NFL Power Rankings: Identifying the Clear Super Bowl Favorites

As we approach Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, two teams have separated themselves as clear Super Bowl favorites at this point. One squad boasts an offense that looks all but unstoppable, while the other has a defense that has been virtually impregnable. 

The Green Bay Packers are now 11-0 and are in the midst of a 17-game win streak dating back to last season. The Packers possess what may be the most efficient offense I've ever seen and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on a historical roll right now. 

Green Bay has the NFL's fourth-ranked offense, averaging 401.3 yards and a league-high 34.7 points per gam. The team's passing attack is currently third in the league putting up 304.1 yards per game.

Rodgers has had an incredible year. In fact he might be having the best season by a quarterback in NFL history. Through 11 games the 27-year-old has completed 260 of 362 passes for 3,475 yards with an NFL-high 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Rodgers leads the league in completion percentage (71.8), yards per attempt (9.60) and passer rating (127.7). His quarterback rating is an incredible 22.6 points higher than second place (Tom Brady, 105.1).

At this point Rodgers and the Packers just can't be stopped on offense. Until someone proves that they can slow down the defending Super Bowl champs, there is no reason to believe they won't be headed to another title game. 

The Baltimore Ravens are currently sitting on top of the AFC with an 8-3 record and they have done it thanks to their outstanding defense. 

The Ravens currently rank third in total defense (allowing 292.3 yards per game) and third in points allowed (16.5 per game). Baltimore is also fifth against the pass (200.5 yards per game) and third against the run (91.5 yards per game) giving the team the most balanced defense in the league.

The Ravens aren't that impressive offensively, ranking 17th in the NFL (335.6 yards per game), but they are seventh in points scored (24.7) which means they are making the most of the yards they gain. 

With Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Haloti Ngata leading their incredible defense, I'm not sure anyone can beat them if they get home-field advantage in the playoffs. They're currently my pick to win the AFC.

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