NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Shake Up the Rankings in Week 12

The NFL power rankings are so fluid this season that to expect any team to stay on its perch or move up the charts is foolish. Even the Green Bay Packers, who have been on top all season, have had their share of problems, despite being undefeated. 

This week, there are some teams at the top of the rankings that are in serious danger because they are locked in a bad matchup or another team is just playing better right now and will knock them out of their spot. 

There's an old saying that a player can't lose his job to injury, but that has proven to be false time and again. Following that same premise, if a good team wins why should they move down? Well, it is the simple fact that someone else is playing better. 

That is not wrong or illegal, it is just my list and my rules. If you disagree with that, tell me why. Here are three teams that are going to wreak havoc on the power rankings this week. 

Detroit Lions (7-3)

The biggest game of the weekend takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day when the Lions host the Packers in an NFC North battle. 

The Lions finally got some positive momentum going in their direction with a 49-point outburst against the Panthers, and Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes in that game.

Neither the Lions or Packers defense is playing well, so this game is going to turn into a shootout. It is going to be a lot of fun to watch, but when all is said and done the Lions will knock the defending champions from the ranks of the unbeaten. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)

Under normal circumstances, there is no way that I would take the Jaguars to defeat the Texans. But as we all know, these are not normal circumstances. 

Matt Leinart will be making his first start for the Texans. As I have said in previous articles, when Leinart is the answer, I don't want to know the question. 

The Jaguars have a good defense and have proven that they can stop good teams with quarterback issues (Baltimore). They will throw a monkey wrench into the AFC South race and the power rankings. 

Oakland Raiders (6-4)

The Raiders are catching the Bears at the right time. Jay Cutler is out for the rest of the regular season, which means that Caleb Hanie is going to be thrown to the wolves. 

The Bears' playoff hopes took a huge hit when it was announced that Cutler was out, but the Raiders are happy to take advantage of the situation. 

Cutler was never great, but he was efficient and understood what made this offense work. Now they will be more one-dimensional than ever. 

The Raiders have been inconsistent this season, but they are starting to gel with Carson Palmer under center and can take control of the AFC West with their third-straight victory. 

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