NFL Power Rankings: 3 Teams That Will Continue to Rise

After Week 11 victories, three teams in particular appear strong enough to continue surging after some doubts this season.

This has less to do with their record now, or their track record so far, and more to do with how they project moving forward as the regular season winds down and teams position themselves for the playoffs.

Fans of these teams should feel confident after some concerns earlier.

3. Oakland Raiders (6-4)

Two weeks ago, the AFC West was up for grabs.

Now, through a combination of good play by the Oakland Raiders and bad play by the rest of the division, expect Raider Nation to get even louder.

As other AFC West foes sink into a black hole, the Raiders are comfortable right where they are in the Black Hole and are looking like a much better team as the season progresses.

In Week 11, the Raiders pulled out a tough win against the Minnesota Vikings. They almost gave up a 27-7 lead, but quarterback Carson Palmer looks much better than expected and the team's rush-blocking scheme, combined with whoever is in the backfield, has this team positioned very well.

If the Raiders lost the AFC West, I'd be shocked.

2. Chicago Bears (7-3)

So much for the Bears having a bad offensive line, a struggling quarterback and a disappointing defense.

All the Bears have done since a 2-3 start is rattle off five straight wins, beating the Buccaneers, Eagles, Lions and Chargers in the process.

On Sunday against the Chargers, quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, continuing an impressive season, and the defense forced three turnovers, including two interceptions from Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

What's more, Cutler was sacked zero times. He's been sacked a grand total of two times in the last three games.

The Bears are back to playing like the team that made it to the NFC Championship Game last season.

1. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

The Ravens have all the tools to win the Super Bowl.

There, I said it.

They have a dominant defense that was giving up 16.9 points per game headed into Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, and when quarterback Joe Flacco is on they can beat anyone.

On Sunday against a solid Bengals defense, Flacco went 17-of-27 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

On top of that, rookie Torrey Smith is emerging as a star in the NFL, hauling in six passes for 165 yards and a touchdown on just seven targets against the Bengals.

They are hard to figure out right now, given their three losses were against the Titans, Jaguars and Seahawks, but they've also beaten the Bengals, Jets, Texans and Steelers (twice).

If this team can stay mentally in tune every game, it has the ability to topple the Green Bay Packers this season.