Week 11 Power Rankings: A NEW Number 1

 For the first time since the opening few weeks in the NFL season, we have got a new top dawg in the power rankings. Philadelphia's shocking loss to the Commanders on MNF opened the door for a changing of the guard at the very top. Not only that, but there were multiple other shocking results in week 10, leading to a lot of movement and change, especially near the top. Let's get into it!

1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)
Last Week: #2 +

The Chiefs are inevitable. Just when we thought they might regress some this season after losing Tyreek Hill, they are arguably the best they have ever been. While the injury to budding WR1 Juju Smith-Schuster is concerning, new addition Kadarius Toney filled the void beautifully against Jacksonville, scoring his first career TD along with 100 all-purpose yards on offense. The Chiefs are the new number 1!

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)
Last Week: #1 -

It was bound to happen at some point. The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season in a downright weird game against the Commanders. They had every chance to comeback and win this game and they simply couldn't. However, there were some very questionable calls late in the game that could have reversed the final score if called correctly, so I can't rag on this team too hard. They are clearly missing stud rookie DT Jordan Davis in run defense right now.

3. Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
Last Week: #4 +

I'll spoil it right now: the Vikings are my team of the week for week 10. I don't think I've seen a better team win all year than what Minnesota did in Buffalo. Down multiple scores going into the fourth quarter, this team fired on all cylinders to storm all the way back and force OT, and then win in OT for their biggest win in years. These Vikings have proved it, they are for real. What an amazing job rookie HC Kevin O'Connell has done here. Shoutout to *spoiler* (player of the week) Justin Jefferson, who is a once in a generation player. 

4. Miami Dolphins (7-3)
Last Week: #6 +

The Dolphins continue their undefeated streak in games that QB Tua Tagovailoa plays. This might be the best offense in the NFL, and they simply are blowing opposing defenses out of the water in every which way on a weekly basis. Over the top with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. In the seam with Mike Gesicki. The outside run from Raheem Mostert. Now even through the middle with Jeff Wilson. While their defense has not been special, it has not mattered. These Dolphins are true Super Bowl contenders and Tua is going to be in the MVP discussion down the stretch.

5. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Last Week: #3 -

Something odd is going on in Buffalo. For the last few weeks, this team has not looked right. Maybe it's the lingering injuries on Josh Allen, or a few of the injuries on defense, but this team is not right at the moment. They have not scored a second half TD in weeks, and it is getting concerning. While I still firmly believe they could be the team to beat in the AFC playoffs, they have to still go out and win these games to get there. The collapse vs Minnesota was hopefully the wake-up call this team needed.

6. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Last Week: #8 +

The Ravens move up two slots and didn't even touch a football this weekend. The bye came at a good time for a dinged up roster and can expect both Mark Andrews and Gus Edwards to return to the starting lineup this Sunday!

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-4)
Last Week: #10 +

It was not the best win ever, but the Niners did just enough in the fourth Q on defense to stifle Justin Herbert and the Chargers and come out with an SNF victory. At 5-4, the Niners sit just a half-game back on Seattle for first place in the NFC West and can move into first place with a win this coming weekend against AZ (as they have the H2H tiebreaker over Seattle right now). This offense will always confuse me with such a good supporting cast but such an average QB. However, with that supporting cast and this defense, they are a Super Bowl contender.

8. Dallas Cowboys (6-3)
Last Week: #5 -

One of the biggest upsets of the weekend was the Cowboys falling to the lowly Packers, including blowing a two-score fourth quarter lead. I think Dallas simply got a little bit lazy at that point and allowed Green Bay back into the game. I'm not too worried about this team dropping a single game to an All-Time great QB.

9. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Last Week: #7 -

A win in Munich over Brady and the Bucs would have felt amazing for Seattle as they could have coasted into their BYE week on a 6 game winning streak and a 1.5 game lead in the NFC West. Instead, they returned to their early season woes against the run and let rookie RB Rachaad White run all over them. While Geno Smith played hero ball late in the game, it wasn't enough. I'm not too worried about a really quality Seattle team who gets their bye week and then a home date against the torpedoing Raiders in week 12.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)
Last Week: #9 -

While on bye the Bengals drop one spot due to other team movement. The last time we saw this team Joe Mixon scored 5 TDs and they were firing on all cylinders. In a close race for first with the Ravens down the stretch, the Bengals can't miss a beat. Good thing they have Joe Sheisty at QB and are nearing Ja'Marr Chase's return.

11. New York Jets (6-3)
Last Week: #11

The Jets stay put at 11 following a bye in week 10. We last saw them following a major upset W over the Bills. While their offense continues to worry me, they keep proving they can win with that elite defense they have.

