NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

My current NFL Power Rankings for Week 11 of the 2021 NFL Season.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft during the 2021 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Jets and Texans aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Nov. 9

Houston Texans (1-8) – Previously: 32.
I have a Texans under 4.5 wins bet that I hope to cash. I was encouraged by Tyrod Taylor’s miserable performance against the Dolphins, but Lamar Jackson was just as bad. On the bright side, the Texans haven’t played the Titans yet, so those are two likely losses.

Detroit Lions (0-8-1) – Previously: 31.
I can’t believe the Lions sent the Pittsburgh game to overtime when Jared Goff had just 54 passing yards in regulation. Those long fluky runs wouldn’t happen in most instances of a simulated game versus Pittsburgh, so it’s a shame that they ruined what should’ve been an easy cover and potential shutout for the Steelers.

New York Jets (2-7) – Previously: 28.
I guess Mike White isn’t the franchise quarterback for the Jets overall. This saddens me because he was so great in the upset win over the Bengals. He was dreadful versus Buffalo, but that was to be expected. In other news, Zach Wilson is suddenly feeling much better after White’s injury.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) – Previously: 29.
Despite Trevor Lawrence being banged up, the Jaguars nearly won in Indianapolis. They had a better yards-per-play average than the Colts. If it wasn’t for that blocked punt returned for a touchdown, they may have won. I don’t know how it happened, but their defense has been playing on another level since the bye.

New York Giants (3-6) – Previously: 23.
The Giants beat the Raiders, but were outgained by a wide margin (403-245) and averaged 1.5 fewer yards per play. The difference was the sloppy Raider turnovers. It’s safe to say Las Vegas was distracted by both Henry Ruggs as well as the look-ahead to the Chiefs next week. In other words, the Giants secured a bogus victory. I’d make them an overrated team, but no one is paying attention to them at the moment.

Miami Dolphins (3-7) – Previously: 30.
I was quick to bash Tyrod Taylor for his miserable performance against the Dolphins last week, but perhaps I should’ve considered that Miami’s defense was just amazing. The Dolphins were incredible versus Lamar Jackson in their shocking win over Baltimore.

Atlanta Falcons (4-5) – Previously: 27.
The Falcons can’t be overrated after that 43-3 shellacking against the Cowboys. Here’s what I wrote last week:

The Falcons are 4-4, but they easily could’ve lost to the pitiful Giants and Dolphins this season. Their only easy victory was against the horrendous Jets. It’s also worth noting that they lost to the Redskins at home. Everyone is going to hype them up because of their win over the Saints, but New Orleans is overrated as well.

Washington Redskins (3-6) – Previously: 26.
The Redskins can’t be underrated following a high-profile win versus the Buccaneers, but their defense finally showed signs of life for the first time all year. Taylor Heinicke wasn’t that bad either with four-fifths of his offensive line finally intact for the first time in a while.

Denver Broncos (5-5) – Previously: 22.
The Broncos imploded versus the Eagles, committing two penalties that wiped out touchdowns and coughing up a fumble that was returned for six. That said, the Broncos are missing so many starters on defense that it’s going to be difficult for them to stop anyone down the stretch. Also, Teddy Bridgewater’s unwillingness to stop Darius Slay might demoralize the locker room.

Chicago Bears (3-6) – Previously: 25.
Justin Fields is looking better and better each week. The Bears still need offensive line and defensive help. Another need is some officials to be on their side.

Carolina Panthers (5-5) – Previously: 24.
It’s amazing how many media people were saying stuff like “Cam Newton didn’t look rusty in his first game!” Umm… he played like eight snaps. Newton gives the Panthers are competent quarterback, if healthy, but saying that he wasn’t rusty when he was only on the field for gadget plays is just dumb.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) – Previously: 21.
The sharps bet the Eagles like crazy yet again, but they were right for a change. The Eagles ripped right through Denver’s skeleton-crew defense despite losing Dallas Goedert to a concussion in the first quarter. That said, the Broncos had two touchdowns negated by a penalty, and the Eagles were up just seven before a Melvin Gordon fumble was returned for a touchdown, so don’t go believing the 30-13 result was a true blowout.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1) – Previously: 20.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Las Vegas Raiders (5-4) – Previously: 13.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Raiders are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (5-4) – Previously: 19.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Saints are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Francisco 49ers (4-5) – Previously: 18.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the 49ers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Indianapolis Colts (5-5) – Previously: 17.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) – Previously: 16.
The Seahawks lost 17-0 in Green Bay, but it might as well have been 51-0 because they were demolished every facet; Green Bay averaged 2.1 more yards per play! That said, Russell Wilson was banged up, so the Seahawks will improve moving forward.

