NFL Power Rankings: Week 11
16 – Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) (PR: 11)
LW – Loss to Los Angeles Chargers 10-25
This was easily Aaron Rodgers’ worst game of the season. He looked every bit of 41, almost 42 years old (Yes, that’s his actual age). He was completely out of sync with the offense. The easy, short passes that made him successful this season weren’t even working. The defense that was so dominant against the Colts was nowhere to be found – I guess it was a one game fluke after all. If it wasn’t for a garbage time touchdown by the Steelers, the score would be 3-25. Blowout anyone?
15 – Baltimore Ravens (4-5) (PR: NR)
LW – Win over Minnesota Vikings 27-19
The Ravens are back in my power rankings for the first time since week 3! They’ve rattled off 3 straight wins and no longer deserve to be called the “worst team in the league” by Tradon. It truly feels like the feared defense that made the Ravens so good for years in the past is back. All it took was for S Kyle Hamilton to wake up and remember he was Kyle Hamilton. This defense has held its last 4 opponents to 17 points or less and has forced 6 turnovers over the last 2 games.
14 – San Francisco 49ers (6-4) (PR: 12)
LW – Loss to Los Angeles Rams 26-42
Oh my. This defense is bad. Like bad bad. They have holes like Swiss cheese. If I had a dollar for every time a 49ers defender was lined up wrong or made a mistake in coverage, I would be able to buy 2 chicken soft tacos, fries and a coke from Dem Taco... which doesn’t seem like a whole lot because inflation sucks. I clearly would rather talk about food over my favorite team because the 49ers make me sad. Just know their defense is harrrrible and they’ll need to score at least 50 points a game to win.
13 – Chicago Bears (6-3) (PR: 16)
LW – Win over New York Giants 24-20
Is Caleb Williams growing up and becoming a leader right before our eyes? It sure seems like it. He didn’t roll over and give up after being down 10-20 in the 4th quarter. He faced adversity and orchestrated 14 straight points. After all the backlash and criticism regarding Rome Odunze’s usage or lack thereof, Williams found him 6 times for 86 yards and a TD. Those critics can sit back down now.
12 – Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) (PR: 14)
LW – Loss to Philadelphia Eagles 7-10
I told you in my Waiver Wire article last week that the Packers offense was struggling! Point James. I was so wrong on Emanuel Wilson though (4 total yards). Oh well, you win some, you lose some. The Packers lost more than I did though. Not only did they lose the game but lost their offensive identity. Are they a running team? Are they a passing team? Right now they’re just a bad team.
11 – Denver Broncos (8-2) (PR: 8)
LW – Win over Las Vegas Raiders 10-7
Okay, I’ve seen enough of the Broncos to make a decision on them. Ready for it?? Here it is! I’m out on the Broncos. They might be the fakest 8-2 team in the history of the league. The offense is putrid and the defense is lucky. Let’s look at their wins this season shall we? Tennessee Titans (a 1 win team), Cincinnati Bengals (no Joe Burrow), Philadelphia Eagles (okay, this was a good win), New York Jets (a 2 win team), New York Giants (rookie Jaxson Dart at QB), Dallas Cowboys (worst defense in the NFL), Houston Texans (CJ Stroud out) and Las Vegas Raiders (2 win team). Denver Broncos 8-2? Fake news.
10 – Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) (PR: 9)
LW – BYE
Doesn’t it feel like everything just works out for the Chiefs? Even the BYE week came at the best time. They are coming off a tough loss to Buffalo after winning and dominating 3 straight. A great time for them to fix mistakes and stem the bleeding before those mistakes become routine.
9 – Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) (PR: 13)
LW – Win over Pittsburgh Steelers 25-10
Ladd McConkey has been on absolute heater since Week 6. He has been averaging 6 receptions, 84 yards and has 3 TDs in the last 5 weeks. Rest easy fantasy managers, he’s back to being Justin Herbert’s #1 WR. Those numbers might be even higher if the Chargers can find a way to protect Herbert. He was sacked 5 times and pressured 12 times on Sunday. That Joe Alt injury really hurt.
