NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Projecting the Entire NFL Playoff Picture

With some new looks, the postseason is shaping up to be possibly locked in sooner than later.

However, until then, here is what to expect.

AFC

No. 1: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Despite having three unexplainable losses, the Ravens still have the season sweep of Pittsburgh and the head-to-head tiebreaker over Houston. So, unless Baltimore finishes 10-6 or worse, the Ravens will win the AFC North and earn the top seed.

No. 2: New England Patriots (11-5)

Thanks to the Bills and Jets falling off the map, the Patriots appear to be getting handed the AFC East divisional crown. And not only do they control their own destiny, but with a very favorable schedule remaining, an 11-5 record will earn them another first-round bye.

No. 3: Houston Texans (11-5)

The Texans, having been mauled by injuries, continue to play well. And although what lies ahead with Matt Leinart remains to be seen, Houston still has a stellar defense and rush offense.

Add in a weak division and a few more winnable games, and the Texans will get at least the AFC's No. 3 seed.

No. 4: Oakland Raiders (10-6)

Can you imagine how dangerous the Raiders are going to be once RB Darren McFadden comes back? Whenever that may be.

In any event, it's clear the passing game is finally coming around, and as long as the ground game remains solid, Oakland's offense will be rolling in January.

To that end, the AFC West is theirs to lose, and as long as the defense can keep improving, the Raiders may be the most dangerous team heading into the postseason.

No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Only the San Francisco 49ers remain as a team with enough potential to best the Pittsburgh Steelers. Losing the season series to Baltimore hurts, but having already beaten the Bengals in Cincinnati, the Steelers will earn the first wild-card slot.

And with games remaining against Cleveland (twice) and St. Louis, Pittsburgh just chalked up three more wins.

No. 6: Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

As long as the Denver Broncos don't finish with the same record as the Bengals, Cincinnati will make the playoffs. In Week 2, Denver ousted Cincinnati at home and is now just one game back of the Bengals.

But, both have roughly the same schedule in terms of difficulty remaining, and it remains to be seen how long the Tim Tebow offense can last.

To that end, expect Cincy to fend off Denver by matching wins down the stretch. Ultimately, the Broncos' weak start hurts them, which gets the Bengals to the postseason.

NFC

No. 1: Green Bay Packers (15-1)

Although the Packers are the best team in the NFL, based on their weak pass defense, they will slip up at least once before the playoffs begin. Nonetheless, Green Bay will fix it before the playoffs, and there's no defense that will slow their offense anyway.

Only if the Packers hit a brief slump will they not get the No. 1 seed.

No. 2: San Francisco 49ers (14-2)

In a similar fashion as Green Bay, the 49ers also have a weak pass defense—but also a weak pass offense. The difference, however, is that Frisco is excellent at stopping the run, and the 49ers control the game tempo very well with a solid rush offense.

That type of philosophy, although great, will have them get bounced at least once more before the playoffs (most likely to Pittsburgh or Baltimore, but not both).

Either way, the Niners still get the No. 2 seed and complete an eight-game turnaround from 2010 (pretty damn impressive).

No. 3: New Orleans Saints (12-4)

Ah, if only the Saints were in the AFC, they'd be in the hunt for a legit shot at the No. 1 seed. But, 'tis not the case, and it's not much of an issue since they hold a firm grasp atop the NFC South.

Despite having one game left against Atlanta, it's at home, and before then, New Orleans has a rather favorable schedule. Therefore, 12-4 isn't anything to be disappointed about.

No. 4: Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Much thanks to not only a missed FG by Washington but a choke-job by the Giants, the Cowboys are in first place in the NFC East. And with a weak schedule remaining, Dallas will at least finish 10-6.

The question, however, is whether or not Dallas can keep up its consistency. It's obviously been an issue recently, but nonetheless, the Cowboys will win the division and earn a playoff spot.

No. 5: Chicago Bears (10-6)

Regardless of who's under center for Chicago, the Bears are still making the playoffs. Their schedule is much more favorable than Detroit's, and the Lions don't have the tiebreaker over Atlanta, whereas the Bears do.

Also, Detroit still has to play Green Bay twice, as well as New Orleans and Oakland. Chicago's solid ground game with RB Matt Forte and an improving defense will carry the load into the postseason.

No. 6: Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

The Falcons may have cost themselves a repeat atop the NFC South in Week 10, but getting a much needed win over Tennessee in Week 11 keeps Atlanta within striking distance of Detroit.

Having the tiebreaker over the Lions is what's mostly keeping their playoff odds alive and, with other games against Carolina, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Jacksonville, the Falcons are set up nicely to steal the No. 6 seed.

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)

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