As things stand now, seven teams -- the Steelers, Bills, Jets, Raiders, Chiefs, Dolphins and AFC South runner-up -- could be vying for two spots. Who has the inside track? ESPN's Power Panel is highest on Pittsburgh (No. 9), but others are making headway.
The Bills made one of the week's biggest moves -- up from No. 17 to No. 12 -- after a Week 10 road victory over the Jets. Kansas City, which upset Denver, rose from No. 19 to No. 15 -- its highest ranking since Week 4.
There are also significant changes in our top tier. The surging Vikings have cracked the top five for the first time this season, while the struggling Broncos and Packers fell out. The Bengals, whose perfect season ended Monday night, were bumped by the 9-0 Panthers for the No. 2 spot, while the Patriots remain firmly entrenched at No. 1.
Note: The comments below are provided by ESPN Stats & Information.
• Vegas Rankings
| Football Power Index Rankings | Vikings winning behind throwback ground game | Team Power Rankings charts since 2002| 2015 Power Rankings: Week 11 | ||||
| RANK | TEAM / RECORD | TRENDING | COMMENTS | |
| 1 |
--
Last Week: 1 | The Patriots remain perfect thanks to Stephen Gostkowski, who also remains perfect. Gostkowski is 21-of-21 on field goals and 34-of-34 on extra points this season, making him the only kicker perfect on both. | ||
| 2 | 1 Last Week: 3 | Cam Newton has six games this season with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown. No other player has more than two such games this season. | ||
| 3 | 3 Last Week: 6 | After beating the Seahawks, the Cardinals have a commanding lead in the NFC West. The last time Arizona won the division was 2009. | ||
| 4 | 2 Last Week: 2 | The undefeated season is over thanks to Andy Dalton's kryptonite. Dalton is now 1-4 in his career against the Texans (including playoffs), his worst record against a team he has played more than twice. | ||
| 5 | 3 Last Week: 8 | The Vikings have won five straight games since their bye, the franchise's first five-game winning streak since 2009. The Vikings went 12-4 and lost in the conference championship game that season. | ||
| 6 | 1 Last Week: 5 | The loss of Jordy Nelson may finally be catching up to the Packers. Aaron Rodgers has completed 48.8 percent of his passes to wide receivers during their three-game losing streak (after completing 70 percent during the Packers' 6-0 start). | ||
| 7 | 3 Last Week: 4 | Peyton Manning is injured and playing his worst football since his rookie year. Brock Osweiler, who has never thrown a pass in a situation in which the lead was within a touchdown, will start in Week 11. | ||
| 8 | 4 Last Week: 12 | The Falcons have lost two in a row and three of their past four since starting the season 5-0. The offense is averaging 16.8 points in the past four games. | ||
| 9 |
--
Last Week: 9 | In the past two weeks, Antonio Brown has 27 receptions, 423 receiving yards and two touchdowns -- all while catching 73 percent of his targets. | ||
| 10 | 5 Last Week: 15 | The Giants are 5-5, but in four of their losses they held a lead at some point in the final two minutes of regulation. | ||
| 11 | 4 Last Week: 7 | The Seahawks are 0-10 since the start of 2012 when allowing 25 points or more in a game. Five of those losses have come this season. | ||
| 12 | 5 Last Week: 17 | The Bills have won consecutive games for the first time this season and now get the undefeated Patriots. Buffalo was the last team to beat the Pats, in Week 17 of last season. | ||
| 13 | 2 Last Week: 11 | The Jets have lost three of their past four, allowing 27.3 points per game in that stretch. The Jets started 4-1, allowing 15 points per game in those first five contests. | ||
| 14 | 1 Last Week: 13 | The Raiders keep working in pairs this season. After losing the season opener, the Raiders won two, then lost two, then won two again and have now lost two again. | ||
| 15 | 4 Last Week: 19 | The Chiefs are 4-5, but they've outscored opponents by 29 points this season and have the second-best turnover differential in the NFL (plus-8). | ||
| 16 | 5 Last Week: 21 | The Bears have won four of their last six since Jay Cutler returned from injury. The two losses both came on scores in the last four seconds of regulation or later. | ||
| 17 | 3 Last Week: 14 | Andrew Luck is out the next month, but Matt Hasselbeck is 2-0 as a starter this season and hasn't thrown an interception. Even at 4-5, the Colts aren't done. | ||
| 18 | 2 Last Week: 20 | Lamar Miller has scored a touchdown in five straight games, making him the first Dolphins player with such a streak since Ricky Williams in 2003. Miller had no touchdowns under Joe Philbin this season. | ||
