NFL Power Rankings: Labeling 2011's Best Surprises

Through the first 12 weeks of the 2011 NFL season, two teams have jumped off the page as the league's biggest surprises. Nothing much was expected out of either squad and both are now in the thick of the postseason chase.

Before falling to the Baltimore Ravens 16-6 on Thanksgiving, the San Francisco 49ers had won eight straight games and established themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL. They currently sit at 9-2, are still a lock for the postseason and still control their own destiny for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The 49ers have won with toughness and all the credit for their turnaround should go to head coach Jim Harbaugh. San Francisco currently boasts the NFL's top run defense, allowing just 75.5 yards per game, while the team also has the league's best scoring defense, surrendering just 14.6 points per game.

Harbaugh is almost already guaranteed to be the NFL's Coach of the Year and he has earned it. No one expected anything out of the 49ers before the season began and now it wouldn't be shocking if they made a deep playoff run.

The Cincinnati Bengals decided to put their franchise's future in the hands of a rookie quarterback (Andy Dalton) and a rookie wide receiver (A.J. Green) before this season. While many expected Dalton and Green to do good things in Cincinnati, no one could have expected them to be this good, this soon.

The Bengals are currently 7-4 and are in good shape to reach the postseason. While Dalton and Green have been outstanding considering their ages, Cincinnati has won because of its defense. The Bengals currently rank fifth in the NFL in yards allowed (307.7) and are surrendering just 19.5 points per game.

That defensive effort has allowed Dalton to be brought along slowly and develop into a reliable passer. 

Considering that no one expected much out of him or the Bengals this season, Dalton and his team have been a complete surprise.

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