NFL Week 11 Power Rankings: Patriots are back on top

Join BetAmerica Extra columnist Zack Rhodes as he fearlessly slices and dices all 32 teams and ranks them in order according to their Week 10 performance and Week 11 outlook.

1. New England Patriots (8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS)

With the Saints and 49ers losing, the Patriots return to the top spot despite being on their bye last week. Giving Belichick and Brady an extra week to prepare for any game is usually bad news for the opposition, but they’ll need to utilize that rest and preparation as New England starts the toughest stretch in what has been a very soft schedule with a trip to Philadelphia this week. After that comes a home game against the Cowboys, a road trip to Houston and a showdown with the Chiefs in Foxborough. The next four weeks will reveal if the Patriots are indeed the best team in the NFL.

Next up: Philadelphia Eagles

2. New Orleans Saints (7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS)

Yes, the loss to the Falcons was bad, but I’m not going to overreact after a flat performance off the bye week against a talented divisional rival that’s underperformed all year, had their franchise QB back, and has a guy coaching for his job. I still think the Saints are the best team in the NFC, but we’ll have to revisit that if they slip up again over the next two weeks against the other two teams in their division, the Bucs and the Panthers.

Next up: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

3. San Francisco 49ers (8-1 SU and 5-4 ATS)

We expected the Monday night game against the Seahawks to be entertaining and it certainly didn’t disappoint. You can’t knock San Francisco too much in losing their first game of the year to the likely MVP of the league in an overtime thriller. The Niners had their chances and would likely still be undefeated if Emmanuel Sanders doesn’t leave the game injured and emotional leader George Kittle was able to play. After playing the Cardinals this week, the Niners face the Packers at home and then hit the road for games at Baltimore and at New Orleans. That’s one hell of a three-week stretch.

Next up: Arizona Cardinals

4. Baltimore Ravens (7-2 SU and 4-4-1 ATS)

So much for the possible letdown against the lowly Bengals after the big win against the Patriots. Lamar Jackson is living his best life while the rest of league is left in the spin cycle trying to make sense of the whirlwind created by this whirling dervish. Get your popcorn ready because this week it’s Lamar vs. Deshaun in what will be must-watch television.

Next up: Houston Texans

5. Green Bay Packers (8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS)

After stumbling against the Chargers, the Packers returned home to take care of the Panthers as expected. Now they enjoy an off week before the aforementioned showdown in San Francisco next Sunday night.

Next up: San Francisco (Week 12)

6. Minnesota Vikings (7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS)

Despite allowing Dak Prescott to pass for 397 yards and three touchdowns, the Vikings pulled off the big win last week against the Cowboys thanks in large part to Dalvin Cook, who is now edging out Christian McCaffrey to lead the league in both rushing yards and yards from scrimmage.

Next up: Denver Broncos

7. Seattle Seahawks (8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS)

Say what you will about Russell Wilson, you can’t ever knock his will to win. Whether it’s playing through injuries in recent years or turning himself into the MVP of the league, the former third round pick has proven time and again that he has the heart of a champion. Dude is easy to root for.

Next up: Philadelphia Eagles (Week 12)

8. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS)

The Chiefs lost to the Titans in a game in which the reigning MVP passed for 446 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception; a game in which Derrick Henry bullied his way to 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns; a game in which the Chiefs allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw the game-winning touchdown to Adam Humphries. That’s not going to get it done in January.

Next up: Los Angeles Chargers

9. Houston Texans (6-3 SU and 5-4 ATS)

The Texans head into their Sunday showdown in Baltimore fresh off a bye. With the Colts hitting a mid-season wall, Deshaun Watson and the Texans have a rather comfortable grasp on the AFC South at the moment.

Next up: Baltimore Ravens

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-4 SU and 6-3 ATS)

In what has been an inconsistent year so far, the Rams need to put a complete game together soon as they welcome the Bears and the Ravens to town over the next two weeks.

