NFL Power Rankings - Week 11: One unheralded Pro Bowl nominee for each team
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
With 10 weeks in the books, we identify one unheralded player on each team that is deserving of Pro Bowl consideration.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 1
Kansas City has allowed the eighth-fewest passing yards, and the surprisingly solid play of second-year cornerback Rashad Fenton is a big reason why. Fenton is allowing just 57.1% of his targets in coverage to be completed, despite opponents routinely being in catch-up mode because of Patrick Mahomes and Co.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-0)Previous Rank: 2
The Steelers' front seven is stacked with elite players such as T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Stephon Tuitt. So it's easy to forget Bud Dupree, even when the 2015 first-rounder is tied for eighth in the league in sacks with seven, and he's forced two fumbles.
3. New Orleans Saints (7-2)Previous Rank: 3
Who knew Trey Hendrickson would be the answer to the Saints' pass-rush questions opposite Cameron Jordan. The 2017 third-round pick has come into his own, logging a team-leading 7.5 sacks through nine games.
4. Green Bay Packers (7-2)Previous Rank: 5
Corey Linsley's presence and steady performance is a welcome sight along an offensive line that's needed to overcome the offseason departure of Bryan Bulaga, and David Bakhtiari being out due to injury. He's the top-ranked center in football, according to PFF.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 8
Ali Marpet has missed the past two games due to a concussion, but the left guard is the Buccaneers' best offensive lineman when healthy. He has yet to allow a sack this season, and Marpet deserves the first Pro Bowl nod of his six-year career.
6. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)Previous Rank: 11
DeAndre Hopkins draws all the attention and praise, and rightfully so after hauling in Kyler Murray's Hail Mary. But some may be surprised to learn Christian Kirk leads the Cardinals with six receiving touchdowns.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-3)Previous Rank: 6
Few players have performed at a high level for as long as Jerry Hughes without getting national attention. The pass-rusher hasn't made the Pro Bowl in 10 seasons. But with four sacks and two forced fumbles this campaign, and the Bills looking like a force in the AFC, it could be the year for Hughes' Pro Bowl debut.
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)Previous Rank: 13
DeForest Buckner and Darius Leonard garner most of the plaudits on Indy's emerging defense, but Grover Stewart's standout play makes their work much easier. He's among the league's most athletic nose tackles, and his breakout year is helping the Colts' run defense reach a new level.
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-3)Previous Rank: 7
The Seahawks' defense has been historically bad, and it's currently the league's worst. But Poona Ford is a bright light in the middle of the defensive line. The 300-pound nose tackle has been stuffing plays in the backfield and getting to the quarterback for a team bereft of quality pass-rushers.
10. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 4
Baltimore sorely misses All-Pro Ronnie Stanley, but few teams enjoy the luxury of an alternative on Orlando Brown Jr.'s level. The veteran seamlessly shifted from right tackle to left tackle after Stanley's injury, a feat far harder than most assume.
11. Miami Dolphins (6-3)Previous Rank: 10
Kicker Jason Sanders has been nearly perfect through nine games, making all 23 of his extra-point attempts and going 20-of-21 kicking field goals. Sanders has also nailed all five of his 50-plus yard attempts.
12. Los Angeles Rams (6-3)Previous Rank: 14
Leonard Floyd is enjoying a resurgence with the Rams. On the league's second-ranked defense, he trails only Aaron Donald with 15 quarterback hits, and his seven sacks already match a single-season career high.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (6-3)Previous Rank: 12
Linebacker Cory Littleton was the Raiders' prized free-agent addition this past offseason, but new signing Nick Kwiatkoski has stood out in the center of their defense. The veteran is excelling in coverage, with his one-handed interception of Drew Lock last week the latest in a long line of standout plays.
14. Tennessee Titans (6-3)Previous Rank: 9
Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown are the key cogs that keep the Titans rolling. But their offense wouldn't be nearly as potent without tight end and red-zone monster Jonnu Smith. Adam Thielen (eight) and Mike Evans (seven) are the only players with more red-zone receiving touchdowns than Smith (six).
15. Cleveland Browns (6-3)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 15
Wyatt Teller has been a rock in front of Baker Mayfield, allowing just four pressures over 167 pass-blocking snaps. But the guard really shines as a run-blocker while regularly annihilating defensive lines to create holes for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Teller's return from injury in Week 10, along with Chubb, sparked a 231-yard rushing day for Cleveland.
