Week 11 Power Rankings: Thanksgiving Edition
While fans and people across the United States gobble up their turkey joyfully expressing what they are thankful for with friends and family. But some teams in the league have an enormous list, while other teams have a non-existent list. This NFL Season has been a surprising and exciting NFL season, to say the least. With young offenses and revamped defenses, teams that were the bottom of the league couple of years ago have suddenly revitalized into NFL powerhouses.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have been lights out this year, led by Carson Wentz. With the addition of Jay Ajayi, the Eagles have been indestructible. This hot season for the Eagles makes them a strong contender for the NFC Championship
Thankful: The Eagles should be thankful for the emergence of Carson Wentz and their incredible defense.
2. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots has greatly improved their defense of late and have proved that they are serious contenders, come the playoffs. Although derailed in the beginning of the season due to the lack of performance on the defensive side, the Patriots have overperformed have shaken off any doubt and criticism.
Thankful: The Patriots should be thankful for Tom Brady's never aging athleticism.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers look like a Super Bowl team. With a Antonio Brown in MVP form and JuJu Smith-Schuster breaking out as a rookie, the offense is back more powerful than ever. With the defense also stymying other teams offenses, the Steelers look quite dangerous.
Thankful: Pittsburgh should be thankful for the immense effort and performances put in by Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown
4. Minnesota Vikings
When the Vikings started the season 2-2 with Case Keenum under center, Viking fans started to get convinced that the season was over. But led by their defense and stellar receivers, the Minnesota Vikings are impressive and a sight to behold.
Thankful: The Vikings should be thankful for their outstanding defense
5. New Orleans Saints
For the first time in forever, the New Orleans Saints are doing amazing, really amazing. Marshon Lattimore and co. have been doing an awesome job on defense, which was ranked one of the worst last year. This revolution has catapulted the Saints into playoff discussion
Thankful: The New Orleans Saints should be extremely thankful and indebted to Lattimore and the dedication and leadership he provides to the defense.
6. Los Angeles Rams
With a reliable man, like Jared Goff, under center, complimented by a spectacular defense, led by Aaron Donald, the LA Rams are charging through the once talentless NFC West. They should not be counted out of Super Bowl talk.
Thankful: The Los Angeles Rams should be thankful for Todd Gurley for getting touchdowns, but he should also work on getting fans to attend games.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have, obviously, the best defensive squad in the entire league. They have ripped apart offenses, such as the Steelers. Their defense is unstoppable, but their offense, led by Blake Bortles, is inconsistent and needs to get prepared before the playoffs.
8. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have looked incredible on offense, while the Legion of Boom has returned back to Earth, due to several key injuries to Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor. The Seahawks are a team to watch out for as a Wild Card as they seem to be in deep contention for the division with the LA Rams.
Thankful: The Seattle Seahawks should be thankful for the Russell Wilson's MVP like play.
9. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons win over Seahawks was very significant as it showed us some glimpses of their Super Bowl form from last year. The Atlanta Falcons have been sporting a very strong defense, but a mediocre offense with minimal involvement from Julio Jones have plagued Atlanta.
Thankful: The Atlanta Falcons should be thankful for Matt Ryan's recent positive play.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were stellar and unstoppable at the beginning of the season, starting the season 5-0, but they have gone 1-4 in the last 5 games, topped with a loss to the 1-9 New York Giants. Alex Smith started the year off as a MVP candidate, but now he is not even in the conversation. Tyreek Hill has also faced the same as he has not performed as well as he did earlier in the season. But all hope is not lost as the AFC West is doing exponentially worse than the Chiefs.
Thankful: The Chiefs should be thankful of their healthy offensive line and the hot start by Alex Smith and Tyreek Hill.
11. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have had a good season under a new and rejuvenated Cam Newton. Christian Mccaffrey has performed well till now and the Panthers look like they are ready for the playoffs, but the NFC South is a very tough and difficult division to beat.
Thankful: The Panthers should be thankful for Cam Newton and the talented backfield, led by Christian Mccaffrey
12. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have performed well lately and their young and relentless defense is great. Although their passing game is elite, the Lions' rushing side needs great improvement. The Lions have a bright future and should be ready for the playoffs
Thankful: The Lions should be thankful for Marvin Jones Jr. and Golden Tate as they have taken Calvin Johnson's place with a very elite catching tandem.
13. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have been quite unlucky as of late as Ezekiel Elliot is suspended for the next 6 games. Their offense depends on the run and with Tyron Smith out, the Cowboys are getting steamrolled on offense and their defense is getting worn out
Thankful: The Cowboys should be thankful that Tyron Smith is coming back for the Thanksgiving game against the Chargers
14. Tennessee Titans
The Titans came into the season as offensive juggernauts led by Marcus Mariota and Corey Davis. But this season has been quite the opposite as Corey Davis has been plagued by a nagging hamstring injury and Mariota has no talented wide receivers. After their demolition by the Steelers, the Titans have a very minute chance of making the playoffs.
