NFL Power Rankings: Teams Ready to Make a Big Jump in Week 12

As a result of big wins over teams ranked ahead of them, three teams will leap up the power rankings this week.

Their wins will leave the NFL scrambling to figure out the real contenders and add intrigue to the season.

No. 6 Baltimore Ravens

Opponent: 49ers

This game is going to be a low-scoring slugfest, but in the end the Ravens defense will prove they are the dominant force in this game.

The Ravens defense is going to dictate the action to the 49ers' offense.

The 49ers are fifth in the NFL in rushing attempts per game. They want to run the ball as their first, second and third option. 

They will not be able to do that against the Ravens. Baltimore is No. 1 in yards allowed per rush. This will lead to the 49ers finding themselves in passing down after passing down, and this is not a place they are built to succeed in.

The Ravens will be able to pin their ears back and put pressure on Alex Smith. Baltimore is sixth in the NFL in sack percentage, and it will find plenty of success in that department in this one. San Francisco ranks just 21st in sacks-allowed percentage.

This will lead to three-and-outs and excellent field position for the Ravens. Baltimore is also going to have a hard time running the ball in this contest. However, it is better prepared to handle an inability to run the ball.

The Ravens are 12th in the NFL in passing yards this season, and the 49ers are 23rd in passing yards allowed. What will really help the Ravens sustain drives is that Ray Rice will be able to pick up easy yards in the passing game.

Football Outsiders ranks the 49ers just 21st in guarding RBs in the passing game.

This is destined to be a low-scoring game. However, the Ravens are better equipped to win the field position battle and score some easy points.

Prediction: Ravens 16, 49ers 6

No. 10 Detroit Lions

Opponent: Packers

This Lions will be the toast of the NFL after they pull off this upset and knock the Packers from the quest to go undefeated.

The Lions matchup well with the Packers.

Green Bay relies on Aaron Rodgers and its dynamic passing game to move the ball. The Lions and their fifth-ranked defense in passing yards will be able to slow the Packers down just enough to emerge victorious.

Detroit will get some key driving killing sacks. The Lions are 10th in the NFL in sack percentage. And for all of the Packers' dominance in the passing game, they have not done the best job of protecting the QB. They are 20th in sack percentage.

When Detroit has the ball it will take an offense that is eighth in passing yards per game against a weak Packers' pass defense. The Packers are 31st in passing yards allowed per game.

This will give the Lions enough edge to keep their home crowd rocking and pull out a close win.

Prediction: Lions 31, Packers 27

Oakland Raiders

Opponent: Bears

The Raiders are starting to hit their stride in the Carson Palmer era. They have won two straight, and Palmer has emerged to bring balance to an offense that had previously been dominated by their running game.

This will serve them well against the Bears' defense. The Bears are 30th in passing yards allowed per game, and 10th in rushing yards.

This will keep the Bears from gearing up to stop the run, and the Raiders will be able to do some real damage in the run game.

The Bears' rush defense is not as good as their overall numbers suggests. They are 29th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per carry. This works out well for a Raiders team ranked sixth in rushing yards per carry at 4.8.

Meanwhile, the Bears will be trying to attack the Raiders with Caleb Hanie at QB. That will allow the Raiders to gear up to stop Matt Forte, and leave the Bears struggling to move the ball.

Prediction: Raiders 24, Bears 17

Richard Langford's Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
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	Dallas Cowboys	6-4
10	Detroit Lions	7-3
11	Oakland Raiders	6-4
12	Cincinnati Bengals	6-4
13	New York Giants	6-4
14	Atlanta Falcons	6-4
15	Denver Broncos	5-5
16	New York Jets	5-5
17	Tennessee Titans	5-5
18	Buffalo Bills	5-5
19	Seattle Seahawks	4-6
20	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-6
21	Philadelphia Eagles	4-6
22	San Diego Chargers	4-6
23	Miami Dolphins	3-7
24	Kansas City Chiefs	4-6
25	Cleveland Browns	3-7
26	Jacksonville Jaguars	4-6
27	Washington Redskins	3-7
28	Arizona Cardinals	3-7
29	Carolina Panthers	2-8
30	Minnesota Vikings	2-8
31	St. Louis Rams	2-8
32	Indianapolis Colts	0-10