NFL Power Rankings: Stock Watch for League's Top Teams

Week 11 was a great week for the NFL's top teams to say the least. Both the Packers and 49ers won, whereas Houston, Pittsburgh and New Orleans were all on a bye.

So needless to say, the stock for the current NFL elites didn't drop much if any.

With that said, let's look at the current stocks and see what the future holds as we hit Week 12 on Thanksgiving Day. 

Green Bay Packers (10-0), Stock: No Change

The Packers may continue to give up tons of passing yards each game, but their offense more than makes up for it.

Additionally, Green Bay's defense thrives on forcing turnovers, but at the same time, they still have a decent pass rush and rush defense.

And as long as Aaron Rodgers continues to shred opposing defenses (31 TDs to just four INTs), Titletown will not be stopped. The Packers are finding ways to win no matter the game tempo or circumstances, however, being that they are vulnerable means they could drop a game or two before the playoffs.

The Cheeseheads will still be the Super Bowl favorites when the postseason begins.

San Francisco 49ers (9-1), Stock: No Change

Pending on whether the Packers drop a game or two will determine if San Francisco can steal the NFC's No. 1 seed from their rival.

The 49ers are clearly a team playing with much consistency on defense and methodically on offense. The rush defense is the best in the game and the rush offense is ranked No. 6.

Now in regards to what appears to be their weakness, passing the rock and defending the pass, the 49ers have the ability to effectively throw the ball whenever they want, whereas the defense has significantly improved in shutting down opposing QBs.

If there's one team who can beat Green Bay, it's San Fran. Their ground game is stellar enough to limit the Packers' offensive possessions and their rush defense won't allow the cheese to run the ball, period.

We'll know a lot more about how legit the 'Niners are when they play Baltimore (Week 12) and Pittsburgh (Week 15).

Chicago Bears (7-3), Stock: Increased

According to Michael C. Wright and Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, Bears QB Jay Cutler is having thumb surgery:

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"Sources said that he will likely miss the final six regular-season games, but the team is expressing hope that he can return before that."

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Hold on to your thoughts about dismissing the Bears from the postseason. For one, backup QB Calib Hanne does have potential and with RB Matt Forte around, he will be limited in the passing game.

Plus, it's not like offensive coordinator Mike Martz doesn't know what he's doing. Chicago also has a consistently improving defense and their special teams are arguably the best in the game.

Kicker Robbie Gould is quite possibly the most accurate kicker with a solid leg and return specialist Devin Hester gives the Bears a major field position advantage.

Now, obviously the Bears' stock is to be taken with a grain of salt now that Cutler's having surgery. However, let's withhold judgement until they actually play Oakland, Denver and/or Green Bay without him.

Baltimore Ravens (7-3), Stock: Increased

The Baltimore Ravens are an inconsistently good bunch, if that makes any sense. With losses to Jacksonville, Seattle and Tennessee but a sweep of Pittsburgh and the tiebreaker over Houston, the Ravens are back on the rise with their win over Cincinnati.

The question, however, is if they'll be able to keep playing at their level and not the opponents. Clearly Baltimore is better the Pittsburgh, but how can we write them in as the top AFC contender when we've seen their lowest of lows?

The Ravens have a Top 10 defense that's been playing excellent all season long, however, the offense is their own worst enemy. And with games remaining against San Francisco and having to play at Cincinnati, Baltimore could miss the AFC's top seed easily.

Also, don't discount the Browns who beat both Jacksonville and Seattle, so Cleveland does have the capability to upset the Ravens. Based on how Baltimore has stooped to their opponents' level, one loss to Cleveland would not be surprising.

Nonetheless, getting the win over Cincy was big and the Ravens are back in the AFC driver's seat. 

Week 12 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

- John Rozum

Follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.