Thankful: The Titans should be thankful for their great offensive line and running back tandem for saving the team
15. Washington Redskins
The Redskins just overcame the toughest part of their schedule and have the easiest schedule coming up. Powered by Jamison Crowder and Kirk Cousins, the Redskins were extremely close to upsetting the Saints. Their defense, though, remains as a big question mark as the Redskins allowed the Saints to comeback from a double digit lead in the last 3 minutes of the game
Thankful: The Redskins should be thankful for Ryan Kerrigan's heroics and leadership leading the team in sacks.
16. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a young and potent defense, but it seems like their offense is what is preventing them from succeeding. The old Joe Flacco is up to no good, but the Ravens still have a chance of making the playoffs.
Thankful: The Ravens should be thankful for their defense as they are carrying the Ravens on their back for a playoff spot.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have been impressive as of late as they have went 4-2 since a 0-4 start to the season. Melvin Gordon and Phillip Rivers have performed very well and their defense are off to a hot start. Don't be surprised if the Chargers win the AFC West and make the playoffs.
Thankful: The Chargers should be thankful for their stellar defense
18. New York Jets
Josh McCown and co. got off to a hot start to the season, but have struggled in the past couple of games. The New York Jets secondary is spectacular and is one of the elite secondary squads in the league. If the Jets can build around the defense, they could become an unstoppable force in the league.
Thankful: The New York Jets should be thankful for the leadership of Jamal Adams for commanding the secondary of the New York Jets
19. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a complete mess. Coming into this season, they were expected to be one of the best teams in the league, but now they are one of the worst. Plagued by injuries, a poor run game, and a poor defense, the Raiders have no hope.
Thankful: The Raiders should be thankful because they are in a hopeless division that is up for grabs.
20. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are the most pitied football team right now. After losing JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney in the same game, star and outstanding rookie, Deshaun Watson, tore his ACL. The Houston Texans are completely hopeless, despite superstar play from Deandre Hopkins and elite defensive play.
Thankful: The Houston Texans should be thankful that they finally have a franchise quarterback
21. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have no replacement for Tyrod Taylor. PERIOD. Nathan Peterman threw not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 interceptions. Lesean McCoy has been carrying this team.
Thankful: The Bills should be thankful for their first round pick
22. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have been keeping up lately, despite their loss to the Texans. Although they lost David Johnson and Carson Palmer to season-ending injuries, they continue to win and has a chance to make the playoffs.
23. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers surely has an enormous impact on the Packers. Brett Hundley has not been able to perform lately and they have lost to every team but the lowly Bears.
Thankful: The Packers should be thankful that they have a high draft pick
24. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals stepped off on the wrong foot to the season starting off 0-3. They could not recover from this and are 3rd in the AFC North. Although the Bengals are offensively set, their defense continues to struggle
Thankful: The Bengals should be thankful for Andy Dalton's perfect play since the beginning of the season.
25. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins, rightfully so, lost all hope this season when Ryan Tannehill got injured. But their running game has picked up, despite Ajayi's trade to the Eagles. The rest of the Dolphins squad has not performed as well.
Thankful: The Dolphins should be thankful for their bright future in the running game.
26. Chicago Bears
The Bears must have been out of their mind when they selected Mitch Trubisky with the second pick. Although he is a project, he has not performed that well in his first couple of games.
Thankful: The Chicago Bears should be thankful for their defense, especially excellent plays by Eddie Jackson
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have had a very disappointing season. If they are able to fix their offensive line by next season, the Bucs will have a bright future.
Thankful: The Buccaneers should be thankful for Doug Martin's return
28. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have struck bad luck with Andrew Luck's season ending injury. With a growing and more dangerous defense, the Colts must fix their offense over the offseason to catapult them into playoff talk next year
Thankful: The Colts should be thankful for Malik Hooker's interception-hungry attitude.
29. New York Giants
The New York Giants were one of the most unexpected tanking teams this season. The Giants are another team, like the Texans, have been plagued by injuries. Their defense is trying to hold up as their offense is too young and inexperienced.
Thankful: The Giants should be thankful for a top-10 pick in this year's draft so they can lock in a franchise quarterback.
30. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have a debacle at quarterback position that has prevented the team to succeed. Sitting at 3-7, the Broncos have no hope and do not look a bit like the Super Bowl champion from 2 years ago.
Thankful: The Broncos should be thankful that they still have a good defense
31. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers need to start Jimmy Garoppolo and then they can return to its winning form. Although their season is down the drain, they have hope with a franchise quarterback and a strong defensive line.
32. Cleveland Browns
Can the Cleveland Browns ever get better? No!
Thankful: The Browns should be thankful that they have a No.1 pick