NFL Power Rankings: "Week Eleven, From Heaven"

Can you believe we're in the month of November? Football is getting 
gritty and time to grind out wins in unusual circumstances. My top ten 
teams have been good, bad and ugly at times. Without further due, here 
we go.

1. Los Ángeles Rams: 7-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 1st) 
A blowout win over San Francisco Sunday afternoon and get back game 
as the Rams took care of business. In what's been a season of 
consistent football, LA ranks atop in my list. Championship pedigree, 
productive offense, strong defense and coaching. Quarterback Matthew 
Stafford is playing the best football of his career. Even in the MVP 
conversation and every reason to. I really like this defense and 
everyone is getting healthy. With first place on line this coming Sunday 
versus Seattle, can LA vice grip the NFC West? 

2. Seattle Seahawks: 7-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 2nd)
A blowout win over division rival Arizona led by Demarcus Lawrence 
and Seattle's defense. This game wasn't even close and why would it? 
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been everything this team envisioned 
and then some. Finding a home and organization who believes in 
Arnold's play. With JSN emerging as a top five receiver, sky's the limit in 
this high powered offense. Good running game; I need to see more in 
the month of November. This defense can go toe to toe with any offense 
on Sundays. My biggest concern and it will be crucial: Seattle's home 
disadvantage. Credit, they've been below .500 in the Mike McDonald 
tenure; very potent on the road. With a big showdown with division rival 
Los Angeles, this will really tell us about Seattle and if they're for real in 
dethroning their rival.

3. New England Patriots: 8-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 3rd)
New England is back in playoff contention for 2025 as they've sailed 
with consistency. A big inter conference win over Tampa Bay, it showed 
me what some might've overlooked. Second year quarterback Drake 
Maye is having a rebound season; as offensive coordinator Josh 
McDaniels has worked magic in vastly improving Maye. With a good run 
game, solid receivers and top seven defense, the Patriots can easily 
have home field advantage come January. A pretty favorable schedule 
with the New York Jets on Thursday night; followed by traveling to 
Cincinnati in what could be Joe Burrow's return from injury. 

4. Indianapolis Colts: 8-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 8th)
After regrouping from the road loss in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis took care
of business against Atlanta Sunday morning. MVP candidate Johnathan
Taylor had a career day with 244 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Indy
needed every bit of Taylor's heroics to hold off the Falcons. The real test
will be after their bye week: traveling to Kansas City in what'll be must
see television. If they defeat the Chiefs, 4-0 against the AFC West which
is arguably best in the league. A home game versus a resurgent
Houston Texans and somehow defeat Jacksonville on the road which
they've been mauled multiple times.

5. Detroit Lions: 6-3 (Wk 10 ranking: N/A)
Biting kneecaps, unbeatable run game, superior play calling and a team
who loves their head coach Dan Campbell. Back in first place in the
NFC North; as they demolished what's left of the Washington
Commanders in blowout fashion. One of the highest scoring teams in
football, Detroit shows no mercy for nobody. Well coached and rarely
making mistakes. I still have my concerns for this "bend but don't break
defense." With a Sunday night showdown in Philadelphia, this will be
the game everyone tunes in. A battle of "go for it on fourth down" versus

"tush-push." A *beware game* with the New York Giants and the annual
Thanksgiving Day game versus Green Bay.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: 7-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 6th)
If there's one team which keeps going up and down, it's the Eagles.
After a much needed bye week, a sluggish win over Green Bay Monday
night. Despite offensive woes, their defense stopped the Packers from
reaching the end zone. But... the common weekly drama surrounding
wide receiver AJ Brown. Another subliminal shot about the team's
evolution of being a better team. This can't continue much longer
without Brown crashing out. With this gauntlet, Detroit roars into town
this coming Sunday night; a road game in Dallas before the Chicago
Bears roam for a Thanksgiving Friday afternoon game.

7. Chicago Bears: 6-3 (Wk 10 ranking: 10th)
Raising their play by the week, Chicago is hitting strides as we speak.
Second year quarterback Caleb Williams has been everything and more
with each week. Winning high scoring games in Cincinnati and a
comeback over the New York Giants. With their schedule reaching
tougher teams: Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and an east coast trip to
Philadelphia, the Bears need to play very well over the next three
weeks. With a very good defense, nobody is safe under a Dennis Allen
scheme.

8. Los Ángeles Chargers: 7-3 (Wk 10 ranking: N/A)
Another team whose season has been up and down but never out, the
Chargers bolt their way back into my top ten. With an impressive win
over Pittsburgh Sunday night, LA's playoff push starts now. With a
banged up offensive line, quarterback Justin Herbert has to be flawless
every week. Defensively, I love it and can travel anywhere to play. My
only concern is: can Herbert keep the turnovers to bare minimum? With
an east coast flight to Jacksonville, time change and revisiting a stadium

that haunts this team. A bye week on deck with the Las Vegas Raiders
and hosting Philadelphia December 8th. This game in Jacksonville is
crucial in part of avoiding tiebreakers for playoff seeding.
9. Denver Broncos: 8-2 (Wk 10 ranking: 4th)
A lowly embarrassing win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week,
Denver fell down in my rankings. Even though this team has been pretty
good, scoring ten points against your division rival is unwatchable
football. A make you wanna sleep early game, I wasn't too impressed
with the offense. Credit, this defense is keeping Denver in games; but
there's going to moments quarterback Bo Nix will have to lead
touchdown drives. Settling for three points won't work unless the
defense is shutting down potent offenses. With a big division showdown
this coming Sunday versus Kansas City, are the Broncos for real? A late
bye week before a brutal gauntlet of Washington *beware game,* Las
Vegas, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Kansas City (Christmas night) and
finish up hosting LA Chargers.

10. Buffalo Bills: 6-3 (Wk 10 ranking: 5th)
After a dominating win over Kansas City the week before, Buffalo was
upset at Miami. Being a double digit road favorite and losing like they
did is inexcusable. Talk about a meltdown which they trailed all day, the
Bills couldn't gain traction. A lowly Miami team with nothing to play for
but pride. Roamed right into the Atlantic Ocean in humid conditions.
Reigning MVP Josh Allen tried to be Superman, but costly turnovers has
reared Buffalo once again. It's a cause for concern and should be
studied. For Buffalo, there's no time to point fingers as Tampa Bay sails
into town this coming Sunday; with a short week and flight down to
Houston Thursday night. Pittsburgh will be a give or take game in part of
which teams show up. All in all, the contenders form pretenders will rise
or fall under tense pressure.