Ten weeks through the regular season and just two weeks from Thanksgiving, the NFL is heading for its stretch run, with a top heavy NFC battling for position, while the Patriots and Ravens attempt to distance themselves in the AFC race. This feels like the right time to check on the Week 11 NFL Power Rankings at The Wife Hates Sports, which following the Week 10 slate, showcases the Patriots and 49ers at the top of the list.
Overall, these rankings look at a number of different statistical categories, as well as overall performance both at home and on the road. They are meant to provide a different spin, as compared to the mainstream sports rankings that often focus on records and franchise popularity.
Cream of the Crop
In my first published edition of the season, the New England Patriots – despite faltering at the hands of the Ravens a few weeks ago – sit in first place, with a 14-point edge over the San Francisco 49ers. Each of these two teams features a ferocious defense that wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. The Baltimore Ravens – headlined by flashy playmaker Lamar Jackson – land in third place. These three teams hold a hefty lead over the rest of the league. It should also be noted that while Baltimore posted a significant victory over the Pats, when it comes to the bigger picture for the entire season, New England still currently has the edge. It remains to be seen how that will play out, especially with the Patriots facing some stiffer competition in the upcoming weeks.
Surprise in the Top Five
The Dallas Cowboys (5-4) have the worst record amongst the current division leaders, yet land in fifth place in the rankings. Admittedly, this is a bit of a surprise. Still, Dallas has been quite consistent and explosive offensively. Its third-ranked passing offense averages nearly 300 yards per game, while its Ezekiel Elliott led rushing offense ranks fifth. Also, the Cowboys pass defense is sixth in the league (219.8 ypg), allowing just nine TD’s through the air in nine games.
Pack, ‘Hawks Deserve Better?
Green Bay and Seattle both sit at 8-2 and each come off huge wins, as the Packers knocked off the Panthers in the snow, while Seattle handed the 49ers its first loss of the season on the road. Despite that, the Packers land in 9th place in the rankings, while the Seahawks sit in 7th position. Perhaps each team deserves a bit better. Why could this be?
Well, overall, Green Bay’s defense currently ranks in the bottom ten both against the pass and the run. The numbers do not always tell the real story, as the Green Bay pass D has certainly been effective (and downright nasty) at times. Meanwhile, Seattle’s pass rush and aggressive style was on full display against San Francisco last night. But statistically, yards have been given up in bunches, too. Seattle also is just +21 in point differential, despite being six games above the .500-mark. It all adds up in the model.
Don’t Sleep on the Steelers
How many thought the Steelers were toast once Big Ben went down with an injury? Don’t look now, but Pittsburgh would be a playoff team if the season ended today. Injuries remain aplenty, especially in the run game, but Pittsburgh is putting together quite a run. Give credit to Mike Tomlin and his staff. Also, the Pittsburgh defense – headlined by young stars like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Devin Bush – is quite underrated and should not be overlooked. Despite the current playoff position, statistically the Steelers are not quite there and land in 16th place this week. That could change rather quickly and we’ll see how the Steelers do playing the rival Browns on short rest this week.
Cellar Dwellers
Finally, the youthful Dolphins continue to play hard and improve, shocking the Colts in Indianapolis over the weekend. Digging out of a massive statistical hole, Miami still sits in 31st place, with the hapless Redskins still slightly ahead of them. Don’t expect it to stay that way, with Washington starting rookie Dwayne Haskins for the rest of the season. Miami is nowhere near the worst team in the league and expect big things to come with a stockpile of high draft picks over the next two seasons. Brian Flores is looking like a great hire by the ‘Fins. In the end, the real cellar dwellers here are the Cincinnati Bengals (last place), Redskins (30th) and the two New York teams (28th and 29th place, respectively).
Summaries aside, here is the full list of KP’s Week 11 NFL Power Rankings at The Wife Hates Sports. We are certain to agree to disagree on some of the rankings, but that is part of the fun. I certainly might consider adding more weight to more recent performances, but for now, I’m keeping the format the way that it currently is (and has been).
With seven weeks to go, holiday schedules and bad weather games will start coming into play. We are just getting started and this is going to be a really fun stretch.
Week 11 NFL Power Rankings: November 12, 2019
*Stats, records and information through Week 10 of the 2019 NFL season
1. New England Patriots (250 points)
2. San Francisco 49ers (236 points)
3. Baltimore Ravens (199 points)
4. Dallas Cowboys (162 points)
5. Minnesota Vikings (160 points)
6. New Orleans Saints (153 points)
7. Seattle Seahawks (152 points)
8. Green Bay Packers (142 points)
9. Houston Texans (142 points)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (125 points)
11. Buffalo Bills (117 points)
12. Los Angeles Rams (111 points)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (89 points)
14. Indianapolis Colts (81 points)
15. Carolina Panthers (71 points)
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (65 points)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (63 points)
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (62 points)
19. Tennessee Titans (57 points)
20. Oakland Raiders (53 points)
21. Chicago Bears (46 points)
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (41 points)
23. Denver Broncos (29 points)
24. Detroit Lions (23 points)
25. Cleveland Browns (17 points)
26. Arizona Cardinals (-7 points)
27. Atlanta Falcons (-24 points)
28. New York Giants (-51 points)
29. New York Jets (-62 points)
30. Washington Redskins (-81 points)
31. Miami Dolphins (-95 points)
32. Cincinnati Bengals (-108 points)
* All stats per NFL.com
The Wife Hates Sports NFL Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of eight completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed on the road, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.