Next up: Chicago Bears

11. Dallas Cowboys (5-4 SU and 5-4 ATS)

In what can only be described as the curse of Jason Garrett, the Cowboys once again fell short in a primetime game in losing to the Vikings. Unfortunately, this talented Dallas squad is going to continue to waste away in mediocrity as long as the ultimate company man continues to call the shots. Jerry needs to stir the pot if he ever wants this team to reach its potential.

Next up: Detroit Lions

12. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS)

The Eagles saved their season with their two wins against the Bills and Bears and now they return off the bye to continue their tough schedule with home games against the Patriots and Seahawks. If Philly somehow manages to make it to the playoffs this year, they’re going to be a tough out.

Next up: New England Patriots

13. Oakland Raiders (5-4 SU and 6-3 ATS)

The Raiders continue their ascent up the rankings as Jon Gruden has done a commendable job in turning things around in his second year in Oakland. Now above .500 with the exciting win over the Chargers, the Raiders will look to move solidly into the playoff picture with games against the Bengals and Jets over the next two weeks.

Next up: Cincinnati Bengals 

14. Buffalo Bills (6-3 SU and 5-3-1 ATS)

Despite the disappointing loss to the Browns last week, the Bills will be right there at the end of the year battling for a playoff spot thanks to a strong defense and an easy schedule. The latter part of the schedule has its challenges, but still features games against the Dolphins, Broncos and Jets.

Next up: Miami Dolphins 

15. Indianapolis Colts (5-4 SU and 4-4-1 ATS)

Who knew that Jacoby Brissett was so damn good? After losing to the Dolphins of all teams with Brissett out, the former NC State star is expected to return this week as Indianapolis prepares for a three-week stretch against all three of their divisional rivals.

Next up: Jacksonville Jaguars 

16. Carolina Panthers (5-4 SU and 5-4 ATS)

After an impressive run, the Panthers are right back where they need to be in the middle of the rankings. The next two games against the Falcons and Saints will go a long way in determining if this team is a serious contender to compete for a playoff spot. One thing’s for sure though, Christian McCaffrey is a beast.

Next up: Atlanta Falcons

17. Tennessee Titans (5-5 SU and 5-5 ATS)

The Titans showed just what kind of team they can be last week in their upset win over the Chiefs if they get Derrick Henry on track. After the bye this week, next up will be two key divisional games against the Jaguars and Colts.

Next up: Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 12)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5 SU and 5-4-1 ATS)

Between getting knocked unconscious and getting smacked in the head with his own helmet, Mason Rudolph has had one hell of a season in filling in for Big Ben. However, you have to give him credit for bouncing back and showing some real toughness and resiliency throughout. That home game against the Browns in two weeks should be extremely interesting.

Next up: Cincinnati Bengals (Week 12)

19. Arizona Cardinals (3-6-1 SU and 7-3 ATS)

The Cardinals are tied with the Packers with having the best record in the league against the spread and perhaps should be ranked a bit higher for that fact alone. However, this is still a team with a ton of holes and it’ll be interesting to see if a top team like the Niners can expose them this week.

Next up: San Francisco 49ers 

20. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6 SU and 3-6-1 ATS)

The most inconsistent team in the league comes off another gutting loss to face a scary Chiefs squad looking to rebound itself on Monday night in Mexico City. It should be a fun and festive atmosphere that could feature some fireworks between two divisional rivals.

Next up: Kansas City Chiefs

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5 SU and 5-4 ATS)

The Jaguars may have new life as they come off the bye to face a struggling Colts team and they’ll do it with Nick Foles as their quarterback. You have to respect how Foles goes about his business, as he seems to instill a confidence and trust that cultivates winning.

Next up: Indianapolis Colts

22. Chicago Bears (4-5 SU and 3-6 ATS)

The Bears caught a huge break with Matthew Stafford’s injury last week and now they have another huge game this week in Los Angeles against the Rams. It’s still tough to have any confidence in Trubisky and now rookie running back David Montgomery is battling an ankle injury, but if the Bears D can step up and gut out a win against the Rams, the Bears have a chance to save their season with the following games against the Giants and Lions.

