NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Identifying the League's Most Impressive Teams

The Green Bay Packers aren't the only team that has impressed me this season. 

Aaron Rodgers, his ultra-talented receiving corps and the Packers' 10-0 record deservedly have everyone's attention. 

But these three other teams have really surprised me this year. 

Totally exceeded expectations. 

San Francisco 49ers

The next obvious team, with their 9-1 record. 

I figured the 49ers could compete in the NFC West, because really, a few SEC teams probably could, right? 

Well, not really, but you get the point. 

I wasn't ready to trust Alex Smith and I didn't think the defense was going to be this good. 

How about NaVorro Bowman? He's learning from the best.

I know the NFL is all about offense today, but San Fran is built for the postseason with their stout run defense, opportunistic secondary and punishing running game. 

They've built through the draft extremely well. 

Chicago Bears 

Jay Cutler's essentially done for the remainder of the regular season—not the end of the world. The defense forces opposing quarterbacks into turnovers with their premier pass rush and Matt Forte is still an MVP candidate.

After their rough start to the year, when they seemingly couldn't protect Cutler at all, I thought they would struggle to reach the postseason.

Do Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs age? Doesn't seem like it after watching their play this season. 

Caleb Hanie will be able to do enough to get the team into the playoffs.

Expect to see more Matt Forte 

Wait, is that possible?

Oakland Raiders 

A few other teams could make this list, like the Lions or Texans, but I just really like what I've seen from Oakland since Carson Palmer was named the starter for the Raiders.  

I wasn't expecting them to be as dynamic offensively as they've become. 

Then again, I had no idea Carson Palmer would be wearing silver and black at the beginning of the season. 

No one did. 

The defense is shaky, but how do opponents consistently stop the run and limit all the speed on the outside?

They do have quality linebackers and I've always thought that was the key to getting solid play from your defense. 

The 2011 Raiders are a team I certainly wouldn't want to face in the playoffs, especially with a rested Darren McFadden. 

Week 12 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