NFL Power Rankings: Top Teams That Must Overcome Trap Games

Every week in the NFL, we seem to see a game or two that makes us scratch our heads. One team is clearly better than the other, yet the inferior team wins.

That's called a trap game. 

Every one of these teams should win. I am picking every one of them to win. Still, they need to be highly cautious of falling into that trap.

Baltimore Ravens

Let's take a moment to go over some of the important parts of the Ravens' 2011 season.

Week 1: Ravens 35, Steelers 7

Week 2: Titans 26, Ravens 13

Week 6: Ravens 29, Texans 14

Week 7: Jaguars 17, Ravens 7

Week 9: Ravens 23, Steelers 20

Week 10: Seahawks 22, Ravens 17

Now, fresh off a win against the 49ers, the Ravens are taking a trip to Cleveland. On paper, this is a game the Ravens should dominate, but the Browns have the potential to make their life tough.

Cleveland does boast a strong defense. As a result, this game will be low scoring. That's a scary thought for a favorite. Ultimately, the Ravens defense will be enough, but one slight mistake will give Baltimore a loss it just shouldn't take.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are becoming more consistent, but still have some games on their schedule that are rather inexplicable. 

This is a game that falls into that pattern. Off a three-game winning streak, a trip to Miami to take on an unpredictable Dolphins team screams trap. The Dolphins also have a long week of preparation, as they played on Thanksgiving. 

Ultimately, I am going with the Raiders to come through and win this game.  

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are in something of a unique position this week. For the first time since Tim Tebow took the starting job, they're expected to win. Some teams play better with the chip on their shoulder that comes from being the underdog. We'll see if that happens this week.

While the Broncos are 5-1 with Tebow as the starter, it needs to be pointed out that every one of those wins could have been losses. 

No, that's not diminishing the wins, but it is saying that one play in a game isn't that much. 

Opposing a Vikings team that will either be without Adrian Peterson or with a banged-up Peterson, I like Denver's chances. Still, this one can't be taken for granted.

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