NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Teams in Tailspins
By Dean Holden
SLR’s Week 11 NFL Power Rankings: 32-25
Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) after the game at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Oakland Raiders 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8) NC
Well, the Buccaneers might have been able to move up a bit this week, but the Jaguars and Vikings won, too. So they walk to the top of the cellar stairs, only to have it slammed in their face. It looks like the key to victory was facing a team even more dysfunctional than the Bucs themselves. Too bad they won’t get to do that again for the rest of the season.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) NC
Good for Jacksonville. Not only did they get their first win of the season, taking “0-16 Watch” out of commission before it gained much steam, they did it against a division rival on the road. They’ll still be a high drafting team, and this year is still nothing more than an observation period for new management, but now they can finish out the season as just a regular bad team, without history looming.
30. Atlanta Falcons (2-7) ▼1
When the NFL schedule was released, Falcons/Seahawks looked like a marquee matchup. It actually turned out to be the mismatch of the week. Somebody explain how this team lost the NFC Championship by four points last season?
29. Minnesota Vikings (2-7) ▲1
Finally the Vikings earn a win on this side of the Atlantic. That’s good for pride, but they’d have to run off another seven straight to even think postseason, and they’re nowhere near good enough. What they need to do for now is try to keep a quarterback healthy for more than a week at a time.
28. Washington Redskins (3-6) ▼3
A win against the Vikings would have meant being within one game of the NFC East leader. Instead, they suffered a loss to the Vikings, who previously had beaten only the Steelers in London. People will blame a sophomore slump by Robert Griffin III, and it’s true he’s not playing as well as he did in 2012. Still, the defense carries plenty of blame for being a complete abomination.
27. Houston Texans (2-7) NC
Losing to Arizona isn’t as indicative of the direction this team is going as their decision to shut Arian Foster. They’ve chalked this season up as a loss, and chances are they’ll come back next season with a new quarterback.
26. Buffalo Bills (3-7) ▼3
It’s good for the Bills to get E.J. Manuel back. He has already shown he has the talent and the moxie to be a potential star for the Bills at quarterback in the long term. Of course, he just showed how far he has to go before he is that guy. Give this young team some time to grow together. Their ceiling is far better than where they’re playing now, though you might not see it until 2014.
25. Oakland Raiders (3-6) ▼3
Losing to the Giants is not exactly a confidence-inspiring outcome. This is supposed to be a team on the rise, but the cracks are starting to show. Maybe they’re still the Raiders after all.