| 19 | 3 Last Week: 16 | If Sam Bradford is out, the Eagles likely won't see a dip in quarterback play. Mark Sanchez went 4-4 with a 59.3 Total QBR with the Eagles last season. | ||
| 20 | 6 Last Week: 26 | Kirk Cousins in wins this season: 77.5 completion percentage, 9 TDs, 0 INTs. Cousins in losses this season: 61 completion percentage, 5 TDs, 9 INTs. | ||
| 21 | 11 Last Week: 10 | Nick Foles is now the lowest-rated quarterback in the NFL with a 34.1 Total QBR this season. Foles was 0-of-12 on passes of at least 10 yards downfield in Sunday's loss. | ||
| 22 | 5 Last Week: 27 | The Texans are now one of three teams to have three different players throw a touchdown pass this season. The Texans have used multiple quarterbacks in four games. | ||
| 23 | 2 Last Week: 25 | Things are looking bright in Tampa. The Bucs are 3-2 in their past five games, after going 3-20 in their previous 23. | ||
| 24 | 6 Last Week: 18 | Saints opponents have posted a 116.6 NFL passer rating this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the worst NFL passer rating allowed in a season was 110.9 by the 2008 Lions, who went 0-16. | ||
| 25 | 4 Last Week: 29 | The good news for the Titans is that they play on the road this week. The Titans are the only winless team at home this season (0-5). | ||
| 26 | 5 Last Week: 31 | The 3-6 Jaguars host the 2-7 Titans on Thursday, while the 4-5 Colts, who are tied for first in the AFC South, are turning to Matt Hasselbeck in Andrew Luck's absence. Can the Jaguars make a run at the division title? | ||
| 27 | 4 Last Week: 23 | Tony Romo could be making his return this week, and despite being 2-7, the Cowboys are only two games behind the NFC East leader in the loss column. | ||
| 28 | 6 Last Week: 22 | The Chargers have lost five straight and seven of their past eight. San Diego's two wins this season have come against teams that are currently a combined 4-15 (Lions, Browns). | ||
| 29 | 5 Last Week: 24 | Every Ravens game this season has been decided by eight points or fewer. That includes two overtime games and three games with a winning score in the final 30 seconds of regulation. | ||
| 30 | 2 Last Week: 32 | The season is all but lost for the Lions, but ending a 23-game losing streak in Wisconsin will make for a nice footnote. | ||
| 31 | 1 Last Week: 30 | Blaine Gabbert entered the season 5-22 as a starting quarterback. Can he improve to 2-0 for the season when the 49ers visit the Seahawks in Week 11? | ||
| 32 | 4 Last Week: 28 | Josh McCown has more prolific passing stats, but he has just as many wins as Johnny Manziel this season and a lower Total QBR (52.7 to Manziel's 54.5). | ||
Paul Fitzgerald
ESPN
writer #1: "The Falcons have lost 2 in a row, and three of their last
four.... let's move them up 4 spots into a Top 8 team."
ESPN writer #2: "Brilliant!" 
Rick Desper ·
Yes - I understand there were a lot of upsets, but they passed a Steelers team that won their game.
Freeman Durden ·
There one of twelve teams out of 32 with a .500 or better winning percentage, it's a no brained hater.
Joseph Olender ·
Sometimes you just gotta rise up bud.
Paul Fitzgerald
Freeman
Durden Power rankings aren't always based on winning percentage, but
based off of how the team is playing. The Falcons only win in the past 4
games was by a FG against the freaking Titans. Before that they lost to
the Saints... and then lost 2 in a row to Tampa, and the laughably
terrible 49ers, and they moved up 4 spots?? The Jets meanwhile, also
have lost 3 of the last 4, but they lost to teams with winning records
including the Raiders and the #1 ranked team - the Patriots.... but they
moved down 2 spots.
Also, it's "they're"** and "brainer"**.  
Jake Dambach ·
I
thought the exact same thing OP. I understand some teams that were
higher moved down, but the Falcons have no business being ahead of the
Steelers right now, especially with who the Falcons have lost to of
late.
David Allen ·
49ers
beat said #8 team, then have a bye. Lets drop them down and move the
Falcons up. *SMH* Agreed, this is one of the absolute worst lists I've
ever seen.
Robert Moran ·
They went up 4 spots because 3 teams above them went down.
Brendan Smith ·
and
their three losses are to the saints (awful) bucs (god awful) and 49ers
(jesus christ these guys are awful)- don't care about theese rankings
but if the eight best team in the nfl crapped the bed against those
three teams then there is a problem.
 
Doug Jarnagan
These
rankings are meaningless anyway. For instance, the Jacksoville Jaguars
are ranked #26 but are one game back of 1st place in their division.
They are ranked as one of the worst, but have a real chance of making
the playoffs.
