NFL Power Rankings: Red-Hot Teams That Will Move into the Top 10

Now that we are 12 weeks into the NFL season, the power rankings are starting to stabilize a bit. The very top and very bottom won't change that much over the final five weeks, unless a team gets really hot or falls off a cliff. 

But everything in between those areas is still changing on a constant basis, and that is why we keep coming back to the NFL. No one knows what is going to happen, and the ripple effect on the power rankings can be felt. 

Teams that we didn't expect to be anywhere near the top 10 are making a hard charge to push others off their perch. But who are the best of the best?

Which teams outside the top 10 are going to force their way into that spot soon?

 Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

After a slow start to the season, the Falcons are starting to hit their stride and are looking like a legitimate playoff threat. They probably won’t win the division because the Saints are playing so well right now, but all you have to do is get in and let the rest take care of itself.

I am still skeptical about how good this team really is, but with each victory they are starting to bring me around.

They get to play the Texans this week, which looked like a difficult game two weeks ago, but seems like a sure victory now. They aren’t going away and could get a home playoff game if they stay hot.

Denver Broncos (6-5)

Before all the Tebow apologists get gaga over the inclusion of the Broncos on this list, just know that I am putting them in here because of the running game and defense, not anything that he has done.

In fact, I think that the team is winning in spite of what Tebow is doing.

That said, it is hard to ignore their four-game winning streak and the fact that they are just one game behind the Raiders in the AFC West.

The schedule has played a part in the winning streak, but at the end of the day you have to win the games that are in front of you, and that is what the Broncos are doing.

Tennessee Titans (6-5)

For all the misfortune that the Houston Texans have had in the last two weeks, the Titans are starting to hit their stride and can steal the AFC South title if a few things break the right way.

The biggest thing working in the favor of the Titans is their schedule. They only have one game left against a winning team—New Orleans in Week 15—before a season-ending clash with the Texans.

They could easily have nine wins heading into that game and earn a wild-card berth or the division if the Texans' quarterback situation completely breaks down, which is entirely possible. 

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