NFL Power Rankings: Identifying the Biggest Surprises from Week 12

Week 12 of the 2011 NFL season surely was an interesting week. That being said, it was not surprising to see the Packers continue to win as well as New England.

In turn however, there are some surprises that are more easily noticeable than others. The more interesting factor will be how Week 13 plays out.

Nonetheless, here are four surprises from Week 12.

Broncos Continue to Unconventionally Win

Although you know it's coming, watching Denver win this unconventionally is still a surprise. In their past three games they've won 17-10, 17-13, and 16-13 and remain just one game back of Oakland in the AFC West.

In this era of football, consistently winning like this in the NFL just doesn't seem like it's suppose to happen. However, Tim Tebow and the Broncos are finding a way.

Additionally, the Orange Crush defense has been a significant help to Tebow and the offense. Rookie LB Von Miller is one of the best pass-rushers in the game, and combining him with Elvis Dumervil makes Denver one tough defense.

Include Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey in the secondary and they somehow get better with age.

Also, Tebow is throwing the ball just well enough to be effective. He hasn't completed more than 10 passes in a game this month, but that stat is proving to be obsolete thus far.

Has Rex Grossman Finally Figured "It" Out?

We can talk all we want about how inconsistent Rex Grossman's career has been, but he might have something in Washington.

The Redskins may be 4-7 and without virtually any offensive talent, but all four of those wins came when Grossman was under center. That said, can we say to the Redskins the old cliche of "you may lose with him but you can't win without him"?

Well, that depends on whether he's given a full season in 2012. If Washington can draft a solid RB and WR to give him some help then maybe so. Because three times in 2011 Grossman has gone over a 90 QB rating and he's hit over 100 once.

Now, obviously we saw him fall from grace in three bad outing versus St. Louis, Philly, and Miami, but it's clear that he gives Washington the best odds to win. His 2012 campaign will definitely be more telling however, there's no denying that the Redskins need him at the helm if they want to finish strong.

Philip Rivers Continues to Disappoint

On Sunday the San Diego Chargers suffered their sixth consecutive loss of 2011 and are virtually out of the playoffs (though technically still alive).

That being said, QB Philip Rivers is having his worst season since becoming the full-time starter in 2006.

Every year from 2006 through 2010 Rivers threw no less than 21 TDs, no more than 15 INTs, and fumbled no more than six times.

As for 2011, he's only thrown 16 TDs to 17 INTs and has already fumbled six times. Not to mention it's his lowest completion percentage (61.1) since the 2007 season (60.2). And it's not like Rivers has horrible receiving targets either.

With TE Antonio Gates, WRs in Vincent Jackson and Vincent Brown you'd expect more. What's hurting the Bolts offense though is their lack of a rushing presence. Neither Mike Tolbert or Ryan Mathews are well-established in the ground game, at least not like Darren Sproles or LaDainian Tomlinson were.

The defense has also been playing well but Rivers is just having an uncharacteristically down year, which is showing based on their 4-7 record.

Titans Remain Alive for the Postseason

The Tennessee Titans have been an odd bunch this season. They lost the opener to Jacksonville but upset the Ravens at home and began a three game win streak.

Then they fell from grace and were 3-3 after losing two straight against Pittsburgh and Houston. Since, the Titans have been alternating wins and losses and are currently 6-5.

Now, being in the AFC it shouldn't come as a surprise that they're still alive for the playoffs, but this is a team that ranks No. 30 in rush offense and no dominant receiving threat. Sure they have wins over Baltimore and Denver but that Broncos win came when the Orange Crush wasn't on fire.

However, they have the tiebreaker over Denver but need Cincinnati to slip up at least two more times to enhance their odds. Not to mention the Titans still have a game left against Houston who's dealt with a lot of significant injuries.

Additionally, Tennessee still has to play Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville, so count those as wins and the Saints game as a loss and The Music City could very well finish 10-6 or 9-7. In the AFC, that may be enough to warrant the No. 6 seed.

Week 13 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Follow John Rozum on  Twitter @ Sportswriter27.