NFL Power Rankings - Week 11: Rams, Saints join top 5 after offensive explosions

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

Previous Rank: 1st

The top of the NFC got a little crowded while the Eagles enjoyed their bye, but they can clear some room Sunday night against the Cowboys. - Sanderson

2. New England Patriots (7-2)

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Patriots' defense appears to have woken up against the Broncos last week. The Raiders' offense should present a tougher test. - Sanderson

3. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)

Previous Rank: 4th

The Rams are averaging a league-best 32.9 points per game. The 1999 Rams also averaged 32.9 points per game en route to the lone Super Bowl in franchise history. Will history repeat? - Srinivasan

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Steelers are still playing down to inferior competition. It's evident they're hoping to sleepwalk into their heavyweight fight with the Patriots in Week 15. - McClymont

5. New Orleans Saints (7-2)

Previous Rank: 6th

Just as we all predicted in the offseason, the Eagles, Saints, and Rams are the class of the NFC. We know nothing. - Browne

6. Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Previous Rank: 5th

Which Chiefs team is going to show up in the second half? During the home stretch, Kansas City needs to prove that hot start wasn't a fluke. - Srinivasan

7. Minnesota Vikings (7-2)

Previous Rank: 8th

They're quietly riding a five-game win streak, but the Vikings will truly be put to the test when they meet the fellow 7-2 Rams on Sunday. - McClymont

8. Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

Previous Rank: 9th

Russell Wilson will have to continue to play like an MVP candidate if the Seahawks are to weather the Richard Sherman injury while trying to contend for a Super Bowl. - Srinivasan

9. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

Previous Rank: 10th

Cam Newton finally looks like himself, and that's a frightening thought for the rest of the league. - Browne

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)

Previous Rank: 11th

The 6-3 Jaguars have a cupcake schedule remaining. Get ready for playoff Blake Bortles! - Browne

11. Atlanta Falcons (5-4)

Previous Rank: 15th

The next time Tyron Smith asks for a raise, all he'll need is the tape of Adrian Clayborn eviscerating Chaz Green over and over and over again. - Browne

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

Previous Rank: 7th

The answer is very simple: Don't let Chaz Green play left tackle. - Sanderson

13. Tennessee Titans (6-3)

Previous Rank: 13th

Tennessee needs a signature win to legitimize its status as an AFC contender, and the inconsistent Steelers are the perfect opportunity to send a message. - Browne

14. Detroit Lions (5-4)

Previous Rank: 14th

Detroit's right in the middle of the playoff picture and owns one of the easier remaining schedules. - McClymont

15. Washington Redskins (4-5)

Previous Rank: 16th

Putting up 30 points on the Vikings' defense is something to be proud of, but allowing 38 points to Case Keenum is not. - Sanderson

16. Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Previous Rank: 12th

Bills fans spent so long being patient and not totally buying into Buffalo's playoff chances before finally starting to believe. Then the Saints ripped that hope apart. - Sanderson

17. Oakland Raiders (4-5)

Previous Rank: 17th

If the Raiders are going to turn around their season, they'll need more from Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. - Srinivasan

18. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)

Previous Rank: 23rd

What an awful display by the Ravens on Sunday. They ... what's that? They didn't play this week? My apologies. I just assumed ... - McClymont

19. Arizona Cardinals (4-5)

Previous Rank: 19th

Ageless wonder Larry Fitzgerald ranks second in receptions this season and the Cardinals would be wise to run their offense almost exclusively through him. - Srinivasan

20. Green Bay Packers (5-4)

Previous Rank: 24th

Brett Hundley proved capable of leading a dialed-down version of the Packers' offense, but the cards will be even more stacked against him if the team's top two running backs have to miss any time. - McClymont

21. New York Jets (4-6)

Previous Rank: 21st

The tank is back on ... for now. The Jets can't seem to decide if they'd rather have that juicy draft pick or a chance to compete in the AFC's wide-open playoff race. - Sanderson

22. Los Angeles Chargers (3-6)

Previous Rank: 20th

The Chargers may enter Sunday's game without Philip Rivers, intensifying their identity crisis. - Srinivasan

23. Miami Dolphins (4-5)

Previous Rank: 22nd

Bills: "No one in our division could possibly take a beating like the one we just did." Dolphins: "Hold my beer." - Sanderson

24. Denver Broncos (3-6)

Previous Rank: 21st

It's hard to believe that the core of this team won the Super Bowl two years ago. - Srinivasan

25. Houston Texans (3-6)

Previous Rank: 25th

Tom Savage shouldn't be on an NFL roster, let alone starting for a playoff-caliber team. Fans should be angry at the Texans for essentially throwing in the towel. - Browne

26. Indianapolis Colts (3-7)

Previous Rank: 26th

Andrew Luck's future may be uncertain, but the Colts should count themselves fortunate for finding Jacoby Brissett, who's performing far beyond reasonable expectations. - Browne

27. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)

Previous Rank: 28th

Vontaze Burfict avoided suspension for contact with an official. Now can he avoid controversy for a week? - McClymont

28. Chicago Bears (3-6)

Previous Rank: 27th

The fact that the rebuilding Bears can't beat an Aaron Rodgers-less Packers team at Soldier Field has to be sobering. - McClymont

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6)

Previous Rank: 29th

The Bucs looked ready to give up before Week 10. Dirk Koetter deserves credit for getting a team without Mike Evans or Jameis Winston rolling in a win over the Jets. - Browne

30. San Francisco 49ers (1-9)

Previous Rank: 31st

The 49ers received their first win of the season, and since they have their quarterback of the future in Jimmy Garoppolo, they should be happy with the No. 2 pick in next spring's draft. - Srinivasan

31. New York Giants (1-8)

Previous Rank: 30th

Regardless of what they say, the Giants have given up this season. Don't believe it? Watch Janoris Jenkins avoid tackles like he was Barry Sanders. - Sanderson

32. Cleveland Browns (0-9)

Previous Rank: 32nd

While facing the only franchise to record an 0-16 season, the Browns showed why they'll do it next. - McClymont