FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There were some nail-biters once again in the NFL in Week 11, and a few of the closest games involved top teams. The Bills and Chiefs yet again played a competitive game in a potential playoff preview, while the Ravens and Steelers turned in another classic edition of arguably the league's best rivalry.
Six teams are on bye in Week 12, which means there may not be as big a shakeup this weekend. The NFL's middle class is growing, though, as the home stretch begins. Which teams will ultimately be able to pull away?
Here are my updated NFL power rankings after Week 11.
(9-1)
1
Detroit Lions
The Lions are on an absolute roll. The only real question I have left is: Are they peaking too early?
(9-2)
2
1
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo beat Kansas City for the fourth straight time in the regular season. Let's not mention playoffs, though.
(9-1)
3
1
Kansas City Chiefs
Did the Chiefs lose a game or earn the underdog role for the inevitable playoff rematch? Savvy play.
(8-2)
4
1
Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the second time this season that Chris Boswell won the Steelers the game, single-legedly.
(8-2)
5
1
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have morphed into one of the most balanced teams in the league.
(8-2)
6
1
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's defense has been rock-solid recently, but the offense needs to stop turning the ball over.
(7-3)
7
3
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles is one of the best turnarounds in the league to this point. Jim Harbaugh is a good football coach.
(7-4)
8
4
Baltimore Ravens
Those two misses by Justin Tucker were brutal, but so were the penalties and turnovers.
(7-3)
9
1
Green Bay Packers
A blocked field goal helped the Packers keep pace in the NFC North, but there are some questions here.
(7-4)
10
4
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon has been such an excellent addition for Houston. Get Nico Collins back and you've got a stew going.
(6-4)
11
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals could really shake things up in the NFC over this final stretch.
(7-3)
12
3
Washington Commanders
Washington polished up the score with a late TD, but it will need to find some answers for a second-half run.
(6-5)
13
3
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix became the first rookie QB with at least 80% completions 300 yards and 4 pass TDs in the same game.
(5-5)
14
3
Los Angeles Rams
This is just a different offense with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua on the field. Crazy how that works.
(5-5)
15
3
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks find ways to win this season, even if they are volatile. In a weird NFC West, that could be enough.
(5-5)
16
4
San Francisco 49ers
It's too early to panic with the 49ers, but they aren't going to make this thing comfortable.
(6-5)
17
4
Atlanta Falcons
A lot of questions on defense and the offense isn't reaching the end zone. Let's hope the bye week helps.
(4-7)
18
3
Cincinnati Bengals
No team has allowed more points the last four weeks than Cincinnati, and Joe Burrow is getting hit way too much.
(4-6)
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The schedule gets much easier for Tampa Bay after the bye. Can the Bucs make a run?
(5-6)
20
Indianapolis Colts
Did Anthony Richardson's late touchdown run get his, and the team's, confidence back?
(4-6)
21
1
Miami Dolphins
Can the Dolphins do anything this season? It kind of feels like they might get going.
(4-6)
22
1
Chicago Bears
That was a brutal way to lose, and now the Bears' downward spiral continues.
(4-7)
23
4
New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill is the player Tim Tebow was supposed to be.
(3-7)
24
1
New England Patriots
Drake Maye's progress is still the No. 1 thing here, and there's a lot to like.
(3-8)
25
2
New York Jets
The Jets aren't pulling out of their nosedive.
(3-7)
26
2
Carolina Panthers
A week off and the Panthers make a small climb. Good for them.
(3-7)
27
1
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys get enough attention without me chiming in.
(2-8)
28
4
Cleveland Browns
Jameis Winston actually had a good game against his former team. The Browns' defense did not.
(2-8)
29
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are a scrappy and tough team, but their run game has disappeared.
(2-8)
30
2
Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers is one of the most fun players in the entire NFL to watch.
(2-8)
31
New York Giants
Tommy Cutlets is back!
(2-9)
32
2
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville was outgained by Detroit 645 yards to 170 yards on Sunday.
