Welcome to Gridiron’s Week 11 power ranking. 

Heading into Week 11, we have a couple of new entries towards the bottom of our rankings, with Kyler Murray powering the Cardinals up three spots. Jakes Bates’ boot led the Lions to a last gasp victory on Sunday, meaning they are still steadfast at the top, however, with some mouthwatering Week 11 match-ups, all is up for grabs…

GRIDIRON POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 11

1 Detroit Lions (8-1) =

The game in Houston was very, very weird. The dictionary definition of an anomaly. Still, winning when your quarterback throws *five* interceptions is a reflection of remarkable team strength, and there’s no team stronger than the Lions right now.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) =

At some point we’ll find out what deal the Chiefs made with the devil in exchange for a collection of wins that absolutely should have been defeats. Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos was the most egregious example yet and, while the Chiefs deserve great praise for blocking a last-second field goal, their latest Houdini act does not merit moving to the top of the power rankings.

3. Buffalo Bills (8-2) +1

Josh Allen wasn’t at his best in the Bills’ win over an increasingly rudderless Colts team, but it didn’t matter as the defense showed up to get the job done. They aren’t teeming with weapons, but the Bills have one of the most fearsome quarterbacks in the game and a top-10 defense. That recipe could take them a long way, and we’ll get an outstanding measuring stick as to how far they might go in Sunday’s blockbuster with the Chiefs.

4. Baltimore Ravens (8-2) -1

The Ravens also have one of the most fearsome quarterbacks in the game. They also have better weapons than the Bills. You know what they don’t have? A defense capable of stopping their rivals atop the AFC. The Bengals have demonstrated that twice. The Ravens won both games, but the defense is a huge problem in the post-Mike MacDonald era.

5. Washington Commanders (7-3) =

Washington failed to get the job done in a thriller with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who made Jayden Daniels look hugely uncomfortable with the level of pressure they put on the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. The fact the Commanders still managed to score 27 points is testament to Daniels and the sheer scale of the turnaround under Dan Quinn. It was a defeat, but one that reaffirmed the Commanders’ position as a team to be taken seriously.

6. Green Bay Packers (6-3) =

The Packers got to stay home and get some much-needed rest after their bruising Week 9 loss to Detroit. Next for them is a Chicago Bears team seemingly cratering towards another lost season. There’s no excuse for Jordan Love and company not to bounce back.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (7-3) +2

It’s hard to give out too many flowers for beating down on a dismantled Dallas Cowboys team whose season is essentially over bar what will likely be a lot of shouting. Still, the Philadelphia offense is clicking and the defense features some rapidly ascending young talents on the back end. All of a sudden the Eagles look like a dangerous force in the NFC.

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-4) =

Ok. We’re going to keep the 49ers here because they’re on a two-game win streak and the margin of victory against the Buccaneers would have been comfortable had kicker Jake Moody not endured a nightmare game. The return of Chrstian McCaffrey helped but, between the red zone problems and a dismal special teams, there remain clear issues holding the defending NFC champions back.

9. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) +3

The Cardinals are improbably looking down on the Niners in the NFC West and it feels more sustainable with each passing week. Kyler Murray looks reborn, the run game is dynamic and imposing, and there are young foundational building blocks all over the roster on both sides of the ball. After swatting aside the New York Jets, they now get the bye before a favourable stretch run.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) +1

There’s obviously a case for the Steelers to be higher, but it’s still hard to trust their offense, which is reliant on go balls to George Pickens and a still uninspiring run game. The defense is outstanding, but with edge rusher Alex Highsmith out a few weeks and a tough schedule on the horizon, there’s reason for scepticism here.