2012 Power Rankings - Week 11

By Dylan Ehle (@PaleEhle on Twitter)

This was another great week of games, and my 3 resurgent teams (Bengals, Cowboys, Saints) continued to make their push to get back into the playoff race.  I'd like to add the Bills as a 4th team (albeit a much longer shot) to get back into the mix. Each team is followed by a quick summary of their change with  {Season high, Season low}.  Anyway, he we go for this week:

1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-3): 
A lot of people will disagree with me here, but I'm going to set the curve:  The Pats are the top team in the NFL, and will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl again this year.  Gronk's injury is a blow, but the defense is hitting its stride, so the Pats shouldn't see a drop at all; furthermore, when Gronk comes back, they've be even more dominant than ever.  You heard it here first.  
Change: +6 {1,6}.

2) HOUSTON TEXANS (9-1): They slip to #2 here because they allowed 37 points to the Jags, but this is a very solid team, and they did manage to overcome a 14-point deficit to win the game.  Good teams find ways to win games, and that's what the Texans did.  I think this was just a one-game fluke for them, and they'll bounce back next week and for the rest of the season.  Change: -1{1,2}.

3) GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3): Like the Texans, the Pack found a way to win a game that they should have even though they trailed for the majority of regulation.  The only drop a spot here because of the dominance of the Pats.
Change: -1 {2,5}.

4) DENVER BRONCOS (7-3):  Peyton's team continues to look strong, with a lot of help from the defense.  They will be a dangerous team moving forward, and have the potential to spoil the Texans' and Patriots' hopes in the AFC.
Change:  +1 {4,7}.

5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-2-1): I did not expect them to come out that strong with a backup QB.  Wow.  That's definitely worth a jump in the power rankings.  The defense looks as good as ever, and they will be a tough out in the NFC.
Change:  +3 {4,8}.

6) ATLANTA FALCONS (9-1):I just have no faith in this team.  Again, they only are ranked this high because of their record.  They struggled yet again against a lowly team, and they are going nowhere this year.
Change: -2 {2,6}.

7) CHICAGO BEARS (7-3):  The Bears defense was carved up by a backup QB last week...ouch.  Their defense is obviously their strongest point, so anytime it gets lit up for over 30 point, that will constitute a drop here.  I also think they're realizing just how much Jay Cutler does for the team.
Change:  -4 [3, 7].

8) BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-2):  The Ravens really struggled to put up points against an injured Steelers defense.  The Steelers had no business being in that game when Byron Leftwich got hurt, but the Ravens let them hang around, and they only scraped a win by the skin of their teeth.  Like the Falcons, they are not nearly as good as their record.
Change:  -1 {7,9}.

9) NEW YORK GIANTS (6-4):  The Giants' bye week could not have come at a better time.  They played four poor games in a row, losing the last two.  The Giants have played well after their bye the last few years, though, so we'll see what happens. 
Change: None. {8,9}.

10) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-5):  They continue to win games, and they continue to climb these rankings.  It is so impressive how this team has rattled off five wins after a 0-4 start.  The big reason for such a high jump this week is because the defense is finally making plays for the Saints.  We all know that Drew Brees is going to light up the scoreboard, but if the defense can make a few plays and just avoid being awful like earlier this year, the Saints will be a dangerous team.
Change: +4 {10,17}.

11) TAMPA BAY BUCS (6-4): The Bucs showed a lot of grit in their comeback win against Carolina.  Granted, the Panthers simply don't know how to finish a game, but the fact the the Bucs could find a way to beat a decent opponent even when they were having an off day shows a lot of fortitude.
Change:  +3 {11,14}

12) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-4): The Steelers drop a bit this week because they couldn't find a way to win a crucial game against their bitter divisional rivals.  The Ravens allowed them to stay in the game, but the Steelers weren't able to execute.  The loss took them out of contention for the division title, and will give them little margin for error as they work to earn a wildcard berth.
Change:  -2 {10,12}.

13) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-4):Luck looked like a rookie against the Pats last week, showing that he's not quite ready to hang with the AFC's elite.  I'm not too worried about him, though - his 3 INT performance will probably light a fire in him, and I expect him to play well down the stretch and help the Colts challenge for a wildcard.
Change: -2 [11,13].

14) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-4):Seattle is rested off their bye week, and they look to continue their dominance at home and win a few on the road to make a playoff push.
Change:  -2 [12,14].

15) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-4): The Vikings stand pat at 15 over their bye week.  They have to be proud of their first half of the season, but can they maintain their success for a run at the playoffs?
Change:  0 [15,16].

16) CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-5): The Bengals have won their last two games in blow-out fashion, and should do the same this week against the Raiders.  With the Steelers have the QB issues, the Bengals are my favorite in the AFC wildcard race. 
Change:  +1 [16,19].

17) DALLAS COWBOYS (5-5): The Cowboys started off really slowly against the Browns....really slowly.  However, they were able to wake up in the second half enough to take care of business.  I expect them to continue to make the Giants sweat in their pursuit of the NFC North.
Change:  -1 [16,18].

18) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-6): RG3 was utterly dominant against the Eagles, and could give the Cowboys a scare on Thanksgiving.  I don't see the Skins getting in the playoff hunt, but they could be a tough spoiler team for the rest of the season.
Change +2 [18,25].

19)  DETROIT LIONS (4-6):  The Lions were competitive against the Pack, but ultimately came up short. Their season is done, and they have no one to blame but themselves.  This team is so frustrating - so much talent, and so little to show for it.
Change:  -1 [11,19].

20) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-6): Like the Lions, this is another talented team that just throws away games.  They have to find a way to beat the Ravens this week, or else their season is done.
Change:  -1 [15,20].

21) BUFFALO BILLS (4-6): Mark my words:  the Bills are on the rise.  They made some nice plays in a win over the Dolphins (they just needed to get the ball in the endzone on their red zone possessions), and their defense is finally stepping up.  I think that they take down the Colts this week and challenge for a wildcard spot down the stretch.
Change:  +3 [21,26].

22) CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-8): Once again, the Panthers disappoint by blowing a lead in the 4th quarter.  There are five games this year that they should have won, but gave away.  That's the difference between 2-8 and 7-3...good luck next year, guys.
Change:  0 [22,23].

23) ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-6): The Cards showed a lot of heart in a close contest against the NFC-leading Falcons, but came up just short.  Look for them to take care of business when they face the Rams this Sunday.
Change: +2 [21,25].

24) ST. LOUIS RAMS (3-6-1): What an awful performance against the Jets.  The Jets are horrible, and the Rams got trampled by them.  That's going to move you down in the rankings every time.
Change:  -3 [21,27].

25) CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-8): The Browns are a young team that stuggles to close games, but they showed up for that game in Big D.  Unfortunately, they weren't able to pull it out, but they've been a lot more competitive as of late than the teams below them on this list.
Change:  +2 [25,29].

26) MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-6): That was a pathetic showing against the Bills.  The Dolphins have serious problems, and are not who we thought they were in the beginning of the season.
Change:  -3 [20,26].

27) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-7): They have to be ashamed of themselves after what RG3 did to them.  The Eagles once again are a huge disappointment.  You can talk about injuries all you want - the good teams like the Patriots, Steelers, and Giants manage to win in spite of them.  This team is horrible.
Change: -1 [22,27].

28) TENNESSEE TITANS (4-6): The Titans stay put over the bye week.  It's been a rocky season for them, but they could actually get back in the hunt if they can string together a few wins.  That's how bad the AFC is this year.
Change: 0 [28,30].

29) NEW YORK JETS (4-6): The Jets beat the Rams, but I'm not buying them at all.  The win keeps them from falling further in my rankings, but they won't gain an inch from me until they can beat a quality opponent.
Change:  0 [24,29].

30) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-9): I'll move the Jags up a little for taking the best team in the NFL into OT.  That's partly because it was a really good effort, and partly because the teams below them are so bad.
Change: +2 [30,32].

31) OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-7): ...and the Raiders get blown out again.  That's back-to-back weeks.  I don't think they could beat anyone except....
Change:  -1 [28,31].

32) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-9): Wow, they are horrible.  I gave them a little credit for playing Pittsburgh close, but that was just bad play by Pittsburgh and had nothing to do with the Chiefs.  They could stay in the cellar for the rest of the season.
Change: -1 [31,32].


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