NFL power rankings, Week 11: 49ers with the big bounce-back win

Welcome back for another week of my power rankings. I don't think any power rankings have consistent rhyme or reason to them, and mine are no different. There is usually a fairly close connection to win-loss record, but this week is an example where I added a little more context. That of course is the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals lost Carson Palmer to a knee injury, and will have to rely on Drew Stanton the rest of the season. He was 2-1 in place of Palmer earlier in the season, with his only loss coming on the road to the Denver Broncos. However, much like the NCAA tournament selection committee will lower a team in the bracket because of a major injury, so to do I lower the Cardinals following the Palmer injury. I do think Arizona can hang around in this divisional race, but that 8-1 record is suddenly looking mighty precarious. They get their first big challenge right out of the gates, hosting the 7-2 Detroit Lions this Sunday.

I gave the San Francisco 49ers a considerable following their huge road win over the New Orleans Saints. They looked incredibly inconsistent at times thanks primarily to dropped passes, but they got a win they desperately needed. They travel to face the New York Giants this Sunday, so we'll see how they build on it. Hopefully there is no emotional letdown after such a wild win this past Sunday.

I'm sure plenty will doubt my slotting of the Cleveland Browns. They may burn me before the season ends, but I'm a big fan of what they're doing. It is not pretty at times, but that team is doing big things. They currently hold a half game lead in the AFC North, and they look like that team that comes out of nowhere each season to earn a playoff berth. I'm sure plenty would drop them lower, but I'm buying into Cleveland.