NFL power rankings Week 13: Ravens leapfrog into No. 2 spot, Falcons and Raiders make the list

Mark Maske assesses the league’s top teams after Week 12.

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1. Packers (11-0)

The gulf between the Packers and the rest of the league is wider than ever as they prepare to face the Giants in the Meadowlands, where the 2007 Patriots beat the Giants for their 16th win in their unbeaten regular season.

Paul Sancya / AP

2. Ravens (8-3)

As they demonstrated against the 49ers, they can play with anyone when they show up ready to play. It is the lesser opponents that have flummoxed them at times.

Nick Wass / AP

3. Steelers (8-3)

They probably shouldn't have permitted the Chiefs to hang around for so long Sunday night, but they held on and won.

Charlie Riedel / AP

4. Saints (8-3)

If the 49ers stumble down the stretch, they could secure the NFC's second playoff seed and a first-round postseason bye.

Bill Feig / AP

5. Patriots (8-3)

They lead the AFC East by two games and their convincing triumph in Philadelphia might have extinguished the Eagles' playoff hopes for good.

Rich Schultz / Getty Images

6. 49ers (9-2)

The defense did its part on Thanksgiving night in Baltimore but the glaring pass-protection problems could be an ominous sign for future games against top opponents.

Nick Wass / AP

7. Texans (8-3)

So much for Plan B at quarterback, with Matt Leinart now joining Matt Schaub on the sideline. It's on to Plan C and rookie T.J. Yates.

John Raoux / AP

8. Cowboys (7-4)

They're alone in first place in the NFC East but they still have to face the Giants twice.

Sharon Ellman / AP

9. Raiders (7-4)

Tebow-mania may be growing but the Raiders, not Tim Tebow's Broncos, have the upper hand in the AFC West.

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

10. Falcons (7-4)

Quietly, they're right back in the thick of things in the NFC playoff chase.

Curtis Compton / AP

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