16. Minnesota Vikings (4-5)Previous Rank: 19
With much more well-known names surrounding him on the Vikings' defense, linebacker Eric Wilson has been stuffing the stat sheet, recording 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 61 tackles, and seven quarterback hits.
17. New England Patriots (4-5)Previous Rank: 21
Stephon Gilmore's Defensive Player of the Year campaign last season was so good that J.C. Jackson's five interceptions flew under the radar. So to make sure he gets his deserved attention now, the third-year cornerback has already racked up six picks in nine games.
18. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)Previous Rank: 16
This is Fred Warner's best chance for his first Pro Bowl selection. With much of the 49ers' roster on the injured reserve, he's taken command of the team's defense while ranking as the league's fourth-best linebacker, according to PFF.
19. Detroit Lions (4-5)Previous Rank: 25
T.J. Hockenson trails only Travis Kelce and Jonnu Smith among tight ends for the most touchdown catches, with five on the season. In just his second campaign, he leads all Lions pass-catchers in targets, receptions, and scores, and Hockenson has been a red-zone favorite.
20. Chicago Bears (5-5)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 17
Jimmy Graham is one of the three tight ends who have matched Hockenson's scoring output. Cast aside after a forgettable two-year stint with the Packers, Graham is one of a select few doing anything of note on the Bears' offense.
21. Carolina Panthers (3-7)Previous Rank: 18
The free-agent market wasn't as robust as Robby Anderson would have liked, but he landed in an ideal situation. Playing in Matt Rhule's offense, he ranks fifth in the league in catches and yards, and sixth in targets.
22. Atlanta Falcons (3-6)Previous Rank: 22
The Falcons cut ties with Desmond Trufant in the offseason before making rookie first-round pick A.J. Terrell their new No. 1 corner, and he's performed admirably. Terrell missed one game earlier in the season due to COVID-19, but he's since recorded his first career pick.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (2-6-1)Previous Rank: 23
Joe Burrow's protection is leaving a lot to be desired, but left tackle Jonah Williams is doing all he can to keep the No. 1 pick clean. The sophomore has allowed just one sack while drawing only one flag, which is even more impressive after missing his rookie season due to injury.
24. Denver Broncos (3-6)Previous Rank: 24
Penalty problems plagued Garett Bolles during his first three seasons, and it seemed likely the Broncos would soon tire of the left tackle's poor discipline. While Bolles hasn't eliminated his issues, he's made a huge leap as a pass-protector. The lineman is PFF's top-ranked tackle after giving up zero sacks and eight pressures.
25. New York Giants (3-7)
Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 28
Inside linebacker Blake Martinez has regained his form in his first year with the Giants. The 26-year-old leads the league with 96 tackles while logging two sacks and being strong in coverage.
26. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1)Previous Rank: 20
For a three-game stretch, little-known Travis Fulgham carried the Eagles' passing offense with 284 receiving yards and touchdowns in each contest. Though he's played in just six games, Fulgham still paces the team in yards (443) and touchdowns (four).
27. Los Angeles Chargers (2-7)Previous Rank: 27
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram have missed time with injuries, so the Chargers needed a defensive lineman to step up. Uchenna Nwosu has done just that, tying his career-high with 3.5 sacks.
28. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)Previous Rank: 30
One of the Cowboys' few bright spots, Aldon Smith is enjoying a career resurrection. He leads the team with five sacks, even after spending the previous four years away from football due to suspensions.
29. Houston Texans (2-7)Previous Rank: 26
The Texans would, of course, likely want a do-over on the DeAndre Hopkins trade. But Brandin Cooks, the man brought in to replace the departed star, is producing a good first season in Houston, racking up 549 yards and three scores while also seemingly putting his injury woes behind him.
30. Washington Football Team (2-7)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 29
The rival Eagles discarded Ronald Darby after he was burned for six touchdowns in 2019, and now he's thriving in Washington. He's allowed just one score and is capably shutting things down from the left corner position.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)Previous Rank: 31
Undrafted rookie running back James Robinson has been a fantasy darling. But while playing for one of the league's worst teams, Robinson still isn't getting near the national praise he deserves for being fifth in rushing with 689 yards.
32. New York Jets (0-9)Previous Rank: 32
Jamison Crowder has missed four games due to injury, so his overall stats don't stand out. But the receiver is 10th in the league in receiving yards per game (81.8), a near-miraculous feat in Adam Gase's offense.
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