NFL Power 15 - thru week 11:

Here we go again. Time for this week's Power 15! Before we unviel this week's edition, allow me to clarify what this poll is all about. These rankings are about the here and now and not based on projections - which is to say, that these teams are ranked on how they are playing and how good they are NOW! This isn't a poll based upon projections and which teams I think will be good in 3 weeks. With that said, here's your Power 15:

1. New England - Did you see what they did to the Bills Sunday night? Their performance was so impressive that I have admittedly changed my tune on whether or not the Pats will go undefeated. I would now be surprised if they DIDN'T go undefeated. They are that good!

2. Dallas - Part of me wonders if Dallas is better than the 21 point loss they suffered to New England at home or if there is that much of a gap. Still, the Cowboys 9-1 record is very impressive as they, too, are kicking ass and taking names. Right now, they rate the edge over Green Bay for the #2 spot.

3. Green Bay - The Packers, too, are kicking some serious butt and playing great defense as well. We haven't seen them against the pats so there's no way to measure them against the league's elite team. However we will learn alot more about them (and the Cowboys) when they visit Dallas on November 29th.

4. Indianapolis - SI's Peter King must have been hanging out with Rickey Williams if he thinks that the Colts are the second best team in the league right now! With the way they're playing and the injuries they have sustained, they would not beat the Dallas Cowboys right now. Or the Green Bay Packers. Maybe even the Steelers. However, if they do get healthy (minus Dwight Freeney) they will pose the biggest threat to the Patriots in the playoffs.

5. Pittsburgh - A terrible loss to the Jets Sunday, but I still think that this is a good team. In fact, I thought about putting Jacksonville in this spot but I believe that the Steelers are the better team and would win if they played today.

6. Jacksonville - A win over the Chargers Sunday has them just a game behind Indy for the AFC South lead. And they've won with multiple QB's! The reason why is their defense has been stingy. In fact, they've given up only two more points (159) this season than the Patriots (157).

7. NY Giants - It wasn't a thing of beauty, but the G-men got the job done in Mowtown. They should pick up their 8th win this Sunday at home against Minnesota, even without former BC Eagle Mathias Kiwanuka.

8. Tampa Bay - It's time we all stopped sleeping on the Bucs. They ARE the team to beat in the NFC South. John Gruden's job was reportedly on the line coming into this season and it looks like he has a playoff-bound team on his hands.

9. Cleveland - Wow! What a finish to the Browns game at Baltimore! Phil Dawson's game-tying FG hits the left upright and then the bar over the crossbar holding up the goalposts before bouncing out! After originally being ruled no good, the refs got it right and Cleveland won in overtime. That's taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce.

10. Seattle - Seahawks have been playing better as of late beating the Bears this past weekend. They face a healthier Rams team in St. Louis on Sunday.

11. Tennessee - The Titans couldn't get it done against a down Denver team Monday night although Vince Young did play like an NFL QB this week. If they want to be a playoff team, they have to beat a pitiful Bengals team this week in Cincinnati.

12. Detroit - The Packers still haven't beaten a good team making their Turkey Day match-up with Green Bay a must! Based upon what I've seen from both team this season, I'll take the Pack.

13. Houston - Andre Johnson's return to the line-up is huge for the Texans who beat the surging Saints last Sunday. A big game this week for the Texans as they visit another surging team - Cleveland this weekend.

14. Philly - Eagles, without a hobbled Donovan McNabb, sent the lowly Dolphins to their 10th defeat on Sunday. From an (0-10) team to the (10-0) Patriots this Sunday night. Now let's see how good the Eagles are.

15. Washington - The Skins hung tough with Dallas on Sunday and, let's face it, play in the toughest division in the league. (sorry AFC South) Washington may have a make or break game this weekend in Tampa.

Missed the cut: Arizona, San Diego

Bottom of the barrell: The (ha, ha, ha, ha) Miami (ha, ha, ha, ha) Dolphins (ha, ha, ha,ha)