Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL groups. The rankings will keep in mind not simply weekly efficiency, accidents and roster depth, however how effectively every workforce measures up as Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the rankings heading into Week 11:
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1, No. 2)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: at Chiefs
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2, No. 3)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. Eagles
3. Ravens (7-3, No. 1)
Last week: Loss vs. Browns, 33-31
Up subsequent: vs. Bengals
Just when it seemed just like the Ravens had been rounding into type as the very best workforce within the NFL, they blew leads of 24-9 and 31-17 within the second half of a surprising loss to the Browns. Baltimore’s lack of ability to complete video games is deeply regarding, with a minus-17 level differential within the fourth quarter that ranks sixth worst within the league. It’s been a troubling pattern for some time; in accordance with ESPN, the Ravens’ seven losses after main within the fourth quarter for the reason that begin of final season are tied with the Colts for probably the most within the NFL over that span. Whether it’s Lamar Jackson’s ill-advised move that led to a pick-six, the offense’s total stagnation within the clutch or the protection’s lack of ability to cease the run and get off the sphere within the fourth quarter, there have been loads of warning indicators Sunday that this isn’t the Super Bowl contender many began to imagine in through the Ravens’ four-game profitable streak. Throw in accidents to left deal with Ronnie Stanley (knee) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), two vastly essential items on their respective sides of the ball, and the Ravens enter Thursday evening in a tenuous spot with a crowded AFC playoff image forming proper behind them.
4. Detroit Lions (7-2, No. 6)
Last week: Win vs. Chargers, 41-38
Up subsequent: vs. Bears
Coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson placed on a grasp class Sunday, combining an aggressive mentality with various play calls to maintain the Chargers on their heels. The Lions went 4-for-5 on fourth down, together with fourth-and-2 with 1:47 left once they might have simply kicked the go-ahead area aim. Instead, they transformed, bled the clock and gained on a 41-yard area aim as time expired. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is likely to be probably the most potent one-two within the league, combining for 193 yards and three touchdowns, and large receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to look unguardable. With a playoff spot all however locked up (97.7% likelihood, in accordance with ESPN’s Football Power Index), Detroit’s subsequent aim must be edging the Eagles for the very best report within the NFC.
5. San Francisco 49ers (6-3, No. 7)
Last week: Win vs. Jaguars, 34-3
Up subsequent: vs. Buccaneers
Reports of the 49ers’ demise had been significantly exaggerated. After shedding three straight, San Francisco emerged from its bye week on a mission, piling up 437 complete yards and forcing 4 turnovers in a demolition of the red-hot Jaguars. Quarterback Brock Purdy quieted any doubters with 296 yards and three touchdowns, and the offense seemed again to being one of many league’s finest with a wholesome Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk all on the sphere collectively. Defensive finish Chase Young’s strong workforce debut (1/2 sack, two quarterback hits) bolsters a line of defense that appears poised to begin piling up large numbers.
6. Dallas Cowboys (6-3, No. 9)
Last week: Win vs. Giants, 49-17
Up subsequent: at Panthers
In a Most Valuable Player race with no clear-cut favourite, quarterback Dak Prescott must be a part of the dialog. The two-time Pro Bowl choice accomplished 74.2% of his passes for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns and likewise ran for a rating Sunday earlier than sitting out the complete fourth quarter in a blowout win. According to ESPN Stats and Info, it was Prescott’s seventh recreation with at the least 400 passing yards and a 70% completion fee, tied for the second-most such video games in NFL historical past. When he’s scorching, there are few quarterbacks extra spectacular.
7. Cleveland Browns (6-3, No. 11)
Last week: Win vs. Ravens, 33-31
Up subsequent: vs. Steelers
What a distinction a half could make. Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw a pick-six on his first move Sunday and will solely lead the Browns to a few area targets within the first two quarters, elevating extra questions on his viability because the starter. But he seemed like a totally totally different participant popping out of the break, finishing all 14 of his passes for 134 yards and a landing as Cleveland erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. Another harm, this time to his left ankle, might as soon as once more derail his season, although Watson mentioned he expects to play in opposition to the Steelers. While this current stretch is encouraging, it stays to be seen if he can return to being an above-average quarterback.
