NFL Power Rankings: Red-Hot Teams That Will Shake Up the Top 10

The NFL power rankings have been so unstable this year that trying to figure out where to put all 32 teams each week is a chore all its own. But now that we are entering the final phase of the season, things are about to get even more insane. 

In particular, the turnover at the top is going to be so crazy that we won't be able to keep track of it all. There are a number of teams making big leaps up the rankings right now, and there are going to be teams that have been at the top who will stub their toes. 

That is what makes the NFL so much fun to watch, and why December is the best month for football. The constant state of flux that the rankings are in keeps us tuned in to these games. We never know what we are going to see. 

Here are three teams that will find themselves making the leap to the top of the power rankings. 

 

New England Patriots (7-3)

After a brief lull a few weeks ago, the Patriots are finding their mojo again. The Tom Brady-Rob Gronkowski combination is quickly surpassing the Brady-Wes Welker and the team might be better because of it. 

Their schedule the last six weeks is incredibly easy (at Philadelphia, vs Indianapolis, at Washington, at Denver, vs. Miami, vs. Buffalo), so they have a great shot to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

They are already ranked fourth in my power rankings, and with the teams ahead of them having difficult games coming up, it stands to reason that they will be the No. 1 team soon. Possibly as early as next Tuesday.

 

Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

We have all been burned by the Ravens at some point this season. Losing to Jacksonville and Seattle did not exactly inspire a lot of confidence, but the way they played against a tough Cincinnati team last week brought back hope. 

This week they have to take on the white-hot San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving. There will not be a lot of points scored in this game, but so long as they don't force Joe Flacco to throw the ball 40 times and forget that Ray Rice is in the backfield, they should be fine. 

If ever there was a time for the Ravens to make a run, this would be it. I can easily envision a scenario where they are No. 2 in the power rankings after this week. It's possible that they will be No. 1 if everything falls into place. 

 

Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

I have been on the Cowboys all season, even when they were 3-4 and everyone else was selling them down the river. Now that I am done patting myself on the back, I can tell you that this team is the most dangerous in the NFC. 

They have the playmakers on offense to score with anyone, including Green Bay, and the defense does enough to keep them in games. 

Their early season doldrums are over and they are making a serious move up the power rankings. They are going to be in the Top Five next week and could move up even higher in the coming weeks with an easy schedule. 

They have two games against the Giants, but other than that they take on teams under .500 the rest of the way. A 12-4 or 11-5 record is a perfectly reasonable expectation for this team.

 

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)