NFL Power Rankings: The Hottest Teams on the Rise

We all knew the Houston Texans had a chance to make the playoffs—but they are blowing those expectations out of the water.

Despite losing star linebacker Mario Williams for the year, and having been without All-Pro WR Andre Johnson for over a month, the Texans continue to take care of business.

After Sunday's 30-12 thrashing of the Cleveland Browns, the Texans are now 6-3 and three games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

It's all about the running game. They ran for 263 yards, which was a franchise record, as they find enough touches to go around for both Arian Foster and Ben Tate to register over 100 yards on the ground.

QB Matt Schaub is not being asked to do much, and it's working out beautifully. The defense is now ranked in the top six against both the run and the pass.

The hapless Browns don't pose much of a challenge for a defense, but Cleveland had just 172 total yards, making it three straight games Houston has held an opponent to under 200.

With three games left against the horrific AFC South and a game against the Carolina Panthers, the Texans are going to get at least 10 wins.

Here are two other teams that will continue to vault up the rankings:

17. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have struggled this season largely because of their brutal schedule. Sunday's big win over the Seahawks was a reminder that this team is still better than their 4-4 record indicates.

The emergence of rookie RB DeMarco Murrary has finally given the Cowboys balance on offense. When QB Tony Romo isn't forced to drop back 30-40 times a game, it's a good thing.

With a handful of easy wins on deck, the Cowboys and their improving defense is sitting pretty right now.

28. Denver Broncos

So the Broncos may not be the greatest team in the league, but it's clear they are better off with Tim Tebow under center.

He is now 2-1 as a starter this season and just picked up a 14-point division win on the road.

As the offense is catered more to the strength's of Tebow, the Broncos will only get better.

The running game led by Willis McGahee has been surprisingly effective, and with Tebow's legs, it's deadly. The fake hands where Tebow kept the ball and ran were incredibly effective on Sunday, and should be utilized each and every week.

At 3-5, the Broncos are only a game out of the AFC West. More than anything else, the Broncos will be playing relevant games in the month of December—something Kyle Orton couldn't have done.

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