NFL Power Rankings: 10 Teams That Could Rise the Most After Week 11 Games

NFL Power Rankings are always contentious.

Which is most important: Overall record? Record the last month? Big wins? Narrow losses? Strength of schedule?

Well, in case you weren't happy with yesterday's power rankings, there's a chance your team could rise significantly, depending on how they do this week.

Here are 10 teams that could shoot up the NFL totem pole.

Note: Predicted rank assumes the team wins in Week 11

No. 10: San Francisco 49ers (3-6)

Warren Little/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Troy Smith #1 of San Francisco 49ers scores their first touchdown during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 in London, England. This is th

Current Rank: 26th

Week 11: Home vs. Tampa Bay (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: For one, a win this week puts the 49ers at 4-6.

Considering who's ahead of them in the NFC West, Seattle (at New Orleans on Sunday) and St. Louis (vs. Atlanta on Sunday), the 49ers can pull into a tie for second place and only one game back of the lead with a win.

Beating Tampa Bay also means that the 49ers will have won four of their previous five: that's enough to pull them out of the bottom of the barrel and into the top 20.

Finally, the 49ers are win-less on the road this year (unless you count their victory in London (where there was no home team). To be considered at least a contender, even in a terrible division, they need to win ONE road game.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: Assuming they win: 20th.

No. 9: Houston Texans (4-5)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub walks off the field after throwing an interception to San Diego Charger Paul Oliver at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Current Rank: 21st

Week 11: At New York Jets (7-2)

Why They'll Rise: After a great start, the Texans have fallen on hard times, losing their past three games.

The good news is that, even though they are in last place in the AFC South, they are only two games back and can still win the division.

It's not a divisional game, but a win this week can be a big boost to the club that hasn't won since October 17. And remember, they are playing a team, the Jets, who haven't looked great the last month either.

The Packers already went to the Meadowlands and completely shut down the Jets offense.

Because of their explosive offense, Houston doesn't have to pitch a shutout to win. But if the game turns into a shootout, the Texans are right at home.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 17th

No. 8: Seattle Seahawks (5-4)

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks drops back to pass with his left wrist wrapped after injuring it in the game with the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Glendale,

Current Rank: 19th

Week 11: At New Orleans (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: The Seahawks have been about as inconsistent as any team in the NFL. Still, they have a good chance to take a commanding two game lead in the division after this week, depending on how St. Louis does against Atlanta.

Also, aside from their narrow victory over Chicago, the Seahawks don't have a win over a team with a winning record. For that reason (and because they play in the NFC West) not that many "experts" are taking them seriously.

Although Cleveland took some luster off such an achievement, if the Seahawks go to the Superdome and defeat the World Champs, they will rise several spots in the power rankings.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 16th

No. 7: San Diego Chargers (4-5)

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers plays in the game against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Current Rank: 18th

Week 11: Home vs. Denver (3-6)

Why They'll Rise: With good reason, many people believe the Chargers are the best team in the AFC West.

For one, in past seasons we've seen them be awful in the first two months, only to win the division in the end. But many skeptics also don't want to drink the Raiders and/or Chiefs Kool-Aid just yet.

Still, to rate a sub-.500 team ahead of KC or Oakland this late in the season is asking a lot.

The Chargers can pull back to even with a win over the Broncos on Monday night. Plus, since the game is nationally televised (Monday Night Football) they'll have a chance to impress a larger audience.

If they deliver the Broncos the type of home beat-down Oakland laid on them a month ago, San Diego should soar up the rankings.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 14th

No. 6: Miami Dolphins (5-4)

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 14: Running Back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown with teammate Anthony Fasano #80 against the Tennessee Titans at Sun Life Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Current Rank: 15th

Week 11: Home vs. Chicago (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: We all know how the Dolphins started out 4-0 on the road; which means (unless they are tops in the rankings) they aren't winning games at home.

After starting out 0-3 and home, the Dolphins finally gave their South Florida fans a home win last week against a good Tennessee team.

Maybe they can make it two in a row this Thursday. The extremely short week always benefits the home team—unless the coaching staff has to get Tyler Thigpen ready for his first start in a Dolphin uniform.

Still, the Dolphins have a good defense, a good running game, and several solid receivers. The quarterback doesn't need to be stellar, just competent.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 12th

No. 5: Chicago Bears (6-3)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears talks to a referee during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Current Rank: 13th

Week 11: At Miami (5-4)

Why They'll Rise: The Bears offensive line has been much maligned and back to back home losses (to less-than powerhouses) hardly make this team look like a contender.

Remember, aside from their win over Green Bay, the combined record of the team's Chicago has defeated is 9-36.

Still, if the Bears improve to 7-3, on a day when the Packers have to travel to Minnesota, they can grab a pretty big advantage in the NFC North.

Miami is a very good team, and although it's a long-shot, still a playoff contender. Defeating them would be a huge feather in Lovie's cap.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 10th

No. 4: Oakland Raiders (5-4)

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Current Rank: 11th

Week 11: At Pittsburgh (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: The Raiders can really grab some attention this week if they go to Heinz Field and defeat the Steelers, a feat they already pulled off less than a year ago.

Oakland has stormed back into the AFC West race thanks to key wins over division leaders Seattle and Kansas City. Now, to pull into "elite" status, they'll have to defeat a team that has long been considered a Super Bowl favorite.

Although Pittsburgh has not played that well in the last month, and the Patriots just clobbered them a week ago, defeating the AFC North leading Steelers would be a signature win for Tom Cable.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 8th

No. 3: New York Giants (6-3)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field after losing the ball on a fumble in the fourth quarter against of the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, Ne

Current Rank: 9th

Week 11: At Philadelphia (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: Losing to the Cowboys at home really made the Giants look bad. But it shouldn't undo a six-week stretch when New York was arguably the best team in football.

And if the Giants can go to Lincoln Financial Field and contain Michael Vick (something no one else seems capable of doing), then they probably deserve to be considered the best team in the NFC. At least the best team in the NFC East.

Predicted Week 13 Rank: 4th

No. 2: Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-17. (Photo by

Current Rank: 6th

Week 11: At New England (7-2)

Why They'll Rise: Even though the Eagles and Giants game on Sunday is enormous, this is the biggest game of the week, arguably the biggest game thus far during the 2010 season.

Indianapolis has struggled a bit the last few weeks, losing to Philadelphia and being unable to put away the Bengals at home, after taking an early 17-0 lead. Still, the Colts are leading the AFC South and can make their case for best in the AFC with a win in New England.

Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady is the face of this game, but the Colts have done a pretty good job in pass defense the past few weeks, forcing three interceptions by Carson Palmer and before that, limiting Michael Vick and Matt Schaub to about 200 yards passing each.

A similar defensive effort against Brady, and the Colts should leave Foxboro with the same record and a win over the number one Pats.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 2nd

No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on while waiting for a review to be completed against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Current Rank: 2nd

Week 11: Home vs. New York Giants (6-3)

Why They'll Rise: Certainly moving up one spot isn't rising "the most," but it would be a significant jump.

Saying that an NFC team is tops in the NFL is a big deal. But a win over Indianapolis, an absolute dismantling of the Redskins on the road, coupled with a decisive win over the Giants does make the Eagles look pretty dominant the past three weeks.

And since the Patriots have an extremely difficult challenge against Indianapolis, they could lose the top spot. The Eagles win over Indy three weeks ago nudges them above the Colts.

Predicted Week 12 Rank: 1st