NFL Power Rankings 2012: Teams That Will Continue to Rise

After Sunday's Week 1 games, we've been given a snapshot of the strengths and weaknesses of each NFL team, from the defending champion New York Giants to the championship-contending Green Bay Packers.

Several teams have soared up the NFL power rankings after impressive performances and new quarterbacks (hint, hint).

Here's a look at teams that will continue to rise this season, complete with my power rankings at the bottom.

3. Denver Broncos

Peyton. Manning.

That is all.

Manning hadn't seen the field in nearly two years, but he looked like the same player he was before undergoing multiple neck surgeries.

Manning went 19-of-26 for 253 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers, reminding everyone he doesn't intend on fading off into the sunset.

But, more importantly for the Broncos, they kept Ben Roethlisberger and Co. in check. This was a defense that allowed 1.76 points per drive last season (16th in the NFL) and allowed 7.5 yards per attempt (18th).

Von Miller continued to be one of the great defensive forces in football with two sacks.

2. Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III changes everything for this team.

The Redskins had an emerging defense last season, but were crippled by poor quarterback play.

Not anymore. Griffin outplayed Drew Brees on Sunday, going 19-of-26 for 320 yards (12.3 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns, while adding 42 yards on the ground. He found eight different receivers, including his new best friend, Pierre Garcon.

The Redskins' defense still has issues, but it actually played better against Brees and Co. than the 32 points allowed would suggest. Washington limited Brees to 6.5 yards per attempt and notched two interceptions.

1. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys' offensive line is still a little shaky (with Doug Free at right tackle and second-year pro Tyron Smith still adjusting to left tackle), but everything else was impressive on Wednesday night against the defending champion New York Giants.

Tony Romo played excellent football, running back DeMarco Murray returned to being a beast and the Cowboys' defense notched three sacks, five QB hits and five tackles for loss.

No. 1 cornerback Brandon Carr showed why the Cowboys went after him in the offseason and rookie Morris Claiborne held his own.

If the Cowboys' secondary makes strides this season, there's no telling how far the Cowboys can go. An NFC East title and beyond is not out of the question at this point.

NFL Power Rankings

Team	Record
1. San Francisco 49ers	1-0
2. New England Patriots	1-0
3. Green Bay Packers	0-1
4. Houston Texans	1-0
5. Baltimore Ravens	1-0
6. Atlanta Falcons	1-0
7. Dallas Cowboys	1-0
8. Chicago Bears	1-0
9. New York Giants	0-1
10. New Orleans Saints	0-1
11. Denver Broncos	1-0
12. Detroit Lions	1-0
13. Cincinnati Bengals	0-1
14. Pittsburgh Steelers	0-1
15. Philadelphia Eagles	1-0
16. New York Jets	1-0
17. Washington Redskins	1-0
18. San Diego Chargers	1-0
19. Kansas City Chiefs	0-1
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-0
21. Tennessee Titans	0-1
22. Buffalo Bills	0-1
23. Carolina Panthers	0-1
24. St. Louis Rams	0-1
25. Oakland Raiders	0-1
26. Minnesota Vikings	1-0
27. Jacksonville Jaguars	0-1
28. Arizona Cardinals	1-0
29. Seattle Seahawks	0-1
30. Indianapolis Colts	0-1
31. Cleveland Browns	0-1
32. Miami Dolphins	0-1

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