8. Miami Dolphins (6-3, No. 8)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. Raiders
9. Houston Texans (5-4, No. 15)
Last week: Win vs. Bengals, 30-27
Up subsequent: vs. Cardinals
After passing for a rookie-record 470 yards in a dramatic victory final week, what did quarterback C.J. Stroud do for an encore? How about 356 yards and one other game-winning drive, as Matt Ammendola kicked a 38-yard area aim as time expired. Stroud joined Cam Newton as the one rookies with 350-plus passing yards in consecutive video games, persevering with a breakout season that has reworked the Texans right into a shocking playoff contender. The former Ohio State star leads the league with 291.8 passing yards per recreation and will change into the primary rookie to complete the season first in that class since Davey O’Brien in 1939. Forget Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud deserves to be within the MVP dialog.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3, No. 5)
Last week: Loss vs. 49ers, 34-3
Up subsequent: vs. Titans
It’s again to the drafting board for the Jaguars, who should shortly regroup after watching their five-game profitable streak finish with an unpleasant defeat. Jacksonville gave up a season-high 437 yards, turned the ball over a season-high 4 instances and allowed 5 sacks whereas scoring its fewest factors since coach Doug Pederson took over final season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw two interceptions and misplaced a fumble in what he mentioned was one of many worst performances of his profession. How the Jaguars reply heading into two key divisional video games will inform so much about their playoff potential.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3, No. 12)
Last week: Win vs. Packers, 23-19
Up subsequent: at Browns
Another week getting outgained, one other win for the Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin continued his wizardry, however this victory was barely extra encouraging due to how effectively Pittsburgh ran the ball. The Steelers averaged 5.7 yards per carry, helped partly by explosive working again Jaylen Warren (15 carries for 101 yards) lastly getting an equal workload with Najee Harris (16 for 82). If Pittsburgh can at the least transfer the ball on the bottom to enhance its standout protection, it ought to stay within the playoff race.
12. Seattle Seahawks (6-3, No. 13)
Last week: Win vs. Commanders, 29-26
Up subsequent: at Rams
On a day with an NFL-record 5 game-winning scores as time expired in regulation, the Seahawks must be grateful they emerged with a victory. Jason Myers’ 43-yard area aim stored Seattle tied with San Francisco for the NFC West lead after a roller-coaster fourth quarter. Geno Smith bounced again from an unpleasant day in Baltimore with a clutch efficiency, ending 31 of 47 for a career-high 369 yards and two touchdowns whereas main a game-winning drive for the third time this season. Seattle’s offense has usually met the second, however the protection wants to enhance to have any hope of holding off the 49ers down the stretch.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4, No. 4)
Last week: Loss vs. Texans, 30-27
Up subsequent: at Ravens
A four-game profitable streak appeared to vault the Bengals again into the highest tier of Super Bowl contenders, however these good emotions didn’t final lengthy. Cincinnati allowed 544 complete yards in opposition to Houston and couldn’t make a cease after clawing again to the tie recreation with 1:33 to go. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (5 catches for 124 yards) battled by a again harm to present the Bengals an opportunity with out injured working mate Tee Higgins, however Higgins will possible be out once more Thursday in opposition to the Ravens together with star defensive finish Trey Hendrickson, who suffered a hyperextended knee. Joe Burrow would possibly have to be flawless down the stretch to maintain the workforce’s postseason hopes alive.
14. Minnesota Vikings (6-4, No. 16)
Last week: Win vs. Saints, 27-19
Up subsequent: at Broncos
Joshua Dobbs stays the very best story within the NFL. Just 12 days after being acquired from the Cardinals following the season-ending Achilles tendon harm to Kirk Cousins, the journeyman quarterback helped ship the Vikings’ fifth straight win, throwing for a career-high 268 yards and accounting for 2 touchdowns. Give credit score to educate Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who’ve held this workforce collectively regardless of key accidents on either side of the ball. In a weak NFC, the Vikings appear like the very best wager to earn a wild-card spot. That was unthinkable after a 1-4 begin.
15. Buffalo Bills (5-5, No. 10)
Last week: Loss vs. Broncos, 24-22
Up subsequent: vs. Jets
That wild ending Monday evening is likely to be the start of the top for coach Sean McDermott. His all-out blitz on third down with 35 seconds led to a pass-interference penalty that pushed the Broncos into area aim vary, and his particular groups unit had too many males on the sphere after Denver curiously took a knee and sprinted its area aim unit on to try the game-winning kick as time was working out. The Bills didn’t need to win, not after turning the ball over 4 instances, dropping a number of passes and getting a horrible efficiency from quarterback Josh Allen. This was a recreation Buffalo needed to win, contemplating its remaining energy of schedule ranks second-hardest within the league. Securing a fifth straight playoff look goes to be an uphill climb.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (4-5, No. 14)
Last week: Loss vs. Lions, 41-38
Up subsequent: at Packers
Stop me should you’ve heard this earlier than: The Chargers got here up brief in a giant recreation. In matchups in opposition to the very best groups on their schedule (Dolphins, Cowboys, Chiefs, Lions), they’ve but to discover a option to win. Poor protection was the perpetrator Sunday, as Los Angeles allowed 8.3 yards per play. This workforce is losing the expertise of quarterback Justin Herbert, who went 27-for-40 for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns to move Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Dan Marino for probably the most passing yards in a participant’s first 4 seasons. The Chargers are on observe to overlook the playoffs, which could result in the top of coach Brandon Staley’s tenure.
