Week 11 NFL Power Rankings: Cowboys Rising

What looked like a horrible slate of matchups on paper turned out to be one of the best weekends of this NFL season. 

 

Ten of the 14 games played ended up coming down to the last possession. There were a total of six game-winning field goals that included the Browns, Texans, Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks and Broncos. 

 

And then looking at the other end of the spectrum, there were a couple of games that weren’t particularly close at all. 

 

The Dallas Cowboys put on a clinic as they torched the New York Giants 49-17. Dak Prescott does not deserve the hate he receives and he really did silence the critics as he threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown. 

 

Ceedee Lamb has made a case to be one of the league’s best receivers. He had 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win. The Cowboys are dangerous and if their offense can be consistent, watch out. 

 

Another blowout that happened in the NFL was between the 49ers and Jaguars. San Francisco beat the Jaguars 34-3 in a game that was never even close, which was very surprising. 

 

San Francisco’s addition of Chase Young was a game changer and their defensive line is not even fair at this point. The Niners had five sacks on Sunday and allowed just three points to a good Jacksonville offense. Brock Purdy finally played a good game, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns. After a three-game skid, it looks like the Niners have come back to life. 

 

And let’s talk about the quarterbacks that keep on turning heads week after week. C.J. Stroud and Joshua Dobbs who play for the Texans and Vikings, respectively. 

 

Stroud is not only a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he has now entered MVP territory. Of course, barring any miracles, it’s not likely that he’ll win it, but he’s been thriving in this Houston Texans offense. 

 

Houston went into Cincinnati and pulled off a 30-27 upset victory. Stroud threw for 356 yards and a touchdown. Houston’s ground game was excellent as running back Devin Singletary had 30 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. And considering that the Bengals had won three games in a row against high quality opponents speaks volumes to how good Houston actually might be. 

 

Now for Dobbs, he is not afraid of anything thrown his way. New offense? No problem. New team? No problem. It does not matter to him and he very well could bring the Vikings into the postseason, especially with star receiver Justin Jefferson nearing his return. 

 

On Sunday against a stingy Saints defense, Dobbs threw for 268 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 44 yards and scoring on the ground. His favorite target was undoubtedly, T.J. Hockenson, who had 11 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. 

 

If Minnesota can get their running back play in check, they can be a real dark horse in the NFC. 

 

Despite the Miami Dolphins being on a bye week, they still found a way to win. The Patriots, Jets and Bills each lost which means that Miami is sitting comfortably on top of the AFC East. 

 

The Patriots and Jets losses were sort of expected but the Buffalo Bills have really spiraled out of control. 

 

Buffalo lost at home on Monday Night Football against the Broncos 24-22 on a night where they turned the ball over four times. I’m surprised that the Broncos had to kick a game-winning field goal because the Bills were constantly shooting themselves in the foot. 

 

Just like that, Buffalo is 5-5 and if they can’t get it together, it might be time to blow it up. 

 

Here are my power rankings for Week 11. 

 

32. Carolina Panthers (1 – 8) 

Last Week: 31

Result: Lost at Bears 16-13

 

31. New York Giants (2 – 8)

Last Week: 30

Result: Lost at Cowboys 49-17

30. Arizona Cardinals (2 – 8)

Last Week: 32

Result: Won vs. Falcons 25-23

 

29. New England Patriots (2 – 8)

Last Week: 28

Result: Lost vs. Colts 10-6

 

28. Chicago Bears (3 – 7)

Last Week: 29

Result: Won vs. Panthers 16-13

 

27. Los Angeles Rams (3 – 6)

Last Week: 27

Result: Bye Week

 

26. Green Bay Packers (3 – 6)

            Last Week: 26

Result: Lost at Steelers 23-19

 

25. Tennessee Titans (3 – 6)

Last Week: 25

Result: Lost at Buccaneers 20-6

 

24. Atlanta Falcons (4 – 6)

Last Week: 23

Result: Lost at Cardinals 25-23

 

23. Washington Commanders (4 – 6)

Last Week: 22

Result: Lost at Seahawks 29-26

 

22. New York Jets (4 – 5)

Last Week: 18

Result: Lost at Raiders 16-12

 

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 – 5)

Last Week: 24

Result: Won vs. Titans 20-6

 

20. New Orleans Saints (5 – 5)

Last Week: 16

Result: Lost at Vikings 27-19

 

19. Las Vegas Raiders (5 – 5)

            Last Week: 20

Result: Won vs. Jets 16-12

 

18. Los Angeles Chargers (4 – 5)

Last Week: 11

Result: Lost vs. Lions 41-38

 

17. Indianapolis Colts (5 – 5)

Last Week: 19

Result: Won at Patriots 10-6

 

16. Buffalo Bills (5 – 5)

Last Week: 12

Result: Lost vs. Broncos 24-22

 

15. Denver Broncos (4 – 5)

Last Week: 21

Result: Won at Bills 24-22

 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (6 – 3)

Last Week: 15

Result: Won vs. Packers 23-19

 

13. Seattle Seahawks (6 – 3)

Last Week: 14

Result: Won vs. Commanders 29-26

 

12. Minnesota Vikings (6 – 4)

Last Week: 13

Result: Won vs. Saints 27-19

 

11. Cincinnati Bengals (5 – 4)

Last Week: 6

Result: Lost vs. Texans 30-27

 

10. Houston Texans (5 – 4)

Last Week: 17

Result: Won at Bengals 30-27

 

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6 – 3)

Last Week: 7

Result: Lost vs. 49ers 34-3

 

8. San Francisco 49ers (6 – 3)

Last Week: 10

Result: Won at Jaguars 34-3

 

7. Baltimore Ravens (7 – 3)

Last Week: 3

Result: Lost vs. Browns 33-31

 

6. Cleveland Browns (6 – 3)

Last Week: 9

Result: Won at Ravens 33-31

 

5. Miami Dolphins (6 – 3)

Last Week: 5

Result: Bye Week

 

4. Dallas Cowboys (6 – 3)

Last Week: 8

Result: Won vs. Giants 49-17

 

3. Detroit Lions (7 – 2)

Last Week: 4

Result: Won at Chargers 41-38

 

2. Kansas City Chiefs (7 – 2)

Last Week: 2

Result: Bye Week

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles (8 – 1)

Last Week: 1

Result: Bye Week