NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Biggest Risers and Fallers as Playoffs Approach

Week 11 of the NFL season saw some teams take a major jump in the power rankings, while others took a much-deserved dip to a lower spot as a result of a bad loss.

A team like the Denver Broncos took on and beat a fellow elite squad in the Kansas City Chiefs, thus earning them the No. 1 ranking heading into Week 12. Meanwhile, the New York Jets got torched by a lesser Buffalo Bills squad, and that has led to the Jets dropping several spots.

Those are just two of the teams moving either up or down in the rankings this week. Let's find out where the rest of the teams stand as Week 12 approaches, as well as breaking down which squads took the biggest rise or fall.

*Note: Risers and fallers are in italics.

1. Denver Broncos (9-1)

In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Denver Broncos did just that after topping the last undefeated team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos ascend to the No. 1 spot this week and will have another tough test with the New England Patriots and once again the Chiefs in the next two weeks.

2. Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

Now that the Chiefs have suffered a loss, the Seahawks moved up one spot to No. 2 in the power rankings after defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11 without incident, 41-20. Seattle's defense continues to be elite, and their offense received a huge boost with the return of wide receiver Percy Harvin last week. Seattle's position in the rankings is safe for at least another week with a bye in Week 12.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

Falling two spots is the Chiefs, who were finally knocked off their undefeated pedestal by the Broncos in Week 11. While we all know how great Kansas City's defense has been, their offense, led by game-managing quarterback Alex Smith, is nowhere near a certainty and will have to step it up if the Chiefs hope to run with the Broncos the rest of the way.

4. New Orleans Saints (8-2)

A win over the San Francisco 49ers was a huge boost for the New Orleans Saints, and after losing to the New York Jets in Week 9, the Saints have beaten two quality opponents in the Dallas Cowboys and the Niners. If their defense continues to play well, the Saints are a deadly team to face, considering their offense is superb.

5. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

Nobody can doubt the Panthers any longer after a big win over the Patriots in Week 11. While it was surrounded by controversy after a questionable call at the end of the game, the Panthers still did enough to put themselves in position to win and ended up sealing the deal.

After a 1-3 start, the Panthers look like an entirely different team, as they are in the midst of a six-game winning streak and now have a shot at not only making the playoffs, but also winning their division—they sit just one game behind the Saints in the NFC South.

If you followed the Panthers last season, it can be argued that this kind of success could be seen as inevitable. After all, Carolina lost several close games last season, and if things were a bit different, it could have been a playoff team in 2012-13.

The respect has been earned, and the Panthers incredible rise in the rankings this week gives them the credit they deserve as a result of this sensational run.

6. Indianapolis Colts (7-3)

Indianapolis got back on track in Week 11 after topping the Tennessee Titans following a horrid showing in a Week 10 loss to the St. Louis Rams. A loss of offensive weapons has been a big blow to Indy's offense, but with Andrew Luck behind center and a solid defense, the Colts are still one of the league's best.

7. New England Patriots (7-3)

Controversy or not, the Pats were outplayed by the Panthers for much of their Monday Night Football showdown and, unfortunately, had the game left in the hands of the referees, which is never a good thing. Things aren't going to get any easier for the Pats in Week 12, as the Broncos come to town, but a jump in the rankings will occur should the Pats emerge victorious.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

Following two losses at the hands of the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals looked to be sliding down the rankings and in danger of coughing up their division lead.

However, that trend was halted after the Bengals beat up on the Cleveland Browns, and just like that, Cincy is back in the top-10 and in control of their spot atop the AFC North.

Despite the wins, concerns still linger about this team's consistency overall, specifically when speaking about quarterback Andy Dalton. After dominating to the tune of 1,034 yards, 11 touchdowns and only one pick combined from weeks six to nine, Dalton hasn't looked as impressive the last three weeks with 705 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions.

A bye in Week 12 will enable the Bengals to rest up and gather their wits for the stretch run, but it remains a fact that this team will go only as far as their quarterback will take them, as the defense remains a stellar aspect of this squad.

9. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

The Niners gave up a late lead and ended up losing to the Saints in Week 11 thanks to some crucial penalties late in the game. Offense continues to be this team's biggest issue, as the Niners own the worst passing attack in football, but the eventual return of star receiver Michael Crabtree should help that.

10. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

Don't look now, but the Arizona Cardinals are a legit playoff squad following three straight wins. Sure, their victories have been over some lackluster squads, but don't forget earlier wins in the season over the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.

