NFL Power Rankings Week 12: The Biggest Movers from Week 11

The biggest movers in my NFL power rankings from Week 12 are headed in opposite directions.

The San Diego Chargers opened the season with sky-high expectations and then raced to a 4-1 record. While those four wins weren't incredibly convincing, the team looked solid enough. Unfortunately for the Bolts that didn't last.

After falling 31-20 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday the Chargers have now dropped five straight and sit at 4-6, occupying last place in the AFC West. The Chargers are still as talented as ever but the team has faced a rash of injuries to key players and Shaun Phillips, Luis Castillo and Malcom Floyd have all missed significant time. Meanwhile Kris Dielman, Bob Sanders and Larry English are all on injured reserve.

Despite those injuries the Chargers should be better. Norv Turner is coaching himself out of a job as his play calling and overall motivational skills have been horrendous. Meanwhile quarterback Philip Rivers has suffered from a lack of protection and has already thrown a career-high 17 interceptions.

As it stands right now the Chargers are sinking farther and faster than anyone in my power rankings.

While the Chargers are dropping, what has gotten into the Miami Dolphins?

The team I had ranked at the bottom of the NFL three weeks ago has suddenly caught fire, ripping off three straight impressive wins. After an 0-7 start the Dolphins smacked the Kansas City Chiefs 31-3, bested the Washington Redskins 20-9 and then knocked off the Buffalo Bills 35-8 this Sunday.

All of a sudden Tony Sparano's team has shown some life, even though it's probably too late to save his job. The Dolphins have gotten it done with steady quarterback play from Matt Moore while also finally figuring out how to use Reggie Bush as an effective weapon. Rookie running back Daniel Thomas has also produced for a Miami team that looks dangerous all of a sudden.

While the Dolphins aren't a threat to make the postseason after the hole they dug themselves early on, they have looked very good over the past three weeks and are nearing the top half of my power rankings.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 12

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