The first double-digit week of the 2024 NFL season has come and gone. The weather is getting colder everywhere in the middle of November with Thanksgiving around the corner.
Before all 32 teams know it, it will be December with Christmas, the New Year, and the playoffs looming.
Going into Week 11 and the final two months of the season, here’s Sporting News’ updated look at the pecking order for the entire league.
MORE: NFL playoff picture after Week 10
1. Kansas City Chiefs 9-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Chiefs are a complete team on offense, defense, and special teams. When one phase is letting them down or has a tough matchup, the others tend to come through. The more close games they win in comeback fashion, the more difficult they become to beat, not easier.
MORE: How Chiefs stayed perfect | Did Patrick Mahomes ask ref for help? | Taylor Swift meets with ref before Chiefs game
2. Detroit Lions 8-1 (2)
The Lions proved, like the Chiefs, that they also can win games on special teams, defense, and the running game when their passing game is off. They remain the NFC’s team to beat for that reason.
MORE: Did Lions get away with key defensive pass interference vs. Texans?
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-2 (4)
Mike Tomlin is making a strong Coach of the Year case with his perfect usage of Justin Fields at QB early before turning it over to Russell Wilson to better take advantage of the downfield passing game later. This team is suddenly so much less dependent on defense to win games.
MORE: Russell Wilson validates Mike Tomlin’s QB decision with win over Commanders
4. Buffalo Bills 8-2 (3)
The Bills keep smashing teams offensively by running the ball and spreading it around downfield well. Josh Allen is executing at a high level, even overcoming some rare mistakes. The defense, however, is developing a few more holes of late.
WEEK 11 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Tim Heitman (USA Today Network)
5. Philadelphia Eagles 7-2 (6)
The Eagles got a break with a shell of a Cowboys’ offense and took full advantage with Jalen Hurts locked in again. Philadelphia’s defense is also improving each week, as the promising youth is serving.
6. Baltimore Ravens 7-3 (7)
Lamar Jackson keeps ripping into teams in the best offense he’s ever known with terrific passing, almost making one forget about his dynamic rushing moments. He should repeat as MVP, especially because of how bad the Ravens’ pass defense has become.
MORE: Kyle Hamilton injury update | Derrick Henry wardrobe malfunction
7. Washington Commanders 7-3 (5)
The Commanders’ offense was game with Jayden Daniels in a tough matchup vs. the Steelers, helped most again by the backfield committee and go-to wideout Terry McLaurin. But they just showed why their pass defense needs Marshon Lattimore healthy, stat.
MORE: Johnny Newton in tears over late-game mistake vs. Steelers
8. Minnesota Vikings 7-2 (8)
The Vikings had a sloppy game with Sam Darnold passing poorly in the red zone, but they got a break with their defense getting to operate vs. Mac Jones and the Jaguars. Darnold needs to clean up his play to keep his job and keep Minnesota on the fast track to the playoffs.
MORE: Vikings taunt Jaguars’ mascot after takeaways
9. Green Bay Packers 6-3 (9)
Speaking of cutting down on mistakes, that must be the imperative of Jordan Love in Matt LaFleur’s offense after the bye. The Packers’ division title chances are fading, but they can work to be a dangerous NFC wild-card team for the second consecutive season.
BETTING INFO & INSIGHT:
Claim Underdog DFS promo code worth up to $1,000 | Bet $5 to win $150 with our FanDuel promo code
10. San Francisco 49ers 5-4 (12)
The 49ers got Christian McCaffrey back for the offense, and he provided a needed spark for Brock Purdy and the offense to help the maligned defense. Now they need to be wary of some dysfunction with Deebo Samuel.
MORE: CMC is back — and so is 49ers’ Super Bowl offense | Deebo Samuel explains spat with teammates
11. Los Angeles Chargers 6-3 (13)
The Chargers have seen Justin Herbert get into a downfield passing groove to support the strong rushing attack, which also makes things easier on the defense. Jim Harbaugh’s team is the Falcons of the NFC — just worried about getting to its best come AFC playoff time
12. Arizona Cardinals 6-4 (15)
The Cardinals are putting everything together, as Kyler Murray has them fully explosive and balanced while Jonathan Gannon is coaching up the once-worrisome defense to new heights.
13. Houston Texans 6-4 (11)
The Texans’ offensive woes continued in the second half vs. Detroit, with C.J. Stroud reliant a lot on big plays while the running game was slowed. Next up is a get-well game with the Cowboys.
