NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Looking at Teams With Most Momentum

In our Week 12 NFL power rankings, the following teams possess the most momentum:

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have won three straight games in vaulting to the top of the NFC East standings. With the Eagles struggling and the Giants facing a gauntlet schedule to finish, Dallas is in the driver's seat to win the division.

Green Bay Packers

Obviously, the Packers have won 10 straight games in 2011 and 16 overall dating back to last season. If they can beat the Lions on Thanksgiving, Green Bay should clinch the NFC North and be on the fast track to the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Chicago Bears

Chicago has won five straight games, but the excitement around the Bears has to be tempered with the loss of quarterback Jay Cutler. If they can weather the storm around Caleb Hanie and sneak into the playoffs, the Bears will be a dangerous team in the NFC.

San Francisco 49ers

Can you believe the 49ers have won eight straight games since dropping an overtime affair with the Cowboys? San Francisco has another huge matchup on Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens, but the 49ers have put the pressure on the Packers for the No. 1 seed.

Miami Dolphins

Surprised to see the Dolphins on this list? Don't be. They've won three straight games and have turned around their season for coach Tony Sparano. Could they go to Dallas on Thanksgiving and win their fourth straight? 

New England Patriots

Faced with giving up control over the AFC East in New York two weeks ago, Tom Brady and the Patriots played their best game of 2011 and beat the Jets on the road. They took down Kansas City last night to win their second straight. Like it or not, New England is in control of the AFC East again.

Oakland Raiders

Carson Palmer has helped the Raiders win two straight games, and they currently sit atop the AFC West with a 6-4 record. Tim Tebow and the Broncos lurk behind them and have some momentum of their own, but it's going to be a shock if the Raiders aren't the West's representative in the AFC playoffs.

Week 12 Power Rankings

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