NFL Power Rankings: Ravens and Top AFC Title Contenders

A fine line divides the contenders and the pretenders of the AFC.  The Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders field key weaknesses that will keep them from being a true threat.  Any one of the following teams possesses a realistic shot at a Super Bowl berth and it would be a shocker if another team represented the AFC outside of this trio:

3. New England Patriots

Bill Belichick’s crew currently boasts the first seed in the AFC, but they don’t deserve the No. 1 spot in the power rankings after a head-to-head loss to the No. 2 team on this list.  Despite a few regular-season hiccups, the Patriots will always be a threat come playoff time.  Tom Brady knows how to win games in the elements and right now he’s quarterbacking the conference’s best scoring attack. 

New England’s league-worst pass defense will be its downfall if the secondary doesn’t make great strides.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

While the Steelers managed to take out the Patriots 25-17, their pair of losses to the No. 1 team on this list makes it impossible to rank Ben Roethlisberger and Co. any higher.

Defensively, Pittsburgh is the best team in the NFL in yards per game surrendered as it's given up only 273.8 a game.  That defense has continued to excel despite injuries to Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior and Casey Hampton throughout the season.

1. Baltimore Ravens

If strength of schedule mattered in professional football, Baltimore would lead the league.  It convincingly defeated the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Steelers twice.

Emotional hangover can be used as an excuse for each of the Ravens’ three losses.  While they’re inconsistent, no team has been better than the Ravens this season at the top of their game. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.