NFL Power Rankings - Week 11: Panthers overtake Bengals at No. 2, Chiefs gain ground

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Caitlyn Holroyd, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.

1. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 1st

Another week, another win, and another devastating injury to the Patriots' offense. Julian Edelman is in danger of missing the rest of the season with a foot injury, and while New England is still the NFL's best team, it looked mortal for the first time in weeks in a close win over the Giants. - Jack Browne

2. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 3rd

Cam Newton continues to spark faux outrage by dabbing on his opponents, as the Panthers remain the NFC's lone unbeaten team. There's no end in sight for Newton's excellent performances both as a quarterback, and as a dancer. - Arun Srinivasan

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Bengals were bound for a slip-up at some point. With Denver heading in the wrong direction, it would still be a massive upset if Cincinnati doesn't end up with a first-round bye in the AFC. - Dan Wilkins

4. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 6th

The Cardinals are sitting pretty atop the NFC West thanks to a big road win over the Seahawks, a team that defeated them twice last season. That should give them plenty of confidence heading into a primetime matchup against the Bengals. - Caitlyn Holroyd

5. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 6th

All of a sudden, the Vikings are one of the NFC's most complete teams. The impressive rebuild has yielded results far sooner than anticipated, so the Vikings may be in position to make a run as soon as this year. - Dan Wilkins

6. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 4th

Peyton Manning made history in Week 10, but his subsequent benching and a torn plantar fascia have many wondering just how much he has left. Manning's toughest opponent right now is Father Time, and he never loses. - Caitlyn Holroyd

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 9th

This is the last team anyone wants to meet in the playoffs. The defense is playing much better than expected and it's finally becoming clear what the offense is capable of with Ben Roethlisberger under center. - Dan Wilkins

8. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 5th

There has to be some concern about the way the Green Bay's played of late. Then again, the Packers won a Super Bowl the last time they backed into the playoffs. Don't rule anything out with the NFL's best quarterback under center. - Dan Wilkins

9. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 8th

The Seahawks' playoff chances are starting to dwindle, but it's far too early to count them out. They'll have a chance to get back on track against the 49ers in Week 11. - Caitlyn Holroyd

10. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 15th

The Bills beat the Jets despite some questionable play-calling and appear to be getting healthy at the right time. LeSean McCoy finally looked like the "Shady" we all used to know, showing off his trademark agility that's been missing this season. - Jack Browne

11. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 12th

The Giants' inability to finish games, with both players and coaches failing to execute properly, has been a consistent problem this year. Despite this, the Giants cemented their position as the NFC East's best team in a narrow loss to the Patriots. - Jack Browne

12. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 14th

Atlanta comes out of its bye with three of its next four opponents leading their respective divisions. It's time for the Falcons to prove whether they're a genuine contender, or the byproduct of an easy schedule to date. - Arun Srinivasan

13. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 11th

Just one of the Raiders' four wins this season has come against a winning team. That's going to have to change if they hope to remain alive in the playoff race. - Caitlyn Holroyd

14. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 10th

Having to watch an elated Rex Ryan jump around the sideline had to sting the Jets faithful, but they can take solace in a favorable stretch of upcoming games, and the fact Ryan Fitzpatrick shouldn't miss any time due to thumb surgery. - Jack Browne

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 20th

Charcandrick West has been the savior Kansas City needed after the season-ending injury to Jamaal Charles. The second-year running back has accumulated 412 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns over the past three games, all of which have ended in Chiefs' victories. - Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Bears are quickly headed in the right direction under John Fox. A previously disastrous defense is making strides, and Jay Cutler is playing some of the best football of his career. - Dan Wilkins

17. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 13th

As good as Todd Gurley is, he can't be relied on alone to win games. Third-down conversions are a big issue for the Rams right now, as are penalties, which cost them 57 total yards of offense in their blowout loss to the Bears. - Caitlyn Holroyd

18. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 16th

With Sam Bradford sidelined for a week or two, the Eagles will turn to Mark Sanchez. Unfortunately for Sanchez, there's no Jeremy Maclin to throw to. The Eagles simply don't have the talent at receiver, and Chip Kelly's system is failing to compensate for it. - Jack Browne

19. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 19th

Despite three safeties in three weeks, Miami added one to the win column against Philadelphia. A 0-4 divisional record may ultimately doom the Dolphins, however, from challenging for a playoff spot. - Jack Browne

20. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 25th

There should be cautious optimism in Washington. Kirk Cousins didn't play as well as his stats suggest, but he's made steady progress as the Redskins' starter. He might not be the guy of the future, but he's good enough to get Rob Ryan fired, which means he'll soon be inundated by gift baskets from grateful Saints fans. - Jack Browne

21. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 17th

Indianapolis exits its bye week to travel to Atlanta, where the team must prove it can maintain a share of the AFC South lead without Andrew Luck. - Arun Srinivasan

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 24th

The Buccaneers are getting solid contributions from their rookie class, with Jameis Winston, Ali Marpet, and Kwon Alexander belying their first-year status. Don't look now, but there's a bright future in Tampa Bay. - Arun Srinivasan

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 28th

The Jaguars could be back in playoff contention with a win over the Titans on Thursday, a prospect that remained unfathomable in mid-October. - Arun Srinivasan

24. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 30th

Quintin Demps' forced fumble likely saved the Texans' season in a victory over the Bengals. The Texans' two-game homestand against the Jets and Saints will almost certainly determine their playoff chances. - Arun Srinivasan

25. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 18th

Rob Ryan was fired as defensive coordinator after allowing 47 points to the Redskins. The Saints are in line to set numerous records for defensive ineptitude, and until the defense is fixed, they're going nowhere. - Arun Srinivasan

26. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 23rd

A penalty directly leading to last week's loss just about sums up Baltimore's season. There may be more talent than their 2-7 record suggests, but this team just can't seem to get it done on Sundays. - Dan Wilkins

27. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 21st

The Cowboys should hold a ceremony for Tony Romo's return next week, pleading with him to never leave them again, apologizing for all the times they chastised him. They should then ritually sacrifice Matt Cassel to the football gods, and hope they have better luck next season. - Jack Browne

28. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank:

Malcom Floyd is reportedly going to try to play through a torn labrum in his shoulder, but with the Chargers' playoff chances in serious doubt, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team shut him down for the season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

29. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 29th

A strong performance against the Falcons earned Blaine Gabbert another chance to start. Now he has to prove that win wasn't a fluke. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 32nd

The losing streak in Green Bay finally came to an end last week, but there's not much else to like about what's happened in Detroit this year. A complete rebuild is on the way. - Dan Wilkins

31. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 31st

Tennessee was thoroughly underwhelming in a 27-10 loss to Carolina, but has a chance to turn its season around with a key divisional clash Thursday against Jacksonville. - Arun Srinivasan

32. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 26th

The rest of the Browns' season will be about Johnny Manziel. With another top draft pick on the way, the team needs to determine whether he's the long-term answer at quarterback. - Dan Wilkins