Strike 7 Elite: NFL Power Rankings 1-10
1. Chiefs: (8-2) Previous Ranking 3rd
It’s starting to become musical chairs at naming the number-one-ranked team in the National Football League. The latest squad to receive that designation is the Kansas City Chiefs. Can they remain at the top spot beyond one week? It’s highly possible. On Sunday night, we witnessed another classic ending between the Chiefs and their division rival, the Los Angeles Chargers. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce make things look so easy, especially when the game is on the line.
Late in the 4th quarter, the Chargers took the lead 27-23 with 1:46 remaining. Kansas City got the ball back and marched down the field to close the game. Mahomes connected with Kelce on a 17-yard pass that resulted in a touchdown for the Chiefs. As I have previously stated, “no lead is safe against the Kansas City Chiefs.”
2. Eagles: (9-1) Previous Ranking 2nd
The Philadelphia Eagles were able to bounce back from their first loss of the season to the Washington Commanders. However, I did not come easy against the Indianapolis Colts. It took a late Jalen Hurts TD run to put them ahead of the Indianapolis 17-16 with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter. Folks may doubt Philly being a Super Bowl contender after how they have performed lately, but these are the games they are supposed to win. When a team has built a record like the Eagles, they will get an opponent’s best effort. The Eagles’ 17-16 victory over the Colts was their seventh straight road win.
3. Cowboys: (7-3) Previous Ranking 10th
The Dallas Cowboys recovered from their Week 10 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers in a huge way. It was a no-contest in a game we viewed as one of our marquee matchups for Week 11. The Cowboys dominated the Vikings from start to finish as they cruised to a 40-3 victory. Running back Tony Pollard continues to show why he is one of the league’s best weapons on offense. He finished the day with 189 all-purpose yards and two TDs through the air. His teammate Micah Parsons terrorized Kirk Cousins with two sacks.
4. Miami Dolphins: (7-3)
The Miami Dolphins were on a bye during Week 11. They return to action next Sunday against the Houston Texans. Following the Texans’ game, the Dolphins will have two huge matchups against the 49ers and the Chargers.
5. Buffalo Bills: (7-3) Previous Ranking 11th
The weather conditions near Buffalo were deemed unsafe for the Bills to play against the Cleveland Browns. The game was moved to the city of Detroit. The move to Motown didn’t phase the Bills one bit. They handed the Browns their seventh season loss with a 31-23 victory. The win puts the Bills at 7-3 and once again within reach of the AFC East. Miami currently holds the tiebreaker. The Bills will remain in the Motor City and prepare for their Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Detroit Lions. With the way that Detroit has been playing lately, I think we will be in for a treat on Thursday.
6. Titans: (7-3) Previous Ranking 7th
The Tennessee Titans would leave Lambeau Field with a victory in a game with loss written all over it. Their defense limited Aaron Rodgers to only 227 passing yards. But the biggest takeaway from Thursday’s game was the production of QB Ryan Tannehill. He completed 22 of 27 passes for 333 yards and two TDs. Rookie WR Treylon Burks had his best game of the season when he caught seven passes for 111 receiving yards. They are difficult to beat when Tennessee performs like this, especially in January.
7. Ravens: (7-3) Previous Ranking 6th
It wasn’t pretty, but the Baltimore Ravens advanced to a record of 7-3 after defeating the Carolina Panthers at home. The game was a low-scoring affair until costly mistakes by Baker Mayfield sealed the Panthers’ fate. The Ravens’ defense forced three turnovers in the final 8:14. Lamar Jackson would capitalize by scoring on a 1-yard run into the endzone. The TD by Jackson was enough to lift Baltimore past Carolina with a 13-3 win. The Ravens improved its turnover margin to plus-9 on the season and now have at least one takeaway in 12 straight games.
8. Bengals: (6-4) Previous Ranking 13th
The Cincinnati Bengals stay within reach of the AFC North with another win added to their record. The win came against a division opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Joe Burrow had another colossal day when he completed 24 of 39 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns. He also tied Hall of Famer Kurt Warner by passing the 10,000-yard career mark in only 36 games. Overall, the Bengals’ offense racked up 408 yards of total offense.
9. Vikings: (8-2) Previous Ranking 1st
I am pretty sure there was not another video of Kirk Cousins celebrating by wearing his teammates’ chains. The Vikings were no match for the Dallas Cowboys, as they were routed 40-3 in front of their home crowd. If the Vikings do not get a home-field advantage in the postseason, you can point to games like the one they played yesterday as the root cause. Up next is a Thanksgiving night showdown with the New England Patriots. We all know how Cousins can get in a primetime setting.
10. 49ers: (5-4) Previous Ranking 9th
If a team like Minnesota starts to plummet in the standings, do not be surprised if the San Francisco 49ers ascend to a top seed in the conference. They have challenging games against the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Commanders, but three of the four mentioned are at home.
Power Rankings 11-20: Second Tier
11. Commanders: (6-5)
12. Giants: (7-3)
13. Seahawks: (6-4)
14. Patriots: (6-4)
15. Buccaneers: (5-5)
16. Jets: (6-4)
17. Chargers: (5-5)
18. Falcons: (5-6)
19. Lions: (4-6)
20. Colts: (4-6-1)
Power Rankings 21-32: Bottom Tier
21. Cardinals: (4-6)
22. Saints: (4-7)
23. Packers: (4-7)
24. Rams: (3-7)
25. Bears: (3-8)
26. Raiders: (3-7)
27. Broncos: (3-7)
28. Panthers: (3-8)
29. Jaguars: (3-7)
30. Steelers: (3-7)
31. Browns: (3-7)
32. Texans: (1-8)
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