NFL Power Rankings: Which Surprising Contenders Are on the Rise?

Injuries and reality are taking their toll on the league. The injury report has made a mockery of some teams' playoff hopes. Others have just turned into a pumpkin as the NFL's season clock has turned to midnight on some Cinderella squads.

Here are the NFL Power Rankings as we get ready for the beginning of Week 14, when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns.

32. Indianapolis Colts, 0-12

Winless after 12 games, this is truly a testament to how great Peyton Manning is and how terrible of a coaching job Jim Caldwell has done.

Being 30th in rush defense and 22nd against the pass has very little to do with Manning, but a lot to do with being winless.

31. St. Louis Rams, 2-10

The Rams continue to be one of my most disappointing stories from this NFL season. I not only thought they would make the playoffs, but I thought they had a chance to win their division.

That was, of course, before Jim Harbaugh pulled off his NFL Coach of the Year performance in San Francisco.

30. Minnesota Vikings, 2-10

The Vikings are ahead of the Rams here because AP should be back this week, and they have lost only three games by more than one score.

The Vikings could easily be 5-5 or better, sans a big defensive play in the second half here or there.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-8

The Bucs have lost six in a row, the once up-and-coming defense is getting torched on a weekly basis, especially on the ground.

Young Raheem Morris could be in trouble, unless the Bucs can win at least three of their last four. That will tough with this schedule remaining: at Jacksonville, vs Dallas, at Carolina and at Atlanta.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-9

Blaine Gabbert may not be the long-term answer at QB for the Jags. The team is without an identity at this point beyond Maurice Jones-Drew.

Hopefully, new ownership can give the team some direction.

27. Cleveland Browns, 4-8

If the Browns had any semblance of an offense, they would be in the thick of the playoff hunt. As it stands, they have arguably the worst offense in the NFL.

The Browns will have to entertain a new option at QB from the 2012 NFL draft.

26. Washington Redskins, 4-8

The Redskins defense has been solid all year. They are here amongst the 4-8 teams because with Grossman, they can at least move the ball through the air.

Roy Helu has emerged as a good option on the ground.

25. Philadelphia Eagles, 4-8

By far, the most disappointing team in the NFL this season. It would have been acceptable for the Eagles not to dominate, but to miss the playoffs and sit at 4-8 at this point in the season is terrible.

24. Carolina Panthers, 4-8

All the pro-Andy Dalton people can try to erect the Cincinnati QB past Cam Newton for Rookie of the Year all they want, but the fact is, no rookie has had this much of an effect on his team. Newton has accounted for 26 TDs this season.

If the Panthers had a defense to support him, they would be in the running for a playoff spot.

23. Miami Dolphins, 4-8

The Dolphins defense and leadership from Matt Moore have led the Dolphins to an unexpected resurgence. The Dolphins have won four of the last five.

Considering the way they started the season, a 6-10 finish is a success.

22. Kansas City Chiefs, 5-7

The Chiefs offense is terrible, they won last week on the strength of a Hail Mary play at the end of the first half. The Chiefs defense is very good, and it must carry this team as the QB situation is not the best.

Newly signed QB Kyle Orton suffered a dislocated finger on his first and only snap.

21. Buffalo Bills, 5-7

The Bills have fallen flatter than any other team that started the season fast. The defense that was previously making the timely big play is not anymore, and the offense that seemed explosive is not anymore.

The Bills could continue to fall without star RB Fred Jackson.

20. Seattle Seahawks, 5-7

The Seahawks have had injuries at several key positions, QB and WR the most crippling. The Seahawks are still a year away from challenging for the NFC West title.

They have some questions to answer at QB, though they are not technically out of the playoff picture.

19. San Diego Chargers, 5-7

The Chargers may be preparing to make their annual December charge, but this year they will have to deal with the Tim Tebow magic. That may be a stronger force than the yearly Charger push.

18. Arizona Cardinals, 5-7

The Cardinals already have a decent passing offense, with an effective Beanie Wells and now the emergence of Patrick Peterson makes the Cardinals very dangerous.

If they can continue to get the kind of pass rush they got against the Cowboys, they will be dangerous if they get into the playoffs. 

17. Chicago Bears, 7-5

As much as it pains me to admit, the Bears without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte makes the Bears offense rival the Cleveland Browns as the worst in the NFL. Caleb Hanie has not shown the ability to effectively engineer a meaningful drive. Mike Martz genuinely takes about four weeks to call the types of plays that fit his new personnel. 

