NFL Power Rankings: Inconsistent AFC West Will Jump Up Rankings

The 2011 season has not been especially kind to the AFC West. While the Broncos and Raiders are in the middle of nice runs, it's been a horribly inconsistent division all season. Even the Raiders, who have been the division's best team for most of the year, have experienced cold streaks.

Still, this is a week that will work out well for the division. But not everything can be perfect. So, let's start with the negative.

Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears

The Chiefs will do well to win all this season. Their next three games are against the Bears, Jets and Packers. All of those teams have something on the line. Then, they finish with the Broncos and Raiders. Both will be vying for the division title.

Even without Jay Cutler, this game doesn't set up well for the Chiefs. I have a funny feeling that 2012 will be a good bounce-back season for this team, but they need to be healthy. Right now, that's just not going to happen.

Now, as for the positives:

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

The recent hot streak of the Dolphins doesn't exactly concern me here. The Raiders are playing good football right now, as Carson Palmer is heating up. 

The Dolphins will have a hard time matching up with the Raiders' many weapons. On offense, they will do OK, but the Raiders will make the plays necessary to pull the win off.

Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings

The Broncos are in an odd spot this week. They're in a game that they actually should win. They'll do just that. 

The Vikings are just a struggling team right now. There's really no way to spin it, this team is just not very good. 

They do have a good pass rush, but that seems to be what Tim Tebow thrives in. Look for another ugly game for Denver, but this is one that I can't see them losing.

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Something is going to happen on Sunday that hasn't happened for a long time. The Chargers are going to win. 

I like the Jacksonville defense to keep Philip Rivers' struggles alive, but San Diego's defense matches up well to a weak Jacksonville team. That's what will make the difference.

Yes, Rivers is struggling. Still, my money is on that offense to take advantage of Jacksonville's mistakes much more than the other way around.

Michael Dixon's Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

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