NFL Power Rankings, Week 11: Patriots Overtake Top Spot While Eagles Continue To Rise

We've got a new No. 1 in our NFL power rankings for Week 11. The Patriots, previously ranked No. 5, beat the Steelers, previously ranked No. 4. The Patriots didn't just beat them -- they beat them convincingly. They take the top spot in the power rankings this week after that impressive 39-26 performance.

The Panthers remain at the bottom of our power rankings and with Matt Moore done for the year and Jimmy Clausen reportedly suffering a concussion last week, they may be staying there for a while.

The biggest question marks remain in the NFC West where it appears no one wants to win the division. At 3-6, the 49ers are still in the mix, just two games out of first place. That was unthinkable a month ago when they started 0-5.

Here's the complete listing of SB Nation's Week 11 NFL power rankings.

32. Carolina Panthers (1-8)

Last week's rank: 32

Last game: Bucs (lost)

SB Nation: Cat Scratch Reader

The Jimmy Clausen show didn't go off with a bang as he ended the game with what's been reported as a concussion. He may not be available next week which would put QB No. 3 on the field for the Panthers.

31. Arizona Cardinals (3-6)

Last week's rank: 26

Last game: Seahawks (lost)

SB Nation: Revenge Of The Birds

The Cardinals have lost four in a row and now make the trip to Arrowhead Stadium to play the Chiefs. In any other division, the Cardinals would be out of playoff conversation. But in the NFC West? They're right in the thick of things.

30. Detroit Lions (2-7)

Last week's rank: 27

Last game: Bills (lost)

SB Nation: Pride Of Detroit

I've been saying the Lions are not as bad as their record indicates. Look at it this way: they've outscored their opponents this year and sit just 2-7. This team is very, very close.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7)

Last week's rank: 25

Last game: Colts (lost)

SB Nation: Cincy Jungle

The Bengals have lost six in a row. They'll host Buffalo this weekend and after that, it's rough: Jets, Saints and Steelers. This season could be getting worse for Cincy.

28. Buffalo Bills (1-8)

Last week's rank: 29

Last game: Lions (won)

SB Nation: Buffalo Rumblings

After three straight three-point losses, the Bills have done it. They've won game No. 1 this year. They'll have a shot to double their wins against Cincy next week.

27. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)

Last week's rank: 31

Last game: Giants (won)

SB Nation: Blogging The Boys

The Jason Garrett era starts off right with a 13-point victory over the Giants, one of the NFC's best teams. It's too late for the Cowboys to make any noise in the division but maybe Garrett can keep this job for next year.

26. Minnesota Vikings (3-6)

Last week's rank: 24

Last game: Bears (lost)

SB Nation: Daily Norseman

Well, that's about it for the Vikings. They'd have to run the table to have a shot at the playoffs and it doesn't look like that's happening.

25. Denver Broncos (3-6)

Last week's rank: 30

Last game: Chiefs (won)

SB Nation: Mile High Report

Big win for the Broncos who exploded offensively to embarrass the Chiefs in Denver last weekend. The Broncos offense is good enough that they should be better than 3-6. They're not quite out of the division race yet, but it's close.

24. San Francisco 49ers (3-6)

Last week's rank: 28

Last game: Rams (won)

SB Nation: Niners Nation

Watch out, the 49ers are two games back in the NFC West after winning three of their last four. We're not quite ready to write these guys off after all.

23. Washington Redskins (4-5)

Last week's rank: 19

Last game: Eagles (lost)

SB Nation: Hogs Haven

Wow. I thought the Broncos jumping out to a 21-0 first quarter lead over the Chiefs was bad. The Eagles hung 59 on the Redskins, who looked frustrated and beaten from the start on Monday night. The Redskins are now two games behind both the Giants and Eagles in the NFC East.

22. St. Louis Rams (4-5)

Last week's rank: 22

Last game: 49ers (lost)

SB Nation: Turf Show Times

The Rams sit a game back in the NFC West after dropping one to the last place 49ers. The Rams have as good a chance as anyone to take the division.

21. Cleveland Browns (3-6)

Last week's rank: 20

Last game: Jets (lost)

SB Nation: Dawgs By Nature

Is this the hardest five game stretch in all of football? The Browns last five games: Falcons, Steelers, Saints, Patriots and Jets. The Browns went 2-3 in that stretch with an OT loss to the Jets last week. This team is getting close.

20. Houston Texans (4-5)

Last week's rank: 16

Last game: Jaguars (lost)

SB Nation: Battle Red Blog

Playoff teams win a game like that against the Jaguars. It's looking more and more like this will be another missed opportunity for the Texans this year.

