Matthew Ross
We had a few teams on our ranking on a bye this past week. But it didn’t really affect the list too much. In fact the top five remains unchanged. We also had a couple of returning bye week teams pick up wins. I do think that this week’s 10 teams could be the top 10 for the next few weeks. We’ll see. But one thing’s for certain – the Cowboys are off the list once again.
NFL Week 11 Power Index 2017
1- (1) Philadelphia Eagles – A well earned bye week. I can’t displace this juggernaut for the moment.
2- (2) Pittsburgh Steelers – It was a little too close for comfort, but the Steelers found a way to win on the road. They looked rusty out of a bye week. But I expect big things moving forward.
3- (3) New England Patriots – The defense isn’t racking up sacks or interceptions, but this team is getting enough stops now to let Tom Brady to his thing for the Pats to win each week.
4- (4) Kansas City Chiefs – A bye week leaves them in the top four on this list, but just barely. There are a couple of teams gunning for this coveted slot.
5- (5) New Orleans Saints – Easily their most impressive win of the season. A road win on the strength of running the ball and good defense? Who are these Saints?
6- (7) Carolina Panthers – Another outstanding Cam Newton performance. This team is climbing each week.
7- (6) Seattle Seahawks – Not being able to run the ball concerns me, especially as the weather changes. Still, they’re a solid team.
8- (8) Los Angeles Rams – The only reason they didn’t move up is because everyone else is playing well above them! That, and they beat a ravaged, shell-of-a-team in Houston.
9- (9) Minnesota Vikings – Sooner or later, I am going to have to accept that Kase Keenum is a decent quarterback. It’s hard to ignore is shitty previous five years. But maybe it’s now time to give him some credit.
10- (NR) Atlanta Falcons – Now that’s more like it. Can the dirty birds string a few more of these performances together to assure themselves a chance to contend for the division? It’s going to be tough. But the run has to start now for the defending NFC champs.
Honorable Mentions: Jacksonville Jaguars (Sound defense, a good running game and growing confidence),Tennessee Titans (Meh, another messy win, I’ve written the same thing three weeks in a row), Buffalo Bills (Another week and another bad performance. Is this the last time we write their name in this column?).
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
