NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Heat Check for League's Hottest Teams

With a limited number of games in the football season, getting on a hot streak can really be the determining factor in whether a team makes the postseason.

Five of the six teams mentioned in this list are in the NFC. A big reason is the fact that no team in the AFC has a win streak longer than three games, other than Houston, and Miami checks in with the second-longest win streak at two games.

That said, here are the six hottest teams in pro football.

1. Green Bay Packers (9-0)

Perhaps the scariest thing about Green Bay is they have yet to play dominating games in consecutive weeks. The pass defense still ranks No. 31, but after Monday's performance you would have thought differently.

Thing is, the Packers haven't hit their peak yet, and who's to say when they will? A 45-7 blowout of Minnesota was quite impressive—now let's see a similar performance against Chicago and Detroit.

Nonetheless, the Cheese ride a 14-game win streak dating back to Week 17 of 2010 and are the league's hottest team. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 28 touchdowns to just three picks on the year, while passing for over 2,800 yards.

And make no mistake about it, this pass defense will pick up the pace when it matters most. To that end, here's to the Packers and their run for perfection.

2. San Francisco 49ers (8-1)

When you watch highlights of 49ers' games, San Francisco being on a hot steak doesn't necessarily come to mind. However, that usually goes for those who don't like defensive football.

The 49ers currently have the No. 1 ranked rush defense, and although they're just No. 26 against the pass, it clearly has not been a factor through Week 11. If San Fran can keep offenses like the Detroit Lions and New York Giants in check, that's all the proof you need.

Offensively, they average over 130 rush yards per game, have a solid two-back tandem in Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, and their passing game works when needed. Quarterback Alex Smith may only have 11 touchdown passes on the year, but he's also only thrown three interceptions.

And with the 49ers' receiving core, as long as they can get closer to full strength by regular season's end, San Fran becomes one of the few teams that could overcome the mighty Packers.

3. Houston Texans (7-3)

Despite having so many injury problems, the Houston Texans are still one of pro football's hottest teams. Running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate are each on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards, and Foster also has 445 receiving yards.

Together they form arguably the NFL's best two-back tandem and have Houston ranked No. 3 in rushing offense. Defense, however, is what may be the most impressive facet of the Texans.

Whether it's against the rush or pass, Houston ranks within the top 5 and allows only 269 total yards combined. That's quite impressive considering they were one of the NFL's weakest defenses in 2010.

So although their passing game hasn't been nearly on the level of recent seasons, Houston is learning how to win. When their strength was weakened, they dominated in the other areas of football, and as we have come to realize, those are the areas where you win games.

In the trenches on both sides of the ball. And the Texans do that extremely well.

5. New Orleans Saints (7-3)

After the shocking loss to the Rams in St. Louis, the Saints have ran off two straight wins over divisional rivals Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

The win over Atlanta in the Georgia Dome was most impressive. New Orleans, as evidenced by the Rams game, is not known to play well on the road against anyone. And the Falcons are known for playing well at home against almost everyone.

To that end, however, New Orleans got arguably their biggest win of the season, which now has given them a two-game cushion in the NFC South. Perhaps the bye week was scheduled at the right time?

Because now they get to buff out the rough spots before a desperate New York Giants team comes to the Big Easy, and we all know how great New York plays on the road. That being said, the Falcons still have to come visit as well (Week 16).

That Week 16 game will likely determine the division, but as long as New Orleans continues to put forth their effort from the past two weeks, this team can win out, no problem.

8. Chicago Bears (6-3)

Arguably the NFL's hottest team in the past month.

Chicago has won four straight, including two on the road, and blasted the Detroit Lions—the most recent team to beat the Bears—in Week 10.

The defense is playing with a lot more confidence and swagger than earlier in the year, and Mike Martz's offense continues to ride the legs of running Matt Forte, who has become Mr. Everything for the Windy City.

Which only plays into their favor, because the more defenses prepare to stop Forte the more Martz will give quarterback Jay Cutler the green light, and with his arm strength, weather conditions become obsolete.

Now include return specialist Devin Hester, and Chicago shows no signs of stopping. Hester helps give the Bears the game's best special teams unit, with help from kicker Robbie Gould, who is 20-of-22 on field goals this year, including 3-of-3 from 50-plus yards.

Chicago is becoming a complete team and hitting their stride at the right time. Barring a 180-degree turn for the worse, expect to see the Bears as the NFC's No. 5 seed this January.

10. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

As inconsistently as the Dallas Cowboys have played in 2011, they're still in the playoff hunt. Sitting just one game back of the 6-3 Giants in the NFC East, Dallas has yet to play New York.

Obviously, both those games will have the biggest impact on who wins the division, but with a favorable schedule ahead (at Washington, Miami, at Arizona), the Cowboys should be 8-4 heading into their Week 14 date in the Big Apple.

Also fortunately for the Cowboys, they're getting healthy. Now combine their health with the production of the backups who kept the team afloat, and you have a scary amount of depth that provides coach Jason Garrett with much diversity and versatility.

And after the first game against the Giants, two games against Tampa Bay and Philadelphia will give the Cowboys at least 10 wins before the Week 17 rematch that may ultimately determine the division and a playoff berth.

Until then, Dallas is clearly rising fast after winning three of their last four games.

Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

You can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.