NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Predicting Which Teams Will Continue Rising

Which of the NFL's hottest teams will continue to rise in the power rankings after the holiday weekend?

The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears enter Week 12 with their starting quarterbacks on the sidelines with injury.

The Green Bay Packers face the Lions in Detroit as their biggest threat to their undefeated season, and the San Francisco 49ers make the trip to Baltimore to crack helmets with Ray Lewis and the ultra-physical Ravens.

What about the Cowboys, who have won four of their last five? 

Houston Texans 

The Texans will undoubtedly go through some growing pains with Matt Leinart behind center, but they'll stick with their run-heavy offense. 

With that offensive line, Arian Foster and Ben Tate, why wouldn't they? 

In terms of yards allowed, they have the best defense in football, and we all know the Jaguars aren't exactly operating as efficiently as the Packers these days. 

It won't be a total blowout, but there's just too much talent on the Texans roster, and Blaine Gabbert will struggle against Houston's 3-4 defensive alignment. 

The Texans win their fifth straight and take a commanding lead in the AFC South. 

San Francisco 49ers 

Perfect way to end Thanksgiving. 

Relax in your favorite chair and watch two of the best defenses in football. 

The Ravens are a much better team at home, and the 49ers have outstanding road victories in Detroit and Cincinnati on their resume. 

This will be an old-fashioned slug-fest, with two of the game's best linebackers—Ray Lewis and his predecessor Patrick Willis—taking center stage. 

San Fran will be able to limit the production of Ray Ray and, as we've seen this season, when Rice is limited it puts the Ravens in a precarious position. 

Alex Smith can efficiently move the ball down the field, and a late turnover by Joe Flacco secures the win and bragging rights for Jim Harbaugh and his 49ers. 

Dallas Cowboys 

Yes, it's the Cowboys that lead the NFC East at this juncture. They face a Dolphins team that has won three straight, but that streak comes to and end on Thanksgiving. 

Rob Ryan will develop a defensive game plan to confuse Matt Moore, and although they've proven to be a bit more susceptible against the run than we thought, Dallas' defensive front will limit Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush. 

The Cowboys win handily with fantastic balance on offense and move to 7-4. 

Week 12 Power Rankings

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