 
David Horning ·
Well
the Vikings lost to the 49ers, are they terrible also? For everyone
talking about the Falcons, you forgot to mention the Green Bay packers.
George Tickler
Here guys.. you can copy and paste this.. you're welcome
How can ESPN possibly put ______ at number _____! _____ beat the ______ and yet they are only number _____?!? ESPN are such clowns! I am so tired of reading things like this.   
Zachary Hamilton ·
This
is a comments section about Power Rankings. There's pretty much two
types of comments people can make: "I agree with these rankings," or "I
disagree with these rankings." And with ESPN's logic, there's usually
plenty to disagree with. But nobody's making you read the comments.
John McNab ·
Works at Talent-Scouting
Larry
Goodlander, you're almost right. There's one team and one fan base who
don't apply to 'George's Generic Summary' and haven't for about 10
weeks...and it's good to be here!
Bill Billingsley
No one is forcing you to read the comments section on the power rankings page. So, if you're tired of it then stop reading it.
Andrew Barstow
Let's give it a try then...
How can ESPN possibly put DALLAS at number 27! GREG HARDY beat the CRAP OUT OF HIS GIRLFRIEND and yet they are only number 27?!? ESPN are such clowns! Hey! It works! 
Daniel John Murphy ·
And here you are.....still reading things like this.
 
Sabino Hernandez ·
Here guys.. you can copy and paste this.. you're welcome
How can ESPN possibly put Patriots at number 1! Patriots beat the Cowboys and yet they are only number 1?!? ESPN are such clowns! Thanks, but it didn't seem to work. Oh and I'm not a fan of either team 
Alex Havig ·
Seahawks are still to high.
Josh Fisher ·
I disagree...I would pick Seattle to win on a neutral field against any of the teams behind them.
Jordan Marzola ·
Seattle can't even win at home, yet they would win on a 'neutral' field? Josh must be a homer
Chris Keblitis ·
Josh
Fisher Nope. I don't see the Hawks beating Oakland, KC, Mia, or Texas
on any field. They barely squeaked by the Lions at home and a Romo-less
Cowboy team. They should be ranked around 22-23. With the Steelers,
Vikings, Rams, Cards all in their near future, it's safe to say they're
done.
Braven Thao ·
Works at Bio-Rad Laboratories
Chris
Keblitis a win is a win. Doesn't matter by how many points or inches.
plus the 4 of 5 loss are to .500 teams and their all in the 4th quarter
too. Greenbay,Cincinatti,Carolina,Cardinals. Any given Sunday anyone can
be beat and yes i am a Seahawks fan by the way.
Ethan Guerette ·
David Horning That was week 1 lol. With missing a very improtant Defensive player. You're an idiot.
John Pound ·
Braven Thao Cool story bro.
Ethan Guerette ·
Chris
Keblitis You are clearly high if you think KC, MIA, or HOU will beat
the seahawks in any venue. I'll give you oakland, but still doubt it.
You just must be a hater, plain and simple. Clearly have zero knowledge
fo the NFL.
Jeff Porter ·
Josh
Fisher I disagree... Seahawks are 2-2 at home, they've lost the
12th-man magic. Granted, 4 of their 5 losses are to good teams. But for
example, the 4-5 Chiefs have 4 of their 5 losses to good teams too.
Looking at the Seahawks schedule, their next 4 games are SF, Pitt, @
Minn, @ Balt. I see them going 2-2. If they can go 3-1, they'll have a
shot at an NFC wildcard.
Keenan Nash ·
Technician at USMC
Braven
if a win is a win then a loss is a loss. You cant say it doesn't matter
how they barley won against lesser teams then turn around and point out
they put up a good fight against done of the good teams they lost to.
Brian Foster
Ethan Guerette They litterally just lost to the Rams at home. How could you consider any game a lock for them right now?
Brett Pantke
Braven Thao If a win is a win, why are you also justifying Seattle's losses?
Michael Linus Le Houllier ·
Agreed. They haven't beaten a good team all year. Their Strength of Victory is pathetic.
David Aho ·
Works at Peabody Energy
Nice to finally start seeing the Vikings where they should be. Getting a big test in the coming weeks though!
Tristan Penic
Well,
we'll have big test the coming weeks after this Sunday. To say that
playing a team that lost to Lions at the hardest place to play on the
road ever is a test is completely false. With that said, the Broncos
should be ahead of the Packers. I don't care how bad Peyton is playing,
they destroyed the Packers.
David Aho ·
Works at Peabody Energy
Tristan
Penic Couldn't agree with you more. However, remember any given Sunday.
The Vikings have been known to give newfound hope to struggling clubs!
Definitely looks good for the Vikings though this Sunday at home against
the Packers.
