There are no big changes at the top of my NFL Power Rankings after Week 11. The Saints remain in first place. The Patriots remain in second place. The Eagles remain in third place. Keep reading to check out why my ranking didn’t change much at the top.
2017 NFL Week 12 Power Rankings
1. New Orleans Saints (8-2)
The Saints 34 to 31 overtime win against Washington impressed me. New Orleans was down 16 to 31 with less than 6:00 minutes left in the game. The Saints also played almost the entire game without CB Marshon Lattimore and safety Kenny Vaccaro. The D still came up big when it needed to.
2. New England Patriots (8-2)
Tom Brady doesn’t impress me that much. Why? I already believe he’s the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL. He slightly impressed versus the Raiders, though. The reason is because Oakland knew that the Patriots were going to lean on Terrific Tom. They still couldn’t stop him.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
I know I said that I’d move the Eagles up to number 1 if they beat and covered versus the Dallas Cowboys in NFL Week 11. Call me a liar if you wish. Philly beat the Boys because Dallas was without offensive lineman Tyron Smith, RB Ezekiel Elliott, and their top defensive player, Sean Lee.
That’s not nearly as impressive as beating Washington without your best safety and best cornerback.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
The Steelers absolutely rocked the Tennessee Titans. The strange thing about Pittsburgh is that their offense has gone back to passing the football. I know fantasy football owners who drafted RB Le’Veon Bell are upset. Pitt fans should be giddy with excitement, though. Defenses must account for Bell on every play. That means Big Ben to Antonio Brown shouldn’t slow down.
5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
The Vikings’ defense really did a number on the L.A. Rams. The Rams could only score 7 points in Week 11. What impressed me more? The Vikings’ offense rushed for an amazing 171 yards..
6. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)
The Rams should lose their second game in as many weeks on Sunday. LAR can’t stop the rush. That’s bad news for the Rams. The third ranked rushing team in the NFL, the New Orleans Saints, head to La-La Land in Week 12.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3)
Jacksonville’s defense ranks first in the NFL in yards allowed per game. The Jags allow a total of less than 276 per matchup. The Jags’ defense has a chance to be great again. Jacksonville faces the Arizona Cardinals, and either QB Blaine Gabbert or QB Drew Stanton, on Nov. 26.
8. Carolina Panthers (7-3)
Carolina took off Week 10. The Panthers are -4.5-road favorites versus a scrappy New York Jets team on Sunday. If QB Cam Newton has finally gotten healthy, the Panthers could be a force the rest of the way.
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
The fact that the NFC South has 3 teams in my Top 10 speaks to how deep the division is. Atlanta has yet to play the New Orleans Saints this season. That’s the big worry if you’re a Falcons fan. Beating Seattle on the road, no matter why, is a good sign that Atlanta has gelled.
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Seattle gave away NFL Week 11’s Monday Night game. Think about it. Seattle’s defense, without stars Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, held Atlanta to 89 rushing yards and 190 passing yards. Like you, I have no clue why Pete Carroll went for a fake field goal with only 7 seconds left in the first half.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
The Chiefs were dreadful in their 9 to 12 overtime loss to the New York Giants in Week 11. KC has now lost 4 of their last 5.
12. Detroit Lions (6-4)
The Detroit Lions keep winning football games because one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Matthew Stafford, lines up under center. If Detroit can beat Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day, that would be huge.
13. Tennessee Titans (6-4)
Tennessee didn’t even try to stop Big Ben and the Pittsburgh passing attack in Week 11. The Titans’ rushing attack has left something to be desired this season. I’m not sure how Tennessee even has 6 wins.
14. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
I had to move Baltimore into my Top 15 because they picked off Green Bay QB Brett Hundley 3 times in Week 11. The Ravens still have one of the absolute worst offenses in the NFL. Somehow, they remain in playoff contention.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)
Don’t sleep on the Bolts’ 54 to 24 beat down of the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday. I mean, yes, Buffalo ran back 2 interceptions for 14 points. Still, the Chargers scored 40 points against Buffalo’s defense. LAC is hot going into Big D on Thanksgiving Day.
16. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)
The Cowboys had no real shot against the Philadelphia Eagles once offensive lineman Tyron Smith decided to sit out the game. Dallas is reeling. Smith is back on Thursday. LB Sean Lee isn’t.
17. Washington Redskins (4-6)
QB Kirk Cousins looked great versus the Saints very good defense. Washington still managed to lose even though they had a big fourth quarter lead. I don’t think it will be easy for Washington to get over such a tough loss.
18. Oakland Raiders (4-6)
Oakland’s biggest issue is the offense. The Raiders are loaded with top skill players. Somehow, Oakland only averages 20.4 points per game. The Raiders were at home in Mexico City. They still could only manage 8 points.
19. Green Bay Packers (5-5)
The Packers gathered more rushing yards and more passing yards than the Baltimore Ravens in the embarrassing 0 to 23 loss at Lambeau. I’m not sure why Green Bay didn’t rush the football more. They didn’t. Would the outcome have been different? I believe it would have.
20. Buffalo Bills (5-5)
The Buffalo Bills’ defense is flat out bad. Giving up 47 points to the Saints is horrible. Giving up 54 to the Chargers is worse. In Week 12, that same Bills’ defense must go against Kansas City’s excellent offense. Buffalo’s poor fans are beside themselves.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6)
The Bengals showed that they’ve got more heart than the Denver Broncos by beating Denver 20 to 17 in Week 11. The Bengals’ offense did nothing of importance in the game. Okay, Andy Dalton did throw 3 TD passes. I don’t think the win means that Cincy is a lock to cover an 8-point spread versus Cleveland on Sunday.
22. Houston Texans (4-6)
I was impressed with Houston’s win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11. The Texans rushed for 134 yards. That’s excellent. Houston has a shot to upset the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
Tampa Bay managed to score 30 points against the Miami Dolphins’ defense. Do they want cookies? I mean, the Dolphins have pretty much thrown in the towel on this season.
24. Miami Dolphins (4-6)
It’s a shame, too, because Miami was in playoff contention up until their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miami’s biggest issue is paying so much money to run stopper Ndamukong Suh. Because Suh is Miami’s only good pass rusher and only run stopper, opponents double Ndamukong on every play.
25. Arizona Cardinals (4-6)
Cardinals’ QB Blaine Gabbert threw 3 TD passes versus the Houston Texans’ defense. Unfortunately, he also threw 2 interceptions. Arizona isn’t the same team without RB David Johnson. That’s the real reason the Cardinals are 4 and 6.
26. New York Jets (4-6)
The Jets got the week off. Don’t be surprised if J-E-T-S puts a scare into the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. The Jets are a different team at home where they’ve gone 5 and 0 against the spread this season.
27. Chicago Bears (3-7)
After the first quarter, Chicago appeared on their way to a massive upset of the Detroit Lions. The Bears had a 10 to 0 lead. Then, Chicago’s D allowed Detroit to score 21 points in the second quarter. It was all over after that.
28. Indianapolis Colts (3-7)
The Colts didn’t play in Week 11. Sounds harsh, but I count not getting onto the football field a win for Indianapolis.
29. New York Giants (2-8)
The Giants’ defense played hard. KC was out of sorts all afternoon, though. That’s the real reason the Giants beat Kansas City 12 to 9. With that being written, I do think the G-Men have a shot to cover as a +7 dog in D.C. on Thanksgiving Day.
30. Denver Broncos (3-7)
Denver is a bad football team. Let’s leave it at that.
31. San Francisco 49’ers (1-9)
The 49’ers took Week 10 off. Like Indianapolis, that’s a win in my book.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-10)
Yes, Cleveland is the worst team in the NFL. Yes, Cleveland is an unreal 2 and 8 against the spread. But, get this: Browns’ WR Corey Coleman caught 6 of 11 passes for 80 yards. Coleman is that sliver of hope that Browns fans can lean on going into NFL Week 12.