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Several of the NFL’s red-hot offensive powers had big games last week to set the tone for the final two months of the season. At the same time, several contenders took rough, unexpected defeats to create some mystery about their remaining seasons.
Here is a look at our updated NFL power rankings going into Week 11.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture
NFL power rankings
1. New Orleans Saints 8-1 (last week: 1)
The Saints ran and pbaded at will in Cincinnati, and they also made big plays on defense. They keep finding ways to pile on to what they already do well.
2. Kansas City Chiefs 9-1 (last week: 3)
The Chiefs proved they can win a gritty game when Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt are not automatic. That bodes well for the tougher conditions in December and in the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Rams 9-1 (last week: 4)
The Rams’ defense still had plenty of leaks against the Seahawks, this time with more woes against the run than against the pbad. Their front-line pbad rush proved it can still come to the rescue in key moments.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2-1 (last week: 6)
The Steelers did not step off the offensive pedal against the Panthers, and their defense also has found some big-pay juice. They’re finally looking as explosive as we thought they could be.
5. Los Angeles Chargers 7-2 (last week: 5)
The Chargers have no trouble dispatching teams not named the Chiefs or Rams. They’re starting to make more than just the Chiefs nervous in AFC.
6. New England Patriots 7-3 (last week: 2)
The Patriots could not get anything going on the road against the Titans, as the hosts used their New England knowledge against them in every way. They need the bye to get healthy and regroup with Tom Brady in a rare funk.
7. Minnesota Vikings 5-3-1 (last week: 8)
The Vikings during their bye did not get the help they needed to sneak back into first place, but their running game and defense both are built to serve them better down the stretch. Expect a lot more Dalvin Cook to take the pressure off Kirk Cousins.
8. Carolina Panthers 6-3 (last week: 7)
The Panthers saw the lights go out early in a Thursday night disappointment in Pittsburgh. Back in the NFC, they remain a formidable wild-card favorite.
9. Houston Texans 6-3 (last week: 9)
The Texans had a bye to get a healthier, but they probably wanted to keep up the momentum after winning six consecutive games. They need to come out running the ball well to support Deshaun Watson and the defense more consistently.
10. Chicago Bears 6-3 (last week: 10)
The Bears excel at beating up on bad teams, which is important on the road to become a good playoff team. The surprise NFC North leaders have a shot to go totally legit vs. Minnesota on Sunday night.
11. Washington Redskins 6-3 (last week: 14)
The Redskins decided to go back to winning ugly in Tampa Bay, and no one can argue with the results. And now, suddenly, they’re back to having a two-game cushion in the NFC East.
12. Tennessee Titans 5-4 (last week: 19)
The Titans backed up their Cowboys road win with their dismantling of the Patriots at home with Marcus Mariota, the running game and defense all continuing to roll after the bye. Mike Vrabel keeps proving the doubters wrong.
13. Green Bay Packers 4-4-1 (last week: 16)
That was a nice home win over the Dolphins, because the Packers did what they needed to do: run the ball well with Aaron Jones and dominate on defense so there was not the typical overload on Aaron Rodgers.
14. Cincinnati Bengals 5-4 (last week: 13)
The Bengals’ offense without A.J. Green was not as bad as the score indicated against on the Saints. Unfortunately, their injury-riddled defense, especially against the run, was terrible in every aspect against a balanced juggernaut.
15. Philadelphia Eagles 4-5 (last week: 11)
The Eagles are not running the ball well, having major defensive lapses and not winning at home. The only way they somewhat resemble the Super Bowl 52 champs is the play of Carson Wentz and Zach Ertz.
16. Atlanta Falcons 4-5 (last week: 12)
The Falcons managed to make us believe the outdoor road clunkers were finished for Matt Ryan, but then they got rocked in Cleveland. The upset also was a reminder of how Atlanta is not past its major defensive issues.
17. Dallas Cowboys 4-5 (last week: 21)
The Cowboys got a season-salvaging victory in Philadelphia to stay alive in the NFC playoff race. However, there’s still a long way to go before Jason Garrett can totally save his tenure.
18. Miami Dolphins 5-5 (last week: 15)
The Dolphins had another listless performance on the road in Green Bay to match their inconsistent, inexplicable ways all season. They’re much shakier than their .500 record indicates.
19. Indianapolis Colts 4-5 (last week: 20)
The Colts are very much alive in both the AFC South and wild-card races after holding off the reeling Jaguars. Andrew Luck is playing like an MVP, minus the winning record.
20. Seattle Seahawks 4-5 (last week: 17)
The Seahawks are trying their best to contend as a run-heavy team, but key mistakes by their defense and pbading game have cost them in close, frustrating losses.
21. Baltimore Ravens 4-5 (last week: 18)
The Ravens are coming off a bye with the futures of Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh in doubt. They can quickly change the free-falling narrative with a revenge win over the Bengals.
22. Cleveland Browns 3-6-1 (last week: 27)
Baker Mayfield and the offense, paired with interim coach Gregg Williams and the defense, have provided the juice that was missing with Hue Jackson. There’s no doubt Cleveland made the right No. 1 overall draft choice.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-6 (last week: 22)
Doug Marrone got Leonard Fournette back after the bye to do his part, but the rest of the team, including the no-longer vaunted “Sacksonville” defense, continues to be a mbadive letdown. The coach now has little overall control of the team.
24. Detroit Lions 3-6 (last week: 23)
The Lions’ run defense had been the biggest issue, but then Darius Slay’s absence left the pbad defense exposed in Chicago. The transition to being grittier in that area for Matt Patricia will need to wait, but at least the running game identity has already arrived.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-6 (last week: 24)
The Buccaneers continue to be an exercise in one-dimensional offensive futility. Ryan Fitzpatrick basically has one trick for Fitzmagic, and the whole act with Dirk Koetter has grown tiresome, especially when it gets so “pointless.”
26. Denver Broncos 3-6 (last week: 26)
The Broncos are coming out of a critical bye week with a ton of pressure on Vance Joseph going forward. The schedule does them no favors with the Chargers, Steelers and Bengals next.
27. Buffalo Bills 3-7 (last week: 30)
Go figure: It took starting Matt Barkley on the road to wake up the Bills’ offense and back up their strong efforts in pbad defense. It’s a credit to Sean McDermott that his team is still grinding when shorthanded.
28. San Francisco 49ers 2-7 (last week: 28)
The 49ers keep playing hard, and Nick Mullens has provided the latest offensive spark for Kyle Shanahan. But there’s not enough duct tape to make up for the defensive injuries.
29. New York Jets 3-7 (last week: 25)
The Jets’ awful all-around performance against the Bills at home Sunday was a disaster from which Todd Bowles won’t recover.
30. Arizona Cardinals 2-7 (last week: 29)
The Cardinals have had more positive vibes of late with David Johnson and their defense, but Josh Rosen will be taking many more rookie lumps.
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW:
Biggest takeaways from Week 10 in NFL
31. New York Giants 1-7 (last week: 31)
Some of the talent on the team suggests the Giants should be more successful in Pat Shurmur’s first year. Then you remember the consistent lack of execution.
32. Oakland Raiders 1-8 (last week: 32)
Jon Gruden is running out of words to explain all that’s wrong with his team. He will need more than better luck for the Raiders to return to respectability next year.
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