Arizona's chances of winning the highly competitive NFC West are slim to none thanks to the Seahawks' 10-1 record, but the Cards are breathing down the neck of the team holding the final playoff spot, the 49ers.

Quarterback Carson Palmer has eased into his role as this team's signal-caller nicely, and he's getting better and better each week in Bruce Arians' offense. Defensively, Arizona is tough, and a No. 2-ranked run defense shows how stingy it can be.

An explosive offense and a stout defense makes Arizona tough no matter the opponent, and this team could end up making some noise the rest of the way, proving their meteoric rise in the power rankings is anything but a farce.

11. Chicago Bears (6-4)

Not even the weather could stop the Chicago Bears from earning a much-needed win in Week 11. That win, which was over the Ravens in overtime, allowed the Bears to keep pace with the Lions in the NFC North after Detroit dropped one to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

12. Detroit Lions (6-4)

Just when you thought the Lions may be able to run away with the division, seeing as how the Bears are struggling and the Green Bay Packers are without their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, the Lions go ahead and keep their Pittsburgh-based struggles alive and lose to the Steelers. Detroit hasn't won in Pittsburgh in 58 years, and that lowly streak prevented the Lions from maintaining their lead in the division and burying the Packers even further.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

Beating a team like the Washington Redskins won't score any extra respect points for the Philadelphia Eagles, but the win put the Eagles in first place in the horrid NFC East and now leaves the fate of the division in their hands. A bye week will allow the Eagles to heal whatever injuries are present and game plan for a difficult Week 13 matchup with the Cardinals at home.

14. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

Let's be honest: if the Packers had Aaron Rodgers right now, not only would they be in first place in the division, but their ranking would be far higher than this. Once Rodgers returns, the Packers are the class of the NFC North and can still win the division, but that highly anticipated return likely won't be in Week 12 versus the Vikings.

15. Miami Dolphins (5-5)

Circumstances surrounding the Miami Dolphins have been a cause for plenty of distraction of late, but that didn't stop them from topping a talented San Diego Chargers squad in Week 11. With the win, Miami remains relevant in the division and the playoff race, although it has a tall order in beating Carolina in Week 12.

16. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

After a 49-17 drubbing at the hands of the Saints, the Cowboys got a week to bury their heads in the sand and regroup in time for a big divisional matchup with the New York Giants in Week 12. Should the Cowboys lose this game, they will share second place with the once 0-6 G-Men, which was unthinkable to say the least just a few weeks ago.

17. New York Jets (5-5)

New York's ranking has taken a huge hit after losing handily to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. Bad weather and poor play from rookie quarterback Geno Smith was the cause of the Jets' problems, but such should be expected from a first-year signal-caller.

The Jets continue to be an on again, off again team. In Week 9, the Jets surprisingly topped the Saints going into the bye, which was the reason they jumped up in the rankings so high.

Now, that win is just a memory, and the sour taste of the loss to the Bills is fresh in their minds. New York has been the model of inconsistency this season, as it has failed to win consecutive games. The good news is that the Jets are due to win a game in Week 12, as they take on the Ravens on the road.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-6)

An 0-4 start was supposed to doom the Steelers' season and start the rebuilding process. Not so fast, as now the Steelers sit just one game behind the Jets for the final playoff spot after beating the Lions last week, although they still have plenty of work to do in order to make a playoff berth possible.

Pittsburgh's win over Detroit kept alive a 58-year streak of ineptitude for the Lions in Pittsburgh and led to a huge jump in the rankings for the Steelers. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and company proved their offense is still a force to be reckoned with through the air, and the Steelers defense has looked solid the past two weeks.

The Steelers can make up some ground in Week 12 with the division-leading Bengals on a bye. Should they stop the Browns this week, Pittsburgh will sit just two games out of the division with another meeting against the Bengals at home coming up.

19. New York Giants (4-6)

The G-Men are right in the thick of things after four straight wins combined with the Cowboys' and Eagles' inability to take a stranglehold in the division. If the Giants can beat the Cowboys in Week 12, New York will have a share of second place while trailing the first place Eagles by just one game.

Granted, the Giants' reentry into respectability is certainly worth noting, but it must be said that the G-Men have beaten four lackluster QBs in a row during this winning streak. If New York wants to keep this train moving forward and earn some more respect, beating a top-flight quarterback like Tony Romo would go a long way.