12. New York Giants (7-2)
Last Week: #12

To the surprise of some, I will keep the Giants at 12, even with a win in week 10 and holding one of the best records in the NFL. This team simply isn't real. They get teams like the Texans and Jaguars every single week. I'm not sure how they received such an easy schedule but they are certainly taking advantage of it. I can't move them up much until I see a quality win, because I keep thinking back to their losses against Dallas and Seattle (two of the three quality teams they have played all year).

13. Tennessee Titans (6-3)
Last Week: #13

Here is the third-straight team to stay in the same spot as a week ago. The Titans got a close win against the lowly Broncos in week 10 which makes me keep them right here. I am worried about their QB situation with Ryan Tannehill and his clearly dinged up ankle. They won't have much time to nurse it as they head to Green Bay for TNF tomorrow.

14. New England Patriots (5-4)
Last Week: #14

Another team with no movement due to a bye. The Patriots looked really good in their most recent win and currently sit holding a playoff spot in the loaded AFC. They obviously have a lot of work to do and will need to pull off some upset wins to remain in grasp of a playoff spot, but for now with the way their D is playing, it is very possible.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
Last Week: #16 +

I wanted to move Tampa higher, but I didn't want to put them below any of the teams directly ahead of them just yet. Over the past two weeks it feels like the Bucs have found themselves and look like they will run away with this dumpster fire of an NFC South and even get to host a first round playoff game. Wild stuff. With how weak the NFC is this year, each win stacked on makes me feel like Tom Brady is going to find a way to out-duel everyone in the playoffs and return to the Super Bowl. Props to guys like Jalen Hurts, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, and others for their breakout seasons, but when it comes time for playoffs, can we really pick any of those guys over Brady?! Tampa's storyline is going to be a wildly interesting one to watch down the stretch.

16. Washington Commanders (5-5)
Last Week: #18 +

Taylor Heinicke is a magician. There is no other way of putting it. The Commanders are 3-1 since he entered the starting lineup (should have arguably been 4-0 if not for a close loss against the juggernaut Vikings). On MNF, on the road, against the best team in football, Heinicke (and this ravenous defense) never let up and throttled the Eagles. There was never much of a doubt in my mind that they would win the game once they took the lead in the second quarter. BTW, I had Washington winning this one in my weekly game predictions! I'm not sure how this will continue, but for now the Commanders have made it back to .500 and are firmly in the hunt for an NFC playoff berth.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (5-4)
Last Week: #15 -

LOST Angeles Chargers. What is going on here. I get that Brandon Staley is a crummy HC, but why is it effecting the throws of Justin Herbert? I get this team is super banged up right now and was without Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, but Herbert did not look good at ALL. The best QBs look at least decent without their top guys. Not Herbert this week. Somehow the Chargers only have 4 losses when it feels like they disappoint every weekend, but it isn't too late for them to turn this around. Hopefully with the looming returns of Williams and Allen, this offense can get right.

18. Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1)
Last Week: #27 ++

I'm choosing to believe that the previous coaching staff was the reason this team was underperforming. In one game as the new interim HC, Jeff Saturday did an awesome job. Every single aspect of this team looked better and fresh. New playcaller Parks Frazier had a masterful debut, unleashing Jonathan Taylor and working out a great gameplan for Matt Ryan to return to the starting lineup and thrive. It was only the Raiders who they beat, but still it was a major sign of life and I believe this team could have some gas left in the tank. Jeff Saturday could wind up a coaching legend if this team can string together some wins.

19. Green Bay Packers (4-6)
Last Week: #26 ++

Another HUGE riser after a major win. The Packers had looked lifeless just like the Colts over the past few weeks, but something about that rivalry with Dallas sparked new life into Aaron Rodgers and this offense, coming back from down multiple scores in the fourth to force OT and wind up winning. Aaron Jones played a great game with the Packers leaning on the run game and rookie second round WR Christian Watson had his breakout game, scoring THREE TDs! Maybe the Packers aren't dead yet...

20. Arizona Cardinals (4-6)
Last Week: #25 ++

In the 'Backup Bowl' which featured Colt McCoy for Arizona and John Wolford for the Rams, the Cardinals were able to come out victorious in a desperately needed win. While I still don't think this team is making a playoff push this season, this win at least gives them a fighting chance. It was an impressive team win over the defending Super Bowl champs, who continue to sputter, now into dead last in the West.

21. Chicago Bears (3-7)
Last Week: #20 -

I do not care if they lost to the Lions by one point, they are still higher in my rankings! The Bears are a mess. They were clearly not built to contend at all this year, as evident with their defense, but the run that QB Justin Fields is on is CRAZY. For the second straight week, Justin Fields had an MVP-like performance. This week it was 167 yards and 2 TDs through the air and then another 147 and two more scores on the ground. The marks the second straight week Fields has topped 145 rush yards AND multiple scores through the air. With Fields playing like this, Chicago will be in many games to end the year.

