NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Looking at Teams With Most Momentum

Anytime a team has momentum going into the playoffs, they are quite dangerous. We saw that with Green Bay in 2010 and with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. Both won games down the stretch to earn the No. 6 seed and then ultimately won the Super Bowl.

Each of the following teams are rolling right now, and two have already clinched playoff berths. In other words, watch out come time for kickoff in January.

New England Patriots (11-3)

Not since their home loss to the Giants in Week 9 has New England lost, and the Patriots currently ride a six-game win streak after knocking off the Broncos in Denver.

Their final two games are at home against the Dolphins and Bills, so it's likely that New England will finish 13-3 and claim the AFC's top seed. With Pittsburgh banged up and the Ravens choking in San Diego, the Pats look like the AFC's top contender.

That being said, New England hasn't won a playoff game since the 2007 AFC title over San Diego, so there's added motivation to revert back to their winning ways. With an improved pass rush and more effective ground game than they had in 2010, the Pats won't be upset this postseason.

San Francisco 49ers (11-3)

Even though the 49ers faced a banged-up Steelers team, beating Pittsburgh is always an impressive feat. And because of that win, the 49ers are still alive for a playoff bye week and the NFC's top seed.

Their two remaining games are at Seattle and at St. Louis, both of which they should win. After a dismal 6-10 campaign in 2010, a seven-game turnaround is extremely impressive with a rookie head coach.

Then again, it just goes to show how perfect of a hire Jim Harbaugh was and how dangerous the 49ers have become. The rushing attack is arguably the best in football, and their rush defense is without question the best in football.

Based on their 11-3 record—including wins over Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cincinnati and the New York Giants—they've emerged as a legit NFC title contender.

Detroit Lions (9-5)

Along the same lines as San Fran, the Detroit Lions have made one impressive turnaround in 2011. A 4-12 team in 2010, the Lions have the potential for a seven-win flip this season and can get the NFC's No. 5 seed.

They currently hold a two-game lead over the 7-7 Seattle Seahawks for the NFC's No. 6 seed. Thanks to a comeback win over the Raiders in Oakland, it's clear there's no quit in the Lions. That win will propel their confidence to another level, just in time for their clash with San Diego—who's riding a three-game win streak—in Week 16.

Thereafter, however, the Lions must travel to Green Bay and try to knock off the Packers for more confidence points. Any way you slice it, though, Detroit just needs one more win and they will be in the postseason for the first time since 1998 (Barry Sanders' final year).

The players are well aware of this, and based on their two-game win streak, Detroit doesn't appear to be slowing down.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27