Rod Barsness ·
Works at Isilon Systems
Not
to mention.... they lost to the Lions.... the worst team in football
this season. They have lost 3 n a row, and only drop 1? Gimme a
break!
Steve Jackson ·
I'm a fan, but "where they should be" is a little strong
Jeff Mccurry ·
Rod Barsness Hey, Hey! Careful there bud. Detroit Loons did beat green gay at lambeau.
Zachary Hamilton ·
I'm
a Vikings fan. It's nice that they're getting some national
recognition, and I believe they'll make the playoffs. At this point I
think it'd be a bit of a stretch to say they'll finish the season as the
fifth best team in football. But you never know.
Aaron Ginn ·
Took a long time to climb out of that hole they put themselves in by getting pounded by the hapless 49ers.
Casey Paulson ·
Works at Forfeiture Support Associates, LLC
Just
imagine if they hadn't lost to the 9ers, still don't know what happened
that game.... I do think that 5 is reaching a bit, but the teams below
them are on a down swing and they are on an upswing, so it's hard to
argue. They still haven't beat any great teams yet, so it isn't easy to
guage where they're at compared to the elite.
John Dunning
It
is nice...but they need to keep their heads out of the clouds and go do
their job this Sunday. Heck of an opportunity for them to secure a play
off spot. SKOL!
Tong Yang ·
Casey Paulson
The lost to the 49ers was a wakeup call. I dont think they would have progressed as fast as they have if they had won. 
James Hulka
Vikings
are a good team, but I'm in no way convinced that they are the 5th best
team in the NFL. Do I give them credit for beating 7 of their 9
opponents? Absolutely. But beating the Lions (2x), Chargers, Chiefs
(barely), Rams (barely), Bears and Raiders - and mostly in pedestrian
fashion is not exactly dominant. They absolutely blew it against the
Broncos, too.
Talk to me at the end of the season after they've played Packers (2x), Bears, Giants, Cardinals, @Seahawks, @ Falcons. If they go 2-5 in this stretch, which is very possible, they certainly will not have shown they are the 5th best team in the NFL. I'll wait and see.
Tristan Penic
Aaron
Ginn the same bad niners who beat the number 8 team on this list? We
lost to them away at 10 o clock at night in a completely different time
zone in an innaugurated stadium. Sit down.
Jack van Berg ·
Tristan
Penic Rooted for the Packers for 55 years and this team has cancer.
Internal locker room fighting and every aspect of their game is broken.
even Crosby is missingFG's and XP's. Enjoy this Sunday and the whooping
you ill put on GB but after the coching staff gets fired the Packers
will reemerge next year and continue embarrassing the Vikings. LOL
Andrew Maples
Yes... the Hawks aren't in the top 10
 
Nick Johnson ·
They're horrible this year. Jimmy Grham is wasting his talents in Seattle with a qb like Wilson
Daelin Livingston ·
Nick Johnson hmm I remember Graham actually dropping 3 passes in the last game...thats on him not Wilson
Aaron Ginn ·
Nick
Johnson People seem to forget that Graham was bad last year too.
Ridiculous to trade the best center in the league for an oft-injured TE
who can't block. Seattle is paying the price for it.
Nick Johnson ·
Hmmmm hes been targeted much, much less than last year. Wilson sucks
Michael Maloney ·
Aaron
Ginn He is not the best center in the league though. Mangold, Mack, and
pouncy are all better by a lot. There is also a group of guys that are
around the same level as Unger.
Nick Johnson ·
Also hes on pace for 4 tds this year. That would be his lowest ever. Thats on Wilson
John Dunning
Dre M. Where is your loud mouth this week. Finish 12-4 this season...remember? Not likley they even make the playoffs.
Christopher Nelson ·
To be fair, the teams they lost to are a combined 34-11.
Adam Chavez
Losing by a just few points and having 4th quarter leads isn't exactly horrible
Aaron Ginn ·
Michael
Maloney OK. One of the best centers. You don't trade a good player
who is the QB of your OL for a specialist like Graham, especially when
your identity as a football team is predicated on running the football.
Patti Bond ·
No
it is Russell Wilson who has lost it just like Kaepernick of the 49ers
has. Wilson & Kaepernick still think they are college quarterbacks?
Running quarterbacks was invented and still used in high school.
Wilson needs to learn in the NFL it is STILL the pocket and step up
passer who will suceed in the NFL! Let Marshall Lynch do his job
running the ball and Wilson stay in the pocket OR do you think
quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees have it all wrong?????????
Daniel Edwards
Aaron
Ginn Best center in the league? Are you kidding? I love how all this
talk of how great Unger was only started after the Seahawks traded him.
He is a good, not great, center who cannot stay healthy. And with his
cap number, he was expendable and candidate to get cut in camp anyway.
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