NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Analyzing the League's Hottest Teams

The Green Bay Packers faced legitimate adversity on Sunday against the New York Giants and came out on top, winning 38-35. 

At 12-0, they're easily the NFL's hottest team. 

Don't forget about the New Orleans Saints, who are equally as potent offensively. They've won four straight, and Drew Brees is arguably having a better season than his Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2009. 

The Patriots, Broncos and Texans all have pieced together impressive win streaks of their own. 

It's time to look at how they've done it and where these clubs with stand at the end of the regular season. 

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers, the best quarterback in the NFL today. 

No questions asked. 

Drew Brees and Tom Brady are on the same level as the Packers signal-caller, but no one is operating their offense more efficiently than the guy behind center in Green Bay. 

They've been able to simple outscore teams in shootout-type games and they've gotten the critical turnover from their defense despite allowing an abundance of yardage this season. 

The receivers are good, but most importantly have formulated an outstanding rapport with Rodgers, making those back-shoulder throws look much easier to complete than they really are. 

Green Bay should wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the next few weeks, and while it's hard for me to doubt them, I do wonder what will happen if they host a postseason game in a blizzard. 

Houston Texans

What the Texans have been able to accomplish this season despite all their setbacks is remarkable. 

They've overcome injuries better than any team in football. 

No Matt Schaub, no Mario Williams and Andre Johnson has been hurt, yet the have won their last six games. Quarterback T.J. Yates got the victory this weekend over a solid Falcons club.

Arian Foster has been a steady force for Houston, and their new 3-4 alignment on defense has led to a No. 1 overall defensive ranking in 2011.

With games against the Panthers and Colts remaining, the Texans should at least get to 11 wins on the year, which would reward them with the first playoff bid in team history. 

New England Patriots

So a few defenses confused Tom Brady over a three-week stretch and the Patriots struggled. 

No big deal. 

They've won four straight and have done so in dominating fashion. 

The defense is a work in progress, but is certainly improving. They have two unlikely-yet-respectable pass rushers in Andre Carter and Mark Anderson, who have a combined 16 sacks on the year. 

With their remaining schedule, don't be stunned if New England enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. 

Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow. 

There, I got him out of the way. 

Denver has been on a magical run since the polarizing quarterback was named the starter, and last Sunday, for the first time, critics couldn't point to the Broncos defense as the sole reason for victory.

Tebow's got a ton of shortcomings but he's 6-1 as the first-string guy, and that's all that matters right now.  

The play of nearly every guy on the active roster has been elevated over the last month-and-a-half. 

Can they sneak into the postseason? 

Most definitely. 

New Orleans Saints

To me, Drew Brees is having a better year in 2011 than he did when he his team won the Super Bowl in 2009. 

He'll end the year throwing and completing more passes, tossing more touchdowns and accumulating more passing yards in this year than he did in 2009. 

That says something. 

No. 9 has been on fire over the last month, and the Saints' offense has returned to its premier form.

New Orleans should finish in the No. 3 spot in the NFC postseason.  

Is Packers-49ers the NFC Championship dream matchup?

I'll take a Packers-Saints rematch.