NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Who Is AFC's Best Bet to Challenge the Packers?

This week's NFL Power Rankings sees some changes across the board. Just like last week, the question remains—who can stop the Packers?

This week, the focus is on the AFC opponents that the Packers would face in a possible Super Bowl matchup.

While the likes of the Detroit Lions, the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers will be able to take a crack at Green Bay first, one has to wonder who could stop them should they make it all the way. 

There could be a possible Packers-Steelers rematch, and there is also no discounting the likes of the New England Patriots or the Baltimore Ravens

Those teams all have a good chance of taking away the glory in the last game of the season.

Lets take a look at the NFL Power Rankings for Week 12.

32. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts had a bye week but that probably did nothing to ease the pain of fans.

They may be leading the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, but it is unfortunate to see this team is in this position.

31. St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have not been able to progress at all after last season.

At this rate, they will end up with a worse record.

30. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers gave Detroit all they could handle but still came up short.

29. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings came close to a second win with Christian Ponder taking the snaps.

The season may be over, but there may be some promise for the future.

28. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins almost stole one from the Cowboys, but that loss makes it six in a row.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars should have been able to win their last game against the Cleveland Browns.

26. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals had no chance against San Francisco on Sunday.

25. Miami Dolphins

The win against Buffalo makes it three in a row for the Dolphins.

24. Kansas City Chiefs

Somehow Tom Brady did not have the most yards in the air on Monday.

Tyler Palk was unable to help the team stop a two-game losing streak.

That streak is at three now.

23. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns won a close game against the Jaguars.

The rest of the season may not be so positive.

22. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers continue to fall this as the season progresses.

The loss to the Bears makes it five in a row.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers gave Green Bay somewhat of a scare on Sunday.

Had it been any other team they may have won.

20. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are on a little run and may come out with a .500 record when all is said and done.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles defense looked pretty good on Sunday.

Hopefully they will keep it going for a charge into playoff contention.

18. Buffalo Bills

The Bills continue to slide to the wrong end of the rankings.

17. Denver Broncos

Anybody have Tebow fever?

The wins keep coming, however unorthodox the methods may be.

16. Tennessee Titans

The Titans have been up and down.

If they can pull a little run together, the playoffs are still a possibility.

15. New York Jets

The Jets still haven't put it together yet.

If they can lose to the Denver Broncos the way they did, there may be no chance they can beat the Packers.

However, the Jets still have one of the most formidable defenses in the league when they are on point.

They are currently sixth in passing yards and seventeenth in rushing yards, and they would most definitely do better against a more conventional opponent like Green Bay.

If Mark Sanchez can stay away from turnovers then this team will have a chance.

When these two teams met in the regular season last year it was a close one, 9-0. If the Jets somehow make it all the way to the Super Bowl to face Green Bay, they could make some noise.

14. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are in a surprising position right now, but they face some tough teams to finish their campaign, including the Packers.

A trip to the playoffs is a decent prospect at this time.

13. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have performed above expectations this season but are on a two-game losing streak right now.

12. New York Giants

The Giants are in the midst of a tough stretch and have already lost to the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

They need to regain some momentum.

11. Atlanta Falcons

Considering the rest of their schedule, the Atlanta Falcons may end up putting together a nice little run to end the season with a solid playoff spot.

10. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will be a tough out for most teams come playoff time.

They are on a three-game winning streak and will continue to gain momentum as the season progresses.

09. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have been on a good run lately, but it may all be for naught with Jay Cutler's recent injury being a major setback.

08. Detroit Lions

The Lions will be one of the first teams to test Green Bay in this latter part of the season.

Tomorrow's game should be fun to watch

07. Houston Texans

The Texans should be able to ride out the injury to Matt Schaub for the remainder of the season.

The playoffs will be a whole different animal.

06. Baltimore Ravens

Recently, I looked at the possibility of a Ravens-Packers Super Bowl.

There is no doubt the Ravens have the defense to stop any team.

Can the offense put up the points when necessary?

So far this season—minus a few blips—the answer has been yes.

The Ravens have struggled to get over the hurdle in the playoffs lately, but if they make it to the Super Bowl and face the Packers, this AFC defense might just be able to do what the Steelers couldn't.

05. New England Patriots

The duo of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady versus Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl.

That would be one great game.

Both teams would be very likely to soar to new heights in the passing attack considering they have the two worst pass defenses in the league at the moment.

It may come down to coaching strategy or which quarterback is able to outdo the other.

As good as the Packers duo is, you would have to give some serious consideration to the more experienced Patriots duo.

04. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have been somewhat quietly going about their business this season.

They sit in a pretty good position for the playoffs and will not feel too threatened by their AFC opponents.

A rematch of last year's Super Bowl would certainly be a treat.

The Steelers are basically a better version of the Baltimore Ravens. Same tough defense but a better overall offense.

The revenge factor would play a major part if a Super Bowl rematch were to occur, and it might not be two times lucky for the Packers.

03. New Orleans Saints

The Saints head out of the bye week with a pretty good record and the chance to end the season on a high.

02. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will be looking to make another statement tomorrow against the Baltimore Ravens.

They may even have a chance to be No. 1 at the end of the night.

01. Green Bay Packers

The Packers did what they had to against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The target on their back gets bigger each passing week.

A perfect season would be nice to see, but a Super Bowl would be even better.

Next stop, Detroit.