NFL Power Rankings: Denver Broncos and More Teams That Will Keep Climbing

There's always time for teams around the NFL to move up the power rankings, even with Week 13 marking the stretch run toward the end of the 2011 season.

These three teams are in prime position to keep marching toward the playoffs, thanks in large part to their eminently reasonable opposition on Sunday.

Denver Broncos

This weekend's meeting between the Vikings and the Broncos gives football fans everywhere a chance to see Christian Ponder go against the "Christian Ponderer" (aka Tim Tebow) and, more importantly, Denver the opportunity to extend its current winning streak to five games.

John Fox's defense has been playing with its hair on fire of late, which should be enough to subdue an offense in Minnesota that's lost its flame since Adrian Peterson went down with a bum ankle.

As always, expect to see Tebow with the ball in his palm late in the game to lead his team to victory, assuming, of course, that he doesn't stink up the turf too badly during the first three and a half quarters.

Oakland Raiders

With all the publicity the Broncos have gotten of late on account of Tebow-mania, it's easy to forget that they're not even in first place in their own division.

That distinction currently belongs to the Raiders, who, at 7-4, will match wits on Sunday with the Dolphins, another of the NFL's Johnny-Come-Lately's to the winner's circle. Miami sports one of the stiffest run defenses in the league, though they'll need a little bit of luck on top to stop Michael Bush from wreaking havoc on the ground.

The arrest of Rolando McClain could prove to be a distraction to the Silver and Black, though given the franchise's long and storied history of mischief, it might also serve to boost the team's intimidation factor on the field.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans and the Bills will meet in the NFL's designated "meh" game of the week—two teams, not great but not terrible either, a combined record of 11-11.

Hence, "meh" or maybe a shoulder shrug in parentheses.

However you want to look at it, Tennessee appears to have the upper hand, thanks in large part to the improved confidence of its offense.

And by offense, I mean Chris Johnson, who shredded Tampa Bay for 190 rushing yards in Week 12. Buffalo's defense is better than that, but only marginally, which should allow CJ room enough to continue his late-season revival and lead the Titans to their seventh win of the season.

Josh Martin's Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. Baltimore Ravens

3. San Francisco 49ers

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. New England Patriots

6. New Orleans Saints

7. Dallas Cowboys

8. Cincinnati Bengals

9. Houston Texans

10. Oakland Raiders

11. Chicago Bears

12. Atlanta Falcons

13. Detroit Lions

14. New York Jets

15. New York Giants

16. Denver Broncos

17. Tennessee Titans

18. Buffalo Bills

19. Miami Dolphins

20. Philadelphia Eagles

21. San Diego Chargers

22. Arizona Cardinals

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

24. Cleveland Browns

25. Washington Redskins

26. Seattle Seahawks

27. Carolina Panthers

28. Kansas City Chiefs

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

30. Minnesota Vikings

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Indianapolis Colts