The jury may still be out on Eli Manning, as he has struggled this season, but at the very least, the Giants defense is showing some signs of life and could be back on track for the rest of the season.

20. San Diego Chargers (4-6)

The Chargers once looked like a playoff team as they headed into their bye week; however, three straight losses has turned the tables on San Diego's season, with the latest loss coming against the Dolphins.

The wild playoff picture in the AFC still gives the Chargers a chance, although three games against winning teams in four weeks could end those hopes.

Inconsistency is a theme for this team in 2013-14. The Chargers have flashed an elite offense at times this season and will continue to be a dangerous team the rest of the way. The problem has been that when the offense shows up, the defense doesn't, and vice versa.

21. Tennessee Titans (4-6)

Tennessee thought it had hit rock bottom with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10, but then came the game against the Colts in which the Titans looked dominant in the first half only to surrender a 17-6 halftime lead and ultimately fall to their division rival, 30-27. The Titans are still in the crowded AFC playoff race, but their once realistic hopes of winning the AFC South are gone.

22. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

After crushing the Colts in Week 10, the Rams enjoyed a week off as they prepare for a showdown with the Bears in Week 12. This team continues to miss starting quarterback Sam Bradford badly and will need an elite defensive effort in order to compete the rest of the way.

23. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Sloppy was the theme in the Browns' loss to the Bengals last week, as Cleveland coughed the ball up four times in total, with three of them coming from the arm of quarterback Jason Campbell. To make matters worse, the Browns actually led 13-0 after the first quarter only to allow the Bengals 31 unanswered points in the second quarter to help seal the deal.

24. Baltimore Ravens (4-6)

Baltimore had a golden opportunity to beat a tough team in Chicago, but a weather delay halted the Ravens momentum, and they blew an early 10-0 lead in the second quarter alone. It's clear Baltimore's defense isn't good enough to cover up what has been a dreadful offense this season.

25. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

The Bills took full advantage of the struggles of a rookie quarterback in their Week 11 win over the Jets. Granted, the weather didn't do either team any favors in this one, but the Bills simply played a cleaner brand of football, and that helped them top a potential playoff squad. If Buffalo can get its offense on track, this team has a chance to compete next season with a solid defense to build around.

26. Oakland Raiders (4-6)

A changing of the guard may be in order for the Oakland Raiders at running back, as Rashad Jennings continues to look like a legit No. 1 back in the absence of Darren McFadden. Jennings helped tarnish the Houston Texans' season even more with an 80-yard touchdown run that helped elevate the Raiders past the Texans in Week 11, and rookie quarterback Matt McGloin looks like a potential starter in this league.

27. Washington Redskins (3-7)

Like many teams with high hopes this season, the Redskins are going through a nightmare campaign, with the latest misstep coming against the Eagles in Week 11. Washington had playoff and even Super Bowl hopes at the start of the 2013-14 season, but they'll be lucky to not finish in last at this point with their inconsistent offense and horrible defense.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8)

After starting out 0-8, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have now reeled off two straight wins and may be in the process of saving head coach Greg Schiano's job. Not only did they win, but the Bucs smoked the lowly Atlanta Falcons and once again showed there is plenty of talent on this team when they put it all together.

29. Houston Texans (2-8)

If not for a questionable decision by head coach Gary Kubiak to remove quarterback Case Keenum in favor of former starting quarterback Matt Schaub, the Texans might have actually ended their losing streak instead of extending it to eight straight games following a loss to the Raiders. As has been the case all season, Schaub was unable to get the job done, and the chorus of boos that greeted his entrance on the field all but signals the end of his days as Houston's QB.

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

Every week, the Falcons take the field thinking this is the week they will actually win a game. Surely, they thought the same when they took on the Bucs, but the Falcons got beat down and lost by two scores while allowing 41 points in a game that was a microcosm of Atlanta's 2013-14 campaign.

31. Minnesota Vikings (2-8)

There's no shame in losing to one of the best teams in the NFL like the Vikings did in Week 11. Seattle did exactly what was expected of them in the game versus Minnesota, and the game helped the Vikings maintain the distinction as one of the league's favorite punching bags.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

Jacksonville's winning ways didn't last long, as the Jags were unable to build a winning streak following a Week 10 win over the Titans, and instead suffered their league-leading ninth loss of the season—this time to the Arizona Cardinals.