19. Seattle Seahawks (5-4)

Last week's rank: 23

Last game: Cardinals (won)

SB Nation: Field Gulls

They took care of business against the Cardinals giving them sole possession of first place in the NFC West. It seems that no one wants to pull away with this division. We'll see if Seattle can.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)

Last week's rank: 21

Last game: Texans (won)

SB Nation: Big Cat Country

Jacksonville's hail mary was incredible and it might have saved their season. Through 10 weeks, the Jaguars find themselves just a game behind the Colts.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)

Last week's rank: 13

Last game: Broncos (lost)

SB Nation: Arrowhead Pride

The Chiefs were embarrassed by the Broncos losing 49-29, including 35-0 at one point. It seems that teams are figuring out the formula to beating the Chiefs.

16. Miami Dolphins (5-4)

Last week's rank: 17

Last game: Titans (won)

SB Nation: The Phinsider

That's a good win over the Titans last Sunday. The Dolphins are overlooked in the AFC East but they still have trips to New York and New England on the schedule.

15. San Diego Chargers (4-5)

Last week's rank: 15

Last game: Bye

SB Nation: Bolts From The Blue

The Chargers gained a half-game in the division with the Chiefs loss. Can they go on their annual midseason winning streak to take the division?

14. Tennessee Titans (5-4)

Last week's rank: 11

Last game: Dolphins (lost)

SB Nation: Music City Miracles

The Titans still have to play the Colts twice, including the season finale, so they'll have their shot to get back into it.

13. Oakland Raiders (5-4)

Last week's rank: 12

Last game: Bye

SB Nation: Silver And Black Pride

The Raiders -- yes, the Raiders -- lead the AFC West. They currently hold the tiebreaker over the 5-4 Chiefs.

12. Chicago Bears (6-3)

Last week's rank: 18

Last game: Vikings (won)

SB Nation: Windy City Gridiron

Just how good is this team? They have games against the Dolphins, Lions and Vikings in the final seven games so if they win those, and find a way to win another one, this could be a 10-win team.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)

Last week's rank: 14

Last game: Panthers (won)

SB Nation: Bucs Nation

The Bucs don't have a lot of impressive wins but so what? They didn't make the schedule. The playoffs are becoming more and more of a possibility with each passing week.

10. New York Giants (6-3)

Last week's rank: 7

Last game: Cowboys (lost)

SB Nation: Big Blue View

The Giants fell to the Cowboys, 33-20, but that doesn't make them a bad team. I'd prefer to look at the first eight games, and not the last one, as more of an indication of who this team is. They have stiff competition with the Eagles in the NFC East.

9. New Orleans Saints (6-3)

Last week's rank: 9

Last game: Bye

SB Nation: Canal Street Chronicles

The Saints are not the best team in the NFC South. That honor goes to the Falcons. But, as always, this is a dangerous team.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

Last week's rank: 4

Last game: Patriots (lost)

SB Nation: Behind The Steel Curtain

The Steelers bombed against the Patriots in what was supposed to be one of the best games of the year. They've got themselves a battle in the AFC North.

7. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

Last week's rank: 1

Last game: Falcons (lost)

SB Nation: Baltimore Beatdown

The Falcons are on fire right now and were able to top the Ravens with a little help from Roddy White. Looking at their remaining schedule, I can find 11 wins this year.

6. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Last week's rank: 6

Last game: Bengals (won)

SB Nation: Stampede Blue

One of the best games of the year is coming this Sunday: Colts at Patriots. It's still very early but this could affect homefield advantage in the playoffs.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (6-3)

Last week's rank: 10

Last game: Redskins (won)

SB Nation: Bleeding Green Nation

The Eagles, tied with the Giants for first in the NFC East, hosts New York on Sunday. The winner will walk away with sole possession of first place.

4. New York Jets (7-2)

Last week's rank: 3

Last game: Browns (won)

SB Nation: Gang Green Nation

This team is rolling now as they've won seven of eight including an OT victory over the Browns last week. It's looking more and more like that Dec. 6 game against the Patriots will have huge division implications.

3. Atlanta Falcons (7-2)

Last week's rank: 8

Last game: Ravens (won)

SB Nation: The Falcoholic

Quietly, this team has won seven of eight including victories over the Bucs and Ravens in the last two weeks. They're making an argument for best team in the NFC.

2. Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Last week's rank: 2

Last game: Bye

SB Nation: Acme Packing Company

They've allowed seven points in their last two games. It's looking like the season finale against the Bears may be a big one.

1. New England Patriots (7-2)

Last week's rank: 5

Last game: Steelers (won)

SB Nation: Pats Pulpit

The Patriots walked into Pittsburgh and dismantled the Steelers. That may be the most impressive performance of any team this season. They're your new No. 1.