NFL Power Rankings: The Truth Behind Every Division Leader

Eight teams have diligently worked their way to the top of their respective divisions. 

Each club's ascent has been different and they still have three games left to hang onto their leads before the postseason begins. 

Let's look at each team, how they got to where they are today and if they'll ultimately stay put as the best team in their division. 

NFC East: New York Giants

The Giants are easily the best 7-6 team right now. 

They withstood an utterly brutal stretch in their schedule and overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter on the road against the Cowboys to take the lead in the NFC East. 

Eli Manning is piecing together the best statistical season of his career and it can be argued that New York's receiving corp is just as vertically dangerous as Green Bay's. 

They're last in rushing yards gained per game, but they've received respectable contributions from load-carrying Brandon Jacobs over the last month. 

Don't forget about their pass-rush, either. 

With the leg up in the division and Dallas ending the season in New Jersey, the Giants will win the NFC East. 

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

The Packers are 13-0 and as a quarterback, Aaron Rodgers has been nearly perfect himself. 

The eventual MVP has 39 touchdowns to only six interceptions at a 69.6 percent completion rate. 

Although the epic season from their quarterback is the main reason why they've remained perfect, their opportunistic defense that's hauled in 27 interceptions surely has helped. 

They should lock up home-field advantage this weekend against the Chiefs and are primed for another Super Bowl run.  

NFC South: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees has been just as imperative to the success of the Saints as Aaron Rodgers has been to the Packers. 

Over the last month, Brees has been an unparalleled tear. 

He's thrown for at least 322 yards in each of the last four games with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Not surprisingly, the Saints are on a five game winning streak. 

They have a chance to hop the San Francisco 49ers into the No. 2 spot in the NFC playoffs, which would be huge for a team that's so incredible on their home turf. 

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers clinched the AFC West a few weeks ago, but the once surging club from the Bay Area has lost two of their last three games with the most recent defeat coming at the hands of the John Skelton-led Arizona Cardinals. 

The defense is still top-notch and should get leader Patrick Willis back either this week or next. 

I'd still like to see more out of the offense that's lacked explosiveness or the occasional big-play in 2011. 

Still, they must lean on Frank Gore in the postseason. 

AFC East: New England Patriots

The Patriots are on top of the AFC East. 

Shocked? 

Didn't think so. 

Tom Brady deserves MVP consideration because without him they'd be fighting for a wild card spot right now. 

The pass defense is the worst in the NFL and have kept many of their opponents in games this season when Brady has scored 30 or more points. 

They'll host a playoff game but, remember, they have lost their last two postseason contests in Gillette Stadium. 

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have the make up to make a deep run in this year's postseason. 

Now that they've shown a willingness to Ray Rice and are consistently giving him 20 or more carries, they are extremely tough to beat. 

The defense has led the team to four consecutive wins without Ray Lewis, and it has been a testament to the overall talent on that unit. 

With a tie-breaker over the Steelers, Baltimore should take this division and treat Joe Flacco and their fans with a home playoff game. 

AFC South: Houston Texans

The Texans clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history, behind the arm of T.J. Yates. 

Who would have thought? 

They've easily been the most resilient club in 2011, overcoming injuries to Mario Williams, Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub en route to their 10-3 record. 

Houston gets it done with an aggressive yet disciplined defense and a dynamic running attack. 

Now that Yates has shown some reliability, the Texans have the potential to be the dark horse in the AFC postseason. 

AFC West: Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow is the talk of the Denver Broncos, but let's give credit where it's due. 

The defense has emerged as a top-10 unit and the running game is ranked first in the NFL. Willis McGahee has revitalized his career and is 80 yards away from a surprising 1,000 yard season. 

Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller create pass-rushing threats on both sides of the defensive line and the secondary is underrated.

After the Patriots they face the Bills and Chiefs, and if you haven't gotten enough of Tebow, you'll get more when the Broncos are in the postseason.