The close of week ten of the 2011 NFL season means we can wrap it up with a look at various NFL power rankings from around the media. We'll wrap up that breakdown with a look at some more objective rankings from Football Outsiders. While most media power rankings are entirely subjective, FO's DVOA ratings try to put together a more objective look around the league.
In their more analytical approach, issues do pop up that aren't always an issue with subjective rankings. In FO's current DVOA ratings, they have Houston number one following their big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DVOA does not consider the future impact of injuries, which means Matt Schaub's foot injury does not impact the Texans DVOA yet. If they start to lose some games, then we will see adjustments.
The San Francisco 49ers dropped a spot in DVOA this week from No. 4 to No. 5, although that was more because of performances around them as opposed to any problems with their own performance. The 49ers enter the softer portion of their schedule with five of their remaining seven games against struggling NFC West opponents. However, the two non-division opponents are the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Not exactly pushovers.
The Oakland Raiders climbed from No. 21 to No. 18 following their road win over the San Diego Chargers. They are three spots up on the Chargers, four on the Broncos and twelve spots ahead of the Chiefs. The AFC West is in a bit of turmoil with three teams tied for second place behind the Raiders. They are all playing out of division games in the coming week.
Here is the top ten according to Football Outsiders' DVOA Ratings:
1. Houston Texans
2. Green Bay Packers
3. New York Jets
4. New England Patriots
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. New York Giants
9. Chicago Bears
10. Dallas Cowboys