offense, and it finally led to a win after three close losses the previous three weeks. The defense bounced back facing another rookie quarterback, but this Sunday against the Niners will be a massive challenge.
23. Washington Commanders (4-6) | Last week: 22 (-1)
There have been positive takeaways through ten games for the Commanders, but they still sit at 4-6 with a few tight losses. They have the Giants at home in Week 11, so getting to 5-6 is a must. Second-year receiver Jahan Dotson needs more targets after no catches last week.
24. Atlanta Falcons (4-6) | Last week: 23 (-1)
The Falcons have been involved in a ton of close losses the past couple of seasons, and head coach Arthur Smith will reportedly be back in 2024 barring a disaster down the stretch—which I’m not surprised by. Despite fantasy people (arguably understandably to a large extent) not being happy with Smith’s usage of playmakers, Atlanta is building and shouldn’t just pull the plug before Year 3.
25. Green Bay Packers (3-6) | Last week: 25
Another team that’s been in tight games with chances to win in the end this year, the Packers were on the wrong end of what I feel was an awful call on what looked like a clear backwards pass that should’ve been their ball at the goal line in the loss to the Steelers. One of the most disappointing developments for Green Bay this year has been Jordan Love and Christian Watson not really getting on the same page to connect on big plays we saw from Watson as a rookie.
26. Los Angeles Rams (3-6) | Last week: 27 (+1)
Matthew Stafford (thumb) is ready to go following the bye after missing one game, and getting Cooper Kupp (under 100 yards combined the previous three outings) is an obvious key for the Rams starting this week versus the Seahawks.
27. Tennessee Titans (3-6) | Last week: 26 (-1)
The Bucs were able to shut down Derrick Henry and the run game for the Titans, putting rookie quarterback Will Levis in a difficult spot versus Tampa. Getting Henry going this week for an AFC South matchup with the Jaguars would make things easier on everyone.
28. Arizona Cardinals (2-8) | Last week: 30 (+2)
Kyler Murray looks completely back in his first action since the torn ACL, doing some damage with his legs and throwing some beautiful deep balls while leading the Cardinals to a comeback win over the Falcons. Running back James Conner should also contribute more after working his way back into the lineup last week.
29. Chicago Bears (3-7) | Last week: 29
The Bears are 3-3 in their past six games after an 0-4 start to the year, and they appear set to get Justin Fields (thumb) back after missing the past four games (2-2). I believe Fields might have benefitted from the time on the sidelines, but he’ll be thrown immediately into the lion’s den for a battle with Detroit.
30. New England Patriots (2-8) | Last week: 28 (-2)
Bill Belichick decided to bench Mac Jones with another shot to win the game in Germany, and I understand Belichick’s frustration after Jones severely underthrew what should’ve been a go-ahead touchdown to tight end Mike Gesicki minutes earlier. New England has the bye week to determine the direction they want to go at quarterback.
31. New York Giants (2-8) | Last week: 31
The Giants quite honestly didn’t look like they belonged on the same field with the Cowboys last week, and it’s obvious why frustration might be boiling over. There are some winnable games on the schedule on paper, but the roster is in tough shape with the injuries.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-8) | Last week: 32
This basically sums it up for the Panthers this season:
Can someone describe Carolina’s offense to me?
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 10, 2023