17. Indianapolis Colts (5-5, No. 18)
Last week: Win vs. Patriots, 10-6
Up subsequent: Bye
After slipping to 3-5 with three straight losses, the Colts appeared to be fading to their anticipated spot close to the underside of the standings. But back-to-back wins have breathed new life right into a playoff push that would proceed in opposition to a comparatively mediocre schedule. Indianapolis ranks 14th in each offensive and defensive effectivity, in accordance with FTN Fantasy’s DVOA, and that steadiness might make the Colts a troublesome matchup down the stretch.
18. Denver Broncos (4-5, No. 21)
Last week: Win vs. Bills, 24-22
Up subsequent: vs. Vikings
All it took for the Broncos to win three straight is to power 9 turnovers in opposition to two of the very best offenses within the league. While that stage of protection is unsustainable, Denver has clawed again into the playoff race after a 1-5 begin that some speculated would possibly result in a full-scale teardown underneath first-year coach Sean Payton. Russell Wilson is now not an elite quarterback, however he flashed a few of his previous magic Monday evening, together with a blinding landing move to Courtland Sutton within the nook of the top zone that Next Gen Stats gave a 3.2% completion chance, the bottom on any NFL landing move over the previous seven seasons. At the identical time, Payton and kicker Wil Lutz must be thanking the soccer gods for a do-over on that rushed area aim try within the closing seconds. It’s onerous to see Denver bouncing again if that miss had counted.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (5-5, No. 25)
Last week: Win vs. Jets, 16-12
Up subsequent: at Dolphins
It wasn’t fairly — and who is aware of what the sensation across the workforce could be if Zach Wilson’s Hail Mary isn’t knocked down Sunday evening — however interim coach Antonio Pierce is 2-0, and the Raiders are .500. It’s onerous to imagine this workforce will make any noise within the AFC with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, however there’s at the least some hope in a protection that appears to get higher by the week.
20. New Orleans Saints (5-5, No. 17)
Last week: Loss vs. Vikings, 27-19
Up subsequent: Bye
Coach Dennis Allen mentioned large receiver Michael Thomas and cornerback Marshon Lattimore suffered “fairly significant” accidents Sunday, which is a troublesome blow for a workforce that appeared to be turning the nook. Quarterback Derek Carr can be in concussion protocol, which could imply extra of Jameis Winston after he was thrust into the sport Sunday and delivered his typical up-and-down efficiency (13-for-25 for 122 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions). Perhaps Winston’s aggressiveness is simply what the offense wants to interrupt out of its rut.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5, No. 24)
Last week: Win vs. Titans, 20-6
Up subsequent: at 49ers
After being picked aside by Stroud final week, the Bucs’ protection confirmed how good it may be by sacking rookie Will Levis 4 instances, recording 9 tackles for loss and limiting star working again Derrick Henry to 24 speeding yards. Baker Mayfield has been strong this season regardless of getting little assist from the working recreation, which ranks second-to-last within the NFL with 78.1 yards per recreation and mustered simply 2.7 yards per carry Sunday. It helps to have Mike Evans, who caught six passes for 143 yards and exhibits no indicators of slowing down at age 30.
22. New York Jets (4-5, No. 19)
Last week: Loss vs. Raiders, 16-12
Up subsequent: at Bills
Robert Saleh stays dedicated to quarterback Zach Wilson, for higher or worse. While the Jets haven’t scored a landing in 11 straight quarters, the 2020 No. 2 total choose continues to be their most suitable choice over Tim Boyle or Trevor Siemian. The time to improve at quarterback was on the commerce deadline, and the Jets handed. The solely hope now’s to trip one of many league’s finest defenses and hope Aaron Rodgers defies the chances and returns subsequent month from his torn Achilles tendon.
23. Washington Commanders (4-6, No. 22)
Last week: Loss vs. Seahawks, 29-26
Up subsequent: vs. Giants
The most essential growth for the Commanders this season was the play of quarterback Sam Howell, and to this point, the 2022 fifth-round choose seems to be ok to construct round. He went throw for throw with Geno Smith on Sunday, ending 29-for-44 for 312 yards and three touchdowns, the final of which tied the sport with 52 seconds left. While the protection has been disappointing and can possible spell the top of coach Ron Rivera’s tenure, there’s hope for the long run for the primary time shortly.
