NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Which Teams Made the Biggest Jumps?

With just one game remaining in Week 12, it's time to analyze which teams picked up the most important wins and therefore made big jumps in this week's rankings. A full power rankings table, pending the outcome of tonight's Monday Night Football game, is also below.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have picked up some head-scratching losses this season, including last week against the Seattle Seahawks. To Baltimore's credit, after each loss the team has bounced back the following week with a win.

That trend continued against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals thanks to a huge game from Ray Rice, who totaled 147 yards and two touchdowns. Torrey Smith also continued to impress, scoring a touchdown and averaging nearly 30 yards per catch.

It's a win that gives Baltimore the AFC North lead ahead of a mammoth clash with San Francisco next week.

Chicago Bears

Chicago, which was written off after a 2-3 start in the difficult NFC North, has turned things around with five straight wins. The Bears defense continues to give up more points than it would like, but if they keep forcing turnovers, they'll be just fine.

Jay Cutler was able to lead Chicago's underrated offense to 31 points despite a rare lackluster performance from Matt Forte. It's that balanced on offense, along with an opportunistic defense, that will make the Bears a scary team to face if they make the playoffs.

They have a favorable schedule down the stretch, making it plausible that the division could send three representatives to the postseason. However, Cutler's injury will be tough to overcome if it's serious.

Atlanta Falcons

It's been a roller coaster season for Atlanta. They currently sit at 6-4 after a win over Tennessee, but will need to string together some wins in order to make a playoff charge. In order to do that, they'll need to continue utilizing a balanced attack.

Matt Ryan threw for 316 yards and Michael Turner added 100 more on the ground to stave off the Titans. As long as they aren't forced to become a one-dimensional team, the Falcons offense should really be one of the league's best.

Like Chicago, Atlanta has several winnable games remaining. That should mean the Falcons' rise is just beginning.

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