NFL Power Rankings: Assessing Teams That Are Simply on a Roll

Momentum is everything in the NFL, especially in the month of December before the playoffs get underway. 

While the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens were just a few of the favorites that fell on Sunday, there were a few clubs that quietly continued impressive winning streaks. 

New England Patriots 

The Patriots handled all the media hype and hoopla that surrounded their road test with the Broncos and Tim Tebow. With the calm and collected Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, was it really that surprising? 

They took advantage of some awful Denver turnovers and, as usual, were fantastic front-runners throughout the entire second half. 

They've quiet pieced together six straight victories and, all of sudden, are back on top of the AFC. 

13-3 is a distinct possibility. 

San Diego Chargers 

Eh, just another December for the San Diego Chargers. 

A few weeks ago, we were all ready to bury the Chargers while firing Norv Turner in the process. Now they've rattled off three consecutive wins and were impressively dominating against a stout Ravens defense on Sunday night. 

Why can't they play like that the entire season?

That's something I don't think I'll ever figure out. 

At 7-7, they're only a game behind the Broncos, but they finish the year with road contest in Detroit and Oakland. 

Making the playoffs won't be easy, but with the way their offense is operating, they'll be tough to beat.

Stay unpredictable, San Diego

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees for MVP?

He's thrown for at least 322 yards five games in a row (412 this week against Minnesota), with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions over that span.

No wonder the Saints have won six straight games.

The defense isn't amazing and stunningly has only seven interceptions on the year, but with their offense, they don't have to be perfect.

If they grab that No. 2 spot in the NFC playoffs, watch out.

Seattle Seahawks

Remember when the Seahawks were in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes?

Yeah, not anymore.

They're 7-7 and have emerged victorious in five of their last six games.

Their most recent win? A 38-14 beat down over the injury-riddled Bears in Chicago.

Marshawn Lynch was held to 42 yards rushing, but he did score two touchdowns, and the defense furthered the belief that Caleb Hanie is not ready to be a starting NFL quarterback.

The Wild Card is certainly a possibility for this resurgent club.

Week 16 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (13-1)	17. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-3)	18. Oakland Raiders (7-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)*	19. Chicago Bears (7-7)
4. New England Patriots (11-3)	20. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)*	21. Tennessee Titans (7-7)
6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)	22. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
7. Houston Texans (10-4)	23. Miami Dolphins (5-9)
8. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)	24. Washington Redskins (5-9)
9. Detroit Lions (9-5)	25. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
10. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	26. Buffalo Bills (5-9)
11. Denver Broncos (8-6)	27. Cleveland Browns (4-10)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)	28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)
13. New York Jets (8-6)	29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)
14. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)	30. Minnesota Vikings (2-12)
15. San Diego Chargers (7-7)	31. St. Louis Rams (2-12)
16. New York Giants (7-7)	32. Indianapolis Colts (1-13)

 * Monday night game