24. Arizona Cardinals (2-8, No. 32)
Last week: Win vs. Falcons, 25-23
Up subsequent: at Texans
A 2-8 workforce this excessive? That’s how a lot the return of quarterback Kyler Murray means for Arizona. In his first recreation again from a torn ACL suffered final December, Murray sparked a comeback win on Matt Prater’s 23-yard area aim as time expired. The 2019 No. 1 total choose seemed like his previous self on a 13-yard scramble on third down that arrange the profitable kick, a part of an 11-play, 70-yard drive over the ultimate 2:33. While there isn’t a lot left to play for this season, getting Murray again on the sphere supplies hope coming into a pivotal offseason.
25. Atlanta Falcons (4-6, No. 20)
Last week: Loss vs. Cardinals, 25-23
Up subsequent: Bye
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s hamstring harm within the fourth quarter led to the return of Desmond Ridder, who led the go-ahead landing drive and might need reclaimed the beginning job. It’s been a wierd season for Atlanta, which has misplaced three straight and is going through questions on coach Arthur Smith’s job safety. Perhaps a reinvigorated Ridder might help flip the season round.
26. Tennessee Titans (3-6, No. 23)
Last week: Loss vs. Buccaneers, 20-6
Up subsequent: at Jaguars
While there are different groups towards the underside of this listing in unhealthy form, the Titans might need one of many worst outlooks within the league. Levis has not been in a position to construct on his outstanding NFL debut, and among the workforce’s finest and longest-tenured gamers are set to hit free company after the season. Coach Mike Vrabel and basic supervisor Ran Carthon could possibly be going through a protracted and arduous rebuild.
27. Chicago Bears (3-7, No. 28)
Last week: Win vs. Panthers, 16-13
Up subsequent: at Lions
It’s just one recreation, however the Montez Sweat commerce seems to be like a win for Chicago. The former Commanders star delivered 5 quarterback pressures, probably the most by a Bears participant since 2021. Chicago desperately wanted an influence participant on the sting, and it appeared to assist the remainder of the protection because it allowed a paltry 3.7 yards per play and held Carolina to 3-for-15 on third down. With it wanting more and more possible that the Bears will obtain the No. 1 total choose from the Panthers in April, Chicago is likely to be arrange effectively for the long run.
28. Green Bay Packers (3-6, No. 26)
Last week: Loss vs. Steelers, 23-19
Up subsequent: vs. Chargers
Jordan Love is tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions after throwing two extra late within the fourth quarter Sunday, each on passes meant for large receiver Christian Watson. Love’s lack of ability to attach with Watson has been a significant purpose for the offense’s struggles, as Watson was anticipated to be a harmful deep menace and the offense’s prime playmaker. The remainder of the receiving corps — Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave, Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs — have been promising, nevertheless it hasn’t led to a dependable offense.
29. Los Angeles Rams (3-6, No. 27)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. Seahawks
30. New England Patriots (2-8, No. 29)
Last week: Loss vs. Colts, 10-6
Up subsequent: Bye
Quarterback Mac Jones was benched close to the top of Sunday’s recreation in Germany, and it is likely to be for good this time. Coach Bill Belichick will resolve over the bye week whether or not it’s time to see extra of backup Bailey Zappe, who has flashed at instances however hasn’t seemed a lot better than Jones in restricted snaps. A patchwork offensive line and an absence of playmakers at large receiver have contributed to Jones’ struggles, however the 2021 first-round choose has been underwhelming for 2 seasons in a row.
31. Carolina Panthers (1-8, No. 31)
Last week: Loss vs. Bears, 16-13
Up subsequent: vs. Cowboys
The most essential factor for a younger quarterback’s growth is continuity, however rookie Bryce Young won’t get rather more time with coach Frank Reich, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown if the season continues to spiral. We’ll see whether or not proprietor David Tepper has sufficient endurance to enhance the roster round Young with the identical workers this offseason.
32. New York Giants (2-8, No. 30)
Last week: Loss vs. Cowboys, 49-17
Up subsequent: at Commanders
The excellent news for the Giants is that they don’t should play the Cowboys once more this season. Dallas’ plus-72 level differential in two video games in opposition to New York is its finest in opposition to any opponent in a season in franchise historical past. The Cowboys additionally outgained the Giants by 468 yards Sunday, the largest disparity in an NFL recreation in 44 years. The Giants’ solely hope this season is ending with a top-two draft choose and choosing a franchise quarterback, and so they’re effectively on their manner.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com