What once looked like an easy schedule is now in doubt.

16. Detroit Lions, 7-5

The Lions have certainly tailed off, breaking the heel on the glass slipper. The defense was not stopping the run before Ndamukong Suh's suspension, so it won't improve with him out.

Luckily for them, the bulk of the playmakers in Chicago are all injured.

15. New York Giants, 6-6

If the Giants can produce the type of effort for the rest of the season that they showed against the Green Bay Packers, they will catch the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants played perhaps their best game in defeat this week, and fell victim to another Aaron Rodgers spectacular performance.

A healthy defensive line and offensive backfield will land Giants in the postseason.

14. Oakland Raiders, 7-5

The Raiders have struggled with consistency, and they face almost certain defeat this week against the Packers. If the Broncos defeat the offense-less Bears, Denver will have first place alone.

The Raiders are missing their home run threats in the passing game and Darren McFadden.

13. NY Jets, 7-5

Jets QB Mark Sanchez has had a rough year, but his defense and running game are starting to come alive.

It will be a difficult task to wade through the sea of AFC contenders to make the postseason, but the Jets should win their next two against the Chiefs and Eagles.

12. Tennessee Titans, 7-5

The Titans are hoping CJ2K can reach 1K, and considering the way he started, that is one huge resurgence. With Johnson now running it the way he has in the past, the Titans offense has a little more punch.

The defense has been solid all year with a few exceptions, and now Tennessee is right back in the playoff picture.

11. Dallas Cowboys, 7-5

Just as the Cowboys looked as thought they would run away from the rest of the NFC East, special teams and coaching gaffes cost them a game in Arizona.

The Cowboys are still in control in the division, but now things are a bit tighter.

10. Cincinnati Bengals, 7-5

The second best rookie QB in the NFL this year has helped guide the Bengals into playoff contention, but they have faltered twice against the Steelers and once against the Ravens.

The only win the Bengals have in the last four weeks came against the Browns.

9. Denver Broncos, 7-5

Aside from the Tim Tebow effect, which is substantial, the Broncos defense has been big. The offensive line has adjusted to the new scheme and Tebow is an amazing impact player and personality.

The Broncos will win the AFC West.

8. Atlanta Falcons, 7-5

If it were not for the Saints playing like a machine, the Falcons would have a shot at the NFC South. The Falcons will be a dangerous team in the playoffs, as they will likely beat out both Chicago and Detroit in the playoff seedings.

7. Houston Texans, 9-3

The Texans have certainly handled the injuries to Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart well, but how will this team hold up without so many main weapons out?

Gary Kubiak deserves some Coach of the Year votes.

6. New England Patriots, 9-3

The Patriots are quietly putting it together. The lack of attention this team is getting is scary for the rest of the NFL. The Patriots pass defense is improving, and if it continues, the Patriots could emerge as AFC favorites.

5. New Orleans Saints, 9-3

The Saints are playing their best football right now. Drew Brees has vaulted to the head of most MVP lists and the defense has certainly stiffened. Of the remaining four games on the schedule, only one should be considered a gimme, and that is Minnesota.

They also have Tennessee, Carolina and Atlanta awaiting.

4. San Francisco 49ers, 10-2

The Niners defensive turn around has been amazing. Alex Smith's emergence has been great and most of the credit goes to Jim Harbaugh. This is the most impressive NFL coaching performance in recent memory. It will be better with a trip to the Super Bowl.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers, 9-3

The Steelers just crushed the Bengals. That game served notice that the race for the AFC North only has two horses. The Ravens have beaten the Steelers in both matchups this year. The Steelers only other loss was to the 9-3 Houston Texans. 

The combined record of the teams that they have lost to is 18-6. 

2. Baltimore Ravens, 9-3

The Ravens shook off their mid-season struggles when they started to get Ray Rice the ball consistently and Torrey Smith asserted himself as the deep threat.

Combine this offensive balance with the Ravens stellar defense, and you have the second best team in football. To continue to play well defensively without Ray Lewis was impressive.

1. Green Bay Packers, 12-0

Aaron Rodgers is the MVP...period. To continue to play the way he has with a mediocre defense and overrated wide receivers outside of Greg Jennings is amazing.

His execution has been near flawless as well as his decision-making. He is single biggest reason the Packers are still undefeated.