8 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) (PR: 6)
LW – Loss to New England Patriots 23-28
The Bucs are literally limping toward finishing atop a very weak NFC South. This is about the time when the war of attrition and injuries start to take a toll. The Bucs are without their top 3 playmakers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving. Baker Mayfield is putting the team on his back, but he can only do so much when their defense gives up multiple explosive plays a game. Thank God they play in a weak division.
7 – Buffalo Bills (6-3) (PR: 1)
LW – Loss to Miami Dolphins 13-30
Quite the fall from grace but what do you expect when you lose by 17 to a (then) 2 win team with a CTE QB? An atrocious performance by the Bills. A team that was 3rd in the AFC in scoring wasn’t able to puts points on the board until the 4th quarter. A run game that averages 161 yards per game only put up 86 yards against a team that allows 145 yards per game. The passing game was a complete nonfactor too. Alex, talk to your best friend, Josh Allen, and get him right.
6 – Detroit Lions (6-3) (PR: 4)
LW – Win over Washington Commanders 44-22
This is the MO we’ve come to expect from the Lions – they lose and then they come back the next week with a statement victory. The offense looked phenomenal. 320 yards through the air and 226 on the ground. The Lions almost doubled the total yardage that the Commanders had. Jahmyr Gibbs bounced back in a big way with 142 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Can’t forget to mention Lu’s favorite, Aiden Hutchensen. Even though he was held off the sack stat sheet, he was still very effective in rushing the QB with 1 pass deflection and 1 QB hit.
5 – Seattle Seahawks (7-2) (PR: 10)
LW – Win over Arizona Cardinals 44-22
I’m done being down on the Seahawks and finally ready to admit that they are indeed a very good team. The Seahawks had an incredible first half yet again. They were up 38-7 at half. The Sam Darnold, JSN connection is as strong as ever. Cooper Kupp finally got involved with his long TD of 67 yards. The run game looked good for the first time in weeks to the tune of 198 yards. My one complaint on this team is that they lay off the gas when they’re up. They probably could’ve won 70-29 if they wanted. This is a team that Sonny could get behind.
4 – Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) (PR: 3)
LW – Win over Green Bay Packers 10-7
After a couple of being exciting to watch, the Eagles are back to being boring. The Eagles didn’t get a first down until the 2nd quarter and ended up with just 13 on the day. I don’t think the lack of first downs was a function of the Packers’ defense but more so because the Eagles offense is horrible. They are so bad that superstar WR AJ Brown told his fantasy mangers to drop him. If you like boring teams with no explosive plays and no excitement, this team is for you. No wonder why Tyler and Jose like them so much.
3 – New England Patriots (8-2) (PR: 7)
LW – Win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23
It took 10 weeks, but rookie TreVeyon Henderson finally had his breakout game. The highly touted rookie ran for 147 yards, 2 TDs and reached 22 MPH on his TD run. For the sake of Patriots’ fans and fantasy owners, let’s hope this performance earned him more time. Oh, and I can’t do a Patriots segment without talking Drake Maye. He had 270 yards and 2 TDs and is now up to top 3 in the league in terms of passing yards.
2 – Indianapolis Colts (8-2) (PR: 2)
LW – Win over Atlanta Falcons 31-25
The Colts won, but it was a little too close for comfort. The offensive line greatness that I thought would show up this week was absent yet again. Daniel Jones was sacked 7 times. That makes it hard for him to sling the rock like he has been all season long. But you know what makes great teams, great? When one part of their game isn’t working, another steps up and carries the load. Enter Jonathan Taylor. He put the team on his back, literally. The Offensive Player of the Year favorite had 286 total yards (almost more than the entire Eagles team) and 3 TDs. This is still a great team, Matty.
1 – Los Angeles Rams (7-2) (PR: 5)
LW – Win over San Francisco 49ers 42-26
Yes, I’ll admit it, the Rams are the team to beat in the NFC. You’re welcome, Alex. They are incredibly consistent. The one knock I had on them (special teams) got fixed. Is there a weakness on this team? I have a hard time finding one. Matthew Stafford is playing perfect. He has 4 straight games of at least 4 TDs and no INT. They are getting production from WRs and no name TEs and the run game is explosive. The defense has been stellar during their 4-game win streak. Man, it sucks they play in the NFC West.