Next up: Los Angeles Rams

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6 SU and 2-7 ATS)

The talented Bucs finally got back into the win column on Sunday after a four-game losing streak, but they failed to cash at the window again. And with a pissed off Saints team coming to town this week, it’s hard to see this terrible Tampa Bay pass defense doing enough to get a win. However, the over has hit in seven consecutive Tampa Bay games and I don’t see why the streak would end this week.

Next up: New Orleans Saints

24. Detroit Lions (3-5-1 SU and 4-5 ATS)

A once promising season has quickly turned into another frustrating year for Lions fans as Detroit has lost two in a row. And with franchise QB Matthew Stafford still sidelined with tiny fractures in his back, it’s hard to imagine things turning around anytime soon, especially with an angry Cowboys team on the schedule this week.

Next up: Dallas Cowboys

25. Denver Broncos (3-6 SU and 5-4 ATS)

The Broncos continue to show some fight, but they come off the bye to face an extremely tough schedule in the latter half of the season that kicks off with road games at Minnesota and at Buffalo.

Next up: Minnesota Vikings

26. Cleveland Browns (4-6 SU and 3-6-1 ATS)

I described the Browns as the Titanic of the NFL last week, and despite their two wins in five days, is there any doubt that this is a sinking ship after that despicable end to the game last night? It’s been clear since Week 1 when the Browns committed 18 penalties for 182 yards in getting embarrassed by the Titans that this team has no accountability with Freddie Kitchens as head coach. If the Browns are ever to live up to its immense potential, they need a new offensive line and a head coach that demands respect. Until then, the clown show will continue.

Next up: Miami Dolphins (Week 12)

27. Miami Dolphins (2-7 SU and 5-4 ATS)

It’s hard to believe, but the Dolphins have now won two games in a row and cashed five straight weeks at the window. It’s been a truly unfathomable turnaround for a team that was historically bad to start the season. But credit rookie head coach Brian Flores for staying the course and Ryan Fitzpatrick for rediscovering his magic in getting this team back to respectability. Miami will look to keep the money flowing as 6.5-point home underdogs to Buffalo this week.

Next up: Buffalo Bills

28. New York Jets (2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS)

Adam Gase got a vote of confidence this week as CEO Christopher Johnson assured tormented Jets fans that their incompetent coach would return next year to once again waste Le’Veon Bell’s immense talent and develop Sam Darnold into one of the worst young QBs in the league. Only the Jets.

Next up: Washington Redskins

29. Atlanta Falcons (2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS)

The Falcons finally played up to their potential in their stunning win over the Saints last week. It was great to see Grady Jarrett and the Falcons defense get after the quarterback and shut down one of the better offenses in the league. We’ll see if they can keep it going this week against the Panthers as Dan Quinn continues to coach for his job.

Next up: Carolina Panthers 

30. New York Giants (2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS)

Remember when the Giants were 2-2 and Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur were running around like they won the Super Bowl? I said then that we would get the last laugh and LOL, it’s been nothing but laughs since Week 4 as “Danny Dimes” has turned into pennies. Jones, who comically tried to trademark his corny Danny Dimes nickname, now leads the NFL in fumbles (13) and the Giants lead the league with 24 turnovers. This is a bad football team.

Next up: Chicago Bears (Week 12)

31. Washington Redskins (1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS)

I don’t get all the Dwayne Haskins hate. Yes, he’s had a rough start to his NFL career, but his transition into the starting job has been botched by an incompetent franchise and he’s gone up against some tough defenses. Finally, he’s been named the starter for the rest of the year and gets to face two softer opponents in the Jets and the Lions over the next two weeks.

Next up: New York Jets

32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-9 SU and 3-6 ATS)

Despite getting blown off the field in all aspects by the Ravens, I’m still seeing some positive reviews of Ryan Finley. Give me a break. The Bungles’ schedule down the stretch is pretty soft, so you have to think they’ll eventually pick up a win, but it’s not likely to happen this week in Oakland.

Next up: Oakland Raiders

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Keep up with the latest trends and storylines from around the National Football League with our Week 11 NFL Betting Guide.