NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Identifying the League's Most Impressive Teams

There's surely been some duds this season—Philadelphia—however, there's also been some teams straight up roll and others who continually improve.

To that end, here are the most impressive teams through 12 weeks of play.

Green Bay Packers (11-0)

The Packers continue to impress because they have yet to peak. Although Aaron Rodgers has played about as perfect as you can play, they still need to improve their rushing attack.

In addition, the defense has been gradually stepping up and holding the Lions to just 15 points in Detroit was impressive. And that's what's so scary about Green Bay. For as amazing as they are playing, they continue to improve and have yet to peak.

All you can say is "wow," because we're literally watching the NFL's best team get even better. Winning the Super Bowl with umpteen players on the IR was ridiculously impressive and now they're simply just rolling along while everyone else remains many steps back.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

Getting the series sweep of Pittsburgh and shutting down the 49ers last week was nicely done. If the Ravens can play defense like that every week, they'd go undefeated. And that is what's so scary about Baltimore.

Their offense still has flaws and the defense has given up a decent number of points on more than one occasion. All that said, the Ravens are expected to be the AFC's No. 1 seed despite having played at a highly consistent basis.

They've played sound, complete games against the Steelers, Texans, 49ers and Bengals, but we have to see them against inferior opponents. Losing games against Jacksonville and Seattle is not impressive, but how they've responded is.

Oakland Raiders (7-4)

Winning without your current best player (Darren McFadden), winning without your former best player (Nnamdi Asomugha) and winning with a QB who was on his couch a little over a month ago (Carson Palmer).

That's impressive.

If Oakland keeps it up, can you imagine how much better they'll be when McFadden returns? Obviously his return still remains to be seen, but there's no denying how much more dangerous the Raiders offense becomes.

With a current one-game lead in the AFC West and game's remaining against Miami, Detroit, K.C. and San Diego, The Silver and Black could finish around 11-5. Not bad, all things considered.

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.