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Here are the Power Rankings following play in Week 11. This is the first installment. The power rankings are derived using a unique formula putting emphasis on all facets of the game with certain categories having more impact on your team than other categories. Division games are important, as well as winning on the road.The Formula = (Winning % X .31) + (Average Points For X .04) + (Net Points X .06) + (Home Win % X .06) + (Road Win % X .09) + (Division Win % X .13) + (Win % Last 5 X .24) + (Yards For X .02) + ((100-yards Against) X .05)
1. New Orleans Saints (LW: 1) - 92.468
And for the fifth week in a row, the Saints are atop the Power Rankings, and quite frankly, show no signs of slowing down. After a pounding of the New England Patriots last night on Monday Night Football, the Saints continue to solidify themselves as a top team in this league. They still face three divisional opponents which are never easy wins, along with the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings are still hot on their trail for top seed in the NFC.
2. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 2) - 87.562
It seems as though no matter how hard a team plays against the Colts, and no matter how many points they spot the other team, they'll make a comeback and win the game. A perfect example was on display Sunday when the Colts battled back from being down, at one point, 17-0 and had a 20-7 halftime deficit, but still battled back to win the game 35-27. They have a tough divisional game against the streaking Titans this week and, if they play like they did against the Texans, will find themselves 11-1.
3. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 3) - 80.788
Another game, and another impressive showing by Brett Favre, who threw another three touchdowns. The defense is still as strong as ever, and this team is being argued as the best team in the NFL, despite the Colts and Saints undefeated records. The Vikings still have a shot at the NFC title, but would most certainly need to win out, and the Saints would need to lose one. First or second seed, the Vikings are not a team that I want see in the playoffs.
4. San Diego Chargers (LW: 4) - 71.287
After such a poor start to the season, here are the Chargers. After a 2-3 start, the Chargers are on a six game winning streak, and Philip Rivers his playing some of the best football we've seen from him in his still young career. They've outscored their last two opponents (Broncos and Chiefs) 75-17, and if I'm an opposing defensive coordinator, I'm scrambling if i have to play this offense. The Chargers still have loads of talent on offense, but a middle of the pack defense.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 8) - 66.977
Even after a small slip up against the Raiders (Which seems to be a recurring thing this year for good teams), the Bengals still find themselves two games up in the division and should be in good position to win the AFC North. They've already swept the division in head to head matchups, meaning they would need a monumental collapse to lose this division with only five games remaining. Carson Palmer is a difference maker for this team, but they have not been the same without Cedric Benson.
6. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 7) - 62.576
The Cowboys came away with another win on Thanksgiving, but now turn to one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. They play only one team with a losing record, and that is against divisional opponent, Washington Redskins, who almost beat the Cowboys earlier this season in Dallas. They have games remaining in New York (Giants), New Orleans, Washington and still face San Diego and Philadelphia at home. This all coming with everyone knowing of Dallas' struggles in December. If they win this division, they'll certainly earn it.
7. New England Patriots (LW: 5) - 56.642
A tough loss against the Saints show the true weakness of the Patriots, the defense. A lack of tackling, and really, any defense cost the Pats this game in a bad way. They still have the division all but wrapped up, and should be a lock for the playoffs, but will not go anywhere unless they sure up that defense. Oh, and can someone tell Bill Belichek that it is okay to punt on fourth down sometimes?
8. Green Bay Packers (LW: 10) - 55.819
This is a team that sneaks up on you as one of the top teams. Aaron Rodgers has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in this league, and he certainly has the offensive firepower around him to do so. The only thing holding this team back is the offensive line, who continues to struggle to protect Rodgers. The Pack can definitely make some noise in the playoffs, but that line needs to be sured up against some of the pass rushers they will face come January.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 9) - 55.129
They pulled out two close wins the past two weeks, but now they've been playing bad teams. This team really cannot win. They lose close games, and they get jumped on for not winning close games, but they win the close games and get put down for playing bad teams. This is a team decimated with injuries on both sides of the ball, and a patchwork offensive line, but when healthy can play with the best of them. If they can get healthy by playoff time, they have the talent to make another run at the Superbowl.
10. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 6) - 51.540
A heartbreaking loss at the hands of Vince Young and the Titans. An 18 play, 99 yard drive for the winning touchdown. Matt Leinart played well in place of Kurt Warner, but will not get this team far in the Playoffs. Warner should be back next week, and the Cardinals need him if they hope not to fall in the standings. With two games up on the 49ers, they could still lose the Division. They still play the 49ers, who have already beaten them, and have a tough schedule outside of the 49er game.
11. Baltimore Ravens (LW: 15) - 48.396
12. Tennessee Titans (LW: 18) - 40.750
13. Denver Broncos (LW: 17) - 40.521
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 11) - 39.110
15. New York Giants (LW: 13) - 38.083
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 12) - 37.759
17. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 19) - 37.245
18. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 21) - 36.201
19. New York Jets (LW: 22) - 33134
20. Houston Texans (LW: 16) - 31.365
21. Miami Dolphins (LW: 14) - 27.002
22. Carolina Panthers (LW: 20) - 25.892
23. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 26) - 24.329
24. Buffalo Bills (LW: 25) - 22.576
25. Chicago Bears (LW: 23) - 17.904
26. Washington Redskins (LW: 27) - 11.648
27. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 24) - 10.979
28. Oakland Raiders (LW: 28) - 4.348
29. Detroit Lions (LW: 29) - (-3.931)
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 30) - (-6.746)
31. St. Louis Rams (LW: 31) - (-7.631)
32. Cleveland Browns (LW: 32) - (-14.921)
