NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Winning on Defense

For the following three teams, playing well on defense has served them well in 2011. All are in the AFC playoff race (two of which are current divisional leaders), and they have played consistently well thus far.

To that end, all are consistent with a solid pass rush that has helped improve their ability to defend against the pass and rush better than in 2010.

So let's get to it, here are three games in Week 12 that are won by playing sound defensive football.

Baltimore Ravens (vs. San Francisco)

The Ravens have a Top 10 defense against both the rush and pass, and play a solid 49ers team this week. San Francisco is great at running the ball with Frank Gore, and he's significantly helped in setting up the pass.

QB Alex Smith rarely turns the ball over and has the ability to do work at a high level when needed. Well, this week San Fran has a major test, because not only can Baltimore force turnovers like the 49er D, but they've recorded 29 sacks.

Not to mention San Fran doesn't have anyone who can really stretch the field in the passing game.

That's allowed them to force a league-leading 15 fumbles (actually tied with San Fran).

As for the 'Niners, their defense will be solid against the Ravens offense, but with a weak pass defense compared to stopping the run, expect Joe Flacco to send a few balls deep to WR Torrey Smith which will stretch the field.

The Ravens have the slightly more balanced offense and Baltimore's defense is more dynamic as well.

Ravens 14, 49ers 7

Houston Texans (at Jacksonville)

Despite all their injuries, the Houston Texans have arguably the best defense in pro football. Currently, the Texans rank No. 2 against the pass and No. 4 against the rush, allowing just 270 total yards per game.

Their offensive opponent this week is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who rely on rookie QB Blaine Gabbert with the league's worst pass defense. Therefore, expect Houston to stack the box and maybe have as many as two spies on RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

That will create a lot of one-on-one matchups in the secondary, but the Texans best odds are to force Gabbert instead of Jones-Drew to beat them. Expect Houston to do a lot of blitzing from all over, even a zone-blitz or two with a corner coming off the edge.

They need to do all they can to confuse Gabbert and isolate Jones-Drew, because for as bad as the Jags' are in pass offense, MJD has been dominating all season. The Jags' may have a solid defense themselves, but Houston's offense is more capable of moving the ball and will rely on their No. 2 rush offense to slam the Jaguars No. 15 rush defense.

It's not a blowout, but a controlled defensive battle in Houston's favor.

Texans 16, Jaguars 6

Denver Broncos (at San Diego)

The Denver Broncos are currently on solid ground after having won four of of their last five games. The offense is meant to control the clock and methodically move down field, or at the very least, change the field position.

Defensively, the Orange Crush relies on rookie pass rusher Von Miller to get pressure, and he's done just that, recording 9.5 sacks and 48 tackles to go with three forced fumbles.

Denver may not rank too high in terms of yards allowed, but recently the Broncos have been playing nearly flawless defensive football. This week, Denver makes the trip down to San Diego and plays a Chargers team on a five-game losing streak.

Ironically, the Bolts last win came over Denver in Week 5, where the Broncos did manage to force two turnovers and get a defensive score. San Diego won 29-24, but Denver is 4-1 since.

Now the tides have turned, and the Chargers are not only lacking confidence, but turning the ball over and being even less productive. As for Denver, Tim Tebow hasn't turned the ball over, and their ground game has kept opposing defenses off balance.

This time around the Broncos get the big road W thanks to a great pass rush and Philip Rivers inept quarterbacking this season.

Broncos 13, Chargers 9

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

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. Seattle Seahawks (4-6 (LW 25)
6. New England Patriots (7-3) (LW 6)	22. Miami Dolphins (3-7) (LW 27)
7. Chicago Bears (7-3) (LW 8)	23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) (LW 24)
8. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) (LW 9)	24. Kansas City Chiefs (4-6) (LW 22)
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)

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.