22. Detroit Lions (3-6)
Last Week: #28 ++

They probably do deserve to be at least one spot higher than the Bears whom they just beat for their second consecutive victory, but I'm not doing it. I think Chicago deserved that win and got very unlucky at the end of the game. Nonetheless, great fight from Detroit as they came back from some terrible defense and wound up winning by one on the road. At 3-6 they aren't even FULLY out of the playoff race in a super weak NFC...

23. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
Last Week: #19 -

It was definitely not a good game from Cleveland, but you can't really blame them. Kevin Stefanski is doing the best with what he's got until Deshaun Watson comes back. Against the juggernaut that is Miami, Cleveland hung around for awhile which is the most you can ask for. Only a few more weeks for this team until they get Watson back.

24. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
Last Week: #17 --

Just when we thought that the Falcons might have a fighting chance to win the NFC South, they got lazy. Following a crushing defeat to the lowly Panthers, I can't say I have much hope for this Falcon team. Still, they are technically only a game out of first place in the South so they could mathematically still have a great shot at post-season football if they can really start to win some games.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6)
Last Week: #30 ++

It was so far from pretty, but a win is a win, and that is what the Steelers did on Sunday. Through good defense and a solid game from Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh won its third game of the year! There are definitely some bright spots on this team, but they should really start thinking about the off-season soon...

26. New Orleans Saints (3-7)
Last Week: #24 -

I'm so unsure of how the Saints are this bad, but they clearly need to go back to Jameis Winston at QB. If Winston can play good football and this team wins some games down the stretch, including a crucial one vs Tampa coming up, they could STILL win the South and make the post-season in miracle fashion.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
Last Week: #23 -

I will commend the Jags for at least looking like they are trying to win each and every week, no matter the opponent. It was slightly interesting early against Mahomes and the Chiefs but to no one's surprise, KC pulled away and left Jacksonville with their 7th loss of the year. I still think this team has a bright future in 2023+.

28. Denver Broncos (3-6)
Last Week: #22 --

One step forward, two steps back. The Broncos won a game before this week but then came out and shit the bed like usual in a winnable game against Tennessee. This insane stat encompasses their struggles: if the Broncos had scored just 18 points or more in every game this season, their record would be 8-1!! This offense might be the worst in the league, and Russell Wilson is to blame.

29. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)
Last Week: #21 --

I've seen Super Bowl hangovers, but never quite like this. The Rams are on pace to be the WORST Super Bowl hangover team in the Super Bowl era right now. How poorly they are playing in seemingly every facet of the game is astounding. And to make matters worse, Cooper Kupp is out at least four weeks on IR with a high ankle sprain. This may be the beginning of a lonnnngggg rebuilding process in LA following a hollywood-like Super Bowl run.

30. Carolina Panthers (3-7)
Last Week: #31 +

Props to Carolina for going out and pulling off a big upset over the Falcons this week, but this team is still amongst the very worst of the worst. PJ Walker was finding some rhythm at QB for this team but now he's sidelined with an injury that opens the door for Baker Mayfield to start this weekend. It is a mess in Charlotte.

31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
Last Week: #29 -

Speak of a mess. The Raider season continues to worsen and worsen with each passing week. I think some Raider fans were relieved at the thought that at least HC Josh McDaniels would probably not return next season, but now that's out the window as owner Mark Davis reaffirmed his support of McDaniels for returning next season. Buckle up...

32. Houston Texans (1-7-1)
Last Week: #32

Nothing to say here. Still the worst team every week, Dameon Pierce is still HIM!

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JKNFLFOOTBALL Week 10 Honors

Offensive Player of the Week: Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Statline: 10 receptions for 193 yards, 1 TD receiving

Defensive Player of the Week: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
Statline: 2 INTs (one was the game-winning INT in OT), 2 PDs, 4 total tackles

Special Teams Player of the Week: Joey Slye, Kicker, Washington Commanders
Statline: 14 total points, 4/4 FG's, 2/2 XP's, 58 LONG (career high)

Rookie of the Week: Christian Watson, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Statline: 4 receptions for 107 yards, 3 TDs receiving

Team of the Week: Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
Beat Buffalo Bills 33-30 (OT)

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Week 11 Official Game Picks
Last Week's Record: 7-7
2022 Season Overall: 76-57-1

Titans over Packers (27-20)
Bears over Falcons (33-29)
Eagles over Colts (33-20)
Patriots over Jets (20-10)
Commanders over Texans (28-18)
Saints over Rams (20-13)
Bills over Browns (37-20)
Ravens over Panthers (33-17)
Lions over Giants (28-24)
Broncos over Raiders (19-16)
Cowboys over Vikings (28-27)
Bengals over Steelers (32-23)
Chiefs over Chargers (34-28)
49ers over Cardinals (22-14)