San Angeles Chargers (5-4) – Previously: 12.
Justin Herbert appears to have hit a wall. He imploded versus the Patriots with a game-losing pick-six, and he failed to accumulate 200 passing yards against a Vikings defense missing several starters, including Harrison Smith.

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) – Previously: 15.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tennessee Titans (8-2) – Previously: 14.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Titans are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) – Previously: 8.
The Bengals shot themselves in the foot so many times versus Cleveland, so it’s hard to take the 41-16 result seriously. This is no disrespect to the Browns, who are an underrated team, but the game would’ve been much closer if Cincinnati didn’t make so many careless mistakes, like the pick-six at the goal line, or the Ja’Marr Chase dropped touchdown, or the Chase lost fumble.

Cleveland Browns (5-5) – Previously: 7.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Browns are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New England Patriots (6-4) – Previously: 11.
I’ve had the Patriots on the underrated list, but that can’t be the case anymore in the wake of their huge victory over the Browns. Many now believe that New England is the best team in the AFC, which is insane. This team recently averaged 1.7 fewer yards per play than the Chargers!

Baltimore Ravens (6-3) – Previously: 9.
The Ravens are trending into overrated territory, as they have problems on their offensive line. Their defense, meanwhile, misses way too many tackles.

I wrote this last week, and I should have followed my instinct. It’s hard to call Baltimore overrated after a 22-10 loss to Baltimore though!

Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) – Previously: 10.
What I wrote last week:

The Chiefs are the scariest team in the NFL. That may sound strange, given that they just averaged 3.8 yards per play versus Green Bay, but their defense has improved in recent weeks. If their offense can finally figure things out – I still have faith in an Andy Reid-led squad coaching up Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce – they can go on a tear to close out the year.

Well, well, well. I didn’t predict it, but the Chiefs slaughtered the Raiders. Mahomes mostly looked like his former self, while the defense continued to play better. The Chiefs are now my favorite in the AFC again.

Arizona Cardinals (8-2) – Previously: 5.
It’s impossible to downgrade the Cardinals substantially when they didn’t have Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Chase Edmonds and Justin Pugh. They’ll almost certainly have Murray and Hopkins back for next week’s huge game versus the Seahawks.

Green Bay Packers (8-2) – Previously: 6.
I’ve had the Packers listed as overrated for quite some time, but they’ll be getting some All-Pro players back from injury very soon, so they’ll be as good as everyon thinks they are in the near future.

By the way, we have a t-shirt to support Aaron Rodgers in our merch store! This is your chance to support Rodgers, who has been attacked unfairly by the scumbag media!

Dallas Cowboys (7-2) – Previously: 4.
The Cowboys easily could have been designated as an underrated team last week after losing in a blowout to Denver. However, Dak Prescott wasn’t 100 percent, while the team was flat off an upset victory versus Minnesota. It’s no surprise that the Cowboys rebounded like they did, even without Tyron Smith.

Buffalo Bills (6-3) – Previously: 3.
The Bills are back! Josh Allen was terrific in his win over the Jets. Granted, it was just the Jets, but Buffalo’s offense looked explosive once again with so many big plays.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) – Previously: 2.
Two straight losses for Tom Brady, both as large underdogs versus teams that aren’t very good. The Buccaneers are showing signs of weakness, but let me remind you that they struggled around the midway point last year.

Los Angeles Rams (7-3) – Previously: 1.
The Rams’ loss to the 49ers reminds me of when the Buccaneers were blown out by the Saints during the middle of the 2020 season. They were trying to integrate a new piece into the offense (Antonio Brown), and it just didn’t work. The Rams will rebound and finish strong unless Matthew Stafford’s back continues to be a problem.

MVP Race:

1. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
4. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
5. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers

Scrubs of the Week:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
3. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
4. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
5. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
6. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
7. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
8. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
9. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
10. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders