NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Which Teams Will Continue Rising

The Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers both got off to disappointing starts to the 2011 NFL season. But both teams have turned things around and now appear poised to challenge for supremacy in their respective divisions.

Much was expected of the Falcons before the season but they got off to a 2-3 start. Since then Matt Ryan and company have won five of six, with their only loss coming in overtime to the New Orleans Saints. At 7-4 the Falcons are now in the thick of the NFC playoff chase and have finally started playing the way we all know they are capable of.

This weekend the Falcons face a Houston Texans team that has had to replace starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart who are both now out for the season. Don't be surprised if Houston struggles and the Falcons take advantage. The remainder of Atlanta's schedule sets up favorably with a road game at Carolina, followed by a home date with Jacksonville, New Orleans on the road and a home contest with Tampa Bay to finish the season.

Don't be surprised if the Falcons continue rise as the season winds down.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 8-3 but I don't think too many people expected that after they suffered a 35-7 thrashing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The Steelers went on to start 2-2 but have since won six of seven. 

The Steelers have steadily been climbing up the rankings since that awful start and should be able to continue its ascent up the rankings. The defense has tightened things up, while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has helped turn the offense into a formidable unit. 

Pittsburgh should continue to win games down the stretch and is likely to challenge for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

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