2021 NFL power rankings, Week 11: Cowboys, Packers, Bills rebound
It was another rough week for more than one divisional leader. And the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers fell in old D.C.
The surprises continued around the league as a few first-place teams dealt with the sting of defeat. There was the return of “Superman,” no winner or loser in Pittsburgh and an overdue offensive explosion by the defending AFC champions. And there were also a lot of lopsided victories by teams looking to make statements in this week’s NFL Power Rankings.
Previous: . Houston Texans. 32. team. 10. . 1-8
From 2015-19, the franchise owned a combined 43-37 regular-season record and won the AFC South four times in five years. This decade, the Texans are 5-20 and have lost eight consecutive games.
New head coach David Culley has used two different starting quarterback this season in veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Davis Mills. The duo has combined for 10 TD passes and 12 turnovers. Entering Week 10, the Texans ranked last in the NFL in total offense.
New York Jets. 31. team. 30. . 2-7. Previous:
Quarterback Mike White would get the start for the well-rested Jets, who hosted the first-place Bills. The Jets had dropped three straight home games to their rivals from Buffalo. And that list has now been stretched to four as the team was down 10-0 after one quarter and by 35 points entering the final quarter.
It was a humbling afternoon for White, who threw for 251 but zero touchdown passes, served up four interceptions and gave way to Joe Flacco.
Detroit Lions. 30. team. 50. . 0-8-1. Previous:
Mired in a 12-game losing streak dating back to Week 14 of 2020, the Lions made their first appearance in the Steel City since 2013. Dan Campbell’s club was off last week and was in Pittsburgh to clash with the resurgent Steelers.
The team’s shaky ground game got numerous contributions and wound up with 39 attempts for 229 yards. The game went into overtime and with a chance to win it, Ryan Santoso missed a 48-yard field goal attempt.
4-5. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 29. team. 44.
After a 0-2 start, Arthur Smith’s club had won four of their previous six games as they headed to Dallas. This one got ugly early and often as the Cowboys jumped out to a 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.
Atlanta answered with a field goal but were done for the day putting points on the board. The team surrendered 29 points in the second quarter alone while quarterbacks Matt Ryan (2) and Josh Rosen (1) combined for three interceptions.