MORE: Refs miss key DPI on Lions vs. Texans
14. Atlanta Falcons 6-4 (10)
The Falcons could afford to lose a division game to the desperate Saints, as they still have a stranglehold on the division ahead of the fading Buccaneers. But to do anything more than win a division and limp out of the playoffs, they need better pass defense and special teams.
15. Denver Broncos 5-5 (14)
The Broncos have offensive limitations, so they need more around Bo Nix when the special teams or defense let down for Sean Payton. They are fortunate they can win most battles of attrition through a mostly weak schedule.
16. Los Angeles Rams 4-4 (17)
The Rams have their offensive mojo back with their top receivers healthy to help Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams. If their young defense stays on its trajectory, another late push to the playoffs is in store.
17. Cincinnati Bengals 4-6 (19)
The Bengals keep getting awesome play from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and remain a dangerous offensive team. But it all comes down if they can fix their defense in time to sneak into a wild-card spot.
MORE: Ja’Marr Chase’s historic performance vs. Ravens | Playoff picture | Missed penalties on final play vs. Ravens
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-6 (16)
The Buccaneers are competitive each week with a relentless Baker Mayfield and a fair cadre of running backs, but they just don’t have enough to make up for growing pass defense issues
19. Chicago Bears 4-5 (18)
The Bears are breaking down in the passing game with Caleb Williams getting sacked too often, and the defense is feeling the effects of having too much pressure to come through to win games. Matt Eberflus is in real trouble.
MORE: Is Matt Eberflus on hot seat?
20. Seattle Seahawks 4-5 (20)
Geno Smith is another quarterback who needs to cut down on turnovers to help his team’s offense stay in the playoff race after the bye. Seattle’s defense, however, might already be too much of a liability.
21. Indianapolis Colts 4-6 (22)
The Colts are trying to remain competitive with Joe Flacco at QB, but they need a more reliable passing game to support Jonathan Taylor. The defense isn’t good enough to keep Flacco in comfortable situations.
22. Dallas Cowboys 3-6 (21)
The Cowboys are a shell of an offense without Dak Prescott (hamstring) at quarterback, reminding everyone how good he is. As for the defense, there is still plenty of dazed confusion, even with Micah Parsons back.
23. New York Jets 3-7 (23)
What was that? The Jets’ positive offensive vibes from Aaron Rodgers picking apart the Texans disappeared, and the defense fell apart again under Jeff Ulbrich. The interim coach has proved incapable of scheming and making the right game decisions well at the same time.
MORE: Jeff Ulbrich takes blame for loss | Is Aaron Rodgers on hot seat?
24. Carolina Panthers 3-7 (29)
The Panthers should be happy they gave Bryce Young another chance and helped him a lot more with the running game. Young is playing with more confidence and should remain the starter for the rest of the season.
25. New Orleans Saints 3-7 (30)
The Saints got inspired by interim coach Darren Rizzi and Derek Carr being fearless in the passing game. They also played their best bend-but-don’t-break defense by rallying to the ball better minus Dennis Allen.
MORE: Interim coach Darren Rizzi explains why he expected ‘crappy day’ vs. Falcons
26. New England Patriots 3-7 (32)
Drake Maye won a big road game vs. fellow rookie first-rounder and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, showing a better handle on the offense and complementing the defense’s best effort well.
27. Miami Dolphins 2-6 (25)
The Dolphins need to get their familiar passing game with Tua Tagovailoa to show up vs. the Rams or they will stay behind even the free-falling Jets in the division.
28. Tennessee Titans 2-7 (24)
The Titans gave a healthy Will Levis a worthy shot to rev up the offense, but he can do only so much when the once-helpful pass defense breaks down against a top quarterback.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
29. Cleveland Browns 2-7 (28)
The Browns are playing out the string with Jameis Winston and were sellers ahead of their Week 10 bye. The defense needs to have a good finish, and the offense needs inspired play to ensure another year of Kevin Stefanski.
30. Las Vegas Raiders 2-7 (31)
The Raiders are lost at quarterback and blew up their offensive staff. Defense also is a concern for Antonio Pierce, who may not last past this troubling season.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-8 (26)
The Jaguars look listless without Trevor Lawrence running the offense, and that wasted one of the season’s best defensive efforts for Ryan Nielsen. Doug Pederson can’t last with the AFC’s worst team.
32. New York Giants 2-8 (27)
The Giants often get in their own way. They have had some promise at times with Daniel Jones working with rookies Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Theo Johnson, but they still make key mistakes, not helped by a defense that cannot stop the run.
