NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Predicting Every Division Winner

Outside the NFC West and NFC North, every division is up for grabs as we enter the final six weeks of the 2011 season. 

I guess the Bears or Lions could catch the Packers, but it's unlikely. 

We've seen at least one "elite" club falter every week, so it's increasingly tough to peg the sure-fire playoff teams.

But after watching 10 games from each NFL team, I've got a decent grasp on who will win each division.  

AFC East: New England Patriots

Same story, different year. Well, kind of. 

The Patriots haven't been the totally dominating team we've grown accustomed to seeing, mainly because of their poor secondary.

But they've swept the Jets and have taken care of business against inferior opponents. 

Tom Brady went through a rough stretch against the Cowboys, Steelers and Giants, but show me a quarterback that wouldn't at least struggle a little bit against those units. 

The defense is coming off its best performance of the year last week against Mark Sanchez and the Jets, and they have a very favorable schedule remaining. 

Can they win at home come the postseason? 

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore held off the Bengals to take the lead in the AFC North Sunday. 

Because they won a critical matchup, does that mean they will fall flat against San Francisco? 

They aren't exactly playing the Jaguars or Seahawks. 

Even if they lose the first ever Harbaugh Bowl, they still have two games against the Browns, host the Colts and travel to San Diego before finishing the year at Cincinnati. 

They've got the tiebreaker over the Steelers and should end the year with between 10-12 wins. 

Finally, a home playoff game for Joe Flacco. 

AFC West: Oakland Raiders

This Tebow hoopla is certainly entertaining, but it really isn't sustainable. 

Actually, the Broncos' defense is winning football games now. 

At 6-4, the Raiders have a game edge on Denver, who they did lose to less than a month ago. 

Carson Palmer seems to be comfortable under center, and Darren McFadden could come back this week. 

I wouldn't want to play this team in the playoffs. No way.

AFC South: Houston Texans

I know, the thought of Matt Leinart starting is a bit frightening for Texans fans. 

I don't blame them. 

But the Texans lean on their running game and Wade Phillips's 3-4 defense to win football games, so Leinart may not be asked to do too much. 

That's a good thing. 

They won't be as dominant down the stretch as they have been in the last month, but they've got a two-game lead in a division that has no real threats. 

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys

Momentum is everything in NFL. In any sport, really. 

The Cowboys have won four of their last five and the Giants have lost two straight. 

Beyond that, Dallas is the more complete team.

DeMarco Murray has revitalized the running game which has allowed Tony Romo to operate more comfortably from behind center. 

The Giants simply can't run the football and can't rely on Eli Manning to bring them back late in every game. 

Also, look at New York's schedule. They could be going into the December 11 showdown with the Cowboys on a four-game losing streak. 

New York plays the Saints and Packers in the next two weeks. 

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

Bold prediction here. 

The 49ers could wrap up the division shortly and the real question is, can they catch the Packers for that No. 1 overall seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs?

They're built for the postseason with a bruising running back, a game-managing quarterback and a stout defense anchored by two stud linebackers. 

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

Three game lead with six to play—the Packers are winning this division. 

Aaron Rodgers must play fantastically every week—he usually does—because the defense has some serious issues. 

They aren't great against the run and have a porous secondary. 

They may lose a game, but they're likely the NFC's No. 1 seed in the postseason. 

NFC South: New Orleans Saints

The Falcons' loss in overtime to the Saints could ultimately doom their playoff chances. 

New Orleans, like Green Bay, needs a masterful effort from their quarterback each week. And typically, Drew Brees delivers. 

Their schedule isn't treacherous, but they'll surely be tested against the Giants, Lions and Falcons at home. 

They'll be involved in a few more shootouts and honestly, I like them in high-scoring games. 

Don't you?

Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

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

*MNF football matchup