Power Rankings
The Times’ NFL rankings (after Week 11)
by Lance Pugmire
Up: Bills + 8 | Down: Bears - 6
texans
9-1 0Can’t play perfectly every week, but with players like WR Andre Johnson around, with QB Matt Schaub going fantasy crazy, that’s OK.
falcons
9-1 0Five INTs by QB Matt Ryan against visiting Arizona a sign of trouble, couple questionable calls away from losing again.
broncos
7-3 1Loss of RB Willis McGahee will allow defenses to more liberally add a nickel back in secondary. Softer schedule in coming weeks helps.
packers
7-3 1WR Randall Cobb emerges as another solid target for QB Rodgers, who led victory despite two missed FGs by Mason Crosby, interception.
49ers
7-2-1 3Dominant pass rush led by Aldon Smith’s 5 1/2 sacks, emergence of backup QB Kaepernick vs. Bears strong case for NFC title run.
patriots
7-3 0Injury loss of TE Rob Gronkowski eliminates top catching option for Brady. Likely doesn’t matter as others in division fall by wayside.
ravens
8-2 0Showed what it takes to stand up to bully Pittsburgh in big road division game Sunday night. They were pounded last year at Chargers.
giants
6-4 2Had bye before drawing revenge-minded Packers in New Jersey. Will Manning revert to recent struggles or past big-game greatness?
bears
7-3 6As Houston, 49ers’ losses show, they clearly need Jay Cutler back to increase points production and limit defense’s time on the field.
steelers
6-4 1Another team desperate for its QB’s return will instead have to likely rely on third-string Charlie Batch at Browns.
seahawks
6-4 0Road tests off bye at Miami, Chicago will show if they’re more than a home-body. Defense ranks No. 2 in league vs. pass.
buccaneers
6-4 1WR Vincent Jackson earns his free-agent bucks with game-saving fourth-quarter TD and two-point catches in fourth straight win. Sharply improved team.
vikings
6-4 1Make-or-break three-game stretch awaits at Bears, at Packers, home to Bears. Getting WR Percy Harvin back from sore ankle seems critical.
saints
5-5 1They’ve found .500 after 0-4 start, but another slide seems probable as weak defense prepares for 49ers, Falcons, Giants.
colts
6-4 3Theory that seeing Tom Brady at work might benefit Andrew Luck seems impossinble to embrace getting rolled like that by Patriots.
cowboys
5-5 0Would’ve expected more convincing victory over visiting Browns. Seems far-fetched to project this group in the postseason.
bengals
5-5 0Relishing schedule break by rolling over Chiefs and awaiting Raiders. QB Andy Dalton directs league’s 10th-best pass offense.
redskins
4-6 1Robert Griffin III’s long bombs broke the will of Eagles. Tough stretch now wiuth Cowboys, Giants, Ravens in line next.
bills
4-6 8Too little, too late, or is Miami win the start of late surge with Colts, Jaguars, Rams next? Defense must remain stout.
dolphins
4-6 2Not enough offense to overcome recent slide against pass, and schedule unforgiving with Seattle, Patriots, 49ers up next.
titans
4-6 1RB Chris Johnson is getting better, but own run defense ranks 28th in league. Hard road to nine wins with Houston, Packers on schedule.
lions
4-6 1Losing to Green Bay just about does it for playoff hopes with Texans up on Thanksgiving, followed by Colts, at Packers.
jets
4-6 3Winning at St. Louis no little thing, as continued faith in QB Mark Sanchez pays off. Still, heavy ‘dog vs. Patriots Thanksgiving night.
chargers
4-6 6Offensive line ineptness worsens struggles of QB Rivers, run game. Meanwhile, G.M. A.J. Smith’s castoffs Brees, Jackson, Turner shine.
eagles
3-7 2Not showing up now despite edict from owner that playoffs were needed. More than the coach will lose job for this.
cardinals
4-6 1Rightfully booted John Skelton from QB after he missed WR Fitzgerald in end zone. Problem is rookie Lindley did nothing while defense gave all in Atlanta.
rams
3-6-1 3Committed three turnovers, and failed to force one for a fifth straight game in loss to slumping Jets. Now they go to Arizona.
browns
2-8 1Most recent loss reveals flaw in replay system, when officials were barred from reviewing “incomplete” pass that clearly was a lost Dallas fumble.
raiders
3-7 1Tough to hang in there without RBs, costly miscues by QB, defense in shambles. At Bengals next, 1-4 on road.
panthers
2-8 0Losing like bad teams do: late. At least they get chance to rehabilitate record some with Eagles, Chiefs up next.
chiefs
1-9 0Another lopsided loss mutes game effort week earlier, and now they face possible onslaught vs. streaking Broncos.
jaguars
1-9 0Their best showing of the year was in Sunday’s defeat vs. Texans, with WR Justin Blackmon showing why he was top pick.
